Even the best summer reads aren’t made for the sand — whether you are reading a hard copy or an e-book.

But the Hilton Aruba has you covered.

The beachfront Caribbean hotel has launched a new “waterproof library,” with a wide range of books available at the recently-renovated hotel’s outdoor tower hut.

The books will be rentable at the towel hut, which will soon be rebranded as the hotel’s “Activities Center,” with a library for both children and adults.

And yes, the books are completely waterproof, meaning they’re perfect for reading in the pool or the ocean.

It’s taking the concept of the “beach read” to a whole new level.

— Caribbean Journal Staff

The post This Caribbean Hotel Has a Waterproof Library appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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The latest Caribbean Photo comes from Caribbean Journal reader Jeffrey Rich, who sent in this magnificent shot of the view during a stay at a villa in Bequia.

Have you taken a great photo in the Caribbean?

Send it to news@caribjournal.com with CPOTW in the subject line.

It could be the next one!

— CJ

The post Caribbean Photo of the Week: A Villa in Bequia appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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While the dream of owning an island has captured the imagination of people the world over, if you visit the Caribbean you see that it isn’t just a fantasy. Yes, there are Caribbean islands for sale across the region, tropical places where you can find your own castaway-chic reality. Of course, that ranges from ultra-luxury private island options to small, more affordable properties.

But the fact is, if you’re looking for your own island, you can definitely find one, depending on your budget. Indeed, while many have price tags in the millions (unsurprisingly), a number fall below that — with listing prices less than $1 million, or, to put it another way, less than the price of an apartment in a major urban area in the United States.

Here are five such places to think about.

Saddleback Cay, Bahamas

Home to the most beautiful water in the Caribbean, the Exuma archipelago is teeming with small cays and islands, many of which remain uninhabited. That makes for a broad real estate portfolio, with stars like Saddleback Cay, set off the northern tip of Normany’s Cay in the northern Exumas. That’s a handy location, because Norman’s Cay is home to a 5,000-foot runway, meaning great access for private planes. Listing price: $11.8 million.

Petit Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Like Nevis? Then you’ll love Petit Nevis, the tiny island about seven miles west of Mustique in the heart of the Grenadines. It’s just a short boat trip from Bequia, and a great opportunity whether you’re looking to build a hotel or a private home. There are beaches, great views of the neighboring cays and all the solitude you could ever ask for. Listing Price: $25 million.

Young Island, St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Looking to buy your own hotel? Look no further than the 12.6-acre Young Island in the Grenadines, just a short boat ride across the channel from mainland St. Vincent and home to an existing, rustic-chic small hotel. This is an idyllic, Old Caribbean-style place with cheeky bungalows and outdoor showers. Listing price? $10 million.

Salinas, Puerto Rico

This is a rare thing — a private island off the coast of Puerto Rico. For about the price of a one-bedroom apartment in Manhattan, you can get your own 25-acre oasis just six minutes off the coast of the southern end of Salinas. It also includes a solar-powered three-bedroom, two-bathroom (one outdoor) bungalow. Yes, that means a self-sustaining island made just for you, and at a number that makes it among the most affordable islands for sale. Listing price: $1.195 million.

Fisherman’s Caye, Belize

If the Western Caribbean is more your style, take a look at Fisherman’s Caye, a 42-acre island set about eight miles off the coast of the Placencia peninsula in Belize. This island is a naturalist’s delight, located on the edge of a protected area within Belize’s UNESCO-designated marine reserve. Listing price: $3.5 million

The post The Top 5 Islands For Sale in the Caribbean Right Now appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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With sorrel season in full swing, I thought I’d highlight how important this fruit is to Trinidadians. Similar to how pumpkin flavored drinks are for Americans during the fall and winter, sorrel is the staple drink ingredient in the Caribbean during the holidays. It is traditionally used for making popular Christmas-time drinks, but it is also used to make jams, jellies, syrups, cakes and other desserts. A member of the hibiscus family, the sorrel flower is edible. Tart in taste, some locals like to simply eat the petals with a pinch of salt.

Sorrel made its way to the Caribbean hundreds of years ago from West Africa and has planted itself in island traditions. Trinidadians would say that without sorrel, there is no Christmas! The drink is paired with every meal or alongside a rum cake, and for adults, it is mixed with rum, wine or sherry. Every Trinidadian has a fond memory of sorrel during the holidays whether it was helping mother with taking the seeds out of the flower to prepare the drink or simply drinking it during the festivities.

I’d like to feature one of my favorite holiday drinks, the sorrel mojito, created by the amazing mixologists here at Hyatt Regency Trinidad.

Ingredients

2oz Appleton rum

3oz Sorrel juice

1 Lime

8 mint leaves

Splash of soda water

Method

Muddle mint and lime, pour all beverages, roll in a shaker and pour into rock glass garnish with fresh limes and mint.

This recipe was submitted by Hyatt Regency Trinidad’s executive chef Fernando Franco and his team, which are members of this year’s ‘Caribbean National Team of the Year’ at Taste of the Caribbean in Miami.

The post How to Make a Sorrel Mojito appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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This is the hub of the British Virgin Islands: Tortola, the green-hilled beauty that is both the heart and the launching point for all of the BVI archipelago, whether you’re taking a sailing charter, or hopping to an island Virgin Gorda. But Tortola is a beachy paradise in its own right, with long stretches of perfect white sand, a vibrant community and some great places to stay. Here are 13 photos that will have you thinking of Tortola as your next destination in the Caribbean.

Tortola’s West End is the gateway to the island, particularly if you’re coming from the nearby U.S. Virgin Islands on a ferry.

Long Bay is the jewel of Tortola, the perfect stretch of sand that’s among the greatest beaches in the Caribbean.

If there is a Mecca in Tortola, it is this: Bomba Shack, the world-famous beach shack (famous for its full-moon parties) that is among the island’s most energetic places.

Stoutt’s Lookout, owned by Prince Stoutt, above, enjoys the best views on the island.

It’s a great place to enjoy local spirits like Arundel rum.

Road Town is the capital of the BVI and a lovely little town that recently unveiled a major new cruise port.

Tortola is the charter sailing capital of the Caribbean, home to hub of The Moorings, the world-famous charter company.

Pusser’s is a hallowed name in the BVI, and the company’s Road Town Pub is a must-stop.

Yes, it’s a full-fledged British-style pub.

Cane Garden Bay is Tortola’s beach bar capital, and Myett’s, above, is a great place to stay.

It’s a place for endless beach bar crawls.

Paradise Club is perhaps the stretch’s best beach bar.

But it all begins and ends with Long Bay. At dusk the place takes on an almost mystical quality.

The post 13 Photos That Will Make You Want to Visit Tortola appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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