Free Nights at Ritz-Carlton Caribbean and Mexico Resorts

The Deal: Book the exclusive Club Level for your next 4- or 5-night Ritz-Carlton Caribbean or Mexico vacation and you'll enjoy a complimentary night on your stay – a savings of at least $379.

Why We Love It: Already known for top notch service and amenities, the Ritz Carlton brand has gone a step further with the addition of its new Club Level – an intimate "hotel within a hotel" experience that includes a personal concierge and perks such as light breakfast, drinks and sweets delivered throughout your stay. This free-night promotion makes it more affordable to indulge at luxe properties including the Ritz-Carlton St .Thomas, the Ritz-Carlton Rose Hall Jamaica, and the Ritz-Carlton San Juan (pictured) – and, if your travels happen to take you to the Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman, your minimum 5-night stay (you pay for four) also includes the Cayman Stingray Splash, a promotional day trip to nearby Stingray City.

How to Book It: Book online at ritzcarlton.com. Rates start at $379 per night double occupancy at the Ritz-Carlton Rose Hall in Jamaica, up to $599 per night double occupancy at the Ritz-Carlton Cancun.

Free Nights at Ritz-Carlton Caribbean and Mexico Resorts

Warm Up with Cayman's Hottest Deal

All of you notherners are going to hate me for saying this, but I just returned to Florida from five days in sunny San Juan and I'm already freezing! Yes, it's in the 60s here today, but still...I'm covered head-to-toe in my warmest winter garb, already longing for those balmy Caribbean tradewinds. Okay, and the cold mojitos.

Anyway, in the spirit of staying warm this winter, I thought I'd share the latest promotion from the Cayman Islands. For travel now through May 15, 2010 you can leave those winter coats at home and escape to the islands with the Get Warm package, offering a fifth night free on four-night-minimum stays at a range of accommodations, plus a complimentary trip for two to Stingray City, and a special two-tank dive offer at select dive shops around the islands.

To sweeten the deal, the Cayman Islands has also put together a new Get Warm contest that just might get you there for free. To enter, just surf over to http://getwarm.ky and enter your favorite frosty photo that shows why you need an island escape this winter; Ten finalists will be put to a vote to determine who will win a trip for four.

For now, check out this new promotional video from the Cayman Islands to get in the spirit...

Then surf over to http://getwarm.ky for more info on the Get Warm promotion (you'll need to book by March 31, 2010 to take advantage). Don't forget to share your trip photos on our Facebook page when you return!

Warm Up with Cayman's Hottest Deal

Hilton January Sale

The Deal: Book a weekend stay at any participating Hilton Caribbean, Mexico and South America property by January 31 and get up to 33 percent off your stay all year.

Why We Love It: Even though you have to reserve your stay this month, you'll have all year to actually take the trip, so this promotion is a great way to save in advance on your next vacation. There's a wide range of Hilton properties and destinations from which to choose – such as the Bahamas, Barbados, Curacao, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Puerto Rico and more – and if you're a Hilton Honors rewards club member, you'll also earn points on your stay that are redeemable toward free nights.

How to Book It: Call 800-HILTONS or log on to hilton.com/sale to pre-purchase your trip by January 31, 2010. To save, you must book at least three days in advance of traveling, and plan your trip around a Friday, Saturday or Sunday.

Hilton January Sale

Sarah's 2009 Caribbean Highlights

The new year is just around the corner, but before it arrives I'm taking a moment to reminisce about some of my favorite Caribbean adventures in 2009.

In January, I rode the rails – and enjoyed a killer rum punch – on the Sugar Train in St Kitts.


In April, I spent four days in San Juan munching my way through the Saborea Puerto Rico food festival and getting up close and personal with giant avocados.


In May, I did a six-day Jamaican road trip that took me from Port Antonio to Ochi, Mo'Bay and Negril, where the cliff divers at Rick's Cafe demonstrated their prowess.


Come June, I discovered the bohemian pleasures of Tulum for the first time - and passed this this gargantuan furniture store display along the way.


