DR Ready to Re-open!

CaribJournal:

The entire country of the Dominican Republic will open up for international tourism beginning July 1, according to Lucien Echavarria, director at the Ministry of Tourism of the Dominican Republic.

In an exclusive interview with Caribbean Journal, Echavarria said about 40-50 percent of the country’s hotel inventory would open its doors in July, with the remaining hotels expected to open in November.

Although she couldn’t provide further details about the carrier names at press time, she noted that the destination will receive “several” flights on July 1.

Indeed, Punta Cana International Airport confirmed that it was restarting commercial operations on July 1.

Getting There

With more and more Caribbean destinations re-opening one might ask, but how will I get there?

Antigua & Barbuda joined Jamaica this week as the latest islands to announce they are open for tourists. As others plan to join the growing number of countries loosening restrictions, Southwest Airlines and Spirit Airlines announced they are now providing service to the Caribbean.

Many hotels, airports and sea ports have instituted strict new policies in order to provide travelers a safe and pleasant experience in the new Covid-19 era.

Visit caribjournal for more details.

Dioscar

Destinations Re-open

As several countries enter various phases of re-opening they are considering opening their borders as well. Which means travel may be in your future sooner than originally thought.

Several Caribbean countries have fared well during the pandemic and are now officially announcing their re-opening and they are ready to welcome travelers back to their islands, with the mandated modifications of course. Visit caribjournal.com for details.

Beach Beauties

On the Bright Side

Have you been wanting to get up and go, but don't want to lose money if you have to change your plans due to a continued pandemic?  Well, Travel Zoo (click the link) has many special deals available for tropical and other destinations. The best part? Other than deep discounts, there are travel dates well into 2021 AND you can change your dates or get a credit for another trip with the same provider. So, dust off those flipflops and thongs and let's go somewhere!

THE Drink Of The D.R.

from CaribJournal

Caribbean spiced rums aren’t particularly exotic — there’s hardly a bar in America where you can’t order a “Captain and Coke,” for example. But there’s one unique variety of Caribbean spiced rum that you may not have heard of, even though its origins date back more than 800 years: Mamajuana.

As originally made by the native Taino people, mamajuana (or Mama Juana) was prepared as a tea with a mix of herbs, tree bark, and — if legends hold true, the private parts of a turtle.

The latter is important because all through its long history, mamajuana has been touted as an aphrodisiac (its local nickname is ”the baby maker”) as well as for its medicinal qualities, such as improved digestion and blood circulation.

The recipe for mamajuana endured even long after the Taino disappeared from the Caribbean, decimated first by the rival Arawaks and then enslavement and disease brought by Europeans. The latter added spirits and red wine to the recipe, and gave the concoction its modern name (which comes from a nickname for the type of squat, wicker-covered bottle the drink was traditionally stored in).

Today, mamajuana is considered the national drink of the Dominican Republic, although until recently you were more likely to find it served at a local bar than at a Caribbean beach resort.

Rolando

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Happy Hump Day

A Smile Goes A Long Way

Top tips for All-inclusive Vacationing

We came across a YouTube clip that we thought to be very helpful. Click HERE to view it. Be prepared to be enlightened!

Happy Easter

St. Thomas Carnaval Goes Online

With the Carnival Virgin Islands postponed amid the coronavirus pandemic, the popular St Thomas festival is going virtual. 

That means you can bring the rhythm of one of the Caribbean’s hottest carnivals right into your home. 

The US Virgin Islands Department of Tourism’s Division of Festival has launched what it’s calling “Home Wuk,” a series of online social gatherings “designed to create a sense of community, camaraderie and a ‘virtual’ carnival experience. 

Carnival Virgin Islands had been scheduled to run from April 3 through May 4. 

“We know everyone was looking forward to Carnival, but postponing it was the right thing to do to make sure we help stop the virus from spreading,” said Ian Turnbull, Director of the Division of Festivals. “With the ‘Home Wuk’ series, we can lift people’s spirits and bring the U.S.V.I. Carnival vibe to everyone in the safety of their homes.”

The next “Home Wuk” party will be held on April 4 at 8PM. It’s a clever, creative initiative from the Division of Festivals, which launched last year in a bid to “enhance” the US Virgin Islands’ already strong festival ecosystem.  

For more, visit USVI Festivals. 

Smile...

                          ...and the world smiles back at you

Maybe Later for DR Travel

                                                                  Santo Domingo

In a bid to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, the Dominican Republic is closing its land, sea and air borders for 15 days, the country’s President, Danilo Medina, announced. 

The move takes effect at 6 AM on Thursday, March 19, according to a statement from President Medina.

The only exception to the sweeping measure will be for the departure of foreign citizens who want to return to their countries of origin, and the arrival of planes, cargo ships and fuel ships to “guarantee supplies to the population,” Medina said.

The government has also suspended all meetings and events for 15 days.