Retail Refund

Good news for travelers who plan to drop some dinero in Cancun: under the destination's new Tax Back program, shoppers will be refunded the 10-percent value-added tax paid on cash purchases between 1,200 and 3,000 pesos (roughly $90 and $225) and on credit card purchases of any amount over 1,200 pesos.

Just ask for a receipt in participating stores (look for the orange sticker in the window), and on your way out present it at the Tax Back desk in Terminal 2 or 3. Depending on the amount, tax will be refunded in a combo of cash and a credit to your plastic or reimbursed entirely to your credit card. Big spenders should note that items that cost more than 5,000 pesos (about $370) must be presented for inspection.

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.

Editors Inflight

It's the first day of February, the Caribbean's high season is in full swing, and CT+L 's editors are getting ready to jet off to the region's balmy shores. At this point were not sure exactly where our assignments will take us – although our intrepid photographer Zach Stovall is already happily snapping his way around St. Croix – but we sure do know where we'd like to go in 2010.

Editor at Large Dave Herndon picks St John. "I'm dying to find out what all the love is about," he says of the idyllic US Virgin that attracts a back-to-nature bohemian crowd. (One of our favorite writers even considered packing up and moving to the USVI. Check out her story here.)

Online Editor Reagan Johnson just got back from Barbuda (above right), but she's already got her eye on The Grenadines. "I love sailing and I've always wanted to island-hop around the chain, checking out Bequia, Carraicou, Young Island and some of the smaller islets and cays," says our webby wonder woman. "Moonsplash on Anguilla is a close second, though!"

Managing Editor Becky Strauss has Bonaire on the brain. "I've been certified for 13 years now, and I'm desperate to check out one of the world's premiere diving destinations," she says. (If going deep also tops your to-do list, check out Provo, too.)

Executive Editor Matt Phenix is prepping for 4x4 safari through Belize later this month (read all about it in our upcoming May issue) and will put his driving skills to work again later in the year as he tours Barbados (left) by Mini moke for an upcoming feature.

As for me: Like Reagan, I'm hoping to set sail on my maiden voyage to The Grenadines, and I'm curious about the French Caribbean, particularly Martinique and Guadeloupe. It'd be a great opportunity to see somewhere new and to brush up on my Francais. Of course, I'm always up for a trip back to my beloved Jamaica, and I'm excited about the ever-increasing lineup of luxury hotels along Mexico's Riviera Maya (We'll be featuring one of the best in our annual all-inclusive feature, coming up in April).

Now over to you: Which destinations are on your Caribbean wish-list this year?

Divers Do It ... In Concrete

Longtime CT+L readers will remember my November 2007 feature on British dive instructor and artist Jason de Caires Taylor, whose compelling concrete figures were submerged in the water off Grenada's west coast to form an underwater sculpture "garden" for divers and snorkelers.

Late last year, Taylor completed the first four pieces for his newest submarine installation, this time located off the coast of Cancun. Over time, the ph-neutral concrete pieces should attract algae and marine life – and snorkelers and divers in their wake – easing environmental pressure on the ecosystem and coral reef, which has been compromised by hurricanes and heavy human traffic.



The figures are the first attractions in what Taylor plans to be the largest underwater art museum in the world, with more than 400 life-sized figures for visitors' gawking pleasure. For more information about Taylor's projects or to buy limited-edition prints of his haunting work, just click here.

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?

Fourth Night Free in the Riviera Maya

The Deal: Book a three-night stay at select AQUA (pictured), Fiesta Americana and Fiesta Americana Grand resorts in Mexico this winter and get your fourth night free – or book six nights and get two free – plus, you'll save an additional 10 to 25 percent on dining and spa services during your stay.

Why We Love It: With upscale properties in Cancun, Cozumel, Puerto Vallarta, and Los Cabos, you'll have your choice of Mexican beach destinations – and saving 25 percent on room rates can be a substantial savings in high season.

How to Book It: You can book your stay through February 2, and travel between January 3 and April 10, 2010. Just log on to fiestaamericana.com/warmerwinter or call 800-FIESTA-1 to reserve your room.

Guest Blog: Cancun Celebrity Golf Invitational

Don't get me wrong. We CT+L editors would love to be in the islands all the time. But of course, duty calls back here in the office sometimes, so we can't always make it to cover certain Caribbean festivals and events ourselves – like this year's Cancun Celebrity Golf Invitational. Luckily, freelance travel writer Craig Zabransky, frequent contributor to Cheapflights.com and featured guest on Fox & Friends and Sirius radio, was on the ground covering the event, and he provided this special guest blog just for CT+L. Take it away, Craig...

