Bahamas

The Bahamas is often thought to be part of the Caribbean, but actually it is an archipelago of 700 islands, cays and islets located in the western Atlantic Ocean. Thirty of the islands are inhabited. The Bahamas is located north of Cuba and Hispaniola (Haiti and Dominican Republic) and northwest of the Turks and Caicos Islands. The state capitol is Nassau on the island of New Providence. “The Bahamas” can be referred to as the country and its territory encompasses 180,000 sq mi of ocean space.

About Bahamas

Tourism is the most important industry for the Bahamas. Divers, sailors and sun-worshippers enjoy the extensive bleached white beaches, year-round sun and sparkling aqua waters of the Bahamas. Nassau is quick and easy to get to from the United States, plus it is a popular cruise port.

There are many fun and exciting excursions offered in the Bahamas.

Bimini is considered the gateway to the Bahamas from Miami.  Off of Bimini there are spectacular scuba diving and snorkeling sites.  These sites include the massive Andros Barrier Reef, Thunderball Grotto (used in James Bond films) and the black-coral gardens.

English is the official language in the Bahamas. Most of the population in the Bahamas is comprised of African, Europeans, Asians and Latin Americans.  Haitian immigrants speak French or a Creole patois.

Bavaro, located on the East Coast of The Dominican Republic was originally developed as a town for resort workers from Punta Cana. Bavaro quickly become a holiday resort in its own right when hotels started springing up along its tropical eastern coast. Ideally situated on the famous Costa del Coco (Coconut Coast) and known for its six miles of pristine, sandy white beaches and shimmering crystal waters, Bavaro has vast stretches of beaches that rarely experience overcrowding. This makes it ideal for everyone to have their own piece of holiday paradise when they visit.

Many of the resorts offer loads of exciting daytime activities and water sports such as snorkeling, scuba diving, sailing, waterskiing and parasailing, as well as golfing, sightseeing and more!

The Dominican Republic is a sovereign state occupying the eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western one-third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands, along with Saint Martin, that are shared by two countries. The Dominican Republic is the second-largest Caribbean nation by area after Cuba, 18,705 sq miles.

For more adventurous travellers, a trip off the not-so-beaten track to the nearby town of Cortecito, the only fishing village left on this stretch, is an absolute must. This little village, known as the downtown area of Punta-Cana-Bavaro, where friendly local vendors can be found selling heir wares along the edges of palm-fringed beaches, is frequently mostly by backpackers and independent European travelers intent on having a truly authentic Dominican experience.

The official language of the Dominican Republic is Spanish. The local variant of Spanish is called Dominican Spanish, which closely resembles other Spanish vernaculars in the Caribbean and the Canarian Spanish. In addition, it borrowed words from indigenous Caribbean languages particular to the island of Hispaniola. Haitian Creole is the largest minority language in the Dominican Republic and is spoken by Haitian immigrants and their descendants.

Jamaica is the third largest island in the Caribbean with alluring white sandy beaches and emerald green mountains and sparkling waterfalls. Because Jamaica’s location, the island captures trade winds that assist in maintaining a near constant temperature between 77 and 82 degrees.  This blesses the mountainous island’s northeast coast with abundant rain.

The northern and eastern coastlines of Jamaica are populated with many resorts which haven’t spoiled Jamaica’s tropical delights. Jamaica’s tourism is well established with a wide variety of excellent resorts for every budget.  There is a resort for every type of traveler from honeymooners, to families, to active guests, to history buffs. Most of the resorts are all-inclusive properties, some boutique-style, many adults only, and several family-friendly. Jamaica is one of the top destination wedding and honeymoon locations of the Caribbean.

The islands many attractions include Negril’s famous Seven Mile Beach, Dunn’s River Falls and Kingston’s Bob Marley Museum.

Jamaican cuisines are made with many rich flavors, especially Jerk marinade. Jerk consists of island spices and are added to chicken, pork, fish and beef.

Jamaica is considered a bilingual country with two major languages in use by the population.  Jamaica Standard English is used in the government, the legal system, the media, and education.  However, the primary spoken language is an English-based creole called Jamaican Patois.

