Caribbean tourism surges

When the global economic crisis grew into the monster it became and began impacting the lives of people everywhere, the amount of vacations to the Caribbean, not surprisingly, sharply declined. Of all expenses budgeted into any one family’s financial plan, these expensive vacations, once sources of annual pride for members of the bourgeoisie, were among the first to go.

Luxurious beachfront vacations commonly cost thousands to put together for a family–and then there’s the money lost from not working for any traveler without vacation pay (…and here I am daydreaming about what it’d be like to be a travel writer with vacation pay…). Clearly, most other types of spending in everyday life come before this kind of spending during times of economic hardship.

But for the first time since this devasting blow to the Caribbean tourism industry in 2008, travelers are visiting the area again in steadily increasing numbers. Yahoo! News reports that more than 23 million tourists visited the region in 2010, myself included thanks to my September trip to Grenada. This is close to a 5 percent increase from 2009.

The jump in tourism is largely due to cruise ship passengers. Travelers like these spend less money to visit destinations, like the Bahamas, than those actually staying on the islands. Although hotels in the Caribbean only saw a 1 percent rise in occupancy last year, it’s looking like those numbers too will be up in 2011.

Now that Caribbean travel is again popular, I’m curious: which Caribbean destination would you most like to visit this year if given the opportunity?

[photo by Elizabeth Seward]

Ten tips for traveling the Caribbean on a budget

The lure of warm sunny days, breezy romantic nights, and fabulous beach resorts make the Caribbean one of the most visited destinations on the globe. Mega yachts, cruise ships, and airborne passengers flock to these scintillating islands to rest, relax and play in the shimmering turquoise waters.

The Caribbean is the kind of place where you can spend money like a Donald Trump, or you can find economical dining and accommodation options that won’t break the bank. Here are some tips that will help you save money while traveling the beautiful islands of the Caribbean.

Season
Prices vary considerably in the Caribbean depending on the season. To get the best rates, travel during off-season (from July 1 through September 30), which coincides with hurricane season. Many hotels, restaurants and airlines lower their rates (some, up to 50%!) during this period. Don’t be crippled with worry about storms: some Caribbean islands fall south of the “hurricane belt” and are rarely affected by the rains. High season is generally from mid December through early January, so it’s best to spend Christmas elsewhere (unless you’re Simon Cowell or Beyonce).

Accommodations
Entertain the advantages of renting a villa or condo versus staying at a luxury resort. Some condos or villas can hold between two and twelve people. If you’re traveling with several family members or friends, you can easily find a home that can accommodate your entire party in separate rooms.

A beautiful 3 bedroom villa with a private pool and maid service may only run $2000 for a week. With 6 people traveling, this winds up costing only $47 per night per person — far cheaper than any island resort. There are also small guest houses on many islands that cater to couples and honeymooners. Look into these as they are normally family run, may include some meals, and the prices can be highly affordable.

Dining
Some of the very best dining in the islands is the local fare being served from small shanties on the beach grilling fresh seafood or corner stands with scrumptious and budget priced dahls, rotis and johnny cakes. You can gorge yourself on fresh local food cooked by islanders on less than $10 per person. A large dahl in St Lucia (fried puffed bread stuffed with peas) is only $1 USD.

Saturday markets are a wonderful way to stock up on local fruits, breads and vegetables for your villa kitchen. And shopping the markets in the Caribbean is a truly unique experience, with sweet ladies on the sidewalks hawking their little bags of cinnammon, nutmeg, cocoa and ginger. You’ll also find an amazing variety of root vegetables such as dasheen, wild yam and local potatoes as well as the basics of all West Indian cooking: onion, tomatoes, various hot peppers and garlic. Volcanic islands such as Dominica, St Lucia, Grenada, Nevis and Montserrat will have an abundant supply of fresh bananas, limes, pineapple, avocado, passion fruit, star fruit, grapefruit and many others.

Bonus: If you’re in your own villa, you can easily make many of your own meals, cutting costs further.

Drinking
Drinking can range from very expensive at luxury hotels and bars to really darn cheap at local rum shops. As most islands are duty free, you can purchase bottles of your favorite libations at seriously discounted prices (at least compared to the prices in the United States). Rum is one of the main products of the Caribbean, and almost each island has its own brand. At about $6 a bottle, you’ll find them very good and very inexpensive. Pick up a 6 pack of Coke and a few limes and have yourself a party.

Be reminded that while liquor laws are pretty non-existent, practice safe driving as the roads are small, often climbing treacherous mountains. Driving is on the left side of the road on many islands.