Mexico. Many remain cautious, and some tourists still seem hesitant to travel to its beautiful beaches, experience its colorful culture and enjoy its “mañana” mantra. But just this last weekend, Dec 3-6, over twenty world-recognizable athletes, actors, and Olympic champions traveled to Mexico’s Caribbean coast to join amateur golfers for four days in the sun.
Known best for its resorts, clear blue water and nightlife, the Riviera Maya is also home to some of the best golf courses in Mexico, and it was the perfect setting for the first annual Cancun Celebrity Golf Invitational, an event that essentially (and unofficially) reopened tourism to one of Mexico’s most important travel destinations.

The event selected Los Playa Mujeres Golf Course to host both the Friday skins game and the main Pro-Am on Saturday.  The challenging links course, designed by Greg Norman, proved difficult at times, but the hospitality and camaraderie established in the foursomes created a festive atmosphere.

I camped out on the par three 11th hole. There I watched as each foursome (comprised of one celebrity and three amateurs) designated one player to hit for the official 197-yard “hole in one.” The prize: A $450,000 condo in Cancun. A difficult shot. Most foursomes selected the celebrity guest to take the chance and actually Bob Beamon, the US Olympic Gold Medal Long jumper from the ’68 Mexico City games gave it the best ride. But, no condo. In fact, only one participant (an amateur) came close. He left it just six feet from the hole.

The Hacienda TresRios opened its doors to host the celebrities and all of the invitational’s related events. A pioneer on the Riviera Maya, the resort and spa has earned numerous environmental and sustainable awards including the Green Global Certification. Constructed on land that was once a national park altered by Hurricane Wilma in 2005, the recently opened luxury Hacienda did not forget its roots. Today, guests can snorkel, kayak or even just learn about the resort's three rivers, ten Cenotes and diverse ecosystem.

Each night, the all-inclusive provided an idyllic setting for the event's many cocktail receptions, the Texas Hold’em tournament, and the final awards dinner. All elegant. All enjoyable.

Now, after the successful tournament (which had an impressive list of celebrities in attendance including actor Chris Tucker, NFL Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson, Olympic Gold Medalist Dan Jansen, and the tournament champion Darryl Talley among others), I expect the event to grow.  Next year’s 2nd annual tournament might just be that special weekend to circle on your calendar and head to the Caribbean coast of Mexico. – Craig Zabransky

To read more from Craig, you can follow him on Twitter: @StayAdventurous – and don't forget to follow us too (@CaribTravelLife) for travel deals, contest announcements and more!

High Season Mexico at Low Season Rates

The Deal: Book a January vacation at the adults-only Catalonia Royal Tulum Beach & Spa Resort this month and you'll get low season rates starting at $286 per night double occupancy – a savings of 30 percent – including all meals and drinks.

Why We Love It: You and your sweetheart can enjoy the Riviera Maya for a lot less this winter and take advantage of all of the resort's amenities – like complimentary scuba lessons – for free. And it's tough to beat nightly all-inclusive rates around $140 per person in high season.

How to Book It: Log on to www.cataloniacaribbean.com and book by November 30.

Rolling Out the Welcome Wagon

Check into any hotel and it’s the norm to find complimentary toiletries, bottled water, or maybe a fruit plate or bottle of bubbly waiting for you.

One of the more unexpected guest amenities I’ve ever received was a bottle of premium tequila, given to me during a stay the super-luxe Grand Velas Resort on Mexico’s Riviera Maya. And when our ed in chief Dave Herndon landed at Anguilla’s plush Cuisinart Resort, a bowl of hydroponically grown cherry tomatoes awaited in his suite.

So tell us, dear travelers, what’s the most unusual – or most appreciated – guest amenity you’ve ever received at a Caribbean hotel?

Spooky Halloween Cocktails from Mexico

Despite the fact that it's consistently 90 degrees here at Caribbean Travel + Life's home base in Orlando, I'm told that it's actually late October and that Halloween is, in fact, approaching fast. Hard for some of us to believe – but whatever the weather you're facing this month, I think we could all use a yummy island cocktail recipe to get in the spirit! And who better to concoct a spooky spritzer than the folks over in the Riviera Maya, home to the annual Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration? I say we all mix up a couple of these tasty cocktails, courtesy of Grand Velas Riviera Maya, and let's get this Halloween party started!


Bloody Champagne

• 4 ounces Champagne Brut
• 1 ounce Néctar de Fresa
• 1 ounce Néctar de Frambuesa
• 1 ounce Sprite

Mix together and serve in a champagne glass. 