Then in August I made my maiden voyage on crewed yacht charter through the BVIs, where we shot an episode of our TV show, CT+L's Affordable Caribbean.


I squeezed in a whistle-stop trip back to Jamaica in November, staying just long enough to enjoy a heaping plate of ackee and saltfish, the island's national dish.



My final jaunt of 2009 was to Provo in the Turks and Caicos Islands in December. Beautiful beaches, luxury resorts: what's not to love?



Where did your Caribbean travels take you in 2009?

Sarah's 2009 Caribbean Highlights

Vieques Biking Adventure

It’s still dark when Garry Lowe’s baby blue Chevy pickup – its bed loaded with a couple of mean-looking mountain bikes – roars to life. “This is my favorite time to ride,” says Lowe, Vieques’ answer to survivalist extraordinaire Bear Grylls.

Owner of the biking/kayaking/fishing tour outfit, Vieques Adventure Company, Lowe is half Puerto Rican, half Canadian and more agile on two wheels than most people are on two feet. Before the sun peeks over the hills, we’ve mounted up and we’re zipping through the crisp air past a herd of free-roaming horses. Abandoned U.S. Navy bunkers, an old radar installation, a crumbling brick sugar mill and untamed beaches are all within quick reach via trails and access roads known only to Garry, many of them accessible only by bike.

Providing with a running lesson in local history, Garry calls his pedal-powered excursions “island orientations.” Besides a good ride, Garry’s visitors become familiar with the island in ways most tourists never do.

“It’s a better way to see the island,” he says. “It forces you to slow down and gets you to the places people have forgotten.” Morning bike tours run $75 per person.

(787-692-9162; viequesadventures.com)

Vieques Biking Adventure

Better Travel Options from Beantown

JetBlue is already a major player in the Caribbean travel game, but the airline just announced a new plan to increase flights between its Logan International (BOS) hub and the Caribbean by 25 percent – a move that will make it the single largest carrier out of Boston.

Beginning May 3, 2010, travelers can take advantage of new weekly routes to Aruba; Cancun, Mexico; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Montego Bay, Jamaica – and the airline will also continue its regular daily service to Bermuda and Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

The decision comes right on the heels of US Airways' announcement to discontinue six of its eight current Caribbean routes next year, so the increased JetBlue schedule will help to pick up the slack in Caribbean flights – great news for the destinations in question and the island-hoppers wishing to visit them.

Check in with the JetBlue site for more information on the new routes and to book your trip.

Better Travel Options from Beantown

Two Days Left for Huge Savings at Starwood

Our e-newsletter subscribers are privy to a ton of free information each week, like destination features, contest announcements and exclusive deals just for our readers – and today's email blast about Starwood's latest offer is not to be missed. Through tomorrow, December 2, vacationers can book spring vacations and cash in on low rates like $159 per night at the Sheraton Old San Juan; $199 per night at the Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort; and $275 per night at the Westin Aruba.

The savings are valid on stays between January 1 and April 30, 2010 – but you have to book by December 2 at midnight to take advantage. Surf over to the special Starwood promotion page to check out all the places you can save, then sign up for our free weekly e-newsletter to enjoy more great deals like this one!

Two Days Left for Huge Savings at Starwood

Hilton Caribbean Resort Credits

Got Facebook? Then you've also got an extra $50 in your pocket on your next Hilton Caribbean vacation. For a limited time, the resort chain is offering resort credit vouchers to all of its Facebook fans, redeemable on two-night-minimum stays through January 31, 2010. Just surf over to the Hilton Caribbean fan page to download the voucher and start planning your trip to a participating property like the Hilton Barbados, San Juan's Caribe Hilton, the Hilton Curaçao, Jamaica's Rose Hall Resort and more. And don't forget to check out our own Facebook page – and Twitter too! – for travel news, deals, trip reports and exclusive contests you won't find anywhere else.

