The all-new Sandals Dunn’s River opens this week in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, as the 17th resort in the all-inclusive resort company’s portfolio. The new property is located on the same site handpicked by the company’s founder 30 years ago for the first Sandals Dunn’s River hotel.

Today’s resort is completely new and features 260 rooms and newly launched culinary concepts.

“Ocho Rios has been the backdrop of some of my family’s most pivotal moments, including along this very beach where my father grew up and turned a perhaps once unimaginable dream into one of the world’s most well-known hotel brands,” said Adam Stewart, executive chairman of Sandals Resorts International.

Here are some of the coolest features of the new Sandals Dunn’s River resort:

• The same water that flows through Dunn’s River Falls also flows through the lobby’s waterfalls and the cascading pools at the spa.
• The resort has the brand’s first-ever signature fragrance, a scent of white florals and fruits with a note of sandalwood and musk.
• The Tufa Terrace SkyPool Butler Suites, with glass panel edge infinity pools spanning the length of balconies, is a first for Sandals in Jamaica.
• Coyaba Sky Swim-up Rondoval Butler Suites have reimagined open-air rooftops.
• Mammee Bay Beachfront Butler Suites feature expansive balconies that overlook the sea with sunset views.

The food and drink options at Sandals Dunn’s River are new too.

• BLŪM, one of 12 new culinary concepts, is a nod to the island’s Blue Mountains. The quaint coffee outpost offers 25-cup cold drip towers, nitro cold brew on tap and Modbar pour-over units.
• Dunn’s Rum Club offers the largest selection of rum on the island of Jamaica and any other Sandals resort along with curated rum flights.
• Laughing Waters Beach Bar offers guests the chance to sink their toes into the sand while enjoying drinks near the nearby fresh water falls.
• The Jerk Shack offers the authentic taste of Jamaica’s traditional fare from fried sweet corn cakes to spicy “jerked” meats and seafood infused with local allspice and scotch bonnet pepper.

Other culinary creations include: Hamani, an izakaya-inspired sushi restaurant, Edessa, where the Caribbean and Aegean seas meet, Banyu, offering a blend of cultures in a single dining experience, along with eateries specializing in Italian, French and South American flavors.

Sandals Dunn’s River guests also get complimentary green fees at the nearby Sandals Upton Estate Golf & Country Club.

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With a celebration worthy of its legendary tale in Jamaica’s tourism history, Sandals Resorts opened its newest resort, the 260-room Sandals Dunn’s River this weekend. Grammy-award-winning artist Shaggy and “The Voice” winner Tessanne Chin joined Caribbean tourism officials and Sandals executives for the occasion.

“This is the place where everything began for Sandals Resorts, and from where we stand, it’s a stunning representation of where we’re headed,” said Adam Stewart , Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts. “Sandals Dunn’s River is the continuation of my father’s journey to better. It is a hero’s tale about an ambitious boy who began selling fish to local resorts and how he went on to change how people prefer to vacation, making Jamaica and the Caribbean the centerpiece of his efforts. It is an epic story about an incredible person who continues to inspire us to dream bigger, do more, be better. It is the stuff of legends and that is what this evening is all about.”

Stewart, SRI CEO Gebhard Rainer, and other members of the Sandals Resorts team joined with Prime Ministers, including The Most Honourable Andrew Michael Holness of Jamaica and The Honourable Ralph Gonsalves of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Ministers of Government, including Minister of Tourism of Jamaica The Honourable Edmund Bartlett, and local dignitaries from throughout the Caribbean region for an official invocation of the event.

In his speech, Prime Minister Michael Holness of Jamaica remembered his discussion about buying the land with the late Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart. “Seeing a dream come true is such a remarkable thing, and Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart was a dreamer, if there is one thing you could say about him. He was a dreamer, but he was also a doer, someone who would always finish the task. We are figuratively living in ‘Butch’ Stewart’s fantasy as we stand here,” he remarked.

The event served as a throwback to the resort’s earlier days as the Arawak Hotel, which opened in 1957 and was the brainchild of visionary architect Morris Lapidus, whose exuberant, colorful designs epitomized Caribbean style in the 1950s and 1960s. The event, with the theme “Return of a Legend,” offered an artistically recreated experience and atmosphere. The luxurious all-inclusive resort’s outdoor areas were transformed into a vintage supper club with lounge music, sparkling gold embellishments, brilliant green palm trees, and SWAG servers—a modern update on the “cigarette servers” of yesteryear.

The new resort features 12 restaurants, nine bars (including a swim-up bar in the pool), stocked bars in each room, a fitness center, unlimited land sports, and five pools along with two “river pools.”

In a first for Jamaica, Sandals Dunn’s River will have Beachfront Skypool Suites, a unique accommodation with a pool on the balcony – even balconies not on ground level.

The resort officially opens for guests on May 24.

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By the time April rolls around, most travelers are already neck deep in vacation planning for a variety of occasions. Spring Break, Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, summer vacation, 4^th of July, National Golf Month—the list goes on. There are plenty of reasons to celebrate and escape, and there are also undoubtedly deals galore for any holiday on the calendar. And since most of us only take one big, spectacular vacation per year, we choose our options wisely, so the last thing we need is an even more alluring opportunity.

Few occasions are as enticing and fulfilling as Earth Day—April 22—especially with so many resorts in tropical destinations redefining sustainability practices and environmentally responsible behavior. To make matters even more incredible, these properties are also developing phenomenal, year-round experiences, activities, and amenities for the sake of celebrating Mother Earth.

For anyone ready to give back as much as they love kicking back, here are some of the best Earth Day resort experiences on the planet.

Patina Maldives, Fari Islands

The Maldives is a destination so spectacular that it is a once in a lifetime vacation experience for most people, which presents a heck of a conundrum: which resort do you choose? Well, if you’re an eco-conscious traveler who wants to have the most incredible getaway imaginable—Earth Day or not—Patina Maldives, Fari Islands, is always an exceptional choice. The villas alone… wow.

But as much as this resort was designed to make guests feel like the most important people in the world, it also has a huge emphasis on sustainability and offers travelers a holistic conservation experience. For starters, people can adopt both coral and hawksbill sea turtles, although don’t get too excited—you’re not taking anything home. The resort’s coral conservation and propagation projects are ideal for guests who don’t mind getting a little dirty cleaning the beaches and aiding in the preservation of the region’s stunning reefs. And as for those turtles, the Oliver Ridley Project is dedicated to protecting and preserving the critically endangered species.

Kids will be happy to give back, too, even if they don’t know that they’re making a difference. The kids’ club, for example, is entirely solar-powered, but beyond the games and activities they can also attend the “Blue School” to learn about the importance of the ocean and why it is important to preserve it.

Jamaica Inn

For travelers who would love to help the hawksbill sea turtles but can’t travel halfway around the world, Jamaica Inn is a fabulous alternative. Set on one of the best beaches in the Caribbean, this property’s mission has been conservation for 65 years and running. On track to be carbon neutral by 2025, new solar panels and a sustainable waste-water system are among the latest efforts, but guests will undoubtedly love the ways they’re able to give back, too.

Resident sea turtle expert Mel Tennant of The Oracabessa Turtle Bay Project and Sanctuary will lead visitors on the unbelievable experience watching (and helping, if necessary) baby sea turtles make it safely to the sea. And few resorts boast a turtle calendar for the sake of allowing people to book when those critters are expected to hatch.

Jamaica Inn is also partnered with The White River Fish Sanctuary for the effort to restore and preserve the island’s coral reefs, and guests can see and learn about the new coral growth in glass-bottom boat tours. Even more exciting, anyone who loves a great wellness visit can take part in the Ocean Spa’s unique Farm to Skin Foraging experience, which leads guests into the on-site tropical gardens to pick the ingredients used in making the natural spa products.

Hotel Belmar, Costa Rica

Hotels all over the world can learn a thing or two from Costa Rica’s Hotel Belmar, which not only became the first carbon neutral property in Monteverde in 2019 but just last year achieved climate positive status. Of course, that’s on top of the fact that it’s already widely considered one of the best in Central America, if not the entire world. For a Costa Rican vacation that delivers the most of this ecologically diverse destination, travelers cannot go wrong by staying at the place that asks them to “Offset Your Footprint.”

The toughest part is trying to fit every experience into one visit, as Hotel Belmar offers an astounding array of adventures, beginning with the trio of activities in the amazing 17-acre SAVIA Private Reserve. Experts are waiting to take no more than six guests at a time on a Bird Quest that will introduce them to as many of the region’s 400 species of birds as they can spot on this four-hour morning trek. They can also head into the forest’s canopies for the Morning View journey and then return later in the afternoon to explore once more and watch how the preserve changes for Nightfall.

