Because Philadelphia International Airport offers a good amount of direct flights to tropical destinations, take advantage of this and put the Caribbean on your radar. Need some inspiration? Read on.

Jamaica

American Airlines can have travelers trading cheesesteaks for jerk chicken in just under four hours.

Need some activities for your itinerary in Jamaica? Here are some of our favorite things to do. Looking for a room that is just steps from the beach? Start with any of these Jamaican resorts.

Aruba

An American Airlines flight will last approximately four hours and 40 minutes, which means you have enough time to watch two movies before you’re at the resort pool, Aruba Ariba in hand.

Travelers in need of fun ideas for a vacation in Aruba, look no further. And while this island has plenty of great resorts, these are some of our favorite choices.

Cancún

American Airlines, Spirit, and Frontier all offer nonstop service from Philadelphia to Cancún, with the flight time at approximately four hours and 10 minutes.

Grand Cayman

American Airlines will have passengers at Owen Roberts International Airport in just under four hours. That means plenty of times for fun and entertaining activities, after checking in to one of the best resorts on Grand Cayman.

Dominican Republic

An American Airlines flight will last just under four hours, allowing visitors to swiftly navigate the lines at Punta Cana International Airport before hitting the beaches for rest and relaxation or some underwater exploring.

Puerto Rico

Spirit, Frontier, and American Airlines each offer affordable, nonstop flights, at just under four hours, to Luis Munoz Marin International Airport. Once settled, we highly recommend visitors grab a pina colada.

St. Thomas

Leave the passports in the safe and board an American Airlines flight to Cyril E. King Airport. At approximately four hours, the trip will be over before you can say, “Let’s book a tee time.”

The post Nonstop Flights from Philadelphia to the Caribbean appeared first on Islands.

When it’s time for that long-awaited tropical vacation, the last thing we want is to spend a lot of time in multiple airports waiting for connecting flights and praying that they’re not canceled. Direct flights are typically more expensive, which makes this a much tougher decision for a lot of travelers, but if you ask anyone who has ever had to sprint from one terminal to another to make the next flight, price suddenly might not matter as much.

If you live in or near Washington D.C. and you’re dreaming of escaping to the Caribbean, you have some great options for direct flights. It’s all a matter of which island you prefer and how much you can afford for airfare, and the latter might actually help you choose the former if you’re traveling to this region for the first time.

Here are the direct flights offered by major airlines from Dulles International Airport (IAD), Reagan National Airport (DCA), and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI).

21 Cheapest Flights to the Caribbean | Best of the Caribbean

United Airlines

DC travelers can enjoy nonstop service from IAD to Aruba, Barbados, Grand Cayman, Montego Bay (Jamaica), Nassau (Bahamas), Turks and Caicos, Punta Cana (Dominican Republic), St. Thomas (USVI), and St. Maarten.

JetBlue

Direct flights are available from DCA to San Juan (Puerto Rico).

Southwest

Take off from BWI for nonstop trips to Aruba, Montego Bay (Jamaica), Nassau (Bahamas), Punta Cana (DR), and San Juan (PR).

The post Nonstop Flights from Washington D.C. to the Caribbean appeared first on Islands.

Take Robbie Felix. The former Silicon Valley headhunter moved to Costa Rica in 2000 to the Pacific coast town of Quepos, where she bought Hotel California. There, she fell in love with Costa Rica’s jungle, and most of all, a lifestyle that includes running on the beach at dawn and listening to monkeys on her roof every evening.

“Costa Rica reminds me of Hawaii 40 years ago — this area is still so untouched, with air that’s so clean and water that’s pure,” she says. “When Costa Ricans talk about pura vida, I think they are talking about places like this.”

What jobs can I find?

“For sure, the high-tech industry is growing here,” says Felix. “We have a lot of people who work on the Internet with an international clientele.” It will cost you more than it might in the States to get set up, but know that Costa Rica has the infrastructure for high-speed fiber-optic cable lines. Plus, the Costa Rican Investment Promotion Agency, aka CINDE, helps establish high-tech businesses in the country. “The government really, really wants more high-tech businesses here,” says Felix.

One of the other safe bets is tourism. “There are always a lot of services missing,” says Felix. As a vegan, she’s noticed a lack of vegetarian and vegan restaurants, which prompted her to open her own, Eva’s Garden. But she sees so much growth potential for coffee shops, cafes and other traveler-centric offerings.

Where do I buy groceries?

“If you like processed food, you will be paying an extremely high price, especially for anything imported,” says Felix. “But, if you learn to enjoy local produce, prices are extremely low.”

Because of Costa Rica’s micro-climates, the mountains yield potatoes, carrots and broccoli, while the hotter coastal areas deliver a bounty of bananas, mangoes, papayas and the like.

“Farmers markets are everywhere,” says Felix. “What’s missing are the prepared foods, like the takeout items you’d find at Whole Foods Market. That’s actually a plus — it makes me healthier because I end up cooking my own food.” Another boon for her health is that neither of her two biggest vices, donuts and Red Vines, can be found locally.

What are the healthcare options?

Most noticeably absent are specialists. Felix couldn’t find a rheumatologist matching her standards, but she says even that turned out in her favor. “I ended up relying on natural remedies. I came here with lupus and arthritis, and I don’t have a problem with either anymore,” she says.

