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Tours to the Caribbean. The best resorts in Cuba

It is worth talking about the Caribbean islands and thoughts of sun, sea and sand immediately come to mind. The laid-back rhythm of life allows you to enjoy a glass or two of your favorite cocktail, sitting under a coconut palm and feeling the light breath of the ocean breeze on your face. It is likely that this place is a branch of heaven on earth.And since you are already in paradise, it's time to enjoy your vacation to the fullest, choosing for this a chic, first-class resort. Naturally, this will cost a pretty penny, but why risk ruining your holiday by staying in a cheap run-down hotel? Below is a list of the ten most luxurious resorts on the coast. caribbean.

10. Sandy Lane, St. James, Fr. Barbados

Stars and other famous personalities consider "Sandy Lane" their safe haven. The resort offers over a hundred hotel rooms and a five-room villa. Very close to the coast is a coral reef of wonderful beauty called "Little Sandy Lane". The main representatives of the marine fauna in this part of the Caribbean are barracudas and lobsters.

The hotel owns three golf courses - this is probably what prompted Tiger Woods, a famous American golfer, to rent the entire resort to spend here. Honeymoon with Elin Nordegren. Unfortunately, the couple did not visit this place often enough. But the stylish and romantic atmosphere of Sandy Lane could help save their marriage.

9. Maroma Hotel, Mexico

Vacation in Mexico. Surely, you will immediately think of Acapulco or Cancun. And about the crowds of tourists who scurry through their streets day and night long. But just 50 kilometers away is the quiet and cozy town of Maroma. The hotel of the same name offers 36 rooms, which means it is never too crowded.

8. The Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands

The Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas resort in the Virgin Islands is located on 60.7 thousand square meters. m of beautifully manicured land, and the island of St. Thomas offers amazing scenery. Due to the elegance and sophistication of this place, the 152 rooms of the hotel are in high demand. Living in the luxurious surroundings of a superbly appointed hotel, you will be much closer to nature.

7. "Atlantis", about. Paradise, Bahamas

They say that about 11 thousand years ago the majestic city of Atlantis disappeared into the depths of the sea, leaving no trace of its existence. The same name was taken by one of the resorts in the Bahamas, proud of its beautiful sandy beaches and offering all the conditions for practicing any kind of water sports. Here you can also make a "jump into the unknown" - go down the water slide 18 meters high directly into the main pool of the resort. The resort is located on Paradise Island, which in itself speaks of the miraculousness of this place.

6. Resort "Turks and Caicos", about. Providencials

Turks and Caicos is a string of eight islands in the Caribbean archipelago located about 600 miles off the coast of Miami and surrounded by numerous coral reefs. This place is very popular with the stars, so don't be surprised if you accidentally stumble upon someone very famous. Go to about. Providencials and stay at the Turks and Caicos, your vacation is guaranteed to be enjoyable and full of fun.

5. Caneel Bay, Fr. Saint John, US Virgin Islands

The elitism of this island rolls over. It is worth mentioning that even the Rockefellers liked to spend weekends here with the whole family. The island is covered with lush greenery, real tropical jungle. With Caneel Bay, your stay on the island will be an unforgettable experience. The hotel has 166 charming rooms, a huge spa and wellness center and three restaurants. Tennis lovers will be delighted with the modern courts offered by the resort.

4. Resort "Parrot Cay" on the island of the same name

There are just resorts, and there are resorts that allow guests to relax in solitude. The Caribbean is full of outstanding holiday destinations, each offering top-notch amenities and luxury. Sometimes the only way for a hotel to distinguish itself is to provide the guest with exclusive service and privacy, as Parrot Cay does. Its exclusivity knows no bounds. A small boat is the only way to get to the luxurious five-star resort. Only a few people can visit this place at the same time. Luxurious, secluded, unique - it's all about the Parrot Cay resort.

3. Little Deeks Bay, Fr. Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands

Not far from the coast of Puerto Rico is located about. Virgin Gorda with an area of ​​just over 20 square meters. km. The island is surrounded by lush greenery, offering breathtaking views of the bay. At the center of this riot is Little Dix Bay, a huge resort offering the best entertainment in the mountain and underwater worlds. The resort has hiking trails of varying difficulty levels to suit everyone from beginners to experienced hikers. If diving is more your thing, there are some great diving spots here.

2. Hyatt Regency, Fr. Aruba, Netherlands Antilles

Aruba is located off the coast of Venezuela (South America). Its feature is a unique combination of Dutch, Spanish and Caribbean culture. Combined with a casino, the Hyatt Regency Resort will immerse you in a sophisticated and relaxed atmosphere, provided by round-the-clock entertainment and the courtesy of a well-trained staff.

1. Resort "Four Seasons", about. Nevis, West Indies

11.01.2019

The Dominican Republic, or simply the Dominican Republic, occupies most of the island of Haiti, and also has a number of small islands in its jurisdiction, which looks extremely attractive in terms of tourist recreation. Being the second largest country in the West Indies (after Cuba), the Dominican Republic has a long coastline - almost 1,300 kilometers, which indicates an impressive number of large and small resorts. Since the Dominican lands are washed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, travelers often have questions - are there any differences between these coasts, what are they, and in this case, which part of the Dominican Republic is better to choose for a vacation? Let's try to figure it out.

Atlantic coast of the Dominican Republic

the Atlantic Ocean washes northern and eastern parts Dominican Republic. The very first thing that can be said about the resorts located on these shores is that they should be chosen, first of all, by all windsurfers, advanced divers and adherents of other marine activities. The Atlantic carries stormy waves, and if the eastern coast of the Dominican Republic is covered by an extended coral reef shield, then on the northern shores, it happens that tourists do not dare to swim for several days.

Territorially to northern part The Atlantic Coast includes the coastline from the border with Haiti to the Samana Peninsula. Another unique feature of the region is that in a relatively small segment there are many climatic zones. On the western "outskirts" of the northern coast, it is very dry - even arid. The terrain here is rather monotonous, flat. Vegetation does not tend upward either: green spaces are represented mainly by shrubs. The seeming dullness of the area is diluted with two magnificent national parks with thickets of outlandish mangroves and beautiful sea views.

