A woman was opening the doors to a small gallery. Bougainvillea hung over the walls above the plaza. Beyond the village, the Chavón River wound through the countryside toward the Caribbean Sea. There were no swim-up bars in sight. No pool deck soundtrack. No crowds gathering for lunch.

That’s part of what has always made Casa de Campo Resort & Villas different.

You can spend a morning walking through a Mediterranean-style village, an afternoon on one of the Caribbean’s most famous golf courses and dinner overlooking a marina filled with yachts. The next day might mean horseback riding at the Equestrian Center, a treatment at the Casa de Campo Spa, tennis, paddle, or a beach day at Minitas Beach Club.

Most Caribbean resorts offer one defining experience.

Casa de Campo offers an entire collection of them.

After visiting resorts throughout the region for years, I still haven’t found another property in the Dominican Republicthat delivers the same breadth of experiences at this level. That’s why Casa de Campo remains the country’s luxury benchmark, a place where championship golf, private villas, beachfront relaxation, marina dining and one of the Caribbean’s most distinctive resort communities all come together on a single property.

The Dominican Republic’s Original Luxury Resort

Long before the Dominican Republic became one of the Caribbean’s most popular tourism destinations, Casa de Campoestablished itself as the country’s luxury standard.

The resort opened in La Romana in the 1970s and helped introduce a new vision of Caribbean hospitality: a destination where guests could enjoy golf, beaches, dining, sports, wellness and residential-style accommodations without ever feeling confined to a traditional hotel footprint.

That formula still feels remarkably current.

You don’t spend your stay walking the same paths repeatedly. You explore different parts of the property. One moment you’re in Altos de Chavón. Later you’re at the marina. Then you’re heading toward Minitas Beach Club in a golf cart or sitting on a terrace overlooking one of the resort’s golf courses.

The variety changes the way you experience a vacation.

Why The Villas Continue To Set The Standard

Luxury means different things to different travelers.

At Casa de Campo, many guests define it with a villa key.

The resort’s collection of private villas remains one of its strongest advantages. Some feature expansive gardens and private pools. Others include multiple bedrooms, outdoor gathering areas and dedicated staff.

They’re particularly appealing if you’re traveling with extended family, celebrating a milestone or planning a group getaway.

A villa gives you room to spread out while still enjoying everything the resort gives you. Breakfast can happen beside your pool. Lunch might be at Minitas Beach Club. Dinner could be overlooking the marina.

You have privacy when you want it and a full resort experience whenever you’re ready for it.

But the best part is the staff — you get daily breakfast, housekeeping and amazing attention to just about every request. It’s something you really don’t get elsewhere.

Rooms And Suites With A New Level Of Service

Not every guest needs a villa.

That’s where the resort’s upgraded accommodations have become increasingly important.

The guest rooms and suites blend contemporary comfort with easy access to the resort’s amenities, and many travelers are choosing the enhanced experience offered through Premier Club.

The service begins before you arrive and continues throughout your stay, with personalized assistance, dedicated concierge support and additional benefits designed to make the experience more seamless.

If you’re visiting for a shorter luxury escape, Premier Club provides many of the advantages guests seek from a villa experience while maintaining the convenience of a hotel stay.

The Golf That Made Casa de Campo Famous

Ask golfers why they come to Casa de Campo, and the answer usually starts with one course.

Teeth of the Dog.

Designed by Pete Dye, the course has been one of the Caribbean’s most celebrated golf experiences for decades.

Now it has entered a new chapter.

The course recently completed an extensive renovation that refreshed turf conditions, restored design elements and enhanced one of golf’s most recognizable layouts.

Seven holes run directly along the Caribbean Sea, creating some of the most photographed golf views anywhere in the region.

Even if you’re not a golfer, it’s easy to appreciate the scenery. Waves break against the rocks just beyond the fairways. The ocean becomes part of nearly every photograph.

Golf alone would make Casa de Campo a destination.

The fact that it’s only one part of the experience says a lot about the property.

A Beach Club That Feels Like Its Own Destination

Many guests eventually find themselves spending long stretches of time at Minitas Beach Club.

The beach is one of the most enjoyable parts of the resort experience.

White sand stretches along calm water. Boats drift offshore. Loungers fill with guests settling in for an entire day beside the sea.

The club combines a beach atmosphere with elevated dining and service, creating a place where lunch can easily turn into an afternoon that lasts until sunset.

It’s one of the rare resort beaches where people arrive with a plan to stay for hours.

And they usually do.

The Kind Of Spa You Build A Day Around

The Casa de Campo Spa is, in short, one of the best in the Caribbean. 

Instead of serving as a quick stop between activities, it often becomes the centerpiece of the day.

Treatment rooms, wellness experiences and quiet relaxation areas create a welcome contrast to the energy found elsewhere across the property.

I loved it from the moment I first saw it, and that includes the stunning view from the lobby. 

It’s another example of how much range exists within a single vacation here.

Tennis, Horses And Everything Beyond The Beach

One of the most common mistakes first-time visitors make is assuming they need to choose between activities.

You don’t.

The resort’s Racquet Center has long attracted tennis enthusiasts, with extensive facilities and professional instruction.

The Equestrian Center remains one of the Caribbean’s most impressive, offering riding experiences and training facilities that few resorts can match.

There is also paddle, shooting, water sports, fishing and a long list of activities that give guests options far beyond the beach.

Many Caribbean resorts encourage you to slow down.

At Casa de Campo, you can fill every day with something different.

Why Altos De Chavón Still Matters

Eventually, most guests return to Altos de Chavón.

They come back for dinner. They come back for the views. They come back because there is simply nothing else quite like it in the Caribbean.

The village remains one of the defining features of the resort, a place where restaurants, galleries, artisan shops and public spaces create an atmosphere completely distinct from the beach and marina areas.

You don’t feel as though you’re visiting another resort amenity.

You feel as though you’ve arrived somewhere entirely separate.

