By the Caribbean Journal staff

Another major airport project could be coming to the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Less than two months after the initial designs were revealed on St Thomas’ $230 million airport transformation project, the island of St Croix got its first look at its own proposed airport revamp.

The proposed project would be both a terminal expansion and modernization of the Henry E. Rohlsen airport, the initial operations of which date back to 1948.

The initial renderings were released to the media this week.

Virgin Islands Port Authority David Mapp. Sr, executive director of the Virgin Islands Port Authority, revealed the initial design charrette on the project, joined by airport consultant Moshen Mohammadi of Tampa, Fla.-based American Infrastructure Development.

The current plan would include the addition of a second level; integration of jet bridges; increased concession and retail space; improved passenger flow and expanded baggage handling.

The airport would also incorporate the tropical landscape and make improvements to assist with vehicular traffic flow, according to the design charrette.

The Port Authority is receiving questions and concerns on the proposal through Oct. 31, according to a statement.

A transformed airport could be a game-changer for St Croix, which has been making an admirable comeback from last year’s storms and seeing a rapidly-expanding tourism profile thanks to exciting developments in both Christiansted and Frederiskted.

— CJ

The post St Croix Eyes Major Airport Expansion, Modernization appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By Dana Niland
CJ Contributor

While Antigua and Barbuda has long been home to one of the Caribbean’s most magnificent historical sites, the UNESCO World Heritage site of Nelson’s Dockyard, it isn’t resting on its laurels.

The country’s Ministry of Tourism is now planning a major push to restore, clean and beautify a host of historic properties across the island.

Work already begun at Fort Barrington, also known as Goat Hill, located on the western end of Antigua in the Deep Bay Area.

Fort Barrington.

According to Jesse Thomas, acting director of the Agri-Tourism and Beautification Unit, the new project will be done in three phrases.

The first phase, comprising of clearing debris, including Manchaneel and Acacia trees that make the hiking trail inaccessible, has already begun.

The second phase will be to establish a stone garden along the peninsula and incorporate more species of plants, such as the Frangipani that is already growing in the environment and is drought tolerant.

The Copper and Lumber hotel in Nelson’s Dockyard.

Thomas said because the area is mostly rocky, there is not much soil for plants to naturally establish themselves.

However, measures will be put in place to have plant boxes built to accommodate other species of plants that are drought tolerant for the garden.

Additionally, as part of phase two, the unit is hoping to restore the cistern at the back of the fort using the original setup which was once used as part of the water catchment system. 

Phase three of the restoration effort will be to reestablish the use of the original entrance to Fort Barrington which will make accessing the fort easier for tourists, as well as locals visiting the attraction.

The fort, which was once used a protection point for the St. John’s Harbor also served as an important signal station to alert forces throughout the island of impending attacks during the colonial era.

The post Antigua’s New Historic Restoration Push appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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A police officer in Puerto Rico who helped to save nearly … ;>
A police officer in Puerto Rico who helped to save nearly …

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

One of Puerto Rico’s landmark hotels will be reopening, Caribbean Journal has learned.

The iconic Caribe Hilton, one of the purported birthplaces of the piña colada cocktail and the first Hilton to open beyond the continental United States, is reopening after closing last year following Hurricane Maria.

The property will be reopening for the winter season, according to a statement from Discover Puerto Rico.

It will begin taking reservations from Dec. 21, according to the property’s Web site.

The 657-room hotel, most recently made famous in the Johnny Depp film The Rum Diary, is set on 17 acres between the Old San Juan and Condado neighborhoods.

Amenities include eight restaurants and bars, a secluded beach and a large pool complex.

It’s part of a wave of hotel reopenings set for the upcoming winter tourist season in Puerto Rico.

— CJ

The post Puerto Rico’s Caribe Hilton to Reopen in December appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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It’s one of the most popular activities for travelers to the Caribbean — snorkeling. There’s just something about grabbing a mask and fins and exploring reefs, coves and beaches that calls on the adventurer in all of us.

But while you can snorkel at just about any beach in the Caribbean, if you’re a die-hard snorkeler, you want more. You want a place to stay where the snorkeling offerings are vast, convenient and exciting.

Because some hotels are just that much better for snorkeling, whether it’s easy-to-access reefs, equipment or robust snorkeling tour programs.

While that’s often the case at great dive hotels, some hotels that aren’t dedicated dive hotels are also great for snorkeling.

Here are our favorite hotels for snorkeling in the Caribbean, from Turks and Caicos to Curacao.

Small Hope Bay Lodge, Andros, Bahamas Tucked away on the mysterious, spectacularly beautiful island of Andros in the Out Islands of The Bahamas is Small Hope Bay, a charming lodge that was the first dive resort in the history of the Caribbean. And now, more than a half century later, it’s still a Mecca for watersports lovers, particularly snorkeling. Whether you take the daily trip to snorkel shallow sites along the Andros Barrier Reef, or enjoy the diverse range of snorkel spots along the shore, Small Hope Bay has it all (even night snorkeling). It all adds up to the region’s best hotel for snorkeling — and a true bucket-list destination.

The post The 10 Best Caribbean Snorkeling Hotels appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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