Cancun Dreams

I'm writing this blog on a plane to Cancun (I opened a packet of mayo for my turkey wrap and nearly sprayed the passenger next to me!), where I've now been 3 times over the past couple of months. Yes, someone has to make sure the water color is still blue! :) It's amazing to me the transformation of the Cancun hotel zone from a spring breaker's dream to the much more cosmo, south beach vibe it has now.

The look and feel of Cancun changed completely just over 3 years ago when Hurricane Wilma overstayed her welcome (actually, she wasn't welcome at all), sitting on top the peninsula for 50 hours before leaving a path of destruction not seen since Hurricane Gilbert in the late 80's. The reconstruction didn't happen overnight, but today you would never have known a category 5 came through the area just 1000 or so days ago.

Now, don't get me wrong. Carlos & Charlie's still has the 30 foot tall margarita's in the souvineer plastic cups, and at next door Coco Bongo the party doesn't really start till 1am (or so I hear :). And of course Senor Frog's is good for some table dancing after a couple of strong ones at Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville. But, these are mainly (no disrespect to Daddy O's) the only main games in town for the late night club scene. Many all inclusive properties which attracted a younger crowd have either been replaced with very high end, contemporary resorts (such as the beautiful Le Blanc, the cool Me by Melia, and my favorite place on the strip, the adult only Royal Cancun) or condominiums and ownership properties loaded with wall to wall glass and gated security.

Yet, it's another new attraction that has everyone jumping for joy at the Dreams Cancun. Dolphins actually live in a lagoon inside the resort, and in some rooms you can watch them by day from your balcony! Its in a perfect location on the tip of the "7" geographic formation of Cancun, and also has full basketball courts which is extremely important for a corn fed, Mellencamp lovin Indiana boy like me!

If you want "old school" Cancun, however, it can still be found, and in a renovated, new look and style. The Oasis Cancun is still a sight to behold, with the longest beachfront access in Cancun and plenty of twenty somethings to keep the people watching crowd pleased. The Barcelo Tucancun isn't glitzy or glamory (ok, I just ordered a 10am $7 Miller Lite so my grammar is fading phast), but it has all you need, all inclusive, good price, and right across the street is the tequila distillery restaurant which is not to be missed. Finally, Riu Palace Las Americas is top shelf in all aspects, and I love the location where you can litteraly jog to a taco stand, then be back on the beach in 5 minutes flat.

Then again, last time in Cancun I jogged with my blackberry typing emails in one hand and a Corona in the other. I got to Margaritaville 40 minutes later, ordered a blue something er other, then jogged back stopping at OXXO to pick up a 6 pack of Modelo. They don't call me Caribbean Jim for nuttin !

Email me any questions or comments you have about Cancun, the Mayan Riviera, or for that matter any destination in the Caribbean or Mexico (or Bermuda! Henry VIII's pub is the place to be with piano player Dave Boodle at the helm) at caribbeanjim@cheapcaribbean.com and I'd be happy to answer it...even while jogging with a brew :)

Watch a sunset at a couple of Sunset's

A sunset, or as some call it sundown, can be one of the most memorable moments of an island vacation. The sky suddenly fills with more shades of orange ever imaginable, and the reflection of rays off the water as the sun fades away can only be enhanced when accompanied by a margarita on the rocks, salt please. So, when a hotel chain names themself after such an impressive occurance, the resort needs to live up to expecations. Fortunately, such is the case with Sunset Resorts based in Jamaica. We are featuring two of their feature properties with each offering something special, and both now at special "lowest of the year" pricing.

Let's start with just a short 15 minute drive from the Montego Bay airport (which is always good after a day in the air) at the Sunset Beach Resort & Spa. Be sure to bring your good peg leg as the Pirates’ Paradise Water Park is something for everyone to see. Shoot down a pair of 35-foot high, 250-foot long waterslides, or take a lazy ride in an intertube along Blackbeard’s Lazy River. You can also explore a Caribbean Pirate ship, or just do nothing and drink in one of two hot tubs...sounds like my speed. With every room offering a balcony, you always can step outside and look for the sunset. 5 restaurants and 6 bars will keep the day full of food and drink, with the Tamarind bar open till 2am with dancing for the real thirsty folk. The new spa is open from 9am - 6pm, so be sure to choose from an array of treatments and packages. Two favorites are the legendary “Reggae Retreat” package, featuring a manicure, pedicure and 30-minute massage, and the “Rasta Delight” option which adds a mini facial too. Other alluring spa services include reflexology, a milk and honey body wrap, mango manicure, and coffee ground scrub to name a few. Club Mongoose, the new kids club, will keep the little ones busy while you await your hot stone massage.