Food always plays a crucial role in the guest experience at any resort, and visitors will likely rave about the farm-to-table dining experience, as well as the garden-to-glass cocktail class. And for anyone who simply must know where their ingredients are coming from, the hotel offers horseback tours of the family-owned Finca Madre Tierra, the country’s first carbon neutral farm.

Mount Cinnamon Resort, Grenada

At Mount Cinnamon Resort in Grenada, April is Earth Month. While travelers can learn about this property’s sustainability practices—that led to it receiving Gold Green Globe Certification—throughout the year, they should prioritize this month just for the myriad special activities.

For starters, the resort’s general manager hosts a weekly cocktail party, but in April the guest of honor is Jonnel Edwards, Marine Biologist and Environmental Sustainability Consultant for Mount Cinnamon, who speaks with guests about the team’s efforts. This month kicked off with a cocktail party for local farmers, who showcased their prize crops. Multiple beach cleanups offered guests the opportunity to see the staff’s commitment firsthand, and the resort’s gardens received extra special attention for replenishing the ingredients that are used in the two on-site restaurants.

Guests at Mount Cinnamon are also invited to take part in the Pack for a Purpose program, which isn’t an environmental endeavor but does contribute to the island’s community. By packing even a few of the supplies being collected for St. George’s Primary School, visitors can help improve the educational experience for more than 400 children.

Big Cedar Lodge, Missouri

When most of us hear the name Big Cedar Lodge, we think of the Midwest’s best golf experience and a fisherman’s paradise. But the collective Bass Pro Properties—Big Cedar Lodge, Dogwood Canyon Nature Park, Wonders of Wildlife, Finley Farms, and Big Cypress Lodge in Memphis—excels at offering travelers so many opportunities for education and environmental awareness that an entire year’s worth of vacations can be spent enjoying and appreciating each one.

For the big day, guests at Big Cedar can participate in the Earth Day 5K, while the Kids Adventure Club hosts nature-focused crafts, outdoor games, and a scavenger hunt. Nearby sister property Dogwood Canyon Nature Park is taking visitors on a casual hike before they can stop by the amphitheater to learn about and meet the resident turtles. And a little further up the road in Springfield, Wonders of Wildlife is home to the only sea turtle rehabilitation facility in the Midwest, and it also one of only seven participants in the Orinoco crocodile head start program, as guests can see the park’s pair of junior crocs that will spend two years growing up here.

It’s hard to pick just one of the adventures, but no family can go wrong with Big Cedar’s Top of the Rock Lost Canyon and Nature Trail. The 2.5-mile excursion is enjoyed by electric cart, so no one will break a sweat as they marvel at the beauty of the Ozarks’ caves. Kids will love the butterfly garden, which was created to repopulate the region’s species, and an exceptional education awaits at the Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum.

The post It’s Always Earth Day at these Incredible Eco-Forward Resorts appeared first on Islands.

If you’re a mom you likely already have Sunday, May 14, 2023, circled on your calendar—and it’s not too late to plan to enjoy a coastal brunch, quick beachside escape, or even a splurge-worthy getaway to the Caribbean or Hawaii. We’ve found options that focus on pampering for Mom and family fun for everyone, so get ready to relax, unwind, and celebrate with one of these 16 Mother’s Day deals at some of our favorite island and coastal resorts.

Fifth Night Free

The Place: Anse Chastanet, St. Lucia

Is a back-to-nature escape what you need this Mother’s Day? Anse Chastanet, an architectural delight offering a retreat in the heart of lush St. Lucia, has just 50 rooms, all scattered throughout the verdant hillside and palm-tree lined beachfront and featuring open-air fourth walls that make guests feel connected with land and sea. You can relax in hammocks, lounge beds, private beach huts, and beachside restaurants and enjoy a variety of activities such as kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving and sunset sailing. 

The 600-acre estate that Anse Chastanet occupies is also home to an extraordinary farm and a tasty chocolate lab, where you can take truffle-making classes. Enjoy a fifth night free of charge if you book four or more nights in a Hillside Deluxe or Premium Suite (rates start at $990/night with the promo). 

One Happy Mother’s Day

The Place: The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba

Located on Aruba’s spectacular Palm Beach, The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba offers a Mother’s Day escape blending natural beauty with luxury amenities. The resort’s 320 guestrooms and suites all have private balconies with sweeping sea views and newly refreshed decor that blends the island’s relaxed aesthetic with Ritz-Carlton’s renowned luxury. 

The Ritz-Carlton Spa is offering a “Mom and Me” experience—a 25-minute facial and 50-minute massage for mothers to enjoy with a guest of their choosing—and a “Mom Escape,” a personalized 50-minute custom facial. Guests can also enjoy a Mother’s Day Brunch and endless mimosas at BLT Steak, a specially curated blackboard menu of delectable offerings at BLT Steak for dinner, or the Ti Amo Mamma menu at Casa Nonna. 

A Mother’s Day Bingo event is also planned at The Casino and moms will enjoy a 15 percent discount at The Boutique and Sun Boutique. With the Stay Longer, Experience More offer, book four nights or more and save 25 percent (rates start at $583/night with the promo). 

One Suite Deal

The Place: Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa, Maui, Hawaii

To splurge on an amazing experience for the entire family, consider this “suite” offer by the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa. Located on legendary Ka’anapali Beach, the property delivers the quintessential Hawaiian experience through an award-winning luau and dining, expert-led stargazing, wildlife tours, and cultural classes—and this Mother’s Day, it has an offer with every extra imaginable: 

• Three nights in Presidential Suite or the Palace Suite (accommodating four or six guests, respectively)
• Pampering at Kamaha’o, a Marilyn Monroe Spa, which includes a massage, facial, and pedicure Mother’s Day breakfast at Swan Court
• VIP table at award-winning Drums of the Pacific Luau tickets to Tour of the Stars
• A family photoshoot throughout the property by Grins 2 Go
• A private social media mermaid class
• A full-day Ohana Tent rental
• Private penguin feeding and wildlife tour
• Private family virtual golf and games in Hyatt Golf Studio by Yo! Maui hosted by resident PGA golf professional Sutee Nitakorn
• Access to Regency Club 

Prices for this offer begin at $23,000. Call (808) 667-4932 for reservations.

Mother’s Day Brunch

The Place: The Condado Vanderbilt, San Juan, Puerto Rico

It’s easy to jet off to San Juan, Puerto Rico, for a long weekend of sun and fun, and the perfect spot to celebrate amid elegant surroundings is the Condado Vanderbilt. Opened in 1919, the legendary hotel retains the opulence and grandeur of that bygone era at every turn—captivating architecture, grand pianos, a cozy cocktail bar, speakeasy-style cigar lounge, and postcard-worthy pool areas overlooking the sea—and its 317 rooms and suites are ideal for both couples and families. 

Get 10 percent off (with rates starting at $377/night) when you book three or more nights and be sure to reserve the spectacular Mother’s Day Brunch at the hotel’s award-winning 1919 restaurant.

Mom’s Getaway 

The Place: Andaz San Diego

Looking to have it all—a suite that epitomizes California cool, a candlelit rooftop dinner, a romantic turn down, a sunset cruise, and a private photo shoot? You can at Andaz San Diego, located in the city’s lively Gaslamp Quarter. 

Splurge on the “Mom’s Getaway” offer to enjoy a one-night stay in the 1,275-square-foot Andaz Star Suite, champagne and your favorite candy/snacks upon arrival, a rose-petal turn down, a wine-paired dinner at The Rooftop by STK, two complimentary poolside cocktails, a $100 spa certificate to Saffron + Sage, a private sunset boat charter with car service to and from the hotel, and a photo shoot on property and throughout the beautiful beachside city of San Diego. 

The offer starts at $7,499 for a one-night stay with a $2,000 charge for each additional night. Contact the hotel at (619) 849-1234 directly to book.

Family Beach Escape 

The Place: Henderson Beach Resort, Destin-Fort Walton Beach, FL

Looking for a convenient escape with your kids for Mother’s Day? A peaceful yet fun getaway awaits at Henderson Beach Resort in Destin-Fort Walton Beach, FL, where the entire family can enjoy access to the picturesque private beach, a lazy river, and an array of services. While you relax, young ones can grab lunch and then participate in crafts and themed activities at Poppy’s Kids Club. 

For some alone time, book a rejuvenating treatment at The Henderson Spa and experience the Himalayan salt suite overlooking lush Henderson Beach State Park. With the Good Day Sunshine offer, book a minimum 3-night stay and save up to 20 percent off your rate (starting at $339/night with the promo), and get a $100 food and beverage credit per stay. 