As for hospitals, the public health care system isn’t comparable to much of what can be found in the States, but luckily, private hospitals are an option — and their services are significantly cheaper, explaining why Americans often trek to Costa Rica for elective surgeries. For most expats, the private hospitals are the better option when illness strikes. This past January, Felix suffered bronchitis and needed a six-day hospital stay.

“I went to the best private hospital, definitely world class, and the bill only came to $4,000. The most expensive part was a $6,000 medication that came from the U.S.,” says Felix, who estimates that a similar stay in the States would cost at least $100,000.

How do I bring my pets?

Bringing cats and dogs into Costa Rica isn’t complicated, provided you have the correct paperwork. Dogs need proof of vaccination against distemper, hepatitis, Leptospirosis, parvovirus and rabies. For cats, all that’s required is proof of rabies vaccination.

Will online retailers deliver?

So many American expats have moved to Costa Rica and are shopping online that the post office can’t handle the volume. Most locals instead opt for private mail services — such as Aerocasillas, one of seven such services — to receive packages and deal with the customs.

How do I move my belongings?

Another organization, The Association of Residents of Costa Rica, or ARCR, will help you through the process of moving to Costa Rica. “They help people find honest, fair, reputable companies to move their stuff to Costa Rica,” says Felix. When she moved to Costa Rica, she came with 15 boxes and a car, which was taxed heavily. “One tip to save money is to bring your car to Panama and then drive up — you’ll pay much less in taxes that way,” she adds.

The post How to Move to Costa Rica appeared first on Islands.

Every year, our Best Islands to Live On article is our most popular, and it’s not surprising. The dream of #SurroundMeWithWater becoming an everyday reality is one we all share: According to our reader survey, 80 percent of you have thought about moving to an island someday, and 75 percent have considered purchasing an island home.

Nearly 60 percent of readers are contemplating a move to the Caribbean — so we offer five top picks. You told us you’re concerned with the cost of island living — so we rounded up affordable options (plus one that’s worth the splurge, just for fun). A beach bum wants a different vibe from a city slicker — so we broke down locations by the personality type they suit best. Same goes for stages of life: Recent grads and retirees have varied needs, so we addressed each one. Plus, we share on-the-ground tips from expats who made the leap. We’re confident these islands will inspire your next move.

And now, in no particular order, our list of the Top 20 Best Islands to Live On.

Best Caribbean:  Grand Cayman

When Jennifer Smith visited Grand Cayman on a Caribbean cruise in 2008, she never imagined she’d be living there with her husband two years later. “We realized Grand Cayman was very different from the other islands,” says Smith, who works as a controller for a real-estate developer and writes a blog called Offshore CPA, which offers tips for relocating expats. “We immediately fell in love with it.” So on their return to New Jersey, the pair researched the local job market and landed positions at two accounting firms — Grand Cayman is home to one of the world’s largest banking jurisdictions, with plenty of opportunities for finance-minded expats.

But don’t go buying a one-way ticket just yet. Anyone who wants to move there must have a valid work permit before he or she arrives, so it’s important to solidify employment before taking the plunge. And while the length of their work permits governs most expats’ time — a minimum of two years in most cases — some Americans have the chance to stay permanently. Wisconsinite Kim Kadiyala met her Caymanian husband in Chicago, moved near his family in Grand Cayman and now spends weekends at places like Starfish Point, a quiet beach on the island’s northern shore. Says Kadiyala, “I don’t think I’ll ever live in another place as beautiful as this.” — David LaHuta

• Population: 60,413
• Language spoken: English
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $874
• Starting home price: $150,000
• Cost of a gallon of milk: $6.51

Most Affordable: Dominican Republic

Matt Bokor immediately fell in love with the Dominican Republic for its cozy corner bars, rustic inns, cook shacks and especially the outgoing locals. “Dominicans are gregarious, welcoming and friendly,” says Bokor, who moved to the island from Miami. “They’ll have you dancing the merengue in no time.” The affordability of the island was appealing too. “We have sticker shock every year returning to Florida for our family reunion,” he says. “A pound of green peppers at the supermarket in Miami is about $4, compared with $1.20 here. Per pound, tomatoes are about 30 cents, and carrots are 25 cents. At the fishermen’s market in Las Terrenas, we bought 7 pounds of seafood for $40.”

There are a few downsides: traffic, power outages and crime. (Bokor points out that there is a heavy police presence.) In the end, though, the advantages win out. Bokor’s favorite thing of all is that convenience stores deliver. “Need eggs and orange juice first thing in the morning?” he says. “Just call. Run out of beer midway through the big game? They’ll bring it right to your door.” — Sarah Sekula

• Population: 10.4 million
• Language spoken: Spanish
• Currency: Dominican peso
• Average year-round temp: 80˚F
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $500
• Starting home price: $155,000
• Cost of a gallon of milk: $4

Best for Retiring: Bocas del Toro, Panama

Basil Stetson retired in Bocas del Toro to become a surf bum. It didn’t hurt that the exchange rate was beyond favorable — but not because he couldn’t afford a tonier location. Along with his fabric-designer wife, April Cornell, Stetson already owns on Grand Cayman. Rather, the low costs entice young energy, courtesy of backpackers. “The place feels fresh,” says Stetson. “I don’t want to live among high-rises and lots of old people.”

