There is nothing more fun and exciting than going and spending a perfect vacation in the beautiful island of Dominican Republic. Many people know that it is just a tiny island and got a few to offer when it comes to tourist spots, but today it is considered as a hidden gem emerging to be one of the best in this side of the globe. The government of Dominican Republic is active in overseeing every activity in the beach front to prevent people from overdeveloping it. Its main goal is to maintain its natural beauty while opening it to the world.

People have the impression that Caribbean are expensive when it comes to vacation rates, but little did you know that Dominican Republic is affordable. You can simply taste luxury without spending too much. Food and accommodations here are really cheap.

It is now ranked as one of the countries that got the best beach in the world; Dominican Republic got a number of pristine beaches that is surrounding its coastline. With its quality of beaches top with beautiful scenery, Dominican Republic is becoming a place to be during the summer months
Dominican Republic has the beaches in the north and south of the island. There are lots of beach areas in the north namely Monte Christi, Puerto Plata, Rio San Juan, Cabrera, Samana and Miches.

There are regular winds coming from the Caribbean Ocean that makes it ideal place for some activities like surfing, kite flying, sailing and wind surfing. The Playa Cabarate, located in the northern part of the island got its share of 15-20 knot for steady winds giving enough waves to hold a world class surfing competition.

Playa Grande is considered a great beach in between the towns of Rio San Juan and Cabrera. This beach is currently being developed just like other nearby beaches. The beach is set in a cove that is circled by cliffs on both sides. The water is really calm during summer time and certainly best place to lounge under the sun. On weekends, the beach is crowded by local people.

Playa Sousa is an ideal place for people who love snorkeling. The beach offers a view of distant mountains and cliffs. You can also see the seemingly endless coastline. There are also spots here that are good when you want to stroll.

There is a peninsula in the north eastern side of the island called Samana that offers crystal water, unspoiled sands, and unexplored caves certainly perfect if you want visual pleasure.
Punta Cana-Bávaro is one of the longest beaches in the island. Its landscape is filled with palms trees and resorts.

These beaches are all accessible to the public. Make sure that you are aware that some are still being developed. Dominican Republic beaches certainly attract adventure seekers and travelers from different points of the country. People go here to learn different skills like diving and surfing. Others simply go here for to just relax and sip their favorite drinks.

If you are a frequent visitor to the Caribbean, you may have made an oh-so-very-brief stopover at Aruba. Our recommendation, though, is that you spend more time on this beautiful island and really soak up the sun… literally. Aruba is unique compared to the other islands in the Caribbean region on two accounts. For one thing, this 21 mile long island is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and is subjected to its laws; whereas the other places here are independent island nations with autonomous governments. Secondly, Aruba has an incredible dry and arid climate, which basically translates to a year round of sunny weather. The white sand beaches here are absolutely magnificent but the best places to visit are Baby Beach and Eagle Beach – that is, if you can find a spot during the peak seasons.

If you want to visit Aruba, there are two ways to get here. One, you can make Aruba part of your Caribbean cruise itinerary; or better yet, make it the last stop of your trip. Two, you can just hop on a plane and get here directly. We do strongly recommend you call ahead for hotel reservations and such. Aruba can get quite crowded with holiday revelers, and it might be quite difficult to find decent lodgings if you come unannounced. Besides, by knowing what your options are, you can actually choose someplace nice to stay without breaking the bank. You might be surprised at how inexpensive some of the 5-star hotels here during the off-peak tourist seasons.

Hitching a ride here in the island is really no problem. Although taxi cabs are infrequent, there are numerous buses you can get on at the basest of prices. If you prefer a more comfortable touring atmosphere, you can always hire a private car to get you about the island, also at very affordable rates. If you can get a local to take you about the islands, you may want to ask about the best places to sample the local cuisine because Aruba can certainly deliver … and what gastronomical delights there are to be sampled in this island.