Buy 4, Stay 5 

The Place: Quintessence Hotel, Anguilla

Perched above the pristine coast of Long Bay on Anguilla, Quintessence Hotel offers a private, villa-like ambience with all the amenities of a world-class resort. The exclusive, nine-suite property is affectionately nicknamed “The Tropical Grand Mansion” and features a captivating avant-garde design and beautiful Haitian artwork throughout its interiors. 

Guests enjoy a first-class selection of amenities and activities, including an exceptional spa, 24-hour butler service, and French-Caribbean gourmet fine dining—all complemented by jaw-dropping ocean views and private beach access. This May for a Mother’s Day getaway, you can book Quintessence’s limited time “Buy 4 Stay 5” package with rates starting at $650/night. Call 800-234-7468 to book the offer.

Summer Nights

The Place: Elite Island Resorts on Antigua and Barbados

Mother’s Day 2023 falls into the date range for Elite Island Resorts’ “Summer Nights” offer, featuring a first night free on a minimum three-night stay. Order a piña colada, put on a tropical sundress, and indulge in the ultimate resort getaway at three of the company’s beachfront all-inclusive properties in Antigua, including Pineapple Beach Club, St. James’s Club & Villas and The Verandah Resort & Spa, as well as The Club in Barbados. All-inclusive rates vary by resort. To reserve call (800) 858-4618.

A Boozy Brunch

The Place: The National Hotel in South Beach, Miami

To literally forget all your real-life cares and worries, spend Mother’s Day enjoying a boozy brunch at Mareva 1939 at The National Hotel. From 11 am to 3 pm, guests will take in stunning views of the iconic Art Deco property as they enjoy a brunch menu ($75/person) that includes dynamic favorites such as huevos rotos and lobster and seafood paella for two made with scallops, mussels, shrimp, and clams—plus have the option of making their brunch cocktails bottomless, including mimosas and Bloody Marys, for just $35. Rates start at $308/night. Reservations for brunch can be made via OpenTable. 

An All-Inclusive Wellness Retreat

The Place: Carlisle Bay, Antigua 

Book it yourself or ask for it as a gift, because Carlisle Bay’s three-night all-inclusive Wellness Retreat from May 19-22, 2023, is equal parts relaxation and fitness motivator. Participants will enjoy daily mindful meditation, gentle yoga classes to suit all levels and abilities, and daily activities, including reef snorkeling at Cades Bay, guided rainforest hike to Signal Hill, and a local cooking demonstration. 

This all-inclusive package (from $2,850 per room/double occupancy for three nights or from $1,884 per room/single occupancy for three nights) is designed to bring a sense of well-being via a holistic wellness experience. 

Relaxation and Rejuvenation

The Place: Round Hill Hotel and Villas, Jamaica

If a spa-centric respite in Jamaica sounds like the perfect way to relax over Mother’s Day weekend, Round Hill Hotel and Villas , a historic resort set on a 110-acre peninsula in Montego Bay, is offering specially curated spa packages for mom at The Round Hill Spa. The limited time spa menu, available from May 12-14, 2023, offers the All About You! treatment, which is a personalized massage, facial and foot treatment; the Mama Mia! treatment, featuring a Frangipani body polish, custom massage, and hand and foot treatment; and the To Mom, With Love! treatment, which includes a signature coconut rub and milk ritual wrap, custom massage, and exotic hand ritual and custom manicure. 

Round Hill’s culinary team has also curated a special prix fixe menu for an unforgettable Mother’s Day Brunch with holiday themed cocktails and dishes. With Round Hill’s Summer Reconnect offer, your 4^th night is free and rates start at $571/night for a 4-night stay.

A Mindful Getaway

The Place: Carillon Miami Wellness Resort, Miami, FL

Get several girlfriends to convince their spouses to watch the kids for a few days and head together to the largest spa on the Eastern seaboard (it’s 70,000 square feet) at Carillon Miami Wellness Resort. There, you can enjoy an impressive array of retreat programs, specialized circuits and cutting-edge therapies designed to make you feel rejuvenated inside and out. 

Moms seeking some intense R and R can also partake in a Sleep Well Circuit to achieve the ultimate night’s sleep. With the resort’s 4^th Night Free offer, book three nights and get an extra night on a complimentary basis (from $477/night with the offer). 

More is Less

The Place: The Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort & Spa

If a white-sand beach and aquamarine water just steps from a newly renovated pool (the largest on the island) is your idea of heaven, The Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort & Spa is the ideal spot for a classic Caribbean escape this Mother’s Day. 

Occupying the most expansive stretch of world-famous Seven Mile Beach, the resort features 343 rooms, a spa, and an array of on-site watersports such as paddleboarding, parasailing, and jet-skiing. Dining-wise, you can indulge at seven restaurants, including Woto, a new sushi, ceviche and poke restaurant, and Beach House for fresh seafood and small-plate specialties. Stay at least four nights with the “More is Less” promotional offer and rates start at $656/night.

A Foodie Indulgence

The Place: Calabash, Grenada

If your top indulgence is enjoying culinary experiences, Grenada’s Calabash resort might be the perfect Mother’s Day couple’s escape for you and your spouse. This five-star Relais & Chateaux boutique hotel is nestled seaside and is home to the elegant fine-dining Rhodes Restaurant, where you’ll enjoy the freshest local ingredients in Caribbean specialties created with European flair. 

Let your taste buds savor the fresh catch of the day and sophisticated, creative dishes that showcase Grenada’s legendary spices. And with Calabash’s Upgraded Meal Plan Offers, stay at least four nights and receive a complimentary upgrade from Bed and Breakfast to Half Board (from $696/night) or from Half Board to All-Inclusive (from $845/ night).

Make My Stay

The Place: Caribe Hilton, San Juan, Puerto Rico

If you only have time for a quick Caribbean getaway, what’s more convenient than Puerto Rico? With the “Make My Stay” offer at the iconic Caribe Hilton, stay three nights and get a resort credit of $150 for use at the spa or restaurants. The resort features a secluded beach, ocean-front swimming pools, beachside hammocks, and a relaxing Zen Spa. You can also reserve a table for the property’s annual Mother’s Day brunch to indulge in a delectable spread. 

Old San Juan is a quick taxi ride away and you can enjoy local food and rum tours and other activities that showcase the island’s rich culture. PS: Don’t leave without trying the classic Piña Colada— it was invented at the Caribe Hilton! Rates start at $483/night. 

Stay Longer and Save More

The Place: Southernmost Beach Resort, Key West, FL 

Dreaming of kicking back in Key West? Southernmost Beach Resort, situated along the quieter southern limit of famed Duval Street where ocean views abound, mixes sleek modern design with classic coastal charm. It’s a quick walk to all the fun happenings in Old Town Key West when you’re not lounging by three palm-fringed pools, getting pampered in the full-service spa, or enjoying a private beach with lounge chairs and cabanas along with a signature restaurant and three bars. 
This Mother’s Day, the resort will also host two special three-course brunches with decadent island-infused cuisine. With Stay More, Save More, book a five-night stay and get the fifth night free (rates start at $594/night for the five nights) along with a $100 food and beverage credit.

The post The Island and Coastal Resorts Offering the Best Mother’s Day Deals appeared first on Islands.

Are a few sun-filled days at the beach on your bachelorette getaway short list? If so, get ready to enjoy mojitos and margaritas, spa treatments and catamaran sails, and rooftop lounges and poolside cabanas. We’ve rounded up 21 terrific resort options in seven island and coastal locales that are ideal playgrounds for you and your closest friends to enjoy as you celebrate your upcoming “I do’s.” 

Prepare to pack your favorite bikinis, sunglasses, rompers, and sundresses and decide where to get the party started. 

Aruba 

Known as “One Happy Island,” Aruba offers superb white-sand beaches, turquoise waters ideal for myriad activities, and exciting nightlife. The best place to enjoy it all? Along legendary Palm Beach, which is lined with leading resorts, restaurants, nightclubs, and casinos. This is an island that guarantees sun and fun and even has brightly painted Kukoo Kunuku party buses for a raucous bar-hopping excursion. If relaxation is more your style, spa treatments infused with local ingredients are a specialty. 

Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino offers rooms featuring beachy white-and-blue décor, multiple lagoon-style pools lined with chaises and swaying palm trees, and the oceanfront Eforea Spa for massages in a thatched palapa as ocean waves provide the soundtrack. 

Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort Spa and Casino features newly refreshed, contemporary-style rooms, chic poolside cabanas, several al fresco restaurants and bars, special aloe-vera treatments at the ZoiA Spa, and even Full Moon Yoga.

Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino boasts spacious rooms overlooking the ocean or the gardens, an adults-only H2O Pool with private cabanas, eight restaurants and bars serving up everything from fresh seafood to delicious fruit smoothies, and the Mandara Spa featuring Balinese rituals and botanicals.

Puerto Rico 

There’s no need to worry if your friends’ passports are up to date when you plan a bachelorette getaway to Puerto Rico, where golden-sand beaches are just minutes away from historic Old San Juan with its photogenic cobblestone streets and lively bars and restaurants. Explore the island’s flavors during an Old San Juan Walk & Taste Tour with Spoon, sip piña coladas and mojitos in a poolside cabana, or enjoy relaxing spa treatments. 

Condado Ocean Club, an adults-only boutique hotel, has a chic modern décor (and amazing water views), a cabana-lined infinity pool that’s relaxing midweek, and a DJ-fueled party scene on weekends, an onsite restaurant named Social, and an al fresco bar called Sandbox that serves tropical cocktails and shareable local tapas.

La Concha Resort, a sister property to Condado Ocean Club (as part of The Condado Collection) features a mid-century-modern vibe (it opened in 1958) and a cool pool-bar scene at its three pools (the Main Pool is the most social), onsite gaming at Casino Del Mar, and seven restaurants.

Caribe Hilton, where the piña colada was invented in 1954, offers 652 rooms amid a sprawling landscape of palm trees and multiple pools (there’s a swim-up bar and a waterfall), a private beach with cabanas, and an 8,500-sq. ft. Zen Spa Oceano featuring aloe-, coconut-, and mango-infused treatments.

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

From the West Coast or Southwest, it’s an easy flight to Cabo San Lucas, where the desert-meets-sea scenery of the Baja Peninsula, ample sunshine, a lively downtown bar scene, and world-class resorts make this an ideal destination for a chic bachelorette getaway—especially for tequila lovers. While Cabo’s beaches aren’t always ideal for swimming, its lavish pools and indulgent spas are pampering oases and a catamaran sail to the landmark Arch and Lovers Beach is a must. 

Corazon Cabo, the area’s newest luxury resort, has a prime location on Medano Beach (one of Cabo’s most swimmable) with spectacular views from its 305 rooms and suites, two oceanfront infinity pools, a sky-high rooftop bar, and Cabo’s only microbrewery.

ME Cabo, also located on Medano Beach close to downtown Cabo, has a lively ambience infused with Mexican culture and features four restaurants and bars, a pool with palapa-topped cabanas and a swim-up bar, and a Korpo Spa for well-being and pampering.

Nobu Hotel Los Cabos, the first Nobu hotel in Mexico, features Zen-inspired contemporary décor and 200 rooms and suites with ocean or desert views as well as world-famous Nobu cuisine and a tranquil spa with an outdoor hydrotherapy circuit that’s perfect for a bachelorette getaway away from the crowds.

Jamaica

The words Jamaica and party are synonymous, right? And because the island, known for its upbeat reggae rhythms, is home to dozens of all-inclusive resorts set on some of the Caribbean’s best beaches, it’s guaranteed to be a memorable setting for a bachelorette getaway. Montego Bay, home to the international airport, offers watersports, pool parties, spa experiences, and plenty of rum-cocktail revelry. 

Breathless Montego Bay, a party-centric adults-only all-inclusive, features 150 luxury suites, a rooftop pool and bar, 11 restaurants and bars, and endless activities such as pool parties, watersports, and live music—plus there are discounts and VIP amenities for groups of 10 or more.

S Hotel Jamaica, a chic newcomer to Montego Bay, is an all-inclusive boutique hotel located adjacent to photogenic Doctor’s Cave Beach and featuring locally inspired décor and amenities, multiple restaurants, and bars serving artisanal Jamaican and international cuisine, a sleek pool deck and a spa focused on holistic wellness.

Round Hill Hotel & Villas, also located in Montego Bay, is a property steeped in history and glamour (designer Ralph Lauren owns a villa here and luminaries from JFK and Jackie to Paul Newman and Grace Kelly once stayed here), and while it’s not right for bridal parties intent on 24/7 partying, its lush grounds and four- and five-bedroom villas with private pools sleep eight to 10 guests, providing an idyllic private enclave for sunning and relaxation.

Bahamas

Nassau/Paradise Island, the top resort destination in the Bahamas, is a quick flight away if you live on the East Coast or Midwest and offers a range of accommodations ideal for a bachelorette weekend. The beaches here are sublime, the water is a vibrant shade of blue, there are lively casinos and indulgent duty-free shops, and the conch fritters are addictive. 

Margaritaville Beach Resort Nassau features cheerful beach-inspired décor in its rooms and public spaces, 10 restaurants and bars, multiple pools with daybeds, a St. Somewhere Spa, and a relaxed ambience inspired by the music and lifestyle of legendary singer and songwriter Jimmy Buffett.

SLS Baha Mar, part of the sprawling Baha Mar complex on gorgeous Cable Beach, is a design-centric resort with 299 rooms that features two dedicated pools and offers access to multiple restaurants and bars, an ESPA spa, and the Baha Mar Casino.

Atlantis Bahamas has a hotel tower for every budget, from wallet-friendly The Coral to centrally located The Royal to splurge-worthy The Cove with its adults-only pool, plus incredible white-sand beaches, 21 restaurants, 19 bars and lounges, a Mandara Spa, and the world-class Atlantis Casino.

Cancun and Riviera Maya, Mexico

Whether you opt for the nonstop energy of Cancun or the more laidback vibe along Riviera Maya to the south, Mexico’s Caribbean coast is a convenient destination lined with golden-sand beaches and imbued with rich Mayan heritage, which is reflected in its cuisine and spas. On a bachelorette getaway here, you can enjoy all-inclusive ease at expansive resorts with Instagram-worthy pools—where you can worship the sun or dance all night at a DJ-helmed party. 

Secrets The Vine Cancun combines the look and feel of Miami with wine selections you’d expect in Napa and access to the incredible beach and water of Cancun in a chic, city-meets-sand high-rise all-inclusive (adults only) with five a la carte restaurants (plus a buffet, grill, and café), a wine-centric piano bar and tropical poolside bars, and a sublime spa.

Thompson Playa Del Carmen offers an affordable, adults-only urban-oasis experience in the heart of the lively town of Playa Del Carmen, home to bar-hopping and lots of shopping, and features a rooftop Alessia Day Club with panoramic views and a block-long infinity pool that transforms at night into a party scene with live DJs. 

Excellence Riviera Cancun is an adults-only all-inclusive near Puerto Morelos known for its spacious swim-up suites and two-story terrace suites with a rooftop lunge pool, 12 dining venues, five bars, six freeform pools, and Miilé Spa with a focus on botanical ingredients.

Dominican Republic

For an easy getaway—and access to some of the best beaches and most inviting water in the Caribbean—it’s hard to beat the Punta Cana resort area in the Dominican Republic, known for  value-priced all-inclusive resorts with lively pool scenes by day and casino action at night, active watersports, and soothing onsite spas. 

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana, a sprawling property with 13 pools (four with swim-up bars), offers a rock ‘n roll vibe set against the photogenic beaches of Punta Cana and features nine restaurants, 23 bars and lounges, a lively casino, and an array of room and suite configurations that can accommodate 4-to-8 people.

Sanctuary Cap Cana, A Luxury Collection Adult All-inclusive Resort is set on sublime Playa Juanillo within the upscale Cap Cana resort enclave and features glamorous beach-inspired suites, six pools, five restaurants, a beach bar, and swim-up pool bar, and a relaxing Sanctuary Spa.

Barcelo Bavaro Beach–Adults Only is a super-affordable, adults-only all-inclusive located on one of Punta Cana’s most photogenic white-sand beaches and guests can enjoy the amenities—including multiple pools and restaurants—both here and at neighboring Barcelo Bavaro Palace, plus up to four people can stay in one room for added savings.

The post 7 Ideal Island and Coastal Destinations for a Bachelorette Getaway appeared first on Islands.

I’ve been stripping down for years. First, as a nude model in art school, then later at clothing optional spas and hot springs along the west coast. I thoroughly enjoyed these brief stints of bare-it-all freedom, so I jumped at the chance to visit Hedonism II in Jamaica.

Located on Negril’s famed Seven Mile Beach, Hedonism II (or Hedo, as the regulars call it), is a spot where adult nudists, exhibitionists, and those in the “lifestyle” (AKA swingers) can live out their fantasies—however mild or wild they may be.

“Hedonism II has always been a place where people can let their hair down and have adult fun in a safe, sensual, protected environment,” managing director Kevin Levee told me.

