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 along with the Caribbean coasts of ColombiaCosta RicaFrench Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Nicaragua, Suriname, and Panama.

For other individual island forums, check out Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Barbados, Bonaire, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Cuba, Curaçao, the Dominican Republic, Guadeloupe, Haiti, Jamaica, Martinique, Montserrat, Puerto Rico, Saba, Statia (St. Eustatius), St. Barts, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Maarten/Martin, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

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Why Dominica is the Caribbean´s quintessential "Nature Isle"

David Stanley No megaresorts, no swim-up bars three deep with cocktails, no overrun tourist attractions, no pushy touts. This 290-square-mile bit of lush real estate wedged between Guadeloupe and Martinique is all rainforest, river, and volcano, with just enough sea and sand to satisfy beach lovers. But while Dominica is just 29 miles tip to tip and 16 across, don't let the size fool you into thinking you can zip around in an hour. The interior is all steep, forested mountains, so even the…

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The French-flavored icon of low-key luxury that Is St. Barts, and its top highlights

David Stanley The small French Caribbean island of Saint Barthélemy has with a population of roughly 11,000 people, yet it has developed an outsized reputation as one of the world’s most exclusive destinations. Located in the northeastern Caribbean near St. Martin, it´s just ten square miles in size—small enough to cross in about twenty minutes—yet rich in atmosphere and variety.Its history reflects a mix of influences. Originally inhabited by Arawak and Carib peoples, in 1648 it became a…

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What definitely not to miss in Havana

Eric Marshall   Deteriorated though much of it is, what might be the most surprising thing to travelers about Cuba´s capital - still the most beautiful in the Caribbean - is how well-rounded it also is. Especially culturally, with restaurants, cafés, shops and ubiquitous music joined by high-quality museums such as the Museum of Fine Arts, with international as well as Cuban works, divided between a modern facility and the magnificent late-19th-century Centro Asturiano (Asturian social club);…

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Visiting Atlantis Paradise Island, Bahamas: experiences, tips, and essentials

Don Ramey Logan First opened in 1968 just offshore from Nassau, Atlantis Paradise Island is one of the Caribbean's most iconic resort destinations, which with its world-famous water park, marine habitats, luxury towers, and stunning beaches spread out over 154 acres attracts millions of visitors every year. Whether you're planning a family vacation, a honeymoon, or simply a subtropical getaway, this guide will help you plan the perfect trip—covering the best time to visit, must-do…

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  • 100% against it. Hate to see Anegada change.
  • In St. Thomas I met a BVI developer who said he's working on a marina development for Anegada. It was a casual conversation that may or may not be reliable. Has anyone else heard of upping the intensity of deveopment on Anegada? If so, what do others think of this direction?
  • Yes, Julie, and don't forget the sailing aspects of the BVI. The ideal sailing conditions attract a lot of sailors who are, by nature, pretty environmentally friendly and fit into your category of "special kind of traveler". I love that term.
  • I agree with Tony. Sounds like BVI wants to continue to attract a certain type of traveler, one who likes smaller resorts and quiet, natural destinations.
  • I would venture to say that it's the right course for them since they have other important revenue sources.
  • eTurboNews reports that other tourist destinations may strive for mass tourism in these tough times, but the British Virgin Islands are determined to "stay the course," with small-scale, upscale, quality resorts. Is that the right course?
  • I have lived in St. Thomas on two separate occasions and St. Thomas has always had a violence problem. Most of this violence is between rival families and gangs. It is unusual that visitors would be attached or even involved. This last unfortunate incident was accidental (not a justification) and a case of somebody being in the wrong place at the wrong time. I hesitate to condemn the the Virgin Islands as a whole, The British Virgin Islands territory has a history of low crime rates and respect for outsiders.
  • Having just returned from St. Thomas less than a month ago, I would have to say I felt safe there. From the destinations I have visited, it seems that there are always areas that you would want to avoid but don't reflect upon the entire island. What are everyone else's thoughts?
  • I would go in May when most visitors leave. In May I like sailing between the islands, French Town, Water Island, hiking on Jost, visiting friends in Coral Bay, snorkeling on Anegada, and I would like to see Culebra. In May, I even like the grittiness of Road Town and Charlotte Amalie. It was on a winter trip that I came to actively dislike the VIs, and on a spring trip that I rediscovered them.
  • First an innocent kid gets killed in the Virgin islands and now the news says homicide rates are up there. This is why I wont go to the Virgin islands. Who would?
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