Hilton Caribbean Resort Credits

Fourth Night Free in San Juan

On my last trip to San Juan, I had the chance to stay at the newly renovated Conrad San Juan Condado Plaza. I loved the posh decor, the comfy rooms and the small stretch of beach right outside, but best of all was the hotel's central location – just outside of historic Old San Juan and within easy walking distance of all of the upscale shops and hot international restaurants that line Ashford Avenue.

For a limited time this Fall, the resort is offering a new Four For Free vacation package giving guests a fourth night free on any three night stay through December 19 – and even better, rooms start at just $139 per night double occupancy. Just log on to the Conrad site to book your stay, then sign up for our weekly e-newsletter packed with other great travel specials like this one.

Fourth Night Free in San Juan

Affordable Caribbean

Speaking of Puerto Rico, if you missed the latest episode of Affordable Caribbean, you can still tune in to the Travel Channel for replays of the show on October 4 and 11 at 5 AM. But if you're like me and haven't been conscious at that hour since college, you can still watch free webisodes on the Affordable Caribbean site - caribbeantravelmag.com/affordablecaribbean - like this clip of Puerto Rico's sister islands and beaches...



And stay tuned for our next episode on the British Virgin Islands later this month!

Affordable Caribbean

Coming to a Screensaver Near You

Our intrepid staff photographer Zach just returned from an 8-day jaunt between Puerto Rico's sister islands of Vieques and Culebra, and as usual he's gone out of his way to rub it in by flaunting his gorgeous photos around the office all week. He swears it's all work and no play out there on his shoots, but let's be honest...there isn't a cubicle or conference table to be seen for miles in this photo of Vieques' pristine Playa La Chiva. I'm not buying it, Zach.

But on the bright side, we have a ton of great new desktop wallpapers and photo galleries coming your way now – all thanks to the blood, sweat and tears of one man and his trusty camera. Stay tuned to the home page as we post all of these photos and more over the next few days. And don't forget to share your own Caribbean travel photos in our Facebook Fan Gallery.

Coming to a Screensaver Near You

Best Caribbean Beach Towns

I just finished posting a feature - The Caribbean's Coolest Beach Towns - from the October issue to the site this afternoon, and it got me thinking that I've only been to two of our top picks myself: Cabarete, Dominican Republic and Negril, Jamaica. What about you...do you agree with our choices (also including Placencia, Belize and Rincón, Puerto Rico), or do you have another great Caribbean beach town in mind? Leave us a comment and let us know your favorite outposts in the Caribbean. As for me, I don't want to be left in the dark when it comes to the best beach towns, so it looks like I have some new trips to start planning...

Best Caribbean Beach Towns

Affordable Puerto Rico

Missed the latest episode of Affordable Caribbean this weekend? Check out this webisode from Saturday's installment - Affordable Puerto Rico - then surf over to the official web site to watch even more clips from the show...

Affordable Puerto Rico

Last Minute Summer Steals

Summer may be winding down, but resorts around the Caribbean are still offering low-season rates as well as unbelievable vacation stimulus packages and perks, so now is the perfect time to plan an affordable last-minute escape. Here are a couple hot deals that caught our attention this week...

ANGUILLA

Through August 31, the five-star CuisinArt Resort & Spa is offering bonus incentives with their already discounted Smart Summer Stay package. Book three nights and get a fourth night free, or book five nights and get two nights free, plus you'll get an automatic room upgrade and a complimentary 50-minute spa treatment at the new Venus Spa. Rates this summer are lower than ever, with rooms starting as low as $285 per night - a savings of almost 65 percent.

ST. KITTS

With the St. Kitt's Marriott's Family Summer Fun package you'll get two connecting rooms, complimentary daily breakfast for two adults and two kids under 12, unlimited use of the Kid's Club, and a family lunch at the Bohemia Beach Pool Bar & Grill, all for just $239 per night - a rate that includes both rooms. Book your minimum three-night stay and travel by September 7 to take advantage of the savings.

