New Caribbean Adventures & Visitor Experiences

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Article written by Theresa Storm.

What’s new on the Caribbean islands this year for you to do? Here’s what three destinations have to offer.

Sky bound in Dominica – an Aerial Adventure

Soaring above the rainforest to Dominica’s iconic Boiling Lake — a journey that once took six hours by foot now takes just 20 minutes by cable car. Photo courtesy of the Dominica Tourism Authority.

Later this year or early next year, Dominica will open the world’s longest detachable mono cable gondola. Running 6.6 kilometers above the Roseau Valley’s primordial rainforest, the Dominica Cable Car is one of the Caribbean’s most ambitious tourism infrastructure projects.

In just 22 minutes, the cable car will whisk visitors to the isle’s legendary Boiling Lake — the world’s second-largest — replacing, for most, a strenuous six-to eight-hour round-trip hike.

It will reach a peak elevation of 930 meters, passing over a river gorge, the Suspension Bridge, the twin Trafalgar Falls and the Valley of Desolation in Morne Trois Pitons National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This otherworldly volcanic geothermal zone is pocked with bubbling fumaroles and mud pools, steaming sulphur vents and hot water streams.

The Top Station will afford panoramic views of Dominica’s mountainous interior, while viewing platforms will safely get visitors close to the Boiling Lake and surrounding geothermal landscapes.

The cable car is expected to open towards year end, following the completion of construction, testing and commissioning.

Outdoor Playground + City Culture – Curaçao

Mud, motors, and island exploration — UTV buggy touring at its best. Photo courtesy of the Curaçao Tourism Board.

Blue Finn Charters has unveiled three land tours to show you the top sights of Curaçao.

1. All West Beach Hopping Jeep Trip

In an open safari Jeep, enjoy the breeze as your driver/guide whisks you on a six-hour tour of Banda Abou, the natural, rural and less-developed western region. Stops are made at three stunning beaches where your driver/guide will share highlights, snorkeling tips, and fun details about the spot. Then you’ll have time to swim, snorkel, sunbathe, or relax (about 75 minutes is spent at each):

Grote Knip – Curaçao’s most photographed beach, famous for its viewpoint. The snorkeling is especially beautiful along the rocks, where sea creatures like to hide.

Daaibooi – Snorkel along the right side of the bay in a quest for sea turtles. There’s a cozy beach bar where, if you listen closely, you’ll hear the cheerful chirping of bananaquit birds (known locally as Barika Hèl, meaning yellow belly) enjoying the feeders.

Kokomo Beach – Crystal-clear water, soft sand, a floating dock and a picture- perfect swing into the sea is the perfect way to end the day.

2. Eastern or Western UTV Buggy Tour

Jump behind the driver’s wheel for an adrenaline-fuelled off-road journey through spectacular landscapes. The Eastern UTV Route reveals the untamed east coast’s towering cliffs, crashing waves and hidden natural wonders, while the Western UTV Route highlights wild plains, scenic coastal views and refreshing swimming stops.

3. Punda Vibes City Tour

Blue Finn’s new four-hour guided night walking tour of the capital dives deep into the architecture and local pulse of Willemstad’s historic Otrobanda and Punda districts, capped by fireworks.

Pink Trolley Tours

Another guided city tour option is the Trolley Train City Centre by Curaçao Tours. They operate two Pink Trolley Trains: a brand-new, modern trolley and a classic trolley. The pink trolleys wind leisurely through downtown Willemstad, tailored to travelers looking to capture the capital’s most Instagrammable heritage sites.

Cocoa Indulgence in Martinique

Martinique’s chocolate story starts here — cacao fresh from Valcaco. Photo courtesy of La Maison Du Cacao de Martinique.

On March 28, La Maison du Cacao de Martinique (the Cocoa House of Martinique) by VALCACO — the Association of Cocoa Producers of Martinique — opened in Lorraine to highlight Martinique’s cocoa sector of excellence.

In the 17th century, the island grew 5.44 tonnes of cocoa annually for the international market, but was gradually unable to compete with newer producing countries. In 2010, Martinique relaunched the cocoa sector and today is once again a cocoa-producing country.

Open daily, visitors on guided or self-guided tours of the museum will learn about growing cocoa and the island’s micro-terroirs, as well as cocoa processing steps, from the pod to the chocolate bar. You will also discover what other products are made from cocoa (think beauty products and beer).

At times, educational workshops and tastings are offered. There is also a shop. Guided tours (in French) are 9:30 a.m. to noon and 2 to 4 p.m.

Article by Theresa Storm.

A four-month-long solo island-hopping adventure through the Caribbean 28 years ago ignited Theresa’s passion for the tropics, culture, nature and trying new adventures.

Back home in Calgary, her increasingly restless, itchy feet soon led to a career writing about travel worldwide.  She loves escaping winter for warmer climes, especially to the Caribbean, which has long felt like her real home.

As an award-winning travel writer and photographer, she’s penned scores of articles for magazines, newspapers and e-zines, and contributed to books including Caribbean Escapes and the first edition of DK Eyewitness Caribbean.

Her articles and photographs have been published in magazines including Bon Vivant, Extraordinary Experiences and Vacations (Ensemble Travel Group), Wanderlust (U.K.), Avenue Calgary, WestJet (WestJet Airline’s in-flight), Morning Calm (Korean Air’s in-flight), LUXE Magazine Canada, AAA publications, Cruise & Travel Lifestyles, Dreamscapes and Today’s Parent.

She is a two-time winner of the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s Canadian Travel Writer of the Year award and twice won CTO’s best photograph with a feature article and best online feature.  She also was honored with the Travel Media Association of Canada’s excellence in Caribbean travel writing award.