Tag Archives: Cayman Islands

Grand Cayman Ortanique
Caribbean, Cayman Islands, Eat, Trip Ideas

Where to Eat on Grand Cayman

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From an outpost of the empire to a center for international finance, Grand Cayman Island has certainly grown up. And the worldly travelers who come to these sunny shores for both business and pleasure have a taste for upscale dining and unique flavors. They won’t be disappointed, as a new wave of celebrity chefs have joined talented locals restaurateurs to create a dining scene that is both diverse and delicious. Here are some of our favorites.

Ortanique

Think South Beach cool spiced with a healthy dose of Caribbean chic. Overlooking the marina at Camana Bay, Ortanique is the creation of South Florida culinary power duo Cindy Hutson and Delius Shirley, and a sister of Ortanique on the Mile in Coral Gables. Before she started seriously cooking, Cindy spent some time in the commercial fishing business, so she knows her fish.

Favorite Bites: There are some standards and favorites, but bet on whatever is on special. The best of what comes in on the dock that day can end up as tender spiced lobster stuffed inside of pillowy homemade ravioli or as tuna steak served with mango sauce. The restaurant throws pig roasts periodically — and the ribs are a perennial hit with diners. The Norma Salad, named for Delius’ mother, renowned Caribbean chef Norma Shirley, is a great starter or can be a meal for vegetarians. www.ortaniquerestaurants.com

Ortanique taco Grand Cayman

Mojitos and Breadfruit Fish Tacos are a favorite at Ortanique. The fresh catch of the day is dusted with coriander and cumin and served with black bean corn salsa, pico de gallo and cilantro crema. Photo: Ortanique

Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink

How’s this as a two-fer: Michael’s is right next door to Ortanique. Same great view, same great attitude, completely different food. This is the second outing by James Beard Award-winner Michael Schwartz, whose Miami restaurant is a showplace for the slow-food farm-to-table movement. Schwartz and his team have successfully transplanted the organic vibe to Cayman. Michael’s team here includes the talented young head chef, Thomas Tennant, who cooked at the original Design District location before overseeing the kitchen in Cayman. The menu is all about local, organic and sustainable, and that ethic permeates everything they do.

Favorite Bites: If it’s on the menu, try the lionfish. Tennant usually pan fries it with a light crumb coating; its firm-fleshed and fresh tasting, not unlike snapper. Michael’s divides its menu into plates that are small, medium and large. The wood-fired pizza is always wonderful or for something a bit more exotic the homemade fettuccine with poached tuna. michaelsgenuine.com/grand-cayman/

Grand Cayman Michaels Genuine Food

The menu at Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink reflects the owner’s commitment to the sustainable farm-to-table food moment, and incorporates a range of locally sourced ingredients. Photo: Rhian Campbell/Michael’s Genuine Food

Blue by Eric Ripert

It’s not immediately obvious that you’re in the Caribbean when you walk into Blue. The interior is edgy, elegant and very New York. That’s not surprising since Eric Ripert’s “other” restaurant is Le Bernardin, right around the corner from the Museum of Modern Art and widely thought to be the best in Manhattan. Successfully transplanting a restaurant, especially one as famous as Le Bernardin, is a tricky business and a lot of excellent chefs have failed. Not Ripert. Blue is a home run. You won’t see shorts and flip-flops in the dining room but you will get a wine list with more than 800 bottles. Service is slick and professional and the food fully lives up to expectations. If you’re a fan of Le Bernardin, the prices won’t be a surprise. But even if you’re used to pricey resort meals, Blue may shock the wallet a bit: figure $250-350 — per person. Having said that, Blue delivers the kind of meal you’d expect at that level.

Favorite Bites: Blue offers several prix fixe meals, a four-course tasting menu and a seven-course tasting menu plus special menus, so the chef is going to have a lot to say about what you eat. Don’t worry; whatever shows up is going to be delicious: Tuna foie gras, octopus a la plancha, yellowtail tartare with wasabi and grape vierge, chocolate tart. www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/GrandCayman/Dining/Blue- byEricRipert/Default.htm

Blue Grand Cayman Ritz

The understated elegance of the dining room at Blue is a perfect complement to the upscale menu, which is the product of award- winning chef Eric Ripert, the man behind New York’s famous Le Bernardin. Photo: Ritz-Carlton

Lone Star Bar & Grill

You will not confuse the Lone Star with any of the haute culinary palaces on the island. The place isn’t just a restaurant, it’s an institution. Generations of dive masters have plumbed the reef wall all day, and then brought their guests here to pound back beers all night — only to get up early and do it all over again. But there is food to accompany the alcohol, with reasonably priced burgers and real barbecue to go along with buckets of Coors longnecks and the rock’n’roll blasting from the stage. There are theme nights — trivia on Tuesdays, rock ’n’ roll bingo on Thursdays, jam session Wednesdays and the occasional Coyote Ugly dance contest — to liven up the proceedings. Don’t come here expecting a nice quiet dinner, but if you want a break from delicately flavored organic kale, have a thirst for a bucket of beer or just feel like partying, the Lone Star is the place.

