Caribbean Resorts

Caribbean Resorts: Aruba

2009-06-02T09:52:00.002-07:00

Aruba is among the livelier, more developed islands in the Caribbean. Aruba has high-rise resorts, great restaurants and glitzy casinos lining every white-sand beach. You'll find plenty of things to do on Aruba vacations, too: sunbathing, world-class windsurfing and waterskiing by day, and discos, cabarets, dinner shows and high-stakes gambling at night.

What you won't see in Aruba is an abundance of natural attractions. Nor is Aruba covered in lush foliage. It's about as close to a desert island as you'll find in the Caribbean, with stands of cacti and aloe vera dotting the dusty terrain. In fact, Aruba is so dry, goats eat the cacti in search of something resembling leaves.

Caribbean Resorts: Bahamas

2009-06-02T09:52:00.001-07:00

When Christopher Columbus first set foot in the New World, he did so in the Bahamas, although the exact island he landed on is still a matter of debate. (San Salvador is the popular favorite, and a white cross marks the spot where he is supposed to have landed.) He didn't stay long, however, being intent on finding riches that this group of islands didn't seem to hold.

Perhaps he was looking for the wrong things. These days, travelers are quite satisfied with the treasures they find in the Bahamas: brilliant turquoise water, gorgeous sandy beaches, excellent fishing and diving, and surroundings that range from quaint colonial villages to lovely secluded coves.

Those making landfall in the islands can choose from several distinct experiences. Visitors looking for the standard resort amenities should head to Nassau on New Providence Island or Freeport and Lucaya on Grand Bahama Island. Splashy Nassau, the biggest city and main port, is awash in pink colonial buildings, bustling street markets, five-star resorts and opulent casinos. In Freeport and Lucaya, the Bahamas' second-largest port, options range from frolicking with dolphins to perusing duty-free goods in ample shopping complexes. Those more interested in deserted beaches, sailing and a generally slower pace will want to visit some of the many Out Islands (also known as the Family Islands), most of which are thinly populated (or uninhabited), yet which offer all manner of activities plus a chance to experience charming vignettes of Bahamian life.

Caribbean Resorts: Barbados

2009-06-02T09:51:00.001-07:00

Barbados is still very British. In fact, the island is commonly referred to as "Little England." Afternoon teatime is observed in some circles, cricket is the national passion and polo is played all winter. Many villages, streets, monuments and parks in Barbados are named after locations in the U.K., as well. And Bajans (BAY-juns), as they call themselves, often possess a bit of the English reserve.

What's more, British aristocrats have wintered in Barbados for decades, and the island reflects their influence in many ways. The resorts are luxurious, and the restaurants provide fine dining. Even duty-free shops are more upscale than those on other Caribbean islands.

In recent years, the culture has seen an increase in American influence and more appreciation of African roots as well, resulting in a revitalized discourse on Barbadian identity, particularly in the arts. Barbados is generally conservative, and prides itself on being Christian.

Though efficient is a word that is not used often in the Caribbean, it fits Barbados better than many other islands. It's been catering to visitors for decades and has one of the most fully developed tourism infrastructures in the region.

Barbados is hardly an undiscovered or unspoiled paradise. Although it lacks rain forests, mountainous terrain and world-class reef systems, the island's natural beauty and scenic variety are magnificent. You'll find dramatic natural caves, rocky cliffs with blowholes by the sea, miles/kilometers of sugarcane fields and some remote scenic beaches. Those seeking a week of relaxation on beautiful beaches, perhaps with a little nightlife and history mixed in, will likely be pleased with what Barbados has to offer.

Another plus is the people of Barbados. Bajans are some of the best-educated people in the Caribbean (Barbados boasts a literacy rate of 99%), and they enjoy conversing on a wide range of subjects. This quality even spills over into entertainment: The island's calypso music always has something to say and often deals with Barbados politics.

English is the official language, but a dialect with its own syntax, special meanings and some African words is also spoken. Though it may seem like a cross between bad English and gibberish, it is remarkably expressive and is often used even by the highly educated for emphasis or comic effect.

Caribbean Resorts: Bermuda

2009-06-02T09:50:00.000-07:00

Bermuda is a unique tropical-island paradise located in a remote corner of the western Atlantic Ocean. It is a peaceful vacation spot nestled in a sparkling blue-green sea. When the wind blows, Bermuda's islands, islets and outcrops are washed with white-topped, cool-green waves.

It's the diversity of color that first enraptures visitors to Bermuda—not just of sky and sea, but also of sand, trees, shrubs and flowers: The beaches are creamy white flecked with pink, the trees are a variety of lush greens, pink oleander lines the roadsides, and riotous vines tumble over limestone walls. Even the houses on Bermuda are colorful—pastel walls topped by white stepped roofs.

Add to this a variety of land and water activities (including cricket and afternoon tea), sailing (the biennial Newport-to-Bermuda race first came into port in 1906), excellent restaurants, no cars (but you can rent scooters), reliable sunshine, and excellent shopping buys on European goods.

