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Interested in the Caribbean? Comprehensive list with of where to head

by Jamie Rhein (RSS feed) on Nov 9th 2008 at 10:30AM

I don't know about you, but this time of year when the sky is slate gray more often then it's sunny, and the leaves have dropped from the trees like rain, I start thinking about warmer pastures. "Let's get out of Dodge," I say. Not really, but that's what I fantasize.

The Caribbean has been an appealing option since a couple of years ago a friend asked me if I wanted to go to Costa Rica. Although, Costa Rica isn't part of the Caribbean scene exactly, it got me thinking about that part of the world. Our trip didn't work out and remains unfinished business. This article in The New York Times offers oodles of option ideas for a Caribbean vacation from the pricey to the not so bad. Now, I'm thinking again.

One of the reasons for the Caribbean travel deals is the beating that the weather gave to the area this year. The financial meltdown is another. Just like Las Vegas has become cheaper in order to draw tourists, so has the Caribbean.

The article touts Anguilla, Bahamas, Barbados, Curaçao, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grand Cayman Island, Grenada, Martinique, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, St. Marten, St. Kitts, St. John, St. Lucia, Turks and Caicos and Tobago.

Each destination has a different appeal depending on what you're after.

Curaçao's newest resort to open since the 1990s caught my eye because it was developed to be part of the 19th century Rif Fort which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The room rates at the Renaissance Curaçao Resort and Casino are above what we'd spend, but maybe there are cheaper hotels on the island. My adage is stay cheaper and pop over to the more expensive place for drinks, a meal and browsing.

There are cheaper digs elsewhere. One less expensive family option is The Virgin Island Campground on Water Island for $75 a night.

Reading the article is one way to get your mind wandering. Along with the places to stay suggestions are dive shops and restaurants. I'd use the article as a starting point and then see what else you can find by doing some research yourself. [The photo is of Honey Moon Beach at Water Island. You might be in competition with me if you chose this place.]

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Scuba Diving, Ecotourism, Budget Travel, News, Travel Deals, Caribbean

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

eric hymas Dec 14th 2008 1:23PM

I have just returned on a scuba diving holiday in the Caribbean (Grenada and the Grenadines) on board a catamaran. I really enjoyed the combination of scuba diving and sailing with http://www.fabsafaris.co.uk has to offer

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