Naturally enough, there are international cuisines to be had, especially if you want something that reminds you of home. Our suggestion, however, is that you try the local cuisine. According to many Caribbean travelers, Aruba serves up the best food in the region… and nothing, we repeat, nothing beats fresh caught fare prepared and grilled right before you. Here are our top recommendations: Aqua Grill, Bistro M. and Mathilde, Driftwood Authentic Aruban Seafood, Mango’s, Marandi, Matthew’s Beachside Restaurant, Pago Pago, Pinchos Grill and Bar, the Pirate’s Nest, Sunset Grille and the Waterfront Crab House.

Okay, we must admit if you offered us a smoking piece of medium-rare, charcoal-grilled T-bone steak that hangs over the side of a plate and barely offers room for the buttered peas and the mashed taters, (plus an order of draft that is big enough to drown a horse), we would not say no. In fact, we will even say yes to you several times. If you are in the mood for such a mouth watering fare, we suggest you, your friends, your family and everyone else you know head on out to El Gaucho for some of the best Argentine meat there is. The wonderful thing is that this eating establishment is family oriented, so you can take your time with your meals while the kiddies plant their little tootsies on the game deck. Still, if you find this steakhouse a bit too crowded, especially on weekends, there are other great alternatives like the French Steakhouse, the Hooters, L.G. Smith’s Steak and Chop House, Texas de Brazil, the Tortuga Bar and Grill and the Yemanja Woodfired Grill.

Most people only ever know Saint Lucia as one of the numerous pit stops on most Caribbean cruises. Known as the Helen of the West Indies, this historic island nation has been the bone of contention between UK and France ever since ages past. Saint Lucia, named after St. Lucia of Syracuse, is one of the Windward Islands in the Lesser Antilles. Its immediate neighbors are Barbados and the Martinique.

It is easy enough to see why these two superpowers would want Saint Lucia into their fold. This tiny island nation certainly has something to offer. Aside from the staggering amount to be availed of from the tourism industry, Saint Lucia also has one of the most extensive banana export industries in the world.

If you do intend to go on a cruise, we highly suggest you make sure that one of the longer pit stops you would have is on the very beautiful island of Saint Lucia. You certainly will not have any problems when it comes to language since English is the official language of the land. A few of the natives can speak fluent French, fluent Spanish and even Creole.

In case, though, you decide to skip with the cruise and just spend the rest of your vacation time right on the island of Saint Lucia, we highly recommend you schedule your arrival during one of the island’s numerous festivals. As sure as the sands are pristine here, the native populace comes colorfully alive during nation wide celebrations. The La Rose Festival (culminates on the 30th of August) and the La Marguerite Festival (happens in October) are two of the most prominent festivals – flower festivals – you may want to take part in. These are very ritualistic festivals, and if you are indeed keen on studying another culture and religion, this is the perfect time to visit Saint Lucia so you can see for yourself.

Although these two festivals can be rather tame as compared to the Saint Lucia carnival that happens every mid-July, you would actually be enthralled with the abundant and mouth watering local cuisines that are being offered. If you are lucky, you may even be chosen to take part in the event. Plus, shopping at this time should make your trip well worth the effort. During this time, local traders and entrepreneurs bring out most of their home made products and goods and prices can drop, drop, and drop.

If you are very much into world music, you may want to visit this island nation during the legendary Jazz Festival; which by the way has been ranked as one of the world’s top 5 festivals you should never miss when it comes to the music circuit. During this time, local and international performers take to the stage, delivering wonderful jazz, kompa, soca, zouk and reggae music. It usually attracts up to 10,000 concert revelers on an average. This year, the festival was held in several parts of the island between the 2nd of May and the 11th of the same month. This year’s festivities featured Dionne Warwick, Wyclef Jean, Anita Baker, and Angie Stone.

Ciudad de La Habana, La Habana, or simply Havana is the leading commercial center and the capital city of Cuba. It is true that Havana, on its own, has been the inspiration for some of the most romantic prose in the world. This is due to the fact that Havana still carries the air of mysticism and Old World splendor. At the same time, the city has that welcoming atmosphere specially dedicated to those who seek fun and frivolity during the nocturnal hours.