That’s a rare quality in Caribbean hospitality.

Getting To Casa de Campo

Reaching Casa de Campo has never been easier.

Many travelers arrive through Las Américas International Airport in Santo Domingo, followed by the drive east to La Romana.

The biggest recent development is the expansion of nonstop service to La Romana International Airport, including new flights from American Airlines that make it significantly easier for U.S. travelers to reach the resort.

That means less time in transit and more time at the beach, on the golf course, in the spa or exploring the property.

More Than A Resort: A Destination For Major Events

The easiest way to understand Casa de Campo’s place in the Caribbean luxury landscape is to look at its event calendar.

In recent months, the resort welcomed designers, models, celebrities and industry leaders for Casa de Campo Fashion Week, transforming venues across the property into runways, gathering spaces and after-hours celebrations. From Altos de Chavón to the marina, the event showcased the resort’s ability to host experiences that extend far beyond traditional Caribbean resort programming.

The momentum continues later this year with the debut of Cigars in Paradise, the first-ever edition of what is expected to become one of the Caribbean’s signature cigar events. The gathering will bring together premium cigar makers, industry leaders, collectors and enthusiasts for a series of tastings, dinners, golf outings and exclusive experiences throughout Casa de Campo.

The choice of venue is no accident. The Dominican Republic is one of the world’s leading producers of premium cigars, and Casa de Campo provides a natural backdrop for an event centered on craftsmanship, luxury and hospitality. Guests will be able to pair the festival’s programming with rounds on Teeth of the Dog, afternoons at Minitas Beach Club, evenings in Altos de Chavón and stays in the resort’s villas and accommodations.

Taken together, events like Casa de Campo Fashion Week and the inaugural Cigars in Paradise reinforce what makes the resort different. At many luxury resorts, entertainment is an amenity. At Casa de Campo, major cultural, lifestyle and luxury events have become part of the destination itself.

Why Casa de Campo Remains Number One

Luxury travelers have more choices in the Dominican Republic than ever before.

New resorts continue to open. Existing properties continue to expand.

But Casa de Campo Resort & Villas occupies a category of its own.

It’s the only place where you can spend the morning in Altos de Chavón, play a renovated round on Teeth of the Dog, relax at Minitas Beach Club, enjoy a treatment at the Casa de Campo Spa, dine beside the marina and return to a private villa — all in the same day.

That’s not one vacation.

It’s several Caribbean vacations gathered into one address.

And that’s why Casa de Campo remains the best luxury resort in the Dominican Republic.

What It Costs to Stay Here

I found rooms as low as $226 per night on Google Hotels in the third week of June, confirmed on the Casa platform. That gets you a superior casita room, which also includes a free golf cart and either one king or two double beds. For an Elite Room with a patio, the price goes up to about $243. 

The post I Stayed at the Best Luxury Resort in the Dominican Republic, With 3 Golf Courses, an 18,000-Square-Foot Spa, and a Cliffside Mediterranean Village appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Most hotel rooms give you a balcony. The One Bedroom Bi-Level Villa with Rooftop Pool at Park Hyatt St. Kitts gives you a private rooftop with its own infinity pool — and more outdoor space than indoor. The two-story villa runs 2,300 square feet inside, then adds a staggering 2,165 square feet of deck, nearly matching the interior footprint in open-air terrace. This June it has rates from $3,061 a night for World of Hyatt members and $3,219 without membership, and it is the rare Caribbean villa where the roof, not the bedroom, is the party piece.

The ground floor is the quiet half. A single deluxe bedroom anchors it, with a king bed positioned to catch panoramic views of Banana Bay through floor-to-ceiling windows, flowing into an ensuite bathroom built around a freestanding deep soaking tub and a double-headed walk-in rain shower. There’s a powder room for guests, a private laundry room, and a fully equipped kitchen with a wine fridge and private minibar — the kind of arrangement that lets you settle in for a week rather than a weekend. A loft and sleeper sofas extend the sleeping capacity when the villa hosts more than two.

Then you climb the stairs, and the villa shows its hand. The entire second floor is a private rooftop oasis: a sparkling infinity pool, two shaded dining areas under pergolas, a service counter, an outdoor shower, and sunbeds spread across that 2,165-square-foot terrace, all of it looking out over the resort and the calm water of Banana Bay toward Nevis. It is, functionally, a private rooftop club for a single villa — the place you’ll take morning coffee, afternoon swims and sunset dinners without ever coming down.

Service matches the address. The villa comes with Le Labo bath amenities and preferred pricing at the Sugar Mill Spa & Sanctuary, the resort’s 37,000-square-foot wellness retreat, and you can add a private butler and a private chef on request — turning that rooftop into a venue for a cooked-to-order dinner above the bay.

A note on booking. The One Bedroom Bi-Level Villa with Rooftop Pool is not eligible for World of Hyatt upgrade programs, which means you can’t be moved up into it on status or points; if you want it, you reserve it outright. The same holds for the resort’s villas across the board.

It suits a couple celebrating something significant, or a small family that wants a kitchen, a laundry and a pool of its own without renting a freestanding house off-property. For groups that need more, the Three Bedroom Presidential Villa is the larger two-story sibling — at 5,280 square feet, the biggest accommodation at Park Hyatt St. Kitts, with three bedrooms, a game room and a private infinity pool of its own.

Either way, the bi-level villa makes the case that the best room at a beachfront resort might be the one where you spend the whole day on the roof.

The post The Best Room at Park Hyatt St. Kitts Is a Two-Story Villa With a Rooftop Infinity Pool appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

The “Unspoiled Queen” — a single volcanic peak rising straight out of the sea about 28 miles southwest of St. Maarten — is one of the hardest islands to reach in the region, and one of the most rewarding. There are no direct international flights, no cruise piers and no resort strip. Reaching it comes down to two choices: a 12-minute flight onto the shortest commercial runway on the planet, or a 90-minute crossing by fast ferry. Both begin in St. Maarten, which is the single gateway to everything Saba.

