Where Caribbean Experts Are Going Next
Well, here we are in the sixth month of a global pandemic. Sigh. And to say that I miss travel in general and the Caribbean in particular is the understatement of what’s been a very challenging year. As soon as the time is right (ie: when we’ve successfully flattened the coronavirus curve here in the U.S.), I’m eager to grab my carry-on and head to the Caribbean, which, from here in Miami, is temptingly close but right now feels frustratingly far away.
I’m constantly asked where in the region I plan to go first. But honestly, it’s hard to decide. I lived in Jamaica for half my life, so I’ll always have a soft spot for the land of rum, reggae and Rastafarianism. (Lawdamercy, I could really go for some Jamaican KFC right now!) Then again, after having an assignment in Anguilla postponed three times already this year, I’m SO ready to plant my bum on any of its 33 dreamy beaches. Or maybe I’ll jet to the Bahamas, my closest Caribbean destination, just a 30-minute flight away. I’ve always loved the archipelago’s Out Islands, and The Landing hotel owner Tracy Barry’s seductive morning Instagram posts make me want to visit Briland with a quickness.
Clearly, I can’t decide on my next destination! And I wondered if my Caribbean-loving colleagues felt the same. So I polled 20 travel industry friends – writers, photographers, editors, bloggers and PR people who really know the region – to find out where they’d head to first. And boy, did they deliver! Read on for their responses and snag some expert inspiration for a Caribbean escape of your own.
URSULA PETULA BARZEY
Based in London, Ursula is founder and digital content creator at Caribbean & Co., which showcases things to do, where to stay, and live and work opportunities in the Caribbean
“A couple of times a week I check flights from London to Antigua & Barbuda, my first stop before heading to Montserrat, where I’d planned to visit before COVID-19 interrupted international travel. The reason for the trip was to experience the island’s St Patrick’s Festival, and to spend time with my great-aunt Dorothy, who turned 100-years-old in January. I haven’t yet pulled the trigger to reschedule, but fingers crossed it’ll be soon. I long to sit with my great-aunt on her front porch, looking out at Redonda and Nevis in the distance and listening to stories about our family. I want to hike around the 40 square-mile island, in particular in the Centre Hills, admiring the flowers and fauna and keeping an eye out for the elusive Montserrat oriole. I also have visions of relaxing at one of the eight black sand beaches, which are most often deserted. Montserrat isn’t developed like other Caribbean islands, and that’s part of its charm. Due to Soufrière Volcano erupting 25-years ago, Plymouth, the former capital, is now a modern-day Pompeii, and the island has a population of just 5,000 exceptionally welcoming people. So it’s just the place I need to visit to recharge, nourish my soul and get back on track with developing Caribbean & Co. and other creative projects.
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ASHLEY BURNS
Ashley is the executive editor of Islands.com
“My selection isn’t guided by romance or nostalgia as much as it is by my belly. It is evening and I’m sitting at a corner table at Le Bouchon Du Village in The Regent Village, near Grace Bay Beach on Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The night sky is clear and the string lights above are dim enough that I can still see the stars. Well, I can see them in the brief moments I’m able to draw myself away from the delicious old-fashioned that chef Julien Marizou insisted I enjoy with his steak au poivre – which, he assures me, is the “greatest steak in the world.” Is he right? Well, the steak was good enough that it now dictates my travel plans. I can’t wait to see if it holds up.
Check out Islands’ website
RISELLE CELESTINA
Based in St. Maarten, Riselle inspires others to visit the Caribbean through storytelling, videos and photography on her blog, The Traveling Island Girl.
Although I’d take a trip to any destination right now, I’ve been keeping careful tabs on the destinations on my bucket list. The list changes slightly every so often. But one destination remains solidly in the top three, and that’s The Bahamas. First it was Atlantis that attracted me. Then my attention shifted to the swimming pigs. But these days it’s the sandbars and cays of the Exumas; the endless island-hopping possibilities; and the glass window bridge in Eleuthera that most haunt my travel dreams.
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BOB CURLEY
Bob is a Caribbean travel writer whose work appears in Caribbean Journal and author of the forthcoming travel guidebook, "100 Things to Do in the Caribbean Before You Die."
“It's human nature that you want the thing you can't have, so of course, the place I want to go first in the Caribbean is the British Virgin Islands – unfortunately, one of the minority of Caribbean destinations still completely closed off from international travel. When the BVI does reopen, however, you’ll find me, Pusser's Painkiller in hand, blissfully sailing from beach bar to dive site to the Baths aboard one of the BVI's incredible fleet of charter catamarans."
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JACQUI GIFFORD
Jacqui is the editor in chief of Travel + Leisure magazine
“Anguilla, to me, feels like a bit of a time warp. And I mean that in the best way possible. Every time we go, my family and I rent a Jeep; look at a paper map; and pick what beach we’d like to explore that day — plain and simple. With 33 beaches to choose from, all wide and clear and arrestingly beautiful, it feels like the world is at our feet. The hotels and restaurants and bars are all superb. I love the freshly caught and grilled lobsters at Falcon Nest; rum punches at Sunshine Shack; staying in an airy streamlined suite at the Four Seasons. And all these spaces are never crowded. That’s the beauty of being on an island that’s a little bit off the beaten path: You give up some conveniences (a nonstop flight) for richer rewards. With all that shoreline, social distancing also comes easy. But that’s not to say you won’t enjoy spending time with and talking to every Anguillan you meet. When life slows down, I find, the best conversations happen.”
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HEATHER GREENWOOD DAVIS
Heather is a freelance travel writer and TV personality based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
“I can’t wait to get back to Anguilla. I love that getting there always feels like a slow exit from my everyday life. A flight here, a boat ride there and then I’m slowly pulling in to port. Once on island, that feeling continues. Whether it’s one of those luxury villas or a bigger property, I feel welcomed and at home. A good day includes brunch at Tasty’s; a trip out to Sandy Island; and a well-mixed cocktail from the bar of the Four Seasons. Best of all, every day on island can be a good day.”
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LEBAWIT LILY GIRMA
Lebawit is an award-winning writer, photographer and sustainable Caribbean travel advocate, currently based in the Dominican Republic.
“I'm eager to be out in nature as much as possible, embracing the amazing Caribbean outdoors. I want to go deep into the forests; swim in rivers; take in splendid coastline views; go birding; you name it. I'm looking forward to exploring my backyard even deeper, and the Dominican Republic has such diverse landscapes and so much culture that there’s always something new to discover. Beyond the D.R., I can't wait to explore Trinidad and Tobago, Dominica and also Montserrat. I wouldn't mind a return trip to Guadeloupe Islands, either.”
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JENNIFER D. JOHNSON
Jennifer is a vice president at the public relations firm Zapwater Communications, and has worked in Caribbean tourism for more than 20 years.
“I’ve been fortunate to have visited, lived and worked in some amazing islands in the region. But from the moment I stepped off the plane in Grenada, I immediately felt serene. The island has such a relaxed and welcoming vibe; even the Immigration officers are friendly! Grenada is the unadulterated Caribbean, and has successfully preserved what drew visitors to the region in the first place. The people, food, music and atmosphere all come together to create magic.”
Check out Zapwater’s website
BRIAN MAJOR
Brian is a reporter and editor covering destinations in the Caribbean and Latin America.
“I'd like to return to Carriacou, a small island in the Grenada archipelago that’s the essence of a small-scope, intimate Caribbean experience, which is now increasingly rare. It’s perfect for folks (like me) who want to find an isolated and empty beach on which to relax. There’s only one main street in the tiny downtown, and there’s also a fascinating museum that chronicles the island’s history. I can’t wait to get back!
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KRISTY MORRIS
Kristy is a digital media coordinator at The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation.
“After staying at home for so long, I’m looking forward to reconnecting with nature on a sailing excursion to the mile-long sandbar in the Exuma Cays. Just south of Big Farmer's Cay, it’s a stretch of pure white sand that emerges from blue-green water at low tide. On most days you can have it all to yourself, so it’s perfect for social distancing. After that, I’ll island-hop to Grand Bahama, to plant coral and help restore the reef at Freeport’s Coral Vita, the world's first land-based coral farm.”
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MELISSA NOEL
Based in New York City, Melissa is an award-winning multimedia journalist and Caribbean correspondent with proven impact at the intersections of media entrepreneurship, sustainable travel and social justice.
“I can’t wait to reconnect with the 32 islands and cays that have felt like home since my first visit to St. Vincent & The Grenadines! I’m looking forward sailing the Tobago Cays; hiking La Soufrière volcano for a second time; and singing along to the sweet sounds of soca music on a Friday night in Heritage Square. But, the first thing I plan to do when I return to SVG is enjoy a roasted breadfruit bowl at The Grenadine House! I also want to get to Antigua, St. Kitts and home to Guyana!”
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YINED RAMIREZ HENDRIX
Yined is a Miami-based freelance writer for brands including Nexos, Selecta and El Nuevo Herald.
“The first ticket I’ll book is for Puerto Rico. But I’m biased. I miss my island and my people, and it’s been extra hard not being able to visit all these months. On my next visit – after I gorge myself with Mom’s cooking – I want to head to the mountains. I want to wake up to the smell of fresh coffee and see the mist in the hills after a cool night. I want to explore caves and bathe in rivers, where I will sit on giant, smooth rocks to take in the rush of the water while surrounded by nature. I want to drive through winding roads that will take me to the most unassuming shack, where I’ll have a memorable meal of fried starches and carbs. There are a lot of Puerto Ricos and I love them all: the beach, the city, the old town… But I hear the call of the mountains.”
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MELANIE REFFES
Melanie is a Montreal-based freelance writer for outlets including USA Today Travel; Trivago; CaribbeanTravel.com and MarryCaribbean.com.