He adds, “It’s a small community.” How small? On Sundays, everyone can be found at the airport, where locals aren’t catching planes but fly balls — the runway is the community baseball field. Stetson might be retired, but he still speaks in business parlance. “Those games pay dividends,” he says. “Because of them, everyone knows who I am — one of the few gringos in the stands.” — Brooke Morton

• Population: 7,366
• Language spoken: Spanish
• Currency: USD
• Average year-round temp: 78˚F
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $450
• Starting home price: $80,000
• Cost of a gallon of milk: $7.00

Thinking of moving to Bocas Del Toro? The Red Frog Beach Island Community offers upscale villas and condos for sale. This new resort draws success from owners investing in a second home wanting to capitalize on Panama’s booming economy. The resort offers a vacation exploration tour to visit and see the unique nature, wildlife and the marvelous beaches in this little-known Caribbean Archipelago. Owners can rent their homes for income through the resort’s property management program. See the video or visit the website redfrogbeach.com to learn more. [Sponsored]

Best for a Small-Town Vibe: Ambergris Caye, Belize

Life on Ambergris is quiet. Slow. Morning rush hour is a dozen bikes wheeling over the bridge to the main town of San Pedro. Kirsten Miglio relocated from Chicago with her husband in 1993. Back then, the one road cutting lengthwise across the island saw just three golf carts, the other main means of transport. Now, Miglio struggles to estimate how many carts rumble along the dirt roads.

Around town, everyone is familiar with the couple, who own owns Ak’bol Yoga Retreat and Eco Resort, 2 miles south of San Pedro. “People remember faces; names are less important,” Miglio says. “There are little pockets of communities, like the French community, the yoga community, the divers, the fly-fishermen, the sailors,” she says, adding that most of the smaller groups gather often for happy hour, dinner or whatever it is that brings them together. — BM

• Population: 13,381
• Language spoken: English
• Currency: Belize dollar
• Average year-round temp: 79˚F
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $900
• Starting home price: $200,000
• Cost of milk: $2.76 for a quart-size box

Best Caribbean: Martinique

Spend a few days in Martinique, and you’d think you were in a tropical version of Marseille. After all, the French island is home to one of the region’s largest Francophone populations, including a burgeoning expat community from mainland France who’ve relocated for the locale’s black-sand beaches, lush rainforests and Caribbean joie de vivre.

The “Paris of the Antilles” also attracts folks from the U.S. who come to teach English — expats like Hayley Hund, who moved from Leavenworth, Kansas, in 2014 to work as an English teaching assistant. “It’s important to live like the Martiniquais,” says Hund, who enjoys practicing her Creole and eating anything au gratin. “The lifestyle has taught me to leave my watch at home and let my day develop at its own pace. As the locals like to say, ‘Il n’y a pas d’heures précises,’ or ‘there are no fixed times.'” — DL

• Population: 386,486
• Language spoken: French, Creole and English
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $800
• Starting home price: $170,000
• Cost of milk: $1.12 per liter

Most Affordable: Phuket, Thailand

With jungle-topped mountains, high-end dining, championship golf courses and internationally famous beaches, Phuket is an ideal setting for many foreigners from around the globe. As the largest island in Thailand, it has just about everything you need.

Top-tier medical care is easy to find and, better yet, reasonably priced. You’ll be close to an international airport, which means you won’t have to fly out of Bangkok (a major plus). There are plenty of international schools, and grocery stores are stocked with imported goods. Whether you rent or buy, it’s still extremely affordable. Keep in mind, however, that foreigners cannot own land in their name, but they may purchase a condo or home and lease the land. — SS

• Population: 620,000
• Languages spoken: Thai, English
• Currency: Baht
• Average year-round temp: 84˚F
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $510
• Starting home price: $168,000
• Cost of a gallon of milk: $6

Best for Recent Grads: St. Croix, USVI

Spend the day with the 20-something set on St. Croix, the largest of the three U.S. Virgin Islands, and you might ask if you’ve stepped into an REI or Michelob Ultra commercial. Scenes cut quickly between sailing to Buck Island to swim with turtles, hiking the northwest coast to snorkel in tide pools, and dancing on a roped-off street for St. Patrick’s Day.

It’s the world of Matthew Weicker, a scuba instructor who chose to make the largely undeveloped island home in July 2015. “St. Thomas feels less like an island and more like a city with lots of vehicles, and it’s very built-up. St. Croix is quieter, with old-island charm.” Its smaller population makes it easier to join the party, er, community. For Weicker, finding that island-style welcome was simple. “Hang out in town, grab a beer and just start talking to people.” Regarding employment, Weicker adds,”The best way to land a job is to walk into the restaurants, bars and tour companies in town and talk to who’s hiring — it’s much easier in person than over the phone.” — BM

• Population: 53,000
• Language spoken: English
• Currency: USD
• Average year-round temp: 85˚F
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $875
• Starting home price: $130,000
• Cost of a gallon of milk: $4.99

Best for Urbanites: Hong Kong

“Hong Kong is the densest place I have ever experienced,” says Laurie Goldberg, a craft-beer importer who jets often to New York and Tokyo. With Hong Kong’s huge population comes perks. For one: cheap cabs. Thirty minutes and the equivalent of $20 U.S. buys transit to the white-sand beaches and lush hiking trails of Tai Long Wan, which reminds her of Thailand.

