The Best Authentic Caribbean Gifts and Souvenirs

Adopt a Turtle - Want to make someone feel good at the holidays, and feel like you did something good yourself? Adopt an endangered sea turtle on behalf of the person you love.

Angostura Bitters from Trinidad - a secret mix of herbs and spices used as a cocktail mixer and cure-all for a variety of ailments.

Batik from St. Kitts or Andros - The Caribelle Batik Factory on St. Kitts, located in an old sugar plantation, is bursting with colorfully dyed fabrics and clothing, from sarongs to dresses to pillow covers and wall hangings.

Caribbean Gift Baskets - Caribbean Tastes can put together a custom gift basket stuffed with Caribbean goods like rum, spices, fruit, and more.

Caribbean Rum - Other than sunshine, the Caribbean's most famous export is rum, and this liquor distilled from molasses (a byproduct of sugarcane cultivation) remains the most popular souvenir for Caribbean travelers.

Curacao Liqueur - Made from the peels of the laraha fruit grown on Curacao (a type of bitter orange), this liqueur is famous for giving color to drinks like the Blue Hawaiian and the blue margaritas you'll find at many bars.

Guava Cheese - Guava cheese doesn't actually contain any cheese -- it's the quirky name for an authentic treat found in Caribbean islands like Trinidad and Nevis and made of fresh guava and cane sugar, plus flavorings like cinnamon or lime juice.

Guavaberry from St. Maarten - The Guavaberry shop in Philipsburg, St. Maarten is one of the island's most popular tourist destinations and the best place to pick up a bottle of St. Maarten's folk liqueur, made from a rare and bitter local berry found in the island's interior. In addition to rum blended with guavaberries, the shop stocks guavaberry honey, hot sauces, and other products.

Island Charms Jewelry - Island Charms produces original jewelry crafted in the shape of islands like Anguilla, Antigua, Aruba, Grand Cayman, St. Croix, St. Martin, and St. Thomas, with more on the way. Made of sterling silver or 14k gold, the islands are adorned with Swarovski crystals denoting the location of capitals or major attractions.

Jimmy Buffett's Christmas CD - Singer/songwriter Jimmy Buffett is the personification of laid-back Caribbean cool, and his "Christmas Island" CD will warm up even the chilliest winter day.

• Model Ships from Bequia
• Spices from Grenada
• St. Croix Cookbook
• St. Croix Hook Bracelet
• DVD on the History of Montserrat
• Tortuga Rum Cake

The Best Time to Take a Cruise to the Caribbean

There are more than 7000 islands in the Caribbean Sea, and cruise ships visit many of them. Caribbean cruises run throughout the year. You must select your cruise date carefully because there are certain advantages to sailing during various time periods. Your ideal date depends on several things, such as how much you want to spend, the type of weather you prefer and whether you will be bringing children along.

The Caribbean is temperate all year round, but it can get chilly in the winter and make swimming uncomfortable. This is a problem if you want to take advantage of the region's excellent snorkeling and scuba diving opportunities. Sail during the spring or fall if you want to do water sports in warm temperatures but don't want to deal with excessive summer heat. Hurricane season extends through November, so it's best to choose spring to avoid potential tropical storms.You are at a higher risk for flight delays or cancellations if you sail during the winter, so consider buying trip insurance.

Many cruise lines decorate their ships for the Thanksgiving through New Years Day holiday season and have special on-board activities. If you have children, they usually have some time off school during this period. They can cruise around Thanksgiving, Christmas or the New Year without missing schoolwork. School breaks also coincide with Easter and other holidays such as Presidents' Day. You will pay a premium to sail to the Caribbean during this period, but the trade-off in special celebrations or minimal disruption to your children's school schedule may be worth it.

Most schools have a break between June and August. Some employers make employees take their vacation time at some point during the summer months. Most cruise lines charge their highest prices for Caribbean cruises during the summer because of this,  but it may be the best time for you if you're under work constraints or have school-age children.