The piece of land between Cofresi and Nagua is also called the Amber Coast due to its rich amber deposits. Golden beaches here are interspersed with lush mountain forests, which is why most of the northern coast hotels are concentrated in this region. Mountain biking, horseback riding, ocean fishing, surfing, diving and other extreme sports are most widespread here. Speaking of diving: the Dominican Republic is generally considered the best place in the Caribbean for snorkeling and scuba diving: coral reefs and underwater lawns in this region are distinguished by an amazing variety of flora and fauna (there are beautiful tropical fish and rays in the local waters, even manatees and humpbacks swim whales!), the bottom relief is very picturesque and rich in cavernous formations, but the most interesting and exciting came to the bottom from the surface - these are sunken ships of various eras. Over the past half century, about four hundred ships have been in distress in the region, so there is something for divers to admire. It is not surprising that under such conditions in any resort in the Dominican Republic a solid diving center, or even more than one, will be waiting for you. The Atlantic coast of the country is worth choosing for experienced divers, while beginners can practice and gain experience in the much calmer waters of the Caribbean Sea.

Samana Peninsula ends the northern part of the Atlantic coast. Perhaps this is the most picturesque part of not only the Dominican Republic, but the entire Caribbean. This is how we usually imagine an exotic paradise: many kilometers of deserted expanses of white sand, tired coconut palms leaning over turquoise water. Resting on Saman in January-March, you can watch whales splashing in the distance: at this time they come here from the cold waters of the North Atlantic to reproduce.


Best Resorts north coast of the Dominican Republic

Puerto Plata

The heart of the northern Dominican Republic, the place where Christopher Columbus landed, is Puerto Plata, stretching along the Amber Coast. This resort is the second most popular in the Dominican Republic after Punta Cana, although it is very different from it: here you can relax in silence, relax, enjoy nature and learn how to tame the Atlantic wave on a surfboard. Fans of an active nightlife in Puerto Plata will certainly be disappointed by the long and unsuccessful search for a working disco. Founded at the end of the 15th century, the city offers its guests to see a number of ancient buildings (the old city center, the fort and the San Felipe Cathedral) and visit several good museums. The main wealth of the resort is bestowed upon it by nature. For example, Isabel de Torres is the highest mountain in this area, which can be reached by car, on foot or by cable car. From the top of Isabel de Torres, arms outstretched, looking at the city ... a statue of Christ the Redeemer! A reduced copy of the masterpiece from Rio de Janeiro was presented to Puerto Plata by the Brazilian authorities.

To visit Puerto Plata and not visit the reserve "27 fountains" would be a grandiose omission. This is a natural water park with twenty seven, as the name implies, cascading waterfalls. Tourists are invited to climb seven, twelve or all twenty-seven waterfalls along secret paths and rope ladders, and then go down the water.



Playa Dorada

A little east of Puerto Plata is the resort complex Playa Dorada. It is very popular among tourists, also due to the airport, located just 15 minutes away, which is very convenient for families with children and pensioners who can hardly endure long journeys. But, of course, this is not the only advantage of Playa Dorada. The fabulous-looking beach with a gentle entrance to the water is awarded the Blue Flag and is considered one of the best in the Dominican Republic. Amazing nature, the highest service in local hotels, unlimited space for active and extreme pastime, a large selection of restaurants and bars, the famous 18-hole golf course and a casino - all this in the complex makes Playa Dorada perfect place for rest of any category of tourists.


Cabarete

A resort for young, mobile, full of energy and adrenaline people. He himself is young - just a dozen years ago, fans of surfboards chose the tiny fishing village located here for their activities, and now Cabarete Beach is included in the world's Top 10 places ideal for surfing. All thanks to the fact that not a single coral barrier interferes with the waves of the Atlantic Ocean, and peppy trade winds delight lovers of sea extreme sports all year round. Cabarete annually hosts world windsurfing competitions, as well as tournaments in kiteboarding, which is gaining popularity. The coastline of the resort is abundantly dotted with various bars, because where else, if not in a noisy establishment with a glass of strong drink, to relax after taming the Atlantic waves?

For those who do not belong to the cohort of extreme athletes, we can recommend a visit to the El Choco National Park, which is a little older than the resort itself: only 25 years ago it was given this official status. In El Choco, you will find the richest flora, many orchids, tropical birds and even a dozen species of bats, but the main asset of the park is the system of underground caves with pools "Caribbean Karst", where you can get on a tour and swim. The territory of the reserve is decent, it’s easy to get lost on foot without a guide, so it’s better to hire a guide or go around El Choco on horseback or in jeeps.



Sosua

Another youth place on the northern coast of the Dominican Republic is comfortably located in a calm bay between Cabarete and Puerto Plata. The small resort is the party center of the region: there are many bars and discos in Sosua, mostly bachelors rest here. Local Belo sandy beaches quite wide, so, despite the large number of tourists, everyone here can sit comfortably. Not far from the coast there is a compact but densely populated coral reef where you can go snorkeling: the local diving center will provide tourists vivid impressions. Other attractions in Sosua include Botanical Garden and the old market, as well as the Jewish quarter: back in the 1940s, Jews who fled from Europe found refuge here. In winter, the main entertainment here is boat trips to flocks of humpback whales that swim here to procreate.



Samana

This peninsula is highly recommended for visiting independent tourists. Despite having two international airports and three large cities, while Samana remains a quiet, peaceful place and is famous for its virgin nature: coconut groves, caves, waterfalls, clear rivers and deserted beaches - complete relaxation. There are several national parks on the peninsula, the largest of which is Los Gaitises with mysterious caves in which the Indians used to live (as evidenced by the drawings on the walls), and now only the bats. Another local attraction that would be extremely unfair to ignore is the 30-meter El Limon waterfall. They say that everyone who bathes in it is waiting for untold wealth. Tours and tastings at the ranch where coffee and cocoa are grown are very popular.

Part of the province of Samana is the small island of Cayo Levantado, also known as Bacardi Island - it was here that the first commercial of this popular brand was filmed. And if you are lucky enough to be on the peninsula in February, then your path must necessarily run through the capital of the province - the city of Santa Barbara de Samana, where a merry salsa and meringue festival takes place at this time.