For a time, Havana became synonymous with cabaret shows and salsa. This is still very much true these days. The locals or the Habañeros do know how to spruce up the night. If you are a music enthusiast, we recommend heading on out to Jazz Café and La Rampa. These two spots offer the finest music from the best local bands. There are cover charges of course, but it is well worth the price especially if you could sit through the best performance while enjoying cheap but very good beer. (We recommend the local brew.)

If you would rather dance the night away, then your twinkle toes should head on out to the Havana Club where music can get you really high even up to the wee hours of the morning. Or, if you prefer a colorful and elaborate cabaret show instead, you may want to try Parisien and Tropicana Cabaret.

However, we also highly recommend that you find a trustworthy guide to help you walk the streets. Toured guides around the city are plentiful but a personalized tour guide is difficult to find. If you have a local friend or relative to help you by, then you would find your time in Havana a lot more pleasant that is expected. If you are by yourself, or touring the city with people who are not versed with the local language or way of life, you can easily be lured into petty scams by petty crooks. They won’t cost you much, but it can a bit of a spoiler for such a wonderful city.

Havana is also home to a very diverse group of performing artists, and you may want to look into the schedule for ballets at the Great Theatre of Havana. We do realize though, that this type of entertainment may not be for everyone. So if you want a really, really want to catch some good Afro-Cuban dance and drumming show instead, then it would be best to park yourself at the El Gran Palenque at 3pm on Saturdays to catch the Sabado de la Rumba. The Cuban National Folklore Group or the Conjunto Folklorico Nacional de Cuba is certainly something you should not miss. This show however needs prior reservations. You can ask the hotel concierge to do this for you.

If your interest in the city is more cultural than frivolous, then we recommend you go on a few sight seeing tours. Old Havana or La Habana Vieja, the very core city of present day Havana is home to the richest collection of Old World architecture. In fact, La Habana Vieja is a UNESCO’s World Heritage site, with its narrow streets and overhanging balconies – typical architecture that has remained unchanged over the centuries. Some of the sites you should not miss are: the Aldana Palace; Barrio Chino (Havana’s own version of Chinatown); Castillo de los Tres Reyes Magos del Morro; El Capitolio Nacional; El Cristo de la Habana; Fortaleza San Carlos de la Cabaña; Museo de Artes Decorativas or the Museum of Decorative Arts; Museo de la Revolucion; and the National Museum of Fine Arts, among many others.

Nassau is truly breathtaking, in every sense of the word. It is the capital city of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. It is one of the call ports of a number of Caribbean cruises and boasts (rather rightfully) of an attractive harbor and a dynamic economy near the water’s edge. There are also great architectural sites to visit, and the city has a very colorful night life too. One thing that you should remember though, is that Nassau is a place for the deep-pocketed. Everything here is on the upscale. Hotel accommodations and transportation alone can be hefty so be sure to bring more than just pocket change.

If you are planning your first time visit to Nassau, we recommend you clear your schedule after Christmas; to be more specific, on the 26th of December (Boxing Day) to the 1st if January (New Year’s Day.) During this time, Nassau usually holds the largest, the liveliest and most colorful Junkanoo street parade in all of Bahamas, where contesting groups of costumed people dance their way to (hopefully) the proffered cash prizes. The parades happen from 1:00 am and end at 10 am all throughout the Junkanoo festival. We do, however, strongly advise that you make hotel reservations months in advance if you are timing your visit at this time.

Hiring a tour guide is hardly necessary. Nassau is small enough to travel on one’s own and transportation is not a problem at all. You can always rent a car or hire a driver for the day; and tax cabs are as prevalent here as they are in most major cities in the world.

Accommodations too are plentiful and definitely the place to be is at the Atlantis Resort. This resort is situated at the heart of Paradise Island and is a veritable paradise on its own. Whatever entertainment you are seeking is right here in Atlantis and most of the individual hotels have attractions of their own.

