DS Caribbean 3

D E S T I N A T I O N
S P E C I A L I S T
Caribbean
including the Atlantic
Part 3
Southern Caribbean
Trinidad and Tobago, The ABC Islands: Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaao
Western Caribbean and the Coast of Latin America

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Contents
Southern Caribbean
Contents of Part 1
Trinidad and Tobago
Introduction
The ABC Islands:
15
Aruba
19
Bonaire
27
Curaao
35
Western Caribbean and the

Coast of Latin America
43
Cuba
45
Mexico (Yucatn)
49
The Atlantic
Bermuda
Bahamas
Turks and
Caicos Islands
63
65
77
95
Northern Caribbean
Cayman Islands
Jamaica
Haiti
Dominican Republic
Puerto Rico
U.S. Virgin Islands
British Virgin Islands
Cancn
49
Cozumel
51
Contents of Part 2
55
Eastern Caribbean
The Leeward Islands
Anguilla
St-Martin/Sint Maarten
St-Barthlemy
(St. Barts)
Saba
St. Eustatius (Statia)
St. Kitts and Nevis
Antigua and Barbuda
Montserrat
Central America
Belize
55
HondurasThe Bay Islands
60
PanamaThe San Blas Islands
62
South America
65
Colombia
65
Cartagena
65
San Andrs Island
66
Venezuela
67
Caracas
67
Margarita Island
68
Guyana
70
Suriname
73
Index
The Travel Institute
77
103
105
115
129
139
151
167
179
1
3
11
21
29
37
45
57
67
Eastern CaribbeanThe
Windward Islands
73
Guadeloupe
75
Dominica
87
Martinique
99
St. Lucia
109
Barbados
121
St. Vincent and the
Grenadines
131
Grenada
141
Contents
iii
Alphabetical
Destinations
T
he following list includes the major destinations and islands in the

Table of Contents, their capitals, and major cities and towns. It
can serve as one way to review when you are done with the text. To
review, simply see if you can identify where each place name is and
what you know about it.
Abacos, The
Andros Island
Anegada
Anguilla
Antigua
Aruba
Part
Part
Part
Part
Part
Part
1,
1,
1,
2,
2,
3,
83
86
182
3
57
19
Bahamas, The
Barbados
Barbuda
Bay Islands, The
Belize
Bequia
Bermuda
Berry Islands
Bimini Islands
Bonaire
British Virgin Islands
Part
Part
Part
Part
Part
Part
Part
Part
Part
Part
Part
1,
2,
2,
3,
3,
2,
1,
1,
1,
3,
1,
77
121
57
60
55
135
65
87
86
27
179
Caicos Islands
Cancn
Canouan
Caracas
Carriacou
Cartagena
Cat Island
Cayman Islands
Cozumel
Cuba
Part
Part
Part
Part
Part
Part
Part
Part
Part
Part
1,
3,
2,
3,
2,
3,
1,
1,
3,
3,
95
49
135
67
145
65
87
105
51
45
Alphabetical Destinations
vi
Destination Specialist Caribbean
Curaao
Part 3, 35
Dominica
Dominican Republic (Dominicana)
Part 2, 87
Part 1, 139
Elbow Cay
Eleuthera
Exumas, The
Part 1, 84
Part 1, 84
Part 1, 85
Freeport
Part 1, 80
Georgetown, Guyana
Grand Bahama Island
Green Turtle Cay
Grenada
Grenadines
Guadeloupe
Guyana
Part
Part
Part
Part
Part
Part
Part
3,
1,
1,
2,
2,
2,
3,
70
80
84
141
131
75
70
Haiti
Hamilton
Havana
Harbour Island
Part
Part
Part
Part
1,
1,
3,
1,
129
69
46
85
Inagua
Part 1, 87
Jamaica
Jost Van Dyke
Part 1, 115
Part 1, 182
Kingston
Part 1, 121
La Guaira
Long Island
Part 3, 67
Part 1, 87
Margarita Island
Marie-Galante
Martinique
Mayreau
Montego Bay
Montserrat
Mustique
Part
Part
Part
Part
Part
Part
Part
3,
2,
2,
2,
1,
2,
2,
68
80
99
136
118
67
135
Nassau
Negril
Nevis
New Providence Island
Part
Part
Part
Part
1,
1,
2,
1,
81
117
45
81
Ocho Rios
Part 1, 119
Palm Island
Paradise Island
Paramaribo
Peter Island
Petit St. Vincent
Puerto Plata
Puerto Rico
Part
Part
Part
Part
Part
Part
Part
Roatn
Part 3, 60
Saba
St-Barthlemy (St. Barts)
St. Croix
St. Eustatius (Statia)
St. John
St. Kitts
St. Lucia
St-Martin/Sint Maarten
St. Thomas
St. Vincent and the Grenadines
San Andrs Island
San Blas Islands, The
San Juan
San Salvador
Santo Domingo
Statia (See St. Eustatius)
Suriname
Part
Part
Part
Part
Part
Part
Part
Part
Part
Part
Part
Part
Part
Part
Part
Part
Part
2,
2,
1,
2,
1,
2,
2,
2,
1,
2,
3,
3,
1,
1,
1,
2,
3,
Tobago
Tortola
Treasure Cay
Trinidad
Turks Islands
Part
Part
Part
Part
Part
3, 3
1, 180
1, 83
3, 3
1, 95
Union Island
U.S. Virgin Islands
Part 2, 136
Part 1, 167
Vieques
Virgin Gorda
Part 1, 158
Part 1, 181
Walkers Cay
Part 1, 84
2,
1,
3,
1,
2,
1,
1,
136
81
74
182
136
144
151
29
21
171
37
170
45
109
11
169
131
66
62
154
87
141
37
73
Alphabetical Destinations
vii
SOUTHERN CARIBBEAN
U.S. Virgin
Islands
British Virgin
Islands
Anguilla
St-Martin/
Sint Maarten
Dominican
Republic
Puerto
Rico
Barbuda
St-Barthlemy
Saba
St. Eustatius
St. Kitts
Nevis
Antigua
Montserrat
Guadeloupe
Dominica
C
a
Martinique
St. Lucia
St. Vincent and

the Grenadines
Aruba
Bonaire
Curaao
Grenada
Tobago
Margarita Island
Venezuela
Trinidad
viii
Southern Caribbean
The five destinations in this section are just off the coast of South America.
They are also considered part of the Lesser Antilles. The ABC Islands
(Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaao) begin with a profile and an historical and
cultural background of all three islands. Each island is then considered
separately. These islands are
Trinidad and Tobago
The ABC Islands

Aruba
Bonaire
Curaao
Southern Caribbean
Turtle Beach
Buccoo Reef
Plymouth
Little Tobago
(Ingrams Island)
Scarborough
TOBAGO
CARIBBEAN SEA
ATLANTIC
OCEAN
Blanchisseuse
Redhead
NGE
A
R
N
ER
NORTH
Asa Wright
Nature Center
Chaguaramas
Peninsula
Port of Spain
Caroni
Bird
Sanctuary
Gulf of Paria
TRINIDAD
San Fernando
Pitch Lake
Arima
Grande
RAL
CENT E
RANG
La Brea
Sangre
Rio Claro
Princes Town
Debe
Guayaguayare
San Francique
Tobago
Trinidad
Capital
City or town
Attraction
0
0
Miles
16.7
Kilometers 27
Trinidad and
Tobago
T
rinidad and Tobago (tuh BAY go) (T&T) are the southernmost
islands in the Caribbean chain. Although they form one country,
each has its own separate and distinct attractions. Trinidad, lying only
seven miles off the coast of Venezuela, actually owes its geologic heritage to South America. A mere 10,000 years ago it was part of the
mainland, until high sea levels separated it.
Forty percent of Trinidads population is of Asian Indian descent,
which adds a different aspect to the island. However, Trinidads spirit is
definitely West Indian in nature, and its culture has had an impact
throughout the Caribbean.
Trinidad is known for its cultural diversity, the musical forms it has
originated, and its world-famous Carnival. Its capital, Port of Spain, is
an exciting and bustling port city. The island does have beaches, on the
north and east coasts, but most travelers come for the natural beauty of
its bird sanctuaries, gardens, and inland mountains. Tobago, lying 23
miles off the northeast coast of Trinidad, is the calmer of the two
islands. Its beautiful, secluded beaches are a tropical paradise.
Historical Background
The two islands that make up Trinidad and Tobago have been united
administratively since 1889 and became a joint British Crown colony in
1899, but their histories are quite different. Trinidads history involved
three European nations in an orderly progression. Columbus first located the island in 1498, and Spanish settlers populated it a century later.
During much of the 18th century, French settlers came to the island,
both from France and from other Caribbean islands that were being
attacked and invaded by one power after another. By the time the
British came to force, the island had become quite French, though
under the weak control of Spain. It was during this French influence
that Carnival began.
Fast Facts
Land Area
Trinidad: 1,864 square miles
Tobago: 116 square miles
Population
1.3 million (45,000 of whom are on
Tobago)
Capitals
Trinidad: Port of Spain
Tobago: Scarborough
Languages
English
Time Zone
UTC -4 or AST (EST +1). They do not
observe daylight-saving time.
Drive on
Left
Currency
Trinidad and Tobago dollar
Electricity
110-220 volts, 60 cycles AC; voltage
varies with location.
In 1797 a British sea expedition sailed into Port of Spain harbor. After
Southern Caribbean: Trinidad and Tobago
a series of battles, the outnumbered Spanish surrendered, but not

before sinking all of their ships. Spain officially admitted defeat and
relinquished any claim to the island five years later. The name of the
capital is one of Spains largest legacies.
Plantations dependent on slave labor were created as on most other
islands. The agricultural economy began to decline after emancipation
in 1834. Ten years later, however, Trinidadian farmers began
bringing in tens of thousands of Asian Indians and smaller numbers of
Chinese as indentured servants. These workers traded little hope for a
better life in their old country for a hard life almost akin to slavery in
their new land. Nonetheless, when their period of servitude was done,
most decided to stay. Today their descendants account for almost half
the population.
Tobago, on the other hand, changed hands many times. Spanish,
Dutch, French, English, and pirate forces all took their turns, sometimes more than once. Even the United States got into the act, sending
an expeditionary force to capture the island soon after it declared
independence in 1962 when it became an independent member of the
British Commonwealth. The number of forts on the island almost
matches the number of beaches.
In 1899, Trinidad and Tobago were united politically. In 1976 T&T
became a republic, staying within the Commonwealth but no longer
recognizing the Queen of England as titular head of state.
Arrival and Location Briefing

Direct flights operate daily into Port of Spain from New York and
Miami. Almost every major island in the Caribbean has direct flights or
good connections to Trinidad. People going to Tobago will usually
connect in Port of Spain, although now there are a few direct flights
from the United States. Shuttle flights run frequently between Trinidad
and Tobago, and there is ferry service between the islands.
Trinidads airport is 16 miles from Port of Spain, and it can take 30 to
60 minutes to reach downtown. Most major hotels are in Port of Spain
and the surrounding area, with a few along the north coast. Many
tourists take day excursions from the capital to various parts of the
island. However, visitors interested strictly in nature travel can find
lodges and guesthouses in mountainous settings and rain forests
outside the city.
The great majority of Tobagos hotels are at its western tip or along the
northwestern coast. Neither area is far from quaint old Scarborough,
the capital. However, most hotels are even closer to the airport, so
those flying in can be at their hotel in minutes. A handful of other
hotels are on the scenic eastern end of the island. Beaches in almost all
of these areas are idyllic.
Local Transportation
Public transportation on Trinidad is very good and affords a number of
choices. Public buses, maxi-taxis (minibuses on set routes), and route
taxis all serve the metropolitan Port of Spain area. Buses go out to the
rest of the island. Public transportation can even be an inexpensive
alternative for transfers between the airport and the capital.
Most travelers prefer to take a tour or rent a car for trips outside of the
city. Roads are very good, one reason being that asphalt from Trinidad is
used to make roads all over the world, as well as locally. Driving within
the capital, however, is hectic, and most travelers will want to avoid it.
On Tobago, public transportation is less frequent, so a car rental is
helpful to see large parts of the island. However, roads are not quite as
good as on Trinidad.
Around the Islands: Attractions

Trinidad
Port of Spain is an exciting and bustling city on the wide Gulf of
Paria. Behind it begin the sloping hills of Trinidads mountains, which
eventually reach 3,000 feet in altitude. The major parts of the city can
be seen on foot. Visitors will not want to miss
the capitals two most famous sights: Queens
Park Savannah and the Magnificent Seven.
The Savannah covers 200 acres of parkland
and sports fields, and embodies the spirit of
the city.
On one side of the Savannah is the citys
other gem, the Magnificent Seven. These
seven 19th-century architectural wonders in
the tropics include buildings patterned after
Balmoral Castle in Scotland, a Venetian
palace, a Baroque colonial-period house, a
German Renaissance castle, a Moorish
residence, and a gingerbread house.
Courtesy of
Good Times Pro

ductions for Trinid
One of the
ad and Tobago
Magnificen
Tourism
t Seven M
ansions
Did you know?
From Caroni it is a
short trip to Pitch Lake
at La Brea, near San
Fernando. This is a lake
where everyone can
walk on water. Actually,
it is not really a body of
water. Rather, it is 90
acres of oil- and mudcreated liquid asphalt.
Visitors are able to
walk on the surface of
this asphalt lake.
Though many people
try it, do not recommend that your clients
do this on their own
they should follow the
guide. Otherwise, one
wrong step into a hole
can swallow them up,
never to be seen again.
The acres of lava-like
asphalt were formed
over millions of years,
perhaps from a mud
volcano, and are one of
natures fascinating
oddities.
Those planning to go to Trinidads nature areas will want to orient

themselves ahead of time by visiting the Emperor Valley Zoo and the
Botanical Gardens just north of the Savannah. Walkways through
tropical gardens and displays of native birds and animals offer a taste of
what they will see in the countrys interior. Woodford Square (a park)
and Red House (the Parliament) are other sights to be taken in while
walking through the city.
Hotels within the city cater as much to the business traveler as to the
leisure one. The Trinidad Hilton markets itself as the upside-down
hotel: it sits on a hill overlooking the city, with the reception area at the
top of the hill and the hotel descending downward from it. Other hotels
and guesthouses are situated in serene settings just outside the city.
Of the islands many natural
sights, one of the standouts is
the Asa Wright Nature Centre
and Lodge in the Arima
Valley of the Northern Range
mountains east of the capital.
The center is a former plantation house in a rain forest
and makes an ideal base for
hikers, bird watchers, and
nature lovers.
Courtesy of
Go
od Times
Trinidad an Productions for
d Tobago To
urism
a
Asa W
right N
tu
re Cen
At the nature center,
tre
orange orchids and yellow tube
flowers attract more than 100 species of birds,
including hummingbirds, multicolored species, and the fascinating
nocturnal oilbird, which lives in caves. Indians once ate the flesh of
these birds and boiled down the carcass to an oil they could use for
fire. Day visitors can take tours through the valley and forests with local
guides. The opportunity to live among the birds and flowers is an even
more special experience. The nature centers lodge has only 24 rooms,
which are booked heavily by bird-watching groups. Reserving far in
advance is highly recommended.
To the south of Port of Spain, on the way to San Fernando, Trinidads

second-largest town, is Caroni Bird Sanctuary. Located in a mangrove
swamp, Caroni is home to the scarlet ibis, Trinidads national bird. The
birds stage one of natures greatest shows at sundown, when they
swoop in by the hundreds to roost for the evening and seem to set the
treetops aflame. Guided boat trips are available.
Visitors can explore many other fascinating natural areas on the island.
The Chaguaramas Peninsula, northwest of the capital, is a popular

area for enjoyment. Hiking trails in the Northern Range can be
accessed from villages along the north coast. The more isolated
southwestern peninsula and southeastern area of the island have few
tourists; adventurous visitors might enjoy wandering in this secluded
part of Trinidad.
Tobago
Tobago is lined with beaches and is a tropical paradise of mountains
and rain forests. Like its big brother, it is a nature sanctuary, but it also
fits the vacationers idyllic image of wind-blown palm trees by sandy
beaches on a desert isle. In fact, Tobago is often called the Robinson
Crusoe island; it is said to have been, in part, the model for Daniel
Defoes novel and has been the site for films such as Swiss
Family Robinson.
Tobago offers guests everything from secluded coves to classic
Caribbean beaches to black-sand shores. The charm of
Scarborough, its capital, comes from the feeling that little
has changed in the last two centuries. Tourists can visit Fort
King George, which stands 400 feet above the town and
offers a clear view of Trinidads north coast. They can read
the plaque describing some of the 31 times the island
changed hands.
Courtesy of
Go
Both Scarborough and Plymouth, Tobagos secondlargest city, are on the western part of the island, along
the south and north coasts respectively. Buccoo Reef,
Tobagos natural aquarium, and Turtle Beach will delight the
beachcombing naturalist.
Tr
od Times Pr
oductions
inidad and
fo
Tobago Tour r
Fort Kin
ism
g Geor
ge
The island of Little Tobago, also known as Ingrams Island, lies off
the islands eastern end. This is great scuba-diving and bird-watching
territory. Little Tobago is one of the Caribbeans most important
seabird sanctuaries. The red-billed tropicbirds are a spectacular sight
from October to June.
Whats Special about Trinidad

and Tobago?
The desert-isle beaches of Tobago, the Carnival festivities in
Trinidad, and the bird life and natural beauty of both islands are key
attributes that stand out in T&T. Trinidads singular culture,
cosmopolitan population and heritage, and musical roots are different