East coast The Dominican Republic, washed by the Atlantic Ocean, is considered the most popular and sought-after recreational region of the country. Here are the most major resorts and there are practically no cities in the usual sense of the word. It is here that the hotels with which tour operators from the CIS countries are most actively working are located. A large coral reef stretches almost along the entire coast, protecting the land from the energetic waves of the ocean and along the way creating excellent conditions for memorable diving. In other words, the resorts of the eastern part of the Atlantic coast of the Dominican Republic will be an ideal place for recreation for both active and restless tourists and contemplative couch potatoes.



The best resorts on the east coast of the Dominican Republic

Punta Cana

This is a huge resort region, located at the "junction" of the Atlantic Ocean with the Caribbean Sea. The biggest, the most popular, the most beautiful - you can pick up adjectives in a superlative degree of comparison for a very long time to describe it. The main pride of Punta Cana - wide beaches dotted with coral paper-white sand, planted with thick coconut palms and lined with exotic bungalows covered with dried palm paws. And all this beauty is in municipal property, so you can sunbathe and swim freely and free of charge. Punta Cana was also lucky with the weather: the rainy season here is very short, and the average monthly temperature is almost unchanged all year round - around 30 degrees, which are softened by light ocean breezes. This resort for honeymooners is becoming more and more popular: the days spent here will be remembered by the newlyweds all their lives as a real honeymoon.

A few words about the national Dominican fun - diving: coastal waters are very transparent, and visibility under water in the summer season reaches 30 meters. The most popular for swimming is the part of the reef, which is called the "Marinarium", where eagle rays and even harmless baleen nurse sharks live. There is also a “own” sunken ship here: even from the shore you can see the mast of the cargo ship Astron sticking out of the water (by the way, it was listed on the balance sheet in Russia), which ran aground during a storm in 1978 and went to the bottom. Jeep safari is another active, gambling and highly demanded entertainment among tourists from the CIS countries, with the help of which you can travel from a cool hotel civilization to a riot of tropical jungles for a day and feel like a hero of an adventure action movie. Also in the vicinity of Punta Cana there are a dozen first-class golf courses, some of which, such as Punta Espada, are included in various world rankings. And if someone does not like these bourgeois excesses, then welcome to the world of agritourism: there are several villages near the resort where travelers can touch the life of ordinary locals and personally participate in the harvesting of sugar cane or other home crafts.

Fans of hanging out and dancing in Punta Cana will not have to lose heart: in addition to the discos available at each hotel, the resort offers to visit a lot of original clubs, the most popular of which, perhaps, can be called Imagine, located in a natural cave: three dance floors framed by stalactites will definitely remember for a long time!



bavaro

In the very southeast of the Dominican Republic is the resort of Bavaro, which can be classified as "luxury". Just some 30 years ago, the winds simply rustled in the mangroves here, and today the area has all the attributes of an aristocratic holiday: five-star hotels, tennis courts, casinos, golf courses, stables, expensive shops and even a dress code in a number of establishments. For those who are satisfied with comfort and respectability, Bavaro is ready to offer a lot of entertainment in addition to diving, snorkeling and jeep safari, traditional for the whole country: for example, an excursion to the Palm Cemetery, where strange birds live in mangrove deadwood, or to the Oleg Bat House cave - dwelling of several species of bats. Those who come on vacation with the whole family have the opportunity to take the children to the dinosaur park or Manati Park, where you can swim with dolphins. A new level of nightlife is offered by the most famous club in Bavaro, Coco Bongo - this is not just a disco, but a real show with large-scale choreographic performances, vocal numbers and acrobatic etudes.


Cap Cana

If you are rich, then why not visit Cap Cana? This is a small and very young resort, one of the co-founders of which is Donald Trump. Just ten minutes drive from Punta Cana Airport, you can live in a luxurious bungalow with private access to the ocean. Beauty, cleanliness and level of service in Cap Can go far beyond the conventional scale of five stars. The cost of all this happiness is rather big, which is why businessmen and Hollywood stars fly here all the time.

Caribbean coast of the Dominican Republic

The Caribbean Sea washes the southern part of the Dominican Republic, so the two most obvious differences between the local resorts from the northern and eastern ones are the absence of waves and more heat water. The capital of the state, the city of Santo Domingo, is located on the Caribbean coast, and the famous islands of Beata and Elephant are also located here.


The best resorts on the south coast of the Dominican Republic

Boca Chica

Located near the capital of the Dominican Republic, the Boca Chica resort can be classified as affordable and affordable. At the same time, the moderate cost of vouchers here in no way affects the conditions of rest or the level of service. Families with children primarily seek Boca Chica: the resort has the unofficial title of the largest bath in the world due to the always warm and calm water and a very gentle entrance to the sea. Boca Chica Beach is considered the cleanest on the entire southern coast: the coral reef takes on everything that waves can bring here, and natural underwater springs constantly feed the bay with crystal clear water.

The history of Boca Chica dates back only a few decades, so the resort cannot offer any special attractions to its guests. Most interesting place of the city is Calle Duarte, where most of the entertainment venues are concentrated.

Diving is a must in Boca Chica: the area is ideal for your debut in scuba diving, and there are two shipwrecks in the La Caleta Underwater Park! In the immediate vicinity of the coast of Boca Chica, there are two tiny islands - La Matica and Los Pinos, which can even be reached on your own by renting a sea bike. The first is covered with mangroves, the second - with pine trees, where you can hide from human noise and feel like Robinson.


La Romana

Painting the beach beauties of La Romana is a thankless task: small White sand, turquoise water and coconut palms here are as incredible as in the already described Dominican resorts. The main focus of La Romana is a quiet and relaxing family holiday. Although the city is over 500 years old, it is also not very rich in attractions: living a quiet life of a hard worker, La Romana has been known throughout its history as a center for processing sugar cane. Nevertheless, there are several interesting places in the vicinity of the resort that are worth visiting. For example, the village of artisans and artists of Altos de Chavon. Its construction was completed only in the 1990s, but all the buildings in it correspond to the canons of Italian architecture of the 16th century. The picturesque area (a hill above the gorge) and man-made beauty often attract newlyweds here for a wedding ceremony.

Near La Romana, the Chavon River flows, along which you can kayak. You should definitely visit Cueva de las Maravillas ("Cave of Miracles"), which the skillful hands of architects turned into a real underground palace with several halls, stone bridges and stalactite arches.



