Most Caribbean hotels tend to sit on flat stretches of shoreline, but anyone who has spent time driving around the islands can tell you that most fall somewhere in the range of hilly to downright mountainous. Volcanic eruptions thrust many Caribbean islands up from the seabed not that long ago in geological terms, creating abrupt elevation rise and some spectacular views as you go up. Here are 10 of our favorite spots for panoramic Caribbean vistas you can dream about right now.

Shirley Heights, Antigua: The Shirley Heights Lookout was once a British gun emplacement guarding Antigua in general and the British Navy’s massive base at English Harbour in particular. These days, cocktails have replaced cannons at this 490-foot scenic overlook, which boasts views of English Harbour and Falmouth Harbour and a must-do sunset party on Sunday evenings.

The post From Antigua to Jamaica, 10 Caribbean Vistas to Dream About appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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The World Bank has released $150 million to the Dominican Republic to help the country in its fight against the novel coronavirus, COVID-19.

The funds have been disbursed from a “contingent credit line” from the World Bank known as the Catastrophe Deferred Drawdown Option.

The option, known as Cat-DDO, was the first of its kind in the Caribbean when it launched in 2018, providing liquidity to a country’s efforts in either recovering from natural disasters or public health emergencies.

The Dominican Republic is currently set to begin a national state of emergency on April 3, which is set to last for a period of 25 days.

The move comes after the Dominican Republic had initially closed its borders beginning March 19.

“In recent years, the Dominican Republic has been making progress in strengthening its capacity to respond to emergencies, including for public health-related events,” said Alessandro Legrottaglie, Country Manager for the Dominican Republic at the World Bank. “This rapid financing demonstrates the World Bank’s commitment to support the Dominican Republic’s efforts to respond to the immediate health and social needs of the people in the face of an extraordinary challenge.”

— CJ

The post Dominican Republic Getting $150M For Coronavirus Response appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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The latest Caribbean Moment heads to the tiny little island of Terre de Haut in the Les Saintes archipelago of Guadeloupe. 

Shot in another, more serene time, it’s a window into one of the most beautiful little bays in all of the Caribbean, the West Indies’ own miniature version of Rio de Janeiro’s Sugarloaf. 

Take a digital vacation to Guadeloupe in the latest CJ Video below. 

The post Caribbean Moment: 14 Seconds on the Beach in Guadeloupe appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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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 VI Carnival vibe to everyone in the safety of their homes.”

The first “Home Wuk” party was held digitally on March 28 on the Division of Festivals’ Facebook page, in partnership with Insomniacs J’ouvert Troupe. 

It was headlined by USVI native DJ Avalanche. 

The nearly 2.5-hour event featured music from across the Virgin Islands and the wider Caribbean. 

The next “Home Wuk” parties will be held on April 4 at 8PM, following one April 1 at 8PM dubbed “Quarantine Cooler Fete.”

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. 

— CJ

The post Carnival in St Thomas Is Going Virtual appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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