The Caribbean
Sloths, toucans, parrots and flamingos.
Crystal clear waters, lush rainforests and gushing waterfalls.
The Caribbean offers many islands and retreats for that warm, tropical escape!
Here you will find information and pictures from the following locations:
ORANJESTAD, ARUBA
A mixture of old & new, city & beach, there's a little something for everyone here.
The crystal-clear waters offer submarine tours, scuba diving/snorkeling, jet-skiing or simply relaxing in a cabana!
There are many shops and casinos within walking distance, as well as a butterfly and aloe vera farm you may choose to venture to.
GETTING THERE:
The closest airport to Oranjestad is Queen Beatrix International (AUA), just a few minutes away from the city center.
Search the best rates on flights here.
PLACES TO STAY:
Find great deals on hotels here.
Traveling on a budget? Hostels provide a unique experience with extraordinary savings.
GETTING AROUND:
The best way to get around Aruba is via rental car.
If staying local in Oranjestad or only visiting for the day, you may also acquire local car hire.
THINGS TO DO:
Get Your Guide or explore more options with Trip Advisor
HALF MOON CAY, BAHAMAS
This tropical retreat is a private island owned by Holland America Line and only visited by ships under that company.
This means you and the other passengers will have the entire island to yourself as your soak up the sun and enjoy the crystal-clear waters.
You may choose to wander around the beaches, or perhaps hop on a horse riding right into the ocean!
GETTING THERE:
The only way to reach this island is by booking a cruise through Holland America Line.
View itineraries that include Half Moon Cay here
PLACES TO STAY:
This island offers no lodging or accommodations aside from the cabanas that can be reserved for the day.
GETTING AROUND:
This is a small enough island that you can explore via foot or there are also locals who offer to take you around for a small cost.
THINGS TO DO:
This island actually has a lot to offer for a day trip.
Cruise along the white sandy beaches, go for a horse ride in the ocean, snorkel the crystal-clear waters, swim with stingrays or take a bike tour around the island.
BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS
The capital and largest city of Barbados, Bridgetown offers some great coastal views and is known for its rich British colonial architecture within the city.
GETTING THERE:
The closest airport to Bridgetown is Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI), located about 20 minutes away.
Search the best rates on flights here.
PLACES TO STAY:
Find great deals on hotels here.
Traveling on a budget throughout Barbados? Hostels are available in select towns and provide a unique experience with extraordinary savings.
GETTING AROUND:
Rental cars can be acquired at the airport (BGI), otherwise public transportation will be available via buses or taxi hire.
THINGS TO DO:
Get Your Guide or explore more options with Trip Advisor
PORT ELIZABETH, BEQUIA
Another small island that offers nice beach strolls along the coast while taking in the variety of small shops and restaurants.
GETTING THERE:
The closest airport to Bequia is St. Vincent (SVD).
From there, you can take a ferry to the island, which is approximately 45 minutes away.
Search the best rates on flights here.
PLACES TO STAY:
Find great deals on hotels here.
GETTING AROUND:
This is a small enough island that you can explore via foot (7 square mile radius), or you may be able to find a local who is willing to transport you for a small cost.
THINGS TO DO:
The island offers a walkable trail along the coast as well as great waters for snorkeling/scuba diving.
You may also explore further options on Trip Advisor
KRALENDIJK, BONAIRE
A very small island known for being the shore diving capital of the world.
Here you can find many coral reefs and long forgotten shipwrecks that can accessed 24/7/365 due to lack of current in the water.
GETTING THERE:
The main airport located in Bonaire is Flamingo International Airport (BON), just a few minutes away from the city center.
Search the best rates on flights here.
PLACES TO STAY:
Find great deals on hotels here.
GETTING AROUND:
The best way to get around Bonaire is via Rental car or local car hire.
THINGS TO DO:
Explore more options with Trip Advisor
ISLA DE PROVIDENCIA, COLOMBIA
In November of 2020, this island experienced a stage 5 hurricane, damaging 98% of its infrastructure.
As it continues to rebuild, this island still offers great beach and mountain views as well as a warm and welcoming local community.
GETTING THERE:
Isla de Providencia does have its own airport (PVA), which can be accessed via direct flight.
There other option is to take a ferry from San Andres, which must be arranged locally.
If flying into San Andres, the airport will be Gustavo Rojas Pinilla International Airport (ADZ).
Search the best rates on flights here.
PLACES TO STAY:
Find great deals on hotels here.
Traveling on a budget? Hostels provide a unique experience with extraordinary savings.
GETTING AROUND:
Rental cars can be acquired in San Andres, otherwise public transportation will be available via buses or taxi hire.
THINGS TO DO:
Providencia Island is relatively small and be explored via foot or local car hire.
You may also check Trip Advisor for additional options.
PUERTO LIMON, COSTA RICA
Escape into the rainforest on a zip-lining adventure or scout out sloths on a wildlife excursion.
Visit the crocodile bridge or learn about the fascinating reproductive process of a banana plant.
Costa Rica is known for many exports, including fruits, vegetables and coffee - all of which can be picked up at one of the local markets.
GETTING THERE:
The closest airport to Limon is Limón International Airport (LIO).
A larger city, San Jose (SJO) is about 2.5 hours away and will offer more affordable pricing if you are looking to travel throughout the country.
Search the best rates on flights here.
PLACES TO STAY:
Find great deals on hotels here.