Favorite Bites: Save the steak for one of the chichi places; the pulled barbecue pork platter is a winner for most folks or try the fajitas. lonestarcayman.com

Lone Star Grand Cayman

Grand Cayman’s Lone Star Bar & Grill is a little slice of Texas roadhouse in the Caribbean. A long-time favorite with the scuba diving crowd, it’s the place to go for burgers, BBQ and cold beer. Photo: Lone Star

Mizu

As chic as the Lone Star is kitschy, Mizu has a modern pan-Asian vibe. Entering the sleek, dimly lit dining room, the walls are accented with angled wooden slats while the sushi bar lights up the back of the room with a come-hither glow. This is an unhurried cocktails to finish kind of place, with a gentle hubbub rising as the tables fill. The menu is varied and you can go dim sum to get a taste of it all, order sushi, sashimi or rolls, or go with appetizers and mains.

Favorite Bites: First, try the cucumber lime sake mojito. Sounds like a culturally confused bartender gone bad, but it’s very, very good. The sushi is fresh, flavorful and well prepared, so if that’s your thing, do it. Okinawan style pork belly is both trendy and tasty. mizucayman.com

Mizu Grand Cayman

The savory Mongolian beef at Mizu combines braised beef with broccoli, scallion, red pepper and sesame seeds. The kitchen turns out an eclectic and innovative menu that follows a pan-Asian theme. Photo: Mizu

Guy Harvey’s Island Grill

Sure Guy Harvey can paint, but can he run a restaurant? Marine artist/biologist Guy Harvey has his fingers in a lot of pies — art, retail, clothing, even hotels and travel — but the pies here are the literal kind. The restaurant is right around the corner from Harvey’s gallery/studio where, day in and day out, you’ll find him on the second floor, painting while shoppers peruse his original canvasses. Maybe it’s that proximity that keeps the restaurant crew on their toes; whatever the reason, the Island Grill consistently turns out excellent island-style fare. The upstairs dining room is lined with Harvey’s originals — you can just dash in for a coffee and a canvas to go if you’re coming off a cruise ship — and there’s a porch with a view over Hog Sty Bay. This is well- prepared Caribbean cuisine: healthy portions of ultra-fresh fish done on the grill or delivered in a curry or bouillabaisse. There are well-priced dinner specials every night and the Grill serves lunch and breakfast as well.

Favorite Bites: It’s hard to go wrong with smoked wahoo pate and Harvey’s Surf & Turf — beef tenderloin steak, lobster and tiger shrimp. www.guyharveysgrill.com

Grand Cayman Guy Harvey

Harbor views and original marine artworks set the tone at Guy Harvey’s Island Grill, where the menu focuses on fresh seafood dishes, and the restaurant’s namesake artists is often in attendance. Photo: Guy Harvey’s Island Grill

Kaibo

Getting here is the hard part; Kaibo is on Rum Point which means either a long drive or a short hop by water taxi. There are two sides to Kaibo: a bar-and-grill on the beach with wood-fired pizza oven and an elegant gourmet restaurant upstairs. Unless you’re specifically looking for beachfront pizza by tiki torch, walk right past the ground level facilities and head for the “real” Kaibo above. The dining room is iconic West Indian: wood floors, high ceilings, gleaming white trim, white-skirted chairs, French doors that open onto a balcony overlooking the marina. Take a table outside if the weather’s right. Better yet, book a Luna Del Mar evening, the once-a-month fete held beachside under the full moon. After dinner a visit to the Rare Rum Bar is mandatory. Even if you don’t like rum.

Favorite Bites: The beer battered mahi comes with a side of green pea mint risotto and applewood bacon vinaigrette or, if you’re all fished out, get the hand rolled ricotta gnocchi with adobo chicken. www.kaibo.ky

Kaibo Grand Cayman

Kaibo’s upstairs melds continental fare with Caribbean flair, and includes locally sourced seafood entries. The setting is West Indian elegant, and the beverage list includes a selection of rare rums. Photo: Kaibo

The Waterfront Urban Diner

If you’re from Jersey and are addicted to diner food. you can get a pretty good fix at Waterfront Urban Diner. It’s on the crescent at Camana Bay and it has everything you’re craving after a week of eating fresh seafood: Italian subs, bacon, eggs over easy, schnitzel, even a “Mac attack” burger. The vibe is somewhere between a real diner and a lower Manhattan bistro, with brick walls painted white, industrial accents and that cozy clanking and murmuring. It also has large windows overlooking the marina which flood the interior with light — so it’s a diner where you can actually see your food. There’s just a touch of kitsch, like the syrup pitchers (ceramic Yorkies). The diner is a breakfast and lunch staple for the hedge fund guys who work in the office buildings on the Camana Bay property, so it’s pretty lively during the day.

Favorite Bites: The standards — pancakes, waffles, and wraps — are good, but give the Huevos Benedicto (poached eggs, refried beans and avocado on crisp tortillas) a try. waterfrontcayman.com

Grand Cayman Waterfront Dining

Comfort foods are the focus at the Waterfront Urban Diner. From breakfast to burgers, the vibe blends Jersey roadside diner fare with Manhattan Bistro style, and tosses in a hint of the tropics. Photo: Waterfront Urban Diner

 

Caves
Aruba, Barbados, Belize, Bonaire, Caribbean, Cayman Islands, Cuba, Curacao, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Plan, Play, Puerto Rico, Trip Ideas

10 Caribbean Caves Worth Exploring

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When you think of the Caribbean, you’re probably imagining clear waters and a white-sand beach, not a dark and mysterious cave. Unless, of course, you had in mind a fabled pirate cave, filled with plundered chest of gold and precious gems. Whatever buccaneer booty was hidden underground is long since gone, but visitors can still discover hidden visual treasures and unearth rewarding adventures at caves all across the islands. Here are ten of our favorites.

