CDC Lifts Restriction

 

This is great news for most American travelers and for the industry in general. Find out more HERE!

Birthday Surprise

It's been more than 15 years since I first began this blog. I had been to the DR several times and wanted to start blogging about my experiences and hopefully provide helpful information to readers who were considering a trip of their own. Life has taken us in different directions, presented various challenges and the scene in the DR has changed significantly since I first blogged about it.

The blogging experience has also changed, I don't have the same blog supporters/contributor's I once had and reader's seem to be more interested in skin than other content. And whereas I know you're out there, comments and other interaction has been scant as of late.

15 years is a long time to sustain a blog. I hope you have been enlightened, have laughed, have been made to feel sentimental and above all, have visited my beloved Dominican Republic as a result of something you saw here on the blog.

As I celebrate a milestone I realize it is time for another season to begin. The blog will be winding down as I post the final pictures I have stored. Who knows, I may pop in every blue moon to post my travel experiences. Thank you all for your support. May you always have sunshine, turquoise waters, palm trees and beaches-you know, tropical desires!

New Kind of All-Inclusive

 A new kind of all-inclusive vacation option is coming to Dominica (not to be confused with Dominican Republic) and it is likely the first of its kind in all the Caribbean.

“Fort Young Hotel has always been a gateway to Dominica’s incredible sights and landmarks so it was a natural evolution for us to introduce this All-Inclusive, Island-Included offering,” said Dinesh Kissoon, Fort Young’s general manager. “We wanted to offer travelers to Dominica a truly seamless, effortless and authentic way to experience the local culture, land and sea unlike ever before. Doing an all-inclusive with island included is a way of engaging our community and gives guests a more robust and immersive experience, creating a more sustainable and symbiotic ecosystem.” 

While the 40-room hotel (that number will soon expand to 100 rooms) is not going completely all-inclusive, the program is available to guests who stay for a minimum of five nights, according to the property. 

courtesy of CaribJournal

Expanding Horizons

 In a significant boost to its tourism, the Dutch Caribbean island of Statia has opened its first full-fledged resort hotel. 

The new Golden Rock Dive and Nature Resort officially opened its doors at the beginning of this month. 

The resort has a mix of rooms and suites, with amenities including a pool with a sun terrace, a spa, a restaurant, in-room dining and a fitness center. Click HERE for more information, courtesy of CaribJournal.

Plundering Paradise?

 

While reading up on various Caribbean islands I came across this article that is quite insightful and somewhat painful, considering I have been guilty. Read the article HERE.

Bountiful Barbados

 

Are you looking for a swank all-inclusive in a Caribbean destination that still feels like the Caribbean? Barbados continues to increase their offerings of accommodations. The latest has several levels to suit your budget and your taste. If you're wanting to travel this autumn or winter (the resort opens in October) this may be just for you! Click HERE.

source: CaribJournal

Martinique Magnifique!

 

This French Caribbean destination is prepared to offer you a splendid experience. See more HERE.

Ultimate Luxury Caribbean Vacations

 

In the age of social distancing, travelers are placing a premium on privacy — both in their transportation and their accommodations. 

And that’s the reasoning behind the launch of leading luxury villa rental company WIMCO’s new WIMCO Prive’ concierge travel service. 

WIMCO Prive’ works with WIMCO’s longtime partner, Tradewind Aviation, to plan each aspect of the ultimate Caribbean luxury vacation. 

It gives travelers the ability to arrange a “private, luxury and crowd-free travel experience” from their home airports right to the Caribbean, with private aviation on each leg of the trip and a private villa for the vacation itself. 

Source: CaribJournal

New Adults-Only in Punta Cana

 We are always excited to share information regarding adults-only accommodations, realizing that some travelers prefer to have a sexy, mature experience, away from screaming kids. The Live Aqua Beach Resort is just such a place! Read more HERE.

Vacation Planning 101

 Be sure to visit the Travel Info Page for helpful tips when planning your vacation to the Dominican Republic. Support the links for great deals and great experiences!

Fully Vaccinated?

 

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention released updated travel guidance for Americans who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, eliminating some previous testing and quarantine recommendations as long as precautions continue to be followed.

The full details of this update can be found on the CDC's website but, when you're ready to explore the world again, TravelZoo will be waiting with amazing getaways and experiences that offer:

• Once-in-a-lifetime savings
• Tons of flexibility including the ability to receive a 100% refund if your plans change
• The ability to save now and choose your travel dates later

They've curated a collection of 40+ hotels & resorts around the globe. These deals save up to 65% and most include travel through 2021 and beyond.

Sand Castle on the Beach

 

Caribbean Journal just released a great write up on the legendary gay-friendly hotel Sand Castle on the Beach located in beautiful St. Croix, USVI. Read it HERE and make it your next adventure!

JetBlue & Aruba

 

JetBlue and the government of Aruba have partnered on a new digital health pass that will help travelers enter the Dutch Caribbean island more easily. 

The carrier launched the partnership this week on service from Boston to Aruba. 

So how does it work? 

Aruba requires all travelers to test negative within 72 hours of or upon arrival. 

JetBlue customers can use the carrier’s partner, Vault, for an at-home test or XpresCheck for in-person testing. 