from any other island.
Like its neighbors the ABC Islands to the west, T&Ts proximity to the
Venezuelan coast has meant economic advantages from oil and other
industries. In addition, various commercial enterprises such as natural
gas have attracted foreign investment and made T&T one of the more
prosperous countries in the Caribbean. Trinidad is a hybrid of
commercial development on the one hand and rain forests and nature
areas on the other. For many years tourism played a secondary role to
other economic sectors.
The primary reason to visit Tobago is its beaches and natural beauty.
However, despite the fact that Trinidad is roughly 16 times larger in
land area than Tobago and has 28 times the population, Tobago currently has more hotel rooms than Trinidad.
Ecotravel is one niche market that will bring many visitors to Trinidad. In
addition to the nature areas mentioned above, there are numerous other
bird sanctuaries and wild fowl trusts seeking to preserve different species.
One look at pictures of the multicolored panoply of species that live on
the island will motivate any bird lover to visit. Many of Trinidads outlying areas are ready for the meandering adventurer. Residents, who see
few outsiders, are exceedingly welcoming. The island is looking into further development of a system of national parks, new ecolodges and tours,
and careful management of current environmental resources.
The other facets that make Trinidad special are its culture and special
events, which are described later.
Island Culture
Every island in the Caribbean is an amalgam of cultures, sometimes
more so than tourists realize. Many African cultures were forcibly
thrown together on these islands, along with the various European
groups who reigned, and influxes from China and the Middle East.
Nowhere is the rich combination of cultures more apparent, though,
than on Trinidad. More than 40 percent of Trinidadians are of Asian
Indian descent, just less than 40 percent are of African descent, 18
percent are of mixed ancestry, and fractions of a percent are of
European, Chinese, or Middle Eastern descent. Tobagos population,
on the other hand, is mostly of African ancestry.
Numerous denominations of Christian churches share the religious
spotlight with Hindu temples and a few Muslim mosques. English is
the dominant language, but Spanish and French can also be heard in
certain areas.
Trinidadian culture particularly thrives on music. The islands rhythms
pervade all of the Caribbean, much of North America, and indeed the
rest of the world. Calypso began in Trinidad more than 200 years ago;
it is a mix of ethnic elements, the strongest being African song and storytelling. Calypsos satire influences social and political thought as
much as its music and lyrics delight listeners.
Steel-drum (or steel-pan) music is another pervasive musical form. It
began in Trinidad but is now heard on every Caribbean island. The
steel drum is one of the few musical instruments invented in the
20th century. In the first half of the 20th century, drums of all kinds
were used. The glut of oil drums left on the island after World War
II inspired musicians to see if they could tune the lids of these
drums to use for music. They found they could fashion every note
on the scale in almost every range, and thus a new genre of instruments was born. The haunting melodies of the steel band are heard
everywhere in the Caribbean, and major competitions are held annually on Trinidad.
Other musical forms had their origins or found new expression on
the island. Chutney, an Asian Indian variation of calypso, is popular.
Parang, a Spanish-based rhythm brought over from Venezuela, is
usually played at Christmas. Modern rock and rap have been melded
with indigenous sounds to create new strains in this music-loving
nation. Trinidad is also credited with inventing the limbo; and of
course no Caribbean party that includes tourists can be without
this dance.
T&T boasts traditional Caribbean fare, with the addition of Asian
Indian rotis and curries, Venezuelan pastelles, and more than the usual
choice of Middle Eastern and Chinese offerings. Angostura bitters, an
island product known throughout the world, is found in many drinks.
T&T citizens have also figured prominently in literary circles. Among
its many authors is the famous historian and former prime minister of
the country, Dr. Eric Williams. However, the most well known by far is
the novelist-philosopher-travel writer V. S. Naipal; travel professionals
and travelers will find his books of interest. Some of his novels, such as
The House for Mr. Biswas, describe past life in Trinidad, but his travel
writing and other works cover locales all over the world.
Celebrations and Special Events
T&T has numerous special events throughout the year, especially music
festivals featuring calypso and steel-drum competitions. Tobago has
yachting regattas and even a goat- and crab-racing fte after Easter.
Did you know?
Carnival is a once-ina-lifetime event and

should be planned for
accordingly with Mas
(Masquerade).
Costume-outfitters in
Port of Spain can put
together something
suitable ahead of time.
However, it will not rival
the costumes in the
paradescostumes that
go far beyond words
such as elaborate,
ostentatious, and
wildly creative. The
only way to see for
yourself is to look at
brochure pictures or a
video on Trinidads
Carnival.
It is Trinidads Carnival, or Mas as it is called locally, that is the most

memorable. A tradition that began in the late 1700s with the French
and Spanish Catholics, Carnival was embraced by other Europeans, free
blacks, and successive waves of newcomers to the island. For a number
of decades, Carnival was suppressed under British rule and looked upon
as a dark undertaking. But Mas won out to become one of the great
festivals of the world, its only rivals being Carnival in Rio and Venice
and Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Many feel that the creativity of the
costumes, the variety of musical competitions, and the ease with which
visitors can participate make Mas the greatest Carnival of them all.
Steel-drum music is one of the essential elements of Carnival. Musical
events and competitions begin soon after the New Year. However, the
two most spectacular celebrations take place on the Monday and
Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. At 2 A.M. on Monday, early mas,
also known as jouvert (pronounced jouvay), begins when the first
revelers go out into the streets.
During the days leading up to Carnival and in the last two days,
revelers will want to visit the following:
1. Panyards, where the larger steel bands rehearse. Drinks and snacks
are available.
2. Calypso tents, featuring nightly shows with up to 20 singers.
3. Mas camps, the headquarters of parading bands. Locals and visitors
alike are invited to sign up as part of their favorite band. The camps
will show visitors what costumes are available (the Tourist Office can
tell you how a client can sign up before arrival).
4. Numerous other musical ftes.
Among the many major events during the last few days are Kings and
Queens of Bands, Calypso Preliminaries and Finals, the Parade of
Bands, and the Panorama Finals, a competition among more than 100
steel bands. Carnival Tuesday ends with the Las Lap, the wind-down of
Carnival. Anyone who attends this event is bound to be filled with the
spirit and culture of the country.
10
Dining and Entertainment

In keeping with T&Ts cultural amalgam, the islands gastronomy also
shows great variety. That variety is seen not in the numbers of touristoriented restaurants but in the mixture of tastesCreole, Indian,
Chinese, French, Middle Easternthat can be found all over Trinidad.
At the same time, the island is a fast-food heavennot of hamburger
chains but of snack stands and stalls. Hungry visitors will find Indian
and Chinese delicacies; Middle Eastern fried dough; and potatoes,
lentils, and vegetables that can be dipped into chutney, marmalades,
and spicy sauces. Because Trinidads tourist-to-local ratio is much lower
than on other islands, restaurants have to satisfy regulars, affecting both
price and quality positively.
At this point, it wont be any surprise to say that T&Ts nightlife is
excellent. The musical styles mentioned above are found in nightspots,
local clubs, pubs, and hotel venues year-round. Musical contests and
competitions are held during Carnival and at other times. Mas Camp
Pub has been one of Port of Spains most comfortable nightspots
for years.
On Tobago, nightlife centers more around the hotels, but spontaneous
block parties and local bars are lively too. The same is true with
diningvacationers often eat at hotel restaurants, but there is also a
good selection of independent restaurants.
Cruise Call
T&T is not yet one of the major cruise destinations in the Caribbean.
This is partly because of geographical considerationsthe island is the
farthest south on the crescent of Windward Islands. In 1998 a new
cruise port and facilities were completed; that same year cruise arrivals
increased by 20 percent, a situation that is expected to continue.
Longer cruises and more deluxe ships often call at Trinidad, while
Tobago gets small ships and windjammers.
Selling Trinidad and Tobago

Tobago is for beachcombers and nature lovers. Even though Tobago
would appeal to many American beach-vacationers, it has been
neglected for logistical reasonstourists often opt for islands they can
reach more quickly rather than fly down to Trinidad and then connect
to Tobago. The fact that in the 1960s and 1970s Trinidad put its
economic resources into sectors other than tourism (very successfully at
11
times) did not help Tobagos tourist numbers. Today, a couple

of new direct flights from the East Coast can take visitors to this
beautiful island very conveniently. All that remains is that they learn
about Tobago.
Trinidad, on the other hand, is a classic niche market destination. Like
few other places in the Caribbean, Trinidad will satisfy those who enjoy
culture, nature, or Carnival. However, remember that large parts of
Trinidad (some of which visitors will pass through) are industrial and
commercial and not very pretty.
A ten-day dream trip to T&T would begin the Thursday before
Carnival, with two or three days of visits to the rain forests and nature
reserves, Sunday through Wednesday at Carnival, and three days to
relax on Tobago. You could also plan trips for other times of the year,
with careful substitution of entertainment and other musical events for
Carnival (there is really no substitute for Carnival, but T&Ts music
and culture will still enthrall).
Island Secret
Besides the multicolored birds in rain forests, T&T boasts numerous
other fauna, such as manatees, caimans (similar to alligators), howler
and weeping capuchin monkeys, four-eyed fish, and golden tree frogs.
Perhaps the most spectacular creatures are the 1,000-pound, six-footlong leatherback turtles that come to both islands to lay their eggs.
Their nesting season lasts from March through September, though
April to July is optimum.
During any one season these gentle giants may nest up to six times, at
intervals of 9 to 11 days, laying more than 700 eggs. The hatchlings
take anywhere from 55 to 70 days to develop, at which point they rush
to the water. To view the nesting, visitors must obtain a $5 permit at
two major areas along the northeast coast of Trinidad; they then pay a
small fee to guides who escort them and ensure that there is minimal
disturbance and disruption to the turtles. Beaches in Tobago are not
patrolled, but hotel guards watch for the turtles so that visitors can be
alerted and kept at a safe distance.
12
Key Points about Trinidad and Tobago

Port of Spain
Carnival
Calypso and steel-drum (pan) music
1.
2.
3.
4.
Excellent nature areas

Scarborough and Plymouth
Beaches of Tobago
For More Information

Tourism and Industrial Development Company of Trinidad and
Tobago Limited (TIDCO) in Trinidad
1014 Philipps Street, Tourism Division, 3rd Floor
Port of Spain, Trinidad
Phone: 800-595-4TNT (800-595-4868) or 868-623-1932
Fax: 868-623-3848
E-mail: tourism-info@tidco.co.tt
Web site: www.visittnt.com
My Contact Information
13
THE ABC ISLANDS
CARIBBEAN SEA
Oranjestad
BONAIRE
CURAAO
ARUBA
Kralendijk
Willemstad
CARIBBEAN SEA
Aruba, Curaao, Bonaire
14
Capital
City or town
Attraction
0
0
Miles
4.2
Kilometers 6.9
The ABC
Islands
T
he Dutch islands of Aruba (uh ROO bah), Bonaire (BOH nair),

and Curaao (koo rah SAH oh) (ABC) lie just 30 to 50 miles off
Venezuelas northern coast, quite separated from the other island
destinations we have explored. They are also a distance from other
Dutch islands of St. Maarten, Saba, and St. Eustatius. The ABC Islands
bear inspection both as a group and as separate destinations; each is
distinctly different.
Aruba is the ultimate beach destination, an island that competes
head-to-head with Jamaica, the Bahamas, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and
other sun-and-fun spots hundreds of miles closer to North America but
not that much more accessible. It has its own seven-mile beach, 11
casinos, and plenty of resort-style nightlife.
Bonaire receives less than one-tenth the number of American tourists
Aruba does, even though it is larger. However, about half of the visitors
come to the island for the diving, which ranks among the best in the
Caribbean. Although Bonaire is beginning to see development in the
form of villas and condominiums, it is still quiet and peaceful, with
small, beautiful beaches, nature reserves, and underwater wonderlands.
Curaao has its share of beaches38 of them, in factthough
some are man-made and none compares with the magnificent
beaches in Aruba. And it too has many dazzling dive locations,
but they do not quite equal those of Bonaire. It is Curaaos
history, culture, architecture, and people that make it the hub
of these three islands. Willemstad, the capital, is perhaps the
most interesting city for sightseeing in the Caribbean.
Winds blow over these low-lying islands, which are not able
to trap cloud moisture as do the lush mountainous
Windward Islands. Consequently, most of the landscape of
the ABC Islands is a fascinating, desert-like world of boulders, caves, cacti, and sand dunes reminiscent of the
American Southwest. And then there are the distinctive divi-divi
trees. The stunted, windblown shapes of these trees, with their
Co
urtesy of Ar
uba Tourism
A wind
Authority
swept
divi-div
i tree
Southern Caribbean: The ABC Islands
15
branches all aimed in one horizontal direction, give a hint of the strong
nature of the trade winds on these islands. These winds help moderate
the strong southern sun and keep humidity levels down, but their
strength and constancy can also make the beaches less enjoyable during
the winter months. However, the ABC Islands are well out of the
hurricane belt and have not seen a hurricane in recent memory.
Historical Background
The ABC Islands were first explored and colonized by the Spanish,
who made them part of their empire. However, Spain left only a small
force to protect the islands, and in 1634 the Dutch captured them with
little trouble. France and England repeatedly attempted to invade the
islands, with only minor success for short periods of time. (The last
British invasion took place on New Years Eve of 1807, when they
caught everyone partying and were able to gain control for eight
years.) In the early 1800s, the islands finally came under the control of
the Netherlands.
Because of their location just off the coast of South America, the islands
were important trade centers. They first blossomed with the wealth
brought in by pirates who plundered the coastal waters of the southern
Caribbean. Curaaos port became and has remained a center of international trade. The most important commercial organization was the
Dutch West Indies Trading Company, which also traded in slaves. The
Dutch became leaders in the international slave trade, not so much for
themselves but as middlemen, shipping slaves throughout the Americas.
The islands population is multicultural, thanks to the many migrs
they have welcomed to their shores. Jews, especially, found refuge here
during the Inquisition in Spain and following persecution in Portugal
and other countries.
In 1824 gold was discovered in Aruba, and the mines were worked for
almost a century. The establishment of oil refineries in Aruba and
Curaao in the early 1900s helped bring a new prosperity unknown in
much of the Caribbean. Money, construction, and people flowed into
the islands for 70 years, until recession and the oil glut of the latter part
of the 20th century cut production and employment severely. The
islands still remain strong in all types of trade, but they now look more
strongly to tourism and other sources for revenue.
Bonaire and Curaao remain an integral part of the Netherlands
Antilles, along with the three Dutch islands to the north. In 1986
Aruba voted for more autonomy and became a separate entity within
16
the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Officially, the arrangement is called

Status Aparte.
Island Culture
The ABC Islands are one of the leading melting pot areas in the
Caribbean. Dutch architecture, mixed with Spanish and West Indies
heritage, creates the charm found in all three island capitals and in the
countryside. The islands African, Indonesian, Jewish, Dutch, and
other European cultures are also heavily influenced by the huge Latin
continent just off their southern shores. Music is infused with salsa
and meringue, beats we have barely mentioned since leaving the
Spanish islands of the Greater Antilles.
The islands cultural blend is evident in the variety of cuisines available
(see the Dining and Entertainment sections for each island) and in
their languages. In contrast to many Caribbean islands, the local cuisine
is nearly the same as that offered to visitors.
The Netherlands has kept strong control of island affairs; the result is
that the Dutch language is more dominant than on other Dutch islands
farther north. Most multicultural residents of Curaao are fluent in
Dutch, Papiamentu (the local mixed dialect), English, and Spanish.
Papiamentu (often spelled Papiamento) is more of a blend and yet
more of a distinct language than any dialect in the Caribbean. It is a
true mix of Dutch, English, Spanish, Portuguese, and African
languages, with influences from Amerindian dialects as well. Apparently,
Papiamentu began among European slave merchants and Africans on
the coast of Africa, was brought to the New World, and was then
adopted by Portuguese Jews who wanted to communicate with their
servants. Papiamentus roots are strongest in Curaao, but it is spoken
in Aruba and Bonaire with slightly different accents.
Curaao liqueur is known the world over. It comes in a number of
different tastes and colors, with orange Curaao being the classic.
Amstel beer is also distilled here with the pure water from one of the
worlds largest desalinization plants. The beer is shipped all over the
Caribbean. Arubas desalinization plant supplies the water that goes
into Grolsch beer and other local brews.
Southern Caribbean: The ABC Islands
17
B e a c
h
M i l e
S e v e
n
CARIBBEAN SEA
Palm
Beach
ARUBA
Eagle
Beach
Natural
Bridge
Haystack Hill
Arikok
National Park
Oranjestad
CARIBBEAN SEA
De Palm Island
Spanish Lagoon
San Nicolas
Aruba
18
Capital
City or town
Attraction
0
0
Miles
2.5
Kilometers 4.0
Aruba
D
ry, hot, sunny beaches of sand extend along seven miles of beach
on the islands southwestern coast. Gambling casinos are in almost
every resort. Aruba offers plenty of water sports and beach activities
during the day and beach barbecues, limbo parties, and steel-drum
music at night. Aruba is honeymoons and island tunes, but it has a
stark interior landscape reminiscent of an Arizona desert. Lying just off
the northern coast of South America, Aruba compares well with the
leading beach-vacation islands in the Caribbean.

Many scheduled nonstop flights arrive from Miami, New York, and
other cities; weekly charters also service Aruba. This accessibility and its
state-of-the-art tourist facilities are major reasons that it can compete
favorably with resort islands much closer to the United States.
Almost all the hotels are along Seven Mile Beach, on the west side of
the island, not far from Oranjestad. Location choice is not critical,
unless it is to get a mid-beach position in order to be convenient to the
largest number of restaurants and entertainment spots at other hotels.
The airport is just eight minutes east of Oranjestad. Visitors can see the
eastern side of the island and the interior on tours or by renting a car
for a day.
Fast Facts
Land Area
69 square miles
Population
94,000
Capital
Oranjestad
Languages
Dutch, Papiamentu, English, Spanish
Time Zone
UTC -4 or AST (EST +1). It does not
Drive on
Right
Currency
Aruba florin
Electricity
110 volts, 60 cycles AC, in hotels same
as U.S.
Most clients will be arriving on packages and charters with transfers
included. Car rentals for an entire stay hardly seem necessary.
Vacationers will spend most of their time along the seven-mile strip and
can either take a tour or rent a car by the day for trips on the island.
Buses run frequently from the hotels to the capital, including a special
Shopping Tour Bus.
Around the Island: Attractions

Shopping is the big attraction in Oranjestad (o RAHN dja staht),
Arubas capital. The city has a decidedly Caribbean flavor, but its
Southern Caribbean: Aruba
19
architecture is part Spanish, part Dutch.

