San Juan to Barbados Southern Caribbean Holiday

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San Juan, Puerto Rico

The oldest city under the American flag, San Juan vibrates to a lively salsa beat. There’s an unmistakable zest in the air here. Perhaps it’s the stunning natural setting: the verdant peaks, tropical forests, and gleaming white-sand beaches. Or maybe it’s Puerto Rico’s mix of cultures, the blend and occasional clash of four centuries of Spanish heritage overlaid with a century spent as America’s only Commonwealth. Whatever the reason, San Juan is one of the most enticing ports in the Caribbean, and it only gets lovelier with age.

More about San Juan, Puerto Rico Points of Interest

Old San Juan – This 465-year-old neighborhood is a charming residential and commercial district. The streets are paved with blue cobblestones and feature restored Spanish-colonial buildings.
Fort San Cristobal – Built by the Spanish to defend San Juan from land invaders, this is the largest fortification constructed by Spain in the New World. At its completion in 1783, it surrounded the city of San Juan.
El Morro de San Felipe – This 16th-century citadel is a maze of tunnels, dungeons, barracks, outposts and ramps. Named after King Phillip of Spain, this six-level fortress guarded the bay from sea invaders.
Casa Bacardi – Home to the Bacardi family’s extensive rum distillery, the visitor center has a fascinating tour with videos and olfactory exhibits, as well as a museum and replica of its very first distillery.
El Yunque National Rainforest – This region is made up of five different forests, including a cloud forest and a dwarf forest that is home to miniature trees as well as the island’s rare tree frog.
Condado Beach – This peninsula of golden sand is a great venue to swim and sunbathe. Located just near the plaza, you can also shop or grab a bite to eat at the many cafes and hotels lining the strip.
Cultural & Botanical Gardens of Caguas – Puerto Rico has a perfect climate for growing some of the prettiest flowers and plants imaginable. This large park has many paths that let you meander.
Outdoor Adventure – Canopy ziplining, rainforest hiking, horseback riding, and kayaking are waiting for you.

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St. Thomas, Virgin Islands

The US Virgin Islands are America’s paradise, offering an easygoing blend of island ways and American practicality. St. Thomas, capital of the island group, offers every imaginable sport: snorkeling, golfing, hiking, and sailing. Just a few miles away lay St. John and Virgin Islands National Park. Stunning mountain scenery, crystalline waters, and white-sand beaches with palms swaying in the breeze – the US Virgin Islands are truly a slice of paradise. The harbor is easily one of the Caribbean’s most scenic. The United States purchased the Virgin Islands from Denmark for $25 million in gold. St. Thomas has a reputation as a duty-free mecca for shopping.

More about St. Thomas, Virgin Islands Points of Interest

Magens Bay –

One of the world’s best beaches as selected by “National Geographic” magazine.

Outdoor Adventure –

Nature lovers and thrill seekers will enjoy St. Thomas’s diverse landscapes, which offer a variety of outdoor adventures – from zipline, kayaking down a underwater scooter excursion.

Coral World –

This 4.5-acre marine park offers an underwater observatory with 360-degree views of fish and other sea creatures, and the opportunity to pet sharks and hand feed stingrays.

Mountain Top –

This totally rebuilt mecca on top of a mountain, features souvenir shopping and excellent views of St. Thomas and its neighboring islands. It is considered to be the birthplace of the banana daiquiri.

Skyride to Paradise Point –

The St. Thomas Skyride to Paradise Point, a modern aerial cable car, offers the best sightseeing in the Virgin Islands. Skyride for an eight minute ride to the top, located 700 feet above sea level, where on your own, you’ll enjoy boutiques, a bar featuring the famous Bushwhacker drink, a grill for lunch and spectacular views of cruise ships.

St. John –

The smallest of the U.S. Virgin Islands is only a 30-minute ferry ride away. Two thirds of the island is a national park. Annaberg Sugar Plantation Ruins and Trunk Bay are two favorite sights.

Snorkeling & Diving –

The island’s underwater world is beautifully unveiled to both snorkelers and divers, exhibiting sunken boat wrecks, breathtaking coral reefs and a colorful spectrum of marine life.

Downtown Charlotte Amalie –

Downtown Charlotte Amalie offers an impressive array of shops catering to cruise ship passengers.

