This fabled sea, covering more than a million square miles and 7,000 islands with diverse languages, cultures, and ecosystems, has become probably the planet's premier vacation playground. Here it's all about its regional issues and allures. And yes, the (Plus) means we're including the Bahamas and Bermuda!

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11 of the best experiences in Haiti

  SPC Gibran Torres Haiti, really? You´re no doubt wondering. Well, yes, the Americas´ most impoverished country has been an abject basket case for many years, and its current tragic vicissitudes with violence and instability make it seem unlikely to recover any time soon. But here´s a reminder of what a fundamentally beautiful country this is, how rich is its history, how vibrant its culture, and how friendly its people – as I can attest when I visited way back in 26 years ago. This, then, is…

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The jewel in Puerto Rico's eco crown: El Yunque rainforest

Javier_Art_Photography The "Isle of Enchantment" offers an amazingly diverse menu of options to visitors, in capital San Juan and well beyond - history and culture, for sure, but also tasty eating, drinking, and beaching, along with memorable partying and much much more. But one side of Puerto Rico you should definitely not miss is its wealth of eco opportunities, from glowing "bioluminescent" bays to spectacular waterfalls, and most especially a large swath about an hour's drive from San Juan:…

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St. Lucia is one of ´7 of the Top Destination Brands of 2023´

govt.lc Ditto for the Caribbean, where Saint Lucia took “World’s Leading Honeymoon Destination” thanks to its romantic landscapes (especially its irresistibly photogenic twink peaks, the Pitons) and beaches. Meanwhile, Jamaica of course continues to be one of the region´s top tourism powerhouses, and these awards came away with the twin honors of the top family and cruise destination.   read post    

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  • What's one of the oddest sights in the Caribbean, and the DR's most popular? Get the details on Altos de Chavón in this week's Spotlight (you can find it after this week in our Spotlights archive).
  • Interesting item I just read in the DR Travel News e-letter re the Dominican's Casa de Campo:

    "Guests booking into Casa de Campo this winter season will be staying in totally new surroundings. Parent company Central Romana Corporation is investing US$25 million into the transformation of the main areas of the hotel and about a third of the rooms in time for high season.

    Designers Mayra Gonzalez and Patricia Reid are working on the major changes with architect Rafael Selman of Selman & Asociados Arquitectura, reported in Casa de Campo News October-November issue. According to the publication, the new look blends in with the minimalist approach and use of Caribbean materials that Gonzalez has already used at Minitas Beach and at the Cygalle Spa. Natural materials such as marble, coral stone and oak wood are being used to create an impression of extreme simplicity.

    Designer Gonzalez describes it as "bringing the Casa de Campo hotel up to date in a warm contemporary style."

    The design involves dramatic changes, from the gardens near the entrance to the lobby, gym, pool area, restaurant and offices that are being relocated. The lobby is being doubled in size. The Tropicana Restaurant has been transformed into a terrace overlooking the pool. The new restaurant is being located at La Cana Bar's former site, with an indoor air-conditioned area, al fresco dining tables and a glassed-in show-kitchen.

    The rooms located at the far end of the driving range are will all be new. Patricia Reid designed the rooms to luxury hotel standards in soft, neutral tones. Only remaining are the old mahogany doors to the terraces, which are being restored."

    I've long felt the place could use some refreshing...looking forward to checking it out one of these days soon!
  • They speak mostly English in Curacao, fyi. There's very little Dutch spoken, mostly Papiamentu, which is a form of the West Indian-based dialect spoken on most of the islands. For a truly foreign feeling experience try one of the French islands or St. Martin - both French and Dutch.
  • thanks guys, your advice is great and has cetrainly opened up a lot of possibilities. personally i've been to jamaica and thought it was nice but they speak english like we do (with ap rettier accent!!) so i think a more foreign island like curacao will be fun, tho i'm still up in the air!! i was readin gabout that keshi yena and that sounds YUMMMMMY!
  • One of St. Kitts' newest attractions is Sky Safari's ziplining, which lets you soar above the rainforest canopy on a variety of lines at different speeds. I tried it on my most recent trip to the island and thoroughly enjoyed the experience!
  • Wendy, have you been to St. Kitts? It also fits the "all-around" bill, yet it has only recently been focusing on tourism so it's relatively uncrowded. Among the things to see and do are touring historic Brimstone Hill fortress, rainforest hikes, riding the Caribbean's only scenic passenger train, visiting charming plantation inns, enjoying authentic and cool beach bars, and more. Another plus is that Nevis (see Cheryl's comment) is the sister island to St. Kitts, separated by only a 2-mile channel, so you can do a day trip or even a twin-island getaway.
  • That said, Jamaica is my favorite island. SO much culture, SO much variety. And one of the Caribbean's most affordable.
  • Iguana Stew. What can I saw, it tastes like guess-what. Better - keshi yena. Stuffed baked gouda. A melding of its Dutch and West Indian culture.
  • I have a Destination Specialist Certification in the Caribbean, Bahamas and Bermuda and have travelled extensively in those areas. Would be happy to help in any way I can.
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