Destination Spotlight: Cozumel, Mexico

Cozumel is an island in the Caribbean Sea, off the easternmost coast of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula.  The distance between Cozumel & Riviera Maya is about 18 miles.  It's a popular cruise ship port of call, but you can also get there by flying directly into Cozumel or by flying into Cancun, taking transportation to Playa del Carmen, then taking a ferry to Cozumel.  Near hourly ferry rides to/from Playa del Carmen take about 30-45 minutes each way.  

Cozumel is known for it's crystal clear water, endless beaches, world famous coral reefs and spectacular sunsets.  Besides scuba diving, some of the top things to do on the island are visiting Stingray Beach, sailing on a catamaran, going on a mini submarine tour, going deep sea fishing or snorkeling.  I recommend renting a car and getting away from the touristy areas and really check out the beauty of the island.  The 185 square mile island is very safe and the economy is based entirely on tourism.  

The average temperature on the island is 69 to 91 degrees Farhenheit.  The dry season runs February to April.   It can be fairly wet, with brief rain showers the rest of the year.  However, the highest amount of rainfall typically occurs in September & October.  

If you plan to stay on the island, there are many different types of accommodations, including several family friendly and an adults-only all-inclusive resort. I can take care of all hotel and travel plans, allowing you to have a truly worry-free vacation.  If this sounds like something you're interested in, contact me for more information.

Destination Spotlight: Jamaica

Next up on my destination spotlight series is Jamaica.  Everything is "all right" on this island paradise and the theme of every vacation here is to relax to the max.  This beautiful Caribbean island is located south of Cuba and can be reached in just under 4 hours on a non-stop flight out of St. Louis.  It's the third largest and third most popular island in the Caribbean.  Locals here are English-speaking, although it may sound a little different to you and I.  They speak Patois (pronounced patwa), which is based on a combination of English, Spanish and French.

Jamaica has a tropical climate, with temperatures averaging between 73 to 89 degrees.  Their average temperatures are among the highest in the Caribbean and stay that way most of the year.  When is the best time to visit?  Here are some things to note...

• January-March: peak travel season, great weather, lowest chance of rainfall.
• April-June: can be a little rainy, crowds increase during spring break.
• July-October: flights & room rates are usually lowest, but it is located in the hurricane belt, so you will likely see lots of rain and even hurricanes during these months.  Decreased tourism and increased rain showers cause many key attractions & hotels to close.
• November-December: hurricane season has tapered off, great weather, crowds pick up during Christmas break.

Jamaica has three major tourist destination cities.  Montego Bay, Ocho Rios and Negril.  

Montego Bay is located on the northwestern coast of Jamaica.  It is the second largest city on the island and top resort destination.  It offers many upscale and all-inclusive resorts, as well as plenty of beaches, outdoor activities, dining and entertainment options.

Ocho Rios is located on the north-central coast of Jamaica.  It's particularly famous for it's waterfalls (600 foot high Dunn's River Falls) and amazing beaches.  You can also swim with dolphins at Dolphin's Cove, hike to the Blue Hole or go zip-lining or bobsledding at Mystic Mountain.

Negril is located on the western edge of Jamaica.  It is a resort town with a carefree, easygoing attitude.  Many beaches here are clothing optional and frequented by the party crowd.  You can walk on the white sands along Seven Mile Beach or go along the coastline to Rick's Cafe, where you can watch cliff divers and the amazing sunset.

Besides it being one of the best destination wedding and honeymoon spots, there are plenty of activities for everyone.  

While visiting Jamaica, you should also try the local cuisine.  Their national dish, Ackee & saltfish, is considered a must try.  There is also bammy, which is usually eaten at breakfast and tastes similar to cornbread.  The most popular Jamaican cuisine is their jerk chicken, pork, beef or conch.  

No matter where you visit in Jamaica, one thing is certain, relaxing and enjoying the beautiful beaches will be "no problem, mon".  