Visitors to Montego Bay spend most of their time on its beaches, and it’s easy to see why. Snorkeling and diving at the Marine Park and Doctor’s Cave Beach are excellent. While on your Montego Bay vacation, you can go sailboarding, fishing, snorkeling and on boat tours. River rafting on the Martha Brae River are available in nearby Falmouth. Several boats offer party cruises out off Montego Bay as well as the opportunity for deep sea fishing.

The historic downtown area is easily explored with a casual stroll, and the tours of the historic houses and plantations are a worthwhile experience to fully appreciate a side of Jamaica. MoBay’s Hip Strip is its center for food, trendy bars and nightlife.

Although Montego Bay is one of the largest metropolitan centers in Jamaica, there’s plenty of nature to see if you’re looking for an eco friendly vacation. is never far away on the island. The Montego Bay Marine Park offers excellent snorkeling and diving and the Rocklands Bird Sanctuary is famous for its hummingbirds.

Like golf? There are four championship golf courses that offer very challenging fairways and greens: Half Moon Golf Club, Tryall Golf, Tennis and Beach Club, White Witch and The Wyndham Rose Hall Resort and Country Club. Non-golfers can play tennis for a fee at most of the local hotels.

For horse lovers, there are several opportunities for rides along the beach and through the countryside. Good Hope Country House and the Half Moon Equestrian Center both offer popular rides through spectacular terrain.

When arranging tours, stick with established tour operators or licensed cabs. Use the ones with red license plates with the “PP” designation on them. Drivers will often drop you off at your destination and offer to return. This is a reliable form of transportation and a good way to get a guided tour if your driver is a talker (and he will be), but don”t pay the return fare until the trip is over. Don”t accept tours from hawkers on the street.

For those looking for the fast side of Jamaican life, MoBay is where it”s at!

The official language is English. Local patois is also spoken.

Saint Lucia is an Eastern Caribbean island nation with a pair of dramatically tapered mountains, the Pitons, on its west coast. Its coast is home to volcanic beaches, reef-diving sites, luxury resorts and fishing villages. Trails in the interior rainforest lead to waterfalls like the 15m-high Toraille, which pours over a cliff into a garden. The capital, Castries, is a popular cruise port.

Saint Lucia is the perfect destination for romance, rejuvenation or adventure. St. Lucia boasts incredible natural landscapes filled with gorgeous palm-fringed beaches, miles and miles of unspoiled rainforests and the incredibly majestic Piton Mountains. St. Lucia is  sure to indulge every taste for not only the eco-traveler but every traveler. The nation has any waterfalls, breathtaking views, the locals are friendly and their authentic culture impresses the most travelled individuals for a vacation that will create memories to last a lifetime.

The official language is English. Saint Lucian Creole French (Kwéyòl), which is colloquially referred to as Patois (“Patwa”), is spoken by 95% of the population. This Antillean Creole is used in literature and music, and is gaining official acknowledgement. As it developed during the early period of French colonisation, the creole is derived chiefly from French and West African languages, with some vocabulary from the Island Carib language and other sources.

A Turks and Caicos vacation is truly an incredible experience. Turks and Caicos, also called “the forgotten islands”, is over thirty islands nestled between Miami and Puerto Rico. Only about eight of the islands are inhabited.  These islands are not easily forgotten because of the endless turquoise waters with soft, white sand beaches stretch for miles. Turks and Caicos offers uncrowded pristine beaches, abundant reefs, excellent diving wrecks and some of the oldest coral communities known to man. Your Turks and Caicos vacation is waiting for you!

After a French ship allegedly wrecked near the island, it was originally name “La Providentielle,”but the Spanish renamed it Providenciales. British territory, Providenciales is known as “Provo” for short. Turks and Caicos has become premier diving spot in the world. Provo hotels were secondary to the incredible scenery, water and beaches. For many years Provo was somewhat unknown, but the island has grown and offers a wide variety of places to stay.

Most of the hotels share Provo’s signature stamp of striking aquamarine-colored waters against powder white beaches that stretch for miles. The friendly islanders rely almost solely on tourism for their livelihood, so they welcome visitors with open arms. You’ll leave smiling and less stressed. Most visitors return again and again to enjoy the tranquility of this unspoiled tropical paradise, your Turks and Caicos vacation.

The national language is English, but some words are pronounced in a way that is unique to the islands.