Just a few years ago, Curaçao was barely on the radar of travelers looking to pay one price for accommodations, dining, drinks, and activities, but now there are multiple all-inclusive resorts to choose from on this windswept Dutch Caribbean island. Just since the pandemic, new brands have entered the Dutch Caribbean destination, including Hilton and Sandals, among others.
The newest and greatest addition to Curaçao’s all-inclusive resort portfolio came this month, with the the first-ever Zoëtry-branded resort in the Dutch Caribbean. The new Zoëtry, which held its sneak-peak soft opening this month before a December grand opening, is a new level of resort for the island, bringing the signature Zoëtry wellness focus to the former Floris hotel.
No matter what holiday you celebrate, there’s no better gift than the gift of the Caribbean.
And we have you covered with the latest edition of the Caribbean Journal Holiday Gift Guide.
We’ve curated our favorites for the 2021 season, from the perfect stuff to bring with you to the Caribbean to the best ways to enjoy the Caribbean from the comfort of your home.
That means journeys of rum discovery; the best Caribbean coffee, our editor-tested suitcases and even the perfect book for your kids.
Of course, there’s no better gift than an actual trip to the Caribbean — but that’s what all our other articles are about.
It’s the best of the best, even for a part of the world teeming with spectacular coffee: Jamaican Blue Mountain, the champagne of coffees. One bag yields about 50 to 60 cups of out-of-this-world Jamaican coffee.
It’s the essence of St Barth in a bottle. Ligne St Barth has been the glamorous island’s signature beauty product for more than three decades, from papaya shower creams to the Caribbean’s most luxurious sun lotion.
There’s been a boom in the waterproof boat shoe category in recent years, from the now hard-to-find Tucket to the not all that waterproof Swims. Our favorites right now? Floafers, which combine actual waterproof material and effective draining with a decidedly snazzy look.
They’re arguably the most famous jewelry from the Caribbean, the signature hook bracelets that call St Croix home. And now you can get them right from the source, Sonya’s Fine Island Jewelry in Christiansted.
Full-face snorkel masks have revolutionized snorkeling in recent years, dramatically changing both the ease of breathing and your undersea view. Right now, Wildhorn’s masks are as good as any on the market.
We always say the best rum in the world is the one in your glass. But when it comes to glasses, some are better than others. For the perfect rum tasting experience, we like the classic Glencairn tasting glass.
The new book by reggae legend Ziggy Marley and his wife Orly is a heartwarming tale of a young vulture in Jamaica’s Blue Mountains learning to embrace his future.
It’s impossible to pick a favorite hot sauce in the Caribbean. But if you travel around the Caribbean, chances are you’ve often seen this one on a table. A product of Trinidad and Tobago, Matouk’s is a superb hot sauce that’s on the spicy side but not so hot you can’t use it all the time.
One of the Caribbean’s signature fashion houses, this St Kitts artisanal clothing producer has long set the regional standard for fine batik and beachwear, all created on site on Romney Manor.
Caribbean Journal editors just love these suitcases, which are affordable, durable and, well, you won’t have a hard time finding them on the baggage claim. They come in an assortment of bright, fun colors.
It’s the most famous beach bar in the Caribbean, and it’s also got some of the best swag of any beach bar on the islands. Whether you want a signature Soggy hat, a flag or a shirt, it’s a way to remember those perfect painkiller-filled afternoons on Jost Van Dyke. They even have their own rum now, too.
For many rum lovers, the Rhum Agricole of the French Caribbean represents the pinnacle of rum-making, the world’s leading artisinal rum. If you’re in the US, however, it’s not all that easy to find. But we’re here to help. Two major rum brands from Martinique, Rhum JM and Rhum Clement, both have broad distribution in America, and that means you can give now someone a taste of this sought-after rum (and maybe get one for yourself, too). Either way, JM and Clement are wonderful introductions to the world of this sought-after spirit.
It’s one of the most sought-after watches in the world: Accutron, the watch that changed the face of the industry when it first debuted in 1960. Now, Accutron and its history are more than just a timepiece — they’re a conversation piece. Even better? It has a strong bond with the Caribbean! Accutron has long been a big part of the Caribbean Rum Awards in St Barth, the region’s leading celebration of fine rum. Caribbean Journal readers save 10 percent on Acccutron and Bulova watches using the code QTNFERQ69QV0.
