Tag Archives: Mexico

Tulum, Papaya Club De Playa
Caribbean, Eat, Mexico, Playa del Carmen, Trip Ideas

Caribbean Beach Bars: Papaya Club de Playa, Tulum, Mexico

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Trade winds, blue water and a hammock strung in the shade. This would be reason enough to make Papaya Club de Playa your beach HQ when in Tulum. But, there’s more. This waterfront vacation complex includes a double-decker bar that overhangs the beach, a pair of dining palapas, a waterfront dance floor, view tower and amphitheater-style seating enclaves that overlook the ocean and a performance stage. The midday scene is mellow, with swimmers and sunbathers mingling with diners and work- from-anywhere gypsies who sync their laptops and tables to Wi-Fi and redefine the office experience.

Things heat up after dark, when DJs and live bands own the night, rum drinks fuel the dance floor and an impromptu skinny dip is always a possibility. Not to be missed are the monthly full moon parties, which run until the early hours of the morning. The kitchen and bar turn out a tempting range of food and libations, and for those who never want to leave, the Papaya also offers accommodations ranging from rustic to eco- chic. The club is located near the northern end of the Tulum Beach if you somehow miss the sign, most anyone in town can provide directions to this local landmark.

Cabo Horseback Riding
Acapulco, Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, Mexico, Puerto Vallarta

Mexico’s Best Horseback Beach Rides

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Sun, surf, sand and a cantering horse. It’s a compelling image, and a familiar entry on many traveler’s bucket list. The trick is finding a ride-worthy stretch of sand that’s not overrun with beach chairs and bathers, but still within easy reach of the resort. Equally important is choosing the right outfitter—one that provides healthy, well-trained mounts that respond with an enthusiasm and temperament matched to the rider.

Oceanfront rides are offered at a number of Mexico’s Pacific Coast vacation destinations by outfitters from itinerant and often unaccredited entrepreneurs to large tour companies that stage large group rides. For the best experience, you’ll want something in between: an established and reputable stable that specializes in smaller parties, stables with well-trained animals and has access to the most scenic trails and beaches. Here are some of our favorite outfitters and routes.

Cabo San Lucas

A number of tour operators in the Cabo San Lucas area can get you on horseback. But if you want the best, make your way north of town to Cuadra San Francisco (www.loscaboshorses.com). This premier equestrian center and riding academy trains in disciplines such as dressage, driving and polo, and also produces exceptional trail horses. Private or small group rides lead into the nearby hills of Cabo Real, along undeveloped beaches, or take in both. Horses are matched to each rider’s ability, providing novices with accommodating animals while inspiring experienced riders with a mount that shares their enthusiasm for the trail.

Cabo Horseback Riding

Near the town of San Jose del Cabo, wranglers lead a string of horses back to the stables after completing an evening ride along the beach. Photo/iStock

Mazatlan

Before you saddle up for Mazatlan’s favorite beach ride, you’ll first take a short boat ride across the harbor entrance channel to the area known as Stone Island. The close-by stretch of beach overlooking Isla Cardones is a favorite with day-trippers disembarking from the cruise ships, but your horse provides an easy escape from the crowds, and there are miles of undeveloped beach to the south to discover. In addition to following the surf line, routes may also take you through coconut groves, coastal mangrove forests and small local villages. The stable that earns consistent high reviews is Randi’s Happy Horses. (www.randishappyhorses.com)

Mazatlan Horseback

Just across the harbor from Mazatlan, Stone Island is a favorite destination for day trips, and a starting point for horseback rides along the wilder beaches to the south. Photo: Jerry Moorman/iStock

Acapulco

If your idea of the ideal beach ride includes crashing surf, you’ll likely be in luck when you schedule a ride along Acapulco’s Playa Revolcadero. This less-developed section of coastlines lies southeast of both Acapulco Bay and Puerto Marques, and is a favorite with surfers. The same cresting breakers provide a memorable backdrop for beach rides. Those willing to travel a bit farther afield can continue along the coast to Barra Vieja, where a ride can be one element of a day spent sunning, fishing and soaking in the laid-back vibe of this coastal village. The leading outfitter, Playa Revolcadero Horseback Rides, does not currently have a web site, but trips can be arranged through a number of tour companies or hotel concierges.