That means the first leg of any Saba trip is really a flight to St. Maarten’s Princess Juliana International Airport, the busy Dutch hub that connects to most major U.S. and European cities. Time your arrival for the morning or early afternoon. The last hop to Saba leaves before dark, because Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport has no runway lights, and the ferries run on daytime schedules.

The flight is the headline act. Winair is the only carrier running scheduled service to Saba, flying the De Havilland Twin Otter, a sturdy 19-seat turboprop built for exactly this kind of short-field, steep-approach work. There are roughly four daily flights from St. Maarten, the crossing takes about 12 minutes, and one-way fares typically run $142 to $147, with day-trip pricing available for those who want to land, hike and fly out the same afternoon. Sit on the right side leaving St. Maarten for the best angle on the island as it materializes out of the open Atlantic.

Then comes the landing. Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport has a single runway of roughly 1,300 feet — the shortest in commercial aviation — wedged onto a shelf of rock with cliffs at one end and the sea at the other. Pilots train specifically to fly it, and the approach is part white-knuckle, part theater. It is, without exaggeration, one of the great arrivals anywhere in the world.

If small planes are not your style, or weather has the airport socked in, the sea route is the alternative. Saba is now served by two ferry operators, the Edge and the Makana, both crossing in about 90 minutes and both landing at Fort Bay, the island’s working harbor. The Edge, a wave-piercing catamaran, sails from Simpson Bay on Tuesdays and Fridays, leaving around 9 a.m. and departing Saba for the return at about 3:30 p.m. — a clean window for a day trip. The Makana, a 150-passenger fast catamaran, runs a more frequent schedule and also links Saba to Sint Eustatius and St. Kitts, which makes it the better bet for anyone island-hopping across the Dutch Caribbean.

A few things to plan around. Both the planes and the harbor are at the mercy of the weather, and delays are common enough that you should build a buffer day rather than connecting to a same-day international flight out of St. Maarten. Pack light, since the Twin Otter has firm baggage limits. And bring a passport, as Saba is a separate immigration entry even when you are arriving from elsewhere in the Dutch Caribbean.

What waits at the other end justifies the effort. From Fort Bay or the airport, taxis climb a single switchbacking road to The Bottom, the tidy capital, and on to Windwardside, the village that anchors the island’s hiking and dining. Above it all sits Mt. Scenery, at nearly 2,900 feet the highest point in the entire Kingdom of the Netherlands, with a cloud-forest trail to the summit. Offshore, the Saba Marine Park protects some of the most celebrated wall and pinnacle diving in the Caribbean.

There are no beaches to speak of and no crowds to fight. On Saba, getting there has always been half the story.

The post How to Get to the Island of Saba, the Caribbean’s “Unspoiled Queen,” With Twin Otters, Fast Ferries, and the World’s Shortest Runway appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

The road in is the first clue that you’re going somewhere most people never find. It winds down through the green hills of Saint Lucia’s west coast until the trees finally break and the whole of Anse Cochon opens beneath you in a single sheet of turquoise.

There’s no grand gate, no sprawling lobby, no procession of identical towers. There’s just an open-air hillside lobby, the sound of the sea, and a view that does most of the talking.

This is Ti Kaye Resort & Spa, and for years it has been the island’s quiet secret — the place returning guests would rather you didn’t know about.

The name says everything about the spirit of the place. Ti Kaye means “little house” in Creole, and that’s exactly the scale the resort has held onto.

There are just 33 private hillside accommodations here, each one designed to feel like a small home of your own rather than a room with a number on the door. They’re spread across 15 acres of lush tropical landscape, tucked into the slope so that nearly every cottage looks out over the Caribbean Sea.

This is an adults-only retreat in the truest sense — no crowds, no clamor, no sense that you’re sharing your vacation with a thousand strangers. The whole property is built around the idea of slowing down, and the architecture enforces it.

What sets the cottages apart is how much of the outdoors they pull inside. Each one is adorned with hammocks and ocean views, the kind of detail that sounds like marketing language until you’re actually lying in one, watching the light move across the water.

The Ocean View Cottages lean fully into that promise. And some accommodations go a step further with private plunge pools — a small, cool refuge a few feet from your own deck, yours alone for the length of the stay.

It’s barefoot luxury in the literal sense. You can go an entire day without putting on real shoes, moving between your hammock, your plunge pool, the beach below and dinner above.

That sense of seclusion is the entire point. Ti Kaye sits on the secluded shores of Anse Cochon, a bay that feels worlds away from the busier, more developed stretches of Saint Lucia.

The water here is exactly the kind you picture when you imagine the Caribbean before the crowds arrived — crystal-clear, calm and alive. The resort has its own dive shop right on the beach, along with snorkeling and kayaking, so the reef is never more than a few steps away.

You can spend a morning gliding over coral, an afternoon paddling along the coastline, and never have to arrange a thing in advance. For something more ambitious, the resort’s vessel, Chatou, takes guests out for coastal adventures along the island’s dramatic west coast.

Then there’s the food and wine, which is where Ti Kaye quietly punches well above its size. The resort is home to Saint Lucia’s largest cellar, a collection serious enough to have earned Wine Spectator’s “Best of Excellence” Award for 10 consecutive years.

That’s a full decade of recognition that very few resorts of any size can claim, let alone a boutique hideaway with just 33 cottages.

The dining is gourmet without being stiff, the kind of menu that rewards lingering, and the setting does half the work: tables open to the sea, breezes off the water, the sky changing color as the evening goes on. It’s a culinary voyage built for couples and small groups who want to relax and unplug while still eating and drinking exceptionally well.

The newest reason to book is how easy the resort has made it to experience all of this at once. The All-Inclusive Saint Lucian Getaway strips away the planning entirely, with meals, drinks and unforgettable moments all included.

