SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — A construction company in Puerto Rico was sentenced last week to a fine of $1.5 million and three years of probation for violating the federal Clean Air Act. AIREKO Construction Company failed to comply with the asbestos National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air…

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SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Latin pop star, Luis Fonsi, is the new global face of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company’s (PRTC) upcoming international tourism campaign. PRTC’s partnership with Fonsi, who performs the record-breaking song “Despacito”, will launch the destination’s campaign…

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Cancun’s Fiesta Americana Condesa Cancun resort has completed a multimillion-dollar renovation project, parent company La Coleccion announced this week.

The remodel to the all-inclusive property included upgrades to more than 500 rooms and suites, including redesigned bathrooms, hurricane-shock-proof windows, new Smart TVs and improved Wi-Fi, among other changes.

The property also upgraded its Grand Ballroom Condesa.

“From the resort’s opening in 1989, we’ve always strived to provide unforgettable experiences for our visitors. This renovation will add a more modern touch to our popular resort – something our guests are sure to appreciate,” said Rafael Lizarraga, Chief Commercial Officer of Hotelera Posadas. “A renovation of this scale was a long time coming for this Cancun icon. With the final touches underway, we are excited to show off our renovated spaces and have guests experience this new phase at one of the best all-inclusive resorts in Cancun.”

La Collection includes 12 resorts under the Live Aqua, Grand Fiesta Americana, Fiesta Americana and Explorean brands.

— CJ Staff

The post Fiesta Americana Condesa Cancun Completes Renovation appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By Alexander Britell

No island is an island.

Even islands have needs, needs from afar: food, energy, connectivity — no island can be truly independent in today’s world.

Or can it?

There’s an island in the British Virgin Islands that has become the dream of what a Caribbean island can be — a place that is the ultimate sustainable, independent destination. It is the island of the future.

This is Eustatia Island, a 35-acre private island a stone’s throw from Richard Branson’s Necker Island in the heart of the North Sound that is unlike any other island on earth. And Caribbean Journal got an exclusive look at it.

For starters, it’s a natural marvel — green hills, perfect white sand beaches, swaying palms, a group of four beautiful villas and a capacity of about 16 guests (yes, you have to rent out the whole island).

But it’s what’s under the surface that truly amazes, starting with a 400 kWh Tesla battery system that is the first-ever application of one of these commercial Tesla systems on an island — one that stores all of the solar energy collected through Eustatia’s 400 solar panels. It’s the capacity equivalent of six Tesla cars.

And while some places boast about being green, Eustatia actually is — the only fossil fuels used regularly on the island are a few tanks of propane for grilling — even the golf carts are solar powered, thanks to a clever retrofit that turns their roofs into PV panels. The latter is the kind of thinking that is the driving force of Eustatia, a place that is constantly trying to get better and come up with new ways to be sustainable.

Food and landscape waste are composted into fertilizer, while plastics, aluminum, glass, paper and cardboard are collected for recycling and the island even has its own reverse-osmosis desalination plant, one that can generate up to 10,000 gallons of fresh water every day — and yes, it’s powered by solar energy, too. There’s even a farm.

A villa pool.

But it’s not just about being green.

Eustatia’s four villas are set on the hillsides, with sparkling turquoise views and hiking trails and all the modern amenities you’d expect, with a beach bar and restaurant and features like a helipad and lightning-fast Wi-Fi and one bathroom that’s been built inside of a cave.

But it’s not just about the accommodations, either.

The biggest story just might be on the water.

This is no ordinary surf shop.

Eustatia Island has an impossibly broad collection of watersports equipment — and I don’t mean kayaks and paddleboards. I mean the kind of stuff you can barely find in a store – like two-person windsurfs and even an assortment of hydrofoil kiteboards.

And that’s just the non-motorized equipment.

The motorized is even more unbelievable, with a veritable fleet of boats led by an Iguana Yacht, an amphibious, electric-motored boat that can actually drive on land.

The best part? If you stay here, it’s all included — the food, the drinks, every manner of seaborne activity.

And it’s all done with an ethos that is helping to build and set the model for the island of the future. Everyone who stays here is helping to buy in to the future.

It’s easy to say that this all sounds hyperbolic. But it’s not.

Because Eustatia Island isn’t an island. It’s perfection — and this is just the beginning.

See more in the video at the top of the page.

For more information, visit Eustatia Island.

The post VIDEO: The Amazing Eustatia Island appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Punta Cana resorts welcome more than two million North American visitors each year, making the area the most popular single vacation destination in the Caribbean – and with good reason. The Dominican Republic resort town seduces with broad white-sands bordered by its leaning namesake palms; more than 40 all inclusive resorts; and several compelling excursions (hot air ballooning, anyone?) within easy reach. So if you’re ready for some sun, sand and ceviche, now’s the time to book your flight to the east-coast oasis. And here’s where to stay when you get there. CJ Travel Editor Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon brings you the top five Punta Cana resorts to visit right now.

Zoetry Agua Punta Cana Because there are only 96 luxurious suites, you’ll share the numerous niceties of this romantic and blissfully peaceful retreat (including a superb spa; four restaurants ;and complimentary horse riding and massages) with only an equally privileged few. This is as good as Punta Cana resorts get — a truly beautiful destination resort.

The post 5 Punta Cana Resorts to Visit Right Now appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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