Destination Spotlight: Aruba

I'm really excited about spotlighting one of my favorite Caribbean islands, Aruba.  Aruba is near & dear to my heart because that is where my husband & I went for our honeymoon.  This Dutch Caribbean island is a perfect spot for many types of vacations.  Whether it's for a honeymoon, wedding, family vacation, couples getaway or a group of friends, this island has so many things that appeal to all types of travelers.  

Aruba is located in the southern Caribbean, just 9 miles north of Venezuela.  It's a small island at just 19 miles long and 6 miles across, making it so easy to navigate around and see the whole island while you're there.  Aruba is very safe and has the highest return visitor rate in the Caribbean.  The residents there mostly speak English, Dutch & Spanish.  There are plenty of various types of accommodations in Aruba, from all-inclusive resorts and high-rise hotels to private bungalows.  There is even a resort where guests have access to a private island that is home to a flamboyance of flamingos.

Their tagline is "One Happy Island", which could be because Aruba has more sunny days than any other Caribbean island. It's located just outside of the fringes of the hurricane belt, which means it sees very little rainfall.  On average, it receives only 16" of rain per year with the greatest likelihood of rain in October and November.  The average temperature year round is in the low 80's, with cooling trade winds which keep you comfortable all day long.  Aruba has the most beautiful white sand beaches made from crushed coral, so the sand never feels hot on your feet.  

If you're looking to do something other than relaxing on the beach, there are so many options on the island of Aruba.  It is known as the wreck diving capital of the Caribbean, with sunken ships from two WWII shipwrecks as well as sunken airplanes, all easily accessible for scuba divers.  The largest national park in the Caribbean, Arikok National Park, covers around 20% of the island.  There are plenty of opportunities for activities such as scuba diving, snorkeling, horseback riding, windsurfing & ATV riding all around the island.  I highly recommend renting a jeep for a day and exploring or going on a glass-bottom boat tour.

If this sounds like where you would like to plan your next vacation to, contact me and we'll get started planning your trip to paradise.  I'm confident that you will love it there just as much as I did.

A few grainy images from our honeymoon in Aruba...

Destination Spotlight: Cancun, Mexico

One of the most common questions I get from clients looking to book a vacation is "Where should we go?".  I thought it might be helpful to periodically spotlight different locations to help narrow down some options for your next vacation.  My hope is that you can learn more about these destinations and see if it is somewhere that might interest you... making planning your vacation a little easier.  With that said, the first destination that I thought I would highlight is one of the most popular vacation spots for my clients... Cancun, Mexico.

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Cancun is located on the northeast coast of the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico.  Nestled on the Caribbean Sea, Cancun is composed of 14 miles of pristine white beaches (shaped like the number "7") and sees more than 240 days of sunshine.  This popular tourist destination has the most all-inclusive resort options, allowing guests to enjoy a variety of food, drinks & non-motorized water activities without worrying about a thing.  Whatever your needs are, there are plenty of resorts to choose from for families, couples or friends. 

Cancun is warm year-round, with an average temperature of 80 degrees.  It is typically hottest from May to September, with peak precipitation in October.  The sea temperatures are warm year round.  Peak season is December thru April and you will see slightly higher prices (airfare & hotel) during that time.

There is something for everyone in Cancun.  You can visit several archaeological sites, go on Jeep adventures or do a wide range of water activities like scuba diving or swimming with sea turtles or even sharks!  

Eight miles north of Cancun is the area of Isla Mujeres, a quaint fishing village.  Riviera Maya is at the southern end of Cancun and includes Playa del Carmen (don't miss shopping on 5th Avenue!), Puerto Aventuras & Akumal.  The island of Cozumel, home of one of the largest barrier reefs, is just a short boat ride away.  

Cancun also has an international airport, with flights from most major airlines.  Non-stop flights are available from more than 20 U.S. cities, including St. Louis, allowing you to fly to Cancun in just around 3 hours!

If you book your trip with me, I can arrange your hotel, airport transportation, transportation to & from your hotel and any excursions that you might be interested in... all at no additional charge to you.  Contact me for more information.