Anguilla has officially reopened its borders for tourism. 

The island began welcoming back guests on May 25, following a month-long closure after the identification of a virus cluster. 

The island says that cluster was successfully contained. 

So what do travelers need to know? 

If you’re fully vaccinated, you’ll only have to stay in place for seven days, nor will you need proof of health insurance. 

All visitors, vaccinated and unvaccinated, will still have to submit a negative PCR test result within three to five days before arrival on the island. 

Multi-generational families and groups with a mix of unvaccinated and vaccinated people will have o stay in place for 10 or 14 days. 

The island has also opened up spa, gym and cosmetology services if both parties are vaccinated. 

All travelers still need to apply for entry approval to Anguilla. 

All of these protocols will run through the end of June, after which time Anguilla will require all those who are eligible for vaccination to be vaccinated in order to enter the island. 

Beginning July 1, vaccinated visitors won’t have to be tested on arrival (though a pre-arrival test will still be required), and they won’t need to stay in place or pay entry fees, among other changes.

You can find more on the island’s protocols here. 

— CJ

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The first-ever Marriott resort in Belize is expanding, Caribbean Journal has learned. 

The Alaia Belize residential resort, which is part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, has announced a new real estate project called Alaia Beach Club. 

The adults-only Alaia Beach Club will include a total of 120 “studios,” all of which have been designed to face the ocean and the resort’s pool amenities. 

It will set directly adjacent to Alaia in San Pedro Town in Belize’s popular Ambergris Caye. 

The Alaia Beach Club studios, which range from 507 to 799 square feet, include custom furniture design by Deobra Aguiar; limestone flooring; mini bars; custom-selected bedroom, living room and patio furniture; and curated wall art, among other amenities. 

Units start at $180,000, according to the company.

The Alaia Beach Club will include multiple adults-only pools, a pool event lawn, a meeting and convention space and a beach club. 

So far, 44 units have already been reserved, according to Waypoint Real Estate, which is handling sales at the project. 

“We were so pleased with the success of our Phase 1 sales at Alaia we decided earlier this year to add a second Phase,” said Andrew Ashcroft, developer of Alaia Belize. “Over 80 percent of our inventory was purchased prior to our resort opening. The next step was to create a new phase that complimented our first phase and appealed to a new market segment.”

Alaia opened its doors in early May as the hottest new resort in Belize in years, with a residential-resort design and amenities like a rooftop bar, a suspended pool, a PADI-certified dive center a private beach. 

For more, contact info@alaiabelize.com or visit Alaia Belize.

— CJ

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It’s only open by day. 

They come by boat or helicopter, or by short jaunt from the tents at the Barbuda Ocean Club. 

And the early returns are spectacular. 

This is the Caribbean’s hottest new restaurant, and it just so happens to be Robert De Niro’s new Nobu in Barbuda. 

It’s set on a stunning stretch of sand on the increasingly hip island of Barbuda, and it’s home to exquisitely good food — a full-fledged Nobu hidden away on a remote beach in the Eastern Caribbean. 

The new Nobu is part of a broader Nobu Beach Inn project, as Caribbean Journal Invest reported earlier this year, and it’s already becoming a local favorite. 

The menu is classic Nobu — superbly sourced sushi, outstanding entrees like miso black cod and even a Wagyu selection, and right now the eatery is open from Wednesday to Sunday, starting at 12 PM.

And yes, it gives new meaning to the term “destination restaurant” — with most guests literally flying or sailing to the island just for a meal at Nobu.

Barbuda is quietly becoming a favorite among the jet set, thanks to the buzz around De Niro’s hotel project and the significant Barbuda Ocean Club, just the second Discovery Land Company project tin the wider region (you may be familiar with the first – the ultra-exclusive Baker’s Bay in Abaco). 

The latter is helping draw new guests to the island, with a selection of glamping-style tents available for real estate suitors at the development, which will include a Tom Fazio-designed golf course. 

And that’s along with Barbuda’s already-lovely selection of boutique hotels like the Barbuda Belle and the lovely Barbuda Cottages, among others. 

In other words — it’s the sort of island where you’ll want to stay for dinner and breakfast, too. 

— CJ

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In a major move by one of the Caribbean’s most popular destinations, Puerto Rico has announced that it is waiving pre-testing requirements for vaccinated travelers. 

Beginning May 24, vaccinated travelers from the U.S. will not have to show proof of negative tests before arriving in Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico has also lifted its local curfew, which had been in effect since March 2020. 

The move follows similar decisions by Caribbean destinations including Belize and, most recently, The Bahamas, both of which no longer require testing for vaccinated travelers. 

Fully vaccinated means travelers who have received two shots of a two-dose vaccine like Pfizer or Moderna or one shot of a single-dose vaccine like Johnson & Johnson. 

“Puerto Rico has prioritized health and safety from the onset of the pandemic, becoming the first U.S. destination to implement an Island-wide curfew, among other measures developed to safeguard residents and visitors. As restrictions loosen, we look forward to welcoming travelers seeking to responsibly explore our Island, immerse themselves in unforgettable culture, unique natural wonders and delicious cuisine, while taking advantage of the ease of travel that comes with Puerto Rico being a U.S. territory, including no need for a passport for U.S. citizens,” said Brad Dean, CEO of Discover Puerto Rico.  

Puerto Rico is additionally increasing capacity for businesses from 30 to 50 percent; removed mask requirements for fully vaccinated individuals in parks and beaches; and is now permitting the consumption of alcoholic beverages in pools and beaches. 

The vast majority of Puerto Rico’s hotel sector is once again open and operating, (including the recent relaunch of the iconic El Conquistador resort). 

That’s along with sister islands Vieques and Culebra, both of which are now welcoming back visitors. 

For more, visit Puerto Rico. 

— CJ

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In what is a significant boost for the island of Puerto Rico, the iconic El Conquistador resort is back. 

The Fajardo-area resort officially reopened its doors this week, following a $175 million reconstruction project. 

The property had been shuttered since the storms of 2017. 

For now, the massive property is opening 230 rooms to guests out of 750 total at the resort. 

“The reopening and work in progress at El Conquistador represent a significant boost to the region’s economy and are clear evidence of the potential of tourism to improve the quality of life in Puerto Rico,” said Carlos Mercado, Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company. “The opening of the first phase will also have an immediate multiplier effect for companies. as tour operators, restaurants, and marinas, which will continue to grow as the number of available rooms increases.”

So what’s open right now? 

That includes dining concepts like the Brisas Courtyard are, the Splash Bar, Oasis, El Cafecito and The Hills Grill. 

That’s along with the property’s 100,000 square feet of meeting and event space and its 18-hole golf course and popular Coqui waterpark.

The island’s famous offshore island, Palomino, will not be open through at least the summer as it continues to recover from the storms of 2017.

“It is more than an honor to be part of the iconic El Conquistador Resort, our vision is to bring this architectural gem to the place it deserves,” said Nestor Amador, executive Vice President of Royal Blue, which owns the resort. “It’s a rebirth for the island, and brings 750 rooms to a destination that has no comparison.”

Puerto Rico is currently open for tourism.

For more, visit El Conquistador. 

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