New shopping complexes, airy open galleries, and old markets offer local crafts,
Aruban art, and imported goods. Visitors
will admire the tall, multicolored houses
and carved wooden doors of the main
street. They will also want to take a
photo of the colorful boats at picturesque Schooner Harbour.
Nearby Harbourtown Market is a
festive shopping, dining, and entertainment mall. One block farther are the
ority
urism Auth
To
a
ub
Ar
tropical gardens of beautiful
Courtesy of
a
b
u
Wilhelmina Park, built for the
r
of A
capital
,
d
a
t
s
Dutch queen who ruled from 1890
Oranje
to 1948. Those so inclined can visit
Arubas Historical Museum in Fort Zoutman, the fascinating Numismatic Museum, or the Aruba Archeology Museum.
However, it is out in the cunucu (or countryside) that the wild,
untamed beauty of the island is to be found. Just east of the airport,
tourists can climb the 580 steps to the top of Haystack Hill for a view
of the capital. In the arid interior are impressive boulders the size of
buildings, some of which have Amerindian drawings on them. The
origins of these several-thousand-ton rocks are puzzling to scientists.
Arikok National Park encompasses much of this natural habitat for
plants and animals, including species found only on Aruba. To the east
are Indian caves that can be explored and the 100-foot-long Natural
Bridge, carved into the coastal rocks by eons of pounding surf.
On the way from Oranjestad to San Nicolas, the islands oldest village,
visitors pass by the ruins of an old gold mine and Spanish Lagoon,
where pirates hid their ships.
Most vacationers will spend a day or so visiting the sights mentioned
above and will visit the capital a couple of times. Otherwise, the focus is
on Seven Mile Beach on the west coast where 25 hotels are lined up
one after another. It is divided into two main sections, one at Palm
Beach and the other at Eagle Beach. Of the many beaches, these two
are closest to most hotels. Ten hotels are high-rises, the largest of which
has 600 rooms. Others are generally smaller low-rises, although the La
Cabana All-Suite Resort and Casino, with 800 suites, is the largest on
the island. The Aruba Sonesta Beach Resort is located in the capital.
Marriott, Wyndham, Radisson, Holiday Inn, and Hyatt Regency are
among the well-known names of the many hotels lining the beach.
20
Whats Special about Aruba?

Arubas legendary beaches fulfill the Caribbean ideal of white sand and
turquoise water. It is possible to hike for two hours along Seven Mile
Beach without ever leaving the sand. Covered bars and ice cream
stands at every resort offer plenty of opportunities for refreshment. At
night, visitors can stroll Seven Mile Beach and go hotel-hopping for
dinner, dancing, gambling, and late-night shows. This long strand
with its 25 hotels is one of the Caribbeans most famous resort areas.
But there are numerous other, quieter beach choices for those who
want to get away from their fellow tourists and explore the rest of the
long southern coast.
The rugged interior in some ways resembles the American Southwest;
thus it provides an unusual contrast to the pristine beaches of the coast.
Its desert-like landscape features boulders, cacti, and dry scrub brush.
The windswept divi-divi trees are a symbol of the island that will
remain in vacationers minds forever. Moderating trade winds make the
sun feel less hot. Aruba has a far southern latitude, so visitors should be
very careful to avoid the midday sun.

Carnival is the big special event in Aruba; it is held from January to
the beginning of the Lenten season. Competitions for singers
and musicians culminate in the masquerade along Oranjestads
waterfront.
Courtesy of
Aruba Tour
ism
Anyone can take part in the Bonbini Festival, held every

Tuesday at Fort Zoutman. The party offers arts and crafts,
local food and beverages, folkloric music and dance, and it
draws many visitors. A similar event is One Cool Summer.
It takes place every Wednesday evening (from May through
October) on the festival grounds between the Hyatt and
Allegro Resorts. Local restaurants offer samples of their cuisine, island
crafts are displayed, and live music is played.
Authority
Queens Day is celebrated on April 30 with sporting events.

The Windsurfing Festival is held in June. Arubas constant
winds make this event a challenge for the windsurfers who
come from all over the Americas.
Carniva
l
21
Did you know?
A unique Bonbini Bar

Hopper Tour visits
Arubas favorite local
gathering places on
Tuesdays and
Thursdays aboard a
wooden 1947 Ford bus.
This colorful, handpainted vehicle offers
open-air transportation.
Other tours, such as the
Kukoo Kunuku and a
bus that has passengers greet one another
with noisemakers, keep
the party going on other
days.
The islands large tourism infrastructure includes a multitude of dining

options, many of them in the resorts. There are lots of Italian restaurants, seafood and steak places, and other establishment that will suit
the Americanized palate.
If tourists eat only in the hotels, they will be missing out on a wealth of
experiences, both culinary and atmospheric. Festive decor, antique furnishings, 19th-century houses, and interiors reminiscent of farmhouses
and sunken ships are just some of the backdrops. Dutch specialties can
be found in the independent establishments and Dutch cafs. Aruban
cuisine has its own special dishes, including kesha yena (a whole Edam
cheese filled with meat or fish and baked) and pan bati (a delicious
beaten bread resembling a pancake).
Chinese, French, and Japanese restaurants, two Argentinean steak houses, a German villa, an Indonesian restaurant serving rijsttafel, and a
dozen international-style establishments give visitors a tasty selection.
One of the islands best restaurants is run by a renowned Belgian chef.
All major fast-food franchises are also represented. For clients who want
to sample excellent cuisine outside of their hotels and to know their
costs in advance, a commissionable dine-around plan can be arranged
through the Aruba Gastronomic Association.
For many resort-partiers, theme nights at the various hotel bars, nightclubs, and restaurants are the highlights of entertainment. Each hotel
picks a different day of the week to have its party; with 28 hotels on
the island, there are an average of four parties a night from which to
choose. Offerings include tropical nights, beach barbecues, international entertainers, fashion shows, local dance groups, limbo and fire
dances, and steel bands. Partiers can also enjoy the weekly Bonbini
Festival and One Cool Summer events (see Celebrations and Special
Events earlier).
With 11 casinos (including the Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort and
Casino and the Moorish Alhambra Casino in the Alhambra Bazaar),
Aruba is popular for gambling.
Cruise Call
Arubas cruise dock is a 5- to 10-minute walk from downtown
Oranjestads shops and cafs. From there, visitors must decide whether
to head east to explore the islands unique desert-like interior, rugged
northern coast, and rocks and caves; or to head west to the beachresort-casino strip for water sports and relaxation. If clients want to
22
explore, they can rent a car and head east or hire a taxi by the hour. If
they prefer to go west to the beaches and resorts, a taxi ride will get
them there in minutes.
Selling Aruba
Most North American clients who go to Aruba have already visited
other places in the Caribbean; however, first-timers will also find
Aruba an appealing destination. Visitors can take nonstop scheduled
flights and charters from a number of eastern and midwestern cities,
and Houston; the trip takes about four hours from New York and two
and a half hours from Miami. Transfers to hotels are swift, and clients
can be out on the beach by the afternoon.
These facts help make Aruba a perfect choice for honeymooners as well
as those seeking somewhere a little different from the closer islands, but
who breathe more easily knowing there are familiar major hotel and
fast-food chains around. Of course, any beach-resorter who has visited
one of the other Caribbean islands is also a prime candidate for Aruba.
Courtesy of Aruba Tourism Authority
There are many opportunities for great diving and other sports, making
Aruba a great candidate for couples with varied interests.
Arubas
Natural
Bridge
Island Secret
Besides water sports, Aruba features a number of other action-packed
activities. Off-road tours in four-wheel-drive vehicles and all-terrain
23
vehicles (ATVs) are a way to see the interior of the island, where dirt
roads take over. Group tours, during which each person has his or her
own ATV, visit the splashing Natural Pool and the 100-foot-long
Natural Bridge. On a kayak adventure, first-time kayakers can visit
coastal mangroves and the Spanish Lagoon, then lunch on De Palm
Island; this private island, just five minutes away by ferry, has a
complete entertainment facility. Four different ranches offer horsebackriding through Arubas wild westcomprised of sand dunes, the
cunucu, and Arikok National Park.
Key Points about Aruba

Seven Mile Beach (Palm and Eagle Beaches)
1.
2.
3.
4.
Top resorts, restaurants, nightlife and casinos, water sports

Rugged interior reminiscent of the U.S. Southwest

Aruba Tourism Authority
1000 Harbor Boulevard
Weehawken, NJ 07087
Phone: 800-TO-ARUBA (800-862-7822) or 201-330-0800
Fax: 201-330-8757
E-mail: ata.aruba@toaruba.com
Web site: www.aruba.com
Aruba Tourism Authority has its own Aruba Certified Expert Program
(ACE), which includes study material covering all aspects of the island.
The program receives four CEU credits from The Travel Institute, and
the associated familiarization trip receives three CEU credits.
24
25
Mount Brandaris
CARIBBEAN SEA
Washington
Slagbaai
National Park
Rincon
Barcadera
Seroe
Largu
Playa
Neme
Klein
Bonaire
BONAIRE
Kralendijk
CARIBBEAN SEA
Trans-World
Radio
Pink Beach
Lac
Bay
Sorobon
Salt
Pans
Flamingo
Sanctuary
Willemstoren
Bonaire
26
Capital
City or town
Attraction
0
0
Miles
1.2
Kilometers 1.9
Bonaire
A
sking where the good dive sites are in Bonaire is like asking which
dishes are good at a five-star restaurant. Fifty percent of the visitors to
Bonaire come for the diving, quite a high number when you consider that
people also come for the beautiful, uncrowded beaches, for the DutchCaribbean atmosphere of the quietest of the ABC Islands, or simply to
accompany a partner who dives. Bonaire vies for top honors with only one
or two other Caribbean locations, such as the Cayman Islands, for the
quality of its diving.
Fast Facts
Bonaire is the most easterly of the ABC Islands. Its coral reefs and
underwater life are its most famous attributes, but the islands undeveloped interior, flamingo habitats, and rich wildlife also attract an increasing number of nature lovers. Both the coastal waters and the inland
environment remain relatively pristinerules are enforced to keep them
that way.
Languages
Land Area
112 square miles
Population
15,000
Capital
Kralendijk
Time Zone
Drive on
Right

A few nonstop flights a week arrive from Miami and Montego Bay.
Check also for direct flights from Newark. Otherwise, both of Bonaires
neighbors, Curaao and Aruba, have frequent nonstop flights from the
United States (many flights stop in both Aruba and Curaao; because
Curaao is closer to Bonaire, it is the better choice). From either of
these islands, visitors can take short-hop connections to Bonaire.
Currency
Netherlands Antilles florin or guilder
(NAF)
Electricity
127 or 220 volts, 50 cycles AC. Hotels
have U.S. voltage or adapters.
The airport is close to Kralendijk, and transfers to most hotels are quick
and reasonably priced. Hotels are located around the capital, as are
headquarters for most dive operations. Therefore, location is not that
critical because hotels, dive sites, the airport, and the capital are all in
the same general area on the western part of the island.
Those spending most of their time diving should consider a rental car
for easy access to Bonaires many dive sites. For others who want to see
the bird life, meander along the coast, or explore the National Park, a
car is ideal. Half-day and full-day tours also visit all of these areas. Bus
routes cover an area ranging from the airport, through Kralendijk, and
Southern Caribbean: Bonaire
27
up to the town of Rincon, and meet the needs of relaxed visitors or

divers on their day off.

In the case of Bonaire Marine Park, around the island means just
that because the park encircles the entire coastline of the island and the
smaller island of Klein Bonaire. See Whats Special about Bonaire?
for further information on the park.
Bonaires capital, Kralendijk (KRAW lehn dike), is a small, tidy city
only five minutes from the airport. Stucco buildings are painted yellow,
blue, or lime green, creating a pretty pastel scene. A main street of
shops, boutiques, and restaurants leads to a narrow waterfront and the
Fish Market, an elegant white structure built like a Greek temple.
Here visitors can see some of Bonaires strange and brilliantly colored
fish close up.
Kralendijk is small, but it is the hub of the islands activities. Many of
the great dive sites lie to the west in the gentle indentation that is barely
a bay. From here, one can go south toward Pink Beach, the Salt Pans,
and the Flamingo Sanctuary, or north toward Washington Slagbaai
National Park, the town of Rincon, and more flamingos.
Just south of Kralendijk is one of the islands most recognizable, if
incongruous, landmarks, the 500-foot antenna tower of Trans-World
Radio. Transmitting at 810,000 watts, Trans-World is one of the
Western Hemispheres most powerful medium-wave radio stations. It
broadcasts Christian radio to the Americas and as far as Eastern Europe
and the Middle East.
Three miles south are the Cargill Salt Pans, a 19th-century industry
that has been revived. Huge, snow-like hills of salt provide eerie scenes,
especially when juxtaposed with the slave huts dating from the 18th
century. The huts have been restored to show the difficult lives of those
who worked the flats 200 years ago.
At the south shore is Willemstoren, Bonaires first lighthouse, which
was built in 1837 and is still in use. Along the eastern side of the
south coast, waves crash mightily against the rocks, and unusual pieces
of driftwood are found on the beach. The road goes through desert
terrain with organ-pipe cactus, and the spiny stumps of saltwater mangrove trees rise like goblins from the marsh. Bonaire is one of the few
places in the world where pink flamingos nest. The Flamingo
Sanctuary is home to 15,000 of them; from January to June, the
birds tend their young.
28
A tour through the northern two-thirds of the island takes visitors into
the heart of natural wonders. A stone staircase, known as 1,000 Steps
(its actually 67), is carved right out of a cliff and leads to a great place
for snorkeling or diving. Another set of steps farther on leads down
into Barcadera cave, with its eerie tunnel and stalactites.
A road from Kralendijk north into the interior leads to Rincon, the
original Spanish settlement and the cultural heart of Bonaire. The
towns history is both interesting and depressing, as it was a town
where slave families once lived. A road leads to Seroe Largu, the highest spot in the middle of the island, with views of Rincon and the
rugged eastern coast.
Washington Slagbaai National Park, a model of conservation, covers
a good part of the northern section of Bonaire. Its 13,500 acres were
once plantation land. Today this tropical desert terrain is a wilderness
sanctuary whose 22 miles of dirt roads are well marked but are best
driven by four-wheel drive. Flamingos, exotic parakeets, and 130 other
species of colorful birds inhabit the park, as do wild goats, stray
donkeys, lizards, and iguanas. Two special observation towers aid
bird-watching.
The largest hotel on the island is the Plaza Resort, part of a Dutch
chain that books a high percentage of Europeans. Only one other hotel
has more than 100 rooms; four hotels have more than 50 rooms; and
eight hotels are in the 10- to 49-room range. Almost all are near the
capital, with two on the east coast at Lac Bay. Most hotels have dive
packages; others will be glad to arrange them.
Whats Special about

Bonaire?
Lengthy brochures and books are devoted to
Bonaires underwater reef communities, which
are renowned for a number of reasons. The
incredible dive sites are close to shore, and
the current is usually mild. The island of
Bonaire is actually the peak of a submerged
mountain, the sides of which are deep, sloping reefs. Many of the reefs have very sudden drops, and visibility runs to 100 feet
and more. Because rainfall is very light in
this dry part of the Caribbean, there is little
runoff to cloud the waters clarity.
Courtesy of
Snorke
Tourism Co
ling in B
rporation Bo
naire
onaire
29
Bonaire Marine Park, encompassing the entire coastline, has been protecting the riches of the reef since 1979. In November 1999, it
achieved national park status. Regulations are strict. Touching, stepping
on, and collecting coral or shells are firmly forbidden, as is spearfishing.
Boats may not drop anchor anywhere in the park. Instead, boats may
tie up at 44 specified mooring sites.
Did you know?
In 1984 a rustbottomed cargo ship

was confiscated for its
contraband of 25,000
pounds of marijuana.
The 80-foot Hilma
Hooker sank unclaimed
one calm day in 90 feet
of water and is now
one of the most popular
dive sites.
The variety of coral is staggering: knobby brain and giant brain coral,
elkhorn and staghorn, mountainous star, gorgonian, and black coral are
all part of the reef. Snorkelers as well as deeper divers will enjoy the
abundance of colorful fish.
For those who do not dive or who want a bit of variety in their water
sports, Bonaire offers plenty of snorkeling, sailing, windsurfing,
kayaking, and deep-sea fishing. Nor should visitors overlook Bonaires
beaches. Beaches with sands of many colors (such as Pink Beach on
the southwest coast), black beaches formed by black coral and its shells,
beaches partially in caves, and Sorobon on the southeast coast (for au
naturel sunbathing) are some of the choices.
Bonaires terrestrial ecosystem is also special, even though it receives
less attention than the aquatic world. Caves, cliffs, and desert landscapes await exploration. Extensive bird life flutters about. Rental cars,
taxis, or four-wheel drives can take visitors to these areas. For the fit,
mountain-biking is an environmentally friendly way to enjoy the
islands natural resources; one can horseback-ride and hike trails in the
national park, such as the one to Mount Brandaris (the highest point
on Bonaire). Bonaire is an obvious choice for nature lovers.

