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Explore The CaribbeanBahamas (Nassau & Paradise Island) As the cultural, social, political and economic center of The Bahamas, Nassau/Paradise Island is the country’s most visited destination, with sights and activities galore. Beach resorts, duty-free shopping, casinos, attractions, landmarks and assorted water/land sports await within close proximity. Nassau/Paradise Island includes two islands connected by bridges. Nassau, capital city of The Islands Of The Bahamas, is on the northeast shore of the island of New Providence. Tiny by contrast, Paradise Island is across the bridge from Nassau. Although Nassau/Paradise Island accounts for less than two percent of the land area within The Bahamas, the destination is the residence for 60 percent of the Bahamian populace. U.S. Virgin Islands (St. Thomas, St. Croix, St. John) The U.S. Virgin Islands – St. Thomas,
St. Croix, and St. John – are among the most popular tourist destinations in the Caribbean, and for good
reason. Apart from pristine beaches, warm weather, and turquoise waters, the U.S. Virgins mesmerize with
cultural diversity, rich ethnicity, and artistic vibrancy, all under convenience of the U.S. flag. Friendly
Virgin Islanders are quick to smile, adding warmth to a value-added destination that offers a national park,
duty-free shopping, campgrounds, kayaking, hiking, ecological touring, world-class diving, excellent dining
and plenty of nightlife. Puerto Rico (San Juan) San Juan is a stronghold for nightlife and entertainment, from bar hopping and fine dining to Vegas-style gaming and plenty of action in between, including excellent golf. By day, Old San Juan is a favorite place to stroll along narrow streets lined with pleasant cafes and intriguing shops. Some restaurants stay open for dinner, yet after shops close at sundown, it’s safest to travel the area by taxi. Hato Rey is the island's central commercial district, with restaurants catering to the business crowd. El Condado features boutiques, restaurants and some of Puerto Rico’s finest hotels, along with exquisite turn-of-the-century mansions. Dining ranges from boutique restaurants serving fusion cuisine to traditional Puerto Rican dishes, from snack shacks on the beach to classic steak houses. The island also has vibrant nightlife elsewhere, including Dorado, Rio Grande, Ponce and Mayagüez. Puerto Rico has some of the most appealing casinos in the Caribbean. Inland towns along the scenic highway hold annual festivals with live music, arts and crafts. Jamaica (Kingston, Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios) In Jamaica’s most famous resort towns – Montego Bay, Ocho Rios and Negril visitors can count on a party atmosphere any month of the year. Kingston, Jamaica’s capital city, pulsates as an urban centerpiece dominated by financial buildings bounded by Trafalgar Road, Half Way Tree Road and Old Hope Road. Hotels, restaurants, and bars are centered here. The Kingston Crafts Market at Ocean Boulevard’s western end (open daily except Sunday) houses countless booths for jewelry, T-shirts, carvings and embroidered baskets at fixed prices. North of the grassy waterfront is the historic city center. Although many 18th century buildings were flattened in a 1907 earthquake, King Street, the main thoroughfare, retains beautiful old buildings with columns and decorative carvings. Parade, a square used by British troops in the 18th century for public floggings and hangings as well as a parade ground, is among the most vibrant spots to mix with locals. Downtown Kingston is laid out on a grid system making it easier to get around on foot. Fixed price taxis are preferable to learning the city's bus system. Dominican Republic (Santo Domingo, Puerto Plata) In Santo Domingo, the historic Colonial Zone boasts many fine architectural sites including the first Catholic Cathedral, the New World’s first street, Calle Las Damas, and a multitude of restaurants, shops, bars, and museums. The Colonial Zone, bounded on the west by the Río Ozama, extends up to the Parque Independencia at its eastern limit, and ends at El Malecón, at its southern extreme. El Malecón, a palm-lined waterfront area attracts those who want to see and be seen. First-class hotels, world-class eateries, casinos, clubs and outdoor cafes line this charming street. The shaded Gazcue area has most of the modern museums, including Plaza de la Cultura, a complex with the Museo de Arte Moderno, the Museo de Historia Natural , Museo de Historia y Geografía and the Museo del Hombre Dominicano. The Plaza de la Cultura also includes the National Theater, where plays, ballets and other theatrical presentations are staged. The tourism stronghold of Puerto Plata – the first custom-built tourist haven in the Dominican Republic and a favorite cruise ship port of call -- appeals to a mass-market crowd that prefers all-inclusives, which continue to expand along the coast, much to the frustration of independent restaurateurs. For the most part, area resorts are not actually in Puerto Plata, but down the way in a tourist zone called Playa Dorada, which has a Robert Trent Jones, Jr. golf course, and a riding stable. Beaches are narrow, yet well populated with guests from assorted hotels.
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