Something for Everyone

The Possibilities are Endless

Do it all or do nothing, it’s your choice. What travelers want are options should they opt for a pastime other than imbibing fruity drinks while sunning on the beach.

As we all know, the Caribbean is not one place. It is a collection of independent countries all with individual governments and laws, people and cultures, and natural blessings. This diversity allows for the special interests of most travelers to be met in the region.

Some of the more popular pastimes are trying one's luck at gambling or immersing oneself in nature with bird or whale watching. Nautical enthusiasts will seek the numerous sailing regattas that bring in huge sailing ships or fabulous motor yachts. Other lively interests include “letting it all hang out” at carnival or the music festivals.

Regattas

With its usually calm waters and numerous sister islands within a line of sight, the Caribbean has long been a favorite location for sailors. So it’s only fitting that there are a number of sailing regattas in the Caribbean.

St Lucia hosts the ARC (Atlantic Rally for Cruisers) which starts in the Canary Islands and travels to St. Lucia’s Rodney Bay each November. The rally hosts over 200 yachts per year.

St. Maarten has hosted the Heineken Regatta for 26 years. For three days each March, you’ll find a myriad of regattas and the parties and celebrations that invariably go along with them. Antigua Sailing Week, is held in May and hosts yachts from around the world. Don’t over look the Panerai Classic Sailing regatta at the Antigua Yacht Club. The classic yachts are marshaled by some of the most ardent sailors with a passion for sailing and preserving ships from the past. The British Virgin Islands is host to the BVI Spring Regatta which is also a stellar event. Whether you love sailing on the high seas or just hanging out at the lively events that are apart of the regattas, our resorts will make a great base for you to enjoy these sea faring competitions.

Gambling

Las Vegas with a sea view. There are resorts and casinos that rival the Belagio or MGM Grand throughout the Caribbean with more on the way. Its important to know that not all islands have legalized gambling but where gambling exists, you’ll find all of your gaming staples such as poker, black jack, slot machines, and roulette.

The Grand Dame of casinos is of course the Atlantis on Paradise Island. There are several other casinos in the Bahamas as well. Aruba is home of the casino at the Radisson which is one of the better ones on the island. Aruba has a number of casinos in many of the major resorts.

St. Martin has gambling on the Dutch side. There are casinos on front street as well as a number of stand alone casinos through out the island.

The Dominican Republic has very high end casinos in most of the large resorts. In Puerto Rico, venture in to San Juan. The marquis casino is the El San Juan with live music on most nights with a disco and popular bar.

For the Nature Enthusiast

The diversity of the flora and fauna and lush forests creates a haven for all types of wildlife in the Caribbean, especial birds. For birdwatchers this is paradise. A short hike though the forest will bring the watcher in contact with colorful exotic birds of all types. Again, the Caribbean is a collection of diverse islands and not all will have great bird watching so research your island before you pack your binoculars. You’ll find exceptional bird watching in Barbuda, St. Lucia, Tobago, Grenada, and St. Vincent.

Underneath the surface, whale watching has become popular in the Caribbean. Humpback whales are the sought after creature. Lucky watchers in Turks and Caicos and the Dominican Republic are able to see whales during their annual migration. Humpback whales often surface and leap completely out of the sea to the amazement of all watchers.

Moving to the Caribbean Beat

Another compelling reason to travel to the Caribbean is for the numerous festivals that take place. The Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues, St. Lucia Jazz, Anguilla Tranquility Jazz, and the Bermuda Jazz Festival provide big name entertainers and fabulous music in venues under starry nights.

Festivals that combine the music of the islands along with local dances are of course the Carnivals. The mother of them all is Trinidad Carnival with Soca and Calypso music and brings over a million people to Trinidad each February. The second most popular festival is Crop Over in Barbados in July followed by Junakanoo in Bahamas also in July. You can also go back to the days when swashbucklers ruled the Caribbean at Pirates Week in Cayman in November.

There are now more specialty events taking place in the Caribbean which appeal to travelers. Culinary festivals in St. Martin and St. Barths are a good time to schedule your vacation. Also fashion is coming to the Caribbean with Fashion week in Jamaica as well as fashion festivals held in St. Barths hosted by Nikki Beach.

The Cricket World Cup

The Caribbean is a buzz this year due to the ICC Cricket World Cup being held in the Caribbean for the fist time. Beginning in March there will be 50 cricket matches between 16 teams vying for the world championships. Matches will take place through out the Caribbean in Barbados, Jamaica, Antigua, Guyana, St. Lucia, St. Kitts, and Trinidad.

If all that isn’t enough, several islands have noteworthy vibrant night life. Jamaica’s Hip Strip in Montego Bay, the Gap in Barbados, Rodney Bay in St. Lucia, or Oranjastaad in Aruba.

Any time in the Caribbean will be rewarding. Traveling for special events, the Cricket World Cup and festivals can make it even more memorable. Gambling or pursing other interests such as bird or whale watching are all available making the Caribbean and even more enticing destination.

With so much to do, the fruity drink will have to wait.

Read more in the Caribbean Escapes Luxury Travel Coffee Table Publication