Acapulco Horseback

A sunset over Acapulco’s Revolcadero Beach. This coastline is less developed than beaches within the bay, and ideal for a memorable horseback ride on surf-washed sands. Photo: Andres Balcazar/iStock

Puerto Vallarta

As beaches all along the northern end of Banderas Bay see a new wave of beachfront development, there are no longer areas where horses and bathers mix. Which is not a problem, because the more dramatic backdrop for a seaside canter is still found to the north of the bay, on surf-washed beaches near the coastal towns of Sayulita and San Francisco. One of the area’s favorite stables is the Painted Pony Equestrian Center (http://paintedponiesequestriancenter.com), where riding adventures can range from a one-hour ride along Litibu Beach to half-day excursions that also take in coastal jungles and waterfalls.

Puerto Vallarta Horseback

A short drive north from Puerto Vallarta resorts and Banderas Bay, the wild beaches near the small coastal town of Sayulita are ideally suited for horseback rides on the beach. Photo/iStock

 

 

San Jose Del Cabo Central Plaza
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, Plan, Trip Ideas

Walk This Way: Plaza Mijares, San Jose Del Cabo, Mexico

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Cabo San Lucas may be party central, but there’s more to the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula than tequila shooters and all night parties. Some 20 miles to the north of Land’s End, the town of San Jose Del Cabo offers a historic side, and a dose of arts and culture. Head for Plaza Mijares, which lies in the heart of old town, where cobblestone streets run though a neighborhood that dates back to the 1700s.

As in many Mexican towns, the plaza is a hub of local social activity, which can include live music, private celebrations and public fiestas. Just across Hidalgo Street, the Iglesia San José is worth a visit. The original mission built on this site dated from the 1500s, but was destroyed in a powerful hurricane in the early 20th Century. The current church was reconstructed in the 1930s, and remains the focal point for a number of religious and cultural ceremonies.

From Hidalgo, stroll down Obregon street, where a number of historic buildings have been transformed into cafes and galleries. From November to June, locals and visitors converge on this area each Thursday evening for the Art Walk. This event has become a major social gathering, with dozens of artists and artisans exhibiting their wares in a festival-like atmosphere that spills into the streets.

Mexico-Baja-Sea-Of-Cortez-Kayak
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, Play, Trip Ideas

Baja Kayak Adventures

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Few water sports put you closer to nature than ocean kayaking. It’s just you, a small boat and the sea. And few places offer a better kayaking experience than the La Paz region of the Baja Peninsula. The waters are warm, the wind and seas often calm, and the coastline punctuated by an intriguing collection of small islands and coastal bays, all providing ideal destinations for paddlers. You can get a taste in a day or less, but if you have a week or more to devote to a kayak tour, you can have your fill of adventures both on the water and ashore along some of the wildest and most scenic coastlines in North America.

Day Trips

You don’t have to go far from town to get away from it all. A half-day or single-day trip can have you paddling in the turquoise waters of Balandra Bay, with a lunch stop at a secluded beach, or touring Sea Lion and Deception Islands, where you’ll have time to stop and explore, and perhaps don snorkel gear to swim with tropical fish. Another popular option is a trip to the mangrove wetlands of the Mogote Peninsula, which is home to more than 100 different species of coastal birds. Day trips are ideal for novice or casual paddlers, as guides often devote the first part of each excursion to the basics of paddling, and follow less demanding routes that remain in calm water.