As for city life, Goldberg — who has called Los Angeles and Hawaii home — found the transition seamless, thanks in large part to an expat community numbering 1 million. “It was similar to moving to a city in the U.S. — everyone speaks English — but it’s much easier to meet new people,” she says. She adds that the transient nature of Hong Kong’s expat scene makes it much more welcoming. After arriving in 2011 with her husband, Adam, his law-school chum introduced them to everyone he knew. Instantly, they had community. Nights out progressed from listening to a Journey cover band at the bar Insomnia to midnight foot massages, a uniquely Hong Kong tradition — all fueled by a craft-beer selection as international as the crowd enjoying it. — BM

• Population: 7.19 million
• Languages spoken: Cantonese, English
• Currency: USD
• Average year-round temp: 72˚F
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $3,200
• Starting home price: $675,000
• Cost of a gallon of milk: $11.34

Best Caribbean: St. Kitts

A sunny home with a new passport to boot? In St. Kitts, it’s as easy as writing a check. The destination is one of a handful of countries that offer a citizenship-by-investment program, in which $250,000 plus the cost of a home buys you Kittitian citizenship.

Or simply join the workforce. At Ross University — an accredited veterinary school that draws students from the U.S. and Canada — faculty positions are often available. Opportunities can also be found in construction, engineering and real estate, plus hospitality jobs at new hotels. “Several resorts are scheduled to open in the next few years,” says Derek Wales, a Massachusetts native who followed his girlfriend to St. Kitts in 2014 when she decided to attend Ross University, “so now is a great time to send in your résumé.” — DL

• Population: 40,000
• Language spoken: English
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,025
• Starting home price: $350,000
• Cost of a gallon of milk: $11.50

Most Affordable: Roatan, Honduras

Roatan, off the east coast of Honduras, is a hodgepodge of small communities with a large expat population. Pristine plots of land, untouched and exactly the way nature intended them to be, are still available for purchase. Deb Crofutt, who moved to the island in 2013, can attest to that. “You can buy land or an already built home for less than in the U.S.,” she says. “We own a 2,100-square-foot home on a quarter-acre of land, and our property taxes are about $130 a year.”

“Roatan is large enough to have conveniences and luxuries, such as dentists, yoga studios and high-end restaurants,” says Rika Purdy, an expat from Vancouver. “But it’s still small enough that you get to know your entire community and enjoy a slower pace of life. And due to the low minimum wage, which is about $15 per day, you can find quality housekeeping, childcare, cooks or home security for an affordable price.” — SS

• Population: 80,000
• Languages spoken: Spanish, Bay Islands Creole, English
• Currency: Honduran Lempira, but USD is widely accepted
• Average year-round temp: 80˚F
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $500
• Starting home price: $100,000
• Cost of a gallon of milk: $2

Best for Starting a Business: Oahu, Hawaii

“I found it quite easy if you pick the right market,” says Mike Davis of launching Extract Juice Bar in downtown Honolulu with wife, Stacey, in 2013. “Just find a niche that isn’t already exploited locally,” says Davis. Before flying out, the couple scoured Yelp and Google to get a feel for the island’s neighborhoods. After they arrived, they spent half a day sitting outside their intended shop location, studying foot traffic. Their product skews toward an affluent clientele, so they targeted the business district, fueled by tourism and military dollars. Davis also figured it wise to open doors at 6 a.m., when the suits clock in to do business with the mainland.

More importantly, the venture brought added benefits to the couple’s lives. They’re stoked that riding waves is now part of their everyday. Says Davis, “Two weeks ago, my fridge went down over the weekend. I was closed for three days and lost all my produce. But when you’re in Hawaii, how can you ever be mad that you’re on an island?” — BM

• Population: 953,207
• Language spoken: English
• Currency: USD
• Average year-round temp: 77˚F
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,300
• Starting home price: $60,000
• Cost of a gallon of milk: $5.49

Best for Foodies: Sicily, Italy

“Sicily’s architecture is very baroque, and its desserts are too — in fact, there’s flair and exuberance to all the island’s food,” says Jann Huizenga. She and her husband, Kim Crowley, spend half the year in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and the rest in a Sicilian town called Ragusa Ibla, population 3,000. When asked to share a favorite food memory, Huizenga pauses. In spring, the thing to do is join friends on hillsides, foraging for wild asparagus, fennel, capers and borage, a spinachlike green. The resulting bounty is cooked with pasta.

If you don’t have friends to scrounge with, try the restaurant I Bianchi, which is managed by a two-star Michelin chef and is known for its pastries and gelatos. Caffe Sicilia in the village of Noto is another Huizenga must-try, namely for its almond granita and its take on a Sicilian summer breakfast: gelato tucked inside a brioche.”It’s a great big thing,” she says, and as she describes the textures and flavor, it seems some of the island’s exuberance has rubbed off. — BM

• Population: 5 million
• Language spoken: Italian
• Currency: Euro
• Average year-round temp: 60˚F
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $400
• Starting home price: $170,000
• Cost of milk: $1.37 per liter

Best Caribbean: Virgin Gorda, BVI

“I love watching visitors react to our version of reality,” says Cassie Mitchell, who moved to Virgin Gorda from Royal Oak, Michigan, in 2012 to pursue a career in guest services. “It reaffirms why I’m here in the first place.” Of course, the BVI reality takes many forms. For her friend Scott Allerton, a Florida native who opened Carib Kiteboarding in 2003, it’s teaching visitors the sport. “My office is the ocean,” says Allerton, who has taught more than 1,000 people on Virgin Gorda’s Eustatia Sound, ideally suited for kiteboarding thanks to its consistent side-shore breezes.