Before you go, learn as much as possible. I pored over detailed trip reports and on Adult Travel Forum and Denny P. I also joined a private Facebook group, Our Favorite Jamaican Place (unaffiliated with the resort), which has a good mix of seasoned veterans and curious first-timers.

Most importantly, ask yourself: Is it for you? “Not every individual or couple can do it,” says Levee. “But if you know what to expect, it can be the best vacation.”

At Hedo, guests can stay on the “nude” or “prude” side. The former always requires total nudity except in restaurants, where nipples and genitals must be covered; the latter is a clothing-optional scenario. I opted to stay on the nude side.

If you’re concerned about your scars, weight, stretch marks, or whatever body hang-ups you have, I pinky swear promise you’ll fit in. The minute I stripped down at Hedo, I felt at ease. Sure, people do look, and maybe for a few seconds more than you’re used to. That said, the compliments never grew old. Who doesn’t want to hear they’re beautiful? Regulars are generous with their insider tips and words of encouragement.

There aren’t a lot of rules, but respect is an absolute essential. It’s crucial that women feel comfortable, and guests, both male and female, go to great lengths to make others feel safe, welcome, and accepted.

If you’re worried about making friends, one easy way to meet people is to join a hosted trip. These organized groups follow a like-minded theme, like BDSM or burlesque, and typically offer discounted rates, upgraded booze, and special entertainment. Plan to meet people ranging from their 20s to 80s. These folks come from all corners of the world, socioeconomic backgrounds, and religious and political beliefs. Eighty-five percent of Hedonism II’s guests are couples, followed by single men, then single women.

There’s no pressure to participate in any activity—resort-run or otherwise. Everything about Hedonism II embraces an anything-goes mentality. And guests who are concerned about additional cleanliness and safety in this new era of travel will be pleased to know the resort has made significant changes to its procedures for the sake of offering visitors peace of mind.

“Maybe she wants to wear a revealing outfit and spend time in a sexually charged environment,” said Levee. “Or maybe notch it up a bit to wild, where lifestylers can engage in fantasies they can talk about until their next trip.”

A typical day depends upon the individual. Some guests seem to fall into a routine; others go with the flow. Many are naked the majority of the day. On the prude side, flip-flops, bikinis, oversized sunnies, and straw cowboy hats are the beach uniform of choice. The party people tend to stick to the pools while others hang out at the beach. When you’ve tired of Red Stripe and rum, there are plenty of complimentary activities, including a well-equipped gym, pool tables, tennis, basketball, snorkeling, windsurfing, and Hobie Cats.

And if you’re worried about what the neighbors and social media masses will think, you can always slip away to nearby Sandals or Breezes for PG-rated vacation photos.

If you go with an open mind and set clear boundaries and expectations, you should have a total blast. Just don’t forget the sunscreen!

The post What It’s Really Like to Spend a Week at a Nude Resort appeared first on Islands.

The islands of the Caribbean are known for their vivid turquoise water, champagne-hued beaches, and verdant green landscapes, but once a year these two-dozen-plus isles reveal even more vibrant personas with the day-to-night Technicolor partying and pageantry that takes place during annual Carnival celebrations. 

Amid the feathers, sequins, steelpan drumbeats, and dance moves, these islands’ history and culture are celebrated with passionate revelry—whether to coincide with pre-Lenten traditions or to mark important historic dates (the abolition of slavery in the British territories, for example) or nature-centric time periods. 

Here’s a guide to when and how each island gets festive, and why you’ll want to experience it all.

Anguilla

Name: Anguilla Summer Festival

When: Late July–Early August

This small island known for its extraordinary beaches and excellent restaurants hosts its annual Caribbean carnival-style celebration, known as the Anguilla Summer Festival, from the end of July through the first week of August to commemorate the emancipation from slavery in the British Caribbean on August 1, 1834. 

Anguilla’s festival features music, dancing, food, pageants, parades, beach parties, calypso competitions, fireworks, and boat races, with an event held almost every night (some are free and others charge a fee).

Antigua and Barbuda

Name: Antigua Carnival

When: Late July–Early August

Waves of music and locals dancing in colorful feathered costumes during high-spirited parades and street parties mark Antigua’s vibrant 13-day Carnival celebration, which takes place from late July through early August on Antigua. Timed to celebrate emancipation from slavery in the British Caribbean, Carnival in Antigua offers a calendar of events that include musical competitions, pageants, food fairs, calypso contests, and cultural shows, with the most important event being J’ouvert (on Emancipation Day), during which brass and steel-drum bands perform.

Aruba

Name: Aruba Carnival

When: February

The Dutch-Caribbean island of Aruba has a month-long Carnival celebration, centered in Oranjestad and San Nicholas, incorporating dozens of lively events, including Torch Light Parades through the streets at night, musical performances, colorful floats, lavishly costumed celebrants, electrifying Jump Ups and multiple parades culminating with the Grand Parade. 

Finally, the Burning of King Momo marks the end of Carnival Season, after which the entire island goes on hiatus, known as Carnival Monday (an official day of rest).

Bahamas

Name: Junkanoo

When: Dec. 26–Jan. 1 

The islands of the Bahamas are widely known for Junkanoo, an annual Carnival-style festival held between Boxing Day (Dec. 26) and New Year’s Day (Jan. 1) that celebrates Bahamian history and culture with street parties and vibrant parades of elaborately costumed revelers. 

The biggest take place on Bay Street in downtown Nassau, but Junkanoo can be enjoyed on all 16 islands. 

Barbados

Name: Crop Over Festival

When: Late July–Early August 

Carnival on Barbados is known as the Crop Over Festival, which last for three months (June through August) and culminates in early August to mark the end of the sugar cane crop season. This uniquely Barbadian festival, which owes its roots to the island’s colonial past when sugar cane was king, is known for its musical concerts, art exhibitions, calypso competitions, and revelry at Foreday Morning Jam. 

The celebration climaxes during Grand Kadooment when costumed bands and masqueraders parade through the streets in St. Michael with a party that continues late into the night with music, food and fireworks.  

Bonaire

Name: Karnaval

When: February (pre-Lenten)

With activities split between the Dutch-Caribbean island’s two main towns, Kralendijk and Rincon, Bonaire’s Carnival celebration, called Karnaval, features week-long revelry with all the usual festive events—musical performances, parades with costumed dancers, and colorful floats and fireworks—that culminates on Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras) in advance of Ash Wednesday.

British Virgin Islands

Name: BVI Emancipation Festival

When: Late July-Early August

With its heritage and ongoing status as a British Overseas Territory, the British Virgin Islands times its annual Carnival festivities to Emancipation Day (August 1)—in fact, the first Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday in the BVI are public holidays. The BVI Emancipation Festival is a two-week celebration featuring food fairs, Jam Band music, and J’ouvert parades with floats and costumed revelers with the largest events held on the island of Tortola.

Cayman Islands

Name: Cayman Carnival Batabano

When: May 

The Cayman Islands holds its national Carnival, known as the Cayman Carnival Batabano, annually in May at the start of the turtle nesting season; the festival’s name is derived from the word batabano, a Caymanian term that refers to the tracks left in the sand by egg-laying turtles. 

Carnival on Grand Cayman is a cultural melting pot (Caymanians comprise more than 100 nationalities) of music, dance, and pageantry. There are both Adult Batabano and Junior Batabano parades, held on separate weekends.

Curaçao

Name: Curaçao Carnival

When: February (pre-Lenten)

This Dutch-Caribbean island celebrates Curaçao Carnival every year in sync with Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) and holds a series of festive parades (for children, teens, and adults) in its capital, Willemstad, over the 10 days leading up to the final nighttime Grand Farewell Carnival Parade in the hours before Ash Wednesday. The celebration on Curacao encompasses music, dancing, floats, and beauty pageants.

Dominica 

Name: Mas Domnik

When: February (pre-Lenten)

The small Caribbean island of Dominica celebrates its French and African traditions during its annual Carnival celebration known as Mas Domnik, held to coincide with Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) and featuring calypso music, competitions, and two days of exciting street “jump-up.” 

Dominican Republic

Name: Dominican Carnival (Carnaval Dominicano)

When: February and early March 

Every Sunday during February, parades of brightly costumed and masked revelers fill the streets in cities all around the Dominican Republic, including Santiago, La Vega, Santo Domingo, Puerto Plata, and Barahona, for Dominican Carnival (aka Carnaval Dominicano). 

Carnival season culminates on Feb. 27 with the island’s Independence Day celebration and then with the National Carnival Parade on the first Sunday in March along the waterfront in Santo Domingo.

Grenada

Name: Spice Mas 

When: Late July and early August

While colorful Soca and calypso competitions are staged throughout the month of July, Carnival partying on the island of Grenada reaches its climax during the first week or second week of August in St. George’s with the marathon two-day celebration known as Spice Mas. 

