Tag Archives: Mexico

Costa Rica Rain Forest
Bahamas-Out Islands, Caribbean, Central America, Costa Rica, Florida, Hawaii, Hawaii-Big Island, Islands, Maldives, Mexico, Oceania, Puerto Rico, Tahiti

Earth Day in the Tropics

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From a simple observance in 1970, Earth Day has grown into the world’s largest secular civic event, involving more than 17,000 environmental groups and drawing support from more than 190 countries. Events are staged in major cities around the globe, but small islands and other tropical destinations also get in on the act.

1. On the Bahamian Out Island of Eleuthera, the One Eleuthera Foundation will sponsor a daylong celebration of the earth and ocean that includes musical performances, dance, art, cultural events and environmental education programs, plus plenty of good food.

2. Each year on Earth Day, the Sandals Foundation, which is sponsored by the Sandals Resort group, partners with environmental organizations across the Caribbean to help volunteers plant more than 1,000 trees.

3. The month-long Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival will kick off on Earth Day. At dozens of islands throughout the region, organizers from the Birds Caribbean foundation will stage presentations, bird walks, art competitions, clean ups, and more.

4. On the big island of Hawaii, volunteers will head to Ke‘ei Beach to remove trash that could pose a hazard to turtles and other marine life. The cleanup is sponsored by the Kona Brew Pub, and will end with a beach barbecue.

5. In the Puerto Rican beach town of Rincon, the Liga Ecologica will stage an Earth Day Fair. Here, forums and talks with an ecological theme mix with a street fair offering local arts, crafts and foods. A highlight is the human-powered shaved ice machine.

6. The Florida-based Xtreme Adventures group will stage their third annual Earth Day Adventure Race, which will send participants biking, trekking and paddling across the central part of the state to spread the message: “reuse, recycle, and repurpose.”

7. If you can’t make it to Costa Rica’s Sloth Sanctuary to participate in Earth Day observances, you can sponsor a sloth with a donation to restore its natural habitat, and plant more of these animal’s favorite almond trees.

8. The Maldives are revered for their natural beauty, and a number of resorts across the island chain stage special Earth Day activities such as tree plantings and reef cleanings. Kurumba Resort will follow their annual lagoon cleaning with a party, while the Constance Resort has created a “Low Carbon Foot Print Menu,” and will observe an hour- long power shutdown.

9. On Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, Merida Verde is staging a series of free cultural and musical events for Earth Day, including a slow foods festival and street dances in the historic district of Merida.

10. In the South Pacific, citizens of the small nation of Kiribati will come out in force to restore the mangrove forests that are essential to protecting their coastlines from erosion.

Whale Sharks Isla Contoy
Belize, Cancun, Caribbean, Central America, Islands, Maldives, Mexico, Oceania, Play, Trip Ideas

The World’s Best Whale Shark Encounters

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Imagine coming face-to-face with a 40-foot-long shark in open water. Don’t worry; this is one shark that won’t bite. Instead, these ten-ton animals are hungry for some of the smallest creatures in the sea, and they open wide to scoop up large helpings of plankton. Whale sharks are the largest members of the shark family, and they have become one of the most sought after marine animal encounters in the world. Here are six prime destinations where you can swim with these gentle giants.

Isla Contoy, Mexico

A boat ride from Cancun or Isla Mujeres brings snorkelers to an almost guaranteed encounter with whales sharks. The big fish show up each summer to feed on rich clouds of plankton washed up by Caribbean currents. The season runs from May to September, and during the peak months of July and August, as many as 30 to 40 animals will gather in one location.

Gladden Spit, Belize

Twenty miles off the coast of Belize, the Gladden Spit and Silk Cayes Marine Reserve is visited by migrating whale sharks each spring. Because these big fish are filter feeders that eat small things, they come for the annual snapper and grouper spawns, when these fish release millions of eggs into the water, creating a floating caviar buffet. These encounters take place each April and May, and are said to be best on the three days either side of the full moon.

La Paz, Mexico

Each winter, the Bay of La Paz provides a seasonal home for roving whale sharks, which gather from all parts of the Sea of Cortez and beyond to feed in the bay’s plankton rich waters. In addition to stops at the spit of land where the sharks gather, tours may also include a visit to the sea lion colonies at Los Islotes. The season runs from November to April, with cooler waters wetsuits are advised.

Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

The volcanic islands made famous by Charles Darwin are washed by three colliding ocean currents that create a rich environment for all types of marine life—including whale sharks. Encounters can take place around all of the islands, but many sites can only be reached by multi-day cruises aboard live aboard tour boats. Whale sharks can be found year-round, but their numbers swell during annual migrations between July and October, when pregnant females often use island waters as a rest stop.

Cebu, Philippines

There are several reasons why the coastal town of Oslob has become one of the world’s most popular destinations for whale shark encounters. Attracted by scraps from local fishermen, the fish remain in the area year-round. Encounters take place within a few hundred yards of the beach in warm, clear water, and there are dozens of tour operators who provide fast, inexpensive access to the site.

South Ari Atoll, Maldives

The Maldives offers a wealth of snorkeling and diving diversity, including year-round sightings of whales sharks around most all of the 26 atolls that make up this nation of islands. Unique encounters take place along the southern edge of South Ari Atoll, where juvenile whale sharks of 10 to 20 feet in size feed in the sheltered waters of a marine preserve. The best time to visit is during the dry season between October and April, when seas are calmer and winds are light.