If it's a resort twice the size as Sunset Mo Bay with the longest beach in Ocho Rios you're looking for, then the Sunset Jamaica Grande Resort & Spa is for you. With over 700 rooms and 5 lavish pools wandering through this beachside complex (not to mention loads of waterfalls, plunge pools, swim-up bars and a swaying rope bridge), it's no wonder why Frommer’s proclaimed this dramatic family favorite is “like a Hollywood production”...and that was before the new Lighthouse Waterslide was built. With an enclosed spiral staircase 60 feet up to an observation desk and an awe-inspiring, 360-degree panoramic view over the Caribbean Sea, you will want to try both water slides, each a whopping 300+ feet in length. 8 bars, 6 restaurants, and a fitness facility to work off the 8 bars and 6 restaurants are all included. With the Aqua Azul spa open from 9am - 8pm, you can soak up the treatments before treating yourself to the 80 electronic blackjack and slot machines at the resort.

So...if it's an affordable Sunset you are looking for, we have two to choose from!

I'm Confident Consumer Confidence will be Confident

Sitting at my laptop looking out the window and watching it snow here in Eastern Pennsylvania makes me wonder two things: Will they get game 5 of the World Series in Philly finished by Thanksgiving, and why in the world am I not sitting on the beach right now!

Many of you seeing the same weather, or just wanting to feel the sand between your toes, might be wondering the same, too. However, wondering about your job, your house, and your retirement fund are taking center stage for many of us. In fact today it was reported U.S. consumer confidence plunged in October, reaching an all-time low in the series' 41-year existence. Despite falling gasoline prices and the elimination of fuel surcharges by some airlines, the October consumer confidence index turned "significantly more pessimistic"...which actually makes me more opitmistic than ever.

You see, with all the doom and gloom reported each day, it's hard to find a shred of good news unless Oprah is giving away cars or has Donny and Marie on (I'm a little bit more rock n'roll than country, though). While we do face some serious economic and political uncertainity in the days and months ahead, the one thing that remains constant is the many shades of blue surrounding the islands we love. When I'm standing by the water, looking out at the waves, for a moment I forget the day to day problems we all encounter. It just feels right to stare, soaking up the scene for as long as I can. To me, a trip to the beach is theraputic. In fact, I would say I have a prescription for it to take twice a day if possible. Meaning...it's now more important than ever to not only get away when times are tough, but do so at the lowest possible price you can.

Over the next few days we will begin promoting winter travel at prices not seen in the past several years. The decreased cost of oil combined with a lack of consumer confidence leads to an opportunity for you to find a vacation that would normally cost 40-60% more. No one seemed to be expecting the financial meltdown (not even Alan Greenspan), so many resorts have built hundreds of thousands of new rooms in Jamaica, Punta Cana, and the Mayan Riviera of Mexico to name a few, which now need to be filled. These brand new hotels are loaded with amenities, from swim out pool rooms to multi-cultural dining experiences to incredible jacuzzi views, all on some of the best beaches in the world. Locking in your vacation price now will not only ensure you take advantage of these low rates, but also give you a needed break from the troubles, whatever they may be, in your life. Many say a vacation is a luxury, but at the right price it can be a necessity. With all inclusive rates starting at $50 per person per night, it may be cheaper to travel than to stay at home (considering I paid more for our family to eat philly cheesesteaks and spicy curly fries last night).

Be sure to watch our emails in the next few days for the best deals you will find in years. In fact, I'm confident once you see the prices, you will not only be a consumer with us for many years to come, but your confidence will return just as over time it always does. I'm more confident of this than the Phillies completing their game with the Rays anytime soon !