Bonaires Carnival is one of its most famed and anticipated events, just
as it is on its sister isles. Although some might think that Bonaire is just
a diving paradise, its sporting diversity is apparent in the October
Sailing Regatta, the second of the islands two big events. This race
brings in yachts and sailors from all over the Americas.
Fishing, windsurfing, and diving tournaments as well as other sailing
events help fill the islands schedule of water challenges. Bonaires
annual Dive Festival in June is the highlight of the diving year. The
unique Rincon Day (April 30) celebrates the traditions and culture of
the islands oldest village.
30
Cruise Call
Small cruise lines call at Bonaire. Specialty yachts and charters, which
focus on diving and adventure sports, port here regularly.
Selling Bonaire
Two of the largest markets for Caribbean vacations are beach-resorters
and active sports-adventurers. Diving is a huge part of the latter niche
market. Agents choosing to specialize in the dive market should familiarize themselves with Bonaire, to gain credibility if nothing else. Plenty
of other islands (indeed, probably a majority of them) have the credentials to attract the dive crowd, but most aficionados would rank the
Cayman Islands and Bonaire right at the top.
Some of Bonaires nightlife focuses on diving. A few bars and resorts

have dive-related slide shows and videos on different evenings. Some
ardent divers even go night diving, after having dived during the day.
This day-and-night exertion sends many holiday-makers to bed early,
but those looking for nightspots will find a few long-standing
discothques and popular bars. Most resorts are near the capital, but
two are located across the island on Lac Bay: Lac Bay Resort and
Sorobon. Cai on Lac Bay hosts a weekly party every Sunday. Two casinos are available: one in Plaza Resort Bonaire (now the largest hotel on
the island) and the other at the Divi Flamingo Beach Resort.
Compared to Aruba and Curaao, Bonaire does not have as wide a

selection of dining choices. However, restaurants here are a pleasant
surprise with excellent preparation and presentation. Mexican and Asian
dishes are popular, but fresh-caught fish is always a best bet. Imported
steaks and other meats are readily available, and Dutch cheeses are
plentiful. Indonesian rijsttafel should not be missed, especially if clients
are not stopping on Aruba or Curaao and have never tried it. Ask
locals for restaurant recommendations. Sate (marinated meat with curried peanut sauce) is another Indonesian delicacy served in Bonaire.
Did you know?
An unusual preChristmas event

unique to the island is
the Bari Festival,
which commemorates
and recounts the
years events. This
December festival
features the Tambu, a
dance accompanied by
songs in a questionand-answer style that
satirize local events.
Church choirs and
other organizations
perform music as well.
The events purpose is
enjoyment, but it also
has a unifying effect
on the whole community of Bonaire.
Travel agents who lack knowledge about the dive market sometimes
lose divers to out-of-town specialists or wholesalers. This is especially
true of agents located in U.S. cities that do not have a lot of nonstop
service to the Caribbean. However, avid divers will endure longer travel
times, make connections, and spend more money, when necessary, in
order to pursue their passion. Once you have learned something about
the dive market, you should acquaint yourself with the connections and
31
service to Bonaire from your area. Be sure to use dive packages, which
are offered by almost all hotels, rather than individual components.
Island Secret
On December 30, 1999, the ownership of the uninhabited island of
Klein Bonaire was transferred to Bonaire and its people. The island,
which lies just one-half mile offshore from the capital and the islands
major hotels, is a nesting place for sea turtles and birds. However,
because of its prime location, the former owners had been planning to
develop the island for hotels or residences. An island preservation
foundation, the World Wildlife Fund, and the Bonaire government
raised most of the $4.6 million needed to conserve it in its natural
beauty for generations to come. At some time in the future, it will
become a national park. Klein Bonaire is easy to reach from the capital;
its best beach, the former No Name Beach, has been renamed Playa
Neme, in honor of the former owners.
Key Points about Bonaire

One of the top dive destinations in the Caribbean
1.
2.
3.
4.
Bonaire Marine Park encircling the island and a national park (yet to
be established) on Klein Bonaire
Ecotravelers destination on both land and sea

Tourism Corporation Bonaire
10 Rockefeller Plaza, Suite 900
New York, NY 10020
Phone: 800-BONAIRE (800-266-2473) or 212-956-5912
Fax: 212-956-5913
E-mail: info@tourismbonaire.com
Web site: www.infobonaire.com
32
33
Christoffel National Park
Westpoint
CARIBBEAN SEA
Lagoon
Soto
CURAAO
Emmastad
Willemstad
Kur Hulanda Museum

Otrobanda District
Punda District
Queen Emma Bridge
CARIBBEAN SEA
Cura
ao Un
derwa
Curaao Sea Aquarium
te r
Pa
rk
Curaao
34
Capital
City or town
Attraction
0
0
Miles
6.1
Kilometers 9.8
Curaao
F
ew sights in the Caribbean are as emblematic of a place as is the

Dutch architecture along Curaaos downtown waterfront. The
islands Dutch atmosphere, duty-free shopping, and cosmopolitan
flavor reflect Old World charm and Caribbean warmth. Curaao is a
diverse island that sun-worshippers, divers, and other sports enthusiasts
can share with those who enjoy gambling, shopping, and culture.

Two scheduled nonstop flights arrive daily (one on Saturday) from
Miami. There are also weekly charters from Atlanta (nonstop) and
Boston (with one stop in Aruba). Check on charters from other cities
depending on season. Flights between Curaao and its sister islands,
Bonaire and Aruba, are frequent during the day. Willemstad, Curaaos
capital, is seven and a half miles from the airport. Most major hotels are
on the southern coast of the island, not too far from Willemstad and
the airport. Taxi fares to these hotels are reasonable, especially when
split among a few people. Make arrangements with the several major
hotels on other parts of the island for airport transfers, unless clients
decide to rent a car.
Transportation among the ABC Islands is usually by plane, as the distances are a bit too far for ferries.
Fast Facts
Land Area
82 square miles
Population
152,700
Capital
Willemstad
Languages
Time Zone
Drive on
Right
Currency
Netherlands Antilles florin or guilder
(NAF)
Electricity
110130 volts, 50 cycles AC, same as
U.S.
Buses and minivans shuttle along the southern side of the island in
both directions from Willemstad. They are frequent and efficient.
However, schedules for trips on public transportation to outlying locations should be checked carefully to make sure there will be a bus back
in the afternoon or evening. A tourist trolley makes the rounds in an
hour-and-a-quarter tour of the capitals major sights.
Those needing late-night taxis from nightspots or taxis at any time
from outlying areas of the island should arrange them in advance. Taxis
do not cruise much, so its better to phone.
Car rentals are a good option here for those staying at outlying hotels
Southern Caribbean: Curaao
35
Did you know?
When the Queen

Emma Bridge was initially built in 1888,
there was a toll for
pedestrians who wished
to use ita toll
designed to promote
social equality. Each
person with shoes was
charged two cents.
Pedestrians without
shoes could cross for
free. But human nature
and Dutch pride conspired against this lofty
goal. The poorest people in town would borrow shoes to prove
their ability to pay, and
the rich would take
their shoes off to save
the two cents. Later,
the toll was abandoned.
and desiring to see Willemstad and the rest of the island. For the
majority who are staying closer in, car rentals are less necessary. Some
hotels offer shuttle service from their beach locations to and from
downtown Willemstad.

One gaze at Willemstad (WIHL uhm staht), often called Little
Amsterdam, transports the visitor across the seas to the Netherlands.
Narrow Dutch buildings with gabled fronts and red-tiled roofs line the
waterfronts Punda district. But their vibrant colors reveal a Caribbean
character as well. Few islands have such a distinct European ambiance,
and few sights in the Caribbean are as grand as a cruise ship in the harbor
with this fairy-tale facade as a backdrop. Cruise clients will want to photograph both their ship in the harbor and the harbor from their ship.
A sea channel cuts through the heart of the city, dividing the Punda
district from Otrobanda, which literally means the other side. This
channel is crossed by one of the worlds most unusual bridges. The
Queen Emma Bridge, a pedestrian walkway powered by a diesel
engine, swings open many times a day to let ships pass into the harbor.
Punda, the side for tourists, is crammed with shops and restaurants,
while Otrobanda has narrow, winding streets with many private homes
notable for their Dutch design.
A ferry also connects the two sides of the port, as does the magnificent
Queen Juliana Bridge, which stands 181 feet above the water. The
bridge provides lovely views of the citys palette of hues, ever-changing
as the sun slants across the sky, and magnificent at night.
Many visitors spend the day walking, shopping, and sightseeing
amidst the architecture of Pundas government buildings,
shops, and cafs, but there are other must-sees in Willemstad.
The Floating Market bustles early every morning as
Venezuelan schooners arrive with fruits and
vegetables. Buying is best before 6:30 A.M., but peoplewatching is good at any time.
urist Board
Curaao To
Courtesy of
gue
ynago
anuel S
m
E
le
ra
Mikv Is
36
Mikv Israel-Emanuel Synagogue, founded in 1651, is

the oldest one in continuous use in the Western
Hemisphere. A museum displays Jewish family antiques
and artifacts from all over the world. At the foot of the
Queen Emma Bridge are the walls of Fort Amsterdam,
and across from it is Waterfort, both dating from the
1700s. Today Waterfort is a restaurant complex, but orig-
inal cannons sit atop the battlements. On weekdays, tours are given of
Senior Curaaos Liqueur Factory, one of the islands top sights.
Just east of the capital visitors can view the islands underwater kingdoms at the Curaao Sea Aquarium in the area of the Curaao
Underwater Park. Nearby, snorkelers and divers can experience
Animal Encounters and Shark Encounters, in which they get to
swim in complete safety with all sorts of denizens of the deep. In some
instances, they swim openly with the marine creatures; in others, mesh
and Plexiglas keep them separated.
The rest of the island is also intriguing. The western side reminds
American visitors of the Great Southwest. Cacti and dried shrubbery
dot the cunucu (countryside). Women pound cornmeal and fishermen
haul nets, while donkeys wander the roads. Estate houses of the prosperous Dutch of centuries ago can be glimpsed from the highway.
Landhuis Jan Kok, built in 1650 and thought to be the oldest building on the island, is now a museum. Other plantation houses are open
to the public and display the islands arts and crafts.
At the western tip of the island is Christoffel National Park.
Gardens, a wildlife preserve, three plantation houses, caves, and a semiarid landscape of cacti and divi-divi trees can be explored on foot or by
jeep. A rigorous climb to the top of 1,230-foot Mt. Christoffel affords
thrilling views.
The large resort-casino complexes tend to be in or near Willemstad at
beaches along the southern coast. Construction of new hotels and
reconstruction of older properties have quickened as Curaao seeks to
make up revenue lost from other industries such as oil. Both Marriott
and Sheraton came to the island in 1999, taking over existing hotels.
The islands first all-inclusive, Sunset Waters Beach Resort Curaao,
opened in July 2000.
Hotel Kur Hulanda, with 120 luxury apartments, opened in the summer of 2000. Each apartment in this customized boutique hotel is
unique and is furnished with antiques from the 1800s. A conference
center overlooks the famous Punda waterfront. (See Island Secret for
information on the museum of the same name.) Ground was broken
recently on Riffort Village, a shopping-entertainment complex that will
be modeled after the Wharf in Baltimore.
Whats Special about Curaao?

Curaao is special due to the diversity of its activities and economic sectors. Its only rivals in colonial architecture are the large cities of the
37
Greater Antilles established by the Spanish. The classification of its

downtown area as a UNESCO World Heritage Site is proof of its
special quality. Views of the capital from a number of vantage points
are among the most memorable sights in the Caribbean. But Curaao
also has beaches, trails to hike, excellent diving, ample nightlife, and
cultural events.
Did you know?
Curaaos Mushroom
Forest has been singled
out by Scuba Diving
magazine as one of the
top 15 dive sites in the
world. Curaao
is rated highly for offshore diving and as a
destination for new
divers. An abundance of
professional dive
operations is available.
The islands shopping rivals the famed duty-free markets of St. Thomas
and St-Martin. Sophisticated and cosmopolitan, yet still Caribbean,
Curaao is also influenced by its proximity not only to Venezuela, but
to all of South America. A large number of its visitors are short-term
visitors from there.
Two classic sailing ships take passengers on day trips along Curaaos
southern coast. A unique windjammer cruise occasionally does two- or
five-day sails through the islands off Venezuela. The Blue Bay Golf
Course, Curaaos first 18-hole course, opened in 2000.

Carnival in Curaao is one of the Caribbeans best. The celebrations
begin in early January with jump-ups and revelers masquerading in traditional costumes. Later events include a Horseback Parade and the
Tumba Festival with the islands best composers, singers, and bands.
Carnival concludes with the Grand March on the Sunday before Lent
and the Farewell March on the Tuesday before Lent.
Music lovers will want to note the Salsa Festival that is held in early
August and the Jazz Festival in late May. Both feature internationally
known artists.

With its cosmopolitan atmosphere, Curaao has dining options that
equal any in the Caribbean. As on St-Martin, Curaao offers DutchIndonesian fare, especially rijsttafel. A Surinamese restaurant takes
Dutch-Indonesian cuisine one step further, adding its own South
American touch (Suriname, on the northern coast of South America, is
the former Dutch Guiana).
South American, European, Middle Eastern, Indian, and Chinese restaurants provide a wide choice of dining options. There are also many local,
Caribbean, and seafood places, but they do not dominate the way they
do on other islands. Fast-food chains are also represented.
38
Curaao has top entertainment nightspots. The Salinja district has the
hottest, featuring the latest in international pop music and Latin
rhythms; but there are plenty of beach bars, discothques, and nightclubs around the city, along the coast, and at hotels. On most nights,
visitors can sample from special featured entertainment, such as a party
and folklore show at a landhuis (Dutch plantation house) and jazz
performances at other venues. Most major hotels also have casinos on
their premises. There is also a government-regulated red-light district.
Cruise Call
Because of the beauty of its harbor and architecture and its excellent
shopping, Willemstad is one of the Caribbeans favorite ports of call.
Ships dock within walking distance of the downtown area at a new
cruise-ship pier that opened in 1999. There is a shopping and caf
complex right at the dock, but the shops in town are much more varied.
Those who enjoy the pleasures and sights of a city and have had their
fill of beach and water activity will find plenty of interest in Willemstad.
Those who want both can sightsee in town for a few hours and then
take a taxi to one of the nearby beach resorts for an afternoon of fun
and relaxation. They can also reach the Seaquarium quite easily by taxi.
Those who want to see the rugged western side of the island can do
their own taxi tour (every driver will know the standard tour) or take
one of the tours offered by the cruise line.
Selling Curaao
As a premier cruise stop, Curaao cannot be beat. Selling it as a oneweek destination is more of a challenge. Most travelers who are looking
for a Caribbean vacation will find that Aruba meets their ideal, rather
than busy, bustling, and sometimes commercial-looking Curaao.
However, Curaao will appeal to clients who are used to big-city
vacations and European travel, are not too fond of lying on the beach
and water sports, and yet are looking to escape to the warm sun of the
Caribbean. If you choose the right resort, your clients will have the
beach and pool when they want it and will be in close proximity to
restaurants, sights, shopping, entertainment, and hotel casinos. Though
a bit more distant than most islands, Curaao is ideal for a long weekend for these same clients, if they are within driving distance of one of
the major cities with direct air service (definitely Miami and New York,
but check Atlanta, Tampa, and other cities at the time your clients want
to travel). Its easy to combine Curaao with either Aruba or Bonaire
39
for clients who do not mind a change of hotel in return for two very
different island experiences.
Island Secret
The Kur Hulanda Museum presents exhibits devoted to the history of
slavery in the islands. Opened in 1999, it is supposed to be the largest
museum complex in the Caribbean and is located on the former site of
the islands slave yard. The museum features the Darwin-Leakey
Rooms, which show finds from Olduvai Gorge in Tanzania, and the
Slave Trade and Middle Passage exhibit, with a full-size reconstruction
of the hold of a slave ship and artifacts from the West African Empires.
The founder of the museum is Jacob Dekker, a Dutch Jew who
was left on his own as a young boy and became a millionaire
entrepreneur. He educated himself about the rich culture of Africa and
the history of slavery and used $6 million of his own funds to finance
the museum.
Key Points about Curaao

Willemstad
1.
2.
3.
4.
Dutch and international influences

Diversity of experiences
Curaao: for culture enthusiasts and people-lovers

Curaao Tourist Board
475 Park Avenue South, Suite 2000
New York, NY 10016
Phone: 800-CURACAO (800-328-7222)
Also: 800-270-3350 or 212-683-7660
Fax: 212-683-9337
E-mail: ctdbny@ctdb.com
Web site: www.Curacao-tourism.com
40
41
o f
G u l f
O C
F I
El Salvador
T A
A
E
Costa
Rica
Nicaragua
Bay Islands
Cozumel
Cancn
a r
Panama
Colombia
L
C
Haiti
Cartagena
The Bahamas
Jamaica
San Blas Islands
San Andrs Island
Panama
Cuba
Cayman Islands
A
A
T
N
Aruba
I
L
LE
EW
C E A N
Caracas
Brazil
St. Lucia
Guyana
Trinidad
Tobago
Barbados
Martinique
W I N D W A R D I S L AN D
S
Suriname
French
Guiana
WESTERN CARIBBEAN
AND THE COAST OF LATIN AMERICA
I
T St. Vincent and
A N
the Grenadines
Grenada
Margarita
Island
Venezuela
La Guaira
Bermuda
A
R
D
British Virgin
Islands
U.S. Virgin
St-Martin/
Anguilla Sint Maarten
Islands
St-Barthlemy
Barbuda
Puerto Saba
St. Kitts
Rico
Antigua
Nevis
St. Eustatius Montserrat
Guadeloupe
E
S
Dominica
L E
S S E
R
Bonaire
Curaao
Dominican
Republic
Turks and
Caicos Islands
DS
C
Guatemala E
Belize
M e x i c o
Honduras
YUCATN
PENINSULA
T E
Mexico
L L
E
42
IS
N
LA
Western Caribbean and the