Cemetery

• 2 ounces vodka
• 1 ounce Kahlua
• 4 ounces Coca Cola
• 1 ounce Fresa

Mix together and serve in a martini glass.

Caribbean Escapes to Crave

I just posted the November 2009 feature "Your Heart's Desire" to our Scribd page, and man...what a way to spend a Monday afternoon: gazing at Tulum's picture perfect beaches, drooling over spa treatments at chic resorts on Anguilla and the BVI, and daydreaming of retreats à deux in the Turks & Caicos. It's amazing I can even stay focused long enough to post this blog.

To see what I mean, check out the full feature on Scribd – then let me know: when it comes to Caribbean vacations, what's your heart's desire?

 

Your Heart's Desire: 16 Caribbean Escapes to Crave

Half Off at Mexico's Banyan Tree Mayakoba

The Deal: Book the resort's Limited Online Special for three nights or more and save 50 percent on Garden Pool Villa rates that normally run $655 – you pay only $328 per villa per night, including daily breakfast for two at Oriente, and one complimentary 90-minute spa treatment per room.

Why We Love It: Among the Riviera Maya's newest resorts, Banyan Tree Mayakoba is also one of the region's most luxurious properties. Just ask our photo editor Zach, who had the chance to laze around his villa's private plunge pool this summer...he's been bragging about it ever since. The resort also boasts the upscale Banyan Tree Spa and the Greg Norman-designed El Camaléon golf course – one of our own Featured Golf properties.

How to Book It: Email www.banyantree.com/en/mayakoba and book your three-night-minimum stay by December 18, 2009.

Tweet Your Way to Savings in the Caribbean

Marriott is serving up a month of freebies with their interactive Trick or Tweet promotion. Just follow them on Twitter – @MarriottResorts – and each day through the end of the month, they'll announce a new surprise, like complimentary cooking classes, resort credits, room upgrades, and even free nights at Marriott and Renaissance properties around the Caribbean and in Mexico. Once you see the tweets, you'll be able to download vouchers for each days' offer for up to 24 hours.

And don't forget to follow CT+L our own Twitter page – @CaribTravelLife – for more great ways to save money around the Caribbean, from exclusive travel deals to contest announcements that just might send you on your next vacation for free.

JetBlue "Bikini Sale" for the Caribbean

More big news from our favorite low-fare carrier JetBlue, which just announced a "Bikini Sale" this month. From what I can tell, they aren't selling those itsy bitsy teenie weenie bathing suits we love to hate, but the idea of the promotion is to keep you lounging on those gorgeous Caribbean beaches for a lot longer this year. Just book your trip by August 26 and you can take advantage of fares starting at just $29 each way when traveling from September 8 to November 18...

Between Fort Lauderdale and Nassau - $29
Between Orlando and Nassau - $49
Between Orlando and Cancun - $59

The promotion also includes U. S. hubs in New York and Boston, and Caribbean stops include Aruba, St. Maarten, Barbados and more. Actual bikinis are optional.

Gotta Have It

When I’m on assignment, it’s my enviable task to check out chic restaurants, beachfront resorts and luxurious spas. (I know, it’s a tough life). But on a personal level, there’s nothing I enjoy more than shopping, and as our staff shutterbug (and my frequent sidekick) Zach can attest, no matter where my work travels take me, I always find time to ferret out a funky boutique or craft store where I can snag a unique memento of the trip.

Mexico, it turns out, is a treasure trove of souvenirs. Most recently, I brought home this enchanting handcarved blue-eyed angel, courtesy of tiny beachfront Tulum craft store called Mixik. I’d seen larger versions used as decorative accents in hotels on previous trips, so I was excited to bag one of my own, which now watches over me from its perch on the wall opposite my bed.

On my first trip to Playa, I fell in love with Fifth Avenue and came away with this piece of folk art made from a lottery card, which brightened up my dreary cube quite nicely.

And if I’d had somewhere to put it, I definitely would have bagged one of these charming Jellyfish lamps, made from gourds, colored marbles and shells. You’ll find lower priced copycats all along the Riviera Maya but trust me, it’s worth spending a few extra bucks to get the real deal (look for the Jellyfish tag) from the company’s two Playa stores.

Perhaps my funkiest purchase was this pair of sassy scarlet cowboy boots, courtesy of Rogers Boots in the departure lounge at Cancun airport. The moment I spotted them across the crowded terminal it was love at first sight. They were a total impulse purchase and they weren’t cheap, but they fit like a glove and every time I wear them I remember Mexico ­– and feel like a million bucks.

