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!

If you think about it, it makes sense — Jamaica is a country that thrives on tourism, so the local government has definitely taken strides to make sure that they will be able to attract tourists year after year to the city.

Are you thinking about a trip to the Caribbean? Jamaica has a lot to offer you:

First and foremost, the temperature is nice generally all year around in Jamaica. This is nice for when people want to take off peak trips. While you might have to deal with a little rain, the sunny days will more than make up for it. If you’re not a fan of the heat and the crowds, you might want to plan an August or September trip — that’s when the heat cools down a little bit. If you want to cool it down even further, you might think about October. It’s a good time of the year because there really aren’t any holidays that would bring big crowds, and the kids are back in school. So if you’ve been dying for a quieter vacation, here’s a good chance to get your wish.

One reason to go to Jamaica is definitely the low cost of living — if you stay out of the heavily populated tourist pits, you’re not going to be paying the tourist tax — and you’ll actually get to see a more laid back side of the country.

One thing that a lot of people like to do is make sure that they can head to Jamaica and take advantage of the beach life, so to speak. Snorkeling and boating of all types are big draws to Jamaica, and the beach is a great place to hang out and catch some warm sun and cool breezes.

Now, a lot of people wonder if the attitude of the Jamaican people really is as laid back as it seems. The answer is definitely yes — as long as you’re laid back too. If you’re coming to Jamaica to start a drug ring, well…that’s when the local people really aren’t so friendly! However, if you’re just coming to enjoy some good food, bright sun, and friendly faces, then you’re definitely in for a treat.

When you’re thinking about planning your Jamaica vacation, you need to stop and make sure that you’re actually going to be able to make it there. A lot of people think about Jamaica, and then they end up finding that they don’t really have enough time to explore the island properly. If you aren’t sure how much time you’ll have to take off, you should definitely save Jamaica for a time where you’ll have plenty of days to enjoy everything the country has to offer you.

When it comes to accommodations, a lot of people assume that there really aren’t any luxury accommodations on the island. However, that really isn’t the case. If you’re really thinking about being able to live it up in Jamaica, you can certainly do that — but those luxury digs will definitely cost you.

Since you are going to be traveling outside of the country, you will nee dot make sure that you have your passport information handy and available. You will need to make sure that you also have a return airfare ticket and proof that you can enter the USA again. While the government welcomes tourists, there are other things that must be done to make sure that you can actually immigrate to Jamaica — so the government needs to make sure that you can actually leave the country. This is actually a common thing among Caribbean nations, so you shouldn’t feel offended.

When booking your vacation — think about booking it as a package, with round trip airfare, hotel, and rental vehicle included at one flat price. This way, you have all of the details sorted right at the start. It frees you to enjoy the country to the fullest — which is what you wanted all along!

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