… in Puerto Rican population, the conference aims to make Puerto Ricans … to do to help Puerto Rico and those who … strong connections in the Puerto Rican community.
Director Carlos … that affect Puerto Rico communities.”
The Center for Puerto Rican Studies or …

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Nearly 15 years after opening as Sandals Whitehouse, the Sandals South Coast resort is the only major hotel development on the south shore of Jamaica.

And as long as that remains the case, this all-inclusive hotel will remain a special place.

The Sandals resort chain has six resorts in Jamaica, scattered
from the Negril to Montego Bay to Ocho Rios. Each has their fans — Negril for
its Seven Mile Beach location, the Mobay location for its proximity to
nightlife on the Hip Strip, for example.

For sheer serenity and natural beauty, however, none can touch
Sandals South Coast, which reopened in 2017 under its new name after a major
renovation to bring it more in line with Sandals’ “Luxury Included” standard.

Sandals specializes in consistency —amenities remain constant
from resort to resort.

In Jamaica, that means that most of the properties have a Jerk
Shack among their multiple dining options, for example, and water sports
options tend to be about the same from resort to resort.

It would be a mistake, however, to think that one Sandals is just like all the others.

And even when they do share common features, like the overwater bungalows found at both the Sandals Royal Caribbean and Sandals South Coast, which resort you choose can make a big difference.

The Royal Caribbean overwater villas are only reachable by boat, while those at South Coast are connected to the mainland by a long pier. And yet the latter seem much more secluded, thanks to their location at the north end of the resort, which in turns sits on a point facing an otherwise minimally developed section of Crab Pond Bay.

The overwater villas sit in water deep enough that you can jump (but not dive) off the decks behind each unit, while the Royal Caribbean villas stand over relatively shallow waters that recede dramatically at low tide. At South Coast, it’s pelicans that frequently fly overhead, not jetliners.

Each bungalow features on-call butler service, an amenity that’s
also available with the couples-friendly Love Nest suites on the mainland.
Rooms at Sandals South Coast are divided into three “villages” — four-story
Italian, French, and Dutch themed buildings. Every room has a water view all
have king beds and spacious bathrooms with modern appointments; upgrades will
get you amenities like in-room soaking tubs, robes, and included room service.
The wide variety of Sandals’ room classes include one-bedroom suites and
penthouse and concierge level rooms. Ground floor “walkout” rooms have
oceanfront patios.

The villages are minimally themed, but do have some distinctive characteristics. The French village has the liveliest pool area, with a swim-up bar and organized activities like pool volleyball games, while the Dutch and Italian villages have higher-end suites and share the services of Club Sandals, including butler and concierge service and private check-in.

The Italian village is closest to the main hotel lobby, largest
pool, and most of the resort’s restaurants, including those serving breakfast —
the buffet at Bayside, sit-down dining at Eleanor’s, and the sophisticated grab
n’ go at Cafe de Paris, including a sweet selection of fresh-made crepes and
Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee.

Top dining choices at the resort include the authentic Jamaican jerked meats, grilled sweet potatoes, and traditional “festivals” at the waterfront Jerk Shack, the diverse and well-prepared rolls and sashimi at Sushi by the Sea, and Schooner’s Seafood Grill, where lobster and steaks are served under open-air canopies on the beach. The Latitudes overwater bar is the best place to be for sunsets and cocktails made with local Appleton Estate rum.

A broad, sandy beach has ample space for everyone at the resort
to stake out a beach chair, hammock, or cabana of their own, and the resort has
several short piers and gazebos set up for romantic couples’ dinners.

The beach volleyball court is busy most days, and other active options include Hobie cat sailing, snorkeling, and tennis on a trio of lighted hard courts. The fitness center is well-equipped and blessedly air-conditioned. And we highly recommend the twice-weekly catamaran trip to the famous Pelican Bar, perched on stilts near the mouth of the Black River and a welcome taste of local Jamaican culture after a few days in all-inclusive land.

