Quick Tips For Enjoying the Ports of the Caribbean

The Caribbean is an expansive and easily accessible network of tropical getaways, especially given the number of cruise ships sailing there every day. Whether you want to escape just for the weekend or for a longer break from reality, there are hundreds of options for enjoying this part of the world.

Nassau, The Bahamas

 Many cruises from Miami will use Nassau as the jumping-off point for their stop in The Bahamas. To get the most out of your day and keep stress to a minimum, look at the shore excursions offered by your ship; these will coordinate transportation to and from your activities and guarantee that you’re back on board in time to sail to the next port. 

Families will enjoy spending the day at the Atlantis Resort, with its fantastic waterpark, great food, and offers for encounters with animals like dolphins and sea lions. For travelers with a greater sense of adventure, look into snorkelling and scuba tours in The Bahamas ‘crystal clear waters and vibrant reefs. 

Close to the port beer lovers will find The Pirate Republic Brewing Company, where they can enjoy a pint or two before wandering to Junkanoo Beach, which features fun views of all the ships in port on a given day. Nassau’s main drag has all the shops Caribbean cruisers are used to seeing, so it can be a good day for shopping as well.

Puerta Plata, The Dominican Republic

Outdoor enthusiasts will have plenty of options for thrilling experiences in this port. While most people associate manatees with Florida, you can take a kayak or paddle boarding tour in this port to a manatee sanctuary. There are also opportunities to take river tubing rides to a beach or to explore the Damajagua Falls area, with its twelve waterfalls and beautiful swimming holes. History buffs will enjoy historical tours of the area’s old Spanish forts to learn about the history of colonization in the area.

Cozumel, Mexico

Cozumel is a diver’s paradise, with hundreds of scuba and snorkeling companies available to take you out into the island’s amazing reef system, like the ones at Chankanaab and the Cozumel National Marine Park. More casual explorers can rent snorkeling equipment to take to a beach of their choice. There are also ATV tours for exploring the jungles and cenotes as well as treks into the island’s caves.

For amazing Mexican cuisine check out La Choza, an all-time favorite of crew members that has some of the best food in the Caribbean. La Choza and a number of other great bars and restaurants are all located a short walk from where the ship’s dock is, making it easy to take in the sights of the city on the way.

Close to Cozumel are the incredible Mayan ruins at Tulum. Guides will tell stories of this advanced civilization as they show you the temples and crumbling cities it left behind. Also nearby is Chichen Itza, a UNESCO world heritage site.

Key West, Florida

A short sail from mainland Florida, the Florida Keys are a quaint escape. From the cotton-candy-colored houses to the clear waters bursting with beautiful marine life, there’s plenty to see and do here.

Rent a bike and ride down beachside trails or try parasailing out on the water. Sail on a catamaran while enjoying bottomless rum punch as you make your way to beautiful snorkeling. 

Key West is a great place to sample the famous rums of the Caribbean and wonderfully aromatic cigars. Once you’ve enjoyed these, take a tour of the historic home of Ernest Hemingway, the famous author, which is now home to over sixty polydactyl – or six-toed – cats, many of which are descendants of a cat Hemingway was once given by a ship’s captain. And of course, no visit to Key West would be complete with sampling a slice of the Key’s most famous export: Key Lime pie.

With so many options to choose from, planning a trip to the Caribbean can feel overwhelming. Hopefully, these tips will help you build the tropical retreat of your dreams.

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