Caribbean

Where to Stay in the Exumas

If you’re looking for paradise on earth, you’ll find it in the Exumas. The Exuma Cays are a chain of 360+ islands in the Bahamas just southeast of Nassau. They’re famous for their white sand beaches and having some of the bluest water in the world. They’re also famous for those adorable swimming pigs! The Exumas are becoming a popular Caribbean vacation spot and are attracting quite a few visitors (read up on 15 Things to Do in the Exumas and 20 Things to Know Before You Go to the Exumas). If you’re in the beginning stages of planning a trip, here’s a breakdown of where to stay in the Exumas:

While the Exumas are made up of a lot of islands, not many of them are inhabited (the majority are private) and there are even fewer places to stay.

Great Exuma: Great Exuma is the main island of the Exumas and home to Georgetown (where the airport is). You’ll find the most options of places to stay here. You’ll also have the biggest variety of restaurants and shopping (although still limited). There are a couple of resorts on Great Exuma but it’s mostly small inns and vacation rentals.

7 Places to Go Glamping on the Beach

I’m always looking for the next adventure, but I’ll be honest…I’m not usually too adventurous when it comes to camping. Until now! I’m probably a little behind here (what’s new!) but I recently discovered the “glamping” phenomenon and I’m hooked! Of course, you know I’m all about the beach so what could be better than glamping on the beach? I’ve been deep in research about beach glamping destinations so I thought I’d share some of my finds with you all. Here are 7 beach glamping destinations where you can get up and personal with nature while still maintaining some creature comforts:

1.Anegada Beach Club, British Virgin Islands: This is the place that started my obsession with glamping. Located on the remote island of Anegada in the British Virgin Islands, this little slice of paradise is home to five beachfront luxury tents that will blow your mind. You can read all about my experience glamping at the Anegada Beach Club here and read reviews and check rates here.

2.Camp Olowalu, Maui: This hidden gem on Maui will make you forget all about the hustle and bustle of Ka’anapali Beach just a few miles away. You’ll feel like you’re back in summer camp with their collection of super affordable tents and cabins right on the beach. Sure, you’ve got world class snorkeling right out your front door (or, er, tent flap) but you’ve also got Leoda’s Pie Shop right across the street. Enough said. You can read reviews and check rates here.

Where to Stay on Providenciales, Turks and Caicos

If you’re planning a trip to the Turks and Caicos, you’re in for a treat. Unless you’re visiting on a cruise ship, you’ll most likely be staying on Providenciales (Provo), which is the chain’s most visited island. If you have visions of sugar white sand, dazzling turquoise water, and plenty of shade umbrellas, you’re going to LOVE Turks and Caicos. The good news is that Provo is home to quite a few magnificent beach resorts, hotels, villas, and vacation homes.

The bad news is it can be pretty overwhelming trying to sort through all the options and pick the best one for your trip. Turks and Caicos has also gotten a reputation for being super expensive and while it’s definitely not a cheap island, you can find a wide range of accommodation options to fit any taste and budget. To take some of the guess work out of it, here’s a guide to where to stay on Provo including which part of the island you’ll like best and my picks for the best places to stay.

17 Things to Know Before You Go to the US Virgin Islands

The US Virgin Islands are the perfect destination if you’re looking for a tropical getaway full of gorgeous beaches, turquoise water, and swaying palms. This group of three islands just southeast of Puerto Rico is a haven for sailors and beach bums alike, but before you go, here’s 17 things you should know about the USVIs:

1.The US Virgin Islands are a US territory, which means that if you’re an American, you don’t need a passport to travel there.

2.There are three main islands in the USVIs: St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix.

3.Thomas is the main island and most people’s entry point into the Vis. The cruise ships dock in St. Thomas. It’s also where you’ll catch the ferry to St. John or a flight to St. Croix (although there are some direct flights from the mainland).

4.Although it’s a US territory, they drive on the left side of the road here.

Where to Stay on St. John, USVI

If you’re reading this, you’re probably planning a trip to St. John (yippee!!!) and if you’re very far into the planning process, you’ve probably realized that St. John isn’t like a lot of Caribbean islands. When it comes to places to stay, your options can be a little limited. Since so much of the island is protected as part of the Virgin Islands National Park, there’s been very little development on the island (part of its charm!) and even less beachfront development. But no worries! There are still plenty of nice places to stay on the island if you know where to look. Here’s your guide on where to stay on St. John:

Resorts/Hotels

There aren’t a ton of resorts on St. John (and you won’t find any of the mega, all-inclusive types) but if you have your heart set on a resort experience (who can blame you?) then here are some good options:

Gallows Point Resort: Gallows Point is the perfect place to stay if you want nice accommodations, close proximity to town (Cruz Bay), and an oceanfront location. This five acre resort located on a small peninsula just south of Cruz Bay has one or two bedroom options with either ocean or harbor views.