Coast of Latin America
The following chapters are presented to give as complete a picture as possible
of destinations that have a direct bearing on decisions involving a Caribbean
vacation. Most of the countries here belong properly to a study of Latin
America. Yet each country has either a location on the Caribbean, or is tied
to it geographically, culturally, and economically, as in the cases of Guyana
and Suriname. Each has a reason for consideration for someones trip to the
region. When divers decide where to go, they may consider the Bay Islands
of Honduras or the coast of Belize, as well as the many dive destinations
covered earlier in the text. Fun seekers may be attracted to Cancn. And
Caribbean cruises may stop at Venezuela, allowing a trip to its capital,
Caracas. Adventurers and eco-tourists may decide on Suriname or Guyana.
These chapters only briefly consider the destinations listed. They will focus on
where they are located, why American vacationers might choose them, and
where they fit into the overall Caribbean picture. The Travel Institutes
Destination Specialist Mexico course covers the Mexican destinations more
thoroughly. These countries, roughly from north to south and west to east, are
Cuba
Mexico: Cancn and Cozumel
Central America
Belize
HondurasThe Bay Islands
PanamaThe San Blas Islands
South America
ColombiaCartagena and San Andrs Island
VenezuelaCaracas and Margarita Island
Guyana
Suriname
Western Caribbean and the Coast of Latin America
43
Varadero Beach
Havana
Artemisa
Pinar Del Rio
Matanzas
Cardenas
Guines
Sagua La Grande
Santa Clara
Placetas
Morn
Cienfuegos
Nueva Gerona
Ciego De Avila
Camaguey
Florida
Isla de la Juventud
Banes
Holguin
CUBA
Bayamo
Manzanillo
Guantnamo
Santiago De Cuba
Cuba
44
Capital
City or town
Attraction
0
0
Miles
354
Kilometers 570
Cuba
C
uba (KYOO buh), of course, is an even more special case than the
other destinations explored in this last unit. Furthermore, there is
little doubt that at least some of the information presented in this section
will have changed by the time you read it. Be sure to check the U.S.
State Department website (www.travel.state.gov) for current information.
At present, the U.S. State Department prohibits conventional American
vacation or business travelers from going to Cuba. However, there are
a number of exceptions, and the policy is expected to continue to
change in coming years. To date, the changes in travel policy have been
slight, but there may be significant changes in the future. Technically,
as of this writing, the U.S. regulations state that people under U.S.
jurisdiction cannot engage in any transactions related to travel to,
from, and within Cuba, unless they fall into certain licensed categories
or get U.S. government permission.
No attempt will be made here to describe Cubas vast number of
sights, its culture, or its tourism potential. It is the largest and most
populous island in the Caribbean and receives almost 2 million visitors
annually, the bulk of whom come from Canada and Europe. Recently,
tourism has been booming as the country tries to recoup foreign
exchange used to buy imports.
Before the Cuban revolution in 1959, Cuba was the leading Caribbean
destination for American travelers, albeit in a time when travel to other
islands was only in its early stages. It has a vast tourism infrastructure,
including many hotels recently built or renovated by leading
international chains. In numbers of hotel rooms, it is surpassed only by
the Dominican Republic. On an island with large untapped resources in
land, tourism has become the number-one industry.
Fast Facts
Land Area
42,000 square miles
Population
11 million
Capital
Havana
Languages
Spanish
Time Zone
UTC -5 or EST. It does observe daylightsaving time.
Drive on
Right
Currency
Cuban peso and U.S. dollar
Electricity
110 volts, 60 cycles AC, same as the
U.S.
When the U.S. State Department allows U.S. residents and citizens to
travel to Cuba again, the island will, in time, resume its status as one of
the Caribbeans biggest draws for American visitors, by virtue of its size,
proximity, and diversity. Travel agents will then want to familiarize
themselves with Cubas major sights and destinations and the state of
services offered. Most people believe these changes will occur very soon.
Many hotel companies are building for a future when the United States
Western Caribbean and the Coast of Latin America: Cuba
45
Did you know?
The U.S. dollar is the

currency both of choice
and of necessity for
most travelers. Most
payments for hotels
and other travel
expenses can be made
only in dollars. Pesos
may be used for smaller
transactions, such as
purchases in small
stores and fares for
public transportation.
Credit cards and
travelers checks issued
by U.S. banks and
credit card companies
cannot be used.
46
will permanently open the door for travel to the island, as it did temporarily in the late 1970s under the Carter administration. At that time,
the islands infrastructure and services were such that it drew mostly
the curious, the politically and culturally interested, and the budget
traveler. Some predict a boom in travel when the door opens again,
perhaps in the very near future.
When the rush begins, you will need to learn about the politically, historically, and culturally rich city of Havana and the long strand of
Varadero Beach to the east of it. Havana is the largest city in the
Caribbean. Varadero contains dozens of high-rise resorts and all-inclusives. Havana and Varadero will probably be the most popular package
in the beginning. They are close to the United States and close to each
other, and they have by far the largest number of hotel rooms; consequently, most packages will feature them. Agents can then take the time
to learn about other Cuban destinations as they develop and as travelers
begin to discover the rest of the island.

Cuban Tourist Board
1200 Bay St., Suite 305
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5R 2A5
Phone: 416-362-0700
Fax: 416-362-6799
E-mail: info@gocuba.ca
Web site: www.cubatravel.cu
www.gocuba.ca (for Canadians)
Western Caribbean and the Coast of Latin America: Cuba
47
MEXICO
UNITED STATES
GULF OF
MEXICO
MEXICO
Cob
Isla
Mujeres
CUBA
Chichn Itz
Mrida
Puerto Vallarta
Tulum
Manzanillo
Mexico City
YUCATN
PENINSULA
Cancn
Playa del Carmen
Cozumel
Xel-Ha
Palancar Reef
JAMAICA
Ixtapa
BELIZE
Acapulco
CARIBBEAN SEA
GUATEMALA
HONDURAS
EL SALVADOR
NICARAGUA
PANAMA
SOUTH
AMERICA
SOUTH
Cancn
Cozumel
48
Capital
City or town
Attraction
0
0
Miles
333
Kilometers 536
Mexico
Fast Facts
Cancn
Thirty years ago the barrier island that we know today as Cancn
(kan KOON) was inhabited by iguanas, turtles, birds, and the few
Mayans who took a different road from their ancestors (most of whom
lived inland). Mexicos far-seeing tourism officials fed information
about the entire country into computers to come up with the ideal
spot to develop for a new age of tourism. They found such a spot at
the tip of the Yucatn Peninsula. They named the area Cancn, and
today it hosts more than 2 million vacationers a year and is a city of
300,000 inhabitants.
Almost since its inception, this planned tourist development has been
not only the most popular vacation destination in Mexico but also in
North America. Technically, Cancn is an island; however, short
bridges connect it to the Yucatn, so it feels like part of the mainland.
Cancns tourism infrastructure is larger than any island or country in
the Caribbean. It has more than 20,000 hotel rooms.
The Caribbean waters around Cancn are crystalline, and the beaches
have almost pure-white sand. More than 100 hotels line the quartermile-wide, 14-mile-long strip, which is joined at one end to Cancn City
on the mainland. The lagoons that separate Cancn from the mainland
provide a safe haven for water sports. Cancn also makes a good home
base for visiting Mayan ruins in the interior of the Yucatn Peninsula.
Cancn is undeniably Mexican, but to most visitors its a culture
of tequila and cervezas, serapes and sombreros, and fajitas and
hamburguesas. The vast acres of sand, the warm Gulf of Mexico, and the
24-hour activities, added to the familiar Mexican-American culture, are
what make it one of the worlds favorite destinations.
Land Area
Cancn: 14 miles long and .5 mile wide
Cozumel: 31 miles long and 9 miles
wide (as such, it is Mexicos largest
island)
Population
Cancn: 300,000
Cozumel: 47,800
Capital
Mexico City
Languages
Spanish. English is spoken throughout
the tourist areas.
Time Zone
UTC -6 or Central Standard Time (CST)
(EST -1). It does observe daylightsaving time.
Drive on
Right
Currency
Mexican peso
Electricity
110 volts, 60 cycles AC, same as U.S.
On the other hand, within a few hours drive of Cancn are Mayan
ruins that are some of the greatest archeological sights in North
America, Tulum and Chichn Itz. The engaging Yucatn capital of
Mrida is not much farther away but is a bit too far for most day trips.
Western Caribbean and the Coast of Latin America: Mexico
49
Around Cancn
Cancn offers more than 100 hotels and villa complexes, ranging from
budget, concrete-block hotels in Cancn City to the most deluxe
establishments on acres of beach. The 14-mile stretch of beaches and
accommodations is dedicated to vacation pleasure and entertainment.
A few remnants of Mayan ruins lie between hotel sites; they are of
interest to those who plan to venture no farther than the pool and
beach. For those with broader interests, a number of fascinating day
trips are possible.
One such day trip is to Isla Mujeres (IZ lah moo HAY race), situated
six miles off the coast and easily accessible by boat or car ferry. The
island is five miles long and a half-mile wide. It has flat sandy beaches
on the northern end and steep rocky bluffs in the south. Tranquillity is
the theme here, especially off-season and for those who stay overnight,
after the day-trippers have left. Snorkeling, swimming, and beachcombing are the main activities. There are several hotels for those who want
to stay overnight.
Courtesy of Mexico Tourism Board
The extensive ruins of Tulum (too LOOM), one of the few Mayan cities
built on a coast, are a one-and-a-half-hour drive south of Cancn. A
trip here is usually accompanied by a stop for snorkeling and swimming
in the idyllic sea lagoon of Xel-Ha (hay LAH), now a national park.
Protected by breakers and land that allow only a few openings from the
sea, Xel-Has lagoon has become a natural aquarium.
Mayan
Ruins
at Tulum
50
Serious sightseers will want to make the two- to three-hour journey

inland to Chichn Itz, one of the great archaeological sites in North
America. This huge Mayan city, which was abandoned long before
Corts arrived, contains the famous El Castillo pyramid, the Caracol
observatory, a Mayan ballpark, temples, and many other buildings.
Mrida, the capital of the Yucatn, and other Mayan ruins are in the
area for those who want to explore further and stay overnight.
Cozumel
Vacationers who desire expansive beaches, superb diving conditions,
and copious wildlife, in a much less developed atmosphere than
Cancn, might choose Cozumel (KO soo mel). Located 12 miles off
the coast of the Yucatn Peninsula, the island is an important tourist
attraction; however, it contains only about one-sixth as many hotel
rooms as Cancn.
Cozumel has found a way to balance nature and tourism. The
vast majority of Cozumels land area consists of undeveloped
beaches, lagoons, coves, palm groves, swamps, and low hills.
However, Cozumel is a major cruise port. It lies opposite the
town of Playa del Carmen, about an hour south of Cancn.
Playa del Carmen has itself become a low-key resort.
Cozumel has its own airport, and most of the flights are
shuttles to and from Cancn. The airport occasionally
receives continuing flights from other Mexican cities or
charters from the United States (which usually stop in
Cancn as well). During the day, frequent ferries connect
Cozumel with Playa del Carmen.
Courtesy of
Mexico Tour
ism Board
Cozum
el
Whats Special about Cancn

and Cozumel?
The market for Cancn includes every sector of the conventional sandsea-sun vacationers who make up the bulk of travelers to the
Caribbean. It is a destination that appeals to almost everyone.
Off the Yucatn coast are some of the Western Hemispheres premier
dive sites, rivaling those Caribbean destinations such as the Cayman
Islands and Bonaire. Every type of dive is offeredfrom sunken-ship
(and plane) dives to photography or deep-wall dives. Palancar Reef,
located just a mile offshore from Cozumel, is the most famous of the
51
areas reef systems. Diving is good on trips leaving from Cancn and
Isla Mujeres, but dedicated divers are most likely to stay on Cozumel.
All other water sports are found in Cancn and nearby areaswindsurfing, deep-sea fishing, snorkeling, sailingand can be practiced
under optimal conditions, with the best facilities.
The ruins of the great Mayan and other pre-Columbian civilizations are
another special attribute of this area. Tulum, Chichn Itz, and some
minor sites are near Cancn (Cozumel also has some sites), but those
who wish to see or learn about these civilizations in greater depth will
need to stay a few nights out of Cancn. There are many other sites, as
well as others in the jungle yet to be discovered.
Cruise Call
Many cruises anchor off the coast of Playa del Carmen and tender
passengers to the Yucatn coast for visits to Tulum and Xel-Ha. The
ships then proceed to Cozumel. More ambitious archeological tours are
sometimes offered to huge Cob, deep in the interior of the Yucatn,
or to Chichn Itz, which is a long trip. After they finish their tours on
the mainland, passengers take a ferry to Cozumel to meet the ship.
They will generally have time to shop and see a bit of Cozumel before
embarking. Cruisegoers can also enjoy plenty of snorkeling, scuba-diving, and safari-like trips into Cozumels interior. Smaller ships occasionally call at Cancn.
Key Points
Cancn: largest Mexican beach resort and largest single resort area in
the Caribbean
1.
2.
3.
4.
Isla Mujeres
Tulum and Xel-Ha
Chichn Itz and other Mayan ruins
Cozumel: center for diving
52

Mexico Tourism Board
21 East 63rd Street, 3rd Floor
New York, NY 10021
Phone: 800-44-MEXICO or 212-821-0314
Fax: 212-821-0367
E-mail: milmgto@interport.net
Web site: www.mexico-travel.com
53
CENTRAL AMERICA
CUBA
YUCATN PENINSULA
CARIBBEAN SEA
BELIZE
MEXICO
Altun Ha
Ambergris Caye
San Pedro
Crooked Tree
Caye Caulker
Belize City
Wildlife Sanctuary
Cayo Belmopan
District
Dangriga
Bay Islands
Cockscomb Jaguar Preserve Placencia
Guanaja
Peninsula
Roatn
Punta Gorda
Utila
La Ceiba
San
Pedro
Sula
GUATEMALA
JAMAICA
HONDURAS
Guatemala
Tegucigalpa
San Salvador
NICARAGUA
EL SALVADOR
Managua
PACIFIC OCEAN
COSTA RICA
Panama
Canal
San Jose
PANAMA
San Blas Islands
Panama
City
Gulf of Panama
SOUTH
AMERICA
Belize
Bay Islands
Honduras
San Blas Islands
Panama
54
Capital
City or town
Attraction
0
0
Miles
176
Kilometers 283
Central
America
Belize
Belize (beh LEEZ) is a tiny English-speaking country on the east coast
of Central America on the Caribbean Sea. It was known as British
Honduras for more than 100 years and achieved independence in
1981. Although Belize has several upscale modern resorts in Ambergris
Caye and the inland Cayo District, it is geared more for sports enthusiasts, ecotourists, and adventurers.
Fast Facts
Belize has a wealth of natural beauty. The 185-mile-long barrier reef lining its shore is the longest coral reef in the Western Hemisphere and is
classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Natural Site. Hundreds of
offshore islands and cays make it a dream for divers and explorers. Much
of its interior is still tropical rain forest, mangrove swamp, or protected
jungle wilderness concealing jaguars, manatees, monkeys, and more than
500 species of birds. Belizes rivers, waterfalls, forests, and western
mountains (over 3,000 feet in altitude) await the outdoorsperson.
Capital
Belmopan
Located at the bottom of the Yucatn Peninsula, Belize is also Mayan

country. Ruins of ancient cities and ceremonial sites dot the country:
some have been uncovered and are maintained and accessible; others were
unearthed in the past but are becoming hidden today by the encroaching
jungle; and still others have not been rediscovered yet.
Drive on
Right
English is the official language of Belize. Many people from Belize also
speak Spanish due to the influence of their much larger neighbors,
Mexico and Guatemala, and due to early centuries of Spanish influence.
More than half of Belizeans speak a Creole dialect among themselves, a
blend of English, Spanish, Amerindian, and African languages.
Land Area
8,886 square miles
Population
230,000
Languages
English
Time Zone
UTC -6 or CST (EST -1). It does not
Currency
Belizean dollar
Electricity
Travelers who are following La Ruta Maya (the Mayan Route) sometimes visit Belize. They arrive from the Yucatn Peninsula to the north
and then head into the jungles of Guatemala to the west. However,
most visitors fly into Belize City on the east coast and use it as a base
for the cays and reefs or to the tropical interior.
Western Caribbean and the Coast of Latin America: Central America
55
Courtesy of the Belize Tourism Board
A site
along the
Mayan Route
Did you know?
Unlike most of the

Caribbean, visitors to
Belize usually need
more than just birth
certificates or naturalization papers. A passport is necessary for
U.S. and other citizens.
An exception is made
for American and
Canadian citizens if
they inform Belize
Immigration at least
one week in advance,
state the form of identification they will be
using, and indicate the
port of entry. Obviously,
having a valid passport
is the easier option.
Belize has few paved roads, and traveling on them is slow. However,
the popular cays are accessible by plane or water taxi.
The northern highway toward Mexico and the western highway to
Belmopan are paved and lead to important sights that give an overview
of the country. For trips along these roads, a rental car is an excellent
option. If visitors are planning to venture very far off these main roads
or to explore the south, they will need a four-wheel-drive vehicle.
Roads range from sandy and dusty to bumpy and rutted. Most can be
easily navigated during the dry season, but clients should check on local
conditions during the rainy season.
Air-conditioned buses provide reliable transportation between main
cities and towns, but are not conducive to much exploring in between;
you will need to make reservations for these buses. Visitors can also fly
to towns in the south.
Travel to the two major cays (Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker) is by
plane or boat; both travel options are reasonable in price. Travel on the
cays themselves is often via rented golf carts.
Around Belize: Attractions

Belize City was formerly the capital. However, after hurricanes badly
56
battered low-lying Belize City a number of times, the capital was

moved 60 miles inland to Belmopan. Nonetheless, Belize City, with a
population of 30,000, remains by far the most important city in the
country, but it is used as a base to reach other parts of the country,
rather than a vacation location.
Belizes barrier reef and cays are a major tourist attraction for
many who come to Belize City. Like the reef, the cays run
the length of the coastline, lying 10 to 40 miles offshore.
There are three different types of cays: wet cays, which are
partially submerged some of the time; barren coral outcrops; and sand cays, which resemble miniature versions of
South Pacific islands, complete with coconut palms and
white-sand beaches.
Courtesy of
the Belize
Tourism Bo
ard
Nature travelers may want to visit the Belize Zoo, about halfway
between Belize City and Belmopan; the Community Baboon
Sanctuary in the north (actually, it houses howler monkeys,
which are called baboons locally); and the Crooked Tree
Wildlife Sanctuary and other bird reserves in the north. Altun
Ha, a major Mayan site, lies 31 miles north of the city off the
northern highway.
Toucan
Ambergris Caye is the nations major tourist attraction. Twenty-eight

miles long, it lies off Belizes northern shore and is separated from
Mexico by a channel only a few feet wide. The barrier reef lies about a
quarter of a mile offshore, in front of most of the islands 20 or so
hotels, which range in size from three suites to 42 apartments. The village of San Pedro is the islands main center, and Mayan ruins are
being excavated at the southern tip of the cay.
Caye Caulker, a much smaller cay to the south, also has excellent
snorkeling and diving. Ambergris Caye is quite relaxed, as is most of
Belize, but Caye Caulker is even more so. A few other cays are inhabited
and have a resort or two, but the rest are used for day trips, beach
picnics, snorkeling, diving, marine environmental studies, and fishing.
Western Belize contains Belmopan, the capital. A city of 5,000 residents, Belmopan lies 60 miles southwest of Belize City. It can be used
as a base for further exploration into the interior. Attractions include
Mayan ruins; Blue Hole National Park, located in a rain forest and
containing sinkholes as deep as 25 feet; and numerous lakes, rivers,
caves, and animal reserves. Also nearby are Guanacaste Park and
Mountain Pine Ridge, with its Hidden Valley Falls. However, travel
to these adventurous areas must be planned carefully, usually with the
help of local guides and operators.
Western Caribbean and the Coast of Latin America: Belize
57
Those wanting even more adventure can travel south. The area is more
than slightly off the beaten track. Towns are small, and archeological
sites are more difficult to reach. Roads can be challenging during the
dry season (December to May) and impassable during the rainy season
(June to November). Places to visit are Dangriga, center of the
Garifuna (Carib-African) culture; Placencia Peninsula, similar to the
cays in topography; the Cockscomb Jaguar Preserve; and the Mayan
ruins near Punta Gorda.
Whats Special about Belize?