Airfare
Keep a close watch on travel sites that offer frequent fare sales. Be flexible with your dates and try to travel outside high season to get the very best rates on air fares. Many low-cost carriers such as JetBlue and AirTran have entered the Caribbean market, so there are deals to be found if you’re vigilant.

Souvenirs
Buy locally produced crafts such as straw baskets, wood carvings and unusual art work. If your budget is really tight, collect shells from the beach early in the morning or frame your beautiful photos once home. Don’t forget that most islands are duty free, meaning you can save a lot of money on souvenirs such as jewelry, liquor and tobacco products.

One way to bring the islands back to your friends and family is to purchase locally produced honey, spices, nuts and sauces to make a West Indian dinner back home. This is better than a t-shirt any day.

Activities
The natural beauty of the islands allows for a variety of activities such as sailing, hiking, horseback riding, bird watching, river rafting, zip-lining, golfing, or touring historical sites. Coupled with the array of beach activities available, it can be fairly inexpensive to find engaging sports for everyone to enjoy.

Of course, most islands also have cultural centers where you can see how life was in the past, as well as museums and other public events.

Transportation
Save on transportation costs by using public transportation. Most islands have fairly regular bus service for the locals for next to nothing. Rental cars can be very expensive on some islands — as much as $75/day on St John! If you’re not interested in taking the bus, be sure to stay in a resort that offers complimentary shuttle service around the island.

General costs
This may seem like common sense, but bringing your own suntan lotion, magazines, sunglasses, snacks and refillable water bottles will save you from purchasing these items at a higher cost once you arrive. Keep in mind that almost everything must be imported to the Caribbean, therefore the costs on simple things like these are surprisingly high, to compensate for shipping.

Camping
if you’re really inclined to see the Caribbean in its most natural, pristine light you may opt for camping accommodations. A few islands, such as St John and St Thomas in the US Virgin Islands, have eco-lodges with large tents mounted on wooden platforms for the naturists on a budget. In addition to being a bit cheaper, these “tent lodges” offer visitors the chance to get closer to the environment, since they’re built right into the hillsides!

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For a trip of a lifetime, relax yourself in the beautiful Caribbean. It doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg… unless you’re a pirate.

In the Heart of Central America: Why now is the time to go to Honduras

After a week in Honduras, ziplining through the canopy, drinking $1.50 beers on a deserted white sand beach, slaughtering my Spanish pronunciation as I bought a grilled pork skewer from a street vendor, horseback riding through coffee fields, and eating a few too many corn tortillas, I couldn’t help feeling like I could just as easily be in Belize, Guatemala, or Costa Rica…..but with fewer crowds and lower prices. Suddenly, the country’s new slogan “The Central America you know, the country you’ll love” made perfect sense.

Just last year Honduras was on the fast track to becoming the next Costa Rica, the next hot destination for eco-tourism in Central America. While it was still mostly undiscovered by mass tourism (in a poll done by the Institute of Tourism, only 4% of Americans said they consider Central America for a vacation and only 1% said they even knew of Honduras), adventurous travelers, backpackers, dive-enthusiasts and lovers of Central America were coming in numbers close to half a million people per year.

From 2006 to 2007 arrivals from North America increased by 25%. The next year they grew by 19%. The tourism industry became the largest employer in the nation and brought in $630 million of revenue in 2008.

Then President Zelaya was ousted. There were protests in the capital and curfews were instated. When Zelaya tried to return, the Tegucigalpa airport was closed for a few days. Eventually the situation calmed and life returned to normal. Normal, except that the tourists who supported a large section of the country’s economy were gone. Some hotels saw nearly their entire year’s worth of bookings cancel within a week of June 28th. 35 Habitat for Humanity groups scheduled to come to Honduras decided to go elsewhere. Tour companies looking forward to a full schedule began to wonder how many employees they’d have to let go.

While all of this is bad news for Honduras, it’s one reason why now is the perfect time to visit. With fewer crowds the country truly feels undiscovered, and with all the discounts being offered to lure in tourists, the already low cost of visiting is even lower. Flights from Chicago on Spirit Airlines are just $250 through April. Taca, Delta, American and Continental also operate regular flights to the country and the trip from Miami or Fort Lauderdale to San Pedro Sula is just over two hours.

Where to go and what to see
I’ll be covering a few of these destinations more in depth in coming posts, but the three main areas that most tourists will explore (as Grant mentioned in a previous post about his own trip to the country) are the Northern Coast around La Ceiba, the Bay Islands including Roatan, and Copan Ruinas, near the border with Guatemala.