A typical day unfolds without a single decision about logistics. You start the morning with breakfast overlooking the Caribbean Sea, spend the afternoon moving between the beach, the pool and the water activities, and close the evening with cocktails and dinner under the stars.

With rates from $515, it’s an all-inclusive experience that feels nothing like the mega-resort version of the term. There’s no buffet line stretching down a hallway, no wristband culture, no scale that swallows you whole.

It’s all-inclusive at boutique proportions, which is a genuinely rare thing in the Caribbean and an even rarer thing in Saint Lucia.

For guests who’d rather keep things flexible, the resort also offers a bed-and-breakfast escape — the choice for anyone who wants to venture out and explore more of the island while still coming home each night to the same secluded cottage and the same sweeping view.

Either way, the resort’s out-of-the-way setting on the island’s west coast does something most places can’t: it makes you feel as if you have Anse Cochon largely to yourself.

Wellness here is woven into the landscape rather than tacked onto it. The Kai Koko Spa is the soul of the resort’s quieter hours, an intimate space with treatment rooms that extend out over the ocean.

The sound of the water below becomes part of the treatment itself — a massage with nothing between you and the sea but the open air, the horizon filling the frame, the day melting away. Paired with the hammocks and the plunge pools, it makes Ti Kaye one of the most restorative addresses on the island.

It also earned a Booking.com Traveller Review Award for 2026 with a 9.0 out of 10 rating, the kind of score that comes only from guests who leave genuinely happy.

Stack the awards next to the size of the place and the contrast is the whole story: this is a property doing the work of a resort many times its scale, while holding fast to the intimacy that makes it special.

That’s the quiet magic of Ti Kaye Resort & Spa. It’s the rare Caribbean escape that has resisted the temptation to grow into something bigger and louder, choosing instead to stay secluded, intimate and unforgettable.

The hardest part has always been finding it, down that winding road, past Anse La Raye, to the edge of a bay most people never see.

Now, you can get an all-inclusive plan from $515 — or a bed-and-breakfast option for the more independent, the only thing left to do is decide how long you can stay.

But the secret, increasingly, is getting harder to keep.

The post This Secret Adults-Only Resort in Saint Lucia Has Plunge-Pool Cottages, an Award-Winning Wine Cellar, and All-Inclusive Vacations appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

For the latest edition of Caribbean on Points, we found exactly that: seven nights at the Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort from June 14 to June 21 for 228,000 Marriott Bonvoy points total, according to our research in the Bonvoy app.

Thanks to Marriott Bonvoy’s fifth-night-free benefit on award stays, the redemption comes out to roughly 32,500 points per night for an entire week at one of the Caribbean’s most popular beachfront Marriott resorts.

With summer underway and hotel rates climbing across much of the region, this is the kind of redemption that can stretch a points balance significantly further than paying cash.

The Redemption

The stay we found covers seven nights at the Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort for a total of 228,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.

Marriott’s fifth-night-free benefit remains one of the strongest perks in hotel loyalty programs, particularly in the Caribbean, where week-long stays are common and nightly rates can climb quickly during popular travel periods.

At an effective rate of about 32,500 points per night, this redemption offers strong value at a full-service beachfront resort in one of the region’s most compelling destinations.

Why Curaçao

Curaçao has become one of the Caribbean’s most sought-after destinations thanks to its blend of Dutch-Caribbean culture, colorful architecture, excellent beaches and reliable weather.

The island’s capital, Willemstad, is one of the most distinctive cities in the Caribbean, with brightly painted waterfront buildings, historic neighborhoods, outdoor cafés and a growing culinary scene.

Beyond the city, Curaçao is known for its collection of beaches scattered along the island’s western coastline. Spots like Grote Knip, Cas Abao, Playa Porto Mari and Playa Kalki draw travelers looking for clear water, snorkeling and diving.

June is also an appealing time to visit. The island typically enjoys warm temperatures and sunshine during the summer months, making it a popular choice for travelers seeking a Caribbean getaway outside the winter high season.

The Resort

The Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort occupies a prime stretch of shoreline on Piscadera Bay, just west of Willemstad.

The property completed a comprehensive transformation in recent years and now offers a modern resort experience with contemporary guest rooms, multiple restaurants and bars, two swimming pools and direct beach frontage.

One of the resort’s standout features is its pair of pools. Families tend to gravitate toward the main pool area, while adults often prefer the separate adults-only pool overlooking the water.

The beach itself is another highlight. Calm conditions and clear water make it easy to spend entire afternoons swimming, snorkeling or relaxing along the shoreline.

The resort’s location also makes exploring the island convenient. Willemstad is a short drive away, while many of Curaçao’s most famous beaches can be reached within an hour.

What You’ll Get With Your Points Stay

Award stays provide access to the same resort amenities available to cash-paying guests.

That means direct beach access, multiple pools, dining venues, bars, fitness facilities and easy proximity to many of the island’s top attractions.

A seven-night stay gives you enough time to enjoy both the resort and the destination. You can spend one day exploring Willemstad’s waterfront districts, another snorkeling along the western coast and another simply enjoying the beach at the resort.

That’s one of the advantages of a week-long redemption. You don’t have to rush.

How To Get There

Curaçao has become one of the Caribbean’s easiest islands to reach from the United States.

You can fly nonstop from cities including Miami, Fort Lauderdale, New York, Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago and Newark, along with several seasonal routes that operate throughout the year.

Flights arrive at Curaçao International Airport, which is about a 15-minute drive from the Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort.

If you’re planning to explore beyond the resort, a rental car can make it easier to visit beaches across the island’s western coast and spend time discovering different parts of Willemstad.

Making The Most Of The Redemption

One strategy many Bonvoy members overlook is pairing a longer award stay with a destination that rewards exploration.

Curaçao is ideal for that approach.

You can spend your first few days enjoying the resort’s beach and pools before venturing out to discover the island’s best-known attractions, from the floating Queen Emma Bridge and Handelskade waterfront to the beach clubs and snorkeling sites that have helped make Curaçao one of the Caribbean’s top diving destinations.