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A lone paddler glides across crystal clear waters in a bay north of La Paz. Spring and fall are prime season for paddlers, as winds are light and air temperatures are moderate. Photo: Ian B. Johnson/iStock

Island Time

There are a number of wild coastal islands in the La Paz region that can be explored by sea kayak. The closest to town, and the most popular, is Isla Espíritu Santo, which offers a combination of dramatic rocky cliffs and calm hidden bays. It is possible to take a day trip to the island, but if time permits, Espíritu is certainly worth more than a single day. Several outfitters organize three- to seven-day tours of the island, usually supported by a motor launch that carries provisions and camping gear, freeing paddlers to enjoy their routes along dramatic rock formations and the islands 20 sand beaches. When weather permits, trips may circumnavigate the island, with stops to snorkel, hike inland, swim with playful seals and sea lions and, during winter months, use the support skiffs for whale watching excursions farther from shore.

Mexico-Baja-Playa-Balandra

The slopes of the Sierra de la Laguna Mountains tower over a trio of kayaks beached on a remote bay between La Paz and Loreto. Much of this coastline is not accessible by road. Photo: iStock

Coastal Explorations

Those wanting a true wilderness experience, and who are willing and able to put in more time paddling, can sign up for a coastal tour from La Paz to the town of Loreto. The 140-mile voyage is typically undertaken in 9 to 12 days, with stops in small fishing villages and passages along sections of coastline that are not accessible by road. These trips are recommended for intermediate to advanced paddlers, but they are supported by motor launches to carry the heavy stuff and provide emergency support. Routes often zigzag between the mainland and the more than two dozen small islands found along the route. Itineraries are planned to allow ample daily time for side trips, snorkeling and fishing, and nights are often spent around a beachfront campfire, sharing stories of the day’s adventures.

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The sun rises over the calm waters of the Sea of Cortez along a pristine section of beach. Kayak tours provide a unique way to discover one of Mexico’s last undeveloped coastlines. Photo: iStock

Mexico-Yucatan-Cenote
Cancun, Mexico, Play, Playa del Carmen

Cenote Swimming and Snorkeling Adventures

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Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula is home to some of the prettiest beaches in the world, with powder-white sand meeting turquoise waters. And just behind the beach, the land holds another aquatic delight: underground rivers that emerge from the limestone substrate to create sparkling pools of fresh water. These are the cenotes, and there are thousands of them scattered along the Riviera Maya coastline and hidden in the jungles just behind. Some remain wild, but others have been developed into popular eco destinations, with options ranging from sand-lined coastal lagoons to azure pools surrounded by overhanging cliffs. Here are five of our favorites, all located along the coast between Playa Del Carmen and Tulum, and within a two-hour or less drive from Cancun.

Casa Cenote

Casa Cenote is formed when an underground river emerges into a coastal mangrove lagoon. This provides swimmers and snorkelers with the best of both worlds, as they can explore the clear fresh waters of the lagoon, where there is a chance of a manatee sighting, then cross the road and walk just a few yards to the beach. There are changing facilities and an equipment rental concession on site, and when hunger sets in, the adjacent open-air restaurant at the Casa Cenote resort serves up a savory mix of local and Tex-Mex cuisines and plenty of cool libations.

Mexico-Yucatan-Casa-Cenote

Mangrove thickets line the shore of Casa Cenote, the warm waters of this lagoon provide a refuge for West Indian Manatees. The beach and the Caribbean Sea are just steps away. Photo: S. Prada/ iStock

Xelhá

This expansive coastal lagoon was the Yucatan’s original water-themed eco park, and it remains one of the most popular. Fortunately, it is large enough to accommodate the crowds that arrive on cruise ship days, and those willing to fin their way farther from the entry points can loose themselves in a network of small rock outcroppings undercut by ledges and hidden tunnels. Because the waters are a mix of fresh and salt, they hold a range of colorful tropical fish. In recent years, the park’s original emphasis on swimming and snorkeling has been expanded to include animal encounters and introductory diving experiences.

Xcaret ParkX

In addition to immersing themselves in the various land-based natural and cultural programs offered by Mexico’s most popular eco-theme park, guests can don swim trunks and use flotation devices and snorkel gear to drift through a trio of underground streams. Don’t think dark and dangerous, because park designers have skillfully molded the natural waterways into safe passages with vaulted air spaces above, and frequent openings in the tunnel roofs that allow sunlight to stream in. In fact, at points all across the park, visitors who remain dry may catch glimpses of swimmers passing below.