Couples who prefer not to encounter a lot of children on their Caribbean cruise should sail during the school year. Cruises to the Caribbean usually last at least five to seven days. There are more adult passengers during this period because some parents don't want to take their youngsters out of school for that long. Most of the kids on board will be age five or below, and the overall passenger count will be lower. This means shorter waits for tendering into ports such as Grand Cayman and less crowded dining rooms and other on-board areas.

The blue iguana or Grand Cayman iguana.

The blue iguana or Grand Cayman iguana (Cyclura lewisi) is an endangered species of lizard of the genus Cyclura endemic to the island of Grand Cayman. 

The blue iguana is one of the longest-living species of lizard (possibly up to 69 years). The record is 67 years.

The blue iguana prefers dwelling in rocky, sunlit, open areas in dry forests or near the shore, as the females must dig holes in the sand to lay eggs in June and July. A possible second clutch is laid in September. The blue iguana's vegetarian diet includes plants, fruits, and flowers. Its coloration is tan to gray with a bluish cast that is more pronounced during the breeding season and more so in males. It is large and heavy-bodied with a dorsal crest of short spines running from the base of the neck to the end of the tail.

Tulum

Tulum is the site of a Pre-Columbian Maya walled city serving as a major port for Coba.  The ruins are situated on 12-meter  tall cliffs, along the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula on the Carribian Sea  in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico. Tulum was one of the last cities inhabited and built by the Mayans, it was at its height between the 13th and 15th centuries and managed to survive about 70 years after the Spanish began occupying Mexico. Old World diseases brought by the Spanish settlers appear to have been the cause of its demise. One of the best-preserved coastal Maya sites, Tulum is today a popular site for tourists.

Marigot Bay, St. Lucia

Marigot Bay is located on the western coast of the Carribian island of Saint Lucia, 3.75 miles southwest from Castries  and a short distance from the Saint Lucian National Marine Reserve. It is surrounded on three sides by steep, forested hills.

The bay on three sides is surrounded by forested hills. Bay is a historic landmark, being the site of many battles between the French and British fleets.

Jamaica Threats

According to tour operators in Jamaica, there is always a threat to get into an unwanted adventure, in contrast to other Caribbean islands, where independent travel will be much more enjoyable.

During solitary walks in the Jamaican picturesque bays, parks and human settlements of any wrong turn can lead to very dire consequences.

Tourists are also advised to travel by taxi or bus instead of a rental car.

According to statistics, over the past six months in various parts of the famous resort has recorded 700 crimes. In 2007 most of the murders occurred in the capital Kingston, which is quite far from the traditional holiday destinations.

It is interesting that so sad statistics (consistently the third or fourth in the number of murders in the ratings of most criminal countries in recent years) does not prevent the rising popularity of Jamaica among foreign nationals.

Law enforcement agencies of the island recently updated its website, putting back some of the recommendations.

For example, foreign visitors are asked to more closely monitor their luggage, to refrain from walking alone on deserted beaches even in daylight, and try not to go to travel at night.

As a rule, hotel guests prefer to use the system "all inclusive", which significantly reduces the risk of unpleasant incidents. In addition, the island has increased dramatically the demand for guided tours and hikes.

Races of Goats and Crabs

Races of goats and crabs will be held in April in the State of Trinidad and Tobago. This scene for almost 100 years attracts numerous visitors.

From 12 to 14 April 2009 on the Caribbean islands of Trinidad and Tobago will be held of the most anticipated spring events. At this time in the city of Bucca are conducted 2 types of races - the race of goats and races of crabs.

Since 1925, these events always attract many spectators, including tourists. In addition, as would be funny as this sounds, competitions are a serious and profitable business on the island.

In the race goats jockeys serve young people: at a signal they are saddling their precious "runners" and pinch the animals to the finish with bare heels. "Zone of Action" is of 100 meters.

The most strong and long-legged goats are selected to participate in the competitions. They were specially trained for this.

Members of other the same exciting competitions are usually large blue crabs. The owners-jockeys are pushing them, pulling a rope tied to them, making them to move in the right direction.

The fate of "athlete" after the race, quite frankly, is unenviable. They find themselves in a frying pan in a traditional curry dish.