Because the island is easy to get around, day trips are straightforward and allow you to experience a different side of Curaçao each day.

The Bottom Line

A full week at the Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort for 228,000 Marriott Bonvoy points is one of the stronger Caribbean hotel redemptions available right now.

Between the beachfront location, the summer travel dates, Marriott’s fifth-night-free benefit and Curaçao’s growing popularity among Caribbean travelers, this award stay delivers the kind of value that Caribbean points enthusiasts like you are always searching for.

Seven nights on the beach for roughly 32,500 points per night is a redemption worth a closer look.

The post Caribbean on Points: Seven Nights in Curaçao for 228,000 Marriott Bonvoy Points appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

But, more importantly, it says rather proudly: “#1 rum punch in Barbados.”

I saw that both as a calling and a challenge. One I accepted.

I walked up the stairs and was struck by the entrance: a banjo on the wall, a direct-view kitchen, and endless bottles of rum punch.

I knew I would like it here.

It’s called Cutters, and it’s a local institution, founded by San Francisco natives Roger and Kim Goddard, who have turned their enduring love of the island into one of the great mainstays of Barbados.

There’s a bit of everything here, from bottles of legendary Bajan rums like Foursquare’s Doorly’s to local coffee.

There’s also a diverse menu, with some seriously good fish cakes (more on that part of Barbados in an upcoming story), and comfort food like pizza and hummus.

The crowd pleaser is, true to the name, the flying fish cutter, which is about a good as you’d expect — and one you’ll be coming back to frequently, especially if you’re staying somewhere on this side of Barbados.

But the draw here is the rum punch — and it delivers. It’s the essence of southern-Caribbean rum punch — the perfect mix of sweet and tart, with just the right level of robust rum thump. (In a welcome option, there’s even a “rum-less” punch for the kids).

It’s one of the best rum punches I’ve had in the Caribbean — and a worthy standard-bearer for Barbados.

If you’re only used to rum punches in more northern corners of the Caribbean, where the emphasis is on a sweeter concoction, once you start in the Eastern Caribbean and head south, the punch tends to follow the rules of a popular rhyme: 1 of bitter, 2 of sweet, 3 of strong and 4 of weak — a centuries-old family recipe.

It’s all about the blend, the balance, and the Cutters edition does precisely that, rooted in the the Goddard’s boutique brand, Harrismith Rum.

In a play on a rum-aging designation, they call it VSRP — or “Very Special Rum Punch.” And it’s accurate.

It’s alone worth the trip down here, just a stone’s throw from places like the Wyndham Grand and The Crane.

The best part? You can take it with you — either back to your hotel or, if somehow you can resist temptation for the remainder of your vacation — back to your home. But I’d advise stocking up.

I asked about the banjo. Sometimes it comes off the wall — but it’s been out of tune for a while.

But everything else here is perfectly on key.

The post This Beloved Roadside Eatery Has a Banjo on the Wall, Delicious Fish, and Best Rum Punch in Barbados appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

You’re not stepping back in time when you arrive here. Antigua around you is very much alive and modern. Yet something about this stretch of shoreline slows the clock. The sea remains calm. The sand stays brilliantly white. Pelicans still skim the water. Hours disappear between swims, beach walks and long lunches by the shore. At Dickenson Bay, time doesn’t travel backward. It simply stands still.

And on an island that’s become one of the hottest places to stay in the Caribbean, it’s a place where you immediately understand why. It’s just perfect. The water. The sand. The vibes.

That feeling has helped make Dickenson Bay Beach one of the most beloved stretches of sand in Antigua. On an island famous for having 365 beaches, one for every day of the year, this is the shoreline that many travelers remember first. The beach has appeared on postcards, travel posters and vacation wish lists for decades, but what keeps people coming back isn’t nostalgia. It’s the simple fact that the beach still delivers exactly what you hope it will.

The bay curves gently along Antigua’s northwestern coast, only minutes from St. John’s, yet it feels removed from the pace of the capital. The water is protected and calm. The sand is broad and bright white. Palm trees line portions of the shoreline, creating welcome shade as the day warms. Looking out across the bay, you see catamarans crossing the horizon, paddleboards drifting over clear water and swimmers lingering far longer than they intended.

What distinguishes Dickenson Bay is how easy it is to spend an entire day here. Some beaches are beautiful for an hour. You arrive, take a few photographs, go for a swim and continue exploring. Dickenson Bay encourages a different kind of day. You settle into a beach chair, walk the shoreline, cool off in the water and stop for lunch. Then you return to the beach and do it all over again. Before long, the afternoon has slipped away.

The beach is large enough that you never feel confined to one place. Walk toward either end of the bay and the view changes subtly. In some areas, rows of palms lean toward the sand. In others, open stretches of shoreline give uninterrupted views of the sea. The farther you walk, the more the beach reveals itself. Families build sand castles near the water’s edge. Couples stroll barefoot along the shoreline. Small groups gather beneath umbrellas, content to spend hours watching the sea.

The water remains the defining attraction. Close to shore, it is so clear you can see every ripple in the sand beneath your feet. A few yards farther out, the color turns bright turquoise. Beyond that, the bay deepens into layers of blue that seem to stretch endlessly toward the horizon. Even after hours on the beach, you find yourself looking up from a conversation or a book simply to admire the view again.

Swimming at Dickenson Bay is one of the great pleasures of Antigua. The bay’s protected position creates conditions that are typically calm and inviting. You can wade out gradually, feeling the soft sand beneath your feet, and remain in the water far longer than planned. Children splash in the shallows while paddleboarders and kayakers glide quietly across the surface. The experience feels effortless, which may be the highest compliment a beach can receive.

