Caribbean travel tips and tricks

It doesn’t matter what you like doing or what you enjoy doing, Caribbean activities could satiate all your requirements. Perhaps God gave everything to Caribbean islands. So, you have unbelievable marine life on the one side and never ending mountainous terrain on the other. On the one hand you have thick dense tropical rainforests and on the other you have the native culture which seems so alien from anything that you might have ever known. And believe me we are still talking about natural ambience and not about man made things which are also found in aplenty.

If you want to experience the true meaning of adventure, Caribbean activities are what you need. So, bike around the never ending island trails or hike through the rainforest or visit the national park here or for water enthusiasts nothing could beat snorkeling in the deep blue waters of Caribbean and find oneself amongst sponges, colorful tropical fish, stingrays and varied other sea creatures. For less adventurous types, one can go for sailing also.

And for the ones who like less adventure and more of sunbathing, what could be better than the numerous Caribbean beaches. So, sun bathe at the picturesque heart shaped Magens Bay on St. Thomas or the Orient Beach on St. Martin. For golf lovers, there are a number of world renowned golf courses. Some of these golf courses have been designed by some of the greats of golf world. And if you are thinking of less energetic pastimes you can opt for other Caribbean activities like visiting museums, sugar mills bearing marks of history, distilleries of rum and plantations.

There is also some difference in planning your vacation when you are traveling alone and when you are traveling with your family. It is always a good idea to get a travel agent if you are planning to travel with your family. And what is more, ask your family members their needs and expectations and then try to find some holiday package that could fit the bill appropriately.

If you are vacationing in Caribbean and you have not enjoyed the Caribbean activity which is scuba diving you are really missing out something very rare and something very exciting. Beautiful and calm weather welcomes tourists all round the year to Caribbean islands and tourists find themselves enjoying a number of Caribbean activities. You would find that there are over thirty locations where you can enjoy scuba diving and this facility is offered throughout the year. The difference is in being the way you want to enjoy scuba diving. Do you want to enjoy it like any other tourist or do you want to enjoy it as the locals do?

It is up to you to decide. You can enjoy scuba diving with other tourists or you can enjoy it with locals as locals. Whatever you might decide to do, one thing is for sure. You are never going to forget the moments you spend here and you are going to come back again to enjoy Caribbean activities again and again.

James Penn
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/the-most-thrilling-caribbean-activities-96858.html

read comments (0)

With new passport requirements causing much frustration among U.S. travelers, American Express Travel is suggesting the US Virgin Islands as an excellent tropical vacation alternative to Mexico or the other Caribbean islands. The US Virgin Islands can be visited by tour packages, luxury vacation packages or by luxury world cruises. Although this island chain is not the first place most travelers think of when planning their luxury travel vacation, The US Virgin Islands has much to offer making the destination just as attractive as other Islands of the Caribbean.

The Climate & High Season

When planning your luxury travel vacation to the US Virgin Islands, it’s important to know the climate is very comfortable during all seasons of the year with moderate humidity and average annual temperatures of 80 degrees-making the the destination a great luxury travel destination any time of the year.

The busiest tourist season is from December to May, during the northern hemisphere winter. These months are more popular because the humidity doesn’t increase until about June. Outside of these months, room prices tend to be less expensive, not to mention the islands are less crowded from June through November. The water is considered more beautiful between April and August. During these months, the waters are calmer and underwater visibility is best for diving and snorkeling. The islands have a rainy season, usually between the May and November, with most of the heavy rainfall between August and October. Similar to other Caribbean Islands, the US Virgin Islands has experienced hurricanes in past. Hurricane season runs from roughly, August through November, with the real threat generally being in September.

Amazing Water Activities

Most travelers who desire a luxury vacation, http://www.amtvacations.com/american-express-vacations.html, in the Caribbean are looking for crystal clear water, breathtaking coral reefs, thousands of colorful tropical fish and the time to simply play in warm waters. For the snorkeling fan or diving enthusiast, there is plenty to entertain you. Buck Island Reef National Monument tops the list. This nationally protected site was established to preserve one of the finest marine gardens in the Caribbean Sea. For a day combining land beauties with the mysteries of the deep, visit Salt River Bay National Historic Park and Ecological Preserve. The preserve is home to some of the largest mango forests in the Virgin Islands, as well as coral reefs and a submarine canyon. It’s not necessary to bring snorkel gear along; it can be rented just about anywhere and is often provided free for use by villa owners to guests.

