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The Dutch Caribbean island of Saba is officially open again for tourism, Caribbean Journal has confirmed. 

The island near St Maarten began welcoming back tourists on May 1. 

Most notably, Saba has lifted its quarantine requirements for fully vaccinated visitors, following a vaccination drive that has seen more than 85 percent of the population vaccinated. 

“With nearly the entire population vaccinated and our emphasis on enjoying the natural beauty, Saba is one of the best and safest destinations for those looking to explore and rejuvenate after the past year of quarantining,” said Saba Commissioner Bruce Zagers.

There are several new ways to reach the island, which is home to the world’s smallest commercial runway. 

That includes regular service on Winair, along with a new charter flight option on SXM Airways. 

Several resorts have also taken advantage of the pandemic to renovate and expand; that includes Juliana’s Hotel, which has launched its new Captain’s Suites, four “oversized” guest rooms with spectacular views that celebrate the island’s seafaring history. 

The island’s leading resort, the Queen’s Gardens, has added a new yoga deck. 

Travelers who connect through St Maarten to visit Saba must follow St Maarten’s entry protocols. 

And in a boost for Saba’s community of diving enthusiasts, officials have announced the discovery of two large ship cannons on the sea floor, found by the Saba Archaeological Center. 

So how do you visit? 

For fully-vaccinated visitors Saba requires proof of a negative PCR test within 72 hours before arrival, or an antigen test taken within 48 hours. 

Non-vaccinated travelers need to quarantine for five days and take rapid antigen test on the fifth day. 

For more, visit Saba. 

— CJ

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Southwest Airlines is set to continue its Caribbean relaunch this summer, Caribbean Journal has learned.

The relaunch is headlined by a major increase in its Cancun service beginning June 12 that will include the return of Saturday-only service from Pittsburgh to Cancun and increases from Austin, Houston and Phoenix to Cancun.

In all, Southwest will be operating 22 departures to and from Cancun on Saturdays, from a total of 13 gateways in the United States.

Southwest is also increasing its flight service to Montego Bay, Jamaica this summer.

This summer, Southwest is also set to add more daily flights to the increasingly popular destination of Puerto Rico, which is seeing surging travel activity since the beginning of 2021.

The Puerto Rico relaunch will include expanded daily flights to San Juan out of markets including Orlando, Chicago Midway and Tampa.

The low-cost carrier is also planning its return to Costa Rica, with daily service from Houston to Liberia and San Jose, along with weekly Saturday-only service from Baltimore-Washington to Liberia.

“We’re excited to continue reestablishing previously served international service by reuniting the warm hospitality of Costa Rica with the Heart and value of Southwest,” said Andrew Watterson, Southwest Airlines’ Executive Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer.

Southwest will also be increasing flights to Los Cabos in Mexico, the company said.

Indeed, the Caribbean and Mexico (and Cancun in particular) continue to see expanded airlift amid the pandemic, with leisure demand continuing to rise amid the United States’ vaccination push.

“We’re seeing more demand for our international routes that already take our Customers to Aruba, Cancun, Cozumel, Havana, Los Cabos, Montego Bay, Puerto Vallarta, and Punta Cana,” Watterson said.

— CJ

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In the age of social distancing, we’re not just looking for a room. 

We’re looking for a place to live, a retreat, an oasis. 

And we’re looking for a getaway that, for a week, becomes our dream home, our Caribbean fantasy, with the comforts of home but the design and amenities of a hotel. 

In other words, we’re looking for the perfect residential resort. 

And that’s precisely what you find at what has long been the leading luxury resort in St Maarten: Coral Beach Club. 

The stunning Dawn Beach-area property is a mix of 14 beachfront or beach view villas, with three and four-bedrooms, each with their own private pools and sunken gazebo. And then there are the two-bedroom, two story marina-view townhouses facing Oyster Pond, or the 1,600-square-foot penthouse.

All villas come with gourmet kitchens and high-level amenities, with easy access to pools, the beach, and the marina – perfect for family celebrations or a romantic getaway. 

Designed by renowned architect Jean-Pierre Heim, they offer a modern yet relaxed approach to the Caribbean lifestyle. 

Because St Maarten is an island that’s meant to be lived, not just experienced – it’s a place where you want to venture out to the eateries and the markets, to come back to your villa and grill some fresh-caught fish, to savor a rum cocktail before sunset on your terrace.

CBC is the best of both worlds; you’re so close to the French border that you can enjoy the gastronomic delights of both the French and Dutch sides within easy reach. 

And if you’d like to stay closer, there’s options steps from your villa, including the Infinity Restaurant, the new Veranda Bistro and Big Fish, the South Beach-meets-the-Caribbean signature eatery with an emphasis on locally-sourced seafood. 

And in a few days, you’ve cultivated the perfect routine: days spent lounging on your patio or the sand, evenings on gastronomic journeys. 

You’re right at home in St Maarten. 

For more, visit www.coralbeach-club.com. 

— CJ

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