You can find Martinique comfortably located between Dominica and St. Lucia, pretty much in the middle of the southern Caribbean. As an “over-seas region” of France and the 3rd largest of the Windward Islands, Martinique is a unique Caribbean destination, and that holds true for its hiking trails. The island offers a variety of easy relaxing walks as well as some very challenging and mountainous hikes. Although we were only there for the day as part of a cruise stop, we were feeling ambitious and decided to attempt hiking one of the tallest peaks on the island – Piton Lacroix, which stands majestically at 3,870 feet (1,180m) above sea-level.
We rented a car in Fort-de-France, then headed north-west along the coast towards Le-Morne Vert. We were amazed to discover that the main roads on Martinique are large, well maintained multi-lane highways. It was a nice scenic drive, filled with gorgeous coastal views on one side, and green mountainous rainforest views on the other! Just past Bellefontaine, we headed inland towards the town of Saint Maurice. Driving on these narrow, winding roads, we got lost a few times before ending up at the east end of a road called Canton Suisse.
At this point, I’ll mention that sometimes things just don’t work out as planned… While there are over 3 dozen marked trails on Martinique, unbeknownst to me at the time, this wasn’t one of them. Not one of my best ideas – However, it was an adventure, none the less!
We parked the car on the side of the road near an old farmhouse and walked up a steep paved road which turned into a dirt/grass track before ending-up at a partly plowed farmer’s field. As we walked, we passed goats and cows wandering around. As we seemed to have startled them, I don’t think they were used to many visitors. At the edge of the field, we could see a series of forested mountains in the background to the east. From this vantage point, we also had beautiful views to the north/west of the island, towards Saint Maurice, Le Morne Vert as well as the Caribbean Sea.
Did I mention that we were kind of winging it? Well… as we were at the forest edge, I assumed that the trail must start here somewhere, however there was no marked trailhead of any sort. I walked the edge of the field/forest trying to find some hint of a trail. I never really found anything that resembled a well-used trail but eventually, after about 10-15 minutes of searching, we headed up-hill on what appeared to be a path of some sort. In the back of mind, I was wondering if this was a wild animal path, as I have been known to veer off man-made trails, accidentally following deer paths and the like – I guess we would find out
I’m up there on the trail… err… path…
From the start, the going was tough, not just because the trail was barely visible, but because the path was extremely steep and muddy – we were slipping and sliding all over the place. After what seemed like an hour or more, the trail finally looked a bit more discernible, albeit strewn with fallen trees and rocks. This was a true rain-forest hike adventure, as the forest was very dense and dark in most sections, with only the occasional rays of sun peeking through the heavy canopy. Pretty cool!
While at this stage of the hike I was starting to gain confidence that this may be an actual trail, we had consumed a fair amount of time for a couple of reasons. One because there were a number of steep and muddy sections that we had to carefully pick-our-way up and around, but also because the trail to this point was not obvious so we couldn’t motor along like we typically would. When you lack confidence, you lack in conviction (and speed).
When we had made it to some high ground where we could see where we were, the hike became a little more intimidating. It appeared as though we had just hiked to the top of a small ridge of sorts, and now were probably less than halfway to the peak of Piton Lacroix. We were about 2,526 feet (770m) above sea-level at this point and we could see that the trail descended into a gulley and we could only assume that it took a seriously steep ascent of Piton Lacroix which we could see across the valley. It was already afternoon, and with an estimated 3 more hours traversing another couple thousand feet (700m) of elevation change to complete the hike and return, we decided it wasn’t do-able with our time constraints, so we turned back.
We were covered in mud, tired and disappointed that we didn’t reach the peak, however it was an experience to have got this far. We found out later, once I found a proper map of Martinique’s trails, that while this is an actual trail, it is not maintained and rarely used.
While we didn’t have the time to complete this hike, we realized that we didn’t have to head back to the port right away. After getting back to the car, we drove a little further north before heading back to the coast. As a result, we stumbled across the town of Le Carbet and found a beautiful quiet beach. What a find! We wandered around for a while, appreciating the cool breeze off the Caribbean Sea. When we were leaving town we also noticed a boutique rum distillery, so we stopped in for a visit. While most Caribbean islands make their own rum, Martinique could be considered the rum capital of the world with its more than 10 distilleries and even more rum brands. For more information, check out our Martinique Rhum page. Anyways, we had a good afternoon as we found some nice areas of Martinique to visit.
Before we got back on the cruise ship, I managed to grab a nice detailed Martinique Hiking Trail Map – Next time, we will be much better prepared! Reference our Circuit de la Caravelle blog post for proof of that.
ACT Staff
For a more ‘technical’ Trail Report as well as much more information on hiking in Martinique, please reference the following links (to pages on our website):
For an overview of this French Caribbean Island Paradise, take a look at our Martinique Vacations page
If you’re looking for more active things to do while vacationing on the island, click on our Martinique Adventures blog for more great ideas! (coming soon)
For a more relaxed vacation itinerary, you can find great Tourist Attractions on the island, by checking out our Things to Do in Martinique blog (coming soon)
Looking for a warm and sunny vacation this winter? Here’s our top picks…
Now that another winter has begun in many parts of the world, folks might be in need of a Caribbean vacation. Nothing beats the winter blues like feeling the sand beneath your feet, snorkelling in clear warm Caribbean waters or hiking through lush rainforest. If you’re thinking of heading south for a warm-weather vacation right now, here are our thoughts on the best Caribbean destinations to visit in the first few months of 2022.
Unfortunately, it’s deja-vu all over again – with yet another Covid-19 wave that looks to peak sometime in January. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t travel. Based on readily available data, it might actually be safer to spend some time on certain Caribbean islands than it is to ‘go out’ in most American, Canadian, UK or European towns or cities. For this article, we looked at the Caribbean Islands that appear to be managing to keep the number of covid cases to a minimum. We also considered each island’s current covid related entry requirements to ensure a good balance of safety and convenience.
