Negril

Another popular destination in Jamaica is the town of Negril. The island how it is today was due to the result of hippies and flower children during the 1960s. They ended up staying and shaping the culture of Negril as it is today. Negril was transformed into a huge tourist destination within the next ten years and they were many lodging facilities built. A local airport was also constructed and lot more roadways were created, one of them connecting Negril to Montego Bay. A good part of Negril is that the development is not extreme thus it is pretty open. They have strict rules relating to buildings and have laws in place to protect the natural environment to keep the town’s natural beauty unharmed. You will also be able to find some of the most serene beaches with very white sand and clear waters.

You get really good seafood in Negril. It is a must to try out the local food here as it is delicious, you can get a variety of fish like cod, conch and even lobsters. Since the fish are caught right there and then, they are extremely fresh and tasty. Jamaicans have their own spices and local seasonings which are processed from the fruits grown there and even coconuts. Another popular food eaten in Negril is goat. It is used for the goat curry which is actually a favorite on the island among the locals.

For the people more interested in the night scene, Negril has a good nightlife due to some good nightclubs where you can get your reggae groove on.

A thing to remember is that if you are planning to travel to any of the Jamaican islands, make sure that you have your passport! Jamaica is considered international travel since it is not part of the United States, you will need a passport coming and going and you will also have to go through customs.

Learn About Virgin Islands

VIRGIN ISLANDS, part of United States bought from Denmark in 1917 for 25 million dollars. Christopher Columbus came through in 1493, named the islands after Saint Ursula and 10,000 virgins, which is where “Virgin” come in. Virgin Islands consist of three islands, St Croix, St.Thomas & St.John. Each of the three islands is unique in its own way covered with sandy white beaches and clear waters. It is most culturally diverse, ethnically rich, and artistically vibrant society in the Caribbean.

The island offers very relaxed and laid back vacation with its pristine beaches, crystal clear waters and warm weather. But St. Thomas gets the lion’s share of the activity and would find enough hustle bustle here. You will find great dining and duty-free shopping on all three islands
Virgin Islands provide a perfect vacation with true value for your money. You can use cash or credit cards here and US citizens only need an identity proof to travel to this place. Once you are on the islands, you won’t want to leave. Whole atmosphere here is simply breath taking and automatically relaxes you.
Since the three islands are a distance from each other, the only way you can get from island to island is by boat or plane. English is the main language of all three islands.
There are enough activities to keep you occupied during your stay.   Such as :
Secluded sandy beaches
National Parks
Duty-free shopping
Campgrounds
Kayaking
Hiking
Ecological tours
World-class diving
Superb Sailing
Tropical forests
Local craftsmanship
Island art
Sun bathing
Fine Dining experience
Nightlife
Tasting local cuisine is highly recommended.  Some of the local favorites include conch, Johnny cakes and peas and rice. Ask any local and they’ll be more than happy to direct you to one of the island’s local joints. If you enjoy music to soothe you after the day’s activities, island offers a diversity of music since islanders consist of a fine mixture of Americans, Europeans, Africans and of course, West Indians. Thus, you would find a unique blend of food of music on all three islands.
Take a break from your mechanical life and head to Virgin Islands and you would be a new person to take on life again. Come back refreshed and rejuvenated as this could be the magical journey you have been waiting for

Learn About Puerto Rico

ISLAND OF ENCHANTMENT that’s how Puerto Rico is known as. In Spanish it means rich port which befits this Caribbean island. San Juan is the capital and largest city in Puerto Rico. Spanish is the main language here but English is widely spoken as it is a very popular tourist destination and receive heavy traffic from the US.

San Juan is top port for tourist destinations and cruise ships. It is also a major commercial and financial hub, bubbling with activities. Many corporate offices and US banks can be found in San Juan.

Like olden times the streets here are made of cobble and stone. The architecture belongs to 16th and 17th centuries in Spanish colonial time and the buildings have been restored to preserve the past glory. It could take you days to soak in all the culture and history of this place. Since the streets are narrow, the best way to tour this area is to go walking or cycling .

