Caribbean
Posted June 22, 2009 by Jamie Moore
Don't want to encounter a Gustav, Hanna, or Ike on your Caribbean getaway? Then head to Aruba, a tropical paradise that sits safely below the hurricane belt. Among this happy little island's white beaches, dramatic rock formations, and wind-sculpted divi-divi trees, you can easily find fun and affordable experiences. Start with an adventurous island tour, find flea market deals, or sip down a Pink Iguana colada with a classic Caribbean meal.
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De Palm Tours: For off-road island sightseeing, your best bet is De Palm's bumpy half-day tour in a 4X4 Range Rover. Guides artfully blend historic commentary with unique experiences. Along the way you get to go snorkeling, explore an old fort and lighthouse, swim in a natural pool, feed ostriches, relax on beaches, and see the island's distinctive caves. Tours run $52 per person and admission for kids under 12 is 50 percent less.
Eat
Iguana Joe's: Admittedly, this festive Caribbean restaurant is a bit of a tourist trap. But if you can get past the fact that it's located in a mall and sells t-shirts with its iguana logo, then you're in for a casual and fun lunch stop. Grab a seat on the outside deck, an excellent place to people watch above a busy downtown street. Try the island-caught mahi-mahi, coconut-rum-battered shrimp, or the traditional Aruban Keshi Jena (cheese filled with chicken, vegetables and spices)for less than $20 each. Sandwiches cost under $10, and a half-liter of the potent Pink Iguana colada goes for $7.50.
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Tourists Go Flea Market: What would a Caribbean vacation be without a little haggling? Sure, there are plenty of swanky shops with the latest fashions, but you'll have much more fun at the flea market on L.G. Smith Boulevard. This huge market across from Container Harbour promises bargains on locally made crafts, artwork, clothing, and, of course, souvenirs. The smoky aroma of traditional island barbecue fills the air. Don't leave without a quick bite.
To search for flights and compare prices to Aruba, please use our price-comparison tool.
(Photo: iStockPhoto/zinchik)
Posted June 8, 2009 by Katie Blais
Starting July 13, Air Jamaica will add a red-eye flight from New York City to Grenada. Just think about it: you head home from your busy day, hit the airport, take a snooze, and wake up on a gorgeous Caribbean island … not too shabby if you ask me!
Flights leave Kennedy airport at 12:15 a.m. and arrive in Grenada the following morning at 6:30 a.m. I think it’s a novel idea for a last-minute vacation, and I can imagine it would unfold something like this. You hit the bar after happy hour; enjoy some half-price appetizers and pitchers of margaritas when someone brings up how they didn’t think they would be working in a cube day in and day out. You chime in saying, "let’s go somewhere, let’s go somewhere tropical and warm and open up a smoothie shop and just live without the man infringing on our basic human rights to enjoy life." You cab it back to your apartment, throw some mismatched (sort of) clean clothes in a bag, grab your passport, trek out to JFK, and hop on a last-minute flight to the islands to start your new life.
You wake up the next morning at the airport with a slight headache realizing it might be a little harder to open a smoothie shop in a place you have never been before. But you enjoy beaches, the laid-back vibe of the island (you might even get your hair braided and buy a crocheted beret a la Bob Marley) and return to NYC at 11:30 a few days later before heading to your stuffy office job relaxed and ready for the man to beat you down a little more.
Posted June 3, 2009 by Kate Hamman
As Belize's largest island, Ambergris Caye attracts visitors from all over the world who come to dive or snorkel along the Belize Barrier Reef. The tropical island feels thousands of miles away from the monotony of everyday living. Come stay along the beach, enjoy tropical cuisine, and swim with the fishes.
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Shark Ray Alley: Originally the stomping ground for fisherman cleaning their catch, this area now attracts Nurse Sharks and Southern Sting Rays. Divers interact with these sea creatures up close and personal in crystal-clear waters reaching depths of only about eight feet. Though you can find many popular sites for snorkeling or diving, don't miss swimming with the sharks.
Eat
Rojo Lounge: Easily reachable by water taxi, the Azul Resort features casual dining with an unbelievable view. Grab a seat under the palapa and choose from the tropically-inspired menu, with dishes such as pecan-crusted lobster, mango-coconut peanut noodles with shrimp, and ceviche. Tapas-style entrees serve two people, but you'll need to order two or three dishes for a full meal.
Stay
Banana Beach Resort: With views of the Caribbean Sea, the Banana Beach Resort can't be beat as an affordable tropical getaway. Less than one mile from San Pedro, the island's only town, the resort offers comfortable accommodations along the beach. Choose rooms with a private balcony or veranda; or one-, two-, three-, or four-bedroom suites starting at $75 per night in the off-season and $100 per night in peak season, with breakfast.
To search for flights and compare prices to Belize City, which is home to Ambergris Caye’s nearest major airport, please use our price-comparison tool.
(Photo: Vivian Yu)
Posted May 19, 2009 by Carl Unger
Air Jamaica announced a new $25 baggage fee for the second checked bag. Yawn, right? Little late to the party, Air Jamaica! Airlines have been adding these fees for over a year. And by keeping the first bag free, Air Jamaica actually joins the ranks of more lenient U.S. carriers like Southwest and JetBlue.
But it's not the $25 that has Air Jamaica in the running for Most Absurd Fee Ever. It's this, from the airline's press release announcing the new fee: "Passengers are guaranteed delivery of the free baggage allowance on the same flight on which they travel. All other bags will be transported within seven days, and must be collected from the airport. The status of these bags may be tracked online at www.AirJamaica.com/baggage to determine when they may be collected." The policy affects only two routes, New York-Grenada and New York-Barbados.
If you just did a spit take while reading that quote, well, that will teach you to drink while reading the BookingBuddy blog. But yes, you read correctly. Air Jamaica's new policy is that baggage you pay to check will arrive within seven days, while your free baggage arrives with you.
Let me try to make some sense out of this. The airline is clearly trying to discourage people from checking multiple bags, likely in the hope of simplifying its business and saving money. This is the driving force behind baggage fees in general. And to further unburden itself of the task of transporting baggage, Air Jamaica will now do so at its convenience, not that of its paying customers.
Alright, I tried—this makes zero sense. If anything, you would expect the bags you pay for to receive special attention. Instead, Air Jamaica is taking your money in exchange for a downgrade from the service you normally receive for free.
And that, my fellow travelers, is simply absurd.
(Photo: airplane-pictures.net)
Posted April 15, 2009 by Kate Hamman
You may not be sure how to spell this Caribbean island's name, but it's plain to see that St. Maarten is more than just a spelling-bee stumper. Its dual identities of Dutch (St. Maarten) and French (St. Martin) sides combine to create an ideal vacation getaway. Come spend the day in a tropical garden surrounded by butterflies before you head to an emporium that stocks the island's favorite liqueur. And at night, sleep in a historic inn far from the hustle and bustle of city life without spending a fortune.
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The Butterfly Farm: Come stand among hundreds of fluttering butterflies as you take an hourlong tour offering insight into their life cycle. You'll witness the metamorphosis from caterpillar to exotic butterfly, and have the opportunity to hold the frail insects. The morning between 9:00 and 9:30 is the best time to witness newborn butterflies taking flight.
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Guavaberry Emporium: Don't leave St. Maarten without stopping at the Guavaberry Emporium, where you'll find the island's legendary folk liqueur, guavaberry rum. Sip a guavaberry colada while you browse the different liqueurs, BBQ sauces, hot sauces, chutneys, and a slew of souvenirs. Other exotic libations include mango, passion fruit, lime, and almond, all of which you can sample for free.
Stay
Pasanggrahan Royal Guest House: Located in Philipsburg, the Pasanggrahan offers a secluded escape amidst tropical gardens and sandy beaches. The colonial-style inn once served as the Governor's home and a Dutch royal residence, and is the oldest guesthouse on St. Maarten. The 30 colorful and classically decorated rooms feature antique and plantation-style furniture. The hotel also provides seaside dining, plus complimentary afternoon tea and chaise lounges for the beach. Rooms start at $98 per night.
To search for flights and compare prices to St. Maarten, please use our price-comparison tool.
(Photo: Sandra Calderbank)
Posted March 31, 2009 by Kate Hamman
As part of the Bahamas, Nassau is a great tropical escape for anyone seeking fun in the sun. Plus, you can learn about the island's pirate history at a museum, kick back with a frozen drink at a relaxing bar, and dine at a restaurant overlooking the water—all without having your booty plundered.
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Pirates of Nassau: Once serving as a home to the infamous swashbuckler Blackbeard, Nassau has a history riddled with many a yo-ho-ho and a lot of buried treasure. Come discover what life was like as a pirate at this interactive museum. Here, you can stow away aboard the Queen Anne's Revenge, encounter the infamous Blackbeard as he claims your ship, and discover why the Golden Age of Piracy (1690 through 1720) ended. You'll also have the opportunity to view artifacts recovered from this short, but memorable time in history. Admission costs $12.
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Travellers' Rest: In the last thirty years, celebrities such as Sean Connery and Mick Jagger as well as weary travelers like you have kicked back and enjoyed the island pace at this restaurant and bar. The fresh banana daiquiris will melt away the life you've left behind as you sit on the outdoor terrace overlooking the water and palm trees. Close to the airport, the Travellers' Rest makes a great stop on your way to or from your vacation.
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Compass Point dining: This brightly colored restaurant may be part of Compass Point Resort, but you don't have to be a guest to enjoy the international and island cuisine or the sweeping ocean views. Since dinner can be a bit pricey, lunch is the ideal time to enjoy a bite to eat. You can order several seafood options such as Bahamian Cracked Conch, or traditional items like hamburgers and turkey clubs.
To search for flights and compare prices to Nassau, please use our price-comparison tool.
(Photo: Compass Point Resort)
Posted March 25, 2009 by Kate Hamman
Since Aruba sits outside the hurricane belt, there's never a wrong time to visit. And now, you can experience it all without going broke in the process. Come explore one of the island's prime spots for snorkeling and diving while on a sailing excursion. Then listen to the ocean and live music as you sip on a frozen cocktail, before returning to your more-than-affordable digs at a local B&B.
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Red Sail Aruba: Set sail on a custom-built catamaran for a day of snorkeling and sun. Red Sail offers many different options and packages for enjoying the open waters, but the Antilla Snorkel Sail for $49 per person is one of the best deals. On this trip, you'll enjoy hors d'oeuvres and beverages before exploring two separate snorkeling sites, one of which is the wreck of the sunken German freighter, the Antilla. Trips last about two-and-a-half hours, and depart Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
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MooMba Beach Bar & Restaurant: Sometimes you need more than an umbrella in your drink to feel like you're on vacation. So how about sand beneath your toes and a giant palapa overhead as well? MooMba Beach Bar makes it happen with a selection of tropical drinks served at comfy tables right on the beach. Drinks start at $7 for frozen and non-frozen concoctions, and there's a daily happy hour from 6 to 7 p.m. every day, where frozen drinks are half price.
Stay
Buffam's Tropical Haven: Set in a residential neighborhood near Eagle Beach, Buffam's Tropical Haven lives up to its name by providing a serene and affordable getaway. Your hosts go the extra mile to make you feel welcome, and they're always ready with island tips and advice. Each unit comes equipped with a full kitchen, making it easy to save a few extra dollars by eating in. Studio apartments start at $57 per night, and include breakfast.
To search for flights and compare prices to Oranjestad, which is home to Aruba's main airport, please use our price-comparison tool.
(Photo: Tammy Peluso/iStockphoto)
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