Part of the beach’s appeal is that everything you need is close at hand. Beachfront restaurants and bars provide a steady flow of lunches, cold drinks and afternoon cocktails. You can step off the sand for grilled seafood, a tropical drink or a leisurely meal overlooking the water, then return to your chair a few moments later. The rhythm feels natural. Swim. Eat. Walk. Swim again.

Several of Antigua’s most top hotels overlook the shoreline, each offering a different way to experience the bay. The Sandals Grande Antigua Resort & Spa occupies one of the most prominent positions on the beach and remains one of the Caribbean’s standout all-inclusive resorts. Everything about the property is designed to make the most of its location. Guest rooms, pools, restaurants and public spaces all lead naturally toward the shoreline. You can spend the morning on the beach, move to lunch overlooking the sea and finish the afternoon beside the water without ever feeling disconnected from what brought you there in the first place.

That’s what makes Sandals Grande Antigua such an appealing all-inclusive. The resort delivers the convenience travelers expect, with multiple dining options, bars, pools and activities, while maintaining a strong connection to one of Antigua’s finest beaches. The beach never feels like an amenity. It feels like the center of the experience.

A short distance away, Siboney Beach Club (rooms are just $274 right now on Google Hotels) gives you a different perspective on Dickenson Bay. The boutique property is looking better than ever, with mature tropical landscaping that creates a distinctly intimate atmosphere. Towering palm trees provide some of the most inviting shade anywhere along the bay, creating cool pockets beneath the canopy even during the warmest hours of the day.

I love the property’s oasis-style pool area — it’s one of its greatest strengths. Surrounded by greenery and tucked away from the beach, it feels like a private retreat hidden within the property. Guests can spend part of the afternoon relaxing beside the pool beneath the palms before taking the short walk to the sand and sea. The contrast between the tranquil pool area and the open expanse of Dickenson Bay gives the hotel a personality all its own.

Those hotels contribute to the beach’s character, but they don’t define it. One of the most appealing aspects of Dickenson Bay is the mix of people who use it. Resort guests share the shoreline with Antigua residents, visitors staying elsewhere on the island and travelers stopping by for lunch or an afternoon swim. The beach feels connected to the island around it. You hear local conversations. You see familiar greetings exchanged. You get the sense that this is a beach people genuinely use rather than simply admire.

That authenticity becomes more noticeable the longer you stay.

The famous red phone booth captures it perfectly. At first glance, it feels almost whimsical, a bright British icon standing beside one of the Caribbean’s most beautiful beaches. It catches your eye immediately. Cameras come out. Photos are taken. Yet after a few moments, your attention drifts back toward the bay. The booth becomes part of the landscape rather than the focus of it.

In many ways, the phone booth symbolizes what makes Dickenson Bay special. The world changes around it. Travel trends come and go. New resorts open. New destinations capture attention. Yet certain places retain the qualities that made them memorable in the first place.

Dickenson is one of those places.

Late in the afternoon, the beach settles into one of its most beautiful moments. The sun lowers across the western sky. The water takes on deeper shades of blue. Boats become silhouettes on the horizon. The pace slows. People linger over drinks and conversations rather than thinking about what comes next.

The shoreline glows in the softer light. Pelicans continue their patrol above the bay. The sea remains calm. The white sand reflects the fading sun. The view feels timeless.

That’s why this continues to resonate with you long after you return home. The beach isn’t trying to reinvent itself. It isn’t chasing trends or competing for attention. What you find here is something far more valuable: a Caribbean beach that remains true to itself.

The red phone booth still draws cameras. The sea still shifts through endless shades of turquoise and blue. The sand remains brilliantly white. Long lunches still become longer afternoons. Swims still last longer than planned.

Antigua continues to evolve around it, but the view from Dickenson Bay Beach remains remarkably familiar.

It’s a beach that is calling you. And you don’t even need to pick up the phone. 

The post This Antigua Beach Is One of the Most Beautiful in the Caribbean and It’s Perfect for Summer Travel —With an Iconic Red Phone Booth, Brilliant Blue Water, and a Timeless Feel appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Southwest Airlines is expanding its Puerto Rico network with the launch of new service from Indianapolis and the addition of a new route from Columbus, Ohio, bringing thousands of additional seats to the island and strengthening air connections between Puerto Rico and the American Midwest.

According to the Puerto Rico Tourism Company, the expanded service is expected to generate approximately $2.3 million in economic impact and contribute roughly 3,130 additional passenger arrivals through Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan.

The announcement adds another chapter to Puerto Rico’s ongoing airlift growth story, one that continues to bring new visitors to the island’s beaches, historic districts, rainforests and resorts.

A New Nonstop From Indianapolis

The newest route is already flying.

Southwest launched nonstop service between Indianapolis and San Juan on June 6. The route operates on Saturdays through early August, creating a direct connection between Indiana and Puerto Rico during one of the busiest vacation periods of the year.

The flight gives travelers in Indiana a simpler path to a destination that continues to outperform much of the Caribbean in visitor demand.

Puerto Rico has several advantages that continue to drive growth. U.S. citizens do not need a passport. The U.S. dollar is the local currency. Mobile phones operate normally. Flights arrive as domestic service.

Once you land, the experience feels distinctly Caribbean.

You can spend the morning walking the streets of Old San Juan, the afternoon swimming at Isla Verde Beach and the evening at a waterfront restaurant overlooking San Juan Bay.

The next day might mean hiking to waterfalls in El Yunque National Forest or boarding a catamaran bound for the cays and reefs off Puerto Rico’s eastern coast.

The ease of travel continues to make the island one of the most appealing warm-weather destinations in the region.

Ohio Joins The Network Next

Southwest is also looking ahead to winter.

The airline has officially opened ticket sales for a new nonstop route connecting Columbus, Ohio and San Juan, marking Southwest’s first service between the two cities.

Flights begin on Jan. 9, 2027, operating weekly on Saturdays through March 10, 2027.

The timing is notable.

January through March represents one of the strongest travel periods for Puerto Rico, when winter weather across much of the mainland United States drives demand for Caribbean vacations.

