Hispaniola is the second-largest island in the Caribbean, separated into French-speaking Haiti and Spanish-speaking Domenican Republic. Hispaniola is geographically and ecologically astounding, in addition to having all the first-class attributes of sub-tropical climate demanded by northern snowbirds in search of a parasol-shaded daiquiri. Photo by: Pericles1492

The island has very rich flora and fauna, matching higher mountains and more varied ecologies, but both Haiti and DR are poverty-stricken and over-populated, and still suffering the consequences of civil strife and exploitation. So the choice here is, taking your pleasures in the resorts, or taking an interest in the wildly different cultures beyond them. Photo by: PhotoGregS

Hispaniolans share fantastic forms of music; vibrant colours in their art, clothes and dance; and deep spirituality expressed in every way from denominational churches to voodoo to animism. But Haiti is Afro-Caribbean, its European influences submerged since the first slave rebellion; while DR is just a decade or so, is on its way to becoming West-Indian American, another Puero-Rico. Photo by: StGrundy

On Hispaniola culture is way more intriguing then the admittedly marvelous beach life. The 16th century cathedrals, fort and cobbled streets of Santo Domingo’s Ciudad Colonial, beautifully preserved and now set with cafes, lively bars and restaurants. Photo by: saúl santana (Away)

Where the Atlantic and the Caribbean go head to head, lies the incarnation of the tropical island idyll. Its curves of white sand fringed by swaying palm trees, green against the azure sea, combine in a single image celebrated by millions of Europeans as the setting for the Bounty (chocolate) Bar TV commercial. Saona is the notion of paradise made manifest – and it looks even better than on film. Photo by: DiFo&Natura

There are just two tiny settlements on the 25 km by 5 km island. Punta Gorda and the picturesque fishing village of Mano Juan are sleepy relics of the trading stations established after 1493 by Colombus, who bullied the Taino chieftain Cotubanama into an unequal partnership. Cotubanama’s descendants now appear to be exacting an exquisite revenge. After centuries of subsistence fishing, in just ten years they have become unofficial beach-masters to the  fleet of speedboats and catamarans that each day bring over hundreds of day-trippers from every major resort on the mainland. Photo by: axeman3d

Saona is part of a National Park and Marine Reserve with no amenities except in the tiny, restricted areas allotted to each resort group – where the islanders ply the by now run-happy tourists with trinkets, curios, ‘personalized’ photos or video clips and ‘massages’ to the thumping beats of a beach boom-box. Photo by: axeman3d

You can walk away along equally fabulous but empty beaches, to lagoons full of flamingos and mangroves striped by pelicans, red-footed boobies, and Hispaniolan lizard-cuckoos and parrots. You can snorkel or dive among giant sponges and teeming fish on the reefs where manatees float in languor and dolphins somersault. The serenity of wonderland is still there – if you want to find it. Photo by: chiri_dr

When to go: November to June. Population: 300 (2007). How to get there: By catamaran or speedboat from the beach at Bayahibe or Dominicus on the mainland. Most of the boats are pre-booked to resort groups, but there are some independent excursion sellers. Photo by: dmguz

Photo by: Pisces With Camera

Isla de Vieques is a stunning island of Puerto Rico municipality situated in the northeasten Caribbean. Vieques has strong Spanish influences because of the 400 years of Spanish ownership. The two main towns of Vieques are Isabel Segunda and Esperanza. The population is around 10 000 people.

You’ll need to rent a jeep to get to the best beaches — and head to Green Beach  on the western end of the island for great snorkeling. But go in the morning. After noon, you risk getting eaten alive by little black flies.

If you are surf seeker, drive to Navio on the south side of the island. Follow the signs along the pitted sand and dirt road until you reach a picturesque half-moon beach bordered by rocky outcroppings. If the waves are not your style just down the road from Navio is Media Luna— a favorite of families with small children — where you can wade out for yards with the placid water no higher than your waist. Among the most popular beaches is Red Beach located on the island’s south side in the United States Fish and Wildlife Reserve and outfitted with gazebos and picnic tables.

Intense colors, music, religion – all expressions of the joy and warmth of being a Dominican: it’s Carnival! The Dominican carnival is the most authentic expression of our culture and is an explosion of sound and color which manifests itself on different dates and in different ways as a result of the cultural syncretism whose product it is. Originally of European origin, the custom of carnival was a religious celebration on the date of Corpus Christi. However it eventually evolved into a pagan celebration usually celebrated on the 27th of February, Dominican Independence Day. Original masks, costumes, floats and masqueraded dance groups from different regions of the country come together to celebrate. The Diablos Cojuelos come out into the streets on the weekends of February, month of the Dominican independence. Their costumes are ornamented with a number of decorative elements: small round and square mirrors, small bells, cowbells, ribbons, whistles, tiny dolls, etc. The dancers wore jewelry on their foreheads, in their ears, and around their necks, and colorful tattoos and painted designs on their bodies depicting their spiritual guides, their zemies. They also wore shell anklets that tinkled like bells as they moved in rhythmic unison across their bateyes.

Four soft surface lighted tennis courts–tennis clinics
Water Sports Center on the beach
Diving Center on the beach
Jacuzzi
Bank/exchange office
Tour desk
Concierge service
Meeting facilities for 225 people
1 board room for 15 people