Puerto Rico has plenty activities to offer to its tourists, such as :
Fishing
Scuba diving
Golfing
Surfing
Swimming
Hiking
Snorkeling
Camping
Boating

This is a beautiful island with spectacular view and natural beauty all around. Boating and sailing are the best way to enjoy the panoramic view of the island. The best place is south from Mayaguez Bay to Boquerón. There are a lot of activities here for everyone.
If you are an outdoor person there are enough camping sites near the hotels and beaches. The campgrounds are run by the government and can be availed by the locals and tourists as well

Puerto Rico is as modern as it is historical. It is a fine blend of both. Shopping is plentiful here. Plaza Las Americas is the largest shopping mall in San Juan. It is most expensive and largest mall in the Caribbean. It has most of the popular brand stores and has a large entertainment area and movie theatre as well.

There are all kinds of cuisines available here. You must try local foods like Spanish sausages, corn and ham fritters, fried sweet plantain pie or Criollo. If you crave good old American fast food, there are many joints like Mc Donald’s etc. Many restaurants offers fine dinning experience and it is worth trying a few.
All in all Puerto Rico has enough to offer and provides a great value for your money. It will surely be a memorable vacation with a perfect mix of outdoor activities surrounded with natural beauty.

Getting the Most from your Caribbean Deals

Every person’s budget and travel preference is different, so it is a good thing there are so many Caribbean travel deals available year round. A person should choose an airline they feel comfortable with and if a package deal doesn’t include their preferred airline it may be possible to switch for an additional fee. Hotels are a huge deciding factor for most people and since there are so many types of hotels with a variety of quality, a person should be sure to pick a hotel that will enhance their vacation, not inhibit it. caribbean-cruise

Look for inns & small villas-

As luxurious as it may sound it’s not a bad idea to rent a small villa specially if you are traveling with family. You can save by cooking meals and even enjoy the feel of being at home. Even staying at locally run inns not only cheaper  but will give you the feel to mix with local culture and even have the chance to meet real residents of the island.

Fix your own meals-

Food is an essential part of any vacation and before we know chunk of our budget goes in meals every day. And the cost of food in Caribbean surprises most visitors.  To save money, shop at local markets and prepare some of your own quick meals rather than eating all your meals at your hotel or fancy restaurants. It is also a great way to get the real taste of island culture!

Eat at local joints-

Eating road side food can be fun and adventurous and quick too. Try out some of the cart meals when out .  Restaurants are overpriced universally. Treat yourself to some fancy restaurant for few meals but also check out independent local restaurants near tourist areas – they would be much cheaper to even out your budget.

Use public transport-

Like every tourist place taxis  are expensive in the Caribbean,  Local buses can be a cheap, colorful, and a good alternative.  Local and commuter ferries are another mode of transport in the Caribbean that provides the same panoramic view as in harbor tours for a much lesser price.

Ocho Rios

Another popular destination for a Caribbean vacation is Ocho Rios, a city of Jamaica. Like other cities, reggae music is extremely popular in Ocho Rios and is like a part of their culture. For history buffs, there is even a museum for reggae called Reggae Xplosion and this museum is dedicated to the movement of the people and their local culture and the effect of reggae music on people. The religion of the Caribbean ‘Rastafari’ is also featured in the museum. Interestingly, even though the main genre of music here is reggae, Ocho Rios is the proud sponsor of the annual Ocho Rios Jazz festival which is normally held in the summer months mainly June and is a week long. Some of the most famous jazz musicians attend this festival and it has been sponsoring this events since 1991.

Ocho Rios is also well known for scuba diving and other water sports. Another big attraction here is the Dunn’s River Falls which is approximately 700 feet high and visitors spend time in climbing the falls. It is recommended to book a cottage or villa so you can get to see the island’s local culture and witness is first hand. For those looking to stay at some great resorts or hotels, should look at the all-inclusive Couples Sans Souci Resort & Spa, Sunset Grande Jamaica at Ocho Rios, Couples Tower Island, the newly built RIU Hotels Ocho Ríos and Sandals Grande Ocho Ríos to name a few.

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