Zac Brown Band is heading to the Caribbean next year for a major concert event.

It’s called Zac Brown Band Castaway With Southern Ground, and it’s taking place at the Hard Rock Hotel in the Riviera Maya from Jan. 30 to Feb. 3.

The band will be joined by Rodrigo Y Gabriela, Toots and the Maytals, JJ Gregy and Mofro, Nahko and Medicine for the People, Margo Price, Drake White and the Big Fire and Muddy Magnolias.

Zac Brown Band

Castaway With Southern Ground will include custom activities, artist interaction and the all-inclusive amenities at the Hard Rock.

The series will include two full shows by Zac Brown Band in the hotel’s Concert Courtyard, along with shows by the aforementioned groups.

Check out the Castaway 2017 playlist here.

For more information, visit  www.zbbcastaway.com.

The post How to See Zac Brown Band in the Caribbean appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Another new all-inclusive resort is coming soon to Jamaica.

Fast-growing all-inclusive giant Riu has announced the planned debut of the new Riu Reggae resort, slated to open in Montego Bay, Jamaica on Nov. 16.

The brand-new hotel will be the second Adults-Only in RIU’s Classic sub-brand.

The pool at Riu Reggae

Amenities will include free Wi-Fi, concierge service and premium liquor throughout the hotel.

The Riu Reggae will include four restaurants: an international buffet, an Italian restaurant, an Asian restaurant and a steakhouse and grill.

The property will also feature two infinity pools, one of which will have a swim-up bar, a gym and a “Renova” Spa.

Guests will be able to access the adjacent Riu Montego Bay as well.

The new property comes on the heels of the launch of another major new Riu resort, the Riu Republica in Punta Cana.

The post A New Adults-Only Hotel Is Coming to Jamaica appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Maybe it’s its location in the far reaches of the Exumas, or its place as a must-visit stop on any Caribbean sailing pilgrimage.

But there’s just something special about the Staniel Cay Yacht Club, a wonderful bungalow hotel on the island of Staniel Cay in the Exumas, one that first opened its doors back in 1956.

From its terrific food (including one of the best fish sandwiches you will ever eat) o its lively bar to its spectacular marine setting, the minute you arrive by boat or plane it’s easy to see why this has become such a legendary place in the Bahamas. (To arrive, you can either take a boat or fly on Watermakers Air directly from Florida).

Oh, and some of the rooms even come with their own boats, perfect for exploring the pristine waters of the Exumas.

Here’s an inside look at what it’s like at the Staniel Cay Yacht Club.

The post VIDEO: The Legendary Staniel Cay Yacht Club appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Fun facts about Kingston

By Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon
CJ Travel Editor

Though most visitors fly into Jamaica’s “second city” of Montego Bay, the capital, Kingston, is a vibrant and energetic metropolis well worth a visit. With a new highway that has dramatically cut drive time from the resort areas of Ocho Rios, Mo’Bay and Negril (now just 3.5 hours away), it’s easier than ever to see the city on a day trip or overnight. No doubt you’ll want to tour the Bob Marley Museum, the National Gallery and Devon House, the historic home of Jamaica’s first black millionaire. And we highly recommend a jaunt out to the beach at Hellshire for the best fried fish and bammy this side of heaven. There’s no time like the present to plan your itinerary, but in the meantime, we’ll leave you with these five facts you likely don’t know about Kingston.

1. Kingston is actually Jamaica’s third capital. Spanish Town was the first, established in 1534, and then Port Royal, established by the British around 1655. When Port Royal was devastated by an earthquake in 1692, nearby Kingston, then an exclusively agricultural town, became a refuge for the survivors, and was designated the island’s capital later the same year.

2. Jamaica is the largest English-speaking island in the Caribbean, and its capital is also the largest English-speaking Caribbean city south of the United States. (Still, is it a good idea to brush up on your patois before you go? Yeah, man!)

3. Despite Jamaica’s size, Kingston is the seventh largest natural harbor in the world. The two-mile-long, 10-mile-wide deep harbor is bordered by the Palisadoes spit, now home of the Norman Manley International Airport. The first commercial flight into Kingston, however, was a Pan Am seaplane, which landed in the harbor’s waters in December 1930. Who knew?!

4. Kingston is twinned with several cities around the world, including Coventry in England; Shenzen, China; and Miami, Florida (which comes as no surprise since there are roughly 50,000 Jamaicans resident in South Florida.)

5. The capital is the birthplace of Jamaica’s iconic fast food, the patty. Tastee, creators of the original (and best!), began baking the beef turnovers commercially in Cross Roads, Kingston back in the ‘60s, and celebrates a half-century of piping-hot, golden-flaked goodness this year.

The post Five Things You Didn’t Know About Kingston, Jamaica appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Belize’s tourism sector is booming.

The country’s latest figures show one of the fastest-growing destinations in the wider Caribbean region, with a 16.5 percent increase in stayover visitors compared to the first half of 2015.

That represented a total of 213,430 visitors, the first time Belize has ever received more than 200,000 stayover visitors in the first six months of a calendar year.

All six months of 2016 showed double-digit growth, led by January, which saw a 24 percent increase in arrivals compared to January 2015.

El Secreto in Belize

The best calendar month for overall arrivals was March, when Belize received a total of 43,063 stayover visitors, itself a 10 percent increase over March 2015.

The United States is the main source market for Belize, with around 70 percent of Belize’s tourist arrivals.

This year has seen a 25.9 percent increase in US tourism.

“ The Tourism Industry in Belize continues to achieve impressive results and will work towards maintaining this increasing trend throughout 2016,” the country’s tourist board said in a statement.

The post Belize Tourism Is Having Its Best Year Ever appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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