On tiny Virgin Gorda, it’s small-town living at its sunniest: Grocery runs require boats, clocks give way to island time, and virtually everyone knows your name. “All of us expats share three traits that allow us to survive here,” says Mitchell. “Kindness, patience and optimism.” — DL

• Population: 29,151
• Language spoken: English
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,200
• Starting home price: $275,000
• Cost of a gallon of milk: $10.55

Most Affordable: Boracay, Philippines

Though Boracay is tiny, it has nine beaches, 30-plus nightlife spots and 27 dive sites. About an hour flight from Manila, it attracts fun-loving expats like Paul Fournier, who moved there in 2012. “I pay $296 per month for a studio apartment, including cleaning service, in the center of Boracay,” he says. “White Beach and Bulabog Beach are just a five-minute walk. I eat out daily because the food is so cheap. Beer in the beachfront bars averages out to $1.30 — the cheapest is only 84 cents.”

But one major drawback is medical expenses. “The healthcare quality on Boracay is not great,” says Fournier. “To find proper medical care, you have to leave the island — usually hopping a one-hour flight to a major city.” — SS

• Population: 20,000
• Languages spoken: English, Visayan, Tagalog
• Currency: Philippine peso
• Average year-round temp: 84˚F
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $400
• Starting home price: $100,000
• Cost of a gallon of milk: $7

Best for Starting a Family: Key Largo, Florida

“I was raised on the water, surfing, diving, skiing and fishing — it’s what I wanted for my kids,” says Steve Powers, who, along with his wife, Cheryl, has been raising three daughters since 2008 in the Norman-Rockwell-meets-Jimmy-Buffett landscape that is Key Largo. The couple knew they wanted to relocate to a Florida coast, and the Keys offer double the shoreline. Powers had always wanted to run a business, so when the local Sea Tow franchise, a marine-rescue company, became available, he took the helm.

In many ways, it’s exactly what the Powers had hoped, and now their kids live in the water. “It’ll be midnight, and they still have their swimsuits on,” says Steve. “I bought an outdoor projector, and they’ll want to watch Jaws while swimming.” Factor in the ocean and Gulf, and the possibilities become endless — more than enough to fill any childhood. — BM

• Population: 11,000
• Language spoken: English
• Currency: USD
• Average year-round temp: 80˚F
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,000
• Starting home price: $250,000
• Cost of a gallon of milk: $3.35

Best for Beach Bums: Maui, Hawaii

Find your Maui tribe, and you’ll find your Maui beach. Mothers with little ones gather at, appropriately enough, Baby Beach near Lahaina on the island’s northwest tip. Retirees: Wailea. Windsurfers meet for sessions at Kanaha Beach Park, near the airport. Those preferring drum circles find each other on the North Shore’s Baldwin Beach Park. Find Sylvia Whelchel, an Ayurveda practitioner from Oregon, with her people — women who shred — every morning at 6:30 at Ho’okipa Beach. “Even if the waves aren’t good, we still paddle out,” she says. “It’s our version of hitting the gym.”

Surfing is just one way Whelchel lets Maui shape her lifestyle. Surrendering to the island’s way of life is your best chance to find happiness. “It’s really common to see people move here, thinking their lives will be better,” she says. “But if they don’t change themselves, they’ll be in the same rut as they were before, working too much and whatnot.” Whelchel calls it letting go of the “mainland vibe.” She says, “Here, you’re admired for surfing big waves or for owning a truck that can carry all your sports equipment.” The island lifestyle isn’t about buying or owning possessions. It’s about something else entirely — a sense of community. — BM

• Population: 160,000
• Language spoken: English
• Currency: USD
• Average year-round temp: 75˚F
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,400
• Starting home price: $450,000
• Cost of a gallon of milk: $9.59

Best Caribbean: The Abacos, Bahamas

“The Abacos used to be the Wild West of the Caribbean,” says Austin Smith, who moved from Florida in 1989 to a 300-acre cay dubbed Lubbers Quarters. “It was like being a pioneer, but instead of arriving in covered wagons, we sailed in boats.” At the time, the island had no power or running water, which is a big difference from the Abacos of today. Chiefly because of its proximity to the U.S. — a mere one-hour flight from West Palm Beach, Florida — **the islands are now a haven for Americans looking for a second home or a full relocation from the States. **

And thanks to Smith’s latest project, owning a slice of paradise just got easier. In May 2016, he launched Lubbers’ Quarters, 12 two- and three- bedroom fractional-ownership cottages available to buyers for 13 weeks each year. For $165,000, cottages include 25 percent home ownership and a 23-foot boat to explore the archipelago. “It’s carefree home ownership at its best,” says Smith, who also developed a mobile app called Island Compass, which lets boaters identify points of interest on a smartphone without incurring costly roaming charges. “We’re building our resort by giving people a great deal on a house,” says Smith. “It’s a win-win.” — DL

• Population: 13,170
• Language spoken: English
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $925
• Starting home price: $150,000
• Cost of a gallon of milk: $12