It's no wonder that vacationers return to Bermuda year after year.

Caribbean Resorts: Cayman Islands

2009-06-02T09:49:00.000-07:00

You'll enjoy the Cayman Islands if you've ever had the urge to see beneath the sea. The underwater scenery is among the best in the Caribbean, full of exotic fish, coral reefs and even the occasional stingray. The water is warm, clear and often calm—and there are plenty of places to dive or snorkel.

Be aware, however, that the Cayman Islands do not offer much in the way of geographic diversity, and just about everything costs more than it does at home. Of the three islands that make up the Caymans, Grand Cayman is the largest and the center of both the tourism and offshore banking industries. Most visitors spend at least some time there, if not their entire vacation. The heavy influx of visitors to Grand Cayman has had a homogenizing effect on that island. With its traffic, chain restaurants and T-shirt shops, you could, on occasion, mistake crowded stretches of Seven Mile Beach for parts of Florida. The other islands, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, get fewer visitors.

Caribbean Resorts: Curacao

2009-06-02T09:48:00.000-07:00

Curacao is a curious place. Its Dutch colonial buildings painted in shades of yellow, orange and blue are reminiscent of Amsterdam, yet the dry climate, barren soil and cacti are more akin to the southwestern U.S. But Curacao's greatest natural beauty lies offshore—around the island's coral reefs, which are drawing an increasing number of divers and snorkelers.

Some of the things that set Curacao apart have little to do with tourism. With its unique buildings and natural harbor, the capital Willemstad became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. The town is a big, bustling port (and the largest dry dock in the region). Huge ships sail right through downtown, and the Queen Emma Bridge creates a unique sight when it turns sideways to let them pass.

Much of the shipping traffic revolves around the island's large oil refinery, second only to tourism as an economic factor for the island. When Shell Oil ran the refinery, Curacao became one of the more prosperous parts of the Caribbean. Shell left in 1987, and the government now leases the facilities to a Venezuela company that runs it on a much smaller scale. When winds are high, the refinery can emit an unpleasant odor and pollutants around the immediate area and downwind; a filter tower has been installed in an attempt to combat the problem.

With a mixture of 55 different nationalities on the island, Curacao has a fascinating multicultural aspect. It also has a cosmopolitan character: The majority of residents speak at least four languages—English, Spanish, Dutch and their own Papiamento.

Caribbean Resorts: Dominican Republic

2009-06-02T09:46:00.000-07:00

What you notice first about the Dominican Republic is its size. This is not just another tiny Caribbean island with a beach and a straw market. Instead, it's a big country with spectacularly varied scenery that includes the tallest mountains in the region, stretches of white sand that run unbroken for miles/kilometers and the Caribbean's oldest and—some claim—most cosmopolitan city, Santo Domingo.

The Dominican Republic was long one of the Caribbean's more obscure locales. Then the Dominican Republic's government began splashing its assets around the world in colorful TV and print advertisements in a determination to elevate the country's name on the list of Caribbean vacation spots.

Evidence of their success is visible throughout the country. Visitor numbers have soared along with the construction of dozens of all-inclusive resorts. There's also been an increase in visits by cruise ships to the ports of Santo Domingo, Puerto Plata, Samana and La Romana.

Other improvements can be traced to the pursuit of tourism income: Many of the country's roads have been widened and paved, historic areas in the major cities have been renovated, and the nation has gained a new cache among the world's rich and famous as more and more deluxe boutique-hotels open.

Although the growth in tourism is easing some of the country's economic troubles, it hasn't ended the desperate conditions experienced by many Dominicans. The unemployment rate is high, and more than a quarter of the people live in poverty—residing in shantytowns and rural shacks that even visitors to all-inclusive resorts will find hard to ignore.

Caribbean Resorts: Jamaica

2009-06-02T09:44:00.000-07:00

The popular image of Jamaica is emerald rain forests, waterfalls that tumble into cool, clear streams and glorious beaches that rival any in the Caribbean. The legendary "cool" of Jamaican culture is heard in its reggae music and by the dry wit of the young Jamaican men who pilot visitors down the Great River on bamboo rafts. You won't easily forget the throngs of competing taxi drivers who swarm outside the Crafts Market in Montego Bay.

Jamaica is one of the most beautiful and culturally rich islands in the world, but it's also a very poor country that depends heavily on tourism. It struggles with a flagging economy, high unemployment, social tension and the violence that accompanies the localized drug trade. As a result, when Jamaica makes news headlines, it's described as either a great destination or a place to avoid.

Travelers may receive some uncomfortable attention from Jamaicans who are struggling to make ends meet. Some visitors seek to avoid these situations by taking only escorted tours and sequestering themselves in one of the island's many all-inclusive resorts. As fun as the all-inclusives can be, avoid becoming cloistered (some of the resorts are more like fortresses than retreats). Explore the countryside and mingle with the people. The physical beauty and vibrant culture of Jamaica are still its greatest assets, and there's enough optimism and good cheer among its people to make you forget the hassles.