Saona

While relaxing in La Romana or Punta Cana, you can go on a day trip to Saona Island. Once upon a time on this island filmed ads chocolates "Bounty", and since then the heavenly views of Saona have been firmly imprinted in memory, and even the term "bounty island" has appeared in everyday speech, which can briefly and clearly describe the unearthly beauty of any coast. Unfortunately, it is impossible to settle here: there is not a single hotel on Saona, and the island itself is a natural reserve.



Santo Domingo

The capital of the Dominican Republic, located at the point where Osama flows into the Caribbean Sea, more than compensates for the lack of attractions in other cities in the region. Founded in 1496 by the younger brother of Christopher Columbus, Saint Domingo is the first city in the New World. The rich architectural heritage of the XV-XVI centuries allowed it to get into the UNESCO registers. An abundance of colonial-era attractions earned Santo Domingo the title of Cultural Capital of the Americas in 2010, so brace yourselves: there will be a lot of interesting things here!

The well-preserved Osama fortress, which protected the city from pirate raids, the Alcazar de Colon Palace, the first cathedral in the New World - all these structures appeared on the Caribbean coast at the very beginning of the 16th century! The symbol of the city is the Lighthouse of Columbus, and the remains of the great navigator are also buried here. Alleys, parks, beautiful streets, a seaside promenade framed by palm trees - walks along Santa Domingo will be long and pleasant. Nature lovers will also not have to regret that they have chosen the most Big City Dominican Republic: there is a botanical garden, an aquarium, a unique cave complex and a zoo.



Juan Dolio

Between Santo Domingo and La Romana, on the shores of a beautiful bay, there is another popular resort in the Dominican south - Juan Dolio. The town is small and calm, so mostly lovers of peace and tranquility rest here. Along the wide sandy strip of continuous beach there are comfortable hotels of various price categories. Diving and snorkelling of the highest Dominican quality, hiking and cycling in the surroundings, visiting a nearby flower farm will diversify your measured rest. The excellent location of Juan Dolio allows you to go to see the sights of Santo Domingo or admire the caves of La Romana at any time. It remains to be added that the Dominicans themselves prefer to relax in Juan Dolio, and the inhabitants of this country know something about resorts.



Barahona

This resort is located in the southwest of the Dominican Republic, at its very border with Haiti on the Pedernales Peninsula. It cannot be included in the list of the most popular due to the fact that it is a little more difficult to get to it. Yes, and there are no huge hotel complexes here either, but the main wealth of Barahona is amazing nature. First, they are deserted wild beaches in a bay surrounded by mountains. Secondly, a variety of picturesque water objects - rivers, lakes, waterfalls. Thirdly, the Barahona is surrounded by unique natural parks and reserves where you can meet iguanas, flamingos, lizards and crocodiles. Also here is a mysterious place - Polo Magnetico. If you leave the car in neutral gear in this anomalous zone, then you can observe the rarest optical illusion: the car itself will crawl ... up!

Is there a heaven on earth? Undoubtedly!

This can be seen by visiting the islands of the Caribbean.

Big and small, lee and wind, touristy and uninhabited, many of which are popular in the direction of beach exoticism.


On more than fifty islands, natural and man-made are harmoniously combined: rich heritage of the colonial past, hidden in many museums, and pompous mansions complement the exotic nature, where rainforests give way to volcanic landscapes and coffee plantations are intertwined with thickets of sugar cane and banana.

Why is the Caribbean popular in the tourist market?

The answer is clear: here nature is amazingly beautiful, the sea is warm all year round, a large selection of hotels and lots of entertainment different kinds sports, including water, night clubs, restaurants, discos, interesting excursions.

Let's list the most famous resorts of Central America, loved by tourists from all over the world.

Paradise beaches of Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua and Barbuda is a state in the West Indies, which occupies three islands - Antigua, Barbuda and Redonda. The capital of the country is St. John's. The official language here is English.

Antigua

The main tourist center of the country is the largest of the islands, Antigua, which has about 365 beaches. The island has a developed infrastructure: entertainment complexes, luxury hotels, casinos, nightclubs.

Barbuda

Barbuda is considered the second largest island. It is completely coral, and the wildlife has been preserved here in its original form. The beaches on the island have no end and it seems that they go beyond the horizon.

Barbuda is mostly undeveloped, so this place is simply intended for lovers of a relaxing holiday surrounded by virgin nature.

Redonda

Not far from it is the uninhabited island-park Redonda, it covers an area of ​​​​only 1 sq. km.

Citizens of Russia do not need a visa to visit this resort.

The climate on the islands is tropical, dry and warm all year round. The wind blows almost all the time. Rains can be caught only in September-November.

The driest period: February - April, no more than three rainy days per month. Average water temperature +24..+26°C, air +28.. +31°C.

There are no large hotels on the island, they all have about 200 rooms, most operate on an all-inclusive basis.
The resort offers many activities:

  • "Antigua Tour" - half an hour helicopter flight over the coast of the island.
  • "Cruise on the Pirate Ship Dolly Roger" - sailing along the coast of Antigua with a break in the bay, where you can swim, sunbathe and snorkel.
  • "Monserrat Tour" - 45 minutes helicopter flight over the mountains around an active volcano, bays and bays of the island.
  • "Tropical Adventure" - jeep safari in remote corners of the island. Historical tours, swimming with dolphins in the Marina Bay lagoon, sailing on catamarans to uninhabited islands.

The main attractions include:

  • St. John's - St. John's Anglican Cathedral and Fort James, National Museum.
  • English Harbor and Falmouth Harbor - the colonial fortifications and naval base of the British, built in the south of Antigua in the 17th century.
  • Codrington lagoon in the west of Barbuda with interesting caves and sea birds. Devil's Bridge, from which runaway slaves threw themselves into the ocean, gaining freedom.

Island State of Aruba

Aruba is famous for its beautiful sandy beaches and clear waters.

  • The best beaches of Arashi Beach and Hadikurari Beach are located in the northwest of the island - they are ideal for snorkeling;
  • The cleanest Druif Beach is one of the best beaches in the Caribbean.

The island has over 40 spots with excellent conditions for snorkeling and diving, and thanks to the constant strong wind it is popular with windsurfers and kitesurfers.

The climate in Aruba is tropical maritime. The average annual air temperature is +29 °C, water +24..+27°C.

Most precipitation falls from November to December. Trade winds are characteristic, which greatly alleviate the heat.

