About Caribbean Travel

'Sweet 16' Deal at Mango Bay, Barbados

2010-02-09T14:01:25Z

The all-inclusive Mango Bay resort in Barbados is celebrating its 16th anniversary with a special deal that includes room-rate discounts, a $300-per-couple air credit, $25 per person in credits toward a massage at the resort's Elements Spa, and a free catamaran cruise and glass-bottom boat ride.

Rates start at $535 through April 30. The Sweet Sixteen Spring Forward package must be booked by Feb. 15. For more details, see the Mango Bay website.

Compare Prices

More Information on All-Inclusive Barbados Resorts

'Sweet 16' Deal at Mango Bay, Barbados originally appeared on About.com Caribbean Travel on Tuesday, February 9th, 2010 at 14:01:25.

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'Sun-Kissed Winter Sale' at Almond Resorts

2010-02-08T13:00:35Z

Almond Resorts -- all-inclusives in Barbados and St. Lucia -- has a 'Sun-Kissed Winter Sale' ongoing that features three-night minimum stays starting at $435 per person per night, plus $100 spa credit per person per stay.

The deal is good on bookings through Feb. 28 and on stays through April 15. For more details, see the Almond Resorts website.

All-Inclusive Resorts in Barbados

All-Inclusive Resorts in St. Lucia

'Sun-Kissed Winter Sale' at Almond Resorts originally appeared on About.com Caribbean Travel on Monday, February 8th, 2010 at 13:00:35.

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Gay Cruises: Debate on Caribbean Port Calls

2010-02-08T11:48:38Z

Edge Magazine in Boston recently reported on the debate over whether gay-themed cruises should make port calls at destinations like the Bahamas and Jamaica, which have a history of anti-gay activity. Good story and the debate isn't as clear-cut as you might think: Should gay ships stop in homophobic ports-o-call? Caribbean Gay Travel Guide

Gay Cruises: Debate on Caribbean Port Calls originally appeared on About.com Caribbean Travel on Monday, February 8th, 2010 at 11:48:38.

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Aruba, Curacao Look Beyond Oil, Seek Green Energy

2010-02-07T10:44:52Z

Even the biggest fans of Aruba and Curacao must admit that it's jarring for visitors to see the big oil refineries on these islands spewing tons of pollutants across the otherwise brilliant blue Caribbean skies.

It's part of the reality of living in a world fueled by hydrocarbons, and some of the fuel made here is destined for U.S. gas tanks. However, its good to know that both islands are also taking steps toward a greener future.

The Tera Kora and Playa Kanoa wind farms in Curacao, for example, will soon put out a combined 30 megawatts of clean power, and Aruba also is building a 30 megawatt wind farm -- a great legacy for future generations of residents of two islands where Dutch heritage and steady trade winds makes alternative energy projects like these a natural fit.

Learn More About Wind Power

Aruba, Curacao Look Beyond Oil, Seek Green Energy originally appeared on About.com Caribbean Travel on Sunday, February 7th, 2010 at 10:44:52.

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Cold Weather Threatens Sea Turtles

2010-02-06T14:13:18Z

The term 'global warming' has become a real liability for the environmental movement, because every time the northern hemisphere gets a cold snap people forget about all those warm, rainy days in January and conclude that the science is all bunk and the planet is just fine. 'Climate change' is really the better description for what's going on around the world, as the recent freezing temperatures in the deep south have shown.

Ecosystems operate within a fairly confined range of temperatures, and variations can cause real problems, especially when combined with other stressors like pollution. Caribbean travelers are well aware of the damage that persistently high water temperatures have done to the region's coral reefs, including widespread 'bleaching' that kills off live coral and leaves once-colorful reefs looking drab and lifeless.

What I learned this week is that water that's too cold also causes trouble: the Caribbean Conservation Corporation (CCC) reports that sea turtles exposed to cold water caused by the wintery weather in Florida and the Bahamas can get 'cold-stunned,' leaving them dangerously lethargic and sometimes unable to lift their heads out of the water to breathe.

The CCC reported on Feb. 2 that conservation groups recently conducted what may have been the biggest sea-turtle rescue operation in history, saving 3,000 cold-stunned turtles. "We've never seen anything like this before," said CCC executive director David Godfrey. The group is now seeking donations to replenish its emergency fund; see their website for details.

Information on Caribbean Diving

Cold Weather Threatens Sea Turtles originally appeared on About.com Caribbean Travel on Saturday, February 6th, 2010 at 14:13:18.

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Little Dix Bay - Review of the Little Dix Bay Resort, Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands

2010-02-05T16:27:10Z

Those who know me well know that the British Virgin Islands are one of my favorite Caribbean destinations, and my recent visit to the Rosewood Little Dix Bay resort has only made my heart pine for the BVI a little more now that I'm back home. Find out what's so special about Little Dix in my new review: Little Dix Bay - Review of the Little Dix Bay Resort, Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands.

Little Dix Bay - Review of the Little Dix Bay Resort, Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands originally appeared on About.com Caribbean Travel on Friday, February 5th, 2010 at 16:27:10.

