CARB

Mother Nature was especially gracious when she created the ‘Nature Island’ of Dominica. Life here is less about pool parties and more about throwing yourself into an eco-adventure at one of the island’s many natural attractions, like its Boiling Lake or Champagne Reef. Sitting on Prince Rupert Bay, Portsmouth is the island’s second-largest town and a great base for visiting Cabrits National Park or Indian River.

Outside Costa Rica’s capital of San José lies the port town of Puerto Caldera, which serves as the home base for travelers looking to venture into the lush wildlife the country is known for. Gateway to the province of Puntarenas, the port is a short distance away from several national parks, like Carara National Park, a biological reserve with over 400 species of birds, the Tarcoles River and the Poas Volcano.

In the northern part of Costa Rica’s Puntarenas province on the central Pacific coast lies the small booming harbor town of Quepos. With a variety of outdoor adventure and nightlife, the village center composes six blocks of restaurants, bars, art galleries and gift shops all resting beside the main beach and sport fishing fleet. With one of the prettiest and most impressive marinas in Costa Rica, Quepos is known to many as one of the best places in the world for big-game sport fishing.

A gateway to the eastern Tropical Pacific, Marina Papagayo is a year-round yachter’s paradise in the Costa Rican province of Guanacaste. Palm-lined beaches and rocky bays define the coast of this water sports and recreation haven. Relax on white sandy beaches or ride on horseback along the black sand beneath the cliffs at Playa Ocotal. Enjoy a boat ride to the wetlands in Palo Verde and visit the old wooden Hacienda El Viejo. This family-owned estate offers a variety of activities from a cultural tour to a rum-m

Costa Rica’s southernmost port town of Golfito is often referred to as the last frontier, and its only city situated within a declared protection area. In a remote and secluded region of the country, it’s an escape from the hustle and bustle of the more popular tourist-filled destinations.

The volcanic island of St. Vincent offers a diverse array of natural wonders. Waterfalls cascade down cliffs into tranquil pools surrounded by lush green interior. Botanical gardens reveal the island’s history and natural beauty. Hike the Vermont Nature Trail in search of the rare St. Vincent parrot, or head to remote Wallilabou Bay, where scenes from the movie Pirates of the Caribbean were filmed. Hop the ferry to the nearby yachting paradise of Bequia and relax on the golden sands of Princess Margaret Beach, or stay on St.

Long expanses of golden sand lining crystalline waters welcome visitors to this coastal Caribbean town on Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. Just offshore from the pristine beaches, colorful coral teems with tropical fish at Banco Chinchorro, a biosphere reserve with a number of shipwreck sites that attract snorkelers and divers alike. Equally enticing is the abundance of ancient Mayan ruins found just inland from Costa Maya.

Utila is the kind of Caribbean paradise where you may run into quite a few people who came here on vacation a couple of years ago and then never left. Surrender to the relaxed pace of the tiny island on the town’s white sand beaches, and sip cocktails at one of the beachfront restaurants. The pristine waters around Utila are the main draw, and there are plenty of dive shops that will help you see the vibrant coral reefs.

Puerto Plata may be best known for its over 100 kilometers of beaches. Playa Dorada, named for its golden sands, invites you to relax beside turquoise water, Cabarete beckons kite surfers and windsurfers alike, and Sosua Beach is the perfect place for snorkelers, with its crystal-clear waters and rich submarine ecosystem. More adventures can be found inland by taking the teleférico, or cable car, to the top of Mount Isabel de Torres for breathtaking views over the lush landscape that descends to the sea.

The abundant coral reefs encircling Bermuda transform the water into myriad shades of vibrant blue and contribute to the pink sands for which the islands are renowned. Whether you choose the famous Horseshoe Bay on Bermuda’s south side or Elbow Beach closer to town, you can easily spend an entire day lounging on pristine sands and snorkeling in the aquamarine waters. For more cultural pursuits, explore the capital of Hamilton, where you can visit the Bermuda National Gallery, the Gothic-style Bermuda Cathedral and the nearby botanical gardens.