Most Aruba hotels are modern complexes with their own beaches and small parks. In many entertainment for guests is free.

Offered various types of food: from breakfast to "all inclusive". There are many cafes and restaurants on the island. The hotels have SPA-centers and casinos.
In the capital - Oranjestad - there are 4 museums:

  • Archaeological.
  • Geological.
  • Historical (Museo Arubano).
  • Numismatic and Cultural Center of Aruba, where various exhibitions are held. Interesting churches and temples are located in the city and not far from it.

Also worth visiting:

  • St. Nicholas, his "Charlie Bar" and many churches and colorful old houses.
  • Arikok National Park.
  • Fontaine Cave.
  • Ruins of gold mines in Miralamar.
  • Dutch colonial settlements in Masiduri.
  • Caves of Gvadirikiri and the Tunnel of Love.
  • Natural bridge.
  • California Lighthouse and Ayo Rock make a huge impression on tourists.

Aruba offers a lot of entertainment:

  • snorkeling,
  • scuba diving,
  • diving,
  • windsurfing,
  • water skiing,
  • catamarans,
  • submarine travel,
  • all types of fishing,
  • golf,
  • jeep safari,
  • horseback riding,
  • casino.

Luxury Bahamas

The archipelago is located in the Atlantic Ocean between Cuba and the Florida peninsula. It includes 2500 reefs and 700 islands, 30 of which are inhabited.

The second largest island of the Bahamas - Great Abaco - is known to all yachtsmen of the world. The sailing season lasts here from spring to autumn.

The coastal shallow waters are full of fish. All types of water are available here. sports, fishing, duty free shops.

There are practically no tourists on Long Island. But this is the most picturesque island of the Bahamas, with beautiful nature and many places untouched by civilization.

Cape Santa Maria has one of the most beautiful white sandy beaches in the Western Hemisphere.

This archipelago can be considered a real paradise for yachtsmen because places here are considered among the most beautiful in the world: endless ebbs and flows that change the depth of the coastal shallows, which makes the sea extraordinarily beautiful.

You can get great pleasure by diving here.

In the north of the Bahamas, the climate is tropical trade winds, and in the south it is subtropical. In summer, the average temperature is +26..+32°C. The southern islands are warmer in summer than in the central part of the archipelago.

The average winter temperature is +18..+22°C, the northwestern islands are the coolest. The average water temperature in summer is +27 °C, in winter +23 °C.

It is better to visit the country during the cool season from September to May because winter period rain is rare.

Hotels in the Bahamas are very diverse: from large high-rise complexes to small cozy establishments. The all inclusive system is the best in the Caribbean.

There are 25 protected areas on the islands. The best birdwatching is on Big Inagua Island, many different animals can be seen in national park"Abaco", on the reef Main-au-Var (Abaco Cay), on the island of Cat Island.

All Bahamian resorts have nightly restaurants, casinos, bars and cabarets. Everything for water sports and outdoor activities is provided.

New Providence and Harbor Island

On New Providence, Grand Bahama and Harbor Island most sports centers are located.

Andros, Bimini, Berry

The islands of Andros, Bimini, Berry are characterized by fishing.

Abacos and Eleuthera

Diving in coral reefs is best done on the islands of Abacos and Eleuthera.

Exuma and Long Island

Exuma and Long Island will give unforgettable trips on yachts.

Inagua

On the island of Inagua you can see pink flamingos, exotic iguanas, swim with dolphins and feed the sharks.

Grand Bahama

For those who are fond of fishing and scuba diving, Grand Bahama Island is suitable.

Fairy Island Barbados

Barbados, surrounded by coral reefs, is famous for its wonderful beaches, even mild climate and lush tropical nature.

The island is located in the eastern part of the Lesser Antilles archipelago. From the east it is washed by the Atlantic Ocean, and from the west by the Caribbean Sea.

It used to be a British colony British traditions are still kept here, hence the island is often referred to as "Little England".

There are protected areas in Barbados where unique species of tropical animals and plants are preserved.

South coast

South coast - the best place for windsurfing.

Along the coast of the island there are small 3 and 4 * hotels, restaurants, bars and discos.

St. Lawrence Gap is the center of nightlife.

West Coast

The west coast is washed by the Caribbean Sea, there are calm clear waters and golden sandy beaches. It is here that best hotels islands for lovers of a relaxing holiday.
The local cozy restaurants and bars will brighten up the evenings.

East Coast

The east coast of Barbados is the most beautiful part of the island, but little explored by tourists. Here beautiful wild beaches and excellent conditions for surfing.

north coast

The least populated area is North Barbados. There is a wildlife sanctuary here. where green monkeys, roe deer, otters, turtles, other exotic animals and birds live.

The climate on the island is tropical trade wind. Average air temperature +26..+30°C, the trade winds and the sea breeze save from the exhausting heat.

About 75% of precipitation falls from June to November. July is the wettest month. Hurricanes are possible in September and October.

A great way to see the sights of the island is to buy a special "tourist passport" (Heritage Barbados Passport), which will allow you to visit 16 major museums, architectural and natural monuments of the country with a 50% discount.

In addition, there are many bars and discos on the island, including Harbor Lights on the sand in the open air.

Among other things, every year in January, the largest jazz festival is held in Barbados, which brings together musicians from all over the world.

Video tour of Barbados

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December 9th, 2016 02:13 am

So, an overview post on the Caribbean Islands and the shocking figures of the final budget!
Route: St. Petersburg - Helsinki - Boston - New York - Chicago - Puerto Rico - US Virgin Islands - Saint Martin and Sint Maarten - Curaçao - Trinidad - Saint Vincent - Barbados - Miami - Haiti - Dominican Republic - Cologne - Milan - Tallinn - St. Petersburg

Even such a connoisseur of geography as I, until recently, gave in to the Caribbean, there are too many islands, and each has a separate country. So, let's systematize.
There are 30 countries in the Caribbean region:

Of these, 13 independent states: Cuba, Jamaica, Bahamas, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Dominica, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados
The rest is different kind colonies and possessions of four countries.
US possessions: Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands
Possessions of the Netherlands: Sint Maarten, Saba, Sint Eustatius, Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao
French possessions: Saint-Martin, Saint-Barthélemy, Guadeloupe, Martinique
British possessions: Turks and Caicos, Cayman Islands, British Virgin Islands, Anguilla, Montserrat


Geographically, the following groups can be distinguished:
1. Greater Antilles: Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola (Haiti and Dominican Republic), Puerto Rico
2. Bahamas + Turks and Caicos
3. ABC Islands off the coast of South America: Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao
4. Lesser Antilles. In English tradition, they are further divided into Leeward (north of Dominica) and Windward (south of Dominica). In the Russian and Spanish tradition, all these islands are called Leeward, and Windward are the ABC islands.