Beach Tower Hotel, for example, has a dance club, a small movie theater and a tube ride down the Lazy River. The Coral Tower Hotel has family room accommodations, and the Discovery Kids Adventure Camp. The Royal Towers Hotel is home to the Bridge Suite whose price tag lies somewhere in the vicinity of $25,000 / night, and guests are required to stay at least for 4 nights at a time. But don’t worry; this suite comes with its own cook and butler – and a five year waiting period. Other more affordable lodging places includes: The Cove Atlantis, the Harborside Resort, the Imperial Club and the Reef.

For family adventure trips, we suggest spending time with the city’s water adventure activities, because there is certainly none like them elsewhere in the world. You can visit: Aquaventure, The Current, The Dig, Mayan Temple Entertainment Attraction, The Marina and The Power Tower. Or, if your prefer partying until you get so bombed that you forget what hotel you checked into, we recommend Blue Note Nightclub; and the Cocktails and Dreams Nightclub.

Better late then never I guess. President Raul Castro, who succeeded his brother Fidel as president of Cuba in February of this year, has relaxed long-standing restrictions on cellular phone use and ownership. Of course, mobile phones have been available in Cuba for years, but the only people who could legally own them were party officials, and certain well-to-do foreigners. Regular Cuban citizens were banned from owning or registering cell phones, though many did so illegally.

But now Cuba is being thrust boldly into the wireless era, and the government restrictions on cell phone usage have mostly been lifted. This past Monday hundreds — if not thousands — of regular Cuban citizens waited in line to buy legal mobile phones and wireless service for the first time in the nation’s history.

But the cost of purchasing a legal cell phone and wireless service is anything but cheap in Cuba. In fact, the average price of a standard mobile phone and one year service contract is estimated to be nine months pay for the average Cuban worker — that’s one expensive cell phone!

But even though the cost is currently so exorbitant — cell phones are only sold in Cuba through state operated telecommunications offices — Cuban citizens seem to have an insatiable appetite for mobile phone service. Up until now, Cuba has had the lowest cell phone usage of any country in Latin America. But now all citizens will be able to purchase prepaid cards to allow them to make and receive calls, including international calls.

Although critics have said that Raul Castro is little more than a pale copy of older brother Fidel, in reality the new Cuban leader appears to be taking decisive action to open up Cuban society and commerce. Relaxing the laws on mobile phone ownership is just one example of the changes taking place on the island.

Politically, the move may signify a shift in Cuban policy, and even encourage the American government to rethink its long-standing boycott of Cuba. Washington is watching closely to see what changes, if any, the new President Castro will instigate. And even a simple move such as allowing broad ownership of mobile phones could go a long way toward opening up a Cuba culturally, politically and financially.

Although Spain, Canada, and most of Europe, has continued to have close ties with Cuba, the United States has held out, and refused to lift the 40 year economic boycott. But the political landscape in the US is changing as well, and with Raul Castro now running Cuba, the timing could be right to open up relations between the U. S. and one of its closest neighbors.

Tropical and balmy weather is always the norm in Jamaica. This small island nation has always been a favored tourist stopover among cruise takers and tourists who prefer a more relaxed visiting atmosphere. Jamaica itself lies in the Caribbean Sea, just 90 miles south of Cuba. Kingston is the capital and the largest city of Jamaica.

If you are indeed visiting Kingston City, we highly recommend you get a guide, because it is easy enough to lose your way through the numerous streets and pathways. Preferably, you hire a guide with his own ride, or you can hire the services of a driver with his own car, and ask him to recommend places to visit in Kingston. The mode of transport in the city can be a bit bewildering to the novice traveler, and if you are here on a very limited time, you may be wasting your lot by simply waiting for a bus or a cab to take you anywhere.