St. Lucia Sugar Beach
Bahamas-Out Islands, British Virgin Islands, Cancun, Caribbean, Dominican Republic, Hawaii, Islands, Maui, Mexico, Oceania, Play, Playa del Carmen, St. Lucia, Tahiti, Trip Ideas, Turks & Caicos

Supermodels and Sand: 10 Top Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Locations

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Sports Illustrated invented the swimsuit issue more than 50 years ago, tempting readers with images of bathing beauties vamping in some of the most scenic locations on earth. The supermodels may take center stage, but the resorts and beaches that provide the backdrop also draw oohs and aahs from readers and viewers. Here are some of the featured locations where you can indulge in an amazing beach vacation and maybe convince your mate to help recreate a few iconic poses from spots like the Pitons on St. Lucia. Photo: Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort

Holbox Casa Sandra
Cancun, Caribbean, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Mexico, Stay, Trip Ideas

Rustic-Luxe Caribbean Retreats

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There’s no better way to immerse yourself in the tropical experience than to stay in a resort built from local resources, surrounded by nature and far removed from the congested hotel zones and tourist hustle. At these select resorts, nature and comfort come together to create unique spaces for relaxation and reconnection.

CasaSandra Boutique Hotel, Holbox, Mexico

When Cuban artist and poet, Sandra Pérez, discovered Holbox Island, she knew it would become home. Though just 30 miles north of the mega resorts of Cancun, Holbox is a very different world; a place of deserted beaches, sand roads and traditional village life. The beachside retreat she created now welcomes guests seeking a respite from the 21st century in a relaxing atmosphere inspired by both nature and art. The whitewashed, thatch-roofed buildings of CasaSandra are finished with beamed ceilings of native wood, earth-tone tile and bright carpets and tapestries. Original artworks by Pérez and other Cuban artists adorn the walls, and each of the 18 rooms is individually decorated in handmade Mexican furniture and Cuban antiques. Luxuriant mattresses are covered in Egyptian cotton sheets, and set within white netting. With no telephones, televisions or clocks to distract, guests can take in views of the beach and the bright waters of the Caribbean from their room or terrace.

Holbox Casa Sandra

Native woods, whitewashed walls and thatched roofing set the tone for public spaces at CasaSandra Hotel. Guests are just steps away from a deserted beach that stretches for miles. Photo: Frank Lynen/CasaSandra

Holbox Island lies within Mexico’s large ecological reserve, Yum Balam, which encompasses more than 38 million acres of protected areas. The diverse ecosystems of the reserve are home to more than 500 species of birds, including pink flamingos and white pelicans. Hawksbill turtles come ashore to nest on the island’s long expanse of wild beach, and each summer huge but harmless whale sharks return to area waters, giving adventurous snorkelers a rare chance to swim with the biggest fish in the sea.

Holbox Casa Sandra Dining

The setting, architecture, furnishings and artwork of CasaSandra all come together to represent the artistic vision of the resort’s founder: artist, poet and musician Sandra Pérez. Photo: Frank Lynen/CasaSandra

The Caves, Negril, Jamaica

Native stone, natural woodwork and thatch roofing set the tone for the cliffside villas of The Caves, which seem to have sprung organically from limestone bluffs on Jamaica’s far western shore. This boutique resort offers just 12 oceanfront cottages, plus one ultra private four-bedroom villa, all set in a lushly landscaped 10- acre compound. Each guest cottage or suite is unique in design, with vaulted ceilings and open floor plans that invite ocean breezes and big views of the Caribbean Sea. Interiors are finished with handcrafted wood furnishings, batik print fabrics and stained glass accents. Colors are primary and tropical, a blend of tones often combining blues from periwinkle to aqua to deep Mediterranean blue. Unexpected pieces of art are found over doors, on tables and even around the outdoor showers. These details come together to deliver a seductive casual stylishness that permeates through the property, where winding paths flanked with tropicals and palms connect individual cottages.

The Caves Exterior Jamaica

On Jamaica’s western coast, The Caves resort is perched on the edge of a limestone cliff, providing guests with panoramic ocean views from rooms built of local rock and woods. Photo: Adrian Boot/The Caves

Cliffside water views from rooms and terraces encourage relaxation, and the on-site spa all but guarantees a state of physical bliss. Those seeking active adventures can swim, snorkel or explore the hidden sea caves and grottoes by kayak. For the intrepid willing to make a 30-foot plunge into the clear waters below, there are even cliff jumping lessons. Nighttime brings stargazing and private candlelight dining inside a candlelit grotto, where couples can linger over sumptuous five-course meals or enjoy a local taste of Jamaican barbecue. This secluded and sexy spot is ideal for reconnecting with your significant other, honeymooning or just finding romance.

Caves Negril Hotel Room

Each room at The Caves is unique, and designed to highlight the surroundings. Rooms are nestled into a 10-acre garden, and perch on the edge of a cliff overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Photo: Nilolas Koenig/The Caves

Casa Bonita Tropical Lodge, Barahona, Dominican Republic

What began as a family’s private summer home has since evolved into an intimate country inn that provides a limited number of guests with an unrivaled combination of luxury and natural beauty. Set in the midst of a lush tropical landscape on the south coast of the Dominican Republic, the resort provides both a haven for relaxation and a base for active adventures. Each of the resort’s 12 rooms provides private balconies positioned to provide views of the Caribbean Sea and the Sierra Barahuco Mountains. Interiors feature high ceilings adorned with natural woods, simple yet elegant wood and wicker furnishings, and bedding covered with 300 count thread cotton linens, down feather pillows and duvets. Graphic art by acclaimed conservation photographer Eladio Fernandez grace the walls, and bathrooms include both indoor and outdoor showers.

