Might we suggest the Caribbean?

Now, we know wheat you’re thinking — if we suggest the Caribbean, you’re going to automatically assume that we mean Jamaica or something like that, and that’s not where we’re headed. We think that Jamaica is great, and we have another guide on Jamaica if you’re really interested in that. We actually wanted to talk about another destination that’s truly overlooked. You might even know a few famous people that come from this tropical paradise, like Rhianna.

Still not sure where we’re talking about? We’re talking about going to Barbados, silly!

Here’s what you need to know if you really want to make a big splash in Barbados.

The People

The people of Barbados like to have fun, but there isn’t as much separation of themes in the culture of Barbados. Spirituality and religion are very important themes, so you should make sure that at least maintain a certain level of respect for someone else’s background — as long as you are respectful and treat people the way they should be treated; you definitely will have a great time in Barbados.

Tourists that have repeatedly gone to Barbados state that one of the main reasons why they go to Barbados so much is that the people are so warm and friendly.

The Food

The people of Barbados serve up a unique blend of different cuisines that all fall under one umbrella: Bajan. No matter what the ethnic background, you’re going to find something delicious on the island during your stay. You can of course stick to more “American” fare, as it is offered on the island… at a marked premium. However, you can also dive right into the food that makes this island worth checking out in the first place.

Spices are going to be the stars of the show, because they add intense flavor to just about any dish. The big dish that is served almost everywhere is going to be flying fish and cou cou. Cou cou is very much like polenta, which is very much like grits or hominy if you’re used to eating that. The flying fish is deboned and served with gravy and herbs, as well as a variety of vegetables and plenty of butter.

Fish cakes are also pretty popular, and that’s no surprise — it’s an island nation. Of course anything to do with fish is definitely going to get a lot of attention. If you’re really a fish-lover, you’ll adore how many different types of fish are on the menu for you to try.

A wide variety of starches are also available, if you’re looking to get some more tasty “vacation calories” — sweet potatoes, yams, breadfruit, cassava, and rice.  Breadfruit is a new one on us — it’s actually a green fruit that looks like a football. It has a more potato like taste, but it’s definitely worth trying if you make it out to Barbados — it’s definitely a bit different than russet potatoes.

The Places

We couldn’t really leave you with a guide to all things Barbados if we weren’t going to at least tell you about a few places that you can visit, right? Right!

There are day cruises where you and your travel group can ease around the water in true comfort. You can always swim, sail, and snorkel around the island — there are plenty of outlets for you to do that.

Tours give you the best of everything as well — you can do a 4×4 safari tour and cut down on your walking. Contrary to popular belief, there are also tours of museums and even rum distilleries — if you’re an adult and this interests you, have fun with it!

If you’re going to really explore the island, you will definitely want to rent a car — you can rent a car very cheaply because the service is well established. There’s plenty of competition so there are price wars that you can take advantage of. A quick travel search will reveal the best deals, so include this in your budget if you really want to tour the island when it’s convenient for you.

The Expat Factor — Could You Really Live in Barbados?

If there’s one thing that you’ll notice in Barbados, it’s that if you really want to live there it’s going to take a lot of money. Unlike other island nations, there is a significant cost of living because everything has to be imported — there are not a lot of products that are produced in-house. There are some deals to be had on some things, but mostly you’re going to have to make sure that you have a solid amount to live on if you don’t want to “rough it”. Most expats would like to live comfortably on their money, which means that Barbados might not be the answer.

In addition, if you’re used to rushing around at the speed of light, living in any Caribbean country is going to require some getting used to. Things are done a bit slower; the pace is a lot slower than you might be used to if you’ve lived in an American city your whole life.

Should that get in the way of really enjoying everything that Barbados has to offer as a resident? No, not at all.