Among North American destinations, Belize ranks near the top in two
major travel niche markets: ecotourism and diving.
Diving, snorkeling, and fishing in Belize rank among the best places in
the Caribbean. The number of islets and cays, underwater walls and
canyons, fish runs and shipwrecks will outlast many vacation weeks of
exploration. The Blue Hole, a huge limestone sinkhole or inverted
cave, lies just offshore Ambergris Caye. It was popularized by the late
Jacques Cousteau and remains a favorite dive spot. Belize is a dive
destination for those who do not need pampering once they are above
the surface, but who might enjoy kayaking and canoeing up a jungle
river a few days later.
Fishing can be enjoyed near the reef and offshore, in the flats between
the cays, between the cays and the shore, and on inland rivers. Major
events, including the International Billfish Tournament in February, are
held throughout the year.
Chartering a boat to cruise around the cays is another popular option.
Bareboats (without a crew) can only be chartered inside the reef, but
local skippers can be hired for trips outside the reef.
Belize is a prime destination for ecotourists. It is tops in bird, animal,
and marine life. Five hundred jaguars still roam its jungles, along with
pumas, ocelots, and other felines, as well as tapirs, howler monkeys, and
the endangered American crocodile. Belizes natural aviary includes
parrots, macaws, toucans, and giant storks. Although the interior is hot
and humid, visitors can take a refreshing dip in a lagoon, river, or
waterfall. On the cays, offshore breezes help alleviate the hot and
humid weather.
Culture enthusiasts will also find Belize fascinating. Major Mayan sites
may not be as easily accessible as some in neighboring Mexico and
Guatemala, but they are no less appealing. However, present-day Belize is
also a fascinating amalgam; the country contains pockets of Mayans,
58
other indigenous Amerindian groups, and mixed African-Amerindian cultures, as well as Mennonites, Chinese, and Middle Eastern immigrants.
Key Points
Belize City and Belmopan
Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker
Barrier reef
1.
2.
3.
4.
Diving and adventure

Ecotourism and cultural travel

Belize Tourism Board
New Central Bank Building, Level 2
Gabourel Lane
P.O. Box 325
Belize City, Belize
Phone: 800-624-0686 or (011) 501-2-31913
Fax: (011) 501-2-31943
E-mail: info@travelbelize.org
Web site: www.travelbelize.org
Western Caribbean and the Coast of Latin America: Belize
59
The Bay Islands of Honduras
Fast Facts
Land Area
Roatn: 49 square miles
Guanaja: 21.5 square miles
Utila: 16 square miles
Population
Roatn: 10,250
Guanaja: 5,000
Utila: 2,400
Capital (of Honduras)
Tegucigalpa
Languages
English, Spanish
Time Zone
UTC -6 or CST (EST -1). They do not
Three islands off the northern coast of HondurasRoatn, Guanaja,

and Utilaare the number-one tourist draw in a country that has relatively few incoming travelers. Most people come for the world-class
diving around these islands, an extension of the barrier reef off Belize;
but their beaches, mountains, and jungly forests appeal to those who
like to explore. Fishing is also top-notch here. The market for the Bay
Islands is generally experienced divers or travelers, rather than novice
ones, though diving certificate courses are offered. Passports are
required for American citizens traveling to Honduras.
The main language on the island is a version of English often referred to
as island-speak, a product of centuries of British control while Spain
owned the mainland. At present, there are direct flights from Miami and
Houston. Travelers from the United States can also connect in
Tegucigalpa or San Pedro Sula on the Honduran mainland. Local flights
from the coastal town of La Ceiba go to each of the three main islands,
and ferry service is available from La Ceiba to Roatn and Utila.
Around the Bay Islands
Drive on
Right
Currency
Lempira
Electricity
Some hotels may differ; check when
booking.
The busiest island is Roatn (ro ah TAN), which has a variety of dive
operators and accommodations in all price categories. In addition to its
reputation as a top dive destination, the island has a mountainous
interior and beautiful beaches. Restaurants, supermarkets, and a number
of other services are available. In contrast, Guanaja and Utila are more
self-contained; visitors must arrange meals and most services with
their hotel.
Before Hurricane Mitch struck in 1998, many people considered the
mountains, waterfalls, and steamy forests of smaller Guanaja
(gwah NAH hah) to be even more beautiful than Roatn. Guanaja has
a number of first-class to deluxe resorts tucked into coves around the
jagged coastline. The resorts are all reached by boat. The main town
is built on stilts and piers connected to pontoon boats. Guanaja has
no roads; while on the island, visitors must travel on foot, by horse, or
by boat.
Utila (oo TEE lah) is the smallest of the three islands and closest to the
mainland. It is mostly swampy and flat, has only a few small beaches,
and caters to the budget diver. One of its biggest attractions is that
whale sharks can be observed throughout the year.
60
Hurricane Mitch in 1998 was one of the worst natural disasters of the
20th century; the mainland of Honduras will be rebuilding for years to
come. Roatn and Utila were not as hard hit as the mainland, and their
tourism infrastructure was able to return to normalcy soon afterward;
however, influxes of people from the mainland have impacted the two
islands both socially and economically. The hurricane had a more
devastating effect on Guanaja; Mitch stalled for 39 hours over the
island, stripping it of vegetation and damaging every structure. Within
a few months, some of Guanajas resorts were reopened, and the
vegetation is growing back slowly.

Honduras Institute of Tourism
2100 Ponce de Len Boulevard, Suite 1175
Coral Gables, FL 33134
Phone: 800-410-9608 or 305-461-0600
Fax: 305-461-0602
E-mail: gohondurastourism@compuserve.com
Web site: www.letsgohonduras.com
Western Caribbean and the Coast of Latin America: The Bay Islands of Honduras
61
The San Blas Islands of Panama
Fast Facts
Land Area
Over 300 islands and islets, of which
about 50 are inhabited
Population
Approximately 50,000
Languages
Kuna and some Spanish
Main City
El Porvenir
Capital
Panama City
Time Zone
UTC -5 or EST. They do not observe
daylight-saving time.
The San Blas (sahn BLAHS) Islands are in the Caribbean off Panamas
northeastern coast and have one of the most unusual indigenous
cultures. However, we will only cover them very briefly. They are
usually an adjunct to a Central American vacation, rather than a trip in
themselves, but they are sometimes a port of call for small cruise ships.
The islands Kuna Indians are among the most advanced and
successful tribes in the Americas. They are an autonomous group of
people who live independently within the Republic of Panama. They
are self-governing and make their own laws and rules. Visitors are
allowed in villages only during certain hours of the day. The Kuna are a
matrilineal society. The women make gold jewelry and incredibly
beautiful hand-embroidery, including reverse-appliqu molas, a prize
souvenir of Central America.
Visitors to the San Blas Islands must go through the mainland of
Panama, although the Kuna Indians allow smaller cruise ships to call on
the islands. Passports are required of American citizens traveling to
Panama. A tourist card should also be obtained prior to departure.
Drive on
No paved roads or cars
Currency
Balboa (on par with U.S. dollar)
Electricity
Check locally. Electricity available in
some of the larger towns. Most of the
islands have none.
62

Panama Embassy (in the United States)
Attn: Tourist Section
2862 McGill Terrace NW
Washington, D.C. 20008
Phone: 202-483-1407
Fax: 202-483-8413
E-mail: nvapanaemb@dc.org
(Ms. Noris Alderson, Cultural and Tourism attach)
Web site: www.ipat.gov.pa
Western Caribbean and the Coast of Latin America: The San Blas Islands of Panama
63
JAMAICA
SOUTH AMERICA
Guadeloupe
CARIBBEAN SEA
Martinique
Bonaire
St. Lucia
St. Vincent
Curaao
San Andrs Island
Los Roques
National Park
Aruba
Barbados
Grenada
Margarita Island
Cartagena
La Guaira
Tobago
Port of Spain
Trinidad
Caracas
Kaieteur Falls/
Kaieteur National Park
Orinoco River Delta
PANAMA
ATLANTIC
OCEAN
VENEZUELA
Georgetown
COLOMBIA
PACIFIC
OCEAN
Angel Falls
Suriname River
GUYANA
Galibi Beach
Paramaribo
Orinduik SURINAME Albina
Brownsberg Nature Reserve
Falls
Raleigh Falls/ FRENCH
Volsberg Reserve GUIANA
Canaima
National
Park
Bogot
Wia Wia Reserve
Rupununi
Savannah
EQUATOR
ECUADOR
BRAZIL
PERU
BOLIVIA
Venezuela
Guyana
Colombia
PA
RA
GU
AY
Suriname
CHILE
64
Capital
City or town
Attraction
0
0
Miles
362
Kilometers 582
South America
Colombia
Colombia is one of the most beautiful countries of South America; it
contains all the beauty of high-altitude Andean cities, Amazonian
jungles, outstanding Spanish-colonial heritage, and the remains of great
Indian civilizations. Unfortunately, Colombia was wracked by drug
wars and crime during the 1980s and 1990s, a situation that had
improved somewhat by 2000 after the government fight against the
drug cartels. These problems have affected the travel situation on the
countrys Caribbean coast somewhat less than in the interior.
Nonetheless, the latest U.S. State Departments bulletin (as of March
2004) gave a blanket warning to U.S. citizens against travel to
Colombia. Check their Web site (www.travelstate.gov) for updates. In
some cases, kidnappers and murderers have turned against foreigners.
Passports are required of American citizens traveling to Colombia.
Fast Facts
Land Area
San Andrs Island: 17 square miles
Population
Cartagena: 700,000
San Andrs: population not available
Capital
Bogot
Languages
Cartagena: Spanish
San Andrs Island: Spanish, English
Time Zone
UTC -5 or EST. It does not observe daylight-saving time.
Cartagena
Colombia is the only country in South America that has both a Pacific
and a Caribbean coast. While its Pacific coast is relatively undeveloped,
the Caribbean coast has been important ever since the Spanish arrived.
When the countrys political situation improves enough for Americans
to feel safe, they might want to visit Cartagena (kahr tah HAY nuh),
the jewel of the entire Latin-American Caribbean coast. Historically,
the city is a living museum, a Spanish fortress built by the conquistadors. It was from here that they shipped gold, emeralds, and other
treasures of South America to Spain. Walls surround the colonial Old
City, which has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Drive on
Right
Currency
Colombian peso
Electricity
But history is only one part of Cartagenas appeal. With its long
beaches, modern hotels, and sultry entertainment, it was on the brink
of becoming a mecca for American and Latin American tourists, until
the countrys problems curbed travel. Charters and packages from
Miami and other cities had been starting in earnest in the 1970s but
are minimal at the time of writing. For cruise ships that traverse the
Panama Canal or do slightly different itineraries in the southern
Caribbean, Cartagena is an excellent port of call. No doubt it will
return to popularity in the future.
Western Caribbean and the Coast of Latin America: Colombia
65
San Andrs Island

San Andrs (sahn ahn DRACE) Island and its surrounding archipelago lie in the Caribbean. The islands are part of Colombian territory,
though they are actually much closer to Nicaragua and Panama. San
Andrs Island was originally populated by Puritans, English-Jamaicans
who brought their slaves, and pirates who used it as a hideout. The
British ceded it to Spain in 1793, and Spain attached it to Colombia
in 1822. Though the official language is Spanish, English is still
widely spoken.
San Andrs Island and its nearby cays have magnificent beaches, a number of small hotels, and a villa complex. The economy of San Andrs
Island depends heavily on tourism, most of which comes from
Colombia and other parts of Latin America. It has a few nightspots and
two casinos. Flights from Miami once went directly to San Andrs
Island, but today connections are through San Jos, Costa Rica, or
through Colombian cities.

Viceminister of Tourism of Colombia
Calle 28, No. 13a15, Piso 17
Santafe de Bogot, Colombia
Phone: (011) 57-91-283-9927 or (011) 57-91-283-9558
Fax: (011) 57-91-282-2329
E-mail: reservas@sanandres.net (San Andrs Island Tourism)
Web sites: www.cartagenadeindias.com (Cartagena, in Spanish)
www.sanandres.net (San Andrs Island)
66
Venezuela
Venezuela is a large country on South Americas northern Caribbean
coast with 1,600 miles of Caribbean coastline. It has soaring Andean
peaks, dense jungle, the worlds highest waterfall, 43 national parks,
and 23 indigenous tribes, but most of its cities, development, and
tourist areas are at lower elevations toward the coast. Two Venezuelan
destinations have a direct bearing on Caribbean vacations taken by
Americans: Caracas (and its port town of La Guaira) and Margarita
Island. Passports valid for at least 6 months are required of American
citizens traveling to Venezuela.
Fast Facts
Land Area
Margarita Island: 300 square miles
Population
Caracas: 5,000,000
Margarita Island: 510,000
Capital
Caracas
Languages
Spanish
Caracas
La Guaira (lah GWY rah), on Venezuelas northern coast, is a leading
cruise port on southern Caribbean cruises. Its importance stems from
the fact that it is only 14 miles (and 3,000 feet in elevation) from
Caracas (kuh RAH kuhs), the capital of Venezuela. The opportunity to
spend a full day in one of South Americas major cities during a
Caribbean cruise is extremely attractive to travelers, especially those
who have not yet visited that continent.
A days tour to Caracas from La Guaira may include visits to historic
Plaza Bolvar, which is flanked by the old Cathedral, the
Archbishops Palace, and the Capitol; San Francisco Church, built
in 1575; and Arte Colonial, a garden-sheltered colonial residence of
the Marquis del Toro. Among the many other things to see are an
orchid farm and the Murano glass factory (begun by the Murano family
of Venice, Italy). Tours include some shopping time at the glass factory
or in downtown Caracas. Also available is a cable car ride to the top of
El Avila National Park with fantastic views of Caracas and the
surrounding areas.
Time Zone
Drive on
Right
Currency
Bolivar
Electricity
La Guaira itself is steeped in history and has bounced back very well
frm the disastrous land slides due to the flooding in 1999. Areas have
been rebuilt, and new hotels have been constructed. Ordinarily, only
those who choose not to take the Caracas tour spend any time there.
Those who decide to travel independently by taxi from the port to the
capital should plan to return to the ship hours before departure. Traffic
can be very heavy on the expressway between Caracas and La Guaira
during normal rush hours and holidays. The ship will wait for stalled
tour buses but will seldom do so for individuals.
Western Caribbean and the Coast of Latin America: Venezuela
67
Margarita Island
Margarita Island is halfway between La Guaira and Trinidad and 25
miles north of the Venezuelan coast. It can be considered part of the
continuing chain of Lesser Antilles that comes down from the north
and curves westward all the way to the ABC Islands. Venezuela has
72 island possessions along its northern coast, though most are
undeveloped or uninhabited.
However, few guidebooks on the Caribbean include Margarita Island,
either because they consider it part of South America or because its
vacation ambiance is geared toward Latin Americans rather than North
Americans. It was a resort for Venezuelans long before more modern
tourist development took hold. Today, though, Margarita Island
welcomes a good number of bargain-hunting American and European
tourists who come on all-inclusive packages.
Margarita Island is almost two separate islands, linked by a long,
narrow isthmus. It is a large island, and its 104 miles of shoreline and
dozens of fine beaches attract both Venezuelan and foreign visitors. But
it also has mountainous areas, valleys, deserts, and green spaces. Two
national parks preserve this natural landscape. Two Spanish forts add
historic interest. Though it is already a substantial tourist island, the
pace of development is quickening, and new resorts are being built.
But Margarita Island still boasts fine colonial architecture, small
villages, and a rural atmosphere in places.
Those visiting Margarita Island can use it as a springboard for day trips
into the interior of Venezuela. Daily charter flight tours operate over
Angel Falls (the highest waterfall in the world) and to Canaima
National Park, Los Roques National Park (a group of islands off the
coast), and the Orinoco River Delta.
Visitors will find a South American flavor added to Margarita Islands
cuisine, though West Indian, Continental, fast-food, and most other
choices are easy to find. A casino and plenty of nightlife are available.
You should choose carefully among the dozens of hotel choices, not all
of which meet American standards. More than an adequate number of
rooms across the island are available to visitors. Prices for goods are
partly in line with South American rather than Caribbean levels, so visitors will find savings in a number of areas.
Venezuela has dozens of other islands along its Caribbean coast, most
of which are uninhabited. The most well known are Los Roques
Islands, a national park that is a paradise for nature travelers and divers.
68