Casa Bonita DR Exterior Cabana

Once a private vacation retreat, Casa Bonita Tropical Lodge is nestled into a landscape of palm and mahogany trees on the southern coast of the Dominican Republic, overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Photo: Casa Bonita

Casa Bonita maintains a strong connection to the environment and the local community by purchasing from local artisans, employing from within the area, and supporting local initiatives in education, medical assistance and beach preservation. Much of the cuisine served at the resort is grown at Pat’s Organic Garden, the onsite organic farm named after visiting horticulturist Pat Kennedy. Guests may even take part in the harvesting of organic vegetables, fruits & herbs. For those seeking more than relaxation, a canopy tour delivers a 1,000-meter journey through the treetops of the Sierra Barahuco Mountains with 10 platforms positioned with optimal vantage points. The resort’s yacht cruises the Barahona coast to explore nearby reefs and mangroves and to discover hidden beaches and snorkeling reefs, as well as fishing in the Curro Bay. In addition, mountain biking, horseback riding, and hiking are all part of the outdoor experience.

DR Casa Bonita Dining

The dining room at Casa Bonita Tropical Lodge serves a savory array of farm-to-table cuisines, with most ingredients sourced from local farmers and from the resort’s on-site organic garden. Photo: Casa Bonita

Cancun Underwater Sculpture
Bahamas, Bahamas-New Providence, Cancun, Caribbean, Cayman Islands, Grenada, Mexico

Four Amazing Caribbean Underwater Sculpture Parks

 

Swimsuits and snorkels are not usually considered appropriate attire for viewing works of art. But that’s exactly what you’ll need to gain a full appreciation of these sculptures, because they all lie beneath clear Caribbean waters. What started with the placement of a single iconic statue has become a trend, with four islands now offering underwater exhibitions, and more expected to follow. Here are the places where you can combine artistic appreciation with aquatic recreation.

Grand Cayman’s Bronze Gods

In the summer of 2000, a mermaid appeared on one of Grand Cayman’s most popular snorkeling and shore diving sites. Swimmers will have no trouble finding this legendary lady, because she hasn’t moved since. The 9-foot-tall, 600-pound bronze statue is a representation of Amphitrite, the legendary queen of the seas and wife of Poseidon. The work was created by Canadian artist Simon Morris, and placed just offshore of the Sunset House Resort, where it can be viewed from the surface, or enjoyed by the many divers who pose for underwater selfies.

Grand Cayman Underwater Sculpture

The bronze statue of Amphitrite sits on a shallow reef off the west coast of Grand Cayman Island. It is one of two submerged sculptures created by Canadian artist Simon Morris. Photo: Cathy Church/Cayman Islands Department of Tourism

Three years after Amphitrite arrived, a second iconic bronze figure appeared on a reef eight miles to the north. The Guardian of the Reef, also created by Morris, is a 13-foot-tall creation that is half seahorse, half mythological warrior. The work was commissioned by the owners of Divetech Resort, and placed on a popular dive site a short swim from their dive shop.

Art Goes Underwater In Grenada

Grenada’s Molinere Bay became the world’s underwater art gallery when British sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor – http://www.underwatersculpture.com/ – placed a collection of contemporary sculptures among the coral heads in 2006. The exhibition was instrumental in the creation of a marine protected area along the island’s southwestern coast. Each sculpture is strategically placed to enhance the natural beauty of the surrounding reefs, and fabricated from environmentally friendly materials that encourage corals and other marine life to overgrow and transform the statues over time.

Grenada Underwater Sculpture

The Ring of Children is a signature element of Grenada’s Molinere Underwater Sculpture Park. This exhibition was created in 2006 by British sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor. Photo: Orlando Romain/ Grenada Tourism Authority

The original exhibition was expanded with additional works by Taylor and Grenadian sculptor Rene Froehlich, and now includes some 65 figures and still-life tableaus. The Molinere Bay Sculpture Park can be reached with a short swim from shore, or by a ten-minute boat ride from St. Georges and the resorts of Grand Anse. The works can be enjoyed from the surface, and are shallow enough to allow most swimmers to duck down for a closer look.

Mexico’s Underwater Museum

Three years after opening the world’s first underwater sculpture park in Grenada, sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor turned his talents to an even more ambitious project in the waters of Cancun, Mexico. The Museo Subacuatico de Arte is located in a national marine park just off the shores of Isla Mujeres, where it can be viewed by swimmers, divers and passengers in glass bottom boats.

Mexico Underwater Sculpture Gardener

The sculpture known as The Gardener is adorned with corals rescued after tropical storms or damage by human activity. Sculptures and photography: Jason deCaires Taylor

The exhibition is described as an interaction between art and environmental science, as the exhibits 500-plus life-size sculptures are made from specialized materials used to promote coral life. The Museum is divided into two galleries called Salon Manchones and Salon Nizuc. The first is located in 25 feet of water and suited for viewing by both divers and snorkelers, while the second gallery is positioned at a depth of just 12 feet, with sculptures rising to within six feet of the surface. It is reserved for snorkelers. Snorkelers and swimmers can reach the exhibits from shore or boat tours from Isla Mujeres or Cancun.

Bigger in the Bahamas

The world’s largest underwater sculpture comes with a message, and a mission. Ocean Atlas is a 60-ton, 18-foot-high depiction of a young Bahamian girl who appears to be holding up the ocean, much like the mythological Titan Atlas shouldered the burden of the heavens. The work is intended both as a reminder of the environmental threats oceans face, and a message of how human interactions with nature can be positive and sustainable.

Bahamas Nassau Atlas Coral Reef Sculpture Garden

Ocean Atlas is the world’s largest underwater sculpture, and the centerpiece of the Sir Nicholas Nuttall Coral Reef Sculpture Garden, located in the waters of New Providence Island, Bahamas. Photo: BREEF

The sculpture is made from sustainable PH-neutral materials, and surrounded by a collection of structures known as reef balls that will attract fish life and promote coral growth, eventually transforming the site into a living reef. More sculptures are planned for the site, which is shallow enough to be enjoyed by snorkelers. The Sir Nicholas Nuttall Coral Reef Sculpture Garden can be reached by a short boat ride from the south coast of New Providence Island, and has already become a favorite with cruise ship passengers and guests staying at the resorts of Nassau and Paradise Island. Check out more photos here: https://news.artnet.com/exhibitions/worlds-largest-underwater-sculpture- unveiled-in-bahamas-144457/#/slideshow/144457-2/5

Banyan Tree Spa Mayakoba
Bermuda, Cancun, Caribbean, Mexico, Playa del Carmen, St. Lucia, Stay, Trip Ideas

Amazing Water Treatments at My Favorite Caribbean Spas

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Whenever I visit a spa, I look for the unique treatments I can’t find back home or at just any spa. Among my favorites are those therapies that involve exotic ingredients, state of the art equipment and time-honored therapies that have roots in past cultures. These five resort spas break the mold by offering out-of- this-world treatments that involve water, steam and even ice.