Mexico-Yucatan-Xcaret-Cenote

At Xcaret, guests can drift along a subterranean river that runs through the park. Sunlight filters through foliage and skylights cut into the underground sections of the waterway. Photo: Xcaret

Grand Cenote

Away from the coast, cenotes transition from lagoons to holes in the ground. Literally. Grand Cenote is a large circular basin surrounded by limestone cliffs, and the water is accessed by sets of wooden staircases reminiscent of a scene from an Indiana Jones film. The walls of the cenote are overhung, allowing snorkelers to swim safely into shadow-filled caverns decorated with bone-white stalagmites and stalagmites. The view back into the sunlight from the darker corners of the caverns is dramatic. This site is also popular with divers, and you may see some carrying powerful lights as they follow guidelines into a cave system that stretches below the jungle for miles.

Mexico-Yucatan-Grand-Cenote

Grand Cenote is a popular destination for swimmers and snorkelers, and the entrance into a vast network of underwater tunnels that challenge the world’s best cave divers. Photo: Dave Mantel/iStock

Cenote Dos Ojos

Though the entrance to this linked pair of subterranean pools doesn’t look all that impressive from the parking lot, it soon opens into an expansive, partially flooded cavern and cave system. This provides snorkelers and scuba divers with a safe yet awe-inspiring glimpse at the Yucatan’s flooded underworld. A guided tour is the best way to experience the labyrinth of passageways and swim-throughs that skirt the shadowed recesses of the cavers. Much of this route will be lit by filtered daylight, but a hand held light will bring out the details of the intricate rock formations. Some tours also lead into an additional cavern known as the Bat Cave, which is fully underground, but brightened by overhead electric lighting.

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The water-filled boundaries of Cenote Dos Ojos extend into numerous overhangs that allow snorkelers and divers to venture deep into the shadow-filled recesses of the cavern. Kimberly Sue Walker/iStock

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Mexico, Plan, Puerto Vallarta, Trip Ideas

Walk This Way: Presidencia Square, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

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The seaside promenade known as El Malecon is the most popular walking destination in Puerto Vallarta. Between the ocean vistas, sculpture exhibits and people watching, there’s no shortage of things to take in. But as you make your way south towards the mouth of the Rio Cuale and the Zona Romántica, you might want to make a short detour inland to take in several of the city’s most prominent landmarks.

When you arrive at the broad patio that houses the Malecón’s iconic Los Arcos sculpture, cross the street to Presidencia Square, which locals may refer to as the Plaza de Armas. This shaded oasis is a center point for city life. There is live music most nights, and everyone from toddlers and teens to seniors come together to mingle, dance and take in the sea air. After possibly pausing for a refreshment from a street vendor, pop into the lobby of the municipal building on the north side of the square, which houses a stairwell mural painted by native son Manuel Lepe Macedo.

Next, make your way a block up Independencia Street to the steps of the church of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe. The first thing you’ll notice is the highly ornate bell tower, which includes a clock that is topped with a crown supported by a ring of sculpted angels. Other details of the exterior are equally ornate and eclectic, and the guidebooks have a hard time pinning any one architectural style on the structure, which includes elements of the Baroque, Renaissance and Neoclassical. The story behind this church is that it was a work in progress for more than 60 years, with various parish priests adding their own tastes and ideas to the design as work progressed.

Mexico, Cancun, Aerial
Cancun, Mexico, Plan, Trip Ideas

Cancún: 10 Reasons to Go

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Four decades ago, the international destination that is Cancun was little more than a scattering of fishing shacks along a thin strip of a barrier island. When development came, it was in the form of a master plan designed to transform the region into one of the world’s premier resort destinations. The plan worked, and today Cancún has became the No. 1 tourist destination in Mexico. Here are just some of the reasons why.