Caribbean Resorts: Sta. Lucia

2009-06-02T09:43:00.000-07:00

St. Lucia island in the Caribbean possesses a wealth of natural beauty—lush mountains, a steaming sulphur volcano, 19,000 acres/7,690 hectares of rain forest, charming black- and white-sand beaches, rare colorful foliage and exotic wildlife. Add to this mix the pleasant St. Lucia weather and the nice beaches, and you understand the island's slogan: "Simply Beautiful."

There's plenty to do on this small island. The rain forest is an ideal place for hiking, mountain biking, bird-watching or standing near a waterfall to soak up the mist from its spray. There's also whale- and dolphin-watching, snorkeling, kite-sailing, fishing and diving.

Vacationers who go to St. Lucia travel there to enjoy its charm and undeveloped feel, found in places all over the island. Whether visitors stay in a deluxe, all-inclusive resort or a local inn or hotel, St. Lucia and its residents extend a warm welcome.

Caribbean Resorts: St. Maarten

2009-06-02T09:42:00.000-07:00

St. Maarten, the Dutch side of the island, is more developed for tourism than the French side, with big hotels and time-share developments. Its capital, Philipsburg, is a favorite destination of cruise ships, and it's wall-to-wall with tourists when ships are in port.

The French and Dutch sides of the island, although culturally distinct, have a shared history dating back to the early 17th century. Early settlers banded together to ward off the Spanish, then divided the 37-sq-mi/96-sq-km island between themselves. The hilly, southern Dutch side is the smaller half, covering 16 sq mi/41 sq km.

The Arawak Indians named the island Soualiga, or Land of Salt, and the Great Salt Pond, near Philipsburg, remains a prominent geological feature. The capital's sheltering Great Bay has attracted international traders for centuries, and St. Maarten is still known as a duty-free shopper's paradise. With its sheltered harbors, trade winds and proximity to other islands, St. Maarten is also a yachting hub.

St. Maarten is part of the Netherlands Antilles, which includes Curacao, Bonaire, Saba and St. Eustatius.

Turks and Caicos: Caribbean Resorts

2009-06-02T09:39:00.000-07:00

Aside from the Turks and Caicos' spectacular white-sand beaches and unbelievably blue waters, a view from the air reveals little that's inviting about the mostly dry, scrubby, sparsely populated chain of Caribbean islands. Their real appeal lies below the water—one of the world's largest networks of coral reefs provides exceptional diving and snorkeling, while the turquoise inshore flats and deeper aquamarine offshore waters guarantee world-class fishing.

Resting serenely to the southeast of the Bahamas, the Turks and Caicos are beyond being "discovered" yet still remain off the radar for the average Caribbean island vacationer (truth be told, the islands are surrounded by Atlantic, rather than Caribbean, waters).

Those who do visit typically head for Providenciales (known locally as Provo), the largest, most developed and most westerly island in the Turks and Caicos island chain. Provo has exploded in recent years and has many luxury hotels and many good restaurants, but no cruise ships stop there, and although the skyline is now creeping upward, no one could mistake it for Aruba. You won't find fashion franchises or fast-food outlets; for many locals, dressing up means a clean T-shirt that doesn't promote a brand of beer.

The second-most-important isle, history-steeped Grand Turk, is the island capital and was thoroughly trashed by Hurricane Ike in September 2008.

The rest of the inhabited Turks and Caicos islands have a real outpost feel to them—but they all have their own annual festivals, which provide a great time to gather on the beach, renew or start friendships, and eat some local specialties.

The Turks and Caicos islands are a pleasant destination, but before you go, make sure you have a solid understanding of what's there and what's not: Those who want to delve into the undersea world or lounge on the beautiful beaches—and want little else—won't be disappointed. The same goes for vacationers seeking hotel luxury beyond the dreams of Croesus. Those who are looking for lush Caribbean island scenery or who can't appreciate a slow-paced, quirky island atmosphere should spend their vacation somewhere else.

Great Links

2009-06-02T06:29:00.000-07:00

Fashion Magazine Online
Paintings By A Child Artist
Hotels Manila
Fibromyalgia Relief
Caribbean Holiday
Earning Money Online
Credit Card Payment
Free Stuff
Cheap Travel Europe
Hotels in the Philippines
Cheap Travel Asia
Budget Vacations
World Beaches
Philippines Resort
Philippines Resorts
Philippines Vacation Packages
Work at Home Mom
Writer Author
Writers and Editors
Dating Relationships
Travel to the Philippines
Earn Cash Online
Beauty and Wellness
Caribbean Resorts
Maldives Holiday
Buy a Laptop
Best Cell Phones
Best Digital Cameras
Thailand Beach Resorts
Mexico Beach Resorts
Hawaii Beach Resorts
Bali Beach Resort
Brazil Packages
Beach Resort Australia
Spain Beach Resorts
Weight Loss and Fitness