Due to the numerous foreign tourists visiting this island nation, you can be assured that there is no shortage of places to stay. The accommodations here are relatively cheaper than other places in the entire Caribbean, so you might as well put up your feet up in a hotel. Some of our recommendations are: Courtleigh Hotel and Suites; Four Seasons Hotel; Hilton Kingston Hotel; Jamaica Pegasus; Knutsfod Court Hotel; Medallion Hall Hotel; Morgans Harbour Hotel at Port Royal; and the Terra Nova Hotel. Not only do these places offer you great sleeping accommodations but they also have bars and lounges where you can just spend time sharing drinks with friends. Try to see what shows are scheduled during your stay because some of these hotel lounge shows (mostly cultural shows and music festivals) are definitely worth watching.

However, if you have had your fill of hotels from all your traveling and would like something more (shall we say) rustic, we recommend you try the Blue Mountain Inn or better yet, the Christar Villas.

If you are into music history, we recommend you visit the Bob Marley Museum. It is one of the most visited spots in Kingston City, and everyone just seems to gravitate there. However, other wonderful places to visit are: the Hope Botanical Gardens, the Jamaica House; King’s House, the Kingston Parish Church, and the White Mark Arawak Musuem. If you are looking for a bit of culture, then we suggest you add these places to your itinerary: the Kingston Craft Market (ah, wonderful place to buy souvenirs); the National Gallery of Art (nothing says culture than the finest works of the local artists); and of course the Devon House. Although the Devon House is a wonderful showcase of Jamaican arts and crafts, and it is a national heritage site to boot – very guiltily we admit that we are drawn to the place because of their wonderful ice cream.

Speaking of food, Jamaica food and booze is something definitely to look forward to. The eating establishments and pubs remain open even through the wee hours of the morning; although dance clubs are somewhat lackluster. However, if you are more into food, we recommend barbequed food, which needless to say, is always in perfect harmony with beer. We then recommend Island Grill and Indies Pub and Grill.

Barbados: that tiny island nation that lies in the western Atlantic Ocean. This piece of heaven on earth has one of the highest standards of living in the entire world, and if you want to spend your vacation time here, we suggest you save up … like right now. Barbados can be pricey to say the least, but is well worth the expense. Everything in Barbados is about luxury, and if you want to while away the time, basking contentedly on the beach or shopping in the most leisurely manner, then we suggest you go to the island’s capital: Bridgetown.

Accommodations in Bridgetown are usually only divided into hotels and private villas. If you can afford the latter, then we suggest you do so, because nothing can be more luxurious than having an entire villa to yourself; with a complete staff who will be at your disposal, of course. However, it is highly recommended that you book for accommodations months in advance – especially during the peak of the tourist season. The tourist season usually peaks during Christmas holidays and spring break.

If you prefer trying your luck with the smaller local hotels, we recommend that instead of looking into hotel names, you look into hotel locations. Some of these have the white and pinkish beach sands right at their door steps; and that is a wonderful thing if you plan to spend a lot of time on the sands.

Small restaurants pepper the edges of the water and some of them are pricey at best. If you want to save a little money, we suggest you venture inland when it comes to food and beverage. Or you could always try the restaurant or bar at the hotel you are staying in. Paradoxically, some of the smaller unnamed food stalls are more expensive than the 5-star eating establishments. For adventure, you may want to set your taste buds on authentic Bajan cuisine. Try Baxter Road where there are numerous eating establishments offering this dish, not to mention beer and an assortment of tropical drinks.

Certainly, Barbados is a gourmand’s paradise, a guzzler’s haven and the nocturnal owl’s delight. If you want to spend the greater portion of your nights trying out the local food samplers, drinking beer and having easy conversations, then we recommend you hit these places: the Boatyard Bar and Grill on Bay Street (offers excellent entertainment as well); Brown Sugar Aquatic Gap (serves the best seafood dishes); Harbour Lights also on Bay Street (serves Caribbean style barbeque with live music and all you can drink beach parties 3 times a week); and the Waterfront Café Careenage (serves meals by the water with buffet dinners for most of the week.)

