Check out all posts published on Exploring Caribbean and related to the rich history of the region.
Port Royal, in south-eastern Jamaica, is today a sleepy fishing village not far from the capital Kingston. It’s hard to believe that just a few centuries ago it was dubbed the “wickedest city on earth”. A wild and hedonistic place To find out why, let’s go right back to the late 15th century, when the … Read more
One of the most popular visitor attractions on the island of St Kitts is its scenic railway. This unusual narrow gauge train, dubbed “the last railway in the West Indies” ambles along, passing through some of the island’s beautiful countryside. The rise of the St Kitts’ sugar industry Sugar cane was introduced in St Kitts … Read more
The forces of nature that shape our planet are extraordinary. Nowhere in the Caribbean is this truer than the events which impacted AIR Montserrat. This iconic recording studio, now a ruin, is located on the island of Montserrat close to Antigua. George Martin, a record producer nicknamed the Fifth Beatle, already owned a successful recording … Read more
The Cuba we know today is a sun-soaked, Spanish-speaking, salsa-dancing independent Caribbean country with colourful streets, classic cars, and a fervent Latino heartbeat. But whilst it’s all sunshine and rainbows on the outside, dig a little deeper and you will discover Cuba has endured one of the darkest and most turbulent political economies in the … Read more
The Dominican Republic earns fame for its white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, and adventurous activities. But when visiting the Dominican Republic, you shouldn’t skip its most historic destinations. The Caribbean nation holds the first European settlements of the New World and has tons of iconic landmarks across its beautiful cities. From medieval forts to colonial architecture, the … Read more
The islands that make up the Dutch Caribbean are all popular tourist destinations. The southerly trio of Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao have the advantage of lying off the hurricane belt, and are blessed with dry sunny weather year-round. Further north, the islands of Sint Maarten, Saba and Sint Eustatius form part of the Leeward Islands. … Read more
People of the Caribbean are known for their resilience. After all, few other populations have faced a constant risk of life threatening hurricanes the way people of this region have. Yet, COVID-19 has brought threats to the islands unlike any before and these may be impossible to overcome in the short and medium term. Whereas … Read more
The Dominican Republic is where you’ll find the Caribbean’s highest peak, Pico Duarte, measuring 3175 metres. Mile upon mile of white sand lines its coastline, a fact that hasn’t gone unnoticed by the holidaymakers who fly there to flop beneath its shady palms. Windsurfers and whale watchers won’t come away disappointed. But there’s far more … Read more
Haiti isn’t the first place that springs to mind when you imagine a Caribbean getaway, but it might end up being one of the most memorable trips you make to the region. Best of its hidden gems is a UNESCO-listed pair: a hilltop fortress and a Royal palace. Unlike in other parts of the region, … Read more
You won’t find it hard to hear live music anywhere in Cuba. Bands of roving troubadours set up on street corners in every town and city, earning their living from the donations made by passers-by. Surprisingly, the best place to enjoy Cuba’s music scene is not Havana, but the country’s second largest city, Santiago de … Read more