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Air Jamaica Trims Flights to U.S., Grenada

2010-02-05T13:08:24Z

Struggling Air Jamaica is eliminating its flights between New York and Grenada and will end all service between Jamaica and Orlando, Chicago, Curacao and Nassau, Bahamas.

The changes will take effect in March and April and will leave the airline with 161 weekly flights between Kingston and Montego Bay and five U.S. gateways: Baltimore, Philadelphia, Toronto, New York/JFK, and Fort Lauderdale.

More Information on Air Travel to the Caribbean

Jamaica Travel Guide

Air Jamaica Trims Flights to U.S., Grenada originally appeared on About.com Caribbean Travel on Friday, February 5th, 2010 at 13:08:24.

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Montserrat 'Most Dangerous Destination'? C'mon...

2010-02-04T12:59:01Z

A recent article from Fox News makes the interesting claim that Montserrat is one of the "world's most dangerous destinations" for tourists, citing the island's active volcano. I say interesting because to my knowledge no tourist has ever been killed or injured due to volcanic activity on the island, not to mention that Montserrat has one of the lowest crime rates in the Caribbean.

Of course, the story also lists Northeastern Arizona -- that noted hotbed of calamity -- as a danger zone for tourists, so perhaps we give too much credence in calling this a 'story' at all.

Bottom line, kids: once in a while Mother Nature may do a traveler in with a tsunami, earthquake, or jellyfish sting. But honestly, your biggest peril as a traveler comes unfortunately from your fellow human beings: in the grand scheme of things, you are far more likely to be robbed, shot, blown up or otherwise molested by another person than the planet.

For some useful insights on this -- as opposed to Fox News' editorial strafing -- I recommend Robert Young Pelton's book, The World's Most Dangerous Places, an entertaining if somewhat alarming guide to all the perils the wider world sometimes presents to travelers.

More Information on Travel to Montserrat

Montserrat 'Most Dangerous Destination'? C'mon... originally appeared on About.com Caribbean Travel on Thursday, February 4th, 2010 at 12:59:01.

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Vieques Health Lawsuit Sparks Tourism Concerns

2010-02-03T14:19:23Z

CNN reported this week that Nanette Rosa and three-quarters of the residents of the Puerto Rican island of Vieques are suing the U.S. military over health problems allegedly caused by weapons testing at a now-closed military base there.

Residents cited a range of illnesses they say were caused by toxic materials at the former U.S. Navy base, and the Puerto Rico Tourism Company this week addressed possible concerns that tourists might have about visiting the island.

"We continue to urge the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Navy to aggressively step up their important work on Vieques because our first and primary concern is the health of its residents," said Jaime Lopez-Diaz, executive director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company, in a press statement. "In addition, a critical need remains ensuring that Vieques' natural beauty is preserved and affected areas restored and that Vieques evolve to a world class destination, as part of the islands of Puerto Rico. This can only be accomplished with the EPA's environmental restoration experts leading the way."

"Vieques continues to be the jewel of the Caribbean, a beautiful and natural tourist destination," Lopez-Diaz continued. "Tourists come to the island everyday to experience one of the most exotic places in the Caribbean. Vieques just won the Reader's Choice for Best Tropical Island Escape in Travel and Leisure magazine.

In fact, areas of Vieques are already benefiting from new hotel and other tourist-related development. To further the sustainable development of Vieques, the government of Puerto Rico is committed to working with the federal government and private industry for a positive outcome."

Vieques Health Lawsuit Sparks Tourism Concerns originally appeared on About.com Caribbean Travel on Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010 at 14:19:23.

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Tourism is Seen as Way Back for Haiti

2010-02-02T13:41:22Z

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton, the New York Times and others agree that building up Haiti's tourism infrastructure is a critical facet of long-term recovery plans for earthquake-ravaged Haiti. Clinton, the United Nations' special envoy for Haiti, touted Haiti's tourism potential at a recent meeting of business leaders at the World Economic Forum, while the New York Times said in a Jan. 31 editorial that tourism could help boost Haiti's self-sufficiency by creating tens of thousands of jobs.

Along those lines, it was greatly heartening to hear that Choice Hotels is planning to stay the course in its commitment to open new properties in Haiti -- plans that were announced shortly before the Janurary 2010 earthquake in Port-au-Prince. Choice officials said on Jan. 29 that it will go ahead with plans to open a pair of hotels in the port city of Jacmel.

One of the projects was a slated conversion of a local hotel into a Comfort Inn: the hotel survived the earthquake and is now being used as a shelter and supply depot. The other project is a planned 120-room Ascend Collection property; both are located in the southern Caribbean coast city of Jacmel, one of Haiti's main cultural hubs.

"Although the earthquake caused massive destruction and set back timetables, Choice Hotels together with the hotel owner and developer, SIMACT, will continue to collaborate to see these projects to completion and open two great properties in this coastal Caribbean town," said Brian Parker, vice president of emerging markets and new business development for Choice Hotels.

Tourism is Seen as Way Back for Haiti originally appeared on About.com Caribbean Travel on Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010 at 13:41:22.

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