Camuy Caves, Puerto Rico

There are several hundred known caves within the Camuy River Cave Park, many yet to be explored. But you don’t have to be a helmet-clad spelunker to visit the park’s most popular caverns. The guided tour includes a tram ride between caves, and takes in Clara Cave, with a massive underground chamber more than 200 feet high and 700 feet long. Also on the tour is a descent into Spiral Cave for a glimpse of an underground river, and a chance to see the 13 species of bats that inhabit these caves. Daily visitation to the park is limited, so it’s best to arrive early. Night tours are sometimes offered. 

Camuy Caves

Tropical vegetation adorns the entrance to Puerto Rico’s Cueva Clara. Within, a massive chamber soars to heights of 200 feet and stretches more than two football fields in length. Photo: iStock

Green Grotto, Jamaica

Jamaica’s Green Grotto Caves have sheltered Tiano tribes, Spanish soldiers, runaway slaves and gunrunners. This cavern takes its name from the green algae that clings to passage walls. Guided tours lead visitors through a soaring chamber once used as a dance hall, and into passages decorated with natural bridges and intricate limestone formations. The tour route continues downward to a subterranean body of crystal-clear water known as Grotto Lake, which can be explored by small boat. Vintage film buffs may recognize the caves from the 1973 James Bond film, Live and Let Die.

Conch Bar Caves, Middle Caicos

The largest island cave north of Cuba lies on the quiet island of Middle Caicos. Exploring this cave falls somewhere between an expedition and an excursion, as the interior has not been developed with marked routes, artificial lighting or groomed pathways. Guide services are available by inquiring at the nearby village of Conch Bar, and with the help of local knowledge, visitors can wade through shallow pools while negotiating slick rock surfaces as they make their way through the snaking passages of the cave’s inner recesses. Some areas show evidence of historic guano mining operations from the 1880s, and the story of the caves dates back to the Lucayan people. Getting to the cave from the resort island of Providenciales will require a ferry ride and a taxi. 

Middle Caicos

The quiet island of Middle Caicos hides an extensive series of limestone chambers known as the Conch Bar Caves. Once mined for fertilizer, they are now open to tourism. Photo: Karen Wunderman/iStock

Fontein Cave, Aruba

A visit to Aruba’s rugged Arikok National Park should definitely include a stop at Fontein Cave. Don’t expect to be wowed by the size or scope of this cavern, as its passageways are little more than head high and fairly narrow, and no flashlight is needed to explore the main chamber. There are bats and stalactite formations, but the real draw is the pre-Columbian petroglyphs that adorn the walls and ceiling. The ochre-colored animals and symbols depicted within the cave are thought to be the work of indigenous Arawak peoples. There are no formal tours of the cave, though park rangers are sometimes on hand to answer questions.

Cueva de las Maravillas, Dominican Republic

The DR is riddled with caves, but most are inaccessible to the average traveler. One of the best—and easiest to reach—is the La Cueva de las Maravillas. Open to the public for just over a decade, as this cave lies just off the highway in the La Romana area, and within a small park that offers bathrooms, a museum and a restaurant. Daily visitation to the cave is strictly controlled, and conducted in small groups. The hour-long tour of the cave follows a route fitted with steps, ramps and secure walkways, with subtle artificial lighting that highlights the intricate formations while also creating interplay between light and shadow.

Cueva De Las Maravillas

One of the most spectacular caves in the Dominican Republic is La Cueva de las Maravillas. Tour routes through the cave feature groomed walkways, steps and subtle artificial lighting. Photo: Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism

Harrison’s Cave, Barbados

This is cave exploration made easy. Visitors to Harrison’s Cave board electric trams that delve into a spectacular mile-long network of passages and underground chambers. Stops along the way give riders ample time to get out and explore their surroundings. The largest underground chamber, known as the Great Hall, soars to heights of 100 feet. This cave is renowned for its intricate formations, many of which hold embedded crystals that sparkle when illuminated by the electric lighting that has been placed through the cave. A highlight of the tour is a subterranean waterfall that plunges 40 feet into a clear water pool.

Crystal Cave, Belize

Indiana Jones would feel right at home in Crystal Cave. The adventure begins with a 45-minute walk through a lowland rainforest, followed by a 15-foot drop into the cave mouth. Inside, both marvels and adventures await. Narrow passages lead to expansive chambers, where crystals embedded in the walls and rock formations sparkle under the beam of a flashlight. Visitors mount inner tubes to float down an underground river, and take in a sacred Mayan lagoon, ceremonial wall carvings, pre-Columbian pottery and a unique flowstone waterfall. Those willing to shimmy through the cave’s smaller passages can gain access to hidden chambers that hold more secrets.