Traveling on a budget? Hostels provide a unique experience with extraordinary savings.
GETTING AROUND:
Rental cars can be acquired in San Jose, otherwise public transportation will be available via buses or taxi hire.
THINGS TO DO:
Get Your Guide or explore more options with Trip Advisor
WILLEMSTAD, CURACAO
Possibly the most colorful city in the Caribbean, Willemstad offers a variety of attractions for travelers.
From beaches to museums and ostrich farms to cave tours, there is plenty to see and explore, including the floating draw bridge that will lift regularly in order to let passing vessels through.
If you're looking for an adventurous food experience, this city also offers a local delicacy of iguana soup.
GETTING THERE:
The closest airport to Willemstad is Curaçao International Airport (CUR), just about 15 minutes away from the city center.
Search the best rates on flights here.
PLACES TO STAY:
Find great deals on hotels here.
Traveling on a budget? Hostels provide a unique experience with extraordinary savings.
GETTING AROUND:
The best way to get around Curacao is via rental car.
If staying local in Willemstad or only visiting for the day, you may also acquire local car hire.
THINGS TO DO:
Get Your Guide or explore more options with Trip Advisor
BASSE-TERRE, GUADELOUPE
Within a volcanic archipelago fully encircled by shallow reefs lies Guadeloupe, a colorful and relaxing island retreat.
The Fort Delgrès memorial commemorates Louis Delgrès, the leader of an anti-slavery uprising.
Additionally, driving the loop around the island is known to be one of the most scenic drives in the Caribbean.
GETTING THERE:
The closest airport to Basse-Terre is Pointe-à-Pitre Le Raizet Airport (PTP), approximately 45 minutes away.
Search the best rates on flights here.
PLACES TO STAY:
Find great deals on hotels here.
Traveling on a budget? Hostels are available in select towns and provide a unique experience with extraordinary savings.
GETTING AROUND:
The best way to get around Guadeloupe is via rental car.
You may also use public transit such as buses or taxis.
THINGS TO DO:
Get Your Guide or explore more options with Trip Advisor
ILES DES SAINTES, GUADELOUPE
The Îles des Saintes are a group of small islands in the archipelago of Guadeloupe, an overseas department of France.
They offer great beaches and perfect waters for underwater adventures.
GETTING THERE:
The closest airport to Iles Des Saintes is Pointe-à-Pitre Le Raizet Airport (PTP), located in Basse-Terre.
From here, you can obtain a ferry to the island.
Search the best rates on flights here.
PLACES TO STAY:
Find great deals on hotels here.
Traveling on a budget? Hostels are available in select towns and provide a unique experience with extraordinary savings.
GETTING AROUND:
The best way to get around Guadeloupe is via rental car.
You may also use public transit such as buses or taxis.
THINGS TO DO:
Explore options with Trip Advisor
CHARLESTOWN, NEVIS
A very small island with a welcoming "Rasta" community.
Nevis is also the birthplace of one of America's founding fathers, Alexander Hamilton.
GETTING THERE:
The closest airport to Charlestown is Vance W. Amory International Airport (NEV), approximately 10 minutes away.
Search the best rates on flights here.
PLACES TO STAY:
Find great deals on hotels here.
GETTING AROUND:
The easiest way to get around Nevis is via local taxi hire or by foot.
THINGS TO DO:
Get Your Guide or explore more options with Trip Advisor
SOUFRIERE, ST. LUCIA
This island is just 27 miles long and 14 miles wide and is the world’s only country named specifically after a woman.
It is also home to the world’s only "drive-in volcano," a collapsed crater and Sulphur spring.
GETTING THERE:
The closest airport to Soufriere is Hewanorra International Airport (UVF). located about 20 minutes away from the city center.
PLACES TO STAY:
Find great deals on hotels here.
If visiting more than one location and traveling on a budget, hostels (located in Gros Islet) provide a unique experience with extraordinary savings.
GETTING AROUND:
The best way to get around St. Lucia is via local car hire.
THINGS TO DO:
Get Your Guide or explore more options with Trip Advisor
KINGSTOWN, ST. VINCENT
The capital of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Kingstown is a major port city for the Caribbean.
Sitting 600 ft above sea level is Fort Charlotte, a British-colonial era fort with panoramic views of the island (pictured below).
GETTING THERE:
The closest airport to Kingstown is Argyle International Airport (SVD). located about 10 minutes away from the city center.
PLACES TO STAY:
Find great deals on hotels here.
GETTING AROUND:
The best way to get around St. Vincent is via local car hire or private guide.
THINGS TO DO:
Get Your Guide or explore more options with Trip Advisor
U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS (ST. THOMAS & ST. MAARTEN)
These small islands owned by the U.S. offer the tropical escape while still staying in America.
The island of St. Maarten is known for Maho beach, where the airport's runway is directly across the street, making it the closest you can get to incoming airplanes as they land.
This also makes for an interesting experience as jets take off, with the power of their blast being strong enough to send people right back into the water.
GETTING THERE:
The most common airports to fly into will be Saint Thomas (STT) or Saint Croix (STX).
From there, you can travel domestically via flight or take a ferry between islands.
Search the best rates on flights here.
PLACES TO STAY:
Find great deals on hotels here.
GETTING AROUND:
The best way to get around the Virgin Islands will either be via local car hire or public transportation.
THINGS TO DO: