Caribbean Tips
When it comes to Caribbean, we've been there, done that, now serving 148 tips in 15 categories ranging from Aruba Vacation to Virgin Islands Vacation.
Taking a Bahamas Vacation? Experience Bahamas Resorts
When planning a Bahamas vacation, travelers will have many amazing Bahamas resorts to choose from. Whether visiting the tourist hotspots of Nassau, Grand Bahama or Atlantis Paradise Island, or one of the smaller islands, a Bahamas vacation is the perfect blend of modern amenities and natural beauty.
Many of the Bahamas resorts offer all inclusive vacation packages which include airfare, accommodation, meals, drinks, entertainment and activities. All of the Bahamas resorts offer easy access to crystal waters, magnificent beaches and endless views of tropical beauty.
Among some of the favorite Bahamas resorts are the Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort, the Riu Palace Paradise Island, the Atlantis Beach Tower, Pelican Bay at Lucaya, the Radisson at Our Lucaya Beach and Golf Resort, the Cove Atlantis and the Reef Atlantis. All of these Bahamas resorts are considered to be among the most luxurious accommodations on the islands and they all provide the perfect setting for a memorable Bahamas vacation. Many of the aforementioned Bahamas resorts are all inclusive, which makes planning a Bahamas vacation even easier.
A Bahamas vacation is an incredible way to see the Caribbean and there is a Bahamas resort for every type of trip and every type of traveler.
How to Save Money on Your Caribbean Vacation
Planning a getaway to the Caribbean? Who isn't lured by the jewel-blue waters and stunning white beaches? Don't let the price tag get you down. Instead, browse through Caribbean vacation packages that include the flight and save you money depending on how many nights you stay.
Go All-Inclusive
Want to save the most money? Book your Caribbean vacation at an all-inclusive resort. These resorts include your meals, resort fees and activities. Depending on the resort, packages may also include beverages, equipment rental and childcare. Shop around according to your budget—many resorts are now available at surprisingly low prices.
Include Your Flight
Are you ready to plan your trip in advance? Book your flight when you book your hotel. By saving on Caribbean vacation package deals that include flights, you avoid the hassle of shopping around for flights and spending time on the phone. Get everything taken care of in one place.
Travel in a Group
These days, savvy families and groups of friends travel together to save money on Caribbean vacation travel. Try bringing along grandparents or adult siblings. With a group of adults, you'll save on childcare costs and transportation. Look for resorts with suites or beach houses to accommodate large groups. If you have the opportunity to split larger costs, the overall budget may end up being surprisingly low.
Take a Dive at Turks and Caicos
Turks and Caicos are a divers dream. The islands are surrounded by an enormous coral reef that is about 65 miles across and around 200 miles long.
Additionally, the island geography has created a 22 mile wide channel between the Turks Islands and the Caicos Islands which has become a major migration area for whales, turtles, dolphins and manta rays. You can also find ship wrecks and other sites in close range of the island.
One of the best reasons to go diving in Turks and Caicos is the fact that the reef is close to the island, so you can actually do beach dives. This avoids the sometimes excessive costs of directed scuba dives off boats and other touristy type diving trips. So bring your gear, get some good directions from your hotel, pack a picnic and dive away!
Alternative Travel to the Bahamas
You can always fly to the Caribbean, but have you considered going by boat? No, we don't mean a cruise - we mean a ferry!
If you live in Florida, or just feel like traveling to the islands in a fun and creative way, consider the Bahamas day ferry our of Fort Lauderdale. You can actually go for the day, but with a one way trip of about 5 hours, why not stay the weekend?
You can certainly find a good all inclusive resort package, or just find a little bed and breakfast or local inn. Either way, start and end your vacation in a relaxing way, rather than with all those security check points and lines.
Puerto Rico - An Easy American Vacation
Puerto Rico is one of the easiest locations to vacation if you are an American. Not only is it close in terms of distance, you don't need a passport or really anything more than your license and they use the US Dollar as their currency (even though they sometimes call them pesos).
There are 17 airports into Puerto Rico. When you choose your resort, try to pick an airport in close range to eliminate your taxi costs. Your estimated travel time from New York City is approximately three and a half hours and travel time from Europe is around eight hours. If you are in Miami, you have it easy—it is a quick two and a half hour plan ride!
*Puerto Rico is on AST (or Atlantic Standard Time) which is Eastern Standard time plus one hour.
Getting to Aruba
When you fly into Aruba you will be landing at Queen Beatrix International Airport. There are a variety of ways to get around the island and you can rent a motorcycle, scooter or car. There is also a departure tax from the Airport, around $36.50 (it should be included in the price of your plane ticket).
There is taxi service all over the island as well. One great travel tip - some web sites will tell you the average fare of your taxi ride from the airport to a given location. Additionally, your Aruba resort may have the typical fare (or better yet a free shuttle!)
With anything you do on your Aruba vacation, figure out what you should be paying and make sure that is what you pay! There are a lot of people out there who are waiting for an ignorant or naive tourist - don't be one!
| Guru Spotlight |
| Patricia Walters-Fischer |