“It’s a wonderful feeling when you connect to a particular country, and especially wonderful when that connection happens quickly and isn’t work-related. That was exactly my experience the first time I set foot in Sint Maarten/Saint Martin many years ago. Visiting often over the years, I’m thankful for the many pals and peeps on the island I now count among my dearest friends. So returning to Sint Maarten is my top priority, and I’m checking flights, arrival protocols and quarantine rules, anticipating when I can blow the cobwebs off my carry-on and head once again to the airport. When those stars are aligned and those dots connected, I’ll be making a beeline to my home-away-from-home!”
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ANN RUPPENSTEIN
Ann is a Toronto-based travel writer and editor.
“It's hard to narrow down, but I would love to go island hopping in St. Vincent and the Grenadines again. There are so many unforgettable options for day trips like Mopion Island, a small sandbar that’s home to one thatched umbrella that almost looks Photoshopped, surrounded by turquoise water. Or The Tobago Cays, an archipelago of scenic uninhabited islands where you can snorkel and admire colorful fish and turtles. One of my all-time favorite places to stay is Petit St. Vincent, a secluded private-island resort where the likes of Ed Sheeran go to escape. I didn't get the chance to hike La Soufrière Volcano on St. Vincent yet, so that's high on my priority list. I can't wait to return.”
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ZACH STOVALL
Zach is a freelance travel photographer whose work has appeared in Islands, Yachting, Caribbean Travel + Life, Condé Nast Traveller and Coastal Living.
“The first place I want to go – however wrong it may seem to say out loud – is a bar (sorry, Mom). But not just any bar. I can't wait to sit at a beach bar. God, I long for it. I wouldn't mind a swing for a seat instead of a stool, but as long as the rum is poured strong and the sand sticks to me in all the right ways, I'm not too choosy. A pair of some past partier's underoos waving like a flag from the ceiling is a welcoming touch, as if to say, "Fun is had here." I need an unobstructed view of Caribbean blue water; a tinny, reggae upbeat; and I need to smell flammable when I leave – hopefully by boat, possibly by emergency medical vehicle. I've dreamed of drinking one of The King's special rum punches in the sand at Elvis' Beach Bar in Anguilla. But I'd also be perfectly happy sipping a Painkiller from the Soggy Dollar on Jost Van Dyke in the British Virgin Islands. Someone promise to pour me into the right boat after the sun goes down.”
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DAVID SWANSON
David is a freelance writer and Society of American Travel Writers past president who wrote the Affordable Caribbean column for Caribbean Travel + Life magazine for more than a decade.
“As someone who has traveled in the Caribbean for 35 years and visited literally every island, it's easy to pick favorites. But I need to keep my files filled with the latest greatest, and the place I am suffering from a dearth of solid information I can pass along to my readers is Cuba. My last visit was in 1990, when subsidies from the USSR were drying up and the island was enduring another phase of hardship. I was a happy tourist back then, not a reporter, but rules for U.S. visitors were fairly relaxed during the H.W. Bush era. A visit today would be so different and, quite frankly, I wouldn't know where to start, as there’s so much for me to see and experience for the first time on the Caribbean's largest island. The next destination on my list: Haiti. It's been 21 years since my only visit there, and I hunger to rediscover this amazing, disturbing, magical place.”
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RYAN AND CRYSTAL VAN DENABEELE
Ryan and Crystal are the founders of Caribbean Castaways blog and podcast
“This year has been quite devastating for us travel bloggers – especially since one of us quit our job last December to pursue our passion full-time! Once the COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, we plan on hopping on the first plane to St. Lucia. It’s been on our #justgo list for a few years, and those breathtaking views of the Pitons aren’t just calling; now they’re screaming our names!”
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PALOMA VILLAVERDE DE RICO
Paloma is the editor-in-chief of Recommend magazine
“The striking Pitons are calling my name. How I wish I were staring at them from a desolate beach in St. Lucia right now. That will be my go-to Caribbean island when this craziness is all over. Just thinking of St. Lucia’s magical embrace reminds me that this crisis we are all living through will come to pass, and us wanderlusters will once again be trotting to the ends of the globe. Next stop after the Pitons? Hunte’s Gardens in Barbados – it’s dizzyingly beautiful!”
Check out Recommend’s website
ED WETSCHLER
Ed is the Caribbean specialist for Recommend magazine
“Despite having revisited Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic as recently as January, I miss it already. In fact, I miss all three Spanish-speaking Caribbean capitals. San Juan, Puerto Rico is where you can combine a stay at a beachfront hotel with an uber-hip boutique while enjoying museums, galleries, shops, and its iconic fortifications. Santo Domingo's historic center boasts the oldest cathedral, monastery, hospital, hotel buildings, fort and university in the Americas! Havana, Cuba, whose downtown restoration is a work in progress, is capital of one of the few truly Communist countries left on this planet. That alone makes it an eyeful, as do the painstakingly maintained antique cars; the National Museum of Fine Arts; and the Hotel Nacional, where Hollywood and the underworld used to hang. Sadly, for U.S. citizens, Havana is, again, forbidden fruit. I hope that changes soon.”
Discover more about Ed here