INATUR (Venezuela Tourism Board)
Torre Oeste, Piso 36
Parque Central, Avenida Lecuna
Caracas, Venezuela
Phone: (011) 58-212-576-4193/5138/8194/9032
Fax: (011) 58-212-576-1193
E-mail: promocionymercadeoinatur@yahoo.com
Web sites: www.embavenez-us.org (embassy of Venezuela)
www.ecoalianza.com (nonprofit consortium)
www.margarita-island.com
www.venezuelatuya.com (private company)
www.venezuelanadventures.com (private company and convention and
visitors bureau for Venezuela)
Western Caribbean and the Coast of Latin America: Venezuela
69
Guyana
Guyana (gy AN uh) is both West Indian and South American at the
same time. It is close to the Caribbean basin and yet part of the South
American continent, lying on Venezuelas eastern border. Most of
Guyanas traditions reflect the history of the Caribbean, yet its sights
and highlights suggest the Amazonian rain forest to the south. The
Dutch, French, and British vied for power here for more than a
century, and all of them left a strong influence. But Guyana is also
an ethnically diverse society of Africans, Chinese, Portuguese,
Amerindians, and East Indian Hindus and Muslims.
Fast Facts
Land Area
83,000 square miles
Population
750,000
Capital
Georgetown
Languages
English
Time Zone
UTC -3 or EST +2. It does not observe
Drive on
Left
Currency
Guyana dollar
Electricity
Ask each hotel what type of electrical
current it has.
Did you know?
Note: American citizens

need a passport to
travel to Guyana. All
clients, especially those
going into the interior,
should consult with
their physicians about
taking preventive
malaria medication.
70
Guyanas interior is suited for true adventurers, naturalists, and those

looking for a less-traditional destination. Guyanas wonders are its
jungles of wild beauty, the rugged savannahs of its interior, and
magnificent waterfalls that rival the worlds most famous. Those willing
to make the effort to explore Guyana will find mountainous scenery,
hidden valleys, and wildlife; it is a hidden gem that ecotourists have
barely discovered.
The British gained final control in the early 1800s, naming the land
British Guiana. Although Guyana achieved independence in 1966,
Britains legacy lives on. Even today, some of the best cricket players in
the world are from Guyana (they play on the West Indian team, along
with Jamaicans and Barbadians), unlike the sporting traditions of the
rest of South America, such as soccer.
Guyanas capital, Georgetown, is an architectural wonder. It displays its
Victorian and European past in its large wooden churches and other
public buildings, while at the same time resembling a river city in the
Brazilian jungle. Outside of Georgetown and away from the coast,
vehicular travel is usually on dirt roads, while numerous boats and
canoes supply transportation to the interior. Travelers in more of a
hurry can take plane tours or charter planes to small landing strips in
the interior.
Georgetown
Georgetown is the chief town and port as well as the capital of
Guyana. The city is loaded with character. Even novice travelers can see
its Dutch and British influences, although usually only seasoned travelers visit Georgetown. Much of the fertile land near the ocean is below
sea level; this land was reclaimed from the sea by the building of seawalls, which still protect the city today. Many houses are built on stilts.
Those who admire architecture will enjoy Georgetowns Victorian

churches and public buildings. St. Georges Cathedral is reputed to be
the tallest timber church in the world, while the High Court and City
Hall buildings display various dormers, steep roofs, spires, gables, and
wrought-iron crenellations. The Hindu Temple, Queenstown
Mosque, and Parliament Building display myriad other styles. Most
travelers also want to visit the Botanical Gardens and the Zoo, which
give them a sense of Guyanas flora and fauna. Travelers staying in
Georgetown should avoid walking at night and should take taxis instead,
for safety reasons.
Georgetown can also be used as a base for trips into the interior.
Full-day tours to Kaieteur are easily arranged from Georgetown. A

flight to a landing field in Kaieteur National Park allows visitors about
two and a half hours to explore the falls and experience the flora and
fauna of the park. This is usually followed by a flight to Orinduik
(ORE in duke) Falls for lunch. While Kaieteur is in the heart of the
tropical forest, Orinduik is at a spot where the rain forest suddenly
gives way to wide expanses of rolling savannah. It consists of dozens of
small cascades over steps and terraces on a river that forms the border
between Guyana and Brazil. There is time to explore Orinduik, though
other options such as visiting Amerindian villages in the savannah, can
be arranged.
For most travelers, a trip to Guyana is an adventure in itself. However,
anyone can manage a stay in Georgetown and the trip to Kaieteur and
Orinduik Falls. Those interested in more adventure can easily find it.
Only two percent of Guyana is inhabited, and some of the rest of the
land has barely been touched by man. Kaieteur can be reached on a
four-day overland journey by truck and canoe, and on foot. Lodges
deep in the jungle take guests on wildlife treks to see ocelots, tapirs,
giant otters, giant anteaters, monkeys, birds, numerous other forms of
wildlife, and more waterfalls. Ranches on the Rupununi Savannah
serve the same function and visits to Amerindian villages can be
arranged as well.
Without question, Guyanas most famous sight is mighty Kaieteur

(ky CHOOR) Falls. Many visitors feel that it rivals Igua Falls on the
Argentina/Brazil border, thousands of miles to the south. A football
field wide and more than five times higher than Niagara, Kaieteur ranks
among the greatest waterfalls in the world. However, it is virtually
unknown, even among most travel industry professionals.
The Interior
Did you know?
Guyanas interior is so
beautiful and was once
so remote that it was an
inspiration for Arthur
Conan Doyles Lost
World.
Guyanas rivers harbor

the arapaima, the
largest freshwater fish
in the world. Arapaima
can reach more than
300 pounds in weight.
Western Caribbean and the Coast of Latin America: Guyana
71
Did you know?
Once there were three

Guianas: British Guiana
(now Guyana); Dutch
Guiana (now
Suriname); and French
Guiana, which is still a
French overseas
department. However,
people still refer to the
entire area as the
Guianas. Guiana is an
Amerindian word
meaning land of many
waters.
Flight service from Miami to Georgetown usually connects in Port-ofSpain, Trinidad, though there are also flights from Barbados and
occasionally other islands. The largest hotel in Georgetown has 136
rooms; two or three others are in the 50- to 100-room range, and
there are numerous other smaller ones. Lodges, ranches, and guesthouses in the interior have from two to ten rooms.

Guyana Ministry of Trade, Tourism, and Industry (public sector)
229 South Road
Georgetown, Guyana
Phone: (011) 592-22-56710
Fax: (011) 592-22-54310
Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (private sector)
157 Waterloo Street
Georgetown, Guyana
Phone: (011) 592-22-50807
Fax: (011) 592-22-50817
E-mail: tag@solutions2000.net
Web site: www.interknowledge.com/guyana
www.exploreguyana.com
72
Suriname
The cross-cultural influences in the nations of the Caribbean are
magnified many times in Suriname (SOOR uh nahm), which is roughly
the size of Wisconsin. Here, within the space of a few days, tourists can
experience fragments of the culture of China, Africa, Indonesia, India,
the Netherlands, Amerindians, and Brazil. Their languages are preserved. West African tribal practices still exist in almost a primitive state,
in a countryside not much different from the African homeland of
escaped slaves of two centuries ago. Most major religions of the world
are represented. Creole processions, Hindu weddings, and Javanese ceremonial dances are just a small sampling of this diversity, while Dutch
influence remains quite strong.
Like its neighbors in the Guianas and in the Caribbean, Surinames
land was fought over by European powers. What eventually became
Dutch Guiana (or Dutch Guyana) was first settled by the French, later
taken by the British, and finally controlled by the Dutch. Suriname
achieved full independence in 1975. It lies on the Atlantic with Guyana
to the west, French Guiana (or French Guyana) to the east, and Brazil
to the south.
Except for Paramaribo and its environs, Suriname is sparsely populated;
but it is in these rough rain forests and jungles that the countrys greatest attractions lie. Its well-conserved nature parks and reserves can truly
be called hidden gems, lying unspoiled, yet relatively accessible to
North American nature lovers who have a sense of adventure and are
willing to forgo some of the comforts of home. Much less well known
than the Amazonian rain forests, Surinames rain forests are almost
uninhabited and therefore have been immune from a good deal of the
human encroachment, poaching, and forest clearance prevalent elsewhere. Even today, many of the national parks can only be seen via
expeditions and carefully planned trips, usually by those with a scientific
purpose rather than by tourists. There are few accommodations in this
South American countryside except for the nature areas run by STINASU (the Foundation for Nature Preservation in Suriname) and N.V.
Mets, a leading tour operator. Otherwise, accommodations may be
poor, and travelers often must bring in needed supplies.
Fast Facts
Land Area
63,675 square miles
Population
450,000
Capital
Paramaribo
Languages
Dutch, Surinamerse (Sranan Tongo),
Javanese, Hindi, various tribal
languages; English is widely spoken.
Time Zone
UTC -3 or EST +2. It does not observe
Drive on
Left
Currency
Suriname guilder
Electricity
Plug adapters may be needed in some
places.
However, some of the parks are open and accessible to the public, and
STINASU coordinates both day and overnight trips. These are also
available through tour operators that work with STINASU. The wealth
of wildlife and plant life in these areas is astonishing. Scientists estimate
that countless thousands of species exist that have yet to be discovered
and documented.
Western Caribbean and the Coast of Latin America: Suriname
73
Surinames climate is warm to hot year-round but is usually moderated

by constant sea breezes. The driest seasons are mid-February to midApril and mid-August to early December. Other times can be quite
rainy, but May, June, and July are the best months to see turtle nestings.
Did you know?
Note: American citizens

need both a passport
and a visa to travel to
Suriname. Contact the
Suriname Embassy in
Washington or the
Consulate General in
Miami. All clients,
especially those going
into the interior, should
consult with their
physicians about taking
medication to prevent
malaria.
Did you know?
In 1667, the British

were in control of
Suriname and the
Dutch were in control
of Manhattan, New
York. The British
exchanged Suriname
with the Dutch for
Manhattan.
74
Paramaribo
Almost 90 percent of the countrys population, or 250,000 people, lives
in Paramaribo (pair uh MAIR uh boh) and its outskirts or along
Surinames coast. Most travelers will see Fort Zeelandia and the government buildings built in colonial style, such as the Presidential
Palace, the Parliament Building, and Independence Square. A walk
through Palm Gardens, the city parks, and the streets, with their colonial churches and historic wooden architecture, will give visitors a feel
for the city. A drive past the villas along the Suriname River and some
people-watching or shopping at the Central Market will complete a day
of sightseeing in Paramaribo or Parbo, its nickname.
The countrys ethnic diversity affords a wealth of eating choices in the
capital, from Javanese nasi goreng and rijsttafel to Creole, Chinese, East
Indian, Korean, and Dutch dishes. From Paramaribo, visitors can take
excursions to nature reserves and to villages where African, Hindustani,
and Indonesian customs are still practiced.
Nature Areas
Paramaribo can be used as a base for trips into Surinames ecologically
fascinating interior and coastal areas. Day tours or longer overnight
trips with visitors sleeping on hammocks in open huts, are available.
Day tours from the capital include river cruises on the Suriname River,
a trip by dugout canoe to a Maroon village, and a day at Colakreek,
where visitors can swim in the refreshing cola-colored waters for which
it is named. Suriname is known for rafting in many places in the interior because of its rapids.
Brownsberg Nature Reserve is the most-visited park (although this
distinction hardly makes it crowded). Brownsberg, which has been
configured for easy access by visitors, is a pleasure for nature lovers.
This mountaintop rain forest features spectacular vistas of natures
handiwork. Here howler monkeys, deer, agouties, armadillos, and
sometimes jaguars, pumas, and ocelots may be spotted on the slopes.
The park has more than 600 species of birds, including macaws and the
colorful wide-billed toucan. Brownsberg has some of the finest trails in
all of South America, all laid out by the park service. They can be hiked
A third nature area accessible to the public is the Raleigh Falls/

Volsberg Reserve, which features the stunning Raleigh Falls as well as
rapids, river islands, orchid gardens, and an abundance of wildlife.
Granite outcroppings tower 400 feet over the rain forest in places. The
reserve features marked trails and two lodges offering overnight accommodations (visitors must bring their own food). Lodges here, and in the
other reserves mentioned, have generator electricity for a set number of
hours each night. Raleigh Falls/Volsberg Reserve is accessible by air; or
visitors can take a two-day overland journey by vehicle and canoe.
The Wia Wia Reserve is along the coast in an area of mangrove

swamps. It offers a look at the nesting grounds for leatherback turtles
and green turtles, as well as numerous species of exotic and huge birds
such as storks, wild ibis, flamingos, and spoonbills. Access is by a
combination of car and boat rides.
independently or on guided walks. Visitors who stay the night in the

parks cabins must bring in and prepare their own food. All other
necessities for cooking and living are provided. Access to the reserve is
by road (about two hours from Paramaribo). Organized tours, car
rentals, and buses arrive at a nearby town; from there, visitors can make
arrangements to get to the park.
Did you know?
In 1998 an area of
6,000 square miles
was declared the
Central Suriname
Nature Reserve. It is
the largest protected
tropical forest area in
the world.
Two-day tours include stops at various other nature reserves in the east
of the country, plus a trip to Galibi Beach, reached by boat from
Albina, where giant sea turtles come ashore at night during nesting
season and where there is a Carib village. Four- and five-day tours and
one eight-day tour begin with flights on small aircraft that go deeper
into the interior. These tours visit remote Amerindian and Maroon
settlements. Travel also involves dugout canoes, boats over rapids, and,
in some cases, strenuous hikes. Accommodations are in bungalows with
beds and mosquito netting; all meals are included. Other nature
reserves are mostly for individuals, groups, or expeditions that are selfsufficient, as there are no accommodations or services. Prices for these
tours are moderate.
Scheduled flights from Miami to Paramaribo usually connect through
one of the Dutch islands in the Caribbean, such as Curaao. Other
flights operate from Trinidad and Barbados. A few upscale hotels, such
as the Hotel Krasnapolsky, are located in the capital and a couple of
other cities. The Hotel Torarica in Paramaribo has meeting facilities, a
pool, and a casino. Outside of the capital, the coastal towns, and the
nature reserves mentioned here, there are few lodgingsthey are usually in guesthouses, cottages, and bungalows where guests bring their
own food and do their own cooking; in many cases they must bring
their own hammocks, too.
Western Caribbean and the Coast of Latin America: Suriname
75
Did you know?
Visiting wildlife in South

America is different
from safaris in the
savannahs of Africa,
where Land Rovers
encircle sleeping lions
or creep up on herds of
elephants. In the South
American jungles, it is
more difficult to see
the animals, and they
tend to be shy.
Patience is needed.
However, Suriname,
with its wealth of fauna,
is as richly rewarding
as any South American
country in terms of
nature and ecotourism.
Suriname Tourism Information Office

Dr. J. F. Nassylaan 2, Box 656
Paramaribo, Suriname
Phone: (011) 597-410-357
Fax: (011) 597-477-786
E-mail: stsur@sr.net
Web site: www.surinfo.org
Did you know?
Birdsong competitions
might be called
Surinames national
hobby. People catch
birds and train them
specially to sing. Every
Sunday they go to the
park and compete to
see which bird sings
the best and the
longest.
76
Index
In the index, the first number after an
entry refers to the part of the course and
the second numbers refer to the page
numbers.
Italics indicates a hotel or resort.
A
Abacos, 1.79, 1.83-84
ABC Islands, 1.9, 3.14-33
accessibility, 1.10
accommodations, 1.17-20
air service, 1.12
Alexander Hamilton House, 2.50
Almond Beach Village, 2.123
altitude, 1.5
Altun Ha, 3.57
amber, 1.148
Ambergris Caye, 3.57
Andromeda Gardens, 2.124
Andros, 1.79, 1.86
Anegada, 1.182
Anguilla, 1.8, 2.2-9
Anse Chastenet, 2.114
Antigua and Barbuda, 1.8, 2.56-65
Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta, 2.62
Antilles, 1.3
Appleton Estate Express, 1.119
Aquasol Theme Park, 1.119
Arbib Nature and Heritage Trail, 2.128
Arecibo Observatory, 1.158
Ariel Sands, 1.69
Arikok National Park, 3.20
Aruba Sonesta Beach Resort, 3.20
Aruba, 1.9, 3.18-25
Asa Wright Nature Centre and Lodge,
3.6
Atlantis, 1.81
B
Bacardi Rum Distillery, 1.155
Bahamas, 1.3, 1.7, 1.76-93
Barbados, 1.9, 2.120-129
Basseterre, 2.47
Basse-Terre, 2.79-80
Baths of Virgin Gorda, 1.181
Bay Islands of Honduras, 1.9, 3.60-61