Below, you’ll find our rationale for choosing our top Caribbean destinations for winter 2022, along with a few ideas of what you can do on the island – Then you can decide what destination works best for you. We also listed a few other islands that just missed the cut, in case you need more options. Due to the timing of this most recent covid wave, it may be best to plan for a mid-February departure when covid cases should be on the decline again. Ideally, it may also be best to vacation in a small-to-medium-sized accommodation and to stay away from densely populated areas on the island of your choice. We hope you enjoy our review!
Antigua & Barbuda
This latest covid wave doesn’t seem to have impacted Antigua & Barbuda much (yet?). As of the beginning of January, there are only a few active covid cases in Antigua & Barbuda. It’s also encouraging to know that well over half the local population is fully vaccinated. It’s reassuring to know that only fully vaccinated visitors can travel to the islands (Exception being children under 18 years old) as well.
Antigua and Barbuda is open to tourists who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Upon arrival, travellers will need to provide proof of a negative Covid-19 RT-PCR test taken within 4 days of travel, complete a health declaration form, and undergo a brief health screening. If everything checks out ok, you’re good to go!
Once on the islands, you must stay in an official Antigua & Barbuda Certified accommodation and you’ll need to wear a mask in public places – This includes on hotel grounds as well as when touring around the island. For more details and specifics of covid related entry requirements and restrictions, please visit the official Antigua & Barbuda Entry Requirements page.
Now comes the fun part – What to do once you’re there… Antigua is known as the sailing capital of the English Caribbean and you can experience that first hand at English Harbour – Home to historic Nelson’s Dockyard, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The islands are also famous for their excellent cuisine and amazing beaches, apparently one for each day of the year. Antigua and Barbuda also have wonderful mangroves and coral reefs, making the islands ideal for kayaking, snorkeling and scuba diving. Of course there’s sailing and boating activities, as well as a variety of water sports. Unique experiences can be found at Antigua’s Stingray City as well as Barbuda’s caves. You’ll also be pleasantly surprised to know that Antigua offers some pretty amazing hiking and golf as well!
For more ideas and details for things to do in Antigua and Barbuda, including contact info for local tour operators who can help you make the most of your vacation, check out our Antigua & Barbuda Vacation Ideas page.
Jamaica
Although this latest covid wave is just starting to be seen in Jamaica, as of the beginning of January, there are relatively few active covid cases per capita relative to other Caribbean Islands. Although the island’s overall vaccination rate is fairly low, people working in the tourism industry are supposed to be vaccinated and following strict protocols to keep everyone safe.
Jamaica is open to all tourists, however, visitors who are not fully vaccinated against Covid-19 must quarantine at their accommodation for 14 days immediately after arriving on the island. Prior to travelling to Jamaica, visitors must obtain JTB Travel Authorization, which includes providing results of a negative Covid-19 molecular test or Antigen test taken within 3 days of the travel date (Exception being children under 12 years old). Upon arrival, visitors will also undergo a brief health screening / risk assessment before being allowed to stay at an approved “resilient corridor” or Covid-19 compliant JTB licensed accommodation. FYI… JTB = Jamaican Tourism Board. For more details and specifics of covid related entry requirements and restrictions, please visit the official Jamaica Cares page.
As for what to do once you’re on the island, you’re in for a treat! Historically known as the “land of wood and water”, Jamaica is probably best known for its Reggae music & culture, white sand beaches, as well as its amazing rum and coffee. That said, a Jamaican vacation offers one of the best opportunities to enjoy waterfalls, river rafting and golf in a tropical setting. The island is rich with a beautiful and diverse landscape that includes the iconic Blue Mountain range, home to Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site great for hiking and coffee excursions. Just offshore, the island offers good snorkelling and fishing, while further inland the adventurous can experience some serious MTB and caving.
For more ideas and details for things to do in Jamaica, including contact info for local tour operators who can help you make the most of your vacation, check out our Jamaica Vacation Ideas page.
Grenada
Throughout December the tri-island nation was our destination of choice for winter travel, however, impacts from this latest covid wave can already be seen in the early days of 2022. While covid cases are now on the rise in Grenada, they are still much lower per capita than most other islands in the Caribbean. While only a third of the local population is fully vaccinated, it’s reassuring to know that only fully vaccinated visitors can travel to the islands (Exception being children under 12 years old).
Grenada is open to tourists who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Upon arrival, travellers will need to undergo a brief health screening and present a completed Health Declaration Form along with providing proof of a negative Covid-19 RT-PCR test, taken within 3 days of travel. Once you’re on the islands, a curfew is in effect between midnight and 4am and you must wear a mask in public places on hotel grounds as well as when touring around the island. For more details and specifics of covid related entry requirements and restrictions, please visit Grenada’s official Pure Safe Travels page.
As for what to do once you’re there… here’s just a taste of what you can enjoy on the island affectionately known as the “Spice Island”, due to its abundance of nutmeg, cinnamon, clove, ginger and vanilla. Grenada may be one of the Caribbean’s ‘best-kept secrets’, offering unspoiled natural beauty and a wide variety of attractions and activities sure to please everyone. The tropical paradise has dozens of uncrowded beaches and several accessible waterfalls and sulfur/hot springs. Grenada is home to Grand Etang National Park, a wilderness attraction complete with a crater lake. The islands also offer plenty of opportunities for snorkeling, water-sports, and more. While equally a ‘hiker’s paradise’ and a ‘diver’s wonderland’, a vacation on the tri-island nation is a great destination for travelers seeking action on both land and sea.
For more detailed ideas for things to do in Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique, including contact info for local tour operators who can help you get the most out of your stay, check out our Grenada Vacation Ideas page.