Cruz Bay Boutique Hotel: Cruz Bay Boutique Hotel is a chic little hotel right in, you guessed it, Cruz Bay. It’s not on the water (although some of the third floor rooms have a partial water view) but it’s very conveniently located and the 10 rooms (plus penthouse apartment) are super cute and comfortable.

St. John Inn: The St. John Inn mixes convenience with super affordable accommodations. Nestled right in the center of town, you won’t find luxury here but for the price, this is St. John’s best go to budget option.

Caneel Bay Resort: Caneel Bay is a historic resort (opened in 1956 by Laurance Rockefeller) nestled right in the middle of Virgin Islands National Park and is one of the only beachfront resorts of St. John. It has an understated luxurious feel and is perfect if you’re searching for the most relaxing experience on St. John.

Day Trips from St. John to the BVI

If you’re vacationing on St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands, you’ve GOT to set aside some time to venture into the British Virgin Islands. Trust me…if you don’t, you’ll be missing out. Feeling a little overwhelmed about how to do day trips from St. John to the BVI? Not sure which islands to visit or how to get there? This post is for you! Here’s everything you need to know about day tripping it to the BVI from St. John:

The Lay of the Land

While technically two separate countries (part U.S. and part British), the Virgin Islands’ proximity and culture really make it feel like one destination. This means that traveling between the US and British Virgin Islands really isn’t that big of a deal. While it’s really one big island chain, the U.S. Virgin Islands (St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix) are located at the southwest end while the British Virgin Islands (Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke, Anegada, and about 60 smaller islands) are located at the northeast end. You will need a passport and you’ll have to pay exit taxes (plan to have about $45 cash per person) when you leave but otherwise, it’s a pretty routine and quick boat trip (depending on which island you’re headed to). Read this post for 22 things to know before you go to the BVIs.

Which Islands to Hit

The two most popular British Virgin Islands to visit on a day trip form St. John are Jost Van Dyke and Virgin Gorda. While Tortola is the main island, it’s more of a bug and less likely to be your destination if you’re only going for a day. And Anegada is too far out to reach as a day trip from St. John. Those are the main islands but there’s also a smattering of smaller islands that many of the boat charters make stops at for snorkeling and lunch. Here’s the breakdown of the islands I would suggest visiting as a day trip from St. John:

Snorkeling in Turks and Caicos

On my beach trips, besides just laying around in the sun and reading (which I do plenty of), I like to plan a couple of activities that give me a taste of what is special about that particular place. You can read about my experience paddleboarding through mangroves and horseback riding on the beach, but the icing on the cake of this trip might just have been our snorkeling excursion. A snorkeling trip is probably the most popular thing to do n the Turks and Caicos and that’s because it’s home to the third largest barrier reef in the world (behind Australia and Belize). To get to the reef, you’ll need to be on a boat and there are plenty of companies that offer snorkeling excursions out of Grace Bay. We chose to sail with Island Vibes because I’d read some good reviews and it seemed like their guests had an overall fun time. We did the half-day snorkel cruise and here’s how it went:

Kenny Chesney’s Guide to the Virgin Islands

If you know anything at all about the Virgin Islands, it’s likely that you’re probably a Kenny Chesney fan, and hey…if you’re planning a trip to the Virgin Islands just because you HAD to get to the place where the “No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems” music video was shot, you’ll get no judgment here! That crystal clear turquoise water, those white sand beaches, and those lush green mountains are the stuff paradise is made of, and if you throw a little Kenny Chesney spotting in, you’ve got the makings of a great vacation!

First, a little disclaimer: Kenny Chesney in no way “discovered” the Virgin Islands but when he bought a house on St. John, started shooting music videos there, and frequently worked the mention of local places into his song lyrics, he did a lot to popularize them. So, if you’re a fan (and if you’re not, I’m not sure we can be friends!) here’s a little tour of the Virgin Islands that includes plenty of places that you’ll find referenced in his songs (and music videos):

St. John

Apart from being Kenny Chesney’s home away from home (I’ve heard his house is on Peter Bay), St. John is an island with quite a few magical spots. Just a short ferry ride away from St. Thomas, St. John has a super laid back vibe and it’s just plain gorgeous. People who really want to see the Virgin Islands make St. John their hub (as opposed to nearby bustling St. Thomas). For this stop on the tour, check out:

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