Caribbean (Plus) Corner

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 Colombia, Costa Rica, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guayana, 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, Dominican Republic, Guadeloupe, Haiti, Jamaica, Martinique, Montserrat, Puerto Rico, Saba, Statia (St. Eustatius), St. Barth, 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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Chilling on Tortola and Jost Van Dyke in the British Virgin Islands

Victor Block My husband Victor and I are travel writers. Which means when we get to a destination, we explore every aspect, constantly seeking out stories. Until we got to Tortola, capital of the British Virgin Islands, with a population around 15,000. That didn’t happen. And it was almost like — dare I say the word? — a vacation. But let’s back up a bit. We are a lot older than our last trip here 30 years ago when my husband had the temerity to actually hazard driving. To put the roads in…

Started by Tripatini

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Rum and much more in Barbados

Victor Block Most travelers know that most Caribbean islands are soaked in rum, but Barbados goes the rest one better because here, locals say, is where rum was discovered. In capital Bridgetown one early-17th-century day, the story goes, a tavern owner was searching for an empty shipping barrel when he inadvertently stumbled across one filled with a concoction worth selling -- a barrel of sugar cane fermented over time. Well, Mr. Rumball -- the tavern owner -- knew a good thing when he…

Started by Tripatini

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In the British Virgin Islands, Anegada and its Lobster Festival

Photos: Victor Block Most travelers have heard of the U.S. Virgin Islands; some of the British Virgin Islands. Those familiar with the BVI usually know Tortola, and maybe even Virgin Gorda and Jost Van Dyke. But it seems that few have ever heard of Anegada. Which is a shame because it has so much to recommend it.

Started by Tripatini

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7 cool things to see/do on Saba

Richie Diesterheft Never heard of it? You´re far from alone – last year just 5,700 flights – by one of the Caribbean´s lowest arrivals figures – landed on its third smallest island (just five square miles/13 sq. kilometers sitting on an dormant volcano Mount Scenery, with a population of just under 2,000). But those in the know realize that the self-styled "unspoiled queen," part of the Caribbean Netherlands (along with Bonaire and Sint Eustatius, aka Statia) and first settled in the 1640s,…

Started by David Paul Appell

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Victor Balbin October 10, 2012 at 11:22pm

Puerto Ricans love dominoes
Ed Wetschler August 24, 2012 at 7:09pm

Thanks, Hal and Debbra. No need to search around, Hal; I'll just head off for that cheesburger. Nice tip re the cherries; think I'll take a detour into La Cave.
Debbra Dunning Brouillette August 24, 2012 at 6:10pm

Ed: Try to make it to La Cave (wine cellar) for a tasting and (if they still have them) bring home a jar of the cherries, marinated in a liqueur. Amazing over vanilla ice cream! They used to have cool t-shirts, too... And, of course, everyone has to have a "Cheeseburger in Paradise" where Jimmy Buffett supposedly was inspired to write the song...
Hal Peat August 24, 2012 at 6:00pm

Have a safe trip, Ed. A little worried for everyone I know who are in or traveling through the region this week what with Hurricane Isaac passing through also. You didn't mention, if it's work or leisure - but if it's writing related, I can search around my own list of contacts and notes and email you some suggestions.
Ed Wetschler August 24, 2012 at 1:23pm

I'm heading to St. Barths today (yes, very last-minute). Any thoughts on things I must see, do, or avoid?
Tripatini June 15, 2012 at 7:11pm

Can you advise a fellow Tripatini member about sites to find the best deals on Caribbean cruises? If so, please respond NOT on this wall but at this link to our Ask A Travel Pro forum. Thanks!
Victor Balbin May 15, 2012 at 7:56pm

There is some neat typical music on all the Caribbean Islands, check out what Puerto Rico is like....BORICUA
Anil December 17, 2011 at 12:55pm

I agree with Ed, it is a surprise. If the survey survey respondents were travel folks who take Virgin or BA travel packages of two week packages, or the charterw then it is quite possible.

I am surprised Cuba did not rank high, given its popularity with Canadian and European tourists.
Ed Wetschler December 16, 2011 at 4:04am

All valid points, Hal. I guess I was surprised because every time I go to Barbados I feel surrounded by expensive hotels. But true, that big airport and eastern Caribbean location bring in the mass tourism crowd, as well.
Hal Peat December 16, 2011 at 4:01am

@Ed Wetschler - it makes sense, here's why. The #1-4 are getting the benefit of the North American mid-range travel market due to location and cheap air access. Barbados at the eastern end of the region also gets its share due to being an air hub for both North American travelers but also a final destination for many UK and other European travelers who have direct air access. And the Barbados south coast mid-range hotels are priced to match.

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