1  Lucky Seven

Cancún stretches along a 14-mile expanse of beaches that form the shape of a giant number seven. This profile creates a variety of water conditions ranging from calm, sandy shores to lively shore breaks. The glistening white sand is soft underfoot and replenishes quickly, so visitors will always enjoy a wide expanse of beaches along the Hotel Zone. The calmest waters are found along north-facing beaches. East coast beaches, which border the Caribbean Sea, have more wave and wind action, and attract windsurfers and kiteboarders.

2  Culinary Delights

Cancún is a foodie destination, with many opportunities for fine dining. The highlight of the culinary scene is the annual Cancún-Riviera Maya Food & Wine Festival in March. Top chefs and sommeliers come to compete, share and offer tastings of their latest blends, potions and gastronomical creations. Highlights include interactive cooking challenges, culinary lectures and demonstrations, wine and food pairings, a tasting village and featured libations from wine to tequila.

3  Island Trifecta

The Cancún resort area includes a trio of small nearshore islands. Isla Mujeres is just a 20-minute ferry ride from Cancún and is known for its low- key slow-paced lifestyle and the Garrafón Natural Reef Park. Even quieter is Holbox Island, which serves as a launching point for swims with huge but harmless whale sharks, manatees, dolphins and turtles. Uninhabited Contoy Island is a bird sanctuary that will delight nature lovers and anyone seeking a respite from civilization.

4  Ancient Attractions

The Yucatan was once the center of the Maya civilization, and home to several important cities and ceremonial centers, all of which are easily reached from Cancún. Not to be missed are the impressive remains of Chichen Itza, where the well-preserved temple of Kukulkan stands in grandeur above ball courts, a sacred well and a bevy of jaguar, serpent and eagles carved into stone fretwork. It’s been named as one of the seven wonders of the world and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Also worth a visit are the remains of Uxmal and Mayapan.

5  Love the Nightlife

When the sun sets, Cancún’s famous nightlife kicks into high gear. Celebrations begin at causal anything-goes watering holes such as Senor Frogs, but as the night progresses, so to do the choices. Clubbers flock to A- list venues like Day’O, The City and Coco Bongo, where disc jockeys up the ante with high-energy house music and mesmerizing light shows. There are sophisticated supper clubs perfect for people watching, low-key jazz lounges like Roots for relaxation and Latin-infused stops like Azucar, where salsa music reigns.

6  Performance Arts

There’s more to Cancún than tequila shooters and beach parties. Visitors and locals alike delight in a range of cultural arts. In the heart of Cancún’s downtown district, the Casa de Cultura museum displays the work of local artists. At the city’s convention center, the Ballet Folklórico de Cancún stages nightly shows featuring traditional Mexican music and folkloric dances. In the Hotel Zone, the Teatro de Cancún also presents Mexican- and Caribbean-themed dance performances.

7  Natural Hazards

The Yucatan’s natural limestone rock, tropical forest and turquoise blue waters create magnificent backdrops for a round of golf. Some cloister fairways in dense jungle and protect greens with scenic mangrove-lined water hazards; others open to coastal views and the vagaries of trade winds. A dozen top-ranked courses within a half hour of Cancún include Greg Norman’s famous El Camaleón, the P.B. Dye-designed Iberostar Playa Paraiso Golf Club and the Jack Nicklaus signature course at the Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort.

8  Gateway to the Yucatan

There’s nothing like a road trip to get to know a country, meet the people and discover nature. Rental cars are readily available, and the main roads leading inland or south along the coast are well-marked and well- maintained. For a glimpse of old Mexico, head west to the colonial-era cities of Valladolid and Mérida, or turn south to make your way to the iconic beachfront temples of Tulum.

9  Magnificent Mole

Treasured culinary traditions are alive and well in Cancún. Don’t pass up a chance to try the regional dish of mole, which is chicken or meat swimming in a rich chili and chocolate sauce. Other local favorites include ceviche, made by marinating fresh seafood in lime juice with plenty of pepper, onions and cilantro.