The courtyard setting of the Red Lane spa is lovely, with
treatment rooms surrounding a decorative foundation and hot and cold plunge
pools. Services include assorted scrubs, facials and massages, but resort
guests are welcome to use the pools, steam room, and other spa amenities even
if they don’t book a service.

The entertainment crew at the resort works hard to keep things
lively at night, including shows with fire-eaters and a new burlesque show in
the cabaret. But it’s easy enough to slip away to a hot tub, the beach, or one
of the outdoor lounge areas with their gas fire pits for a peaceful drink or
cuddling, as well. The resort’s remote location also means lots of stars
visible overhead and minimal noise or commotion from the surrounding community.

In short, there’s plenty of party time at Sandals South Coast if you want it, but it’s also the rare all-inclusive with enough elbow room that you’ll truly feel like it’s you own personal paradise, too.

For more, visit Sandals South Coast.

The post In Jamaica, a Serene Sandals All-Inclusive appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Cancun has long been the busiest airport in the wider Caribbean region, and it’s about to get even busier. 

Spirit Airlines has announced plans to launch a new thrice-weekly flight from Nashville, TN to Cancun. 

The new service, which will officially launch on Feb. 27, 2020, will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. 

“As one of the fastest growing cities in the country, the Music City is a perfect match for America’s fastest growing airline,” said John Kirby, vice president of network planning at Spirit, in a statement. 

Just this week, Spirit officially kicked off its operations at Nashville International Airport. 

Doug Kreulen, president and CEO of Nashville International Airport, said the new service “demonstrates the attractiveness of this market and their commitment to serving our community. We look forward to Spirit Airline’s continued growth in Music City.”

Another low-cost carrier, Southwest Airlines, also operates flights from Nashville to Cancun. 

— CJ

The post A New Way to Fly to Cancun appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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… Puerto Rico, Lugo moved to Connecticut, a state with a large Puerto Rican … wants people to know Puerto Rico not only for … Yourself Festival.
Lugo said Puerto Rican street food is simple … and plantains’ mushiness. Puerto Rican cuisine mirrors the country…

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The popular Navy Beach eatery in The Hamptons is expanding with two locations in the Caribbean. 

Navy Beach, which launched in Montauk in 2010, will be debuting outposts at a pair of Caribbean marinas: Yacht Haven Grande St Thomas and the Yacht Club at Isle de Sol in St Maarten. 

The new locations are the product of a partnership with Island Global Yachting. 

Navy Beach St Thomas will open in December with outdoor seating for 100 guests and a 20-seat bar with views of Charlotte Amalie. 

Navy Beach St Maarten will be opening in Simpson Bay in “early 2020,” according to the company, following a multimillion-dollar redesign of the lagoon-front facility. 

The two-story venue will include a 20-seat horseshoe-shaped bar and a waterfront dining area. 

Navy Beach is thrilled to partner with IGY on its brand expansion into the Caribbean,” said Navy Beach partner Frank Davis. “To share our beverage, dining and event experiences with vessels and guests who have not stayed in the Hamptons or had the opportunity to enjoy Navy Beach, is very exciting for us.”

The opening of Navy Beach St Thomas will soon be followed by two sister concepts: the Mexican eatery Isla Cantina, and the French-Mediterranean bistro Sylvette. 

Isla Cantina will open in St Thomas in “late 2019,” while Sylvette is slated to make its debut in early 2020.

“This initiative is the launching point of entirely new levels of hospitality for yacht owners and charter guests in the Caribbean,” says IGY Marinas CEO Tom Mukamal. “Navy Beach’s proven track record of success in Montauk combined with IGY’s global destinations and brand will be leveraged to offer unique lifestyle experiences at our Caribbean destinations.”

— CJ

The post Hamptons Favorite Navy Beach Is Coming to the Caribbean appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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