Aruba
The stark desert landscape of Aruba sets it apart from other islands of the Caribbean and contributes to its nearly perfect year-round weather. Windsurfing is a popular pastime, along with a plethora of other activities such as hiking, cave exploring, horseback riding, and jeep touring, not to mention swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling, scuba diving – and fishing. With 11 casinos on the island, there are a variety of restaurants and nightclubs, too. In fact, Aruba is considered the “Las Vegas of the Caribbean.” The duty-free shops of Orangestad, the capital with a population of 26,000, offer a wide array of luxury items from Europe.
Like other Caribbean islands, the native Indians and European settlers have influenced Aruba’s culture. The Dutch took control of the island in 1636, and Aruba gained independence in 1986. These influences are especially noticeable in the architecture, food, language, and festivals such as Carnival, held in January and February, and the Bonbini Festival, featuring Aruban music, dance, crafts, and food every Tuesday evening at Fort Zoutman, which dates to 1798. Many visitors are drawn to Aruba’s natural wonders such as Arikok National Park and its wildlife population, Haystack Mountain (elevation 541 feet), and the unusual rock formations of Ayo and Casibari. Another popular attraction is the Atlantis Submarine Expedition, providing views of the Barcadera Reef and marine life. It leaves from the Seaport Village Marina.
Montego Bay
One of Jamaica’s oldest settlements, dating back to the late 1400s, Montego Bay (Mo-Bay) developed into a tourist destination in the 1800s when people began bathing in the healing waters of Doctor’s Cove and Cornwall Beaches. (Jamaica has been a member of the British Commonwealth since 1962.) Consequently, hotels and resorts sprang up along the white sandy beaches on the northern coast. And people still come in droves to enjoy the sun, sand, and aquamarine waters, as well as golf, tennis, river rafting and tubing on the Great River, bicycling, and jeep safaris.
Montego Bay has a lively nightlife, with reggae and calypso clubs. It boasts a variety of fine restaurants and local eateries that serve jerk chicken, local beer, and Jamaican rum. There are many duty-free shops and a market that sells local crafts in the city of 83,000. Other diversions include St. James Parish Church, established in 1775; Greenwood Hall, the estate of English poet Robert Browning: Rose Hall, home of White Witch Annie Palmer; and Rocklands Feeding Station (for birds).
Nassau/Paradise Island
Nassau/Paradise Island (population 211,000) has long been one of the most popular destinations in the Caribbean. When the Carolinas are just beginning to thaw out, it’s in the 80s in the sunny capital of the Bahamas. You can swim, sunbathe, sail, snorkel and scuba dive year-round in its warm and crystal clear turquoise waters, reputed to be the “best” in the Caribbean. Bring your golf clubs or tennis rackets, too, because the island boasts some excellent places for playing either game.
As a government center for this British Commonwealth country, a jump-off point to other islands (most a half hour away by air), and a popular seaport boasting duty-free goods from around the world, Nassau is considered the “New York” of the islands. It is also filled with surprises – from restaurant/bar hideaways on Coral Harbour to the Cricket Club on Arawak Key, offering some of the best Bahamian and British fare on the island and open to the public. Here, too, you can witness the Changing of the Guard at the Parliament Building; climb the intriguing Queen’s Staircase, hewn out of natural limestone; and celebrate Junkanoo, a Bahamian national festival on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
A bridge connects Nassau to Paradise Island, which abounds with sophisticated shops, restaurants, clubs and casinos and popular attractions such as Discover Atlantis, now offering dolphin encounters as well as other marine life. It is also a departure point for daytime powerboat excursions to other islands.
Punta Cana
Punta Cana is one of the hottest tourist destinations in the Dominican Republic, indeed the Caribbean, because of its beautiful, quiet beaches and all-inclusive resorts. There are 22,000 hotel rooms in Punta Cana. Visitors enjoy a variety of water sports, plus golf and tennis. Local attractions include the Punta Cana Ecological Reserve, Manati Park, and monster truck safaris.