Honeymoon & Children

The resort of one of the Caribbean archipelago holded an unusual discount campaign. Tourists were offered to have children, making their future offspring directly in the hotel rooms. During this holiday-makers were offered special discount.

The resort that made this curious suggestion is called the Westin Resort. It is situated on the shores of the Caribbean islands of the Netherlands - more specifically, on the island of Aruba.

The resort offered young couples a discount for their future travel, if they will make child during the holidays in the hotel.

The hotel' administration was ready to pay 180 pounds (almost 300 dollars) for successful attempt to conceive a child in their rooms. Thus hoteliere attracted the maximum number of couples who are ready to expand their family.

Nevertheless, to take advantage of such a kind of "carrot" the couples had to prove that the kid made the first move in this world namely at the resort.

The hotel claimed that it was enough a note from the doctor, which indicated the estimated date of conception. Specified time, of course, should match the rest period of the parents in this hotel. Offer was valid for all who had rest in the hotel until December, 18 2009.

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

The islands reigns mild tropical climate. Bathing season lasts almost all year round. Because of these and many other reasons, this place is considered one of the best resorts in the world. Millionaires, politicians, stars and all those who aspire to a variety of opportunities, was chosen by Saint Vincent and the Grenadines yet 40 years ago.

Generous nature made these islands in this tropical paradise. Here you can make a trip to the summit of the volcano, swim in waterfalls, dive with dolphins, go on a cruise on a yacht or to explore the coral reefs surrounding the archipelago.

Grenadines for a long time remained undiscovered islands, and therefore they attract sailors from around the world. No accident that one of the most famous yacht charter company The Moorings has opened his own club on the island of Canouan - the third in the Caribbean Sea.

St. Vincent has a rather turbulent history. By the time Columbus discovered (in January 1498) and the inclusion of the Spanish possessions, the island was inhabited by Indians caribou, but fierce resistance that kept the colonists in constant fear. As a result, getting to the island of runaway black slaves, imported to the plantations of the African continent (for some reason they met the natives with open arms), and subsequent assimilation, on the island was formed a new ethnic group - "Black Caribs" (Garifuna), began to quarrel with the traditional "yellow Caribbeans" ...

Barbados - an island where love lives!

Barbados - the small, reminiscent of pear-shaped island, which lies in the chain of the Small Antilles.
The first settlers in Barbados were Amerindian nomads. Three waves of immigration have passed through the island, which is then sent in the direction of North America.

The name "Barbados" comes from the Portuguese explorer Pedro Campos (Pedro Campos) in 1536, initially named the island «Os Barbados» (bearded) because of the abundance growing on its fig trees, entwined like beards epiphytes. Between 1536 and 1550 years, Spanish conquistadors seized many Caribs on the island and used them on the plantations as slaves. Some Caribs still escaped from the island.

Despite the fact that Barbados for many years was a British colony, the African influence pervades their daily lives - from the gastronomic preferences to architecture and street names.

A popular tourist destination, Barbados has 50 years of the last century. By the 70-island has been gaining popularity, and today the annual number of guests in Barbados over a million people. The main attraction is its stunning beaches, mild climate and cheerful people, fond of holidays. The island is often called the little England, because of the many traditions and ways of spending time is inherited from that country. For example, such as a game of cricket, golf, old English church.
The white sand beaches, coral reefs, the abundance of historical sites associated with the era heyday of piracy, and the traditional carnivals make this island one of the gems of the Caribbean Sea.

Barbados offers excellent opportunities for recreation: here is waiting for tourists surfing, diving, excursions to the Wildlife Sanctuary in the north of the island, exciting descents in the karst caves and grottos with underground rivers and lakes.

Secluded bays and magnificent beaches of pink sand, special rates for newlyweds in most hotels and a huge amount of entertainment is an ideal island for a honeymoon.
Today Barbados - one of the most developed Caribbean islands with high levels of life and extensive infrastructure. Barbados is proud of its tradition of wedding ceremonies and offers a wide range of services for their conduct.