Worth the Splurge: Moorea, Tahiti

Imagine living in Yosemite Valley without the crowds. “That pretty much sums up Moorea,” says Michael Poole, who relocated in 1987. He also lauds the affable community, interesting mix of cultures and incredibly good food, plus plenty of holidays and celebrations. “Life here is certainly enjoyed,” Poole says. “However, it’s not very easy to move here. It’s expensive, and there isn’t a rich expat culture. People want to live here because it reflects and fulfills their vision of a tropical paradise.“

“It’s true that things like food and cars are very costly,” says Laurel Samuela, an expat from California. “But we don’t have property taxes, and healthcare is very inexpensive. Plus, our lagoon is full of fish, and our garden is packed with mangoes, avocados and passion fruit.” — SS

• Population: 16,191
• Languages spoken: French, Tahitian, English
• Currency: French Polynesian franc
• Average year-round temp: 79˚F
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $723
• Starting home price: $350,000
• Cost of a gallon of milk: $4.51

Best for Health Fiends: Coolum Beach, Australia

A variety of factors draw health-minded individuals to the Sunshine Coast. For some, it’s the benefits of living near the ocean. This relaxed lifestyle was what Jamie Schwear had always dreamed of, especially in landlocked Arizona. In 2015, she arrived in the town of Coolum Beach, 90 minutes north of Brisbane. “I never found a place like this in the U.S. that I could afford,” says Schwear, who now lives across the street from the Coral Sea.

It’s a popular spot for the active set and a haven for surfers. Weekends are spent outdoors: strolling the Coolum boardwalk, where whales can be spotted June through November, and hiking in Mount Coolum National Park, named for its 680-foot peak. Perhaps the best part is how uncrowded paradise is. “The whole population of Australia is less than the state of Texas,” she says. For guaranteed solitude, she heads north to Noosa National Park. “We have miles and miles of coastline where you can walk the beach and be the only one, which is amazing. You become a part of wild, unspoiled nature.” — BM

• Population: 8,000
• Language spoken: English
• Currency: Australian dollar
• Average year-round temp: 80˚F
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $900
• Starting home price: $215,000
• Cost of a gallon of milk: $4.24

Read more about moving to an island:

10 Real Estate Tips for Moving to an Island | How to Move to St. John, USVI | Living in the Cayman Islands

Best for Starting Over: Cozumel, Mexico

Don’t be surprised at weight loss or lower blood pressure when starting a new life in Cozumel. Cruise-ship anchors aweigh, this 250-square-mile island settles back into slow rhythms, packaging the folksiness of a small Midwestern town with prime Caribbean beachfront. As for health benefits, new arrivals Joni and Karan Thadani said adios to Kansas in January, and they already need smaller shorts. Credit might be due to swapping their law practice for selling island real estate. Or to the mom-and-pop eateries dishing up their nightly dinners.

“It’s amazing that the restaurants all serve fresh, handmade food,” says Joni. Their diet is now mostly seafood, meat and produce, yet it’s cost-effective. Barbecue chicken with rice and beans fetches less than $5. For Karan, the answer is much simpler: “Nothing is better for your health than seeing the ocean every day.” — BM

• Population: 100,000
• Language spoken: Spanish
• Currency: Peso
• Average year-round temp: 80˚F
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $750
• Starting home price: $104,000
• Cost of a gallon of milk: $1.52

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The process is pretty similar to traditional pumpkin carving with an added bonus: no gross pumpkin guts. Instead, you’re left with delicious pineapple chunks — perfect for whipping up a batch of Pineapple Caipirinhas.

Watch the video below for instructions.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• A pineapple (or several in case things go awry)
• Sharp carving knife
• Pineapple corer
• Tea light or flameless votive candle

Pineapple Jack-O’Lantern Instructions:

Step 1: Cut off the crown of the pineapple and set it aside.

Step 2: Remove the insides of the pineapple with a corer. Note: Don’t let those delicious pineapple chunks go to waste when you can whip up a batch of Pineapple Caipirinhas. (We recommend making them after you’ve finished using the carving knife, of course.)

Step 3: Carve a face into the pineapple. Make it funny, scary or silly. If you want to go crazy, you can also try a pumpkin-carving stencil.

Step 4: Add a tea light or flameless votive candle inside the pineapple.

Step 5: Replace the crown and dim the lights. Voila! Your pineapple jack-o’-lantern is complete.

Happy Halloween!

The post How to Carve a Pineapple Jack-O’-Lantern appeared first on Islands.

Valley Trunk, British Virgin Islands

This exclusive villa gives a rare glimpse into living like a billionaire. A private vacation home for 30 years, the property is now open to guests. Eight suites in five villas are scattered over 19 acres, and the secluded beach is dotted with granite boulders. The staff is used to doting on billionaires, so anything is possible. Fancy a jaunt on the Xanadu yacht, a sushi master flown in from Japan, or en suite spa treatments? Done. Michelin-starred French chef Bernard Guilhaudin will tailor your menu. (He helmed La Mamounia in Marrakech, so request a Moroccan feast.) This kind of old-money charm just can’t be replicated. — Andrea Bennett

The Verandah Resort & Spa, Antigua

This 30-acre resort, fringed by Devil’s Bridge National Park, is home to one of the largest pools on Antigua. But with calm, reef-sheltered waters like these, guests are more likely to strap on a complimentary snorkel and soak in the Caribbean Sea. Villa-style Waterfront Suites constructed as side-by-side, single-story duplexes come with the best views. Take morning coffee and fresh fruit on your balcony, but don’t linger too long. Windsurfing, pedal boats, paddleboarding, Hobie Cat sailing, kayaking and water hammocks — all included — await in that aqua lagoon.

