Caribbean Travel Vacation Ideas - What's New CheapTickets

Introduction to Caribbean Travel

What's New

Anguilla

This pricey island, a favorite retreat of celebrities, has a new hot spot: RumZa, Lockrum Bay, the creation of an expat couple, Jason and Robin Howe, who came to the island to get married and decided to "stay forever." Full dinners, including Anguillan lobster, are served, with live entertainment is provided.

Antigua

One of the most exciting new arrivals is Carlisle Bay, Old Road, St. Mary's, created by developers who operate one of London's best-known boutique hotels, One Aldwyck. From a world-class spa to two serious restaurants, Carlisle Bay poses major competition to old favorites like Curtain Bluff.

On the neighboring island of Barbuda, The Beach House, Palmetto Point, has opened to rave reviews, providing a perfect retreat from the world. It's ideal for a honeymoon (even if you're not married). This is a superstylish and superexpensive hideout for those who believe in the sumptuous life.

Aruba

Of all the major resorts along Aruba's gorgeous Palm Beach, the freshest and the brightest is Allegro Aruba by Occidental, J. E. Irausquin Blvd. 83, reopening for the winter season of 2005-06. It was closed for most of 2005, undergoing millions of dollars in floor-to-ceiling restorations. The nine-story interconnected towers set in a landscaped garden will have totally renewed and refurbished bedrooms.

One of Aruba's best-known restaurants, Le Dôme, J. E. Irausquin Blvd. 224, has been taken over by owners hailing from the Netherlands. If anything, the traditional French/Belgian cuisine is better than ever. Opening onto Eagle Beach, the restaurant hires chefs who specialize in game dishes such as breast of pheasant.

Bonaire

From San Juan, American Eagle now has three round-trip flights to Bonaire. In addition, it is also offering one-stop service to Bonaire from many American Airline gateway cities such as New York. From its Montego Bay hub, Air Jamaica is also flying from Atlanta, Baltimore/Washington, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Newark, New York, Orlando, and Philadelphia.

On the dining front in Bonaire, visiting foodies have discovered the international cuisine of Le Flamboyant, Kaya Grand 12. Offering patio dining and installed in an old house, the restaurant specializes in fresh fish, based on the catch of the day and cooked to your liking.

Curaçao

One of the restaurant hits of the season is Avalon, Caracasbaaiweg 8, with a lively Art Deco look and an imaginative menu of international dishes featuring Caribbean twists and flavors. Their signature crispy red devil snapper will win you over.

Dominican Republic

In 2005 more airlines inaugurated flights to the Dominican Republic, including JetBlue Airlines and US Airways , both of which launched flights from New York.

At Puerto Plata, on the north coast, the biggest hotel news is the opening of Marien Coral by Hilton, at Costa Dorado. This all-inclusive, which consists of three-story, pastel-colored buildings, opens onto one of the resort's best white sandy beaches. A tobacco theme predominates in the decorations, and there is a 750-seat theater.

Grand Cayman

This island was one of the hardest hit by Hurricane Ivan, which raged through here in September 2004 with 200 mph winds. The tourist structure of Grand Cayman was virtually wiped out in 1 day. Islanders spent much of 2005 restoring damaged structures and rebuilding others from scratch. For the winter season of 2005 and 2006 most hotels and restaurants will be up and running -- but not all. Check locally to see if your hotel choice is accepting clients for the upcoming season.

Grenada

Hurricane Ivan devastated Grenada more than any other Caribbean island in the autumn of 2004, killing nearly 40 people. The capital of St. George's was the hardest hit, but an estimated 90 percent of the island's buildings suffered major damage. All hotels closed for either renovations or rebuilding, which occupied much of 2005. Before contemplating a visit to the island for the winter of 2005 and 2006, check to see if the hotel or the activities you're interested in are up and operating again.

Jamica

Texans can get to Jamaica far easier now that Continental Airlines has launched service from its Houston hub to Montego Bay (the most popular resort destination on the island). Out of Atlanta, Air Jamaica has also beefed up service to Montego Bay, adding extra flights. From Fort Lauderdale, US Airways has a new nonstop daily flight.

The Jamaica Tourist Board has relaunched its once-popular Meet-the-People program. Visitors taking part in the program are teamed up with Jamaican hosts who share similar interests. The paperwork to participate is quite easy to fill out.

In hedonistic Negril, the long-popular Negril Cabins Resort has blossomed into the newly reorganized Sunset at the Palms Resort & Spa, Norman Manley Boulevard. The simple but stylish wooden cabins, long a family favorite, are still intact but upgraded and improved.

Negril also has a new hot spot, Mary's Bay Boat Bar & Grill, West End Road, the brainchild of an American expat. The bar serves up Jamaican specialties and two-fisted drinks with live reggae music at least once a week.

In Ocho Rios on the north coast, Sandals has taken two resorts -- Sandals Ocho Rios and Grande Sport Villa Golf Resort & Spa -- and merged them into the better-than-ever Sandals Grande Ocho Rios Beach & Villa Resort, Main Street. The sprawling all-inclusive has been forced to abandon its exclusionary practice of only admitting male-female couples and now welcomes "any couple in love," regardless of sexual orientation.

Puerto Rico

The town of San Germán is the best preserved in Puerto Rico but has long lacked a good hotel. A fine country inn, Villa Del Rey, Route 361 Cain Alto Ward, Km 0.8, has now opened, with a good restaurant and an outdoor pool. Midsize to large accommodations, each tastefully furnished, await guests who'd like to stay in this historic town.

In Ponce, Puerto Rico's second city, the Costa Caribe Golf & Country Club has opened on the site of the deluxe Ponce Hilton & Casino. With its beautifully landscaped holes, the 27-hole course opens onto vistas of ocean and mountains, and the trade winds add an extra challenge to golf architect Bruce Besse's course.

St. Kitts

The arrival of Jamaican-born Verral Marshall has improved the island cuisine considerably. His Marshall's at the Horizons Villa Resort, Frigate Bay, brings Jamaican flair to the island, with perfectly prepared and good-tasting dishes such as conch cutlets with a rum-laced lime sauce.

St. Maarten/St. Martin

On this dual nationality island (French and Dutch), Princess Heights, 156 Oyster Pond Rd., has opened in the hills above Dawn Beach, one of the island's best strips of sand. Tasteful, comfortable, and well-furnished condo accommodations contain one or two bedrooms, with separate living rooms opening onto balconies with a view. Well-crafted and fully equipped kitchens are also part of the deal.

St. Thomas

One of the island's best B&Bs has opened in the heart of the capital, Charlotte Amalie. It has The Green Iguana, 37B Blackbeard's Hill, and bedrooms that open onto panoramic views of the harbor. All the units are attractively and comfortably decorated in a Caribbean motif of wicker. The location is only a 5-minute walk from the center.

St. Vincent & The Grenadines

The release of Pirates of the Caribbean, starring Johnny Depp, started a surge of tourism to St. Vincent. Many vacationers wanted to see the real scenery after watching the film, which was shot in part on island.

In The Grenadines, American Eagle is now flying nonstop to the increasingly popular island of Canouan, especially since some top-rated hotels have opened here, including Raffles Resort, Carenage Bay, Canouan, named after the famous hotel in Singapore.

Tobago

Milan-born Gabriele de Gaetano brings an Italian-influenced cuisine to this increasingly popular island with La Tartaruga, Buccoo Road, Buccoo. He focuses on fresh seafood and tempting vegetable dishes and is the island's most charming host.