The sign says Conch Salad.

But I’m here for the daiquiris.

On a hot day on the harbor in George Town, Exuma, an impossibly cold mango daiquiri is the only prescription.

Of course, once you order a daiquiri you’ll order more — whether it’s fresh conch salad or the best fish fingers in Exuma — or conch fritters or garlic lobster.

This is Sonia’s, and it’s been here for eight years in the heart of Great Exuma’s epicenter, a place that’s one of the truly great towns in The Bahamas.

Proprietor Sonia Davis honed her skills at the former Four Seasons Great Exuma, followed by the Sandals Emerald Bay, before going out on her own.

“I decided to leave and do this for myself,” she tells Caribbean Journal. “I wanted my own customers.”

And that’s where Davis is most in her element — even if you’re just stopping by to sip a mango daiquiri, you’re instantly a cherished guest.

“I like the one-on-one intimacy with my customers,” she says.

It’s another reason to spend an afternoon strolling around historic George Town, a place happily tucked at the edge of some of the most stunning aquatic scenery on earth.

And the food lives up to the hospitality, with perfectly blended Bacardi-and-Ricardo daiquiris and superb conch and grouper — the latter served up with a splendid spicy sauce.

Even after a bit of prodding, the sauce’s recipe remains, unsurprisingly, secret.

Thankfully, Sonia’s restaurant isn’t.

— CJ

The post A Great Little Beach Shack in The Bahamas appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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One of the Caribbean’s hottest destinations is once again open for tourism — including to travelers from the United States.

The French Caribbean island of Martinique is open again, Caribbean Journal has confirmed.

So what do American travelers need to know?

All US Visitors need to show proof of a negative PCR test taken and received within 72 hours before arrival on the island.

Fully vaccinated travelers (meaning travelers who are more than 14 days since their final vaccine dose) don’t have to quarantine — they can land and get right to exploring the island.

Unvaccinated travelers, however, have to quarantine for seven days.

So what’s the best way to travel to Martinique right now?

American Airlines is slated to relaunch its service from Miami to Fort-de-France, Martinique beginning in August, a spokesperson for American Airlines told Caribbean Journal.

Also in August, Air France will relaunch its Miami-Caribbean service, with flights operating every Monday (those flights are not nonstop, however — they typically stop in Haiti and Guadeloupe before arriving in Martinique).

The Air France service will kick off on Aug. 2.

If you want to go to Martinique in June and July, the best way is to fly to St Maarten and then fly from Grand Case Airport nonstop to Martinique (the flight takes about two hours), with service on Air Antilles.

Air Caraibes also operates daily flights from Grand Case Airport to Martinique. (Of course, it’s a wonderful excuse to spend an extra night in Grand Case on your vacation).

Travelers to Martinique will find the same culturally rich, spectacularly beautiful island, home to lovely little boutique hotels like French Coco, the Imperatrice and the new Diamant Les Bains – and larger resorts like the wonderful Hotel Bakoua.

They’ll also find arguably the world’s capital of rum, home to more distilleries than any other island in the world.

The best way to experience Martinique in the age of social distancing just might be a villa — with top operator VillaVEO likely your best bet.

For more, visit Martinique.

— CJ

The post Martinique Is Now Open for Tourism appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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In a significant step for the reopening of its tourism sector, the British Virgin Islands has removed the quarantine requirement for fully vaccinated travelers.

The country had recently eased its regulations, imposing a quarantine for vaccinated travelers only as they await the results of an arrival PCR test.

Under the new rules, vaccinated travelers don’t need to get tested upon arrival. They do, however, still have to show proof of a negative PCR or rapid antigen test within five days before arrival — and show proof of complete vaccination.

Partially vaccinated travelers (meaning they’ve taken only one of two doses) need a test within five days before travel, evidence of partial vaccination and then a PCR test or antigen test on arrival — and a quarantine for four days.

The British Virgin Islands has also lowered its “gateway administrative fee” for fully vaccinated travelers to $35 from $105.

So what about fully vaccinated travelers arriving with unvaccinated children?

Children aged 5-17 will be tested on arrival. Children will need to remain with their fully vaccinated parents while they await their test results, and then take an additional test on day four of their stay.

The BVI has also expanded its quarantine period for unvaccinated travelers, up to 7 days from 4 days.

The new rules went into effect on June 15.

“All things being equal, we anticipate that the revision of the entry portal to effect these changes will be a work in progress. We therefore ask travelers to be patient with us as we anticipate there will be processing issues in light of these amendments. Safety must remain our first priority for this teritory and we crave your indulgence during this period,” said BVI Health Minister Carvin Malone.

For more, visit the British Virgin Islands.

– CJ

The post British Virgin Islands Removes Quarantine for Vaccinated Travelers appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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