American Express Tours says the U.S. Virgin Islands make a great luxury travel destination most any time of the year and more travelers are choosing the islands because they have so much to offer first time or seasoned vacationers. Discount luxury cruises, http://www.amtcruises.com/, seem to be becoming more and more popular as travelers uncover the beauty of the US Virgin Islands. For many visitors, the US Virgin Islands is considered “America’s Paradise.”

Virginia Morgan
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/the-us-virgin-islands-the-american-owned-tropical-paradise-popular-among-american-express-vacation-clients-178863.html

read comments (0)

I often read posts on the Internet of how people have fallen victim to “cheap airfare” scams. This mostly applies to international air travel. I am not talking about those that searched for cheap airfare, found a good deal and when they tried to book it that fare was no longer available. Many times these are not scams but they are often the result of the dynamics of airline pricing. I am more talking about people that paid money and then either did not get a ticket or got a ticket but did not have a confirmed reservation. Having a ticket DOES NOT mean you have a confirmed reservation. Here are some basic steps that you can take to protect yourself.

1. Use common sense

If a deal is too good to be true then, well you know the rest…. If you get a quote from one source that beats all of the other sources you have checked by 30% or more then be extra careful. I am not saying stay away but definitely investigate further. Ask questions like

What airline will I be flying on?

Will this be a CONFIRMED reservation or will this be a “on request” reservation?

What class of service will I be booked in (this is not economy or coach)? This is a letter designation such as U, T, Z …

What is the fare basis code? This is a serious of letter and numbers such AP21NR or similar.

Once yo have this information call a competitor (not the airline), give them the travel dates, and ask them if they can book you into the class of service using that fare basis code. If they can not explain that their competitor claims that they can. See what they say.

2. Check for Credentials

Almost all reputable sellers of travel are members of one or more of the following organizations.

ASTA - American Society of Travel Agents

USTOA - United States Tour Operators Association

IATAN - International Airline Travel Agency Network

BBB - Better Business Bureau

These organizations do a pretty good job vetting their members for scammers but it is no guarantee.

3. Pay by Credit Card only

This is the most important form of protection. If you decide to go for it then pay by credit card only. If the seller refuses credit cards or tries to entice you to pay by another form of payment then STAY AWAY. Reputable sellers will always accept credit cards for payment. The reason you want to pay by credit card is that if you have become the victim of a scam or fraud then you can simply dispute the charge stating that you have become the victim of a scam. The credit card will not make you pay for it. So, at least you will not be out of a chunk of change.

4. Check the Status of your Ticket and Reservation

Once you receive your ticket (or e-mail e-ticket confirmation) do the following.

If you received a paper ticket check the status box for either HK or OK code. If you see any other code call the airline and inquire what it means. If they state that you are not holding a confirmed reservation, call the seller and demand an explanation. Tell him/her that you were under the impression that you had bought a confirmed reservation and that if they can not get you a confirmed reservation within 24 hrs that you will call the credit card company and dispute the charge.

If you have received an e-mail with an e-ticket confirmation, call the airline and make sure that the reservation actually exists and that the seats are confirmed. A good way to do this is by simply asking them if you could add a special meal request or if you could request a window or aisle seat. If they have your reservation and everything is OK then neither should be a problem. Also ask them to verify that all segments of your ticket are confirmed. Some scammers will place your reservation “on request” for your return home trip.

Kai Vorpahl
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-tips-articles/how-to-avoid-becoming-the-victim-of-a-cheap-airfare-scam-124220.html

read comments (0)

Going there next week for the Memorial weekend, but the best fare I can find online so far is about $300. Any other suggestions and resources? Thanks!

did you try orbitz?

read comments (8)

I am looking for the cheapest way for two people to go to Disney World. Any suggestions?

You can try this website www.jsgetaway.com there is usually pretty good deals and good prices on airfare. Usually if you book a hotel too it is almost just as cheap as just airfare.
Good Luck

read comments (2)

I am interested in St.Lucia, Barbados, or Turks & Caicos. My husband and I enjoy snorkeling, hiking, and beautiful scenery. Out of these three, which one do you recommend?