Papa’s Pilar, the rum brand named for Ernest Hemingway’s fishing boat (and owned in part by the Hemingway Family), has quickly become a big part of the rum landscape — and while the brand’s rum is outstanding (and much-awarded, including a gold at last year’s Caribbean Rum Awards), its gear is even cooler, like this barrel head, which can be personalized for the rum lover in your life.
Graycliff Cigars From The Bahamas
They’ve been around for nearly three decades, initially created by Avelino Lara, the onetime personal roller for Castro. Today, aficionados adore these Cuban-rolled smokes made in-house at Graycliff’s factory in Nassau, and the company can ship across the US from Florida. For more, contact cigars@graycliff.com.
Whether you’re trying the new Royal Blue at the Baha Mar or spending a golfing week at Casa de Campo, the Caribbean is one of the world’s great golfing destinations. But if you’re bringing your clubs with you, you need to do it right. This bag still sets the standard for golf travel bags, period.
It’s another universe of the Caribbean: high up in the rainforest, surrounded by natural wonders, the only sounds shaking leaves and singing tree frogs.
These are the Caribbean’s ethereal treehouse hotels, secret places to stay far off the tourist map – and deep in the heart of the true Caribbean experience.
Here are some of our favorite treehouse accommodations across the wider Caribbean.
The stunning Kanopi House is is the ultimate eco-chic retreat, with a clutch of beautifully-designed, one-room treehouses set among the branches of the Jamaican rainforest, a bit east of Port Antonio. But it’s not just pretty — it’s a full-service retreat, with everything from nightly turndown service to Wi-Fi.
In what is easily the most highly anticipated tourism reopening of 2021, the Cayman Islands is finally open for tourism again.
Cayman officially reopened to “verified vaccinated travelers” this week, following the lifting of quarantine requirements for fully vaccinated travelers.
So what do travelers need to know?
All inbound travelers must register and apply with Travel Cayman (you can find it here), showing proof of vaccination and of travel insurance.
The Kimpton Seafire in Grand Cayman.
All inbound travelers must submit proof of a negative PCR test within 72 hours prior to travel; that includes all travelers aged 5 and up.
Crucially, the Cayman Islands has removed its quarantine for fully vaccinated travelers.
Notably, however, travel parties with unvaccinated minors must quarantine for 14 days; that’s a unique requirement in the Caribbean, where most destinations require testing, but not vaccination, for children under 16 or 18.
It should also be noted that travelers need to apply to Travel Cayman for travel authorization; Cayman’s government says that the approval of travel request applications can take up to 10 business days, so make sure you plan your travel well in advance.
Cayman Brac.
The reopening marks what Cayman is calling Phase 4 of a tourism reopening plan that kicked off in September.
The destination has been closed to tourism since March 2020, longer than any other destination in the Caribbean.
A new Dreams all-inclusive resort is coming to the Mexican Caribbean island of Cozumel.
The new Dreams Cozumel Cape Resort and Spa will be one of the first Apple Leisure Group resorts to debut following Hyatt’s high-profile acquisition of the company in August.
The new, all-inclusive Dreams Resorts and spas by AMR Collection resort will be the brand’s first-ever resort in Cozumel, with plans to debut in the first quarter of 2022.
Dreams Cozumel Cape Resort will have a total of 154 suites, including a number of junior suite with swim-up access and oceanfront views.
When it debuts, it will be part of the largest resort complex on the island of Cozumel.
The property will have four bars and lounges, four a la carte dining concepts; pool and beach service, unlimited international and domestic top-shelf spirits, 24-hour room service and daily activities and entertainment.
Guests at Dreams Cozumel will also have access to the neighboring Sunscape Sabor Cozumel.
Guests 18 and over will be able to access the nearby Secrets Aura Cozumel adults-only resort.
It’s a boost for Cozumel, which continues to be one of the fastest-growing destinations in the Mexican Caribbean.
“Mexico is a cornerstone of AMR’s success and growth, as travelers in the U.S. and beyond continue to seek out the beautiful destinations and world-class hospitality it is known for,” said Javier Coll, Group President of AMResorts Global Business Development. “The Dreams® Resorts & Spas brand is among AMR Collection’s most popular and respected brands due to the consistent, high-quality experiences guests of all ages enjoy from property to property – we are confident in the addition of Dreams Cozumel Resort & Spa to bring the brand standards to a new destination in Mexico.”