BELIZE

With Ka'ana Boutique Resort's August Adventures package you'll get a free half-day tour for every single night of your three-night-minimum stay. Rates at the eco resort start at $250 per night, and excursions include cave tours, zip-lining excursions, trips to Maya ruins and horseback rides. Just book and travel by August 31 to enjoy all the action.

PUERTO RICO

The San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino is offering a new Buy Two, Get Two package that gives you a 50-percent savings on four-night-minimum stays. You'll get deluxe accommodations and have access to the casino, spa, beach and six on-site restaurants starting at $189 per night. You'll need to book by August 31 using promotion code P51 - but you'll have till December 20 to travel.

Last Minute Summer Steals

All You Can Jet - Unlimited Caribbean Travel

In other JetBlue news, the airline just announced an unbelievable promotion for Fall...through August 21, travelers can purchase an All-You-Can-Jet Pass for $599 and enjoy unlimited travel between September 8 and October 8. You can use the pass as often as you like during that time, and it's valid anywhere JetBlue flies - a total of 57 hubs including Aruba, the Bahamas, Barbados, Jamaica, Mexico, Puerto Rico, St. Lucia and St. Maarten.





When traveling internationally the $599 price tag is exclusive of taxes and government fees, which vary by destination, but many Caribbean round-trip flights run close to that promotional price anyway, so the pass could offer huge savings to frequent Caribbean travelers and island hoppers.

Just log on to the JetBlue web site for more information and to purchase your pass.

All You Can Jet - Unlimited Caribbean Travel

Huge Summer Savings at Hilton Caribbean Properties

Hilton just announced a new Summer Escapes promotion for its four resorts in Puerto Rico, so here's your chance to enjoy a Caribbean getaway for as little as $139 per night. The deal also includes your fourth night free, plus discounts and resort credits valued at nearly $400 per stay. The properties include the Caribe Hilton San Juan, the Conrad San Juan Condado Plaza, El San Juan Hotel & Casino and El Conquistador Resort & Spa - the latter two of which are part of the ritzy Waldorf Astoria Collection.

I spent a week in Puerto Rico recently and had the chance to stay in the newly renovated Conrad Condado Plaza (pictured), and I was definitely impressed with the rooms and great beachfront location - a cool bonus for such an urban hotel. And I'll just be honest, the mod lobby bar isn't bad either!

Ready to book your trip? Just make your reservation by July 15 and you can cash in on even more savings with a free-night certificate good toward a future stay.

Huge Summer Savings at Hilton Caribbean Properties

The Best Part of Waking Up...

...is a little Hacienda el Jibarito dark roast in your cup. At least that's what I discovered last week in Puerto Rico. Heading west from my home base in San Juan, I had a chance to settle in for a night at the eco-friendly hacienda tucked quietly in the mountains of San Sebastian - and like any true caffeine addict, I was thrilled to find that the property grows, hand-picks and roasts its own coffee beans.

My first taste of the goods came after dinner while I munched on a few desserts (yes, a few...those of you who follow our blog know that we have a staff full of certified foodies), and the rich café con leche definitely did not disappoint. It was actually one of the better cups of coffee I could remember having in all of my travels, though I first thought maybe that was just the yummy accompanying flan talking. But the next morning, I had the chance to throw on a handsome rubber-glove-and-hair-net ensemble and actually package and sample my own fresh-ground coffee in the Hacienda's on-site Casa Café - and tasting that sweet brew again confirmed my suspicions: theirs is some seriously delicious coffee.

While I'm partial to those yummy little beans, there are other reasons to check out the property too. The expansive, hilltop compound has 19 rooms and private cabins perfect for nature lovers, and in addition to two pools, an on-site restaurant and tiki bar, the Hacienda also has nature trails and private waterfalls just begging to be explored. At just 90 minutes from San Juan or 40 minutes from the surfie mecca of Rincón, it's an easy day trip from anywhere on the island. But with weekday rates starting at just $65 per night double occupancy - including continental breakfast - it's definitely worth an overnight stay as well.