The new route gives travelers in central Ohio direct access to one of the Caribbean’s most diverse destinations during peak season.

The addition of Columbus also expands Southwest’s footprint in a market that has become increasingly important for Puerto Rico tourism officials seeking to attract visitors from beyond traditional gateway cities.

Puerto Rico Keeps Building Airlift

The latest Southwest expansion reflects a broader trend.

Puerto Rico continues to attract additional flights from major U.S. carriers as visitor demand remains strong.

Southwest currently serves San Juan from Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Tampa, Chicago, Indianapolis, Baltimore, St. Louis, Nashville, Austin and Houston, a network that’s even more important after the collapse of Spirit.

With the launch of Columbus service, the carrier will operate 10 mainland routes into Puerto Rico.

Tourism officials have made airlift expansion a central part of the island’s tourism strategy, viewing new flights as a direct contributor to visitor growth, hotel demand and local economic activity.

Governor Jenniffer González Colón said the route expansion reflects confidence in Puerto Rico’s tourism sector and the island’s position as a competitive destination for leisure travel and investment.

Tourism Company Executive Director Willianette Robles Cancel told Caribbean Journal the additional routes will help increase visitor arrivals while strengthening Puerto Rico’s tourism economy.

The results are increasingly visible across the island.

Hotels continue reporting strong occupancy levels. New development projects remain active. Airlines continue adding seats.

The momentum has become one of the defining tourism stories in Puerto Rico.

Why Puerto Rico Continues To Attract New Visitors

Few destinations in the Caribbean offer the same variety within such a short distance. Old Spanish forts overlook San Juan Bay. Rainforest trails wind through El Yunque, the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System.= Bioluminescent bays glow after dark in Vieques and Fajardo. Surf breaks draw visitors to Rincón. It’s got so much to offer.

Food remains one of the island’s strongest draws, from roadside lechoneras to chef-driven restaurants in Condado, Miramar and Old San Juan. (And bacalaito, too).

That range of experiences continues to broaden Puerto Rico’s appeal among travelers looking for more than a beach vacation.

Many visitors arrive for one attraction and leave having discovered several others. A trip planned around Old San Juan often expands into a rainforest excursion. A beach vacation frequently turns into an island-hopping adventure.

Where To Stay In Puerto Rico

The Four Seasons Resort Puerto Rico

One of the most anticipated luxury hotel projects in the Caribbean is the new Four Seasons Resort Puerto Rico.

The property (the former St. Regis) has brought the globally recognized luxury brand to Puerto Rico for the first time, adding another high-end option to an island that continues to attract affluent travelers seeking beachfront accommodations and premium resort experiences.

Its arrival is expected to become one of the region’s most significant hotel openings.

The Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve Puerto Rico

On the northeastern coast in Río Grande, The Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve Puerto Rico remains one of the island’s premier resort choices.

The property includes a sprawling pool complex, extensive beachfront, multiple dining venues and convenient proximity to El Yunque National Forest. Its location also places guests within easy reach of marinas, snorkeling excursions and boat trips departing from Puerto Rico’s eastern coast.

The resort continues to attract families, couples and travelers looking for a full-service Caribbean getaway.

The Rincón Beach Resort

Along Puerto Rico’s west coast, The Rincón Beach Resort gives you a completely different experience.

Palm trees line the shoreline. Waves roll onto the beach throughout the day. Sunset becomes the evening gathering point.

The hotel places guests close to some of Puerto Rico’s best-known surf beaches and the restaurants, bars and coastal attractions that have made Rincón one of the island’s most beloved destinations.

The west coast remains one of the strongest choices for travelers looking to experience a quieter side of Puerto Rico.

More Ways To Reach The Island

Southwest’s new Indianapolis service is already bringing additional visitors to Puerto Rico. The new Columbus route will add another direct connection when flights begin in January.

Together, the routes strengthen Puerto Rico’s position as one of the Caribbean’s most accessible destinations.

More nonstop flights mean more opportunities to spend a weekend wandering the streets of Old San Juan, hiking beneath waterfalls in El Yunque, watching surfers at Rincón, relaxing on the sand at Isla Verde or checking into resorts like The Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve Puerto Rico, The Rincón Beach Resort and the upcoming Four Seasons Resort Puerto Rico.

And the list of cities with direct access to the island keeps getting longer.

What The Flights Cost

Flights are pricing at about $527 roundtrip right now between Indiana and San Juan, according to what I found on Google Flights. 

The post Southwest Airlines Just Launched a New Puerto Rico Flight and Is Adding Another, Opening Up Easier Access to Beaches, Rainforest Trails and Old San Juan appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Have you taken a great photo in the Caribbean? Send it to news@caribjournal.com with CPOTW in the subject line, including your first and last name and the location of the photo.

It could be the next Caribbean Photo of the Week!

The post Caribbean Photo of the Week: The Animal Flower Cave in Barbados appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Now visitors planning a Jamaica getaway have three major resort options on the way.

Sandals Resorts has unveiled timelines for the return of three extensively transformed Jamaica resorts, with Sandals South Coast, Sandals Montego Bay and Sandals Royal Caribbean all set to welcome guests back by the end of 2026 following sweeping renovations that touch everything from restaurants and public spaces to accommodations and beach experiences.

The $200 million projects represent one of the most significant investments in Sandals’ home island in years and arrive as Jamaica continues to cement its position as one of the Caribbean’s most popular destinations for travelers seeking a mix of beaches, food, music, culture and all-inclusive luxury.

The First Reopening Comes in November

The first major milestone is scheduled for Nov. 18, when The Sandals South Coast completes its transformation.

Located on Jamaica’s less-developed southwestern coastline, the resort has long attracted travelers looking for a different side of the island. The property stretches along a broad white-sand beach backed by a protected natural area, giving it a distinctly different feel from the busier tourism hubs of Montego Bay and Negril.