Crystal Cabe Belize

Crystals embedded within the flowstone formations of Belize’s Crystal Cave glitter in the beam of a flashlight. The cave also contains pre-Columbian ceremonial artifacts and wall carvings. Photo: Belize Tourist Board

Hato Caves, Curacao

You’ll have to climb a few stairs cut into the hillside to reach the entrance to Hato Caves. But once there, the going is easy, as tour guides join you on groomed pathways, and there’s no need to carry a flashlight, as lighting is hidden behind formations through the cave. Walking tours take about an hour, and lead to intricate speleothems, underground pools and pre- Columbian petroglyphs. Guides often share colorful stories of the cave’s history, which was once a refuge for escaped slaves.

Peter’s Cave, Cayman Brac

Brac means bluffs in the Gaelic language, and the towering limestone bluffs that dominate the northern end of Cayman Brac are riddled with crevices and caves. Some visitors discover these caves on their own, but it’s also possible to arrange for guided tours. There are dozens if not hundreds of small to mid-sized caverns hidden in the island’s limestone substrate, and one that should not be missed is Peter’s Cave. Sitting cliffside some 150 feet above Spot Bay, the cave entrance is reached by a well-maintained path that winds its way up the bluff. Once there, the entrance provides sweeping views of island and ocean.

Cayman Brac

Located on the eastern end of Cayman Brac, Peter’s Cave has provided island residents with shelter from hurricanes for many years. The mouth of the cave frames a view of Spot Bay. Photo: Cayman Islands Department of Tourism

Snorkel Cave, Bonaire

With some of the Caribbean’s best coral reefs just steps away from the beach, one might wonder why anyone would want to snorkel in a hole in the ground. It’s not for everyone, but several tour operators offer excursions to a hidden cave on the island’s west-central coast. Participants don swimwear and clamber down a boulder pile to enter a warehouse-sized chamber that’s half filled with water. Guides pass out underwater flashlights and lead snorkelers through a pair of rooms and though a tunnel that requires a slight duck-under swim to reach the final chamber. There are a few formations to admire, but the big attraction is simply the uniqueness of snorkeling underground.

Grand Cayman Queen Elizabeth Botanical Park
Caribbean, Cayman Islands, Play, Trip Ideas

Grand Cayman’s Eco Adventures

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Vacationers flock to the beaches of Grand Cayman for sun and sand. Move inland a bit, however, and you’ll discover a quieter, greener side of this island. Here are a few ideas to get you headed back to nature.

Exhibit One

You don’t have to go trekking to catch a glimpse of Grand Cayman’s wilder side. Overlooking Georgetown Harbor, the island’s oldest public building now houses the Cayman Island’s National Museum. Along with cultural exhibits, there’s a gallery devoted to the island’s flora and fauna. If this exhibit whets your appetite for green spaces, take a short drive to the coastal village of Bodden Town and the historic Mission House. After touring the home, spend some time wandering the wooded grounds and adjacent wetlands, which are a protected wildlife habitat.

Grand Cayman Bodden Town Pedro St James House, eco adventures

The great house at the historic seven-acre Pedro St. James estate has been meticulously restored and furnished with period antiques to provide a glimpse of island life in the 18th Century. Photo: iStock

Smell the Flowers

For a civilized yet authentic take on Grand Cayman’s biodiversity, plan an outing to the Queen Elizabeth II Botanical Park. A 40-minute drive from Georgetown, it’s located in the island’s greener North Side District, and on the site of a natural wetland. Meticulously tended floral gardens and orchid displays will delight the botanically inclined, but the real treat for naturalists is the Woodland Trail, which winds through the 40-acre grounds, giving access to a small lake that is a haven for waterfowl. More than half of Cayman’s native fauna can be found along this walk, and the park is also a haven for the indigenous blue iguana, which has rebounded from the brink of extinction.

Grand Cayman Blue Iguana

Once plentiful in the Caribbean, the blue iguana is now an endangered species. This one has found refuge on the grounds of Grand Cayman’s Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park. Photo: Colin D. Young/iStock

Take a Hike

Named for the namesake trees that shade portions of the route, the two-mile Mastic Trail carries hikers through old growth forest, and ecosystems ranging from mangrove wetlands to palm groves, banana orchards, dry woodlands and former agricultural lands. Wooden walks span marshy areas, and the only climbing involved will be the imperceptible ascent to Grand Cayman’s highest point—which towers all of 60 feet above sea level. The walk will be rich in the scents of wild jasmine and the sounds of birds. The trail is open to all, and guided tours are offered through the National Trust for the Cayman Islands.

Grand Cayman Mastic Trail

Grand Cayman’s Mastic Trail enters a nature preserve containing the island’s largest contiguous area of old growth dry forest. The 2.3-mile route is open to the public. Photo: Burrard Lucas/iStock

For the Birds

Avid bird watchers have identified more than 240 feathered species that either call Grand Cayman home, or make a stopover during annual migrations. You don’t have to be a die-hard ornithologist to appreciate the sea birds that swoop and dive along the harbor waterfront and patrol the beaches, but a trip to wetlands such as Collier’s Pond or Barkers National Park will reveal a whole different population of waders and fliers. An easy side trip from Seven Mile Beach is the Governor Gore Bird Sanctuary in the town of Savannah, where a boardwalk leads to a small pond that’s home to egrets and herons, while the surrounding woodlands shelter a variety of warblers, kingfishers, thrushes and more.

