Canadian carrier WestJet has begun its new nonstop flights to Belize.

The carrier began operating its flights from Toronto Pearson International Airport to Belize City on Saturday.

“Leaving Canada and hitting the beaches in Belize by mid-day is something that Canadian travellers are not used to and we have absolutely changed the game with our twice-weekly service from Toronto,” said Bob Cummings, WestJet Executive Vice-President, Commercial. “I extend a big thanks to our WestJet team, the Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation as well as the Belize Tourism Board for their support in the creation of this significant route.  To our guests this morning, we say, “Gud maanin,” and welcome aboard. We look forward to offering both Canadians and Belizeans the chance to experience WestJet’s low fare, high care service over the winter months.”

Belize becomes WestJet’s 21st destination in the Caribbean and third in Central America.

The flights will be a boon for the destinations hotels, like Cayo Espano, pictured above.

WestJet is operating the flights on Boeing 737 aircraft that includes the carrier’s WestJet Connect inflight entertainment system that connects directly to smartphones, tablets and computers.

“This is truly a historic milestone for our nation,” said Belize Tourism Minister Manuel Heredia. “Today’s inaugural flight holds a very significant and unparalleled opportunity for Belize, as it is the first to directly connect Canada and Belize. We certainly foresee an increase in travel to Belize from thousands of Canadians who have been deterred in the past due to inconvenient layovers and connections in the United States. After today, this is no longer the case. Our sincerest gratitude goes out to WestJet for their partnership and belief in a future with Belize.”

The flights are operating twice weekly.

The post New WestJet Belize Flights Begin Service appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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It’s not quite clear why there are just so many lobsters in the waters of Anegada in the British Virgin Islands, waters teeming with large, juicy Caribbean spiny lobsters.

Maybe it’s the warmth. Maybe it’s the reefs. Or maybe the lobsters come here to vacation. If it’s the latter, they need a better travel agent — because for them, this is a decidedly one-way trip.

Anegada, you see, is the Caribbean capital of lobster, with more than you heart’s desire, freshly caught and always perfectly prepared.

And Anegada is filled with terrific lobster restaurants, from Potters By the Sea (above), the beach restaurant you see the minute you arrive at the islands main dock (that’s also home to a mean rum punch), to Big Bamboo on the ultra-white sands of Loblolly Bay to the wild Wonky Dog bar and restaurant.

Cow Wreck is perhaps the island’s most famous beach bar.

Perhaps most special is Neptune’s Treasure hotel and restaurant, where the lobster preparation is as much of an event as the meal itself.

Neptunes’ Treasure is one of a number of charming small cottage-hotels in Anegada.

And while the lobster on Anegada is a major draw, this island itself a Caribbean gem, with small hotels and villas and a number of perfect untouched beaches.

But it’s the lobster that will ultimately bring you here. And now there’s a reason to go even sooner than you think: The Anegada Lobster Festival, the annual rite that’s part of the BVI Food Fete culinary extravaganza.

It lasts from Nov. 26-27, with top local chefs on hand to serve lobster dishes at restaurants across the island.

For those attending the festival, it means a lobster safari of sorts, with the option to try three different lobster samplers at three restaurants at just $12 per plate.

So what are you waiting for?

For more information, check out the BVI Food Fete.

The post The Caribbean Capital of Lobster appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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UNESCO has a big footprint in the Caribbean’s historical offering

By Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon
CJ Travel Editor

In 1972, UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) established the World Heritage Site program, which recognizes landmarks of natural and cultural significance and promotes their protection for the benefit of the entire world. There are now 19 of these must-see sites in the Caribbean, stretching from Cuba westward to Barbados and embracing everything from towering volcanoes to colonial neighborhoods and thriving barrier reefs. Here are 10 of our favorite reasons to rouse yourself from your beach chair and explore beyond the sand. How many Caribbean World Heritage Sites have you seen?

Colonial City of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic Founded in 1498, this capital is where the Americas’ first cathedral, hospital and university were built, superimposed on a grid layout that became the model for several Caribbean cities.

The post 10 UNESCO World Heritage Sites You Need to Visit in the Caribbean appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers from the Anti-Terrorism Contraband Enforcement Team (A-TCET) seized approximately $29,000 in unreported currency in an outbound enforcement action at the San Juan Seaport.

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One of the best beaches in greater San Juan has a brand new beachfront boulevard.

The beach town of Cataño has debuted a revitalized Malecón, located next to its ferry terminal.

The new look is part of an island-wide program aimed at reviving Puerto Rico’s waterfront areas.

“It will be the people of Cataño, who through their initiative and creativity, will give final shape to this place,” Puerto Rico Governor Alejandro Garcia Padilla said at the inauguration event this week. “This boardwalk will be a vital space. This is an extraordinary opportunity for locals to renew its gastronomic, cultural and leisure potential.”

The town is most famous as the home of the Bacardi factory and visitor complex, accessed by a short ferry from the port of San Juan.

— Caribbean Journal Staff

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