Anguilla
Having opened to tourists later than many Caribbean islands, Anguilla never really experienced previous covid waves and throughout December has seen a gradual decrease of covid case counts. It’s encouraging to know that well over half the local population is fully vaccinated. It’s also reassuring to know that only fully vaccinated visitors can travel to the island (Exception being children under 18 years old).
Anguilla is open to tourists who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Prior to travelling to Anguilla, visitors must obtain Entry Permission, which includes providing results of a negative Covid-19 PCR test taken two to five days prior to arrival, or a Rapid Antigen test taken no more than 48 hours prior to arrival. You will also take a RT-PCR test upon arrival and need to quarantine for approximately 24 hours while waiting for your test results. Guests staying on the island for more than 8 days may be also tested on day 4 of their visit (at no additional cost). For more details and specifics of covid related entry requirements and restrictions, please visit the official Anguilla Entry Requirements page.
Once you’re on the island, you can enjoy spending time at more than two dozen beautiful beaches, then savour the local cuisine and maybe even revel in the island’s live music scene. There’s a great golf course in Antigua, as well as plenty of opportunities for sea-faring cruises, including some dedicated to awesome fishing excursions. The more adventurous can challenge themselves with water-sports activities as well as hiking and cycling in some truly magnificent natural tropical settings.
For more information about fun and adventurous Caribbean destinations, check out our website, ActiveCaribbeanTravel
Saint Lucia
Unfortunately, covid cases are now on the rise again in St. Lucia, although relatively few per capita compared to most other islands. While just over a quarter of the local population is fully vaccinated, it’s reassuring to know that only fully vaccinated visitors are free to explore the island.
Prior to departing for Saint Lucia, travellers will need to obtain Travel Authorization, providing proof of a negative Covid-19 PCR test taken within 5 days of travel (Exception being children under 18 years old). St. Lucia is open to all tourists, however, visitors who are not fully vaccinated against Covid-19 must quarantine at their accommodation for 14 days after arriving on the island. That said, unvaccinated guests are permitted to participate in some certified activities, tours and excursions. Children aged 5-17 years accompanying fully vaccinated parents are exempt from quarantine once they test negative upon arrival. Once on the island, visitors are requested to wear a mask in public places – This includes on hotel grounds as well as when touring around the island. For more details and specifics of covid related entry requirements and restrictions, please visit the official Saint Lucia – Safe Harbour page.
As for what to do once you’re there, Saint Lucia offers vacationers a wide variety of relaxing and adventurous activities ranging from sampling (and making your own) chocolate to hiking one of the iconic Pitons, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The lone distillery on the island may be a pleasant surprise to some, as it is home to some of the Caribbean’s best rums. The mountainous green island is home to beautiful gardens, waterfalls and hot springs. Saint Lucia is also a great adventure destination for snorkeling/diving, fishing, water-sports and golf.
For a more detailed view of things to do in Saint Lucia, including contact info for local tour operators who can help you get the most out of your stay, check out our Saint Lucia Vacation Ideas page.
FYI – St. Kitts & Nevis, Barbados, and Dominica almost made our list, and they are quite likely to be near the top of our Top 5-10 list once we re-evaluate in February. St. Kitts & Nevis has a decent vaccination rate and have done a good job of containing covid cases, however they were slightly higher per capita at the beginning of January than the other islands that made our top 5 list. That said, this is where we are personally vacationing in January. Barbados has a decent vaccination rate but has had a slightly higher number of covid cases per capita than our top 5 for some time, although they don’t seem to be spiking in January (yet?). Dominica managed to contain covid cases to a minimum throughout December, however their early January numbers are just a bit to ‘spikey’ for comfort – perhaps they will get it quickly under control. All that said, these (and other) islands may be ideal for spring travel – Stay Tuned!
Now, for our disclaimer… Please note that this article was written on January 4th, 2022. Covid-19 information can change pretty quickly, so we recommend you check covid case counts on your island of choice, right before booking your trip.
FYI – Some information for this article was derived from the following sources: graphics.reuters.com/world-coronavirus-tracker-and-maps; and worldometers.com.
We hope you liked our assessment and it has motivated you to enjoy some time in the Caribbean!
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A Great House, Heritage Railway, Rum Distillery and more…
Barbados is a unique coral island in the south-eastern Caribbean famous for its white-sand beaches, consistently warm weather as well as generally being considered the birthplace of rum. It was on a(nother) quest for rum that motivated me to leave the beaches and touristy south-west area and travel across the island to the rural north-east of Barbados – I’m sure glad we decided to visit St. Nicholas Abbey! This excursion really helped us get to know some of the history and culture of the island, as well as see some of its natural beauty.
St. Nicholas Abbey is comfortably nestled in the beautiful “Scottish highlands” of Barbados – A region full of natural beauty which we witnessed first hand as we drove up the hilly east coast and up/across a ridge that took us past the amazingly preserved Morgan Lewis Windmill and the fabulous Cherry Tree Hill look-out (more on that later). I really enjoyed the last bit of the drive along an extraordinary road lined with massive Mahogany trees whose branches seemed to touch each other above us across the road.
We arrived at the grand old plantation just in time! The St. Nicholas Abbey Heritage Railway was preparing to leave the station. We boarded the train and were off… The ride started in a gentle arc around a pond and past some sugar cane fields before chugging up a bit of a hill. After another wide turn, we entered a mature stand of mahogany which gave way to a section of track flanked by a cliffside which was remarkably close to the train. I understand this train and its track was completed in late 2018, with tours having just started in early 2019. This rail system is an authentic representation of the 19th Century transportation system used in Barbados to transport sugar, then later commuters, around the island. The train cars were stunningly beautiful and I could just feel the craftsmanship that went into their construction. We enjoyed our ride, which was narrated by a tour guide who helped us understand what we were seeing along the journey.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t long before we reached the end of the line at Cherry Tree Hill. At this point, we were pleasantly surprised to be volunteered into assisting the train crew turn the train engine around on a manual carousal/turn-table in preparation for the return journey. It’s not every day that you can participate in such an event! Our work done, we wandered across the street to visit some local vendors who had set up tables and were selling a variety of souvenirs. That didn’t hold our attention for long, as we noticed the amazing views of the island just a few steps away.