Water Massage

Release physical and emotional tension with Jansu therapy at Belmond Maroma, Riviera Maya, Mexico

Watsu is an in-water treatment that resembles Shiatsu. You relax in warm, chest deep water while the therapist gently cradles you and works you through various dancelike movements that encourage relaxation and create a healing experience.

Maroma Kinan Spa Riviera Maya

Relaxation begins as your walk down the long outdoor corridor to the Kinan Spa. The spa is aligned with the stars to create positive energy flow, treatment rooms point east and west and offerings include authentic Mayan treatments. Photo: Maroma

At Maroma these sessions are called Jansu and take place in an isolated area far from the center of the resort. Here in the mediation pool, your therapist will guide you through movements, stretches, twists and even submerge you for brief moments. Opt for a mid-day treatment just after the sun has warmed the pool, when sunbeams dapple the water’s surface.

Maroma Spa Pool Riviera Maya

At the Belmond Maroma in Riviera Maya, Jansu treatments involve an immersion in a pool of warm water, where a therapist guides you through a series of relaxing movements. Photo: Ingrid Rasumussen/Maroma

Cleansing Steam

Cleanse body, mind and spirit in the steam of a Temascal treatment at Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort, St. Lucia

Embraced by the majestic valley of the Pitons, the Rainforest Spa is secluded in 100 acres of tropical rainforest. Tree house gazebos become treatment rooms; each reached by wooden walkways and spaced for ultimate privacy.

St Lucia Sugar Beach Spa Exterior

Built of local materials, the seven thatched roofed tree house treatment rooms offer complete privacy and a connection to the natural surroundings within the rainforest of the Pitons. Photo: Sugar Beach

The on-site earthen steam room is inspired by the traditions of the indigenous people of Mesoamerica, who used steam ceremonies to purify the body and improve health. You’ll sit in a circle around a mound of hot rocks that are periodically doused with water to produce steam. Some people have visions; others just relax, as the treatment can be very cathartic. After a stint in the hot, moist heat, you head for a cool shower and drink liquids and juices to replenish lost electrolytes. Most people note that this treatment induces some of the best sleep.

St Lucia Sugar Beach Spa

The Rainforest Spa at St. Lucia’s Sugar Beach resort draws on the healing traditions of the indigenous people of Mesoamerica, using cleansing steam to relax and detoxify the body. Photo: Sugar Beach

Rain and Mist

Transport yourself to the rainforest of Thailand as you experience the Rain Walk at Banyan Tree Mayakoba, Riviera Maya, Mexico

This Asian-inspired spa brings centuries of Eastern healing wisdom and knowledge to each of its treatments, which are based on the traditions and techniques of Thailand. You could spend your entire stay experiencing a different therapy each day, but the Rain Walk is unlike any other.

Banyan Tree Spa Riviera Maya

Treatment rooms are set out over a peaceful fresh water lagoon where relaxation comes easy. Here, at Banyan Tree Mayakoba, Thai trained therapists deliver Asian inspired treatments in absolute tranquility. Photo: Debbie Snow

This extensive treatment can take an afternoon, as it includes eight unique hydrothermal therapy experiences. You begin with a walk on a pathway of river stone, where streams of water flow gently down from above. It’s immediately relaxing and takes your mind to another level. You’ll then move from room to room to experience even more unique sensations. There is the eucalyptus steam chamber, a summer storm chamber, a brine fog, and a chamber of ice fountains and cool winter rains. Treatments follow a sequential flow that culminates with an immersion into a vitality pool where water jets create gentle acupressure.

Riviera Maya Banyan Tree Indoor Spa

The Rain Walk experience at the Banyan Tree Mayakoba culminates with an immersion in the vitality pool, where water jets create the aquatic equivalent of an acupressure session. Photo: Debbie Snow

Not Just a Shower

Splish-splash away with a Tropical Rain Splash in the Silver TAG shower at Sense spa at Tucker’s Point on Bermuda.

The Sense spa at Tucker’s Point offers all of the world-class treatments you would expect from a Rosewood Resort. Treatments also incorporate natural materials found on the islands. Honey and sugar cane are used to exfoliate; cedar oils to relieve tension and stress; and papaya to nourish the skin.

Bermuda Tuckers Point Spa

At Sense spa at Tucker’s Point, Bermuda, patrons are enveloped in a soothing and cleansing spray delivered by the 18 separate water jets of the Silver TAG shower. Photo: Debbie Snow

You can add the Silver TAG shower to any spa treatment, or opt for an experience such the Bermuda Triangle, which is geared toward those arriving after long flights. You begin by entering the chamber where 18 showerheads massage you from top to bottom, both cleansing and relaxing the body. You then move to the massage table for a rubdown with aloe freshly plucked from the garden and end with a citrus inspired facial. You can come back the next day just for the shower, or combine it with another treatment.

Bermuda Tucker Spa Pool

Spa guests at Tucker’s Point can enjoy a private space along the calming reflection pool before and after treatments. Opt for a Rum Swizzle and enjoy the cocktail as part of the signature manicure and pedicure. Photo: Debbie Snow

The Colors of Relaxation

Receive the effects of crystal healing and color therapy at Cambridge Beaches on Bermuda.