The renovation includes redesigned arrival spaces, refreshed public areas, new landscaping and upgraded guest accommodations.

Dining is a major focus of the project.

Guests will find an updated Butch’s Island Chop House, one of the most recognizable restaurant concepts in the Sandals portfolio, along with the addition of Blum Coffee, a new café concept that highlights Jamaica’s world-famous Blue Mountain coffee.

Additional enhancements are planned for later phases, including new entertainment spaces and expanded food-and-beverage offerings.

The changes are designed to build on one of South Coast’s biggest strengths: its location. The property already had one of the largest beachfront footprints in the Sandals collection. The transformation focuses on creating more ways for guests to enjoy it.

Montego Bay Gets A Major Culinary Upgrade

A month later, on Dec. 18, Sandals Montego Bay is scheduled to reopen following what may be the most dramatic transformation of the three properties.

As the original Sandals resort, Montego Bay occupies a special place in the company’s history. It is also one of the most recognizable all-inclusive resorts in Jamaica, known for its beach, proximity to Sangster International Airport and extensive dining program.

That dining lineup is about to get much larger.

Among the most anticipated additions is Buccan, a restaurant centered on open-fire cooking and Caribbean ingredients. The concept draws inspiration from traditional regional cooking methods and communal dining experiences.

Another newcomer is Scrimshaw, a seafood-focused restaurant highlighting fresh catches and coastal flavors.

The resort will also add Heart & Sol, a café and market concept, along with Blum Coffee, bringing another Blue Mountain coffee-focused venue to the property.

One of the most significant additions is Parisol Beach Club, a new beachfront venue designed around dining, cocktails and direct oceanfront views.

The resort’s public spaces are also being redesigned, including a transformed pool experience intended to create a new social hub at the center of the property.

Returning guests can expect a noticeably different resort experience from the one they may remember from previous visits.

Royal Caribbean Introduces A New Caribbean Cay

The final reopening is expected during the week before Christmas 2026, Caribbean Journal has learned, when Sandals Royal Caribbean unveils a broad transformation that includes a new identity for one of its signature attractions.

The resort’s private-island experience is being reintroduced as Sandals Caribbean Cay, giving greater prominence to the offshore destination that has long distinguished the property from other resorts in Montego Bay.

The changes extend far beyond branding.

Plans call for redesigned arrival areas, expanded beachfront amenities, new gathering spaces and an extensive overhaul of the dining experience.

Among the additions are Heart & Sol, Blum Coffee, Suppa, The Strand, Tesoro and Parisol Beach Club, creating one of the most ambitious food-and-beverage lineups in the Sandals portfolio.

The project also includes new accommodations, upgraded wellness facilities and additional outdoor social spaces.

For travelers who have visited Royal Caribbean before, the transformation is expected to be immediately noticeable.

Why Jamaica Continues To Matter

The decision to invest heavily in Jamaica comes as little surprise.

Few Caribbean destinations offer the breadth of experiences found on the island.

You can spend the morning snorkeling in Montego Bay, the afternoon on Seven Mile Beach in Negril and the evening listening to live music at a beachfront bar. Another day might include a visit to the Blue Mountains, a rafting trip on the Martha Brae or lunch at a roadside jerk spot that has been serving locals and visitors for decades.

Food remains one of Jamaica’s strongest draws.

From jerk chicken and escovitch fish to patties and Blue Mountain coffee, the island’s culinary traditions are woven into the travel experience in a way few destinations can match.

Music is equally important. Jamaica’s influence on global culture extends far beyond its size, and visitors encounter that legacy everywhere from local bars and festivals to hotel entertainment venues and beachside performances.

Those elements help explain why Jamaica remains one of the Caribbean’s most visited destinations and why hospitality companies continue investing heavily across the island.

More Than A Beach Vacation

Part of Jamaica’s appeal is how many different vacations can fit into a single trip, and Sandals has long made that a huge part of its offering. 

Some visitors spend most of their time on the beach. Others build entire itineraries around food, music or outdoor adventures. The island’s tourism product has evolved over decades to accommodate all of them.

Negril remains one of the Caribbean’s most recognizable beach destinations, with Seven Mile Beach continuing to attract travelers looking for long walks, calm water and a mix of resorts, restaurants and beach bars. Montego Bay remains the island’s busiest tourism gateway, combining large resorts with golf courses, shopping, nightlife and easy flight connections from major North American cities.

The South Coast offers a different experience. The region is less developed than Jamaica’s traditional tourism centers, with longer stretches of undeveloped coastline and fewer large commercial districts. Visitors often describe it as one of the island’s quieter corners.

Ocho Rios continues to serve as a jumping-off point for waterfalls, rivers, gardens and some of Jamaica’s most popular attractions. The Blue Mountains remain one of the Caribbean’s most distinctive landscapes, with coffee farms, hiking trails and cooler temperatures that feel worlds away from the coast.

It’s the kind of diversity that has helped Jamaica remain one of the Caribbean’s strongest tourism performers for decades. You can return multiple times and build a completely different vacation around each visit — or choose a different Sandals. 

What Travelers Should Know

For travelers planning a Jamaica vacation in late 2026 or early 2027, the reopening dates create three new options within a relatively short window.

Sandals South Coast is scheduled to return on Nov. 18.

Sandals Montego Bay is set to reopen on Dec. 18.

Sandals Royal Caribbean is expected to welcome guests back during the week before Christmas.

Each resort is emerging with a different personality, but all three share a common theme: more restaurants, more outdoor gathering spaces, upgraded accommodations and a stronger focus on connecting guests with the elements that have long made Jamaica one of the Caribbean’s most popular destinations.

The beaches were already here. The food, music and culture never went anywhere.

Now three of Jamaica’s best-known resorts are preparing to welcome travelers back with a very different look.

The post Jamaica Is Getting 3 Reimagined Sandals All-Inclusive Resorts, Including a New “Caribbean Cay” Island Experience appeared first on Caribbean Journal.