The Plan

If you’re going to really make a good show of Barbados, you really need to make sure that your budget is outlined. No, really — we know that we tell you all the time to do this, but if you’re really going to enjoy yourself in any Caribbean nation, you need to figure out what type of travel you’re going to be interested in. We are big fans of budget travel and you can definitely do Barbados on the cheap. However, if you really want to treat yourself there are a lot of different things to do that will indulge your luxury side. Barbados has experienced a bustling new tourism vibe that was designed to attract people that love to spend money. So if you’re into shopping, fine dining, and other luxury-leaning things, you’ll find that in Barbados too.

We often get asked whether or not this is going to be a great place for children to visit with families, and the truth is that Barbados has a little bit of something for everyone. If you really want to get the most out of your visit, you might want to see what the family wants to do. Swimming and other activities are just part of the package when you’re talking about the Caribbean, but don’t count out guided tours and other “natural” treats!

When it’s time to travel with a large group, you will want to be kind to yourself and actually give yourself some extra time to plan everything out. If you’re going to be splitting all of the expenses, you will want to make sure that you collect the money early so that there are no hard feelings or problems. You don’t want anyone to be angry with you for being money-oriented, but you also don’t want to have to dig down into your own pockets to pull out money that would be better spent on your own vacation.

Overall, there is a lot to love about Barbados — it’s a good and safe island country just waiting for you to check it out — why not get started planning your trip today?

Bora Bora isn’t just a funny name, it’s truly a great place — and this guide tells you exactly why.

First and foremost, you should know exactly what island we’re talking about here. Bora Bora is an island located in what’s known as French Polynesia. It’s part of a chain of islands called the Society Islands. There’s even an extinct volcano in the middle of the island that has two peaks. The twin peaks are called Mount Pahia and Mount Otemanu. Tourists still check out the remnants of these ancient volcanoes to this day.

Luxury is the name of the game here, as many of the attractions on Bora Bora are designed to feed your luxury side from the inside out. When a small island nation even has a Four Seasons hotel, you know you’re in for a big luxury boost.

There’s a lot to do in Bora Bora, despite its small size.

The biggest category is obviously water sports. You can scuba dive, sail, snorkel, surf, windsurf, jet ski, jet boat, water-ski, swim, and kite surf. Wow, that’s a lot of different activities that all involve water. However, that’s just the way that the people who love Bora Bora most like it. There’s never a lack of things to do!

Speaking of water, did you know that most attractions in Bora Bora are based on the water? Indeed, even the hotels are built over the water so that tourists can get the best of both worlds. The small islands that surround the lagoon of Bora Bora are called motu. Motu host hotels, restaurants and plenty of interesting attractions that vary in price. If you really want to go all out, you can enjoy supreme luxury — but it will cost you big!

Another category of things to do in Bora Bora is seek out adventure. Given the island nature theme, you can go on safari tourists and parasail, as well as go sport fishing and even shark & ray feeding. Veteran hikers will love the terrain of Bora Bora because it gives them a challenge. Beginner and intermediate hikers might find some interesting pieces here but really, it would be best to get your “hiking legs” elsewhere before you go to Bora Bora for that activity. Some of the mountainous terrain can be really steep.

Don’t forget to add in the joy of moving around in a glass bottom boat — you can see the unique aquatic life so much easier this way. There’s a certain peace and tranquility here and the people of Bora Bora can’t wait to show you the beauty of the South Pacific in their own way. Tahitian drinks and food are often served on these tours. They’re referred to sometimes as sunset cruises as well.

Private tours of the lagoon are also available, making them a great thing to add to a honeymooning trip.

A lot of people are interested in nightlife activities, and the reality is that life moves a little different in French Polynesia than you might expect. If you want a massive club scene then Bora Bora really isn’t going to meet your needs. On the other hand, there does come a time where you really want to slow down and actually enjoy what’s around you. That’s when Bora Bora really gets interesting because the beauty of the island just cannot be compared. Even though you’re only a short trip from the island of Tahiti, you still have a strong Tahitian influence on the island.

Still, because there is so much tourism and the demand for certain services, there are some nightclubs on the island, but not very many.