Grand Cayman Scarlet Ibis

A scarlet ibis searches for snacks in the wetlands of Grand Cayman’s Barkers National Park. More than 240 species of land and sea birds can be found on the island. Photo: Scott Griessel/iStock

Cruise, Paddle or Splash

Grand Cayman’s North Sound is an expansive area of mangroves and sea grass flats that provides a fertile nursery for marine life. You can discover this natural corner of the island aboard a stable pontoon boat, or get a closer look by joining a paddling tour. Kayak trips follow calm-water channels, and are suitable for the moderately active. For a total immersion into the shallows, several tour companies also offer guided snorkel adventures. In addition to finding fish lurking in the shadowy mangrove roots, there’s a chance of discovering seahorses camouflaged in colorful sponges and octopus hiding in the grasses. Tours depart from marinas in the Seven Mile Beach area.

Grand Cayman Kayaking

The mangrove-shrouded shoreline of Grand Cayman’s North Sound is butted by miles of shaded channels for kayakers to explore, and provides a protected nursery for many species of fish. Photo: iStock

Night Lights

Grand Cayman’s North Sound is one of only a handful of places in the world where water conditions nurture concentrations of tiny single-cell organisms known as dinoflagellates. At night, these diminutive creatures glow like underwater fireflies when disturbed by the flick of a fish’s tail or the stroke of a paddle. On evenings when there is little or no moonlight, guides lead boat and kayak tours into this phosphorescent soup. The more adventurous can even immerse themselves for a night snorkel adventure; creating glowing eddies with every fin stroke.

Grand Cayman Bioluminescence Kayak Tour

At night, the waters of Grand Cayman’s North Sound come alive with bioluminescent organisms. Paddle strokes excite tiny glowing animals, creating eerie glowing trails in the water. Photo: iStock

 

 

Cayman Brac Hiking
Antigua & Barbuda, British Virgin Islands, Caribbean, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Nevis, Play, Puerto Rico, Trip Ideas, U.S. Virgin Islands

The Caribbean’s Ten Top Hikes

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When you are vacationing in the Caribbean, you’re already far outside your everyday, so why not take the next step-or several hundred of them-to widen your island experience with a hike. Tread these natural sanctuaries for encounters with local birds and wildlife, lush rainforests and sweeping panoramas of paradise. We’ve hiked the duds and the winners to give you a list of the Caribbean’s best trails—from breezy to push-the-limits challenging —winding past waterfalls, rivers, beaches, tide pools and so much more.

The Bubbly Pool Hike, Jost Van Dyke, British Virgin Islands

From Foxy’s Taboo, a popular bar and party spot on Great Harbour, the bartenders can steer you to the start of this 15- minute, super easy walk to the island’s rock-walled soaking spot. You’ll end at a pool with crashing waves sending spray overhead and a surge of bubbles up into the basin where you’re standing.

Lighthouse Footpath, Cayman Brac, Cayman Islands

Start at either end of this trail for a 90-minute walk each way past nesting grounds of brown boobies. If you make the lighthouse at the island’s easternmost point your halfway mark, pack a lunch to enjoy while sitting on limestone cliffs overlooking breaking waves. Free printed guides are available: Ask at the front desk of Brac Reef Beach Resort, or see the pamphlet in your guesthouse to arrange your hike.

The Signal Hill Tour, Antigua

Antigua’s shortest and easiest hike starts at Wallings Dam, found at the end of Fig Tree Drive. From there, it’s about an hour—if you don’t stop—to the top of Signal Hill, which rewards finishers with a 360-degree island view. If you’d like to learn more about local history and wildlife, join a tour company like Footsteps Rainforest Hiking Tours.

The Annaly Bay Tide Pool Hike, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands

You won’t need fins for the tide pools at the end of this hike, but do pack a snorkel mask so you can take a cool dip and see the juvenile fish nesting in the shallows. Start this moderate, 2-mile hike behind Carambola Beach Resort and Spa. The parking-lot attendant can point you to the trailhead. It’s a fairly straightforward trail that climbs the bluffs overlooking the island’s north shore. You’ll surely stop several times to snap photos, so the uphill stretches won’t feel too strenuous.

El Toro Hike, Puerto Rico

Most visitors to El Yunque National Forest stick to the roadside pullovers immediately adjacent to waterfalls and other attractions. El Toro Trail sees few visitors despite being a moderate, well-marked 2.2-mile journey to the forest’s highest point. Wear long pants and shoes you don’t mind getting caked in mud. As for the vista, allow time to sit and enjoy the clouds rolling in.

The Sandy Cruz Trail, Saba

A visit to Saba, a satellite island of St. Maarten, is all about the cloud forest. Wait for a day when the fog has subsided around Mount Scenery, then set off on this hike. Before you go, grab a trail map from The Trail Shop at the foot of the mountain—the attendants will also keep tabs on your return. This moderate hike is the best pick for those who want to see a diversity of flora and fauna. The trail winds past banana tree groves and dense cloud forest dotted with a rainbow of orchids, and opens up to a vista overlooking the island’s airport runway, one of the world’s shortest and most adrenaline inducing.