The resort’s private and secluded setting is conducive to canoodling, but it’s not just for couples. Singles will also love the pool area, the four beaches and the many options for treatments at the Ocean Spa.

Cambridge Beaches Spa

Soothing crystalline illumination sets the mood in the Experiential Suites, which are a signature element of the Ocean Spa, in Bermuda’s Cambridge Beaches resort. Photo: Debbie Snow

A signature element is the Experiential Suites, which provide a four-stage journey of color, temperature and moisture. Chambers allow each guest to enjoy private spaces as they move through a steam room, cooling mist room, rainfall shower and sauna. Along the way, glowing crystals set the mood as they change colors to invoke a sense of well-being. The whirlpool, relaxation pool and lap pool are also available before or after the experience. Many of the Ocean Spa Experiences are longer treatments that also include a stint in the Experiential Suites. Couples can partake in a Sauna Ritual where they exfoliate each other with sea salt before retiring to their couples massage.

Cambridge Beaches Pool Bermuda

The tiered infinity pool at Cambridge Beaches overlooks Morning Beach, the resort’s Zen beach. Guests have space for swimming laps or relaxing to the sounds of the water falling. Photo: Debbie Snow

 

St Lucia Jade Mountain
Cancun, Caribbean, Grenada, Mexico, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Rico, St. Barts, St. Lucia, Stay, Trip Ideas

Best Private Pools in the Caribbean

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Resort pools can be spectacular. Unique designs, water features like fountains, waterfalls and cascades are all designed to wow, and infinity edges that meld into the ocean are breathtaking. But there’s nothing like your own private pool to jump in whenever you have the desire. The private pools at these Caribbean resorts offer up a bit more space than the typical plunge pool allowing you room to splash, kick and immerse in any way your heart desires.

Royal Isabela, Puerto Rico

At first glance, you might think you were in Scotland or Ireland when you survey the rolling green hills that cascade down to blue water. But you are in one of Puerto Rico’s finest resorts, where a collection of luxurious casitas sits terraced along the cliff tops overlooking the Atlantic. The hotel is set within a 1,800-acre golf course community, so there is plenty of open space to immerse yourself in the natural surroundings. Each of the 20 casitas has a private pool and terrace to take in the outdoors and view the starlight nights.

Puerto Rico Isabela Royal Pool

The casitas of Puerto Rico’s Royal Isabela resort sit on a wooded hillside overlooking a magnificent golf course and the Atlantic Ocean. Each includes a private deck and pool. Photo: Joann Dost/Royal Isabela

Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort, St Lucia

This collection of British colonial-styled cottages and villas are tucked away in a glade of tropical foliage on slopes near the base of the Pitons. Over the years the property has changed names and received upgrades, but the villas still stair step up the hillside, each with its own pool hidden from the next, but with views of the Pitons. Here your private outdoor space has a covered area to retreat from the sun and take an afternoon nap between dips in your pool. Call for a ride or take a stroll down the hillside to the sugar white sand beach, experience the tasting menu at the Great House and succumb to a tropical treatment at the Rain Forest Spa.

St Lucia Sugar Beach Luxury Villa With Pool

Cottages at St. Lucia’s Sugar Beach resort open to expansive private terraces that include a pool, sun lounges, al fresco dining nook and a sheltered cabana ideal for afternoon naps. Photo: Sugar Beach/Viceroy

Banyan Tree Mayakoba, Riviera Maya, Mexico

Situated among the canals and cenotes of the Riviera Maya, the Banyan Tree is all about water. The resort’s front entrance is a giant lily pond. Dining and lobby areas open to additional waterways and ponds. Suites are either adjacent to the canals and channels or overlooking the waterway that carries guests to and from the beach via launches. Here you’ll find villas with complete privacy where you can float the afternoon away in your private pool while the fragrance of frangipani fills the air. When a need arises, attentive service is just a call a way.

Banyan Tree Mayakoba Private Pools

Water dominates at the Banyan Tree Mayakoba, where suites set in lush natural foliage offer private pools and terraces. Boats carry guests to the beach via a central canal. Photo: Debbie Snow

Spice Island Beach Resort, Grenada

Much more than rooms, the Royal Collection Pool Suites at Spice Island are sanctuaries from the outside world. A private door leads to your walled terrace where day beds, an outdoor dining area and a private pool awaits. These pools are large enough to do some serious splashing about, and maybe swim a few strokes. The suites are also exceptionally large, covering up to 1,500 square feet including living room and private cedar saunas. Once you are ready to face the world, Grand Anse Beach, the longest stretch on the island, is just outside your door.

Grenada Spice Island Pool Villa

Spice Island Beach Resort offers three types of private pool suites. Shown here is the Royal Collection Pool Suite, which features the largest water feature. Photo: Spice Island Beach Resort

Le Toiny, St. Barts

Hotel Le Toiny is located on the uncrowded southeastern corner of St. Barts. This boutique property offers 14 villa suites tucked into a 42-acre hillside garden overlooking Anse de Toiny beach. Each villa provides dramatic and direct ocean views and has its own private pool, which is heated during winter months. Inside the one-bedroom villas the coastal theme continues with a décor in beige and white, accented with warm brown that brings in the palette of the hillside and the beaches below. Simplicity and sophistication blend easily, and guests are pampered accordingly. When it comes time to socialize, head to the oyster shell bar overlooking the half moon shaped pool to share an appetizer and sip champagne.