Over its 48 hours, lavishly costumed locals dance through the streets, party on flotillas of boats and participate in the pre-dawn J’ouvert (also known in Grenada as Jab), which features chanting, dancing, and defiant symbolism, including the wearing of black body paint and oil to honor their African heritage and the carrying of broken chains to show a breaking away from slavery. 

The culmination is Monday Night Mas and Tuesday’s hours-long Parade of the Bands.

Guadeloupe Islands

Name: Carnival

When: January to March (pre-Lenten)

This French Caribbean paradise begins its annual Carnival celebrations on Jan. 6 (Feast of the Epiphany) and ends on Fat Tuesday (aka Shrove Tuesday), with the major events, such as the Grand Parade on the Sunday before, taking place in its final few days. 

This is a major cultural event throughout the Guadeloupe islands, but especially in Basse-Terre, which hosts the main parades of costumed dancers and musicians. On Ash Wednesday, King Vaval, the symbol of the Carnival, is burned.

Haiti

Name: Carnaval (Kanaval in Creole)

When: February (pre-Lenten)

Haiti’s Carnaval, or Kanaval in Creole, is an annual three-day celebration in February during which the streets of its capital, Port-au-Prince, where the National Carnival is held, and beachside Jacmel are filled with festively costumed locals. Jacmel is particularly known for the over-sized papier-mâché masks depicting animals and demons. Voodoo and historic slavery references comingle with heart-pounding street music and traditional dance performances. 

Jamaica

Name: Carnival

When: April

In Jamaica, a series of Carnival events in early April leads to a week of dozens of festive events in Kingston, Ocho Rios, and Montego Bay featuring colorfully costumed bands and dancers, capped off by the grand finale: Carnival Sunday with its Road March–Parade of the Bands in Kingston featuring large trucks blasting music and bands competing for best music and best costumes.

Martinique

Name: Carnival

When: February (pre-Lenten)

In the week leading up to Shrove Tuesday (aka Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras), the French-Caribbean island of Martinique celebrates its own unique Carnival. On Fat Sunday, parades feature locals carrying fantastically dressed puppets known as bwa bwa as well as nègres-gros-sirop (revelers with bodies covered in coal tar and sugarcane syrup). 

On Fat Monday, islanders enjoy burlesque-like “mock weddings” featuring men dressed as brides and women suited up as bridegrooms. Fat Tuesday is Red Devils Day with parades of costumed red devils of all ages, while Ash Wednesday is The Day of She-Devils as revelers wear black and white to close out Carnival.

Montserrat

Name: Carnival (or Year-End Festival)

When: Dec. 26–Jan. 1

The island of Montserrat is one of several Caribbean island nations that celebrates Carnival to close out one year and welcome in the next. While events begin in early December, the main festivities (for Soca Monarch and Calypso Monarch) begin on Boxing Day (Dec. 26) and the celebrations culminate on New Year’s Eve with Festival Day featuring a gala and New Year’s Day with a Street Parade to mark the closing of Carnival.

Puerto Rico

Name: Carnaval Ponceño

When: February (pre-Lenten)

Timed for the week leading up to Ash Wednesday, the Ponce Carnival (known to locals as the Carnaval Ponceño) attracts up to 100,000 revelers to the historic city of Ponce, located on Puerto Rico’s southern coast. In addition to a masquerade ball and street parades, a highlight of the Ponce carnival is the “vejigantes,” papier-mâché-masked folkloric creatures in colorful costumes and multiple horns that represent the Devil and taunt the crowd. 

Participants also enjoy the appearance of King Momo, the crowning of Carnival Queen the ritual Burial of the Sardine to signify the start of Lent.

Saba

Name: Carnival

When: July 

For a week in late July, the small Dutch-Caribbean island of Saba celebrates with a festive Carnival Village and events that include live musical performances, food stalls, and colorful dance troupes.

St. Barth

Name: Carnival St. Barths

When: February (pre-Lenten)

The tiny French-Caribbean island of St. Barth has a two-day Carnival St. Barth festival with a colorful Mardi Gras parade in the streets of its capital, Gustavia, and a nighttime party. The celebration ends on Ash Wednesday with the burning of Vaval on Shell Beach just outside of town. 

St. Eustatius

Name: Statia Carnival

When: Late July–early August 

Home to the smallest capital city in the world, Oranjestad, the Dutch-Caribbean island of St. Eustatius holds its annual Statia Carnival in late July and early August with vibrant Carnival March parades, musical performances, Youth Night, and more—and Carnival Monday is an island-wide holiday.

St. Kitts and Nevis

Name: Sugar Mas (aka St. Kitts & Nevis National Carnival)

When: December–early January

While events on the two-island nation of St. Kitts and Nevis actually begin in November with pageants, Soca competitions, and more, the main festivities of the St. Kitts and Nevis National Carnival (aka Sugar Mas) kick into high gear just before Christmas with the Festival of Lights Glowfest and continue from Dec. 26 through early January with J’ouvert morning, the National Carnival Queen competition, Calypso Finals, and the Carnival Grand Parade.

St. Lucia

Name: St. Lucia Carnival

When: June–July

There’s a continuous calendar of Carnival events throughout June and July on St. Lucia—including steel-pan and calypso competitions, parties, and parades—but the festivities culminate in July with a two-day street celebration focused on Caribbean history and culture and featuring costumed revelers, bands, DJ music, and more.

St. Maarten/St. Martin

Name: St. Martin Carnival and St. Maarten Carnival

When: February (pre-Lenten) in St. Martin and April in St. Maarten

The dual-nationality island of St. Maarten (a Dutch territory) and St. Martin (a French territory) celebrates Carnival twice, with each side holding their parades and parties in a different month. 

The French side gets things started in February with pre-Lenten jump-ups and colorful parades featuring zouk and reggae music on the streets of Marigot and Grand-Case, while the Dutch side holds a bigger extravaganza that lasts more than two weeks in April. It features Technicolor parades of calypso dancers in Philipsburg and a Carnival Village just outside of the capital featuring booths serving Caribbean culinary favorites.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Name: Vincy Mas

When: June-July 

Preparation for St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ annual Carnival celebration, known as Vincy Mas, spans two months, but its biggest events begin on the last Friday of June and run for 12 days. These include the Miss SVG Competition, colorful Parade of the Bands, Calypso Monarch, and King and Queen of Carnival competition. 

Trinidad and Tobago

Name: Carnival

When: February (pre-Lenten)

Famous for its music and pageantry, the Trinidad and Tobago Carnival is celebrated annually on the Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, although some festivities begin right after Christmas. Carnival Monday on multicultural Trinidad starts before sunrise with J’ouvert as Carnival-goers parade through the streets covered in paint, grease, and mud and party until sunrise. 

Later that day and all day on Carnival Tuesday the streets fill with costumed revelers, energetic dancers and bands playing Soco, steelpan, and calypso. 

Turks and Caicos

Name: Maskanoo and Junkanoo

When: Dec. 26  and Dec. 31

The day after Christmas in Grace Bay on the Turks and Caicos main resort island of Providenciales, locals celebrate the island nation’s West African and Caribbean heritage with Maskanoo (in homage to the 19^th century slaves who would celebrate Christmas by mocking their owners’ elaborate masked balls), which features street parties, music, food, and fireworks. 

Then on New Year’s Eve, it’s time for Junkanoo parades featuring glittering masks and costumes and revelers who dance to drumbeat rhythms until dawn.

U.S. Virgin Islands

Name: VI Carnival, St. John Festival and Crucian Christmas Festival

When: April (St. Thomas), July (St. John) and December–early January (St. Croix)

The three islands of the U.S. Virgin Islands all hold Carnival celebrations—they just do them at different times of the year. To experience it on St. Thomas, you’ll need to visit in late April-early May for VI Carnival, the largest celebration with steel pan bands, lavishly costumed dancers, calypso shows, and more. 

The St. John Festival celebrates the spirit of freedom—July 3, 1848, marks Emancipation Day for slaves who lived in the USVI—and the festivities begin in late June on St. John’s Day and culminate on July 4 in Cruz Bay with parades, parties, and fireworks. 

St. Croix’s Carnival period is known as the Crucian Christmas Festival, with festivities in late December and early January spread between its two cities, Christiansted and Frederiksted.

The post The Ultimate Guide to Every Caribbean Carnival Party appeared first on Islands.

When the cast and crew of No Time to Die, the 25th James Bond film, gathered at Ian Fleming’s villa at GoldenEye resort in Oracabessa, it signaled the start of something exciting for Jamaica. For the first time since 1973’s Live and Let Die, James Bond returned to the island, not just for a ceremonial announcement, but as a setting.