10  Active and Retail Pursuits

If beach lounges aren’t for you, Cancún has plenty of active options. Aquatic pursuits include sport fishing, windsurfing, diving and snorkeling. Topside there are jungle tours, swims in jungle cenotes, hikes, zip lines and eco- tours. Shoppers find Cartier, Swarovski and Tous outlets as well as Mexican- designed clothing and jewelry. Head to the La Isla Shopping Village or the Hotel Zone’s boutique shopping mall Luxury Avenue, which will keep your credit cards active. After a long day of action or spending, there’s always a hammock waiting.

Acapulco Bay, Mexico
Acapulco, Mexico, Plan, Trip Ideas

Acapulco: 10 Reasons to Go

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From celebrity retreats to spring break raves and family vacations, Acapulco has welcomed them all. Today, this city by the bay offers everything from retro-chic digs in the heart of the historic district to five-star beachside retreats, along with an ample helping of fine dining, water sports and nightlife.

1  The Original Getaway

Years before Cancún or Cabo were blips on the vacation radar, Acapulco was the place where the glamorous people came south of the border for a beachfront holiday. At the time, this was a destination that catered almost exclusively to the upper crust, but that began to change in the 1970s when a new era of development and air service opened the town to a growing wave of middle-class travelers.

2  Bays, Beaches and Lagoons

The coastline delivers everything from crashing surf on rocky headlands to calm waters lapping on sandy beaches. The metro area encompasses more than 20 beaches, some sheltered, others facing the open ocean. At the mouth of the bay, Isla la Roqueta is a favorite day trip for swimmers and snorkelers, while both north and south of the city, sheltered mangrove lagoons provide wildlife habitat and sea turtle nesting grounds.

3  Old Town

Acapulco was one of the first locations the Spanish settled along the Pacific coast in the early 1500s. Thanks to its protected harbor, this outpost soon grew into one of colonial Mexico’s major trading ports. Pirates plundered, earthquakes and wars ravaged the waterfront and gold rush traffic brought boom and bust. Today, you can find reminders of the city’s colorful past at venues such as the Fort of San Diego, once the most important Spanish fortress on the Pacific coast.

4  Zone Options

Acapulco is three resort areas in one. To the north, the city waterfront and many vintage resorts of the Traditional Zone are undergoing a wave of restoration. Along the south shore of Acapulco Bay, the beachfront hotels of the Golden Zone remain the area’s number one draw, with a wide range of dining, shopping and entertainment options nearby. Farther to the south, beyond the shores of smaller Puerto Marqués Bay, the shoreline known as the Diamond Zone is home to a new generation of luxury hotels and condominiums.

5  Love the Nightlife

When the sun goes down, the party is just getting started, and for those with the fortitude, the celebration can last until dawn. Acapulco’s spring break action is legendary, but you don’t have to be a collegiate on a binge to appreciate the city’s range of entertainment options. In addition to anything goes beach bars and pulsating all-night dance floors, one can also find live musical performances and more subdued venues.

6  The Cliffs

It’s known simply as La Quebrada, the gulch. Since the 1930s, local daredevils have plunged from an 80-foot-high precipice into this narrow inlet to the delight of cliff-side audiences. The prime vantage point for this daily performance is the shoreside La Perla restaurant. In addition to high dives, this section of coast provides a spectacular backdrop for sunset views, especially from the nearby Sinfonía del Mar, a cliff-side plaza that provides commanding vistas of the western horizon.

7  Family Friendly

Acapulco has a lot to offer vacationing families. Many hotels offer nanny services and children’s activity clubs. There are calm beaches where youngsters can swim safely, a number of outdoor markets and city parks suitable for strolling and mingling with the locals, as well as museums and historic buildings worthy of a visit. Commercial attractions include glass bottom boat cruises, an island zoo, tours into surrounding mountain villages, an aquarium and a youth-themed water park.

8  Water Ways

Acapulco Bay and the Pacific Ocean are ideal for a wide range of water sports. The more sheltered portions of the bay provide calm lee shores to launch beachside favorites such as stand-up paddle boarding, parasailing, towable rides and kayaking. The bay itself is ideal for sailing, personal watercraft and powerboats, while shorelines exposed to Pacific swells draw surfers and body surfers. Isla Roqueta is a favorite snorkeling and scuba diving destination, while deep-sea fishermen range farther offshore in search of trophy catches.