This is the second-highest point on Barbados and we savoured the breathtaking views of the island’s hills and ridges as well as the rugged boulder-strewn shoreline of the east coast. Before reboarding the train, we took the opportunity to get our picture taken with the spectacular ‘period correct’ engine and listen to the train conductor as he told stories about the history of trains and their cargo/passengers on the island. This experience really transported us back in time to the days before Barbados had roads. We imagined trains commuting people from Bridgetown around the south end of the island and heading up the east coast, which at that time was the destination of choice for wealthy travelers – It’s still a great place to spend time in the beautiful Bajan countryside away from the hustle and bustle of the west coast.
After our railway adventure was complete, we exited the train to tour St. Nicholas Abbey’s great house. After a short walk across a manicured field lined with gardens and giant palm trees, we were welcomed into one of only two surviving 17th-century Jacobian homes in the Caribbean. English Jacobian architecture is characterized by its combination of Tudor, Elizabethan and Renaissance styles influenced by Flemish, Dutch and French architecture of the time. A tour guide walked us through the main floor pointing out some of the house’s antiques and artifacts while providing a brief history of some of the owners who had lived there.
I immediately gazed upon the Drawing Room’s chandelier, which was decorated with shells. Along with an English tea set from the 1800s, I enjoyed inspecting the “sailors valentines” – mosaics, ornately assembled from tiny shells. The Dining Room looked inviting, with the table fully set with fine china.
We then passed through the Study, which featured a vintage 1930s “Gentleman’s Chair” complete with a backrest, footrest, wheels, table attachments and a reading lamp. There was also a much older mahogany “judge chair” that looked very much at home in the storied great house.
It was interesting listening to the long line of families and sordid tales of the some of the inhabitants. Some of the more revered owners of the property included Sir John Gay Allyne, a long time local government official and Mount Gay rum fame, as well as the more recent Cave family, who lived at the house from the early 1800s all the way up to 2006.
After the great house tour, we headed outside where we enjoyed a complimentary rum punch in a courtyard under the shadow of a massive 400 year old Sandbox tree. We then took a short walk down a gentle slope past some cockatoos and colourful macaws to see the rum producing parts of the plantation. I understand that a few days a week, staff demonstrate how the plantation’s sugar cane is crushed for juice which is then reduced to a sweet syrup – The day we visited, the old Steam Mill was not in operation. St. Nicholas Abbey uses cane sugar syrup and a modern hybrid (pot/column) still, to produce their rum which is aged in used bourbon barrels.
We then went back into their main building and watched a short film, which is essentially ‘home movies’ from the 1930s taken by a Cave family member. The filmed covered their Atlantic crossing, scenes of a bustling Bridgetown, clearly centred around the sugar industry, as well as scenes of the plantation including traditional sugar and rum-making utilizing windmills. The video was followed by a short discussion about their rum, along with a sampling of their 5 year old spirit. St. Nicholas Abbey rekindled the old plantation’s rum making in the early 2000s, and now produce small-batch, single cask artisan rums that also include an 8 year old, 15 year old as well as a rare 22 year old. They also produce a white rum along with interestingly flavoured rums (Banana, Passion Fruit, Sorrel and Coffee) as well as Rum Punch.
The tour formally ended at this point, however guests were welcome to roam the plantation or enjoy lunch on a fantastic terrace situated above a lush ravine. We wandered back into the great house and also visited their rum bottling building, where a woman was hand bottling some ‘special occasion’ rums. After having a light lunch in their snack bar we visited their gift shop where a nice assortment of souvenirs was available – I thought their coffee beans, flavoured by being stored in empty rum barrels, was interesting – Nice!
What a great way to spend an afternoon. St. Nicholas Abbey, which by the way is/was not an abbey at all… has plenty to offer visitors… from a Train ride and Great house to assorted Rum related attractions. The plantation also conveniently has a restaurant, snack bar and gift shops. That said, the place really provides a historical perspective of Barbados that you just can’t get on the beach. St. Nicholas Abbey does a good job in preserving the heritage of Barbados. The property and facilities all have a ‘new’ feel to it, clearly well managed and professionally run, although its staff is still nice and friendly, which we have come to expect from Bajans – Casual and laid back…
ACT Staff
For more information about the plantation and its tours, check out their website at St. Nicholas Abbey
For Tour Operators who can get you there as well as other great Tourist Attractions on the island, check out our Things to Do in Barbados page
If you’re interested in reading more about rum, check out our Caribbean Rum page as well as our Barbados Rum page, which includes a list of Tour Operators who will get you sampling Barbados’ finest.
For an overview of beautiful Barbados, take a look at our Barbados Vacations page
If you’re looking for more ‘active’ things to do while vacationing on the island, click on our Barbados Adventures blog post for some great ideas!
Looking to head south this fall? Here’s where we would go…
If you’re like me, you might not be able to wait until spring to feel the sand beneath your feet and snorkel in the clear, warm Caribbean sea. If you’re thinking of heading south for a warm weather vacation, here’s our thoughts on the best Caribbean destinations this October, November or December.
For this article, we first looked at the Caribbean islands that appear to be minimizing the spread of Covid-19 the best, then we evaluated each island’s current Covid related entry requirements for a good balance of safety and convenience. Finally, we took into consideration the historical weather patterns this time of year, prioritizing on the Caribbean islands with the least amount of rain. It’s kind of difficult to rank order our top choices, so we provide rational for our top 4 Caribbean destinations, and let you decide what destination is best for you. We also listed a few other islands that just missed the cut, in case you need more options. Take a look at our findings below – We hope you enjoy our review!
