The Taste of Christmas

Helados Bon, the leading Dominican ice cream manufacturer, is enticing Dominicans to celebrate Christmas with their "Galleta Navideña” desert. The ice cream is a combination of creamy premium vanilla ice cream laced with tiny pieces of cookies laced with chocolate and ginger, accompanied with dulce de leche.

You Kuan Ring My Bell

Kuan of Brazil

Beautiful Belize is a Thing

Four Seasons Hotel Belize

Belize’s 2018 tourism boom is showing no signs of slowing down.

The destination is the fastest-growing in the Caribbean this year so far, with a total of 372,075 stayover tourist arrivals through the end of September — a 16.6 percent increase compared to the same period last year.

It’s an impressive performance for a destination, buoyed in large part by significant growth in new air routes, from both United States-based carriers like Southwest Airlines and a surge from Canada and airlines like WestJet.

And there is more new airlift on the way, from new routes from Sun Country Airlines and a new route from AeroMexico, among others.

“The most recent tourism statistics not only attest to this fact but they also show a consistent upward growth trend,” the Belize Tourism Board said in a statement. “The years ahead promise to bring exciting developments at a time when our dynamic tourism industry is poised for further growth.”A rendering of the Marriott Belize.

Belize is also seeing a jump in new hotel development, with new brands like Curio Collection by Hilton, which recently debuted in Belize with the Mahogany Bay property.

Samana for Adults

By the Caribbean Journal staff

It’s a whole new way to go all-inclusive in the Caribbean’s most popular destination.

Viva Wyndham is expanding its all-inclusive in the Dominican Republic destination of Samana.

The adults-only Viva Wyndham V Samana is planning to debut a expansion that includes 34 new-construction, thached-roof bungalows.

The new units, which are set on ground level, will include their own plunge pools, bathrooms with rain showers, upgraded mini bars and 24-hour room service and free Wi-Fi.

Read more HERE

Riding Practice

Scenic Sosua

Pier Georgio in Sosua, D.R. is easily one of my favorite scenic places in the Caribbean!

Milk Does A Body Good

Birthday Wishes

Let them line up to bear gifts!

Mainland Caribbean Haven

This island off the coast of Florida is the southernmost city in the continental United States. This tiny island sits just 100 miles north of Cuba, and is known for its fabulous turquoise waters, tropical foliage and welcoming culture.

For decades, Key West has been considered a place where one can be out, open and welcomed, and where gay visitors quickly embrace the motto, 'One Human Family.' Key West has had a number of openly gay elected officials, a gay chief of police and a rainbow flag flying over City Hall, helping gay locals and visitors alike feel comfortable anywhere on Key West.

Key West is an open-minded community that is safe, gay-friendly and relaxed. A longtime tropical playground for the LGBT community, Key West's warm, "come as you are" ambiance is one of the main reasons many gay and lesbian visitors feel more themselves in this subtropical island's gay scene than anyplace else.

In Key West, many guesthouses cater primarily to gay men, lesbians or a combination of the two. They're often private hideaways tucked underneath swaying palms, furnished with island wicker or rattan and museum-quality antiques. It's common to find private pools, private beaches as well as clothing-optional sunning decks. Many establishments offer suites or apartments, perfect for a group of friends.

On Key West, you can find drag shows, gay and lesbian fishing excursions, gay pool parties, and a number of award-winning gay-owned and managed cafes and restaurants. It's easy to understand why Key West locals adopted their whimsical motto: "Close to perfect, far from normal."

The Travel Channel provides insight on the tropical gay haven of Key West, Florida. Key West is the only Caribbean destination in the United States.

New DR Hotel Offerings

Headed  to the north coast and don't want to be overrun with screaming children during your romantic get away or friends weekend? The new adults-only TRS Cap Cana opens November 1st on the waterfront. It will have well over 100 suites, 39 with swim-up rooms, 2 pools, spa and personal butlers. Did we mention it's all-inclusive?

Also opening in the DR in the near future is the new Moxy brand by Marriott International. They obviously target millennials with smaller, lower priced rooms and shared public spaces. They will even have grab and go food and beverage stations. Find out more about this new hotel brand HERE.  

Perfect Parches

This sexy hombre offers you a different look at Mexico 

Costa Rican Connection

Costa Rica is a surprising reprise for the gay traveler. There are gay and gay-friendly accommodations (including the spectacular Hotel Villa Roca in the video), gay bars and clubs and a host of tourist activities that will keep you occupied during your stay in this beautiful Central American destination on the Caribbean sea. Check out the list of things HERE you will find when you visit gay Costa Rica.

Simply Samana

USA Today has published a feature encouraging readers to include Samaná in their travel plans. The reporter acknowledges it is easy to get to Punta Cana, but says the extra travel to get to Samaná is well worth it. "Because on arrival, visitors will find a region that has its own remarkable history, superb eco-attractions, and non-cookie-cutter hotels and restaurants. All of this is set down in a jungle-lush natural setting of rainforests and coconut plantations. During my visit, my guide noted that Samaná Peninsula had 110,000 residents and 6 million palm trees,” says the reporter.

The reporter enjoyed the visit to las Terrenas, describing "its many funky eco- and budget-friendly hotels” that are side by side with luxury hotels. The writer highlights: "Samaná's main appeal is its natural attractions. These range from "stunning white-sand beaches like Rincon and Coson, as well as what could be described as Samaná's iconic site, the trio of waterfalls that make up El Limon Falls. A favorite activity is riding on horseback to reach the falls. Those timing their visit between January and March can indulge in whale watching via boat excursions on Samaná Bay. During these winter months, approximately 2,500 humpback whales migrate to the bay. Another eco excursion is hiking, caving and birdwatching in Los Haitises National Park, an expansive protected area covering an impressive 319 square miles.”

https://www.usatoday.com/story/trave....ic/1293258002/

London Times Gives a Nod

egrets on Lake Enriquillo

dr1: Chaotic traffic keeps people away from Santo Domingo, the capital city of Santo Domingo. But now, there just may be too many reasons to brave the congestion to discover what the city has to offer, beyond the beaches, hotels and restaurants of sand and sun resort areas. A feature in The Times on Sunday, 9 September 2018, encourages tourists to come to visit the capital city and more of the Dominican Republic.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/d...ants-6fptx06w2

Worth Noting

With hotels and other accommodations re-opening, expanding flight offerings and general excitement on the island, Tortola in the British Virgin Islands is a great choice for your next adventure!

This small island, like many others in the Caribbean, has had to rebound after last years storm season. And rebound they have!

Even the culinary scene has new offerings that appear to be set to become mainstays on this charming island. There is a new rooftop restaurant operated by the renowned chef, 

Regis Bourdon.