As Jamaica Film Commissioner Renée Robinson explained at the time: “Jamaica is the home of James Bond. This is where it started. All the books were written here. We’re ready to bring Bond back home. This is a big deal.”

For the latest film, the spotlight was on Port Antonio, where “a significant portion” was filmed. Whereas Port Antonio was once known as “Jamaica’s best kept secret,” Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett said 007 put an end to that.

“That secret is out… and out in a big way. You don’t get much bigger than James Bond—one of the greatest movie franchises ever—and we all know the love affair its founder, Ian Fleming, had with Jamaica over the years.”

Among the most exciting aspects of Bond movies are the exotic filming locations, as fans travel with 007 on the big screen and watch as he saves the world. But why stop there? Devoted fans can visit these filming locations from the entire franchise, from Bond’s “home” to the beautiful beaches of Sardinia.

Dr. No — Jamaica

Before you schedule a boat excursion, you should know the titular villain’s exclusive private island, Crab Key, doesn’t exist. Some of Bond’s debut adventures took place in Kingston, but Dr. No’s secret lair was a composite of several scenic locations, including Dunn’s River Falls near Ocho Rios.

The beach at Laughing Waters was the setting for arguably the most famous scene in Bond history, when Honey Ryder (Ursula Andress) emerged from the ocean. That’s why it’s now also known as Crab Key Beach.

Thunderball — Paradise Island, Bahamas

Long before Nassau was a tourist destination, and even before the island had a bridge, a Bond villain named Largo called Hog Island home. As the story goes, the owner of Hog Island changed its name to Paradise Island and eventually allowed Bond producers Albert Broccoli and Harry Saltzman to film Thunderball on his section of the island, which is now home to The Atlantis Paradise Island. His wife just so happened to land a small role in the film, including a quick dance with Sean Connery.

Fans can visit Clifton Pier in Nassau Harbour or hire a tour guide, like Cheryl’s Bahamas Taxi and Tours, to swing by the Rock Point villa that served as Largo’s Palmyra lair. But diehard Bond fans will want to take a dip in Thunderball Grotto and then schedule the “James Bond Wrecks” dive package with Stuart Cove to check out the remains of Thunderball‘s Avro Vulcan bomber.

Live and Let Die — Jamaica

Just as Dr. No‘s Crab Key was made up of various spots in Jamaica, so was Live and Let Die‘s imaginary setting of San Monique. To experience the home of Baron Samedi, fans can stay at Couples San Souci in Ocho Rios, which served as a hotel and nightclub in the 1973 film. Then, head to Jamaica’s north coast and take a tour of the Green Grotto Caves, where Roger Moore’s Bond took out the evil Doctor Kananga.

The film’s Louisiana crocodile farm was actually located in Falmouth, Jamaica, and is known today as the Jamaica Swamp Safari Village. Guests can visit this wildlife preserve and see more than 150 American crocodiles, and even hear the story of how the first owner, Ross Kananga, ran across his crocs for the film’s unforgettable stunt.

The Spy Who Loved Me — Sardinia, Italy

Located on Sardinia’s Costa Smeralda, Hotel Cala di Volpe served briefly as Bond’s accommodations, before he took on Karl Stromberg in Atlantis. Bond fans looking to stay in the spy’s spacious suite will be disappointed to know it can’t be reserved, because his room was actually the hotel bar.

Set out from this hotel to recreate the route of the film’s legendary car chase scene (at safe speeds, of course). Good luck finding a Lotus Esprit, though. A better idea is simply relaxing on nearby Romazzina Beach, where Bond’s car came ashore.

For Your Eyes Only — Corfu, Greece

Greece’s Corfu Island was featured prominently in this 1981 film, from Corfu Harbour to the Achilleion’s casino. The small village of Pagoi won’t offer much adventure and excitement, but Bond fans will want to stop by the appropriately-named Spyros Bond 007 Cafe Bar, where the walls are adorned with autographed photos of Roger Moore and his For Your Eyes Only co-star, Carole Bouquet, as well as other Bond actors.

Fans can also grab some loungers and umbrellas at Issos Beach, where the film’s dune buggy chase was filmed.

License to Kill — Key West and Isla Mujeres

Famed Mexican diver and filmmaker Ramon Bravo directed the underwater scenes for this 1989 Timothy Dalton entry, filmed in Isla Mujeres. Dive companies like Carey Dive Center and Poc Na Dive Center offer trips to Manchones National Park, where the Cross of the Bay statue serves as an underwater tribute to the late Bravo.

Bond fans can stay dry in Key West by visiting Basilica of St. Mary Star of the Sea, where Felix Leiter’s wedding took place. The Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum is already a must-see for tourists, but it is also the place where Bond’s license to kill was revoked.

GoldenEye — Arecibo, Puerto Rico

In this 1995 film, the Arecibo Observatory was portrayed as an antenna hidden underwater in Cuba, but in reality it is located in the Puerto Rican municipality of the same name. While the radio telescope collapsed in 2020, fans can still check out the visitor center to learn about the site’s history. But don’t get your hopes up for a view like 006 and 007 had in the film’s climactic fight.

Instead, leave the center and head to one of the local beaches, like Los Morillos or Las Tunas, and enjoy the island’s natural beauty.

Casino Royale — Nassau, Bahamas

Sean Connery reportedly loved filming Thunderball in the Bahamas so much that he bought a home in Lyford Cay, and became a lunchtime regular at One&Only Ocean Club. When Daniel Craig took over as 007 with 2006’s Casino Royale, it was only fitting that the franchise returned to its Caribbean roots and paid tribute to its first star by filming the poker scenes at this resort, where Craig’s Bond made Villa 1085 a popular accommodation.

The resort became a Four Seasons property in 2017 and was renamed, simply, The Ocean Club, which recently unveiled an extensive renovation. The villas are still available at quite the price, but visitors can make reservations for lunch or dinner at Dune and check out the resort’s Versailles Gardens that were also featured in the film.

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Excellence Oyster Bay isn’t your average Caribbean all-inclusive resort. Yes, the standard buffet is stocked with gourmet international cuisine, bartenders will cheerfully mix a mai tai or pina colada at the swim-up bar, and there are dazzling clear waters and white sand beaches to take in. However, it’s the size of the resort, wholly attentive staff, and perhaps most of all, privacy that really sets Excellence Oyster Bay apart from the rest.

From the moment you enter through the floor-to-ceiling doors into the lobby, the resort exudes luxury and coolness with a West Indies meets modern aesthetic. Bright white, airy walls and light-colored upholstered couches contrast black marble floors that spill into the chic lobby martini bar area. But even the thoughtfully designed interior spaces pale in comparison to the sweeping patios and terraces just outside, where guests can take in the breathtaking ocean views from veritably any number of vantage points. The meticulous attention to detail even lends itself to the painstakingly maintained landscaping dotted with coconut and banana trees throughout the grounds.

The smallest of the brand’s resorts (with other Excellence locations in Playa Mujeres, Cancun, El Carmen, and Punta Cana), which opened in 2018, Excellence Oyster Bay is located on its own completely private peninsula. There, it boasts just 320 guest rooms—not including 12 beach houses, each comprised of four individual suites, and five private beach villas. And although the resort was not at full capacity during our preview, the limited number of guests was very much apparent through deliberate touches and an unparalleled level of service throughout our stay.

For instance, not only are Excellence’s five main pools not packed with partygoers or screaming children—the adults-only resort does cater to couples, after all. But finding a choice seat by the pool or beach does not require waking up at an early hour to “claim” a spot with a towel, typical of comparatively larger resorts. The ample seating is clearly by design, allowing guests to move about freely from beachside to poolside throughout the day. 

Likewise, the friendly and watchful staff outnumbers guests, and a fresh towel or drink refill is never more than a moment’s wait. The modest capacity and personalized service help give the resort a decidedly intimate atmosphere. Perhaps this is why arriving guests are told, “Welcome home,” while being handed a glass of champagne and chilled towel. Indeed, in addition to 62 percent of guests celebrating honeymoons or anniversaries at Excellence Oyster Bay, as many as 60 percent are return customers. 

You will also not find a bad room at Excellence Oyster Bay, which are all sleek and spacious in design. Most suites exhibit stunning ocean views, while ground-floor suites feature private infinity pools. Some second and third-floor terrace suites are even equipped with individual plunge pools. All suites come with their Jacuzzis, separate seating areas, rainfall showers for two, fully stocked minibars, and an in-suite premium liquor selection. Room service is available 24 hours per day, so guests looking for the utmost privacy barely even need to leave their suites during their stay to enjoy the bounty of what Excellence Oyster Bay has to offer.