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St. Maarten

St. Maarten offers a delightful case of split personality. Legend has it that a Frenchman and a Dutchman divided ownership of the island through a walk-off: Standing back-to-back, the two headed in opposite directions, walking around the island until they met. Perhaps the Dutchman paused for a refreshing brew. At any rate, the French ended up claiming 21 square miles of the island to 16 square miles for the Dutch. This lively tale says much about St. Maarten’s easygoing ways. No formal boundary exists between the Dutch and French sides of the island; a simple welcome sign tells you when you cross from one country to the other. But the differences are as noticeable as the spelling of the island’s name. The French spell it St. Martin. And it’s this split personality that lends so much to the island’s charms, including an international reputation for the finest cuisine in the Caribbean.

More about St. Maarten Points of Interest

Philipsburg –

The Dutch capital of St. Maarten, Philipsburg charms with colonial architecture, historic buildings, wonderful shopping and sun-swept beaches. Just a few blocks wide, delights can be found around every corner.

Marigot –

The hub of French St. Martin, this capital city is filled with designer boutiques, sidewalk cafés and bistros and trendy art galleries. Wander through the charming streets and experience a taste of France.

Underwater Adventures –

Explore St. Maarten’s underwater life. Many activities offered on island include, snorkeling, helmet diving, submarines and much more!

America’s Cup Regatta –

Take advantage of the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be Dennis Conner for the day and race million-dollar yachts in the turquoise blue waters and brisk trade winds of the Caribbean Sea.

Outdoor Adventure –

One of St. Maarten’s pluses is the fine collection of venues to sail, swim, snorkel and kayak. Or take an exhilarating Segway tour on the boardwalk!

St. Barths –

Gustavia is the capital of St. Barths and the center of commerce. You will be dropped off right in town for independent sightseeing, shopping, or dining in town.

Rockland Estate Eco-Park –

Built in the 1700s, the plantation house is the former home of slave Trace Wilson today, it’s the site of thrilling rides like the Sky Explorer, one of St. Maarten’s highest points at 1,115 feet and The Flying Dutchman.

Topper’s Rhum –

Topper’s Rhum has won over twenty-five international awards and 1st place in 2019’s USA Today’s 10 BEST Rum Distillery in the Caribbean.

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Antiqua

The largest of the British Leeward Islands, Antigua (pronounced an-tee-ga) boasts one of the Caribbean’s most spectacular coastlines with secluded coves and sun drenched beaches. The island’s rolling hills are dotted with stone sugar mills, relics from the bygone era when sugar was king. Historic Nelson’s Dockyard, where Admiral Horatio Nelson quartered his fleet in 1784, attests to Antigua’s long and colorful nautical history during colonial times. And St. John’s, the island’s bustling capital, offers visitors a wealth of boutiques, restaurants and pubs.

More about Antigua Points of Interest

Nelson’s Dockyard –

Explore the finest example of a British naval yard in the Caribbean. Visit the museum, boutiques, and restored buildings that are part of the area’s designated national park.

Shirley Heights –

Commanding views of English Harbor and Nelson’s Dockyard can be found at this breathtaking photo stop and historical site, originally built as a signal station to alert troops of approaching ships.

Dow’s Hill Interpretation Centre –

A multimedia presentation celebrates Antigua’s colorful history from prehistoric days to the present. The grounds also contain historic ruins and a display of 18th-century artifacts collected from the island.

Fig Tree Drive –

This picturesque road winds through lush vegetation, rainforest foliage, and fruit groves. You’ll see sugar mills and quaint churches, but don’t expect to see figs: in Antiguan, the word means “bananas.”

Stingray City –

Swim with the “Brightest Rays in the Caribbean” in a safe, aquatic adventure that is fun for the whole family. Calm, clear waters, knowledgeable instructors, and a pristine coral reef enhance your experience.

Beaches –

With 365 pristine white-sand beaches, Antigua boasts a beach for every day of the year. Tranquil turquoise waters beckon you to swim and snorkel while the sparkling shores invite you to relax in the sunshine.

Bird Island –

This islet three kilometers northeast of Antigua is smaller than most city parks. Early sailors were amazed by the number of birds nesting there.

Canopy Zipline Adventure –

The thrill of a zipline tour gives visitors a unique perspective of the amazing Antiguan rainforest as they climb across bridges and soar high above the rich flora that grow within.