Bay Street, 1.82
beaches, 1.5, 1.11
Beef Island, 1.181
Belize City, 3.56-57
Belize, 1.9, 1.51, 3.55-59
Belmopan, 3.57
Bequia, 2.135
Bermuda, 1.3, 1.7, 1.64-75
Berry Islands, 1.87
Bimini, 1.79, 1.86
Bioluminescent Bay, 1.157
Biras Creek, 1.182
Birdcage, 1.69
Bitter End Yacht Club, 1.182
blue glass beads, 2.39
Blue Hole National Park, 3.57
Blue Mountains, 1.122
Bluebeards Castle, 1.170
Boca Chica, 1.143
Boiling Lake, 2.90
Bonaire, 1.9, 3.27-33
Bonbini Festival, 3.21
Boscobel Beach, 1.120
Botanical Gardens, 2.133-134
Breezes, 1.81, 1.119
Bridgetown, 2.123
Brimstone Hill, 2.48
British Virgin Islands, 1.8, 1.178-185
British West Indies, 1.34
Brownsberg Nature Reserve, 3.74
Buccaneer Inn, 1.172
Buck Island Reef National Monument,
1.172
C
Cabarete, 1.144
Cable Beach, 1.81
Cabrits National Park, 2.91
Calabash Suites, 2.144
camping, 1.19, 1.171, 2.81
Cancn, 1.9, 3.49-51
Caneel Bay, 1.171
Canouan, 2.135
Cap Haitian, 1.133
Cap Juluca, 3.6
Index
77
car rentals, 1.16

Caracas, 1.9-17, 3.67
Carbet Falls, 2.80
Carenage Bay Beach and Golf Club,
2.135
Carenage, 2.123, 2.143
Carib Indian Territory, 2.87, 2.91
Caribbean National Forest, 1.156
Caribbean terms, 1.3
Carnival in Trinidad, 3.7, 3.10
Caroni Bird Sanctuary, 3.6
Carriacou, 2.145
Cartagena, 1.9, 3.65
Casa de Campo, 1.143
Casals Festival, 1.161
casinos, 1.73, 1.80-81, 1.97, 1.100,
1.135, 1.143, 1.159, 1.162, 1.172,
2.17, 2.49, 2.53, 2.63, 2.83, 2.105,
2.138, 3.22, 3.31, 3.37, 3.39, 3.66,
3.68
Castries, 2.109, 2.111-112
Cat Island, 1.87
Caye Caulker, 3.57
Cayman Brac, 1.108
Cayman Islands, 1.7, 1.104-113
Central America, 3.54-63
Chaguaramas Peninsula, 3.7
Charlestown, 2.50
Charlotte Amalie, 1.169
charters, 1.12-15
Chichn Itz, 3.51
Christiansted, 1.172
Christoffel National Park, 3.37
Cinnamon Bay Campground, 1.171
Citadelle, 1.131, 1.133
climate and seasons, 1.2
Cloisters, 1.82
clothing optional beaches, 1.71, 1.117,
1.119, 2.13, 3.30
Club Med, 1.19, 1.81, 1.87, 1.97, 1.133
Coccoloba Valtur, 2.6
Cockburn Town, 1.96, 1.98
Cockpit Country, 1.115, 1.122
Cockscomb Jaguar Preserve, 3.58
Coco Point Lodge, 2.61
Codrington, 2.60
Colombia, S.A., 3.64-66
Condado Beach, 1.153
Corossol, 2.23
cottage colonies, 1.70-71
Couples, 1.120
Cozumel, 1.9, 3.51
Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary, 3.57
78
Cruz Bay, 1.170

Crystal Caves, 1.69
Cuba, 1.7, 1.9, 3.44-47
Culebra, 1.156, 1.158
culture, 1.30-40
Curaao, 1.9, 3.34-41
D
Dangriga, 3.58
Diamant, 2.102
disabilities travel, 1.52-53
dive destinations, 1.47, 1.98, 1.109,
1.183, 2.32, 2.39, 2.69, 2.81, 2.93,
2.145, 3.7, 3.27, 3.51-52, 3.57, 3.58,
3.60
Divi Flamingo Beach Resort, 3.31
Doctors Cave Beach, 1.119
Dolphin Experience, 1.82, 1.88
Dominica, 1.5, 1.8, 1.28, 1.51, 2.86-97
Dominican Republic, 1.7, 1.138-149
Dorado Beach, 1.157
Dunns River Falls, 1.119-120
Dutch West Indies, 1.33-34
E
ecotourism, 1.49-50, 1.115, 1.173,
2.40, 2.87, 2.92, 2.128, 3.8, 3.30,
3.58, 3.71, 3.73
Eden Brown Estate, 2.50
El Convento, 1.160
El Momo, 2.31
El Morro, 1.155
El Rancho, 1.132
El Yunque, 1.156
Elbow Beach Hotel, 1.69
Eleuthera, 1.79, 1.84-85
Emerald Isle, 2.67, 2.75
English Harbour, 2.58-59
Exumas, 1.79, 1.85-86
F
Fajardo, 1.156
Family Islands, 1.78
family travel, 1-53
Fern Gully, 1.120
Fern Hill Club, 2.19
ferries, 1.15, 1.153-154, 2.30, 2.38,
3.51
Firefly, 1.120
Flamingo Sanctuary, 3.28
Floating Market, 3.36
Fort Amsterdam, 3.36
Fort Charlotte, 1.82, 2.112, 2.134
Fort Young Hotel, 2.91

Fort-de-France, 2.101-102
Four Seasons Resort, 2.51
Frederiksted, 1.172
Freeport/Lucaya, 1.28, 1.78, 1.80-81
French West Indies, 1.32-33
G
Garden of the Groves, 1.81
gay travel, 1.52
George Town, Caymans, 1.107, 1.111
Georgetown, Guyana, 3.70-71
Gibbs Hill Lighthouse, 1.68
Glass Window, 1.85
Golden Lemon Inn and Villas, 2.47
Goldeneye, 1.120
Goldenrock, 2.37-42
golf, 1.49-50, 1.70, 1.80, 1.109, 1.122,
1.141, 1.143, 1.157, 1.159, 2.51,
2.103, 2.123
Gosier, 2.78
Governors Harbor, 1.85
Grand Anse Beach, 2.144
Grand Case, 2.14
Grand Cayman, 1.107-108
Grand Etang National Park, 2.144
Grand Lido, 1.118
Grand Turk, 1.97
Grande Anse des Salines, Martinique,
2.106
Grande Anse, Guadeloupe, 2.80
Grande-Terre, 2.77-78
Greater Antilles, 1.3
Greenwood, 1.118
Grenada, 1.9, 2.140-149
Grenada Grand, 2.144
Grotto Bay Beach Hotel, 1.69
Guadeloupe, 1.8, 2.74-85
guaguas, 1.153-154
Guanacaste Park, 3.57
Guanahani, 2.23
Guanaja, 3.60
Gustavia, 2.23
Guyana, 3.70-72
H
Hacienda Buena Vista, 1.157
Haiti, 1.7, 1.51, 1.128-137
Half Moon Bay, 2.64
Hamilton Princess Hotel, 1.69
Hamilton, 1.69
Harrisons Cave, 2.124
Havana, 3.46
Haystack Hill, 3.20

health and safety, 1.22-24
H.E.A.R.T, 1.126
Hedonism, 1.118-119
Hell, 1.107
Hells Gate Hill, 2.31
Heritage Passport, 1.70
hiking, 1.51, 1.108, 1.111, 1.145 2.38,
2.40, 2.48, 2.69, 2.81, 2.87, 2.90,
2.103, 2.144
history, 1.27-30
Hog Island, 1.81
Honen Dalim, 2.38
Horatio Nelson Museum, 2.50
Horny Toad, 2.15
Horseshoe Bay Beach, 1.68
Hostellerie des Trois Forces, 2.26
Hotel Carl Gustaf, 2.23
Hotel Krasnapolsky, 3.75
Hotel Torarica, 3.75
hurricane season, 1.4
Hyatt Dorado Beach and Hyatt Regency
Cerromar Beach, 1.157
Hyatt Regency Aruba, 3.20
Hyatt Regency St. Lucia, 2.113
I
Iles des Saintes, 2.80
immigration and customs, 1.20-22
Inagua Islands, 1.87-88
Inns of Nevis, 2.51
insurance, 1.25-26
International Bazaar, 1.80
Introduction, 1.1
Iron Market, 1.132
Isla Cabritos, 1.148
Isla Mujeres, 3.50
Isla Verde, 1.153
J
Jack Tar Village, 2.49
Jacmel, 1.131, 1.133
Jalousie Hilton Resort, 2.113
Jamaica, 1.7, 1-19, 1.51, 1.114-127
Jamaica Grande, 1.120
jet lag, 1.13
Jost Van Dyke, 1.182
Junkanoo, 1.89
K
K Club, 2.61
Kaieteur Falls, 3.71
Kingston, 1.121-122
Index
79
Kingstown, 2.133-134
Kralendijk, 3.28
Kur Hulanda, 3.37
L
La Cabana All-Suite Resort and Casino,
3.20
La Cohoba, 2.80
La Dsirade, 2.80
La Fte des Cuisinires, 2.82
La Romana, 1.143
La Samana, 2.15
La Source, 2.144
Labadie, 1.131, 1.135
Lac Bay Resort, 3.31
language, 1.34
latitude, 1.4
Le Sport, 2.113
Le Toiny, 2.23
Leeward Islands, 1.3, 1.8, 3.1
Lesser Antilles, 1.3
Leyritz Plantation, 2.105
Little Cayman, 1.109
Little Dix Bay, 1.182
local transportation, 1.15
Long Island, 1.87
Luquillo Beach, 1.156
M
Magens Bay, 1.170
Magnificent Seven, 3.5
Maho Bay Campground, 1.171
Maho Beach Hotel & Casino, 2.15
mail boats, 1.79
Malliouhana Hotel, 2.6
Margarita Island, 1.9, 3.68
Marie-Galante, 2.80
Marigot, 2.14
Marriott Frenchmans Reef, 1.170
Marsh Harbour, 1.83
Martinique, 1.8, 2.98-107
Marys Boon, 2.15
Mayagez, 1.157
Mayreau, 2.136
Mrida, 3.49
Mexico, 3.48-53
Mikv Israel-Emanual Synagogue, 3.36
Mona, 1.164
money matters, 1.24-25
Mont Pele, 2.103
Montana, 1.133
Montego Bay, 1.118-119
Montserrat, 1.8, 1.51, 2.66-71
80
Moorings, 1.181
mopeds, 1.67
Morne de Sauteur, 2.141
Morne Diablotin National Park, 2.96
Morne Fortune, 2.112
Morne Trois Pitons National Park, 2.90
Mount Liamuiga, 2.48
Mount Scenery, 2.31
Muse Gauguin, 2.103
Museum of Contemporary Puerto Rican
Art, 1.155
Mustique, 2.135
N
Nassau, 1.76, 1.81-83
Natural Bridge, 3.20
Negril, 1.117-118
Nelsons Dockyard, 2.59
Netherlands Antilles, 1.33-34
O
Ocean Club, 1.81, 1.97
Ocho Rios, 1.119-120
Old Gin House, 2.42
Oloffson, 1.132
Oranjestad, Aruba, 3.19-20
Oranjestad, St. Eustatius, 2.38
Orient Beach, 2.14
Ottleys Plantation, 3.49
Out Islands, 1.78
P
Palancar Reef, 3.51-52
Palm Island, 2.136
Palm Island Beach Club, 2.136
Paradise Island, 1.78, 1.81-83
paradores, 1.153, 1.160
Paramaribo, 3.73-74
Parc National, 2.79
Parrot Cay, 1.100
Pasanggrahan Royal Inn, 2.15
Peter Island Resort and Yacht Club,
1.182
Peter Island, 1.182
Petit St. Vincent Resort, 2.136
Petite Martinique, 2.145
Petrified Savannah Forest, 2.102
Philipsburg, 2.13
physical features, 1.5-6
Pine Cay, 1.100
Pinneys Beach, 2.50
Pirates Week, 1.110
Pitch Lake at La Brea, 3.6
Pitons, 2.109, 2.112-113

Placencia Peninsula, 3.58
Plantation Inn, 1.120
Playa del Carmen, 3.51
Plaza Resort, 3.29
Plymouth, 2.68-69
Point--Pitre, 2.77
Pointe du Bout/Trois lets, 2.102
Ponce, 1.157
Port Antonio, 1.120-121
Port of Spain, 3.5-6
Port Royal, 1.121
Port-au-Prince, 1.131-132
Portsmouth, 2.91
Providenciales, 1.96-97
publiques, 1.131
Puerto Plata, 1.144
Puerto Rico, 1.7, 1.150-165
Punta Cana, 1.143-144
Q
Queen Emma Bridge, 3.36
Queen Juliana Bridge, 3.36
Queens Gardens, 2.31
Queens Park Savannah, 3.5
Queens Staircase, 1.82
Quill, The, 2.38
R
rafting, 1.121, 1.125
Railway Trail, 1.70
Rastafarians, 1.122-123
Rawlins Plantation, 2.49
reggae, 1.122
Rendezvous Month, 1.72
Rendezvous, 2.113
Rex Granadian, 2.144
Rio Camuy Cave Park, 1.158
Ritz Carlton Isla Verde, 1.153
Ritz Carlton Rose Hall, 1.119
Ritz Carlton St. Thomas, 1.170
Roatn, 3.60
Rock Cliff, 1.118
Rose Hall Plantation, 1.118
Roseau, 2.89
Round Hill, 1.119
Royal Naval Dockyard, 1.68
S
Saba, 1.5, 1-8, 2.28-35
Saba Marine Park, 2.31, 2.32
Sage Mountain National Park, 1.181
sailing, 1.48, 1.50, 1-69, 1.176, 1.182,
2.62, 2.138, 2.146
St-Barthlemy (St. Barts), 1.8, 2.20-27

St. Croix, 1.171-172
St. Eustatius (Statia), 1.8, 2.36-43
St. Georges, Bermuda, 1.69
St. Georges, Grenada, 2.143
St. Jean, 2.23
St. John, 1.170-171
St. Johns Cathedral, 2.59
St. Kitts and Nevis, 1.8, 2.44-55
St. Lucia, 1.8, 1.51, 2.108-119
St-Martin/Sint Maarten, 1.8, 2.10-19
St-Pierre, 2.99, 2.103
St. Thomas, 1.167-170
St. Vincent and the Grenadines, 1.9,
1.28, 2.130-139
Salt Cay, 1.96, 1.98
Salt Pans, 3.28
Sam Lords Castle, 2.124
San Andrs Island, 3.66
San Blas Islands, 1.9, 3.62
San Juan, 1.153-155
San Pedro, 3.57
San Salvador, 1.87
Sandals, 1.19, 1.81, 1.97, 1.118-119,
2.60, 2.113
Sandy Lane, 2.123
Sans Souci Palace, 1.131, 1.133
Sans Souci, Jamaica, 1.120
Santo Domingo, 1.141-142
Scarborough, 3.7
scuba, 1.47, 1.109
seasons, 1.2-5
Seven Mile Beach, Aruba, 3.19-20
Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman,
1.107
Seven Mile Beach, Negril, 1.117
Shaw Park Gardens, 1.120
shopping, 1.40-41
snorkeling, 1.46-47
Sonesta Beach, 1.68
Sorobon, 3.31
Sosa, 1.144
Southampton Princess, 1.68
Soufrire Volcano, 2.67, 2.68, 2.79,
2.112, 2.132
Spanish Town, 1.181
Spanish-speaking Caribbean, 1.33
spas, 1.53
Speightstown, 2.123
Spice Island, 2.145
Spice Island Beach Resort, 2.144
sportfishing, 1.49
sports, 1.38, 1.55
spring break, 1.72-73
Index
81
steel-drum music, 3.9-10

Stingray City, 1.109
Straw Market, 1.82
submarine excursions, 1.109, 1.170
Sunset Waters Beach Resort Curaao, 3.37
Superclubs, 1.19
Suriname, 3.73-76
Swept Away, 1.118
T
tap-tap, 1.131
taxis, 1.15
telephoning, 1.27
temperatures, 1.2-3
tennis, 1.49-50
The Bottom, 2.30, 2.31
Tibes Indian Ceremonial Center, 1.157
tipping, 1.25
Tongue of the Ocean (TOTO), 1.86
Tortola, 1.180-182
tour packages, 1.44-46
Treasure Cay, 1.83
Tree House, 1.118
Trident Villas, 1.121
Trinidad and Tobago, 1.9, 1.51, 3.2-13
Trinidad Hilton, 3.6
Tropic of Cancer, 1.4
Tryall, 1.119
Tulum, 3.50
Turks and Caicos, 1.7, 1.94-101
Turtle Farm, 1.107
U
U.S. Virgin Islands, 1.7-8, 1.166-177
Underwater Explorers Society
(UNEXSO), 1.88
UNESCO World Heritage Sites, 1.133,
1.142, 1.154, 1.156, 2.48, 2.87, 3.38,
3.65
82
Union Island, 2.136

Utila, 3.60
V
Valley of Desolation, 2.90
Varadero Beach, 3.46
Venezuela, 3.67-69
Vieques, 1.156, 1.158-159
Villa Crole, 1.133
Virgin Gorda, 1.180-182
Virgin Islands National Park, 1.170
voodoo, 1.135
W
Walkers Cay, 1.84
Wathey Square, 2.13
websites, 1.54
weddings, honeymoons, anniversaries,
1.51-52, 1.125
West Indies, 1.3
White House, 2.49
Wia Wia Reserve, 3.75
Willards, 2.31
Willemstad, 3.36
windsurfing, 1.48, 1.141, 1.144, 2.103,
2.125, 3.21
Windward Islands, 1.3, 1.8, 2.73
Windwardside, 2.31
Wyndham El Conquistador Resort, 1.156
X
Xel-Ha, 3.50
Y
Young Island, 2.134

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Western Caribbean and the Coast of Latin America

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