San Juan
A territory of the United States since 1898, San Juan, Puerto Rico’s capital, has been influenced by America, but its strong ties to Spain date to the early 1500s. The city of 400,000 plus residents offers luxury hotels and resorts, wonderful restaurants and supper clubs, and nine glitzy casinos. Culture abounds in the professional theater, music, opera, and ballet companies and art galleries of the city, and spectator sports such as horse racing and basketball add excitement. It is also known for its beautiful beaches and great boating and fishing. The International Billfish Tournament is an annual August event.
The most charming part of the city, without a doubt, is Old San Juan. Located within the old walls of the seven-square block area are historic forts, government buildings, churches, museums, and houses that are reminiscent of Colonial Spain. All can best be seen on a walking tour. Definitely worth a visit is the San Juan National Historic Site, which contains Fort San Cristobal and Fort San Felipe del Morro (El Morro). The self-contained forts were essential for the island’s defense over its long history. The Casa Bicardi, open for tours and accessible by ferry from the Old San Juan port, is said to be the largest rum distillery in the world. Another interesting side trip is the Las Cabezas de San Juan Nature Preserve, a showcase of the country’s eco-systems.
St. Lucia
St. Lucia is a tropical gem, known for its alluring beaches, fertile valleys, rain forests, and picturesque mountains, including the cone-shaped signature Gros and Petit Pitons. Nature always has center stage on the lush green island, a member of the British Commonwealth since 1979. You can ride zip lines through the dense forests, ride horses on the beach, enjoy snorkeling and scuba diving adventures and fishing trips. You can play golf and tennis, watch exciting soccer and cricket matches, and visit working banana plantations, as well as old sugar plantations. The island hosts festivals throughout the year, but the best known are the St. Lucia Jazz Festival in May and Carnival in July.
The capital city of Castries (population 64,000) offers many pleasures, including wonderful restaurants specializing in Creole and international cuisines and shops featuring local handicrafts and fine jewelry, crystal, china, and other treasures (duty-free) from around the world. St. Lucia is known for its batik fabrics, cane furniture, and straw items, sold at two markets, including one in Castries that dates to 1895. Though many historic sites have been lost, Castries’ attractions, include the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, The Unicorn, a replica of a 19th-century brig at Rodney Bay Marina, and Pigeon Island National Landmark, which includes a park and the remnants of Fort Rodney.
 St. Thomas
Settled by the Danes in the 1600s and now a part of the U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Thomas is a shopping paradise, especially for many cruise ships. Charlotte-Amalie, the territorial capital with a population 11,000, is home to hundreds of shops that sell duty-free fine jewelry and watches, exotic perfumes, crystal, china, silver, cashmere sweaters, designer clothing, and more, plus native handicrafts. In addition to the historic government buildings and churches of Charlotte-Amalie, favorite attractions include the Fort Christian Museum, St. Thomas Skyride, Coral World Ocean Park, and Atlantis Submarine Expedition.
The island offers unlimited opportunities for swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling, scuba diving, and fishing along its beautiful beaches and in its clear waters. Golf, tennis, and spectator sports such as horse racing, ball games, and cricket matches are also popular. A number of fine resorts and restaurants are scattered around the island.
 Turks and Caicos islands
The tiny Turks and Caicos Islands are home to only 18,000 residents, the majority of whom live in Cockburn Town on Grand Turk, where the seat of government is located, and Providenciales, also known as “Provo,” the center of tourism. Visitors are attracted to Provo’s fine hotels, resorts, and restaurants and the relaxation they offer. Along the islands 230 miles of beaches, you may enjoy sunning, swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, sailing, fishing, and boating. Tennis, golf, and bicycle rentals are available through hotels and resorts. Fresh seafood is the most popular menu item at restaurants, though other dishes are available. Shopping is limited to local craft items and duty-free liquor and tobacco. The islands are not known for their attractions, but Grand Turk is home to a scenic lighthouse and the Turks and Caicos National Museum and Provo has an interesting conch farm.
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Puerto Vallarta