St Lucia is the one that combines all three,they have great snorkeling destinations even if its not as plenty as Turk and caicos;
http://www.theshroyers.com/stlucia/beaches.shtml
The Anse Cochon and Anse Chastanet reefs and an old sunken ship are some of the underwater haunts waiting to be explored.
The islands natural view in terms of nature is spectacular from its Magnificent Gross Pitons which rises and astonishing 700 meter out of the sea to turtle watching.
http://www.geographia.com/st-lucia/lceco01.htm
The country abounds with beauty all about.
Barbados is beauty ful however you will be severely limited. hike,http://www.barbados.org/sightseeing/flowerforest/tour.htm
http://www.parks.it/world/BB/Eindex.html
Turks and Caicos even worse,these two destination offer beaches historic sites and a few nature parks that are pretty however pale in comparison,interms of hiking.
However the Turks and caicos offer a huge area for Diving and snorkeling over 200 miles,of excellent white sand beaches.
Shopping and night life are also high on the list,yes St lucia will offer good night life but then each island has its own unique flavor.
Barbados is excellent for its sun sea percption,great night night life good tours on its estate in sugar and historic sites from wind mills to sampling of natural sugar cane juice made naturally,however not much in its original look like natural vegeatation of the land.
And another interesting area in which many traveler dont take into consideration is the size of the islands intended for you vacation Turcks and caicos is the smallest of the three when single out island by island.http://www.turksandcaicos.tc/turks/index.htm
So the question beckons which item on your dream list is more appealing?
So as to get a better idea how you want,were you want ot spend you vacation.
If its Hiking St lucia,If its suns sea Turks caicos ,you can also includ Barbados if you think that sun and sea will not hold your attention,with shopping and other manmade attractions.

read comments (10)

Are there any islands in the Caribbean that are unowned and uninhabited? I have tried looking on Google but I only get hotel advertisements and such. Is there a place in the Caribbean that has lots of small islands? If so could you please tell me where?
Thanks so much for your help.
P.S. This is research for a novel.

No. All 7,000+ of the islands, cays, sandbars, or maritime areas are owned by some country. The only way someone gets to "own" an island nowadays is if they get an agreement with a country to "buy" one of their islands. Usually that island that you buy is then considered as a "development zone" by the government that you buy it from.

Usually- though as a trade-off the government that you buy the island from will stipulate that you have to employ some of that country's citizens to work on your island. Moreso if your island is going to house a resort and is that large in size.

For example the Head of Government for Quebec in Canada (René Lévesque) was asked to do this when they almost purchased Eleuthera in the Bahamas in 1985.

The last island taken over was "Bird Rock" 90 miles off the coast of The Commonwealth of Dominica. Venezuela has their military there now- and they refuse to give it back to Dominica. All other Caribbean islands have been taken over because if you control an island you control all of the oil in the seas around that island. So Venezuela took over Bird Rock so they could control most of the ~1 million square miles of the Caribbean Sea in the middle of the windward islands. (and any potential oil that may be around there.)

The Commonwealth of The Bahamas has over 700 islands.

So far- you're talking a multi-million dollar deal here for a Caribbean island.

You can try seeing.
http://www.caribbeanislandbrokers.com/

One island that crossed my mind though is Navassa Island. It is situated between Cubaand Haiti. Currently the United States and Haiti are fighting over the ownership of it. But it has gotten more complicated lately because a couple of American citizens have said they have landed there on a few occasions and they too are trying to lay claims to it now too/

The dispute doesn't seem like it will be resolved any time soon.

read comments (6)

All inclusive beachfront property that has a casino…can you help? Any caribbean travel advice would also be appreciated…first timer looking to start planning a trip.

http://www.worldcasinodirectory.com/caribbean-casinos.asp

TRY THIS FOR OPENERS

read comments (3)

2 Adults and a 4 year old travelling to the dominican republic, do we need jabs against diseases or similar ?

We are in the united kingdom

thank you

I don’t think so, although you might want to check with this website: http://www.mdtravelhealth.com/destinations/mamerica_carib/dominican_republic.php
I have been to the Caribbean numerous times have not been vaccinated, although I’m sure it wouldn’t hurt to take that extra precaution if you can. Remember to bring Imodium & Gatorade (or some other sports drink with electrolytes that will replenish your system should you happen to fall prey to some sort of sickness on your holiday) as well as granola or snack bars.

read comments (5)

All those ads on TV lie. I can’t get anything for under $200 per person and my son made the National High School Honor’s Choir - I need to get the two of us to Oklahoma City in March!

Check into flying to Tulsa instead. It’s about 90 mins North of OKC. Dallas is about 3 hours south. You might be able to find cheaper flights.

read comments (2)