Nevertheless, if you prefer your adventures during the daytime, you can join walking tours all over Bridgetown. Some of the landmarks that may interest you are: Barbados Museum; the Cathedral Church of Saint Michaels and All the Angels; the Garrison Savannah and National Historic Area; the Jewish Synagogue; the National Heroes Square and Fountain Garden; the Pelican Village and Craft Centre; and St. Mary’s Anglican Church, to name a few.

Situated along the Lesser Antilles of the Caribbean Sea, the US Virgin Islands comprises 50 cays and isles, both inhabited and uninhabited. Three of these include the biggest and most populated — St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix. Discovered by Christopher Columbus in the mid-1400’s, it was bought by Danish royalty in 1733 and was subsequently sold to the US Government in 1917, making it an American territory observing US-governed laws. Many of its indigenous residents come from African or West Indian ancestry. But a few European, Middle Eastern, North American and Asian people also currently reside in the islands. The official language of this territory is English, but a big percentage of the population speaks Spanish.

Its pristine beaches, blue waters, subtropical temperature, colourful plant and sea life, make it a favorite paradise vacation spot of many tourists. US Virgin Island’s economy relies mostly on tourism. There are about 5,000 hotel rooms within the major islands and a host of fun-filled activities visitors will surely treasure and enjoy. Apart from being a prime tourist destination, the US Virgin Islands is also a popular wedding venue, where couples can choose to get married indoors or outdoors, in the garden, on a boat, by the beach or even underwater!

Getting Around

The best way to get around the islands is through boats. And here, there are plenty of motorboats and sailboats for rent. If your budget affords it, you can even charter one, complete with your own crew. But if you are experienced with sailing, you will find that cruising through the currents will be very relaxing as there are hardly any obstructions or tides in the waters. You may also opt to rent a car to get around. But do take note that in many parts of these islands, the mode of transportation is best left to just walking.

Things to See and Do

Without a doubt, tourists visit this territory to commune and be overwhelmed with its natural beauty. Enjoying the waters and white sandy beaches is surely on top of most people’s list.

Coki Beach in St Thomas is where most tourists are. It is one of the Caribbean’s most beautiful beaches. It is also a paradise for shoppers and those out for a great time. There is a duty free shop here, as well as a number of trendy bars, including the world-famous Hard Rock Café.

Regarded as the islands real treasure, a big part of St. John is actually a national park where hikers and outdoor activities enthusiasts may find pleasure in. Many visitors prefer this island for snorkelling, para-sailing, kayaking, surfing or scuba-diving; and there are about 40 beaches to choose the best spot from.

The largest among the three, St. Croix boasts of an underwater park. The beaches here are also open to the public for free. The town of Frederiksted and Christiansted at St. Croix are also famous for its rich architectural history.

Tourists are required to obtain a permit from the proper government agency before they are able to go fishing. Their laws are quite strict on non-residents disturbing marine life. Permits may take a few days to be given, so it is best to plan early if you have this in your itinerary.

If you have had enough of the water and intend to stay dry for a few days, you can enjoy various activities offered in the islands’ many resorts, such as golfing, mountain biking, hiking, and horseback-riding. Chartered day or sunset tours and cruises are offered all over the islands. You can choose from any of these types: speed boats (for thrill rides), power boats (for picnics or snorkelling), catamarans (for a romantic cruise), ocean fishing boats and Tiki party boats.
Atlantis Submarine is a unique tour where visitors are taken inside a real submarine in which one can experience, first-hand, exotic sea creatures swimming beside and around the submarine.

Nightlife, Dining and Drinking

The food of choice in the island is inevitably seafood. Even at small restaurants, you can partake in a meal of lobsters and other kinds of fish. The drink of choice is rum or its variation, the rum punch. Smaller towns spend a quiet, laidback night enjoying beer and music while nights in bigger towns are reserved for that fun-filled party atmosphere.