One of the premier all-inclusive resorts in Antigua has unveiled a major new look. 

The Verandah, part of the Elite Island Resorts portfolio, has debuted a host of upgrades and new additions at the popular beach resort. 

That includes renovated Waterfront Suites, along with a stunning new poolscape at the Rasta Beach Pool, including a Baja shelf and a sundeck. 

The resort has also opened a new coffee shop. 

That’s along with several popular excursions for guests: Pink Panther Safari Tours, which offer travelers full tours of the island in custom-built, hot-pink Land Rovers, and Calypso Cat, the beloved maritime cruise led by Captain Noel DuBerry, which also includes a stop at Antigua’s beautiful Bird Island. 

The Verandah, set on 30 acres, has a mix of suites and villas, with each pair of adjacent suites designed for the “look and feel of a cozy Caribbean cottage,” according to Elite. 

The resort is home to amenities ranging from a pair of lighted tennis courts, a broad watersports center, a complete 18-hole mini golf course to a full-service spa called Tranquility.

All Elite Island Resorts properties require guests age 16 and over to present proof of vaccination upon check-in. 

For more, visit the Verandah. 

The post This Leading Antigua All-Inclusive Has a New Look appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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It was always one of the most sought-after destinations in The Bahamas: Treasure Cay, that beach-filled paradise in Abaco. 

And now one of Treasure Cay’s premier places to stay is back, billing its return as “Paradise Reimagined.”

The Bahama Beach Club is now open, Caribbean Journal has confirmed, a significant boost for what has long been considered one of the most spectacular beaches in all of the wider Caribbean.

“Abaco is bouncing back indeed,” said Kerry Fountain, executive director of the Bahamas Out Islands Promotion Board, in a statement. 

It’s the first major relaunch of a Treasure Cay property since the devastation wrought by Hurricane Dorian on the island back in 2019. 

All rooms and wings at the resort will also be fully operational by the early spring, sources told Caribbean Journal. 

The resort has a mix of two, three, four and five-bedroom beachfront condominiums, all with fully-equipped kitchens and ocean views.

That’s along with a pair of eateries: The Pavilion and The Pool Bar and Grill. 

It’s part of a much bigger renaissance for Abaco since the storm, with a new-look for historic Elbow Cay and continued vibrance for South Abaco.

The Bahamas is open for tourism; here’s how to visit. 

For more, visit the Bahama Beach Club. 

The post This Beloved Bahamas Resort Is Back in Abaco appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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The newest adults-only all-inclusive resort has officially opened its doors on the island of St Croix. 

The dramatically transformed and rebranded, 200-room Divi Carina Bay Beach Resort and Casino began welcoming back guests this week to its new iteration as an adults-only property. 

Set on the quiet east end of the island, it’s the only all-inclusive in St Croix, and one of just two adults-only properties on the island, joined by The Fred in Frederiksted. 

Food and beverage concepts include the Waves Marketplace, Oceans Bar and Grill; Carina Cafe and Show Bar (set at the resort’s on-site casino), Tuscany Ristorante Italiano and Pureroc, an eatery serving proteins grilled on a sizzling lava rock. 

The resort has also debuted its new Oceans brand, a 50-room resort-within-a-resort concept that offers elevated amenities in its own room wing. (There’s also an Oceans resort at Divi’s St Maarten hotel). 

It’s a significant launch for St Croix, which has been in the midst of a tourism renaissance since the storms of 2017. 

And it’s a major all-inclusive option for the wider US Virgin Islands, whose all-inclusive portfolio includes the all-inclusive program at the Bolongo Bay Beach Resort in St Thomas.

That’s led to the debut of a new branding for the island: St Croix, a Vibe Like No Other. 

For more, visit the Divi Carina Bay. 

For more on how to visit the US Virgin Islands, visit the destination’s Traveler Screening Portal.

The post The Caribbean’s Newest Adults-Only Resort Is In St Croix appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Vaccinated travelers no longer have to show proof of a negative test in order to enter Puerto Rico, according to the island’s newest protocol update. 

As of Feb. 2, the destination is no longer requiring tests from vaccinated travelers; unvaccinated travelers will still, however, have to show proof of a negative test result within 48  hours — or take one within 48 hours after arrival and quarantine until they receive a result. 

Anyone older than two must provide a negative PCR or antigen test result, with the exception of those who are unvaccinated. 

Puerto Rico is also increasing capacity at restaurants, bars, stadiums, casinos and other outlets, with 75 percent capacity for indoor and full capacity for outdoor operations. 

Bars and venues that primarily service alcohol will operate at 50 percent capacity, according to Discover Puerto Rico. 

It should also be noted that because Puerto Rico is part of the United States, travelers don’t need to take a test to fly back to the mainland. 

For more on Puerto Rico’s travel protocols, visit Travel Safe PR. 

The post Puerto Rico Waives Pre-Testing for Vaccinated Visitors appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Turks and Caicos has announced an update to its entry protocols for travelers as of February 2022, Caribbean Journal has learned. 

The destination is now requiring all visitors two years and older to show proof of a negative PCR or antigen before entry. 

Tests need to be taken within three days of arrival in Turks and Caicos. 

The update lowers the testing age requirement from 10 years old to two years old. 

All visitors aged 16 and older must continue to provide proof of full vaccination before entering the country. 

Turks and Caicos has additionally announce that weddings are limited to 50 percent of approved capacity, while all patrons 16 years of age and older must be fully vaccinated or present a negative test within 24 hours before entering restaurants, bars, nightclubs and discos. 

Social gatherings require attendees 16 and up to be fully vaccinated or have proof of a negative test within 24 hours. 

Any fully vaccinated visitor who tests positive prior to leaving the Turks and Caicos Islands will be required to quarantine with all accompanying persons at their own expense for 10 days, and then undergo a mandatory COVID-19 test on day seven prior to release.

In a statement, Turks and Caicos said the changes represented a “proactive response to the Omicron variant and underscore the destination’s commitment to health and safety, expanding on its already vigilant travel protocols, which have been in place for travelers since July 22, 2020, when Turks and Caicos opened its borders to tourists.”

Around 80 percent of the local population in Turks and Caicos is fully vaccinated, making it one of the most inoculated countries in the world. 

For more, visit Turks and Caicos. 

The post Turks and Caicos Just Updated Its Entry Rules for Travelers appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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