Rendezvous, Saint Lucia

The first thing you do at Malabar Beach Club, Rendezvous’ new restaurant, is check your shoes at the door before tucking into chef Peter Juma’s creative Caribbean cuisine. The eatery isn’t the only new thing at this 100-room couples resort: The Verandah and Seaside Suites recently underwent a $12.5 million reno. This erstwhile coconut plantation still boasts a private white-sand beach, cozy nooks and romantic diversions, from couples massages to Trysting Place, a delicious orgy of French fare. Unlike Malabar Beach Club, footwear is a good idea here. — David Farley

Santai Hotel, Bali

Amed, a coastal strip of villages in East Bali, is about 2½ hours’ drive from the capital city of Denpasar — and about as far off the grid as you can get. It’s where you’ll find this boutique property, which sits on the ocean and is surrounded by a lush, flowering landscape. The 10 rooms, six of which are stand-alone bungalows, feature traditional thatch roofs and bamboo matting on the walls. Amenity-wise, there’s a pool and a small restaurant, along with the open-air Santai Spa pavilion, where the backdrop to your massage is the sound of waves crashing against the black-rock beach.

The post Four Resorts to Add to Your Bucket List appeared first on Islands.

The Best New Ports

Ocean Cay MSC
Marine Reserve
Get ready for the biggest private Out Island in the Bahamas. Ocean Cay by MSC Cruises debuts December 2017 with six beaches, a spa, a zip-line and a wedding pavilion. And don’t worry about tender hassles: Docking will allow showering back on board before returning to the island for a show in the 2,000-seat amphitheater.

Progreso, Mexico
Azamara Quest heads to this Yucatan port city for the first time on its May 21, 2017, voyage from Miami. Guests can marvel at Chichen Itza’s ruins or chill on the mile-long beach beside the malecón (promenade). Consider sampling the native licorice-flavored liqueur, xtabentún. When in Progreso …

Timor-Leste, Southeast Asia
On two Fiji-Bali cruises in April and June 2017, Paul Gauguin will drop anchor at one of the newest countries in the world. In tiny Timor-Leste (shown), which only became a sovereign nation in 2002, coral reefs beg to be explored, market vendors sell hand-woven tais (textiles), and artisan cafes serve world-class coffee.

The Best New Itinerary

No Starbucks. No Internet. Just vintage pink Chevys. Lindblad Expeditions offers 10-night cultural cruises to Cuba from January to March 2017. Spot bee hummingbirds (the world’s smallest birds) at Zapata Swamp National Park, meet Cuban choir singers and sip mojitos in Hemingway’s favorite bars in Havana. French-owned Ponant Yacht Cruises and Expeditions will stop at the Bay of Pigs on an eight-night March 25 cruise aboard its 64-passenger sailing yacht. MSC Cruises is also home-porting two big ships in Havana — but no word yet on when U.S. citizens can book its seven-night itineraries.

The Best New Ships for Sun-Worshippers

MSC Seaside
The 5,179-passenger ship flaunts outdoor glass catwalks, “beach condo” suites, a two-deck aqua park, and unprecedented deck space for lounging, strolling and dining. Year-round sailings to the Caribbean start in December 2017.

The Best New Ships for Sailing Purists

Star Clippers Flying Clipper
This 300-passenger (the world’s largest) square-rigger sailing ship launches in late 2017. Guests can learn to scuba dive in a glass-sided dive pool, while another pool funnels sunlight into the dining room. Jack Sparrow is jealous.

The Best New Ships for Deal Hunters

Viking Ocean Cruises Viking Sky
Hailed by Cruise Critic as the “best new ocean ship” in 2015, the vessel sets sail again in February 2017. Staterooms boast private verandas and king-size beds, and rates include excursions, Wi-Fi and wine at lunch and dinner.

The Best New Ships for Francophiles

Uniworld S.S. Joie de Vivre
Fine art and antiques from Sotheby’s and Christie’s auction houses will grace this ship, cruising the Seine starting in March 2017. A pool with a hydraulic floor turns into a dance club or an outdoor cinema at night. Ooh la la.

The Best New Ships for Bonvivants

Silversea Silver Muse
Is a 400-square-foot “standard” suite big enough for you? Can you make do with eight restaurants (one branded Relais & Châteaux)? Silversea Cruises raises the bar in luxury cruising with this all-suite ship, coming April 2017.

The Best New Restaurants at Sea

Steakhouse
We can’t wait for The Grill by Michelin-starred chef Thomas Keller on Seabourn Encore. On the menu: lobster thermidor and creamed spinach.

French
A faux-cobblestone street leads into Chartreuse on Regent’s Seven Seas Mariner, being refurbished spring 2017. Metal filigree windows and rack of lamb complete the Parisian milieu.

Pan-Asian
Celebrity chef Roy Yamaguchi brings his skills to MSC Seaside. The gourmet cover-charge restaurant will have four teppanyaki grills, plus a sushi, sashimi and raw bar.

The post Best Cruises for 2017 appeared first on Islands.