Victoria Falls Hike, Dominica

Lose the hiking boots in favor of Tevas or similar water-ready shoes as you’ll wade across a river several times. The path can be tricky to keep track of on your own, so it’s a good idea to hire a guide for the day. Jenner Robinson of JennTours is a good pick. He’s from Dominica and has a knack for pointing out the birds of the canopy. As for the 45-minute climb, the incline isn’t too great; the challenge is staying stable atop wet rocks. But the reward is lovely. You’ll likely be the only ones admiring the 165-foot cascade of Victoria Falls.

Mount Qua Qua Trail, Grenada

Grenada is a wonderland for hikers and birders alike. The rainforest around Grand Etang Lake—what’s become of the former volcano—is home to mona monkeys, broad-winged hawks, Lesser Antillean swifts and tons of tiny frogs. A moderate pick is the Mount Qua Qua Trail, a 90-minute cruise past the lake, the elfin mountain forests and a host of canopy critters.

The Quill, St. Eustatius

It’s the jungle-covered volcanic cone that dominates the skyline from points across this small island, and it’s a gorgeous hike. The 50-minute uphill jaunt known as the Quill Trail is Statia’s most popular hike as it offers direct access to an overlook of the crater bowl. If you want to keep going, you can connect to the Crater Trail for a 90-minute circuit of the volcano’s rainforest-covered inner crater. Boven National Park also maps six other trails, all great for spying fauna like red-bellied racer snakes, Antillean iguanas, hummingbirds and more.

Nevis Peak Hike, Nevis

Steep and slippery, this hike is one worth doing with a guide, such as Lynell Liburd of Sunrise Tours. The 3,000-foot incline takes two hours to scale and two hours to pick your way down—and none of the locals call it hiking. It’s more about finding footing and grabbing hold of roots to gain ground. If it’s a clear day, you score a view of the island’s Atlantic side. Otherwise, it’s just a really satisfying workout.

 

Negril Beach, Jamaica
Aruba, Caribbean, Cayman Islands, Jamaica

Best Caribbean Islands for Families

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Most children are happy to be taken anywhere that’s not school or daycare, and a trip to the Caribbean certainly fits the bill. Most destinations in the region have at least one resort with an enjoyable children’s program, but some islands have more to offer the younger generation in the way of activities and are flush with resorts that go the extra mile to cater to kids.

Grand Cayman

The island is relatively small, so there are no long rides to and from resorts and attractions. The resorts themselves are well-run and all areas of the island are safe to wander. Most days, the ocean at Seven Mile Beach is like bathwater, perfect for little swimmers and snorkeling is close to shore. Farther afield, the trip to Stingray City to pet the rays is an instant lifetime memory for most people, and the boat ride out crosses calm water. The island’s one drawback is that it’s pricey compared to some other destinations. But there are workarounds, as some resorts including a few on Seven Mile Beach have begun offering all-inclusive packages. There are also hundreds of vacation villas for rent; these have full kitchens, and supermarkets are nearby so families can cook to keep costs down.

Jamaica

Jamaica didn’t invent the all-inclusive, but you could argue it was perfected here. Meals, activities and entertainment are right there and well-suited to schedules that may need to adapt based on the whims and needs of the little ones. In addition to providing favorable package prices for family vacations, Jamaica has a nearly limitless supply of attractions and activities: Dunn’s River Falls, rafting on the Rio Grande or Martha Brae rivers, Fern Gully, zip lining, bicycling, fishing, snorkeling, sailing, diving, golf, tennis, spas … it’s all here. For families, the north coast—Montego Bay and Ocho Rios—has the most options, including several all- inclusive properties that take youth programs to the next level, with everything from costumed characters to entertain the little ones to teen-centric lounges and dance clubs. Parents aren’t forgotten either and have the ability to create that ideal mix of family and couples time.

Aruba

Aruba isn’t what many envision as a tropical paradise. There are no waterfalls or lush green mountains, and instead the landscape is dry, hilly and peppered with cacti. But it, too, holds plenty of attractions for families, chief among them are the warm welcomes guests receive and the accommodating nature of the local people. The fabulous beaches rank high as the island’s main attraction. Aruba also has its share of all-inclusives with very active and complete kids’ programs, so no one is going to get bored here. If you can tear yourselves away from the beaches go north and west into the outback to ride an ATV or a horse, rent some mountain bikes, swim in the natural pool, explore the old gold mine and climb the dunes and boulders near the California lighthouse.

Cayman Islands Fish
Caribbean, Cayman Islands, Plan, Trip Ideas

Cayman Islands: 10 Reasons to Go

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Grand Cayman Island and its quieter siblings, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac, are islands that combine familiar comforts and upscale options with the natural attractions of bright sand beaches and clear waters. Long a favorite with divers and water lovers, it’s a family-friendly destination that offers a little bit of something for everyone.

1  Dual Personality

George Town and the Seven Mile Beach metro area are centers of commerce, tourism and resort activity, providing all the amenities needed for a memorable beachside vacation. Head east, however, and you’ll discover a different side of the island. Here, quiet coastal villages dominate, and resorts are replaced by more isolated and personal accommodations that deliver water views of the barrier reef and green spaces to landward.