Pink Sand wasn't created by Pink

CheapCaribbean.com is based in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. The county seat of Bucks County along the Southeastern corner of PA and home of Washington's Crossing (yes, that George Washington) across the Delaware River , is known for other reasons than just home of the largest Caribbean/Mexico/Bermuda only website in the world.

Take for example American Idol Season One. Who could forget Justin Guarini, Doylestown native and star of "From Justin to Kelly". Ok, maybe now I'm pushing it, but hey his appearances on the TV Guide channel with Joan Rivers were riveting. But if it's star quality you want, then Pink does us proud. Known by her real name of Alecia Moore in these parts, Pink is a 2-time Grammy award winning Singer/Songwriter from Central Bucks West High School. And while she adopted the name Pink for her career, she did NOT make the sand in Bermuda pink...which is a long way to go to talk about some of the most incredible pink powder you will ever set foot on.

Bermuda is my second favorite island, and it isn't in the Caribbean. 600 miles off the coast of North Carolina, the oldest British overseas territory is seriously still feeling it's UK roots. In fact, Henry VIII's Pub has the best piano bar singer I've heard, Dave Bootle. He played while I sang Journey's "Faithfully" which my wife requested a couple years ago, and I thought it was incredible considerng I was on my 4th Guinness and Cider pint. While this bar shouldn't be missed, the pink sand beaches are something to behold.

So why is the sand pink? Since we ruled out Pink above, the real reason is the sand is not volcanic, but from finely pulverized remains of calcium carbonate shells and skeletons of invertebrates such as corals, clams, forams and other shells. In other words, the remains of the creatures in the coral reefs are redish pink, and thus end up as sand at the end of their journey. Horseshoe Bay, in fact, is where I shot all of the videos you receive when you make a reservation, 14 days before your reservation giving you travel tips, and 10 days after your vacation reminding you to start planning for the next one.

So...since Pink is from Doylestown, and Bermuda has pink sand beaches, I think we can officially say...Bermuda and Doylestown are 2 places you must see. While I love the colonial home of CheapCaribbean.com, I will take the beaches of Bermuda any day of the week.

The Grandest of time in the Bahamas

Want a real adventure to embark on? Try visiting every island in the Bahamas. Shouldn't be too hard, right? Grand Bahama, Nassau (actually called New Providence Island), Paradise Island, a few outer islands...shouldn't take more than a month, worse case a year right? Better clear your calendar till 2010 a buy a boat, since the Bahamas is made up of over 2,000 cays, 700 islands, and 31 local governmental districts. By the end of the tour, even your scrambled eggs will have conch in them!

With a population nearly twice the size of Ft. Lauderdale, a grand place to start your tour of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas is Grand Bahama Island. Once known as the rich and famous recluse of eclectic bllionaire Howard Hughes (he lived in the Xanadu Princess Hotel the final 3 years of his life), GBI has off the beaten path treasures to offer. In fact, I celebrated the new millennium at the Sheraton at Our Lucaya (still stuck in 2000? Check this site out to relive Y2k) with fireworks and an extra dark Guinness. I also highly recommend the beach at the only all inclusive on the island, the Wyndham Viva Fortuna, which is long and loaded with incredible powder sand. Pelican Bay also has over 30 restaurants, bars, including Sabor Restaurant and Bar in the garden overlooking the marina/bay, to quench your hunger and thirst.

Move a 100 miles or so southeast, and you will find the capital of the Bahamas in Nassau, home of the world famous Cable Beach. Both the Wyndham Nassau Resort and the Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort provide the backdrop for a perfect vacation. A trip to New Providence, however, isn't complete without a stop on Paradise Island. Separated by a short bridge which you can walk, Paradise Island is home to the amazing Atlantis and all it has to offer. You can also stay at the Comfort Suites next door to Atlantis and, while not on the beach, receive a wristband for complete access to Atlantis during your stay. If all inclusive is calling your name, the Paradise Island Harbour Resort is a budget travellers dream with all food and beverages included...all for one price.

So start your journey to see the Bahamas now, because the instant rebate program is only for a limited time.