Le Toiny Hotel Pool Villa St Bart

The one-bedroom villas at Le Toiny open onto private terraces set high above one of the best beaches in St. Barts. The adjacent private pools can be heated for comfort. Photo: Le Toiny

Sandals LaSource, Grenada

When ensconced in your elevated private sanctuary, you may never want to leave. The one bedroom Skypool Villa not only offers private butler service but also a personal mobile phone to summon everything from meals and snacks, to floats for the pool and buckets of ice with cold champagne. Your pool offers up enough space to kick to the end and when you want to take relaxation to another level, there is a private Jacuzzi to slip into when the moment arises. Eventually, you may want to leave your retreat to head down to Gin Beach. This pink stretch of sand is one of the best in the Caribbean.

Grenada Sandals Private Pool

The Skypool Villas at Grenada’s Sandals LaSource include not only a large private pool, but also an adjacent hot tub. Guests have a direct number to a personal butler. Photo: Sandals

Jade Mountain Resort, St. Lucia

Your private pool becomes an extension of your suite, as the fourth wall of each room at Jade Mountain is omitted to provide cinematic-quality views of the Pitons and Caribbean. Right before your eyes the morning golden sky lights up the mountain range, and come sunset the pink and blue fill the sky and light bounces off the hillside and reflects in the sea. Small wonder many honeymooners start their life journey with a stay here. Each villa has a unique color scheme and design, but full living room, bedroom and pool open to the splendid scenery. With no phones, no television and absolute no distractions, this resort knows how to provide sanctuary to guests seeking ultimate seclusion.

St Lucia Jade Mountain Private Pool

Hillside rooms at Jade Mountain Resort are left open to the elements, ushering in sea breezes and grand views of the coast and the iconic Piton peaks. Private pools perch on the edge to heighten the drama. Photo: Jade Mountain

Royal Playa del Carmen Swim Up Room
Caribbean, Mexico, Playa del Carmen, Stay, Trip Ideas

Playa del Carmen’s Best Swim-Up Suites

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Water plays a prominent role in most tropical vacations. Whether sailing, snorkeling, relaxing beachside, splashing about in the pool, or relaxing in a private soaking spa, chances are you are planning to get wet. Hoteliers understand this, and a growing number are offering what might be considered the ultimate take on a water themed vacation: a room that opens directly onto a pool. These “swim-up suites” are a signature feature of properties along Mexico’s Riviera Maya, and we’ve found four of the best.

Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen Resort

The Grand Hyatt combines the amenities of a world-class resort with the convenience of a downtown location. The property sits directly on the beach and fronts Playa del Carmen’s lively Fifth Avenue shopping and entertainment district. Rooms feature a clean modern design with rich woods and open spaces that invite sea breezes. The resort is family friendly, with dedicated children and teen facilities and activities. But adults are also indulged with onsite spa services, a fitness center, entertainment spaces, and exclusive beachside cabanas. A select number of rooms also offer terraces that open directly onto pools surrounded by gardens or the native mangrove thickets that have been incorporated into the resort’s landscape. Floor to ceiling windows bring views inside to create a personal oasis of calm that is just steps away from water, and from all that Playa del Carmen has to offer.

Grand Hyatt Swim Up Playa del Carmen

At the Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen Resort, rooms with floor to ceiling windows open to terraces that combine privacy with garden views and direct access to pools. Photo: Ruben Hidalgo/Grand Hyatt

Azul Fives

The Karisma Azul Fives Hotel provides an all-inclusive atmosphere that is equally welcoming to couples, groups and families. Azul is Spanish for blue, and blue water features prominently in the décor and resort grounds. Guests can snorkel directly from the beach; relax in private cabanas, or head poolside for refreshments at a swim-up bar. Azul Fives offers a wide range of engaging youth programs, while adults can discover indulgences such as moonlight couples massage. A variety of on-site shops, bars and restaurants provide all one could want in a beachside resort experience. In addition, the attractions of Playa del Carmen are just ten minutes away. For the ultimate water feature, guests can select a one-bedroom suite with an adjacent water deck that opens right into the main pool. These suites offer a separate living room with a sofa bed and a kitchenette, making them an especially good option for families or those wanting to entertain.

Playa del Carmen Azul Fives

Water elements feature prominently throughout the grounds of the family- friendly Azul Fives, where first floor suites open directly to the resort’s main pool. Photo: Moris Moreno/Azul Fives

Paradisus Playa del Carmen La Perla

Located on a private bay fronted by coral reefs and the blue waters of the Caribbean, the adults only La Perla blends luxury and exclusivity with a high level of personal service. Though convenient to all of the attractions of the Riviera Maya, and just ten minutes from downtown Playa del Carmen, guests may never feel the need to leave the property. Fourteen onsite restaurants and 16 bars provide a wealth of dining and entertainment options, with spa services for relaxation and a range of water sports for the active. Pools offer swim-up bars and private lounges, while on the beach Balinese sun beds enjoy butler service. All guest suites provide the indulgences of rainfall showers and deep soaking tubs, while a number also include terraces with whirlpools and direct access to swimming pools via private steps.

Paradisus Playa del Carmen Swim Up Suites

Stairs lead from terraces to pools at Paradisus Playa del Carmen La Perla. This upscale, adults only resort provides an oasis of relaxation just minutes from downtown attractions. Photo: David Massey/Paradisus

The Royal Playa del Carmen

For guests who can’t decide between a swim-up suite and a waterfront walkout, the Royal Playa del Carmen offers a solution: have both. This all- inclusive, adults only property is located directly on the ocean in the heart of downtown Playa del Carmen. As an upscale, all-suite property, it offers all the amenities one would expect, including a diverse range of cuisines at seven onsite restaurants, sparkling pools, a spa and fitness center, and private cabanas on the town’s best beach. While upper floor accommodations offer balconies and sweeping waterfront views, a number of first floor rooms feature private terraces that incorporate personal splash pools. For the ultimate combination of water features, a select few rooms sit directly on the beach and also include a private pool. After sunning at a private oceanfront cabana, guests are just steps away from their own private pool, where they can take a refreshing dip.