9  Highland Escapes

Along Acapulco’s coast, there is no coastal plain, and the slopes of the Sierra Madre del Sur come close to the shore. These mountains provide a cooler, greener change of scenery that is still within an easy day trip of the beach. One of the most popular near-town excursions is the Palma Sola, where one can hike a hillside trail to discover pre-historic petroglyphs on the way to a panoramic summit providing sweeping views of the coast.

10  Cultural Exchange

Acapulco began as an international destination and still draws a good share of its visitors from afar. But the area also became a favorite coastal destination for Mexican nationals, especially residents of Mexico City. This popularity creates a more authentically in-country vibe than in other resort areas more heavily dominated by American vacationers. English is still widely spoken or at least understood, but you’ll also have ample opportunity to practice your Spanish.

Cancun Mexico
Bahamas-New Providence, Cancun, Caribbean, Mexico, Plan, Trip Ideas, U.S. Virgin Islands

Best Caribbean Islands for Singles

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For most Caribbean marketers, couples and families are the focus, but that doesn’t mean you can’t go there solo. Where you go depends on whether you want some quiet and solitude or because you’re single and looking. If you’re going to get away from office insanity and clear your head, go someplace with a lot of activities you can pursue solo; Aruba, Belize and Jamaica come to mind. On the other hand, if you’re looking to go have single fun with other likeminded travelers, here are the hot spots where you can meet and mingle.

New Providence/Nassau

In part because it’s so close to the U.S. mainland, Nassau attracts a lot of short-stay visitors and guys/girls road trip traffic, flying in on short notice with little more than a carry-on and an urge to play. Plenty of singles also come off the cruise ships almost every night. Downtown Nassau has an active club scene; you’ll want to check out Club Waterloo, a high-energy dance club that occupies a former lakeside mansion. A mile to the west, the sprawling Club Luna complex offers multiple bars, dance floors and an open “street party.” Across the bridge on Paradaise Island, the mega-resort Atlantis is home to the upscale Aura, while a far more local and informal vibe permeates the beachside digs at Nirvana, located on the island’s northwest coast overlooking Love Beach.

St. Thomas

Like Nassau, St. Thomas gets a lot of overnight cruise ship traffic, and plenty of singles party in Charlotte Amalie. Just ducking into one of the rum shops or bars along the waterfront strip is a good place to start. You never know who will be sitting on the bar stool next to you. If serendipity isn’t working, you can hit up Starz in the Havensight Mall next to the cruise docks for some DJ-driven dancing. If you’re looking for something a bit more low key to start or taper off the evening, try the wine and chamagne bar at Epernay in Frenchtown. Hop a taxi for a ride to Iggies at Bolongo Bay. This beachfront bar puts your toes right in the sand and is always a good time with occasional live music, weekly beach barbecues and karaoke. More than one evening here has ended in an impromptu midnight swim.

Cancun

It’s hot in Mexico, and Cancun is the king of Caribbean party towns. If you missed Spring Break, this is your makeup exam, because Cancun is pretty much Spring Break year-round. The downtown area does have some clubs, but most of the action is on the long arm of land that embraces the Nichupté Lagoon in front of the city. This place was custom-built by the Mexican government for partying, and it doesn’t disappoint. You’ll find young singles from all over the southern and western U.S. thronging clubs along the strip. If you have a desperate desire to dance in soapsuds, you’re in luck. Foaming is one of Cancun’s signatures. The big names are Coco Bongo and The City—which can host up to 5,000 revelers simultaneously—or you can head over to the original Señor Frogs.

Grand Cayman North Sound
Caribbean, Cayman Islands, Cozumel, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Play, Trip Ideas

Best Caribbean Islands for Water Sports

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Which destinations have the best water sports will likely remain a subject of endless debate among aficionados of diving, snorkeling, windsurfing, kiteboarding and fishing. Every island has something to offer. Some provide the best conditions for one sport, but may not be well suited to another. And then there are the islands that deliver a bit of everything, from wind and waves to calm, clear shores, along with the necessary infrastructure to support these aquatic pursuits. If you are looking to sample a broad range of on- the-water adventures, here are the islands that deliver on multiple fronts.