However, that would mean missing out on all the great activities and entertainment throughout the resort, both day and night. In addition to snorkeling, fat bike tours, beachside yoga classes, and water aerobics, the first-rate live entertainment is more in line with what you would expect from larger resorts. Nightly shows at the outdoor Stars Theater feature everything from Bob Marley tribute bands—this is Jamaica, after all—to local dancers putting on gravity-defying performances. 

But even after the shows wind down, the party keeps going. A rotating line of late-night entertainment includes karaoke and “silent dance parties,” where guests can put on headphones and choose from one of several tracks the DJ is spinning.

The terrace outside of the lobby likewise features all-day and evening entertainment, from low-key live music performances to “sips” painting classes overlooking the ocean. After all, are you even in paradise if there’s not a drink in your hand at all times?

Because the resort is in such close proximity to Jamaica’s infamous Luminous Lagoon, one activity that guests of Excellence Oyster Bay absolutely will not want to miss is swimming among the dinoflagellates—microscopic organisms that sparkle and glow in the dark when disturbed. Located in the shallow, warm waters along the marshlands of Trelawny, just across from the town of Falmouth, the lagoon is only a short ride from the peninsula’s cape, where boats depart from every night. Just watch out for moon jellies!

It’s also difficult to get bored with the restaurant options at Excellence Oyster Bay. For al fresco dining, head to either Oregano, serving up Italian fare, or the seafood-forward Lobster House. Both open-air restaurants are located just steps from Excellence’s main pool area and underneath the rooftop X-Lounge and infinity pool—the latter of which I’m not embarrassed to say I spent more than my share of time. It’s entirely too easy to lose an afternoon while staring out at the tranquil waves and sipping on a fruity beverage.

Other standouts include the Caribbean Grove restaurant, which focuses on Jamaican cuisine and, naturally, a wide selection of high-end rums to pair with your meal. The Asian fusion Spice restaurant, situated just above the lobby area, is also among guest favorites. If you happen to be traveling with a group, don’t miss out on reserving one of the restaurant’s hibachi tables in advance for a fun and unforgettable evening. And although I didn’t have the opportunity to try it for myself, I heard multiple guests rave about the casual outdoor Jamaican barbecue Jerk Hut just next to the main pool.

For those who like to pair their meal with a fine glass of wine, an on-site sommelier has curated a list of 3,900 bottles for guests’ enjoyment. Of course, this is on top of the talented mixologists found throughout the resort’s bars and restaurants.

And although every guest at Excellence is treated like a VIP, for a truly next-level experience, guests can opt to stay in one of the resort’s 148 Excellence Club suites, which—in addition to the beach houses and villas—offer upgraded services and amenities. Upon arrival, Excellence Club guests are whisked off to a private check-in by one of the small electric cars often seen zooming around the property. (And watch out because those things will sneak up on you.) Each end of the peninsula also features separate Excellence Clubs and private pools, exclusive to upgraded guests, as well as access to the world-class Zenith and Magna restaurants. 

Other perks limited to Excellence Club guests include an expanded room service menu and upgraded minibar and liquor selection, Bvlgari bath amenities, champagne, and flowers waiting in your room after check-in, and one complimentary hydrotherapy treatment at the resort’s Miilé Spa.

Open to all guests, this spa provides a wide variety of massages and skin and beauty treatments—but the hydrotherapy sessions are an experience all unto their own. Guests are scrubbed, steamed, dunked, and doused through a circuit of rooms, pools, and various equipment to ease chronic pain and cleanse pores.

As I took one last walk along the beach before checking out, I felt a certain sense of wistfulness in knowing that my stay was coming to an end. After spending a few days at Excellence Oyster Bay, it became easy to see why so many guests return to its properties year after year. It’s safe to say I can now consider myself a convert among their ranks.

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Sometimes we don’t have enough time to see as much of an island as we hope, but one of the best ways to fix that is by renting a bicycle or electric bike. Island tours and professional guides offer travelers roads, trails, and off-the-beaten-paths from which they can explore the Caribbean in ways they haven’t previously imagined.

Serious cyclists can also find new challenges on their favorite islands, as biking legends have designed some of these trails to test the limits of experienced riders. But no matter your skill level, there are myriad bicycle paths and tours in the Caribbean.

The only thing left to do is pack your cycling gear—especially a good helmet.

Tinker’s Trail — St. Lucia

St. Lucia is full of bike trails for riders of all experience levels, and one of the most famous is Tinker’s Trail. Designed by three-time U.S. National Champion and Mountain Bike Hall of Fame inductee Tinker Juarez, this trail was meant to be a “heart thumper” for the most experienced riders, offering a tough uphill run to test a rider’s “conditioning and aerobic capacity.”

But Tinker’s Trail is hardly for everyone, so beginners can hit the easier paths and enjoy a ride at their comfort level while experiencing the beauty and history of St. Lucia.

Cayman Cave Trek — Cayman Island

ECO Rides Cayman offers this four-hour bike tour that takes riders through some of East End’s most scenic areas before arriving at the Crystal Caves. The ride begins near the resort area six miles from the caves, so guests have the chance to see the sights along Queen’s Highway Road. The ride is easy and ECO provides a bike and a helmet.

Guided Bike Tours — Anguilla

What makes Anguilla ideal for cycling is its size. At just 17 miles long and 3 miles wide, the island is easy to navigate and explore, with trails like Katouche and Brimegin providing an intimate, up-close look at the natural beauty. Many resorts—like Zemi Beach House Hotel and Malliouhana—offer guided tours of the island, but it’s just as easy to grab a map and visit everywhere from Sandy Ground to the East End on your own.

Nevis Adventure Tours — Nevis

Nevis’ main road is basically a 20-mile circle, so riding around the entire island is always an option. Nevis Adventure Tours offers more detailed outings that allow riders to learn about the island’s history from their bikes.

The Windwardside Discovery Bike Tour invites riders of all skill levels on a three-hour journey of St. James parish, which boasts the last operating sugar plantation on the island, as well as a haunted estate. For more experienced cyclists, Nevis Adventure Tours offers the Nevis Challenge: Peak of Biking, which covers the entire island, beginning and ending in Newcastle.

Guanica State Forest Trails — Puerto Rico

While Toro Verde is known for its zip-lines, mountain bikers will want to visit the island’s forests and parks for the best trails. The Guanica Biospehere Reserve and State Forest features 12 trails for hikers and bikers, and the park’s guides will help guests determine which are best for their skill levels.

Blue Mountain National Park — Jamaica

There is no shortage of companies and resorts offering bike tours of Blue Mountain National Park, and many of them are perfect for families looking for a casual adventure or even a picnic. Blue Mountain Bicycle Tour offers a straightforward, all-inclusive day ride that is easy on the legs and features plenty of perks, like brunch with real Blue Mountain coffee and a visit to a secluded waterfall. Bikes and gear are also included.

Singletrack Jamaica takes it a step further with custom packages for serious riders who want to spend several days on the trails. This company technically offers rental bikes, but they belong to the employees, so you’d better know what you’re doing out there.

Punta Cana Mountain Bike Tour — Dominican Republic

Outback Adventures in the Dominican Republic provides an eco-friendly mountain bike tour of Punta Cana’s countryside and Macao Beach, and the use of electric bikes makes it perfect for all riders. The tour takes guests on off-road trails and paved roads to share the region’s rich history, while also allowing everyone to stop for shopping and dining. Bikes and gear are included in the rental fees.

Jan Thiel Lagoon — Curaçao

Featuring a trail that was created for the 2006 UCI Mountain Bike World Cup, Curaçao’s Jan Thiel Lagoon is a nature reserve with longer pathways fit for beginner and advanced bikers alike.

WannaBike offers guided tours of the lagoon’s trails, as well as rides through Caracas Bay Peninsula, Koraal Tabak, and Boca St. Michiel/Malpais, which is a great option for more experienced cyclists.

La Desirade Island — Guadeloupe Islands

Like Anguilla, La Desirade‘s small size is what makes it an ideal spot for a bike tour. One main road runs the length of the island, making it so easy for guests to experience everything this small national natural reserve has to offer. Rentals bikes are available on the island, as beaches like Petite-Rivière and Beauséjour await.

Bermuda Railway Trail — Bermuda

While it’s not the Caribbean, this special adventure deserves to be included. Following an abandoned railbed, the Bermuda Railway Trail is a bike trail that runs approximately 18 miles and is split into nine sections, allowing riders to start and end wherever they’d like. The trail offers challenges like bridges and steeper slopes, but it’s also fit for beginners who simply want to see the island’s pink-sand beaches and historic landmarks at a leisurely pace.

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