The most popular spot for tourists on the Northern Coast is La Ceiba, home to dozens of luxurious eco-lodges. For a little more action you’ll want to stay in the city though. There’s a saying in Honduras that “Tegucigalpa thinks, San Pedro works, La Ceiba parties” so if you’re looking for some nightlife, this is the place to be. If you want to get further off the beaten path or explore the culture of the Garifuna people (descendants of black slaves who shipwrecked in the area), head up the coast to Tela or take a short boat ride to the archipelago of Cayos Cochinos

From La Ceiba, the Bay Islands are just a 20 minute flight or a cheap ferry ride away. On the islands of Guanaja, Utila, and Roatan, you’ll hardly feel like you’re in Central America at all. With miles of sandy white beaches, crystal clear water, and some of the cheapest scuba diving around, these islands rival any in the Caribbean, but at a much lower price. While the large Infinity Bay Beach Resort wasn’t quite my style (I prefer small B&Bs and hostels), it was beautiful and I could find no fault with it except for spotty wi-fi service. Situated on the deserted end of a long white beach, it featured a gorgeous infinity pool, beachfront bar and restaurant, and spacious rooms with full kitchens, with rates starting at $200 per night. In West End, more moderate beachfront accommodations can easily be found for $40-$80 per night.

Other than lounging on the beach, snorkeling, scuba diving, sailing, jet skiing, or just relaxing with a few beers at a beachfront bar in West End, you can also go horseback riding or spend a day at Gumbalimba Park, an adventure park with Roatan’s best zipline – ten lines that crisscross through the canopy, offering views all the way to the sea, and depositing you along the water’s edge on the beach. After the ziplining you can meet free-roaming monkeys who will descend from the trees to perch on your shoulder.

To get to Copan Ruinas, a small village of cobble-stone streets, you’ll need to take a 3-hour bus (about $10) from San Pedro. Take Dramamine as the road is quite twisty. The town is less than a mile away from the area’s main attraction, the beautifully-restored Mayan ruins at Copan. You can join an organized tour, make the 20-minute walk down a paved path from town, or pay 20 lempiras ($1) to catch a ride to the ruins on a mototaxi, a tiny motorized rickshaw.

The area around the town is known for its coffee production and several plantations welcome visitors for tours and tastings. There is also a nearby hot spring called Luna Jaguar where for $10, you can soak in the healing waters or splurge on a $30 massage in a hut perched above the mouth of the steaming spring.

In town, you can score a hostel dorm bed for $5 or a private room for $8. Rooms at one of the nicest and oldest hotels, the Hotel Marina Copan (where Richard Gere once stayed), start at $90 per night and feature plush beds, free wi-fi, room service, bottled water, mini-fridges and microwaves. The hotel has an on-site restaurant, a large pool in the courtyard, colonial architecture, tile floors and marble bathrooms, and some of the friendliest staff I encountered in the country.

To be honest, before this trip I’d never considered a visit to Honduras and didn’t think I cared much for Central America. All that changed when I saw Copan Ruinas. As I wandered the narrow, cobbled streets, shopped for handmade crafts, ordered up a steaming plate of grilled pork served with beans and corn tortillas (for just $1) from a street vendor, browsed the eclectic farmer’s market, and sat in the town’s central square, watching children play and the occaisional horse clip-clop through town, I fell in love with Copan Ruins and with the people of Honduras.

Everywhere I went in Honduras, I was struck by how beautiful it was, and how empty of other tourists. While the main square in Copan was full of activity, I saw only two other tourists during my time in the town. At a beach bar in Roatan, it seemed we were the only people who didn’t know everyone else there. And at the ruins in Copan, it felt like we had a centuries-old playground all to ourselves.

Costs and cuisine
The cuisine in Honduras is typically Central American. Beans and corn tortillas (which you can buy at 10 for $1 at most markets) figure prominently, especially in the signature baleada – a meal of beans and fresh cheese (and sometimes egg or other ingredients) in a corn tortilla, which sells for about $1. Fried plantains, fresh juice and fruit, avocado, and, along the coast and on the islands, incredibly fresh seafood ,are also inexpensive staples of the cuisine.

The most expensive meal I had, a huge pile of creamy, tender Lobster thermidor, cost about $30. Lobster pasta and fresh shrimp dishes were $10 each, and chicken fajitas or a heaping plate of beans, cheese, avocado and chorizo were $5 and large enough to feed two. Mixed drinks and fruity frozen concoctions ranged from $2.50 to $5, and cold bottles of the local, light Salva Vida beer were $1.50.