No island experience would really be complete without a little shopping and a little food, right? Right!

In the shopping world you have a lot to choose from. Black Tahitian pearls are going to really be the stars of the show, with a lot of good deals to be had because you’re buying it directly off the island. They are some of the greatest pearls in the world, and because of that you’re definitely going to have to do some price checking in order to make sure that you’re really getting a great deal. You’re not going to be in an Internet wasteland without any connectivity, so don’t be afraid to price compare when you can.

Every hotel has a little shopping section as well, so don’t be afraid to look around or better yet — ask someone who works and/or lives on the island!

So let’s talk about the food of Bora Bora a little bit here. The cuisine of Bora Bora ranges from just fruits and fish all the way up to amazing French cuisine. It is a French territory, after all. The nicer restaurants even bring chefs all the way from Paris to serve guests amazing food. You don’t have to just settle for French food — if there’s something else that you would rather have, you can usually find it. Because Bora Bora is such an international destination for travelers all over the world, many restaurants have grown used to catering to a wide variety of different tastes. Like most island nations, seafood is really going to be in full season, with local fishermen going out every morning to catch great selections for the restaurant owners to cook up later!

Now, we know what you’re thinking — how are you ever going to get to such an amazing island paradise in your lifetime? Well, the key here is to look at where you can cut costs and save money. If there ever was a category ripe for this type of thinking, it’s definitely lodging. Lodging and accommodations can really eat up a big chunk of your budget, but that doesn’t mean that it really has to be that way at all. You can actually go camping, which would be very cheap. If that’s a little too “rough” for you, you can go one step up. This would be the “dorm” style of life, where you have a private bedroom but you share a kitchen, bathroom, and showers with other people staying in the bungalows with you. This can save you money and allow you to hop from island to island without blowing through your whole budget.

Overall, Bora Bora offers a little something for everyone and it’s a great idea to add this nation to your list as soon as you can — check it out today!

For those looking for fun and excitement, the Caribbean has several choice locations to offer. Cabarete Beach in the Dominican Republic is renowned for its exuberant lifestyle; it is the kind of place for people who love water sports and adventurous excursions. Located on the northern part of the island, it is a great place to catch the wind for windsurfing, kite surfing, and sailing. If sports are not what you seek, then consider the picturesque Palm Beach in Aruba. Palm Beach is exactly what anyone would imagine at the mention of the Caribbean, from the sun sparkling sand and trees, to the architecture and food. It draws large crowds of people looking to spend vacation among fellow travelers.

Palm Beach in Aruba

Vacationers wanting something with more of a native feel need look no further than Treasure Beach, Jamaica. This lovely beach is more remote than the larger, more crowded resort areas. Being on the southwestern side, further from the US, Treasure Beach retains more of a back to basics feel with markets and villages nearby to give visitors a taste of the Jamaican life. Of course, it is a treasure of beaches and hideaways perfect for swimming and sunning. Grand Anse is another beach that is more natural and unspoiled. Located on Grenada, the beach is more remote, guaranteeing fewer crowds and more peace from the every day.

There are always families who travel that need to have both. For such travelers the perfect place is Grace Bay. Situated on Provincials, this unique beach area has both resorts and villas to accommodate all types of vacationers. Travelers can plan half of the trip in a resort and the other half in one of the private villas on a more secluded side of the beach. With breathtaking scenery, no traveler can go wrong. The Pink Sands Beach in the Bahamas also offers a spectacular view, with its pink beaches beautifully contrasting against the clear blue ocean. Snorkeling is a must in the gorgeous reefs just off the shore.

For a more intimate escape, try Cayo Espanto in Belize. It is a private isle, ideal for honeymooners to enjoy time alone in a tropical paradise. Not to be beat, the Gold Coast, located on the west coast of Barbados, provides all of the tropical diversions without the crowds. Relax with your significant other or enjoy a day of ocean activity at this enchanting beach.

Cayo Espanto in Belize