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St. Lucia

Nestled below the Pitons, twin peaks rising over 2,600 feet above the azure waters of the Caribbean, St. Lucia is an oasis of tropical calm. The island’s capital, Castries, is a town of charming, pastel-colored colonial buildings, home to some 60,000. Yet despite its peaceful setting, St. Lucia has a turbulent and colorful history. Fierce Carib warriors overran the peaceful Arawaks in the 9th century. The first European settler, Francois Le Clerc, was a French buccaneer. Le Clerc’s countrymen followed in his wake, establishing the town of Soufriere in 1746. Sugar was the lure, sugar was king. Within four decades some 50 plantations flourished on the island. Thus St. Lucia became part of the Caribbean’s 18th-century trade triangle of sugar, slavery, and rum. Today this beautiful island welcomes visitors drawn to its exotic tropical landscape, superb beaches, crystalline waters, and colorful marine life.

More about St. Lucia Points of Interest

The Pitons –

The majestic twin peaks of the Pitons, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, seem to rise straight from the blue waters of the Caribbean Sea. Each mount, created from hardened lava, towers over 2,000 feet in the air.

Sulphur Springs Drive-In Volcano –

The island boasts the world’s only drive-in volcano. Enjoy a short tour of the crater and see the bubbling pools letting off puffs of odorous steam.

Diamond Botanical Gardens –

Explore the nature trails and step into a world where waterfalls gush from the mouth of a volcano, hot mineral springs fill the baths with age-old medicinal waters and flora and fauna abounds.

Soufriere –

Established in 1746, Soufriere is the island’s oldest town, and the reputed birthplace of Napoleon’s Empress Josephine. Be sure to visit the marketplace with its colorful murals and gingerbread trim.

Pigeon Island –

This 40-acre islet is a beautiful nature park reflecting a thousand years of history. Visit the Museum and Interpretive Center, housed in an elegantly restored 1808 British officers’ mess building.

Marigot Bay –

This lush yachtsman’s haven has been seen in films including “Dr. Doolittle” and “Fire Power.” You’ll want to see why author James Michener called it “the most beautiful bay in the Caribbean.”

Morne Fortune –

Enjoy the sweeping views from this 17-century strategic outpost. Visit the Iniskilling Monument, erected in 1932 to honor the Regiment who captured the Morne for the British in 1796.

Outdoor Adventure –

Whale and dolphin watching, ziplining, horseback riding, the aerial tram and 4WD fun are trademarks of St. Lucia.

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Barbados

Barbados is one of the few Caribbean islands solely colonized by one nation. It’s no wonder Bajans describe their country as being “more English than England sheself,” surnames like Worthing and Hastings abound. But look around and you know you’re not in England: rich and fertile tropical fields meet a glistening, azure sea. The soft pastels of old chattel houses blend with the vibrant reds, oranges, and greens of roadside fruit stands. In short, Barbados exudes a charm all its own. Perhaps it is due to Bajan culture, that celebrated blend of English tradition, and the African heritage brought to the island by slaves imported to work the sugar plantations. The potent brew which results flavors every aspect of island life, from music, dance and art, to religion, language and food.

More about Barbados Points of Interest

Harrison’s Cave –

One of the wonders of Barbados, this massive cave system features 50-foot high caverns, rushing streams, glassy pools and a thunderous 40-foot waterfall that cascades into an emerald lake.

Andromeda Botanical Gardens –

Nestled on a cliff overlooking the ocean, this six-acre botanical garden is renowned for its excellent collection of tropical flora including many varieties of ferns, orchids, and one of the world’s largest palm trees.

Mount Gay Rum –

For 300 years Mount Gay Rum, located on the Mount Gay plantation, has produced one of the world’s finest and most celebrated golden spirits in the world.

Turtle Encounter –

Swim with amazing sea turtles in their natural habitat.

Gun Hill Signal –

Built in 1818 to warn the island about approaching ships, this restored signal station features sweeping 360-degree views of the island as well as a fascinating collection of military memorabilia.

Sunbury Plantation –

Built in 1650, this beautifully renovated and maintained sugar estate house is a superb example of plantation life of a bygone era and features an amazing collection of antique carriages and memorabilia.

Beaches –

The luscious beaches of Barbados are a paradise of sparkling aquamarine waters, rolling waves, beautiful coral formations and velvety sands that perfectly cushion those who bask in the sun.

Underwater Adventure –

The clear waters of Barbados offer exciting submarine tours and snorkeling encounters with gentle sea turtles, dainty seahorses and a brilliant array of colorful fish.

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