Grand Cayman

It’s hard for one island to please everyone looking to get wet and have fun. Divers want clear water and calm seas. Sailors want wind; big game fishermen need access to deep water. If there is one island in the Caribbean that can please the widest variety of water-sports enthusiasts, it is Grand Cayman. World famous for its precipitous underwater walls, it remains one of the prime diving destinations in the Caribbean. But that’s just the beginning. The expansive bay known as North Sound is an aquatic playground. Kayakers cruise the mangrove-fringed corners, while fly fishermen tempt tarpon and bonefish on nearby flats. Day sailors zip across the breezy yet protected waters of the sound, while closer to the wave-washed northern edge, windsurfers and kiteboarders carve and hop in the chop. From marinas daily fishing expeditions depart into the blue waters beyond, while the Seven Mile Beach, on the island’s western leeward shore, is perfect for flat water pursuits such as stand-up paddleboarding, glass-bottom boat tours and waterski runs.

Cayman Windsurfing, Best Caribbean Islands for Water Sports

A windsurfer skims across clear waters along the north coast of Grand Cayman Island. An offshore reef beyond the sandy shallows provides a buffer from large offshore swells. Photo: Cayman Windsurfing

Cozumel

It was Jacques Cousteau who kicked off the Caribbean diving craze with his 1961 declaration that Cozumel was one of the best diving destinations on Earth. And he was right. The island, which sits at the northern end of the massive Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, is blessed with a magical combination of clear water, spectacular reefs and abundant marine life. Along the island’s sheltered western shore, a sloping bottom leads to enormous reefs towering up off the sand. The structures are washed by a steady north-flowing current that delivers a stream of nutrients that leave the filter-feeding creatures of the reef—corals, sponges, and gorgonians—very, very happy. It also keeps the ocean clear, and this was the place where divers first spoke of “gin clear” water. It’s so clear that light that usually fades to dusky blue at 60 feet is still clear and bright at 100 feet or more. In the deep blue waters beyond, there’s also excellent fishing, and each spring sees an international cast of anglers arrive to do battle with plentiful populations of high-flying sailfish. Angling action also extends to the reef and into the mangroves where feisty bonefish play hide and seek with your fly all day long. When conditions are right, explorers can hop a speedboat for a run to the island’s wild east side, or remain on the sheltered west and discover the shoreline in a kayak, or launch a catamaran into the mellow breezes that grace western beaches.

Cozumel Underwater

A school of yellow grunts congregate over a shallow reef off the island of Cozumel. Steady currents wash sites such as this, nurturing coral and sponge growth. Photo: Brian Lasenby/Shutterstock

Dominican Republic

Good diving and snorkeling can be found in the Dominican Republic, especially in the south around Catalina Island, but the real water-sports action is on the north coast at Cabarete. This is a world mecca for windsurfing and kiteboarding. Strong and consistent winds blow into the bay, while an offshore barrier reef breaks up the prevailing swells and creates surfable and jumpable breakers for the more advanced, as well as sheltered nearshore areas for beginners. Kiting is best just northwest of Cabarete, and scores of operators are eager to hook you up with gear, lessons, advice, whatever you need. There are dive sites nearby, including some awesome pinnacles, but the wind, waves and runoff limit the appeal. Around the corner and down the coast to the south at Punta Cana you’ll find superb deep-sea fishing. The area faces right into the Mona Passage between Hispaniola and Puerto Rico, with deep water not far offshore. Blue marlin run year round, peaking in the summer months, and you can chase white marlin, mahimahi, tuna and sailfish too.

Dominican Republic Kiteboarding

Steady easterly trade winds power a fleet of kiteboarders at popular Cabarete Beach. Located on the north coast of the Dominican Republic, this site has become a mecca for the sport. Photo: iStock