Outdoor The Royal Playa del Carmen

A number of rooms at the Royal Playa del Carmen resort are fronted by pools. A select few also offer direct ocean views and beach access. Photo: VRX Studios/Royal Resorts

Mexico Riviera Maya El Dorado Maroma Palafitos Overwater Bungalows
Cancun, Caribbean, Jamaica, Mexico, Playa del Carmen, Stay, Trip Ideas

New Caribbean Over-Water Bungalows

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The Caribbean has its share of beachfront resorts where rooms and suites open to sweeping views of beach and ocean. What the region has traditionally lacked are the more exotic over-water accommodations found in destinations such as Tahiti, Indonesia and the Maldives. That’s changing, as 2016 marks the arrival of a new and spectacular collection of over-water bungalows at upscale resorts in Jamaica and Mexico’s Riviera Maya. If you are looking for an intimate connection with water, combined with the highest levels of privacy and personal indulgence, these two properties are sure to deliver.

Sandals Royal Caribbean – Montego Bay, Jamaica

Built over turquoise waters on the western edge of the resort’s private island, the over-the-water villas at Sandals Royal Caribbean resort are billed as a first in the Caribbean. Villas open onto private decks that blend indoor and outdoor spaces and incorporate luxe features such as private infinity pools, shaded veranda seating, over-the-water hammocks for two, private floating docks and a tranquility soaking tub, all facing the lagoon and the blue waters of the ocean beyond.

Jamaica Montego Bay Sandals Overwater Bungalow

Each private villa features infinity pools, over-the-water hammocks and interior spaces that open to private decks and expansive ocean views. Photo: Sandals

Mahogany king-size beds are adorned with soft Egyptian linens and plush pillows, and just forward of the bed is a unique see-through glass floor that provides a revealing look at the underwater landscape. Villa stays include the services of a personal butler, who is trained in accordance to the exacting standards of the Guild of Professional Butlers, and is on call day or night. Villas are connected to the resort’s private island by wooden docks, where spa services and dining await. Private boat transfers also connect the villas to the numerous all-inclusive amenities of the Royal Caribbean resort, which is just a short ride away.

Montego Bay Jamaica Sandals Overwater Bungalow

Glass floors bring the colors of the reef into the bedrooms of over-the-water villas. Photo: Sandals

Palafitos, El Dorado Maroma – Riviera Maya, Mexico

Powder-fine white sands and pristine water make Maroma Beach one of the most desirable destinations on Mexico’s Riviera Maya. With the opening of the Palafitos in September of 2016, the El Dorado Maroma, a Karisma property is poised to become the region’s premier resort. This collection of 30 overwater bungalows combines thatch-roof charm with an extensive roster of upscale amenities. Large private decks provide sunrise to sunset views, with stairs leading directly into the ocean below. Additional opportunities for immersion include private infinity pools, indoor Jacuzzi tubs for two and the El Dorado’s signature aguas del amor outdoor showers.

Riviera Maya El Dorado Maroma Palafitos Exterior

Each Palafito suite provides quests with expansive private decks and stairs leading directly into the ocean. Photo: Karisma

Bedrooms feature glass floor cutouts for fish watching, and guests enjoy the services of a 24-hour butler for attentions such as in-room breakfast and afternoon hors d’oeuvres and cocktail service. Sharing the waterfront with the Palafitos is the Overwater Grill and Wine Bar, with a private glass- floored dining room, and the Naay Spa over the ocean, offering treatments inspired by traditional Mayan herbal practices. Ashore, guests can choose from four bars and six restaurants serving national and international cuisines, engage in a full range of water sports and activities, and experience the upscale indulgences of the resort’s gourmet inclusive program.

El Dorado Maroma Palafitos Overwater Bungalow Interior

Palafito suites include separate sitting areas, where guests can enjoy in- room breakfasts, happy hour relaxations and 24-hour butler service. Photo: Karisma

Belize Hol Chan Reef Scene
Aruba, Bahamas, Bahamas-Out Islands, Belize, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Cancun, Caribbean, Central America, Mexico, Play, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Trip Ideas, Turks & Caicos, U.S. Virgin Islands

The Caribbean’s Best Snorkel Sites

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The Caribbean is home to thousands of snorkel-worthy beaches and reefs, and I’ve spent hundreds of hours exploring sites near and far. For the optimum combination of calm water, easy access, vibrant coral growth, abundant fish life and sheer variety, here are my favorites.

Kline Bonaire

Coral reefs start close to shore all along Bonaire’s sheltered western coastline, but the most colorful sites are a short boat ride away. A five- minute ride across calm water brings you to the low-lying, uninhabited shores of Kline Bonaire. Your boat captain can choose from one of more than two dozen sites based on conditions, and my consistent favorite begins right off No Name Beach, where hard and soft coral growth starts in as little as five feet of water.

Bonaire Klein Turtles

Sea turtles are often seen along the shoreline of deserted Kline Bonaire island, which is just a short boat ride from dive resorts on the west coast of Bonaire. Photo: Alejandro Gutierrez/ Tourism Corporation Bonaire

Anse Chastanet, St. Lucia

I’ve spent hours watching the fish life on Anse Chastanet Reef, but every so often, I find myself pausing to admire the view above the water. A foreground of golden sand and jungle green frame the towering profiles of St. Lucia’s most famous landmarks, the Pitons. Just a short swim from shore, a coral-covered plateau presents an undulating profile that rises within five feet of the surface, and then falls from 20 feet to depths of more than 100. In addition to large schools of tropical fish, this site is known for its small invertebrates, giving critter spotters hours of enjoyable hunting.