Once they’ve downloaded the CommonPass app, they can collect their test results on the app; when they arrive in Aruba, they’ll get a dedicated CommonPass immigration lane where they just have to scan their passport. 

“CommonPass and the CommonTrust Network provide passengers, airlines and governments with a trusted system to digitally verify that an international traveler meets entry requirements upon arrival,” said Paul Meyer, CEO, The Commons Project Foundation. “Our registry of health data sources — information from labs, pharmacies, hospitals and health departments — is essential to giving the public the confidence to once again travel, attend events and enjoy activities they did prior to COVID-19.”

JetBlue has been working for several months with Vault, which offers at-home saliva tests for travelers. 

Courtesy of Carib News

AA Adds Flights to Samana

 

American Airlines has opened a Charlotte-Samana flight in time for summer vacations. The flight is expected to revive US tourism in the northeastern tourist destination. Samaná is best known for its contrasting low hills and lovely beaches and for its gastronomy. The flight would start in June 2021.

The flight would be from the International Charlotte-Douglas Airport in North Carolina to the El Catey International Airport in Samana. 

Travel Updates for D.R.

 Changes are coming as health, technology, science and travel continue to evolve during the pandemic.

Starting at the end of September, all tourists visiting the Dominican Republic will be covered with a temporary comprehensive health and travel insurance plan. The medical and trip protection insurance plan for visitors will cover hospitalization for coronavirus in the tourism destinations in the country, extended hotel stays and airline ticket changes.

Only random testing will be carried out at airports. Visitors will not be required to bring test results to travel here. The random rapid breathalyzer testing is set to start at the end of September. Once this measure is in place, the current requirement that travelers come with a negative PCR Covid-19 test or be subject to random antibody blood test at the airports will be eliminated.

Read the full story HERE.

Vacation Planning 101

 Be sure to visit the Travel Info Page for helpful tips when planning your vacation to the Dominican Republic. Support the links for great deals and great experiences!

Shutting Down Again

 

The US Virgin Islands is “putting the brakes” on tourism, closing its doors to leisure visitors beginning Aug. 19 for a period of at least one month. 

US Virgin Islands Governor Albert Bryan Jr announced the move, reverting the territory to a “Stay-at-Home” phase of its COVID-19 response for the next two weeks. 

“The recent infiltration of the virus into our residential institutions that house vulnerable members of our population creates an alarming level of risk,” the Governor said. “This adds to the stress of the ongoing pandemic response that seemingly has no end in sight and is wearing out our health care and public safety infrastructure.”

Effective immediately, all hotels, villas, Airbnb accommodations and guest houses, charter vessels and similar businesses have been ordered not to accept or book any new reservations for a month. 

Reservations are only being accepted for business travelers, flight crews, emergency personnel and government workers with written authorization from the government agency they are visiting. 

Beginning Aug. 17 through Aug. 31, all restaurants can only offer takeout, delivery or drive-through, with all bars, nightclubs and cabarets closed. 

St. Maarten Now Open to Americans

Caribbean Journal-

On Aug. 1 St Maarten officially reopened its borders to travelers from the United States, following a July relaunch to Canadian and European tourists and private aviation. 

It should be noted that only St Maarten, the Dutch side of the island, is open to Americans and all other travelers; 

Saint Martin, the French side, has closed its borders to the Dutch side — meaning U.S. visitors are not able to visit the French side of the island right now. 

Most crucially, all travelers to St Maarten must show proof of a negative COVID-19 test result within 72 hours of their travel date to St Maarten. (All visitors also need to fill out a St Maarten entry form that can be found here). 

The results must be uploaded as part of that form no later than 12 hours prior to departure. 

Visitors who do not provide such a result will be tested and then quarantined for 14 days at their own expense. 

St Maarten has launched six “core measures” to help prevent the spread of COVID.

That includes physical distancing with proper floor markings, mandatory face mask usage, social distancing of 2 meters, proper self-sanitization procedure, the appropriate procedure for cleaning surfaces, a stay-at-home when sick policy, and digital menus and messages, the Ministry of Tourism said. 

St Maarten is requiring all visitors to travel with their masks, hand sanitizers and to wear their mask on their flights and at the airport. 

The destination is also “strongly advising” travelers to purchase all-risk travel insurance “ensuring that they are covered in the event they fall ill while on vacation.”

Barbados Makes Work Easy!

Are you one of millions that are working remotely, whether due to the recent pandemic or not? Are you looking for a change of scenery? Why not consider the island nation of Barbados? They have a new type of Visa that will allow you to work in their country for up to one year. Imagine, all the comforts of a tropical vacation while you work from your island villa or condo!

12 Caribbean Islands That are Open

This LINK presents the Caribbean destinations that are open for tourists at this time. The first, Anguilla, has only had under a hand full of Covid-19 cases since the pandemic began. The final four are restricting American tourists from entering their borders at this time.

If you are looking to get away before the real probability of most countries shutting down again then this information will be helpful to you as you prepare to vacation in the new normal. There is also a mention of additional documentation or requirements you may need.

Among the list are Anguilla, St. Barts, Antigua & Barbuda, St. Lucia, Aruba, Turks & Caicos, Bermuda, The Bahamas, British Virgin Islands, St. Maarten, Bonaire and Curacao.