Maui Fresh Streatery

Chef Kyle Kawakami creates a rotating menu of couture comfort food using local fare. If available, try the braised-beef poutine — a carton of fries heaped with pulled beef, mozzarella and homemade gravy.
Where to find them: @mauistreatery

Wayne’s Sushi Fresh Off The Boat

In this boat-turned-kitchen, chef Wayne Miyahira hand-rolls daily catches into signature sushi. Order the tempura mahi sandwich — a sweet, flaky fillet, deep-fried and served on a bun. Ask for the secret menu.
Where to find them: facebook.com/waynessushi

Donut Dynamite!

With her bright green hair, Desiree Parada (Madame Donut) is like Maui’s Willy Wonka. Her brioche-style sweets are made from scratch with island-grown ingredients. Go for the bacon maple, the doughnut she says “put us on the map.”
Where to find them: @donutdynamite

Geste Shrimp

Bring a bib and a stack of napkins for a finger-licking feast of spicy garlic shrimp, a favorite of the 50th state. Opt for a dozen Hawaiian scampi, described by locals as “boss,” thanks to a garlic hot sauce that could repel vampires. Closed on Mondays.
Where to find them: Kahului Beach Road

808 Plates Maui

Brothers Rycin and Kainoa Pavao make batches of fried chicken, poke bowls, baby back ribs and other Hawaiian dishes with an Asian twist. Try the ahi katsu, a tuna fillet rolled in panko, deep-fried and drizzled with creamy aioli.
Where to find them: Kahului Beach Road

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Moving to an island isn’t as simple as you may hope, but it needn’t be overly complicated either. Learn the secrets from on-island real estate agents about what to expect in your dream destination, be it Belize or Hawaii or Hong Kong, so you can start your property-buying search with eyes wide open.

1. Don’t buy too quickly. “I know this sounds strange coming from a real estate agent. Instead, rent for six months or so. Island living isn’t for everyone. People move to an island expecting to fall in love, but really, it’s fifty-fifty. The dream includes a hammock, piña colada and Jimmy Buffett. You may get a few days of that — then you probably need to get a job.” — J.B. Seligman, owner of Buena Vista Realty in Bocas del Toro, Panama

2. Get pre-qualified for a loan so you know how much you can spend. “Everyone wants an ocean view, but you might be broken-hearted if it’s not within your budget. Also, decide what’s important to you. In the Florida Keys, there’s one road, which means you could live 1 mile or 20 from the grocery store. Which matters more: convenience or privacy?” — Mark Mills, realtor with American Caribbean Real Estate in Key Largo, Florida

3. Manage your expectations. “Life in Hong Kong will always be a compromise for any expat because the accommodations are so much smaller. Often the answer for American expats is to buy in a new building, but you can forget about fitting a king-size bed. Also, what are considered basics in the U.S. may be non-standard here. A decent kitchen with a clean refrigerator, convection oven and work surfaces at a comfortable height tend to be Western luxuries that come at premium prices.” — Barbara Sturdy, agent with Sotheby’s International Real Estate in Hong Kong

4. Learn the local real estate terms. “Get educated, especially with Hawaii lingo, which can be confusing. An ohana is a separate, detached living structure, similar to a mother-in-law apartment. In Maui, condo-tels are common, which are condos with some hotel amenities, and vary by property.” — Clint Hansen of The Hansen Ohana Real Estate Group on Maui

5. Choose a real estate agent that is based on the island where you want to purchase. “Hawaii’s classifications and zoning restrictions are tricky — Maui especially has some of the most complicated zoning ordinances compared to other islands. Because of this, even though I have been to Lanai dozens of times, I will always refer a client to an agent who specializes buying on Lanai.” — Hansen

6. Open a local bank account. “Most likely, you need a local bank account before you can make a big purchase. In Sicily, you need one here before you can move any money from the U.S. Plus, you have to be outside of The States to make the transfer. When moving money, you have to be very organized.” — Ramsay Guilderdale, owner of Modicasa, an English real estate agency in Sicily

7. Research the local laws. “Italy has other surprising laws. You cannot buy a car unless you are a tax resident. You can only rent unless you’ve live here more than 183 days per year, and pay taxes as well.” — Guilderdale

8. Know the import tax in regard to your possessions. “In Belize, you have to pay taxes and duty on belongings you bring down. The minimum fee is 15% and the maximum is 75%. So consider the value of your current possessions. Are they worth bringing? Keep in mind that Belize doesn’t have the selection of products in the U.S. (TVs, juicers, bicycles, etc.). One way around this is through the qualified retirement person programs, or QRPs. These allow you to fill and bring one shipping container, tax and duty free.” — Josh Buettner, agent with Ambergris Seaside Real Estate

9. Consider the locale’s political stability. “Buy a home in the U.S. Virgin Islands, and, because it’s a U.S. territory, it’s a safer investment than buying in a country where the government could take your property. A bonus here is that the property taxes are much lower in comparison to the mainland. The flip side is that catastrophic insurance is high because of hurricanes, and you need catastrophic insurance when getting a mortgage.” — Diana Robinson, broker owner Paradise Properties on St. Croix

10. Be prepared with cash to buy. “In Mexico, there is no financing. You have to have the money to buy outright, or find something owner-financed (and you won’t find a condo on the ocean that is owner-financed). So, you need to have closed on your sale in the States and be ready with cash to make an offer.” — Nancy Edwards, owner of Cozumel Living

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