St Lucia Anse Chastanet Snorkeling

On the island of St. Lucia, the twin spires of the Pitons provide a dramatic backdrop for snorkelers exploring the near shore reefs at Anse Chastanet. Photo: Bernd Rac/Anse Chastanet Resort

The Indians, British Virgin Islands

Between the bareboat fleets, tour operators and private boaters, you’ll seldom find the waters around the rock pinnacles known as the Indians deserted. But that’s OK, there’s plenty of coral-covered reef to go around. I especially enjoy the steep cliff faces to the west, where seas are calmest and the underwater landscape is the most dramatic. The usual roster of reef characters there in abundance, including blue tangs, queen angels and a colorful assortment of parrotfish. Peek into the crevices and you might discover an eel or lobster lurking in the shadows.

BVI the Indians Rocks

The distinctive rock pinnacles known as the Indians are the most popular snorkeling destination in the British Virgin Islands, offering clear water and colorful corals. Photo: BVI Tourist Board

Puerto Morelos, Mexico

Cancun isn’t known for great snorkeling. But drive a few miles south to the sleepy fishing village of Puerto Morelos, and you’re just a short boat ride from the Yucatan’s premier national marine park. The coral gardens begin a half-mile from the beach, and there are always a number of panga-style launches on the beach, with gregarious crews ready to provide guided snorkel tours of the park. Depths are typically less than 10 feet, making it easy to spot the menagerie of reef creatures that flit through the sea fans and coral fingers.

Puerto Morales Mexico Reef Fish Snorkel

A short distance south of Cancun, the national marine park at Puerto Morales features protected reefs rich in fish life and corals. Photo: Adam Saltman/Flickr

Smith’s Reef, Turks & Caicos

There are literally hundreds of miles of pristine shallow reef to explore around the islands of the Turks & Caicos. When I’m staying on Providenciales, and don’t feel like a boat ride, there’s no need to go far. Right off the beach is a three-mile expanse of coral heads and sea grass shallows known as Smith’s Reef. I sometimes enjoy searching the grass beds for hidden critters, but it’s the coral heads that hold the greatest variety of life. To locate a coral patch from shore, look for the patches of water that have a brownish tint, which indicates hard bottom.

Turks and Caicos Smiths Reef

On the island of Providenciales in the Turks & Caicos island group, the coral heads of Smith’s Reef start just offshore of the Turtle Cove Marina and stretch for three miles to the east. Photo: Turks & Caicos Tourist Board

Exumas Land and Sea Park, Bahamas

In the heart of the Bahamas, the Exuma Land and Sea Park encompasses dozens of islands and miles of protected reef. The best way to explore the fish-laden waters of this aquatic preserve is by signing up for a half or full day boat tour. The guides will not only know which sites are best based on tides and weather, they will also put you on to a number of additional adventures such as a swim through the hidden grotto from the James Bond film Thunderball, or a visit to the famous swimming pigs of the Exumas.

Exumas Bahamas Land Sea Park

The Exumas Land and Sea Park encompasses a number of small islands and thousands of acres of shoals and reefs ideal for swimming and snorkeling. Photo: Darryl Massaro/Flickr

Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Belize

Belize’s original marine reserve packs a lot of underwater diversity into a relatively small area. Hol Chan is the Mayan phrase for “little channel” and when snorkelers arrive at this cut in the reef after an easy boat ride from Ambergris Caye, they are treated to spur and grove coral formations, sea brass beds and mangrove nurseries. Most tours also take in the site’s famous Shark Ray Alley, where southern stingrays and nurse sharks gather to nosh on fishy morsels offered by dive guides. The interaction is safe, and will put you right in the middle of the action.

Belize Hol Chan Nurse Sharks

Nurse sharks gather in the shallow waters of Belize’s Hol Chan Marine Reserve in anticipation of a free meal of fish scraps. These placid reef dwellers pose no danger to humans. Photo: iStock

Buck Island, St. Croix

It’s been more than 50 years since Buck Island Reef was declared a National Monument, and it’s still one of the Caribbean’s most popular snorkel sites. Located off the northeastern shore of St. Croix, Buck Island offers deserted white sand beaches and an encircling reef dominated by branching Elkhorn formations and groves of undulating sea fans. An underwater snorkel trail leads through the coral maze, which is home to hawksbill sea turtles. Shallow depths put swimmers face to face with the many tropical fish that seek shelter in the branching arms of the corals.

St Croix USVI Buck Island

St. Croix’s Buck Island National Monument includes a white sand beach and one of the most extensive groves of elkhorn corals in the Caribbean. Photo: Steve Simonsen/ US Virgin Island Department of Tourism

De Palm Island, Aruba

A visit to Aruba’s De Palm Island is part snorkel trip, part beach party. Located just off the main island’s southern coast, this all-inclusive day resort offers half and full day experiences that include beachside buffets, libations, entertainment and guided tours to the nearby reef, which is one of the best on the island. Snorkel equipment and instruction are included in the price of admission, and while water conditions are beginner friendly, the underwater landscape offers plenty to keep even veteran snorkelers enthralled.

Aruba De Palm Island

De Palm Island is located just off the coast of Aruba. Guests who come for an all-inclusive beach day can enjoy guided or individual snorkeling on reefs just off the beach. Photo: De Palm Tours

Horseshoe Reef, Tobago Cays

I love to swim with sea turtles, and one of the best places to do this in the southern Caribbean is in the Tobago Cays. This collection of five uninhabited islands lies just east of Mayreau in the southern Grenadines. It became a wildlife reserve in 2006, and is home to a colorful array of marine life— including a population of resident turtles. The formation known as Horseshoe Reef encircles four of the five islands to create calm conditions for snorkeling. Portions of the park can get a bit crowded when several tour boats arrive at once, but even on busy days I’ve always been able to slip off and find a quieter corner of the reef to enjoy.

Horseshoe Reef Snorkeling St Vincent Grenadines in Tobago Cay

In the southern Grenadines, a group of five small, uninhabited islands known as the Tobago Cays provide excellent snorkeling within the protected shallows of Horseshoe Reef. Photo: Debbie Snow