2  Undersea Ramparts

The Cayman Islands are the exposed tops of steep underwater plateaus, with submerged cliffs that begin just off shore and plummet to depths of a mile or more. This topography not only provides divers with dramatic vistas as they hover weightless on the brink of the abyss, but also ensures that clear, oceanic waters flow in from deep water to delight beachgoers.

3  Good Eats

With more than 120 restaurants offering everything from Caribbean street foods to fine dining, you won’t go hungry on Grand Cayman. Seafood in various iterations is abundant on menus ranging from traditional to fusion, but equally tasty are island-style jerked chicken and ribs or local dishes such as cracked conch, sea turtle steak and goat stew. For the less adventurous, numerous casual dining spots and sports bars serve familiar favorites.

4  The Golden Strand

Though technically a couple thousand yards shy of its namesake measurement, Grand Cayman’s Seven Mile Beach measures up to a vacationer’s expectations as one of the finest swaths of sand in the Caribbean. The entire length is public property, creating delightful opportunities for long walks, with refreshment stops at the many beachside eateries and hotels along the way.

5  Sister Islands

For those seeking solitude, Grand Cayman’s sister islands of Little Cayman and Cayman Brac are just a puddle-jumper flight away. Quiet Little Cayman has no street lights and fewer than 200 residents, while slightly more populous Cayman Brac has a wild side complete with tall limestone bluffs. Both are ringed by secluded beaches, with intimate beachfront properties where bicycles are the preferred mode of transport and nightly noises are limited to trade winds rustling the palms.

6  Shipwreck Treasures

Grand Cayman is an active market for gold and gold coins, but the real treasures aren’t the modern currencies or the replica doubloons. It’s possible to buy the real thing—historic coins lost at sea when Spanish treasure galleons faltered, then recovered by intrepid salvors. Genuine articles don’t come cheap, but when accompanied by certificates of authenticity, they are not only things of beauty, but good investments.

7  Rooms for All

Grand Cayman and the sister islands offer everything from secluded beachfront cottages to cost-effective condos and luxury resorts. Avoid peak season and you can score a water view condo on the east end or at the northwest point for around $100 a night—or you could splurge for ten times that rate and book a beachfront villa at the five-star Caribbean Club right on the prime part of Seven Mile Beach.

8  Drinks and Dessert

The Tortuga Rum Company not only blends up some of the tastiest distilled spirits in the Caribbean, it also adds a generous pour of the amber blend to their coveted Tortuga Rum Cakes. These confections, based on a fourth-generation family recipe, are shipped to connoisseurs worldwide and have become the island’s number one export. You can nibble on samples and buy freshly made confections direct from the bakery in George Town.

9  Bank on It

Forget what you’ve seen in the movies. The financial institutions of the Cayman Islands aren’t just currency shelters for cartel kingpins and crooked politicians. Instead, most who open accounts are simply savvy investors who are exercising legal money management strategies that take appropriate advantage of international financial regulations that provide stable or beneficial portfolios.

10  Arts and Crafts

A growing community of local artisans offers up a range of items that go well beyond the usual waterfront souvenirs. Among the signature pieces local to these islands are jewelry creations adorned with polished caymanite. This marble-like stone is harvested from cliff faces on the island of Cayman Brac and then polished to a high sheen before being placed in settings for rings, necklaces, earrings and more.

Little Cayman Beach resort, The Best Caribbean Resorts For Diving and Relaxation
Bahamas, Bahamas-New Providence, Bonaire, Caribbean, Cayman Islands, Central America, Cozumel, Curacao, Honduras, Mexico, Stay, Trip Ideas

Sun, Sand, Scuba: Six Best Caribbean Dive Resorts

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Divers crave clear waters and colorful reefs. But while the most dedicated scuba fanatics may be willing to compromise on above-water amenities to gain proximity to the best sites, most vacationing divers want to surface to something more. The good news is that there is no need to sacrifice topside pleasures to gain underwater treasures. Some of the best islands in the Caribbean for scuba divers are also home to premier waterfront resorts that don’t ignore the rest of the vacation experience. Here are some of my favorites, based on my 20-plus years of diving the Caribbean.

Bonaire

Captain Don’s Habitat

Bonaire is home to a number of dive-centric waterfront resorts, and for nearly 40 years, Captain Don’s Habitat has remained among the island’s best. Its namesake founder was one of the first to promote scuba tourism in the Caribbean, and he was instrumental in the creation of the Bonaire Marine Park. What started as a modest shoreside lodge has kept pace with the times, and now includes a series of attractively landscaped oceanfront rooms and villas, perched on a low rock bluff overlooking Kline Bonaire. Rum Runners, the property’s open-air cliffside restaurant, delivers memorable meals and dramatic water and sunset views. The only thing lacking is a beach, but most guests gladly exchange this for the convenience of stepping from the resort pier to one of the island’s favorite reefs. A fleet of well-maintained dive boats take advantage of the resort’s mid-island location to provide quick run times to many popular sites.

Alternate: The Plaza Resort is a larger resort complex situated on a white-sand beach just south of the town of Kralendijk. Toucan Diving is located on the premises.