While those looking for luxury in Honduras can certainly find it, budget travelers could do very well here on $20-$30 per person per day for food, drinks and accommodations. More middle-of-the-road travelers, those who like to save money but enjoy a certain level of comfort, could easily spend less than $150 for hotel, food and drinks for two people.

Safety and the current situation
While in Honduras, I visited La Ceiba, Roatan and Copan. During that time, I took every opportunity to talk with tourism operators and with people on the street. When asked they all replied the same way. Not only was there currently no danger from the political situation, but in that area, there never had been. In Roatan, one man corrected me: “This isn’t Honduras,” he said, “this is the Bay Islands.” There were no curfews here, no protests, just the same beautiful beaches and pristine diving conditions as always. In Copan I walked around for an afternoon alone and felt as safe or safer than I have in any other country.

When the political situation became unstable nearly all of the unrest happened near the capital of Tegucigalpa, hours inland from the more touristy areas. Even though the US State Department Travel Alert acknowledged that the protests were mainly peaceful and that they were concentrated in the capital, it still warned Americans to steer clear of the entire country, which is kind of like telling someone not to visit Chicago because of the high crime rate in certain areas of the city’s South Side. During my visit in early November, I saw no signs of trouble, save for some political graffiti around San Pedro, but again if graffiti made a place unsafe I’d never venture outside my apartment. Walking around the city and shopping at the large market, I saw no other evidence of unrest and never felt as though I were in danger.

Just a few days ago the Supreme Court of Honduras voted overwhelmingly against allowing Zelaya to return to finish out the final two months of his term (which was cut short when he was escorted out of the country after attempting to interfere with a vote that would allow him to change the constitution and remain President indefinitely). I’m betting the people I met couldn’t be happier with the outcome. In fact every single person I spoke with supported the removal of Zelaya, who they said was “Chavez’s puppet” and had acted illegally. Not only were they disappointed that the US State Department had issued a blanket warning against travel to Honduras, they were also eager were to dispel the myths they felt the media had been spreading about the country’s situation.

A source I spoke with in the country now said since the vote there have been no issues and that, as with any election, while Zelaya’s supporters are no doubt disappointed, the elections were peaceful and protests and disruptions are not expected. That’s good news for the people of Honduras, especially those in the tourist industry who are waiting with bated breath to see how long it will take for the tourists to come back.

In the mean time, they’re doing their best to encourage visitors. Many resorts are posting 2010 rates that are lower than 2009’s. Others are offering two-for-one deals or extending their low season rates throughout high season. The country is safe, beautiful and diverse, the people are warm and welcoming, the prices are low and the tourists are few. So if you are thinking about a trip to Central America, I suggest you consider Honduras – now is the perfect time to go.

This trip was paid for by the Honduras Institute of Tourism, but the views expressed are entirely my own.

Petit St Vincent: real, remote, relaxing

Who doesn’t love the thought of spending a few days on a private island? Petit St Vincent Resort occupies a mere 113 acres in the Caribbean Sea and is isolated enough to keep the stress and headaches of the real world from encroaching on your getaway. They can’t even arrive by plane – the island doesn’t have an airstrip. So, land on Union Island and step onto a boat operated by the resort’s staff. Don’t worry; the anxieties chasing you won’t be allowed to board.

They can’t call either – or show up on the evening news. The Petit St Vincent resort has neither televisions nor telephones in the 22 cottages scattered across the island.

Family owned, it ensures a high-touch experience that focuses on your comfort rater than dazzling you with pretense or glitz. Commit yourself to relaxing with meals in the cottage or dining pavilion. If you’re in the mood, head out to the beach for a yoga class, or do some SCUBA diving or snorkeling, which can be arranged by the staff.

More than anything else, make your time on Petit St Vincent your own – nothing else will be able to get in the way.

Swim with wild pigs on Big Major Spot Island, Bahamas

Are pigs the new dolphins? While many visitors to the Caribbean shell out big bucks to swim with Flipper, it seems others would rather watch the antics of Porky. On the Bahamas‘ Big Major Spot Island, people are heading to Pig Beach, which has been home to a family of wild pigs for decades, to watch the pigs swim and play in the water.

The little pink and brown porkers, which I dare say are almost downright cute, scrounge off roots and brush on the beach, but survive mainly on scraps fed to them by locals and tour guides. Though the pigs are feral, they’ll happily swim out to greet passing boats and are friendly to swimmers and beach-goers. The piggies are so popular with tourists that many nearby resorts now offer day trips to go watch the pigs frolic and give guests the chance to cavort in the crystal clear water alongside them.

[via Jaunted]