If you ask nicely, they may even let you try on one of these cool hair nets yourself. You know you want to.

The Best Part of Waking Up...

Choice Rewards

At Caribbean Travel + Life, we love to uncover the hidden gems of each destination - particularly unique, boutique and authentically Caribbean places to stay. We highlight these Rare Finds in most issues, and we reveal many of our other favorites in features and blogs throughout the year.

But we also know that when travel budgets are tight, it's great to have a few chain hotel brands to throw in the mix as well. And one brand that does mid-priced lodging right is Choice Hotels, with budget-friendly properties scattered throughout the Caribbean in the Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Curaçao, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and the Turks & Caicos.

Through August 13, guests who visit select Choice properties – including the brands Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality Inn, Sleep Inn, Clarion and more – can sign up to receive Choice Privileges points for their stay. For every third qualifying stay, guests will have earned enough of these points for a prepaid $50 cash card with no strings attached – and there's no limit to how many of the cards you can earn. That's all in addition to their affordable summer rates and other incentives like an airline mileage rewards program and free-nights promotions.

Just log on to the Choice Hotels web site to check out their vacation packages and to sign up for the rewards program. Then book online or by calling 800-4-CHOICE.

Choice Rewards

Bélè Beats

When I hit an island, the first thing I do is ditch the iPod and channel surf past the island talk radio for the good stuff - local tunes. I'm from Louisiana, and I learned from an early age that music isn't just something that makes you dance. It's part of the culture. It's a way to experience yet another level; to connect. Whether it's in an off-the-beaten-track Belizean village or the welcome terminal of the San Juan airport, I'm not satisfied until I've had my fix.

I landed on Martinique just in time for their Emancipation Day festivities. That's where I first heard Bélè, a mix of traditional drumming and singing from the era of slavery, which eventually evolved into zouk. The drums, called ta mbou in Creole, are handmade like a rum barrel, with wooden slats shaped by metal rings and fired from the inside. We watched Bwa Mabi perform a few cadences in the Slave Savannah heritage village, led by Max Telephe (the one standing). He's kind of a big deal - a local celebrity for his singing, acting and musical instrumentation.

In their cadences, Max sang in the traditional call-and-response style. In other words, he called, and the rest of the band repeated. Simple, but rhythmic. He also played the flute and shaker, and another member played ti bois, the bamboo drum. They were fascinating to watch.

The accompanying dance (bottom), also called Bélè, is a form of quadrille, where four couples dance in a square formation. It got pretty raunchy (if you've ever been in a late night club in the Caribbean, you know what I'm talking about). Let's just say I'm still blushing. Apparently that's not a new invention from the whippersnappers. Now that I've seen the dance, felt the beat and heard the lyrics, I know Martinique a little better (maybe even intimately).

Bélè Beats

Salud!

Last weekend I had the pleasure of visiting San Juan for the second annual Saborea Puerto Rico food festival, and after a full day of gorging on a mouthwatering assortment of local specialties, you’d think I wouldn’t have room to sample the city’s beverages, too. But you’d be wrong.

On Sunday, our group of roving reporters went sightseeing in Old San Juan, then descended upon Aguaviva, a chic Latino Seafood restaurant, for a late lunch. We gathered at the bar, where bartender Antonio welcomed us with the house specialty, a light and refreshing watermelon sangria, that drew rave reviews from our thirsty throng and awakened our appetite for the amazing truffle tuna ceviche that followed.

Antonio was kind enough to give me his recipe, and I’m paying the favor forward by sharing it with you, too...

Aguaviva’s Watermelon Sangria

- 1 bottle Reisling wine
- pulp of half a large watermelon
- 3 ounces brandy
- 3 ounces triple sec
- 1 can Sprite
- 1 orange, sliced into rounds

Combine all ingredients in a large pitcher with ice. Pour into a tall glass and garnish with a watermelon wedge or orange slice. Enjoy.

And if you’re looking for more of our favorite tropical drink recipes, just click here.

Salud!