Turks and Caicos
There are a relatively low number of active Covid cases in Turks & Caicos – around 12 per 10K people. It’s also encouraging to know that the local vaccination rate is approaching 3 out of 4 locals (having received 2 doses of Covid-19 vaccine). It’s also reassuring to know that only fully vaccinated visitors can travel to the islands and that restaurants and bars are restricted to 50% normal capacity.
From a historical weather perspective, there’s a very low probability of rain (around 20%) on any given day this time of year. Even if it does rain, it typically doesn’t rain more than around 3.4mm per month, so it’s not worth worrying about.
Turks and Caicos is open to tourists who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. TCI Assured Travel Authorization is required before travelling. Approval to visit can be acquired on-line by completing a health screening questionnaire, and providing proof of a negative certified COVID-19 test, taken no more than 3 days before arrival, along with verifying travel insurance which covers COVID-19 related medical costs and expenses.
Once you’re on the islands, you are required to wear a mask in public places. Turks and Caicos establishments can be open no later than midnight, and there is a curfew in effect between the hours of 1am and 5am.
For more details and specifics of Covid related entry requirements and restrictions, please visit the official Turks & Caicos Entry Requirements page.
As for what to do once you’re there, here’s just a taste of what you can enjoy in Turks & Caicos. The islands are surrounded by white, peach and sand beaches, with plenty of water-sports options like kayaking, SUP (paddleboarding), windsurfing, kiteboarding and even parasailing. Boat operators can also get you to some great fishing and snorkeling spots and of course the islands are an amazing place for scuba diving reefs and deep walls. Grand Turk has a number of historical sites of interest, while there are several amazing national parks and nature reserves on many of the other islands. Turks & Caicos also offer good golfing along with hiking and cycling trails. There’s caves to explore as well. Enjoy!
For more information about fun and adventurous Caribbean destinations, check out our website, ActiveCaribbeanTravel
Aruba
There are a relatively low number of active Covid cases in Aruba – around 10 per 10K people. It’s also encouraging to know that the number of cases on the island is on the decline and that the local vaccination rate is relatively high, with close to 3 out of 4 locals having received 2 doses of Covid-19 vaccine. For those of you from select European Union countries, you’ll be happy to know that Aruba’s entry requirements are less demanding for you, as long as you’re fully vaccinated. Hopefully, Canada will also be added to that list before long.
From a historical weather perspective, there’s a somewhat low 50%-50% probability of rain on any given day this time of year, however even if it does rain, it typically doesn’t rain much more than 3mm per month, so it’s pretty low risk.
Aruba is currently open to travellers from the US, Canada, Europe and many other places. All visitors are required to follow the Aruba Embarkation/Disembarkation Card process. This includes completing a Covid related on-line questionnaire, verifying you have Covid related Travel Insurance, along with providing proof of a negative result from a certified molecular Covid-19 test within 3 days of travelling to the island. If you manage to show up on Aruba’s shores without a negative test result, you will be required to take a Covid test at the airport, followed by a short quarantine period while you wait for the test results.
Fully vaccinated travellers from a few European countries, such as the Netherlands, Germany, France, Italy, Sweden and Finland, are not required to show proof of a negative Covid-19 test. For a full list of countries qualifying for this benefit, please check out the links below.
While in Aruba, all visitors (and locals) must wear a mask in any indoor public space such as retail shops, supermarkets, museums, casinos, etc. Masks are also recommended is public places where social distancing is not possible and where there are no physical barriers, such as plexiglass shields, to compensate for social distancing.
Aruba establishments can be open until midnight (1am for casinos), however dancing in restaurants and bars is currently prohibited. Seating at restaurants is at a maximum of eight per table (excluding children under the age of 12). Public beaches and parking lots are “off limits” to visitors between 7 pm and 5 am.
Once you’re in Aruba there’s plenty of things to do – here’s just a taste of what you can enjoy. There’s over a dozen beaches, with soft white sand, all around the island, many with snorkeling and a variety of watersports facilities right on the beach. Once you’ve had your fill of kayaking, windsurfing and kitesurfing, you can venture inland to explore unique tropical deserts and caves. Get in a round of golf, or for the more adventurous scuba divers, you can experience a wild underwater world. Of course, you can always enjoy time walking and shopping along the colourful streets of Oranjestad!
For information about hiking, snorkeling and other active vacations in the Caribbean, check out our ActiveCaribbeanTravel Adventure page.
Curaçao
There are a relatively low number of active Covid cases in Curaçao – around 16 per 10K of the population. It’s also encouraging to know that the number of cases is on the decline and that over half of the local population have received 2 doses of Covid-19 vaccine. A minor inconvenience, but as a good precaution, most visitors will need to take a Covid Antigen test on your third day on the island.
From a historical weather perspective, there’s a very low probability of rain (around 30%) on any given day this time of year, and even if it does rain, it typically doesn’t rain more than about 3.6mm per month, so the odds of rain dampening your day is very low.
Curaçao is currently open to travellers from all over the world. While there are exceptions for a few countries such as China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, New Zealand, Hungary, and Poland, general requirements for most visitors are to complete the Curaçao Digital Immigration Card and Passenger Locator Card (PLC) online prior to arriving on the island. The process includes verifying a negative result from a certified COVID-19 PCR-test taken within 48 hours of your flight (or a negative result from an antigen test taken within 24 hours before your flight); along with providing proof of Covid-related medical insurance. Also note that a rapid-result Covid-19 Antigen test will be required on your 3rd day on the island, with the test being scheduled as part of the PLC process. For a full list of countries not requiring proof of a negative Covid test prior to arrival or an Antigen test once on the island, please check out the link below.