Curacao

Lions Dive & Beach Resort

Lions Den, caribbean dive resorts

Lions Dive & Beach Resort is home base for the island’s largest dive operation, providing guests with an easy walk from room to boat, as well as a fine swimming beach. Photo: Walt Stearns

The clear waters of Curacao are ideal for both shore and boat diving. Most of the latter takes place along the islands southeastern shore, and the boats from Lions Dive & Beach Resort are the best choices to reach these sights. Located adjacent to the Curacao Sea Aquarium and less than two miles from downtown Willemstad, this property houses not only the island’s premier diving service, but also a spa and the island’s most popular waterfront bar and eatery: Hemingway’s. During surface intervals, guests can spend time on the private palm-fringed beach, or head into town to stroll the waterfront and nosh at open-air cafes.

Alternate: A bit to the west, the Sunscape Curacao Resort is an all-inclusive with a wide range of activities and a private beach. It’s walking distance to popular Mambo Beach and serviced by a satellite facility of Lions Dive.

Cayman Islands

Little Cayman Beach Resort

Little Cayman Beach Resort, Palapa

Little Cayman Beach Resort overlooks a quiet stretch of beach on the island’s south coast, with dive boats leaving from the on-site dock. Photo: Beth Watson/Little Cayman Beach Resort

The Cayman Islands are famous for clear waters and lively reefs. The most discriminating divers head for remote Little Cayman, home to the famed underwater landscapes of Bloody Bay Wall. With a resident population of less than 200, Little Cayman is a puddle-jumper flight and a world away from the bustle of Grand Cayman. A single road circles the island to connect a handful of small lodges, and not much else. The premier property for mixing diving and beach time is Little Cayman Beach Resort, which overlooks a solitary stretch of palms and sand that is the stuff of postcards. Diving is the focal point of resort life, with shoreside activities trending towards a casual bicycle ride or time in a hammock.

Alternate: For a more upscale and cosmopolitan take on the Cayman Islands’ diving scene, skip the commuter flight and stay on Grand Cayman. Check into the Westin Grand Cayman on Seven Mile Beach, which is serviced by Red Sail Sports.

Cozumel

Cozumel Palace

Cozumel Allegro Acoz Hotel, Mexico

The Allegro resort sits on one of Cozumel’s nicer stretches of beach and is conveniently located near favorite southern dive sites. Photo: Occidental Allegro Cozumel Resort

You can’t beat the view from the upscale rooms and suites of the Palace, which faces west to overlook the turquoise waters of the Cozumel Strait. On an island known for its all-inclusive properties, this one raises the bar for both amenities and service. The resort’s in-town location makes for an easy walk to San Miguel’s charming zocalo (plaza), but this same proximity means there’s no sand beach at the water’s edge. If the stunning pool deck doesn’t suffice, you can catch a shuttle south to the affiliated Playa Mia beach park. Diving services are handled by on-site Aqua Safaris, which is one of Cozumel’s highest-rated operators.

Alternate: Those who want to get away from the crowds can move south to the expansive beachfront grounds of Allegro Cozumel, which is another top-shelf all-inclusive property. Pro Dive services the resort, and its southern location means shorter boat rides to some of the prime sites along Palancar reef.

Bay Islands, Honduras

Laguna Beach Resort

Laguna Beach, bay islands, Honduras

The private bungalows of Laguna Beach Resort face a quiet mangrove lagoon and are just steps away from a Caribbean beach and the resort’s dive boats. Photo: Walt Stearns

Isolated on a peninsula on the quiet island of Utila and accessible only by boat, the Laguna Beach Resort is the epitome of the Caribbean away-from-it-all dream. Individual bungalows sit on the water’s edge overlooking a mangrove lagoon, while just steps away via sandy paths is the ocean, where you can wade in and find your way to one of the best reefs in the region. Native hardwoods and tin roofs set the tone, and activity centers around daily dive trips aboard a trio of spacious boats. Other water-centric pursuits include fishing and excursions to outlying islands. Evenings are quiet time, with perhaps a game of billiards and conversation at the clubhouse.

Alternate: On the nearby island of Roatan, Anthony’s Key Resort provides a similar vibe and equally fine diving. Guests can opt for hillside bungalows overlooking the shore or take a short taxi boat ride to beachfront cottages nestled on a private island.

New Providence, Bahamas

Stuart Cove’s Aqua Adventures

Stuart Cove, aqua adventures, Bahamas

Stuart Cove’s is the largest and most diverse dive operation in the Bahamas, offering accommodation packages and a range of activities that include diving, snorkeling and mini-submarine tours. Photo: Stuart Cove

From humble beginnings as a beachfront scuba concessionaire, Stuart Cove’s has created a business that dominates the Central Bahamas diving scene, and is the go-to location for underwater filmmakers. From a small harbor on the southern shore of New Providence, Cove’s fleet of dive and snorkel boats departs daily to stage shark feeds and wall dives for the adventurous or lead trips to picturesque wrecks and snorkel-friendly reefs. The dive operation is not currently offering accommodation packages with the nearby South Ocean Resort, as the property is in flux, and instead works with the Wyndham Nassau Resort and the Sheraton Cable Beach Resort on the north shore, which have the advantage of being closer to Nassau.

Alternate: Valentine’s Resort sits just north of the town docks on exclusive Harbour Island. In addition to unique dive adventures, guests will find themselves within walking or golf-cart distance of the island attractions, including the fabled pink sand beaches, which lie just over the bluff.