Some of the most beautiful places in the world are not found on land, they are alive underwater, in the coral reefs of crystal clear waters where entire sea life habitats exists. So, how do you get to enjoy this beauty? Not by bus, plane or train — the only way to experience this delight is by strapping on a dive cylinder and putting on some flippers.
Scuba diving is a fast-growing sport that takes …
Serenity and energy, a still visible past that endures amidst the flow of twenty-first century prosperity – all connect in unexpected moments while exploring this old quarter of Panama City known as the Casco Viejo. Because so many decades have left this compact warren of streets, squares and ornate structures outwardly untouched while the modern-day capital grew, the result has been an extraordinary preservation of much of the significant original architecture and layout of the …
Unless you’re at the beach, going anywhere on St. Vincent becomes an adventure in traveling up and down. This is a volcanic island with extensive hilly terrain, even near its shoreline, but it also offers a contrasting impression of green interiors, black beaches, bright pastel-colored buildings, busy town waterfronts, and dramatic rocky crags on islets just offshore. It takes a little more effort to get to St. Vincent than more accessible islands like Barbados, Jamaica, …
Located in the Caribbean, Barbados appeals to visitors who simply want to kick back and enjoy the sun, sea, and surf. With its aqua blue sea and powdery beaches, you are never too far away from a place to sit and relax. But when you feel like doing some exploring, Bridgetown (Barbados’ capital city) is the place to head to. It’s easy to get to from just about anywhere, no matter where you are in …
Not all Caribbean treasures wait to be discovered in chests hidden in long-forgotten sites – a visit to the Dominican Republic can also provide a fascinating glimpse into the world of semi-precious stones to be found around this island nation. In fact, the island of Hispaniola, which the Dominican Republic shares with neighboring Haiti, is renowned among gemologists for its semi-precious stones of both amber and larimar that have been uncovered here. Nowadays, the traveler …
The dual-nation Dutch/French island of St. Martin (Sint Maarten on the Dutch side) is known for a lot of things: crystal clear aquamarine waters, expansive beaches, great seafood and plenty of sun. Its sandy shores aren’t the only things that sparkle, however; the jewelry district of Philipsburg boasts brilliant jewelry at great prices. Here are a few tips for making the most of your shopping experience.
Start Early: It’s never too early to start shopping, …
Panama is located in the middle of countries with such natural wonders that it can be difficult to choose just one. Yet, Panama has its own charm with rich cultures and diverse landscapes. Being bordered by the ocean on two sides, it has beaches galore. From the modern skyline of Panama City to the biodiversity of wildlife at Bocas del Toro, to the highlands of Boquete, Panama is packed with chances for a true Central …
Little Gustavia, capital of the French Caribbean island of St. Barthélemy, is a fine showcase for local culture and traditions while also displaying a wider connection to the international cosmopolitan retail and culinary worlds present along its winding streets. Once a Swedish colonial outpost, the Gustavia of today merged from its past as a quiet harborside fishing village in the mid-twentieth century when St. Barths caught the interest of international globetrotters and trendsetters.
Thanks to …
Everything can happen in just a day on Little Cayman, and then again nothing much may happen at all. Along the way, either experience becomes something to savor. Just a short flight from Grand Cayman, this corner of the western Caribbean remains one of its quietest. For those usually in a rush to do it all, be prepared to adjust quickly to the luxuriant pace of Little Cayman time–where the speed limit is usually 25 …
Cabarete hardly misses a beat, even in a pouring tropical deluge. Arrive by taxi along the main coastal road from Puerto Plata on a mid-summer day, and the route into this ever-lively resort town swiftly becomes jammed with traffic—cars, taxis, the local guaguas (mini-vans that make frequent stops), and of course the Dominican favorite, the motorbike. As they enter the center of town, all ply their way at maximum speed along the two-lane road overburdened …
Approximately 180 miles east of Puerto Rico lies the island of Saint Martin. This small, 50-square-mile island is divided between two nations: the French Republic in the north and the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the south. The French part, known as the Collectivity of Saint Martin, is an overseas collectivity of France, while the Dutch part, Sint Maarten, is one of the four constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The division of …
If you travel past Kingston and head northeast to Port Antonio, you see the real Jamaica. Once a hangout for the rich and famous, Port Antonio was ravaged by a series of hurricanes from 1988 through 2005. One after another, these storms pounded the Portland Parish, wrecking much of the tourism trade. But for those who want to see a side of Jamaica that most never see, Port Antonio is not to be missed. The …
Anguilla lies low on the horizon as you approach by ferry, a landscape at first suggesting less variety than her mountainous neighbors of St. Martin or St. Barths. But distant, outward appearances can be deceptive. Once you come ashore here, and make the easy drive up and down the length of her terrain, you also begin to encounter the color and character of an island and people with a distinct sense of identity.
Anguilla’s history …
From early colonial days to the present, the eastern Caribbean island of Antigua emerged first as a naval base and later a favored port for sailors and seafaring adventurers. Down through the centuries, those changes have included the presence of British admiral Horatio Nelson in the late eighteenth century and, in more recent times, yachting enthusiasts of all levels.
The island’s naval legacy has its origin in the wider conflict and competition across the Caribbean …