While on the island, visitors are asked to socially distance, practice frequent hand hygiene and wear a mask when 2 meters (6 feet) distance cannot be maintained between people.
For more details and specifics of Covid related entry requirements and restrictions, please visit the official Curaçao Entry Requirements page.
As for what to do at this Caribbean destination, here’s a short sampling… There are over two dozen beaches to relax on, several providing opportunities to enjoy Kayaking, SUP (paddleboarding) and windsurfing. Curaçao’s two National Parks showcase the island’s unique Caribbean desert landscape and picturesque coastal inlets, while a visit to one of the numerous plantations/landhouses offer a glimpse of the island’s past. Curaçao is also home to some of the southern Caribbean’s best snorkeling and diving. There are hiking and cycling trails, as well as caves to explore in Curacao. Let’s not forget there’s a couple of golf courses to enjoy as well. Of course, walking and shopping in Curaçao’s historic waterfront district provides you with a little European vibe.
For more fun and adventurous Caribbean vacation destination ideas, check out our ActiveCaribbeanTravel Islands page.
The British Virgin Islands
There are a relatively low number of active Covid cases in the British Virgin Islands – around 14 per 10K people. It’s encouraging to know that just over half of the local population has received 2 vaccination doses. It’s also convenient that entry requirements are somewhat less demanding for fully vaccinated travellers.
From a historical weather perspective, there’s a somewhat low 50%-50% probability of rain on any given day this time of year, however even if it does rain, it typically doesn’t rain more than around 4mm – 5mm per month, so not a big concern.
Fully vaccinated travellers must be prepared to show proof of vaccination, a negative PCR test result (taken within 5 days of travel), along with proof of Covid related Travel Insurance upon arriving in the British Virgin Islands (BVI). Prior to travelling, fully vaccinated travellers must register for a rapid antigen test, which will be taken at the airport upon your arrival.
Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated visitors need to obtain travel authorization via the on-line BVI Gateway Portal prior to travelling to the BVI. In order to be approved, visitors must provide proof of a certified RT-PCR negative test result (taken 3-5 days prior to arrival), along with evidence of Covid related Travel Insurance. All partially vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers will receive an RT-PCR test on arrival. I assume that there is a short quarantine period while waiting for your test results.
All travellers are to adhere to COVID-19 protocols while travelling around the British Virgin Islands. These include relevant physical distancing, wearing masks and sanitization measures.
For more details and specifics of Covid related entry requirements and restrictions, such as which port of entry you are allowed to use (dependent on vaccination status), please visit the official British Virgin Islands Tourism page, as well as the British Virgin Islands Entry Requirements page.
As for what to do on the islands, here’s just a taste of what you can enjoy once you get there. There’s plenty of white sandy beaches offering a number of swimming and watersports options. Perhaps the best kayaking and SUP (paddleboarding) in the BVIs can be found at Tortola, while kiteboarding and windsurfing might be best experienced on Virgin Gorda. Boat operators can get you fishing around the islands, and spectacular views can be found while hiking the BVI’s National Parks. For a journey back in time, there are museums and ruins of forts and sugar mills. Of course, there’s always plenty of sailing and rum to enjoy in the BVIs!
FYI – Montserrat, Anguilla and the Cayman Islands almost made our list, however a few conditions need to be improved before they’re included. I’m sure Anguilla will get their peaking Covid cases under control any day now. Once Montserrat increases their local Covid vaccination rate and removes the need for visitors to quarantine, it will be a lush green (although perhaps rainy) alternative. While the Cayman Islands have a relatively high Covid-19 vaccination rate, unfortunately they’re currently struggling with peaking numbers of Covid cases. They also have a quarantine period that makes visiting a bit inconvenient at the moment. All that said, I’m sure these islands will all be near the top of our Top 5-10 list for spring travel – So Stay Tuned!
Now, a couple of disclaimers… Please note that this article was written on October 10th, 2021. Covid-19 information can change pretty quickly, so we recommend you check Covid case counts on your island of choice, right before booking your trip. Also, please be aware that many local tourism-related businesses have been temporarily or permanently shut-down because of Covid, so again we advise that you connect with local tour operators prior to arriving on the island. This can help set expectations appropriately.
FYI – Some information for this article was derived from the following sources: graphics.reuters.com/world-coronavirus-tracker-and-maps; covidvax.live; weatherspark.Com; and weatherbase.com
We hope you liked our assessment and it has motivated you to take a trip to the Caribbean!
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First created by plantation slaves in the mid 17th century, RUM has come a long way from its humble beginnings… Originally called “kill-devil” or “rumbullion”, the harsh liquor became a staple drink of pirates, who made “bumbo” by adding water, sugar, nutmeg and/or cinnamon (The first and original ‘spiced rums’). Infamously, the British Navy gave a daily rum ration or ‘tot’ to its sailors – Eventually watering down the rum and sometimes added lime… making “grog”. Fast-forward a few hundred years and now rum is appropriately considered a top-shelf spirit, with premium versions often being compared to much more expensive Scotch whiskies and French cognacs.
While most Caribbean ‘rum’ is still made from fermented molasses (and sugar cane juice froth), a number of French islands produce ‘rhum agricole’ directly from sugarcane juice. Rum is typically distilled in clay, column and/or copper pot stills then aged in oak barrels, usually producing an alcohol content of 40% (80 proof). The type of molasses (light, dark or black-strap), and barrel (whisky and/or spirit) used, as well as any additives (spices / flavourings), will significantly influence the end product’s colour and flavour.
In no particular order (don’t want to start a fight), here’s our view of the best Caribbean rum found in the southern Caribbean, also known as the Lesser Antilles – Windward Islands.