Also, culturally and ethnographically, some territories on the mainland can be attributed to the Caribbean region - everything that was not a colony of Spain. These are Belize, part of the coast of Nicaragua and Honduras (also a colony of England), Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana. The ethnography here is as follows: in the Spanish colonies on the mainland, the population is the descendants of Indians or mestizos (a mixture of Indians with Spaniards), and in the English, Dutch and French colonies, the population is the descendants of slaves from Africa or migrants from other colonies (from India to Guyana, for example).

Visas
With a Russian passport:
1. All 13 independent states are visa-free
2. You can enter the United States with a US visa (there is no border control when flying from the mainland)
3. You can enter the Netherlands with any valid Schengen multivisa
4. You can enter the possessions of France ONLY with a Schengen visa issued by the French embassy, ​​or with a special visa for these islands, which is also issued at the French embassy. The exception is the French Saint-Martin, where you can drive from the Dutch part of the island, there is no border control there.
5. English dominions have different policies. Turks and Caicos - visa-free. Montserrat - a visa can be obtained via the Internet. Anguilla, Caymans - you can enter if you have a UK visa. British Virgin Islands - you need to obtain a special visa from the UK embassy.
If you have a passport with which visas are not required in Europe, then in the Caribbean everything is also visa-free.
The length of stay is usually 30 days.
A return ticket is generally required everywhere, although I was often not asked for it even at check-in at the airport. Only in Saint-Martin I was interrogated with prejudice, I even had to show cash.

Currency
All smaller islands accept US dollars in cash. Local currencies are usually pegged to the same US dollar.
East Caribbean dollars circulate on many islands in the Lesser Antilles. 1 American to 2.8 Caribbean.
Barbadian dollars = 1 to 2.
Trinidadian dollars = 1 to 7.
Netherlands Antillean florins on Sint Maarten and Curaçao = 1 to 1.75.
Euro in the French Isles (including the French Saint-Martin).
Haitian gourdes = 1 to 66.
Dominican pesos = 1 to 46.

How to get there
Without a US visa - very problematic. If you have a visa, you can use Norwegian flights from Oslo, Copenhagen, London to many US cities from $100 one way, including Florida to Orlando and Miami/Fort Lauderdale. I flew from Helsinki to Boston with a transfer in London for $180, and also visited Boston and Chicago.
There are direct flights from Russia to Cuba, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic. They are expensive, at least $500 one way (both of my flights across the Atlantic came out cheaper in total). There are options with cheap package tours to Cuba.
From Europe there are flights to many islands, as a rule, to their former or current colonies: from Amsterdam to the Dutch, from Paris to the French, but they cost a lot. I found a cheap option from the Dominican Republic to Germany (Cologne) from $200.

Transport between the islands
The main transport in the Caribbean is aircraft. There are a lot of flights, you can fly every day. Prices are much higher than in the same island Indonesia. On average, we can assume that each flight to the Lesser Antilles will cost around $100. There are almost no flights to Cuba, Jamaica, Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, Caymans from other countries, or they are very expensive, you need to fly through Miami.
The main airlines are LIAT (based in Antigua and Barbados, flies throughout the Lesser Antilles) and Insel Air (based in Curacao, there are also flights to Brazil, Colombia, Guyana).
It is believed that Caribbean airlines are often late, but I had almost no problems. Only the flight from Saint Martin to Curaçao was delayed by two hours.

Water transport is poorly developed and expensive. I will list the ferries that you can actually use.
1. From St. Maarten to Anguilla (many times a day), St. Barthelemy (several times a day, you can go there and back in a day), Sabu (once a day, only with an overnight stay)
2. Between the islands of Saint Lucia, Martinique, Dominica, Guadeloupe - Express des Iles. Flights are frequent.
3. Between the US and British Virgin Islands - many times a day
4. From Miami to the Bahamas - several times a day, you can make it in one day
Within countries, ferry service is usually better: there are regular flights between Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kitts and Nevis, etc.

You can travel on a cruise ship. If you are alone, then it will be more expensive than a plane, even taking into account the fact that you do not need to pay for food and housing, but you can overeat and generally live in a big way. On a cruise to each island, you will have only one day of light, but this is usually enough for small islands. ride on public transport no one will stop you. Cruises are focused on retirees, and not on those who like to travel around more countries, so it’s difficult to visit many countries at a time in one cruise - they rarely last more than 7-8 days, there are days at sea, they can go to different islands of one country (Bahamas, Virgin Islands) . Since most cruises depart from Miami and Puerto Rico, the Lesser Antilles are harder to cruise around. Prices start at $200 per day per cabin, and following the good American tradition, you will be charged $15-20 "mandatory tips" per person every day. To what perversions it has come - already a tip is obligatory. You can estimate that the two of you visiting each island on a cruise will cost at least 300-400 dollars (including tips, days at sea, the return trip, which you also have to pay for).

Transport on the islands
Especially for tourists, there are taxis near the cruise ship terminal at unimaginable exorbitant prices taken from the ceiling. Designed for suckers, which are a little less than all Americans who never count money.
Public transport is available on all decently populated islands. Absent mainly in the British colonies, because there is a very small population. A trip to the small islands costs from $0.3 to $2. Larger islands like Cuba and Hispaniola have intercity buses.


