What’s next for the Caribbean economy?

According to the Caribbean Development Bank, the region is projected to see economic growth of around 1.7 percent this year.

The CDB’s Director of Economics, Dr. Justin Ram, warns that this won’t be enough to stimulate employment in the Caribbean, particularly among young people, and to reduce high regional debt levels.

Ram is urging regional policymakers to create an environment which “increases productivity and enhances competitiveness, including a more welcoming doing-business environment, access to financing for Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) and labour market reforms.”

“In this endeavor, it would be necessary to reform governance structures and institutions to support the new paradigm. Governments would have to be willing to stabilize their economies through fiscal and debt consolidation, implement structural reforms that enhance growth and develop strong, targeted social development programmes,” he said.

— Caribbean Journal Staff

The post The Caribbean Development Bank’s Growth Outlook for 2017 appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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It may begin with the famous Arch of Cabo San Lucas, but Mexico’s destination of Los Cabos is so much more. It’s a place to find authenticity, to find a different side of Mexico you may not have discovered.

So if you’re here looking for Cabo San Lucas, what you’ll find is that you’re getting two destinations for the price of one.

That’s because this is actually a pair of getaways: first, you have authentic, charming San Jose del Cabo; then you have Cabo San Lucas, the party capital of the peninsula, always energetic and bustling.

For us, the way to experience Los Cabos is to stay at one of the top Cabo San Lucas resorts, and then use your hotel as a jumping point to experience both destinations.

So whether you’re in search of a party atmosphere or simply a relaxing seaside retreat, “Los Cabos” likely has what you’re looking for on its perch at the far corner of Baja California Sur.

Here are the Cabo San Lucas resorts you’re looking for.

One & Only Palmilla

Few global brands do luxury quite as well as One & Only, thanks to a hospitality philosophy that’s all about breezy, tranquil, effortless luxury. And that’s exactly what you find at One & Only Palmilla, set on a prime perch on one of the area’s few truly swimmable beaches and boasting spectacular views of the Sea of Cortez. And then there’s the spectacular food, led by Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s Seared. 

Esperanza an Auberge Resort

Auberge is a name that immediately brings to mind gourmet cuisine, high-level wine and cool, gracious service. The company’s Esperanza outpost in Cabo San Lucas does just that, with a stunning location in between a pair of bluffs that also features the only private beach in the area.

The Resort at Pedregal

There isn’t really anything like this place in Mexico, at least not in Cabo San Lucas. From the country’s only privately-owned tunnel, which whisks you to your luxurious check-in to the best spa in the area, this resort, a mix of rooms and suites, does everything exceptionally well.

Las Ventanas al Paraiso, a Rosewood Resort

The design is the party piece at this Rosewood signature in Cabo San Lucas, with a charming, truly beautiful decor that oozes Mexican authenticity. The location is also terrific, smack in the middle of San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas.

JW Marriott Los Cabos

JW Marriott tends to execute its Mexico hotels rather well, and this is no exception. Set on the beach in San Jose del Cabo (and recently renovated), it’s great for both leisure travel and meetings. Our suggestion? Go for the Griffin Club rooms, which mean extra amenities like a movie theater and a special club-only pool.

As you can see, there are a host of great Cabo San Lucas resorts, all geared toward the discerning traveler.

The post The 5 Best Cabo San Lucas Resorts appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Mexico’s Caribbean coast is a culturally rich, energetic and colorful place that is among the region’s most vibrant travel destinations. And happily Riviera Maya resorts live up to the area’s palpable authenticity.

Indeed, the Riviera Maya, the coastal corridor that stretches 86 miles south from Cancun and comprises Puerto Morelos, Playa Del Carmen and Tulum, has something for every kind of traveler.

And for a place to stay when you get there, take our recommendations for how to discover all the best Riviera Maya resorts.

There’s just something eternally lovely about Belmond’s Riviera Maya retreat, a boutique oasis with 63 rooms and suites and a world-class spa. It’s got the brand’s unique expression of effortless luxury, with an authentic Mexican identity.

Banyan Tree Mayakoba We can’t think of a better place to find our Zen than at this Eastern-inspired cloister within the private Mayakoba development, where more than 100 sleek villas have their own pools and outdoor bathtubs, and the white-sand beach is a standout.

Grand Velas Riviera Maya There are so many reasons why we love this 539-suite adults-only resort. Spot-on service; ocean-view private plunge pools; and an impressive spa (the Caribbean’s largest) are just three.

Fairmont Mayakoba Privacy is guaranteed at this plush 400-room resort near Playa Del Carmen, which achieves the rare feat of being simultaneously family friendly and luxurious. Golfers will appreciate the Greg Norman-designed El Camaleón course, right next door.