The Rums of Barbados
Bajan Rum has been produced for over 350 years and is generally considered the birthplace of the Caribbean’s liquid gold. Historical records show that rum production on the island was well underway by the mid 1600s, when sugar cane became a major crop of the plantations. Barbados is known for some of the best, and some may say sweeter, tasting rum in the Caribbean – Perhaps it has something to do with the islands’s unique coral make-up, as compared to the volcanic composition of other Caribbean islands.
The big players in Barbados rum include:
Mount Gay Rum Distilleries – Founded in 1703, Mount Gay is generally considered the oldest continually operated rum distillery in the world – Some say that Mount Gay is “the rum that invented rum”. Well known around the world, smooth tasting Mount Gay Rums include the nicely aged Eclipse, Black Barrel (produced in small batches), XO (Extra Old aged for 8 to 15 years) and 1703 (Blend of rums ranging from 10 to 30 years old).
The ‘Mount Gay Visitor Experience’ offers a number of different rum tours as well as a tasting room and gift shop – Enjoy the history and heritage of Bajan rum. The main tour provides some rum-making info and viewing of a number of artifacts, photos and short films. There are then several rum tasting options to choose from, including a ‘lunch tour’ and a ‘cocktail tour’.
Foursquare Rum Distillery had it’s start in the early 1900s as R.L. Seale & Company. RL Seale acquired a number of other rum producers in the latter half of the 20th century, consolidating their portfolio at the Foursquare Distillery, a centuries-old sugar and rum facility.
Foursquare now produces a large number of Caribbean rums including the Doorly’s, Foursquare, RL Seale, SixtySix, ESA Field, Alleyne Arthur, Old Brigand, The Real McCoy and Tommy Bahama brands.
Visitors are welcome to wander the former sugar plantation grounds, now known as the ‘Foursquare Rum Distillery and Heritage Park’. Self-guided tours of the factory and museums are available, as is the warm and inviting tasting room, where you can of course, purchase your favourite(s).
St. Nicholas Abbey is home to one of only three Jacobean mansions in the Western Hemisphere. On the grounds of a centuries-old sugar plantation, this ‘micro-distillery’ was (re)born in the 1980s with the purchase of an old steam mill and the full restoration of it’s facilities in 2006.
St. Nicholas Abbey makes a number of fine well aged rums
When you visit the Abbey, take your time and explore the surrounding Gardens and orchids before enjoying the complimentary guided tour of the great house, steam mill and rum distillery. You can then take-part in rum and cane syrup tasting before visiting the gift shop.
The West Indies Rum Distillery has roots back to the late 1800s. With the exception of Mount Gay, the West Indies Rum Distillery has provided base Caribbean rum for all Bajan rum producers over the years. While once famous for their Cockspur and Malibu brands, the distillery now produces the Cockspur, Blue Chair Bay (Kenny Chesney’s line), Kaniche (finished in France in Cognac casks) and Shellback brands among others…
Of course, numerous rum companies around the world use Bajan rums in their “collections”, such as Berry’s, Cayman Reef and the famous Plantation series, while countless others use Barbados rum in their own blends – Most notably, Lamb’s.
For more information on the rums of Barbados, including tours and rum tasting rooms, click on our Barbados Rum page
Jamaica Rum
OK – OK, So Jamaica is a Greater Antilles island, so technically not a “southern” Caribbean island, however we just couldn’t issue our first write-up about rum without showing ‘respect’ to one of the original rum making islands…
Jamaica is home to a large variety of rums – The land of wood & water makes over a 100 different rums… There are dark navy style rums reminiscent of old Port Royal’s privateer and pirate days, there are the currently in vogue over-proof white rums, and of course there are well aged and refined rums with a dry/oaky characteristic. Jamaican rums are known for their unique “funky” flavour – I don’t know about that, they just taste real good to me! From over 10 distillers on the island, here’s a few of our favourites:
Appleton Estates is the oldest Jamaican sugar estate / distillery and has been in continuous production for over 265 years!
Appleton’s produce more than a dozen rums, including some nicely aged varieties such as V/X, a superb 12yr old and a 21yr old. They also make a number of blends (Reserve, Signature and Master) as well as special/limited edition rums.
The ‘Joy Spence Appleton Estate Rum Experience‘ offers a visitor center, a small museum, sugar cane fields, and a tour which includes a short film, a guided tour of the facilities, as well as product sampling in their lounge.
Hampden Estate is one of the oldest sugar estates in Jamaica and they believe that “environmental stewardship is the life blood of the distillery” – Here-Here for that! From it’s use of re-cycled steel and water within the facility, to it’s low energy consumption, Hampden is working to become the first distillery on the island with a zero carbon footprint.
Hamden’s signature ‘Smith and Cross’ Navy Strength Rum is a 2 year old blend with a typical Jamaican funk. Other products include Rum Fire (over-proof) and Hampden Gold.
The ‘Hampden Rum Tour’ offers guided outings into the distillery (circa 1753) as well as access to the estate grounds
Worthy Park Estates produces the Rum-Bar brand which includes an Over-proof rum, a Gold (4 yrs) rum along with a Rum Cream
The Money Musk Plantation is one of the island’s oldest sugar estates on the island, currently providing molasses to the National Rums of Jamaica Limited (used by a number of rum producers). The plantation and distillery produce a variety of rums under the Monymusk and Royal Jamaican brand names.
Other great Jamaican rum makers include Wray and Nephew, KRB Lea Jamaica Rums and Myers, among others. Of course, numerous rum companies around the world use Jamaican rums in their “collections”, such as the Berry’s and Plantation series, while countless others use Jamaican rum in their own blends – Most notably, Captain Morgan.
For more information on Jamaica rums, including tours and rum tasting rooms, check out our Jamaica Rum page
For more information on the Caribbean island of Jamaica and exciting things to do there, click on our Jamaica Vacations page
St. Lucia Rum
Located in the west coast town of Roseau, 20 minutes south of Castries, is the island’s major rum producer. The St. Lucia Distillers Company has a store front and factory here. Perhaps not that well-known, St. Lucia Distillers produce some of the best Caribbean rum available, winning dozens of awards from various spirits competitions around the world.
