A Journey from San
Juan to San Juan

San Juan (Puerto Rico)

The capital city of Puerto Rico, San Juan
is one of the busiest ports in the Caribbean and home to a third of
all Puerto Ricans. Nearly every visitor to the island arrives at
San Juan, many on cruise liners. It's one of the largest home-based
cruise ports in the world, hosting many vessels with more being
added each year.

San Juan is divided into three distinct
districts: Old San Juan, the historic walled city; the beach and
resort area; and the outlying suburbs. Tourists mainly visit Old
San Juan, the site of most restaurants, shops, entertainment venues
and some exquisite beaches.

The old city is linked to the new by the
largely residential barrio of Puerta de Tierra and a series of
modern highways leading to the Condado beachfront, which is
reminiscent of Florida's Miami Beach with its high-rise hotels and
apartment blocks.

It is not only tourism that keeps the
financial mills grinding in San Juan. The city is an important
centre for petroleum and sugar refining, brewing and distilling,
and the manufacturing of cement, pharmaceuticals, metal products
and tobacco products.

In the midst of all the hustle and bustle,
there are numerous attractions in San Juan to amuse, entertain and
interest many tourists, and the city is a perfect base for
exploring the rest of what this small Caribbean island has to
offer.

Kralendijk

Meaning in French and nestled in deep in the Caribbean, Bonaire forms part of the ABC chain of islands in the Lesser Antilles (the others being Aruba and Curacao). With crystalline turquoise waters brimming with coral reefs for miles in every direction, this tiny island boasts the Bonaire National Marine Park, widely regarded as one of the best offshore diving destinations in the world. Originally inhabited by the tall Caquieto Indians, the Spanish first named the ABC islands ' , meaning 'the island of the giants' and Caquetios rock paintings can be seen at Spelonk, Onima, Ceru Pungi, and Ceru Crita-Cabai. Besides being one of the biggest scuba diving meccas in the world, Bonaire is also famed for its Flamingo population, which is drawn here by the abundance of shrimp found in the brackish waters. Donkeys can also be seen roaming freely and the Donkey Sanctuary is a major tourist attraction. Colonised by the English and Dutch, the latter of which is still prevalent today in the language and architecture, evidence of Bonaire's oppressive past can still be seen in the saltpans in Rincon where African slaves were put to work alongside Indians and convicts in the 1600s. The Caribbean is known a major thoroughfare for drug smuggling from South America and visitors should be vigilant with their luggage. There are no major health threats associated with visiting Bonaire, but travellers should arm themselves with insect repellent and be cautious of excessive exposure to the sun. With a perfectly consistent tropical temperature, which is moderated by Atlantic trade winds, Bonaire is the ideal playground for lovers of all things aquatic. From scuba diving, snorkelling and fishing to sea kayaking, wind surfing and kite boarding, this little slice of tropical paradise will beautiful memories to be relived for years for all who visit Bonaire.

Willemstad

Curacao, a gem in the Caribbean Sea, offers an enchanting blend of natural beauty, cultural richness, and historical significance. The island, known for its distinctive European architecture painted in vibrant colours, provides a picturesque backdrop that mesmerises visitors. The capital city, Willemstad, boasts well-preserved colonial buildings, making it a UNESCO World Heritage site, while the colourful floating market showcases fresh produce and catch from nearby Venezuela.

The island's pristine beaches, like Playa Kenepa and Cas Abao, are perfect for relaxation and adventurous water activities such as snorkelling and diving. The underwater world of Curacao is teeming with marine life, making it one of the top diving destinations in the Caribbean. Exploring the Curacao Sea Aquarium or taking a stroll through the Christoffel National Park provides a deeper connection to the island's diverse flora and fauna.

Curacao’s gastronomic scene is a delightful fusion of Dutch, Caribbean and South American flavours, offering a mouthwatering culinary adventure. The local music and dance, deeply rooted in African traditions, enliven the island, especially during festivals like Carnival. Whether you are interested in lounging on the beach, exploring cultural sites, or diving into vibrant marine life, Curacao offers an unforgettable experience for every traveler.

Oranjestad

Aruba's capital is easily explored on foot. Its palm-lined central thoroughfare runs between old and new pastel-painted buildings of typical Dutch design (Spanish influence is also evident in some of the architecture). There are a lot of malls with boutiques and shops—the Renaissance mall carries high-end luxury items and designer fashions. A massive renovation in downtown has given Main Street (a.k.a. Caya G. F. Betico Croes) behind the Renaissance Resort a whole new lease on life: boutique malls, shops, and restaurants have opened next to well-loved family-run businesses. The pedestrian-only walkway and resting areas have unclogged the street, and the new eco-trolley is free and a great way to get around. At this writing, Linear Park was well and will showcase local merchants and artists. There will be activities along a boardwalk that will eventually run all the way to the end of Palm Beach, making it the longest of its kind in the Caribbean.

Philipsburg

Philipsburg is the capital of Dutch Sint
Maarten. It has two main streets, Front Street (Voorstraat) and
Back Street (Achterstraat), connected by several bustling
thoroughfares and filled mainly with duty-free shops, cafes, hotels
and courtyards overflowing with flowers.

The town enjoys an unusual setting, located
on a narrow stretch of land between Great Bay, on the south coast
of the island, and the Great Salt Pond (a huge marsh). It is the
port of call for hundreds of cruise ships, their daytripping
passengers coming ashore to sample everything from Italian leather
goods and Japanese cameras to local crafts and Philipsburg's
nightlife, regarded as among the liveliest in the Caribbean.

Architecturally, the town, founded in 1763
by John Philips (a Scottish captain in the Dutch navy), is quaint,
with characteristic pastel-coloured West Indian houses lining the
streets, and a few Dutch colonial landmarks, including Fort Willem,
built in 1801, and Fort Amsterdam, constructed nearly 200 years
earlier in 1631.

San Juan (Puerto Rico)

The capital city of Puerto Rico, San Juan
is one of the busiest ports in the Caribbean and home to a third of
all Puerto Ricans. Nearly every visitor to the island arrives at
San Juan, many on cruise liners. It's one of the largest home-based
cruise ports in the world, hosting many vessels with more being
added each year.

San Juan is divided into three distinct
districts: Old San Juan, the historic walled city; the beach and
resort area; and the outlying suburbs. Tourists mainly visit Old
San Juan, the site of most restaurants, shops, entertainment venues
and some exquisite beaches.

The old city is linked to the new by the
largely residential barrio of Puerta de Tierra and a series of
modern highways leading to the Condado beachfront, which is
reminiscent of Florida's Miami Beach with its high-rise hotels and
apartment blocks.

It is not only tourism that keeps the
financial mills grinding in San Juan. The city is an important
centre for petroleum and sugar refining, brewing and distilling,
and the manufacturing of cement, pharmaceuticals, metal products
and tobacco products.

In the midst of all the hustle and bustle,
there are numerous attractions in San Juan to amuse, entertain and
interest many tourists, and the city is a perfect base for
exploring the rest of what this small Caribbean island has to
offer.