Thompson Playa Del Carmen Whether you book a suite in this chic resort’s beachfront building or Fifth Avenue location, you’re guaranteed to be smack in the center of all the Playa action (and surrounded by equally stylish sun-seekers).

Zoetry Paraiso De La Bonita A vacation at this 90-room everything-included boutique feels like staying at a friend’s beachfront hacienda, complete with individually and eclectically decorated rooms; maid service three times a day; and a palpably romantic vibe.

Mi Amor Boutique Hotel & Spa With just 17 boho-chic rooms in a quiet location just south of Tulum’s Zona Hotelera, this retreat is a winner with couples in search of a hip hideaway minus the pomp and pretense of similarly stylish hotels.

Grand Residences Riviera Cancun

This Leading Hotels of the World property just outside of the charming fishing village of Puerto Morelos has some of the best service you’ll find not just in Mexico but in all of the Caribbean. With massive suites, terrific food and a great stretch of beach, this is a simlpy terrific luxury resort.

Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun

This adults-only, eco-friendly retreat has 412 gorgeous suites with either terraces or balconies, en-suite whirlpools, four-poster beds and seven a la carte eateries as part of the company’s signature Unlimited Luxury experience.

Rosewood Mayakoba You can’t pick the wrong room at this resort, set on the mile-long beach of a sprawling private estate. But we particularly love the overwater lagoon suites, which feature private pools and swim-up access from the serpentine waterway.

The post The 10 Best Riviera Maya Resorts appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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There are different cruise ships for just about every kind of traveler. But at the end of the day, we all sail to explore, to see something new, to feel the water, to experience the joy of the unknown.

Of course, it doesn’t hurt that cruise ships comes with a large amount of unlimited (usually culinary) offerings either; the kinds of service and comfort you don’t always find on land.

Indeed, the “all inclusive” aspect remains one of the industry’ biggest attractions.

But while you can always get some level of unlimited food on a cruise, getting a “truly” all-inclusive experience — one that includes beverages, alcoholic or otherwise —on a ship is a different matter.

For starters, you can simply buy an unlimited beverage package, which some lines tend to offer.

But some cruise lines take the experience to the next level, with an amazing range of included amenities beyond free culinary offerings.

Here are some ways to get the all-inclusive cruises you’re looking for, from simpler packages to all-out, five-star luxury.

Regent Seven Seas

Simply put, there’s no better all-inclusive experience on any cruise ship. The luxury cruise line is the most inclusive luxury travel experience, with just about everything included, from free premium liquors to free shore excursions to free unlimited Wi-Fi to, yes, free specialty restaurants. This is five-star luxury, without having to reach for your wallet.

Crystal Cruises

All Crystal Cruises include free fine wines and premium spirits across the ship, meaning fine wines, champagne, and “open-bar” service around the ship. On the culinary side, each voyage comes with a complimentary night of specialty dining in the cruise line’s Prego restaurant and at least once in either Nobu Matsuhisa’s Silk Road or The Sushi Bar. All non-alcoholic drinks are also included, from bottled water to afternoon service — and 24-hour room service.

Azamara Club Cruises

This luxury cruise brand has a wide range of inclusions on its cruises: that means standard spirits, wines and beers, bottled water, soft drinks, teas and coffees and one of the company’s signature “AzAmazing Evenings” events. All with the standard price of your cruise — in other words, all Azamara voyages are all-inclusive cruises.

Seabourn

Small-ship luxury cruise line Seabourn bills itself as a kind of private club at sea, and that’s precisely the experience you get. Every single dining venue is complimentary, while you can find a number of open bars across the cruise ship and even get high-level wines both at lunch and dinner.

Royal Caribbean

If you’re looking for a simpler alternative, Royal Caribbean has several options, and the best part is that you can purchase an all-inclusive cruise package either before you sail, online, or onboard when you arrive the first day of your cruise. Since Royal’s terrific food is already included with every cruise anyway, the best bet is to get one of Royal’s unlimited beverage packages.

The post The 5 Best All Inclusive Cruises appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Silver Airways has started additional nonstop flights between Florida and the Bahamas, marking a nearly 25 percent increase in flights compared to the same period last year.

New non-stop flights include: Fort Lauderdale to George Town, Fort Lauderdale to Governor’s Harbour, Jacksonville to Marsh Harbour, Orlando to Eleuthera, Orlando to Marsh Harbour, Fort Meyers to Nassau and Tampa to Marsh Harbour.

In addition, Silver Airways announced that it had increased its number of flights from Fort Lauderdale to Bimini, Eleuthera, Marsh Harbour and Treasure Cay.

It has also increased flights to Nassau from West Palm Beach and Tampa.

— Dana Niland, CJ Contributor

The post Silver Airways Adds More Nonstop Flights to the Bahamas appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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