The St. Lucia Distillers produce over ten different rums, including varieties of white, flavoured, spiced and aged spirits, as well as rum based liqueurs/cremes. They offer some excellent aged and spiced rums, along with some great premium sipping rums including their 12 yr old ‘Admiral Rodney’ and special edition ‘1931’ rums. Their ‘Chairman’s Reserve’ amber rum is getting the global recognition it deserves – A great rum at a decent price. They also have a couple of unique tasting Spiced rums made with a local aphrodisiac (Bois Bande) as well as (rum purists – hold your nose) their rum creams that are to die for…
The ‘St. Lucia Distillers facility’ includes a retail store, a sampling room and they also offer factory tours.
For more information on Saint Lucia rums, including tours and rum tasting rooms, check out our St. Lucia Rum page
For more information on the Caribbean island of St. Lucia and exciting things to do there, click on our Saint Lucia Vacations page
Martinique Rhums
To many fans, Martinique is the rum capital of the Caribbean. With over 10 distilleries and close to a hundred different / wide ranging rhums it’s hard to argue. Martinique produces the French “Rhum Agricole” (translated to ‘agricultural rum’ in English) made directly from sugar cane juice, not molasses, and is commonly produced in different (above 40%) strengths. Similar to wine and brandy making, Martinique distillers commonly refer to their rhums in terms of ‘vintages’ or classifications such as VO (>4yrs old) and VSOP (>10yrs old). It’s important to recognize that, unlike a number of islands today, Martinique rhum is made from locally grown sugar cane – In fact, each region’s “terroir” is a big deal, reflecting the place on the island where the cane was grown. Another great thing about Martinique’s distilleries is that most of them are open to the public, offering plantation/distillery tours, along with rhum tasting and storefronts to purchase the rhum(s) of your choice.
From over 10 distillers on the island, here’s a few of our favourites:
Rhum Saint James has been producing rhum since 1765 and is a long time supplier of rhum agricole to North America. Saint James rhums are pesticide free and their ‘carbon neutral’ distillery operations utilizes internal compost as well as recycled liquids/water – Nice!
The Rhum Saint James distillery produces a large number of white rhums (varying in strength), as well as aged rhums (ranging from a 3yr old to a 15yr old), along with single cask vintage rhums.
The ‘Museum of Rhum Saint James’, located in Sainte-Marie, is open to the public and features a museum, distillery tour, plantation, as well as a large storefront with tasting room.
Clément Estate has been around since the 18th century and is commonly known as the birthplace of rhum agricole. The facilities are now famous for the Clément Foundation, focusing on the arts and the cultural heritage of Martinique. Clement produces a variety of white rhums (varying in strength and sugar cane) as well as some aged rhums (ranging from 1yr old to 30yr old) along with VSOP, Single Cask and Cuvée Homère rhums. They also have vintage rhums from the 1950s and 1970s – Yes you’re reading that correctly, 60 year old rhum!
Eclectic self guided tours (with the aid of audio-guides) are available of Clement’s art exhibits, great house, old distillery museum along with the estate’s large Gardens, which is actually more of a Park. There is of course, also a storefront with rhum tasting. Clement’s facilities are less than a 30 minute drive east of Fort-De-France.
Depaz Blue Cane was originally established in 1651, however the Depaz château and distillery were rebuilt after the Mount Pelee volcano eruption in 1902. Depaz Blue Cane Rhum Agricole is made from the unique “blue cane” sugar grown at the foot of the volcano.
Depaz produces a white rhum along with a VSOP, Extra Old, Prestige XO, a Porto Finish rhum as well as 2002 and 2003 vintage rhums.
Located in Saint-Pierre, ‘Depaz tours’ are available of the château, a museum (with a short film) and include a storefront with tasting. A restaurant is also available on the grounds.
Rhum HSE and the Habitation Saint Etienne’s origins date back to the mid 1800s to a 400 hectare sugar plantation, refinery and distillery. The Foudres HSE is the centre-piece of the estate, with it’s architectural structure representative of traditional Martinique buildings from the period.
HSE produces over 15 varieties of rhum, including some whites and aged (from a 12 month blend to much older vintages) rhums as well as well aged rhums finished in a variety of special whiskey, sherry, wine and Port casks. HSE also makes Special Edition rhums and well aged small batch rhums, including a 2003 vintage and a special 1960 vintage. Wow…
Now host to a multitude of public events, ‘The HSE Foudres’ features a permanent art exhibition and rhum tasting room. HSE has also partnered with a local chocolaterie to create chocolate and rhum pairings – taking rhum tasting to a whole new level.
Other great Martinique rhum distillers include La Mauny, Trois Rivières, Rhum Dillon, La Favorite, A-1710, Rhum JM and Neisson.
For more information on the rhums of Martinique, including tours and rhum tasting rooms, click on our Rhum Martinique page
For more information on the Caribbean island of Martinique and exciting things to do there, click on our Martinique Vacations page
Some might say that the best Caribbean rum one can buy comes from these islands, however we would be remiss not to at least mention that fine rums also come from others in the southern Caribbean – Islands such as Grenada (Clarkes Court Old Grog comes to mind), Trinidad, as well as Guadaloupe and Marie-Galante.
…and don’t worry, the more northerly Caribbean islands will have their day as well – Yes, I’m talking about Puerto Rico, Cuba and the Virgin Islands (both USVI and the BVI). Stay tuned for a separate write-up that these excellent Caribbean rum making islands deserve…
For more enjoyable Caribbean reading… check out our The Islands of the Caribbean page – A great starting point for exploring what the Caribbean Islands have to offer!
