The Traveler!

I am sure many of you are sad that the summer season is almost over. It’s been a long time since a have not posted a new destination in the Caribbean for you to learn and comment on, but here is an exciting place I just visited during my summer vacation in Mexico, Cozumel.

Cozumel Island is a fascinated place to visit! It has an amazing exhibition of coral reefs and fish of all sizes and types, turtles and much more, which makes it the ideal spot to enjoy snorkeling and diving.

The first difference you will notice from other island is the spectacular color of the water. As soon as you arrive to the island and even before, you will be surrounded by many people trying to sell you snorkeling and diving tours as well as car rental packages. My advice is that you wait until you arrive to Cozumel and find a <10 people snorkeling or diving tour. In my experience, the small group tour was cheaper and more exciting because we got to meet our group and the captain well. If you like to drive around, make sure you negotiate down by a lot the asking price and always ask for printed receipts. Also, check the condition of the vehicle and/or Vespa.

I would also recommend you have a natural coconut water ice cream at the plaza in front of the port. It was simply the best ice cream cone I have ever tasted in my life!

I loved Cozumel and recommend it to all my readers and friends. I can’t wait to come back again next year.

Stella,

For more information please visit Cozumel official website: http://www.islacozumel.com.mx/

Picture sources: (1) http://www.travelise.com/mexico/cozumel-island/ and (2) http://www.eminj.com/PHCCruise2010/Homepage10.htm

I am sure you have heard of Jamaica and its great treasures. Jamaica is the land of Robert Nesta, best known as “Bob” Marley, singer-writer, and musician.

Jamaica’s ecological treasures offer “limestone cave labyrinths and gushing waterfalls to mineral springs with curative powers” (http://www.visitjamaica.com/default.aspx)

Some of the most famous places in Jamaica include (1) “Montego Bay with dozens of shops, restaurants and clubs, championship golf courses on lavish resorts, and legendary Colonial great houses – Montego Bay’s juxtaposition of natural beauty and man-made luxury make it a beloved destination. (2) Negril with the best destinations for families, honeymooners and spring breakers. (3) Ocho Rios with the natural beauty of its waterfalls, rivers and beaches to the grandeur of its all-inclusive resorts, “Ochi” is the best destination for all types of travellers, including eco-tourists, families, and sports buffs. And (4) South Coast with the best hidden treasures, like serene butterscotch beaches with some of the best seafood eateries in the world, the crocodile-filled Black River and a welcoming people who love to share their culture and traditions with visitors” (http://www.visitjamaica.com/default.aspx).

Pictures retrieved from:
http://www.le-caribbean-islands.com/images/jamaicanegrilbeach.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1395/1489692121_6520c4957b.jpg

The ABC islands are located on the southern Caribbean sea. These three beautiful islands are full of beauty, adventure, and other amazing activities.
The main tourist attraction in Aruba are its smooth and stiff winds beaches, amazing resorts and spas, casinos, shopping malls, and fine restaurants. There is always something for everyone! In the case of Banaire, the most famous tourist attractions are scuba diving, hiking, shopping, birdwatching, and much more… On the other hand, Curaçao has one of the most amazing clear-water and white sand beaches along with the best samba in the Caribbean.

Aruba

Bonaire

Curaçao

Pictures retrieved from:
http://www.freewebs.com/loesanneliza/ABC_islands.jpg
http://www.thetravelpeach.com/caribbean-vacations/aruba/aruba_2%5B1%5D.jpg
http://www.frommers.com/images/photos/photos500/2370-25822.jpg
http://www.klm.com/destinationguide/cms/destinationguide/images/Curacao_tcm354-109679.jpg

If you are looking for one of the best scuba diving and snorkeling experience in the Caribbean, then you should visit the Cayman Islands. The islands offer an amazing exhibition of coral reefs that host hundreds of fish and many other species. The main islands are: (1) Grand Cayman, (2) Cayman Brac, and (3) Little Cayman. There are many other activities and attractions that you can enjoy in the islands such as the seven-mile beach, live shows at night, restaurants, and much more…

For more information visit:
http://www.caymanislands.com/

Pictures retrieved from:
http://www.wayfaring.info/wp-content/uploads/2007/03/grand-cayman_9_500×330.jpg
http://www.livingcayman.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/522458view-of-couple-walking-on-beach-cayman-islands-posters.jpg

Con Sabor Tropical!

Barbados is just three hours away from Florida. It offers a paradise to all visitors ready for romance, adventure, and the best setting for a relaxing vacation. Many couple travel to the island just to get marry or enjoy their honeymoon. The island is ready for any of your occasions. At glance, Barbados is 3 hours away from Florida, average of 88 Fahrenheit, white-sand and crystal clear beaches, friendly people, amazing sunsets, underground caves with waterfalls and lakes, and one of the most finest RUM in the world.