So if you’re going to Mexico any time soon, PLEASE back away from those obnoxiously oversized sombreros, and instead keep your eyes peeled for something unique and authentic that you won’t be embarrassed to wear or display once you get home. In Mexico ­– and all over the Caribbean – there’s a bounty of handcrafted souvenirs that truly merit space in your carry-on. What's your favorite Caribbean souvenir?

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.

Best Fish Tacos Ever

From the second I set foot in Tulum I knew I'd be back. It's a total beach town, just the way you think a beach town should be - lazy, funky, not touristy or overbuilt, with friendly locals and an amazing beach. The kind of beach with sand like flour and so few people that you could land a plane on it. But what really completed the package was the fish tacos at Zamas (left), a rustic little hotel along the Tulum strip.

Senior Editor, Sarah Greaves Gabbadon and I heard they were good. Good doesn't cut it. They were incredible. I could've eaten them every day three times a day. Fresh local fish, perfectly spiced with authentic Mexican guacamole, and a splash of lime juice. All of it running down my arm as I shoved them in my face. Then there was the chelada (lime juice and beer) made with Mexican Sol cerveza, and, of course, an unobstructed view of the beach. I can't recall having a better lunch. Wow, I'm hungry.

A Secret Worth Telling

A couple of weeks ago I spent a long weekend at Secrets Maroma Beach on Mexico’s Riviera Maya, and enjoyed an enchanted couple of hours chillaxing in their spa. Cossetted in a plush robe, I sipped herbal tea in the relaxation lounge; frolicked like a 9-year-old beneath the water jets in the hydrotherapy pool; and blissed out under the muscle-melting ministrations of my therapist during the Moon and Stars massage. Ahh … good times.

Now, to celebrate the opening of their brand new Pevonia spa, guests staying in a deluxe room at Maroma’s sister all-inclusive resort Secrets Capri Riviera Cancun can sample as many as four spa treatments per person per day absolutely free until December 23. Complimentary treatments run 25 minutes each, must be booked in advance with the concierge, and exclude facials, manis and pedis. Almost two hours of spa time a day for FREE? You can't beat that with a stick.

For more information about the Unlimited Spa Package – which starts at $220 all-inclusive per person per night, double occupancy – go to www.secretsresorts.com.

My Life in Ruins

You know how sometimes you dream about going somewhere and then when you finally visit it doesn’t look half as beautiful as it did in all the photos? Tulum is definitely not one of those places.

As I found out much to my delight on my maiden journey there last week, photos you’ve seen of the seemingly endless stretches of bone-white sand and post-card perfect turquoise waters hardly do it justice. Tulum is even more enchanting in the flesh, and nowhere is this more evident than at the Mayan ruins in the off-the-grid Mexican oasis.


It was a blustery and rainy day when staff photographer Zach and I joined the throng of day-trippers traipsing the dirt road towards the centuries-old site, but when we finally reached the ruins’ famous cliffside Castillo it was every bit as stunning as it appears in photos, even in less-than-perfect weather. The ruins themselves are totally awe-inspiring (beats me how they built those complex structures entirely by hand) and as for the beach … well, put it this way: once I caught sight of it, I charged down the wooden staircase and plunged straight into the surf, even though I didn’t have a towel or change of clothes.


Despite my amateur photo-taking skills, I think you can appreciate the raw beauty of the scene. Trust me; as I sit here in the throes of yet another sticky South Florida summer, I’m seriously contemplating booking the next flight back.

In Search of the Perfect Margarita

Is it too much to ask for a good margarita... IN MEXICO?? Sure, the cocktail was supposedly invented in or near the country and is probably the most-ordered drink in these parts after good old cerveza. So why, in our journey up and down the Riviera Maya, have Sarah and I encountered so many ill-fated attempts?

We can't answer that, but we can tell you that Grand Velas' Frida restaurant (just outside Playa del Carmen) does it right. Not only did we have margaritas made to perfection (in guava, mango, cucumber, and traditional lime flavors), but they even wheeled a mini bar to our table and prepared them right in front of our watering mouths. Sarah wasn't up to the challenge of sampling all four (she can't hang), but she took a liking to the chili-salt rimmed glass that's a specialty of the house. It's a must-try.

We've moved on to Tulum, and after a long day of "information gathering," we're sorry to report we haven't yet found a margarita that can compete. We have a couple more days in Mexico, so lend us a hand. Where can we find an excelente margarita?

Sincerely,

Stumped South of the Border