For specific islands where I have been:
Puerto Rico. In the city of San Juan there are buses for $0.75. The system is inconvenient at most: payment is only in cash, change is not given, you can ONLY pay with coins. The frequency of flights is much less than stated on the website, the bus may suddenly change the route or not arrive. Between cities only collective taxis at horse prices. The worst island in terms of transport.
American Virgin Islands. St. Thomas has one circular minibus route. Fares from $1 to $2 depending on the distance. It takes about 15 minutes to walk from the airport to the bus route.
Saint Martin and Sint Maarten. Buses run on several routes, including at night, very often between the Dutch and French parts of the island. Travel from $1 to $2.
Curacao. There are two bus stations in the capital, for eastern and western directions. Large buses run to the ends of the island once an hour, minibuses more often. On the bus, the fare is 2.20 florins, on the minibus 3.
Trinidad. Buses from Port of Spain around the island. Minimum 2 Trinidadian dollars (2/7 US). To the airport - 4.
Saint Vincent. Minibuses clockwise and against. From 1 Caribbean dollar (1/3 American). 25 km to Barroualier = $4 = $1.3
Barbados. Minibuses along the populated southern coast are frequent. Price $1 = 2 Barabadian
Haiti, Port-au-Prince. Tap-taps in the city from 10 gourdes ($0.15). To the border with the Dominican Republic - 75 gourdes for 45 kilometers ($1.15).
Dominican Republic. Intercity buses are about 1.5 pesos per kilometer. Around the city from 12-13 pesos by minibus, 20 by metro.

Housing
The most expensive housing is in the British and American colonies. With America, everything is clear - everything is expensive there and on the mainland, although the islands sometimes break records: in the US Virgin Islands, a bed in a hostel costs $ 50. British are expensive because they are not focused on tourism, but are offshore: 40% of offshore companies in the world are registered in the British Virgin Islands.
Also, very expensive housing on independent small islands: St. Kitts, Barbados, Antigua - everywhere the cheapest room without air conditioning costs from $ 50, there are no hostels. You can find something on airbnb for $40. The cheapest of the independent islands is Dominica. The high prices can be explained by the fact that all these hotels are made exclusively for tourists, mostly Americans, who have an infinite amount of money. Local residents, who do not live very richly, simply do not need hotels, because you can get to anywhere on the island in one to two hours.
In Cuba and the Dominican Republic, hotels are cheap, almost like in Asia - you can find a room for $10.
On the French and Dutch islands, prices are comparable to metropolitan areas - for $30 it's easy to find through airbnb, for $20 you need to search.
This is me renting a yacht in Saint Martin for $30:

Food
Here the prices are more proportional to the standard of living. For example, in Puerto Rico, fast-food restaurants like Burger King are priced the same as the cheapest US states like Louisiana. In the impoverished Dominican Republic, you can dine for 2-3 dollars (quite good food - a couple of pieces of chicken a la KFC and fried slices of bananas instead of potatoes for a snack), in Haiti it’s even cheaper, but you won’t like the quality. In Trinidad, it’s about the same: in two weeks in the USA and on expensive islands, I lost the habit of buying something for 5 dollars, but it turned out that in Trinidad, a five dollar change is enough for any fast food.

What to watch
The Caribbean has a good climate, at least in November - it's not hot. In Thailand and Malaysia, the weather varies from a terrible heat in the "season" in December to unbearable heat in April, and in the Caribbean, even air conditioning is not particularly needed. November is considered the last month of the hurricane season, weather forecasts traditionally promised torrential rain every day from morning to evening on each island, but in reality I got under heavy rain only once in the Dominican Republic, a couple of times there were short and light rains.


There are no legendary natural beauties in the Caribbean, Indonesia is much better suited for these purposes: better transport accessibility, much cheaper, there are easily accessible active volcanoes. The islands are different: some are picturesque mountainous (Saint Vincent, Dominica, Saint Martin), others are flatter (Barbados, Trinidad, Antigua, Anguilla).
It’s not worth going to the Caribbean for the sake of a beach from Europe - it’s the same amount to fly to Southeast Asia, it costs less, everything is much cheaper on the spot, the beaches are no worse. It is very expensive to fly from the USA to Asia, so the only alternative is Mexico and possibly Brazil (if you find a cheap air ticket).
The largest island of Cuba and the most interesting, but it’s too early to go there: you have to wait a couple of years until the currency regime is canceled, sanctions are lifted and the Americans establish at least a minimal infrastructure there.
There are interesting cities built by Europeans during the colonization of America on some islands: San Juan (Puerto Rico), Willemstad (Curaçao), Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic), with a stretch Bridgetown in Barbados (for some reason it is listed by UNESCO) . On all the islands where cruise ships go, there will definitely be one street for tourists with souvenir shops. For some reason, in addition to souvenirs, jewelry is massively sold there. Apparently, cruisers are so relaxed that they can be sold at double the price of even such an expensive thing as diamonds.

Results
From November 7th to 30th I spent about $2100 (I didn't count the following days in Europe when I was vacationing in Tallinn and sailing on a cruise, because that's another story), of which $1300 cost all flights and $800 (about $35 per day ) I spent on the spot. Of these, more than half for housing. The cheapest cost $10 per day and was just great - this is an airbnb in Curacao. The most expensive cost $54 in Barbados and was not worth the money. I spent $67 on a taxi, which is essentially two trips: to the Puerto Rico airport after I didn't get on the bus, and to Haiti. A total of 15-20 kilometers. All intercity transport took less - $ 47, this is for a bus ride over 1,000 kilometers long from Boston to Chicago and travel through the entire island of Hispaniola. Another $37 was the cost of local transport - metro in Chicago and Miami, travel by bus to different islands. Taxi is evil.


In general, it is not so terribly expensive to go to the Caribbean. In 2013, I spent $1,500 on a trip to the US for just 10 days without a single domestic or long distance trip.

If you want to spend your vacation in paradise, then you should go to the Dominican Republic resorts in the Caribbean. Whichever location you choose - La Romana, Puerto Plata, Punta Cana or any other - everywhere you will be met by palm-fringed beaches, chic underwater tropical gardens, smiling black locals and gentle breezes. The main wealth of the Dominican resorts are the warm sea and sandy beaches. Here are the best hotels in the world, operating on the principle All Inclusive. The average annual air temperature varies between +28 and +31 degrees. Travelers will forever remember the charming rainforests, coral reefs and stunning waterfalls.

General characteristics of resorts

The resorts of the Dominican Republic are not in great demand among tourists today, because with the highest level of comfort organized and constant sunny weather, they offer a good rest. The most demanded is the elite type of recreation. Incredibly beautiful, one might say, fabulous, plays an important role in it. Vacation of tourists here is combined with national Caribbean events, incendiary carnivals and expressive dances.