If you are looking for one of the best islands to get marry, plan your honeymoon, and/or vacation visit: www.IdoBarbados.com and www.CaribbeanTravel.com

Pictures retrieved from:

http://barbadosfreepress.files.wordpress.com/2007/07/fishing-boats-barbados-2007.jpg
http://www.travel.co.uk/_CMSAssets/IMAGES/Destinations/barbados%204.jpg

The sweet island of Tobago has a lot to offer. “Tobago is quite small, only about thirty miles by ten, with a ridge of forested mountains down its spine, surrounded by cliffs and beaches and fringing reefs. Trinidad is bigger, about 65 miles by 50, though long peninsulas on its western coast add to its breadth. Tobago is approximately 27 miles long and 7 miles wide with an area of 116 square miles and population of 50,000. A drive around the island or tour through the rainforest will prove to be a delightful outing. But Tobago is not about traipsing around historical sites. Don’t feel guilty about wanting to lounge around by the pool or under a shady tree at the beach. Without doubt, Tobago is an ideal destination for all ages and tastes, whether it’s an annual family vacation or a romantic getaway” (World’s Best Beaches)

Pictures Retrieved from:
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/tm/2007/TM_SUN/26708TobagoPigeonP_428×269_to_468×312.jpg
http://www.pocruises.com/Content/img/ports/Tobago.jpg
http://www.threebestbeaches.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/trinidadtobago/tobago01.jpg

World’s Best Beaches: http://www.threebestbeaches.com/blog/893/tobago-beaches/

Are you looking for the perfect family adventure or romantic and relaxing gateway? Look no further. The Bahamas offers some of the best scenes, activities, restaurants, hotels, resorts, and much more just for everyone. The Bahamas is conformed of fourteen unique little islands. The most commonly named are “The Grand Bahama Island and Nassau/Paradise Island” . Every day in the Bahamas is an adventure.

The island is full of friendly people whose culture is influenced by European traditions. Some say that the Islands of the Bahamas are like paradise. What do you think? Have you been there?

There are many good and affordable deals that you can find if you are thinking about going to the Bahamas.

For more information:
http://www.bahamas.com/

Picture retrieved from:

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2009/2/11/1234368067215/Costa-Brava-or-Bahamas-Sa-003.jpg

Puerto Rico offers a great variety of places like the beautiful rain forest and dozens of beaches, sports, aquatic activities, skydiving, and much more. Puerto Rico is one of those places where you fall in love with the people and the place. There many hotels, resorts, and posadas where you can feel like at home and enjoy a great vacation.

I invite you to take a look of this YouTube video from Puerto Rico and click on the linkbelow for more information about the Rain Forest “El Yunque”.

YouYube Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvOLT7fjQ3Q

El Yunque Rain Forest:
http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/caribbean/

Pictures Retrieved from:

http://www.eastpuertoricodiving.com/wp-content/gallery/puerto-rico/puerto-rico-beach-night.jpg
http://www.puertoricoskydiving.com/images/gallery/puerto-rico-03.jpg

This gorgeous and small island is part French and part Dutch. St. Martin is the perfect place to enjoy a luxurious, relaxing, and exciting vacation. The little island offers snorkeling, windsurfing, amazing spas, casinos, and much more activities… There are more than 30 different beaches that offer romantic and lonely settings, long beaches full of activities and company, and even the European style, “the nude beaches”.

Pictures retrieved from http://paradizo.com/st-martin

Mi Tierra Bella!

Among the most beautiful places in the Caribbean is the Archipielago Los Roques located in Venezuela. Los Roques is the largest marine Park in the Caribbean conformed of eight islands: Gran Roque, Crasquí, Carenero, Cayo Pirata, Domusquí, Esparquí, Isla Fernando and Prestonquí. Its incredible marine ecosystem include coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangroves. In addition, Los Roques is home of dozens of bird, turtle, fish, crustacean among many other species.

Los Roques is a true paradise where you can still enjoy the Caribbean as is and experience the tradition and culture of its people. According to the article, In Los Roques, Venezuela, A No-Frills Vibe, “[Los Roques represent] the Caribbean as it may have felt before tourism. That’s what we like about it, that it isn’t built up with condos and paved streets and boutiques selling saltwater taffy and T-shirts”. (http://travel.nytimes.com/2006/12/17/travel/17explorer.html)

Instead of big hotels, condos, and resorts, Los Roques offer the exclusivity of its Posadas to all visitors. Here is one Posada’s website where you can find more information and enjoy great pictures about Los Roques. I will be posting some information about rates for this incredible destination.

Pictures retrieved from:

www.panoramio.com/photo/12549444
www.posadamovida.com/
www.panoramio.com/photo/3671825