If you briefly describe the resorts of the Dominican Republic on the Caribbean Sea, you will get the impression that they are a real paradise, which is located in a stunning tropical forest. Holidays at any of the resorts will take place in the shade coconut trees. Zones filled with golden and crystal white sand beach holiday impressive grooming and alluring warmth, they will give a complete sense of relaxation and absolute security.

One of the most popular resorts

One of the most popular Dominican resorts is Punta Cana. It is located on the Caribbean Sea, more precisely, on one of its shores, and its snow-white beaches stretch for 30 kilometers. It arose in the early distant 80s of the last century on a deserted sea coast. The resort includes several large tourist complexes. They are designed for families or couples. Only in spring you can meet only students here who come to have fun among the youth party.

The Punta Cana resort is known all over the world. And this is not surprising, because the best hotels of the coast are located here, historical and cultural attractions are concentrated, and only here there is a lot of everything entertaining and educational. At this resort, even those travelers who make the highest demands on their vacation will satisfy their needs. In Punta Cana, guests are surrounded by peacocks, the rarest types of flowers, mangroves and flamingos. Things that are unusual for the eyes of Europeans will seem quite natural here.

Quiet and peaceful resort

La Romana (Dominican Republic) is a wonderful resort, which is the capital of the province of the same name. It was founded at the very beginning of the 16th century. On the coast of a modern resort there is a huge hotel complex, which is included in the list of the most respectable places in the world. This chic tourist center is the main attraction of La Romana.

In the resort of La Romana (Dominican Republic) there are dozens of luxurious cottages and hundreds of luxurious villas. This place is recommended to visit for young couples who prefer a calm, quiet vacation on the seashore. You can have a wonderful time here and athletes, both professional and beginners. For them, there are several sports complexes. In La Romana you can go spearfishing and the most popular sports are equestrianism and tennis, and you can do them just in the resort of La Romana.

Resort on the island of Haiti

Wonderful resort Puerto Plata(Dominican Republic) is located on It has more than ten hotels, including two-star and five-star establishments. Hotels offer guests a lot of entertainment for every taste: there is a club right on the beach, everyone will be taught diving and snorkeling, and you can also take part in sports games and competitions. In you have the opportunity to enjoy the endless white sand beaches and the warm Dominican sun.

In the resort of Puerto Plata (Dominican Republic) there are not as many people as in other resorts of the republic. Here you can always find an incredibly beautiful, but secluded place for a relaxing holiday. Small Puerto Plata welcomes all its guests - it is designed in such a way that everyone who arrives here can feel calm and comfortable. Here, greenery rages and there is an unsurpassed beach, and magnificent nature surrounds both on land and in the underwater world.

Favorite resort of the Dominicans

Juan Dolio is a Dominican resort located in the southeastern part of the island. He is loved by many travelers, but he has earned special recognition among the locals. Those who like charms come here underwater world: near the shores of this particular resort there is a magical coral reef, which you can explore for days on end. Juan Dolio has more than ten upscale hotels, chic restaurants, clubs, discos and casinos.

It is almost impossible to imagine the Dominican Republic without the resort of Juan Dolio. The beautiful town, which is located near the capital, is crowded interesting places, it is characterized by luxurious nature and a curious history. There are many museums, small churches and chapels that can be visited at any time. Resort life here is slow, but everyone here only benefits from this.

The brightest resort in the Dominican Republic

Many Dominican resorts on the Caribbean Sea resemble a real fairy tale. One of these places was the resort of Boca Chica, located in a lagoon protected by reefs. The resort is located in the suburbs of the capital of the Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo. Boca Chica was founded by the wealthy industrialist Juan Visini in the first half of the last century. And the resort development of this place falls on the 50s of the twentieth century. This happened after the dictator Rafael Leonidas Trujillo ordered the construction of the modern Amaka Hotel, which today is called the Hamaca Coral By Hilton.

Modern Boca Chica is the busiest resort on the southeast coast. Life here takes place in the rhythm of "merengue", the sounds of which spread from the numerous restaurants located on the beach. Here you can try tropical drinks and dishes from different cuisines of the world. The most popular in Boca Chica are fish delicacies, especially those that are grilled. The main advantage of the resort is a natural 500-meter coral barrier.

Resort capital of the Dominican Republic

The best resorts were founded in the Middle Ages. So, for example, the now popular Santo Domingo was founded back in 1496 by Bartolomeo Columbus, the brother of that same Christopher Columbus. He named the city New Isabella, but then the resort was renamed Santo Domingo, which translates from Spanish as Holy Sunday.

In Santo Domingo, the Osama River flows, which divides it into two parts. The western region is cultural and business center cities, and the eastern - historical. The most interesting regions for travelers will be the colonial zone and Gazcue. In the center of the western part of Santo Domingo is the "commercial" heart of the capital. The best shops and restaurants of the city are concentrated here.

Port city of Barahona

We have described all the popular resorts of the Dominican Republic above. But there was one more, on the Caribbean Sea, which is not very popular with tourists, but is no less remarkable for that - this is the port city of Barahona. He hid in the bay, which is surrounded by mountain ranges. The pride of Barahona is picturesque lakes scattered throughout the village. The resort offers tourists a wide variety of excursions.

Travelers can visit Las Caritasm, an archaeological site located in the northern part of Lake Enrikillo. Pink flamingos, iguanas and crocodiles live in this reservoir. Magnetic Hills is the most remarkable place in the resort of Barahona. And if you have a passion for reptiles, then you can visit Cabritos Island.

Holidays on the peninsula

The amazing country of the Dominican Republic. Which resort to choose for a vacation is a question that sometimes leads many travelers to a dead end. There is another place in the Dominican Republic on the Caribbean Sea that fascinates with its beauty. This is the Samana Peninsula.

In the 18th century, King Ferdinand VI of Spain ordered the founding of the city of Santa Barbara de Samana. Every year in February, a carnival is held here, which is opened with the ambula dance. Only representatives of the masculine sex, dressed in multi-colored masks, participate in it.

The Cordillera mountain range crosses the peninsula from east to west. The ridge has become a natural feature between the island and the protected area of ​​Samana. Samana Bay is a true tropical paradise. It has small islands. The bay is 11 kilometers wide, and its length reaches as much as 54 kilometers.