In Barbuda, the show begins even before you spot the birds. There is no road leading to the Codrington Lagoon sanctuary. You have to board a boat, travel across the water through the mangroves, and then watch as the black silhouettes of the magnificent frigatebirds (Fregata magnificens) come into view—their colony is one of the largest in the Caribbean.
This fact alone is enough to reveal another side of Barbuda. Beyond its pink beaches, the island is home to a lagoon where more than 5,000 of these birds have been recorded, in a colony where a scientific survey counted 1,743 nests. Here, you discover the destination by looking up and understanding the role this lagoon plays in the balance of the entire island.
A Ramsar-designated lagoon, nestled between mangroves and reefs
The Codrington Lagoon covers 3,600 hectares and has been recognized as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention since 2005. It borders Codrington, the only village on Barbuda, from which it takes its name and whose residents are among the sanctuary’s closest neighbors. Mangroves, seagrass beds, sandbars, and reefs form an ecosystem where hawksbill and leatherback sea turtles also nest. Around the lagoon, spiny lobster fishing and nature-based tourism provide a livelihood for some of Barbuda’s families, in a balance that local guides are committed to preserving.
The magnificent frigate, symbol of Barbuda
In Barbuda, the bird is more than just a curiosity. It has become one of the territory’s most recognizable symbols. The male attracts everyone’s attention during courtship, when he inflates a scarlet red pouch under his beak to attract passing females. The species’ wingspan can exceed two meters. Despite its webbed feet, it almost never lands on the water, as its feathers are not waterproof. It therefore spends most of its life gliding, carried by air currents over the sea, and sometimes supplements its diet by chasing other seabirds until they let go—a well-documented behavior in this species.
When Irma Hit the Colony
The importance of the sanctuary became even clearer in September 2017. Hurricane Irma struck Barbuda, forcing the evacuation of the entire island to Antigua. A scientific study published in 2023 showed that the sandbar protecting the lagoon—which had remained intact for 250 years—broke in two places under the force of the storm, a breach that remained open four years later. The lagoon also lost some of its mangroves, prompting a local organization, the MEPA Trust, to begin replanting them with the help of volunteers.
Twenty-eight days after the storm, Barbadian ecologist Shanna Challenger took part in the sanctuary’s first census since the disaster. She found only 300 frigatebirds. “There was a significant drop compared to the usual numbers,” she told the Antigua Observer at the time. No one knows yet whether the birds—like the residents—will return.
The return did not make up for the losses, but it demonstrated the colony’s ability to resume its life cycle in a disrupted environment. Today, the sanctuary is once again home to more than 5,000 frigatebirds. In 2025, a specialized media outlet described it as one of the most thriving colonies in the world, managed by a community council rather than a distant agency, with guides who pass this knowledge down from generation to generation.
More than just a postcard-perfect setting
What makes this sanctuary unique is not just the size of the colony. It is the proximity between a major natural phenomenon and a small island whose entire identity is tied to this landscape. The next time Barbuda appears as nothing more than a postcard of pink sand, just look toward Codrington Lagoon. Behind the beach lies another story—that of an island that has become one of the great refuges for the magnificent frigatebird in this part of the world. What if Barbuda’s true wealth were best seen in what it chooses to preserve for the future?
More than 5,000 magnificent frigatebirds live in the Codrington Lagoon sanctuary, a colony where a scientific census counted 1,743 nests—one of the largest in the Caribbean.
In Codrington Lagoon, on the west coast of Barbuda. The site has been designated a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention since 2005.
Yes, but the population has been greatly reduced. A census conducted 28 days after Irma in 2017 found only 300 frigatebirds, compared with more than 5,000 today.
In Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni, the journey to the Voltaire Falls begins well before the first waterfall. From the town, the Paul Isnard Trail leads into the forest for about 70 kilometers. After being closed to the public for several years, the site has just reopened following a restoration program led by the Territorial Collectivity of French Guiana. The goal is threefold: to make the trail safer, to better accommodate visitors, and to showcase this natural site all without losing what gives this place its unique character.
70 kilometers before the trailhead
The figure illustrates the scale. The “Cascades et crique Voltaire” ZNIEFF, listed in the National Natural Heritage Inventory, begins at the end of the Paul Isnard trail, 70 kilometers south of Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni. The French Guiana Regional Nature Park also notes that you must take this road from the town before it turns into a dirt track.
Once you arrive, the journey continues on foot. The Chutes Voltaire trail is listed as 5.3 kilometers long and takes about three hours to walk. While this distance doesn’t make the place inaccessible, it does remind us of something obvious: here, the journey begins long before you reach the water. The trail, the forest, and the path are all part of the experience.
A Reopening Focused on Safety
The closure had brought the issue of access to the forefront. The renovation therefore had to address several areas. A comprehensive signage system has been installed starting from the town of Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni, particularly along the Paul Isnard Trail. A new visitor area now includes a parking lot, a parking space for people with disabilities, an access gate, and an information sign.
The most noticeable change is the reconstruction of the main footbridge. Approximately 21 meters long, it spans the Voltaire Creek. It was designed to better withstand flooding. The trail has also been restored, with several structures built to allow hikers to cross wetlands. According to information provided at the reopening, all of these improvements have received the necessary regulatory and technical approvals.
Voltaire Falls: A Landscape Unlike Any Other in French Guiana
The Voltaire Falls are not only notable for their remote location. It is a particularly rugged area, where the creek cuts through hard rock before reaching the waterfall zone. Over a distance of approximately 200 meters, the Voltaire Falls have a vertical drop of 35 meters, described in this official documentation as unparalleled in French Guiana. The site combines waterfalls, cascades, rocky thresholds, rapids, and forested areas. The area is recognized for its scenic, geomorphological, ecological, floristic, and faunistic features.
A multidisciplinary survey conducted in 2011 examined, among other things, the flora, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and non-flying mammals. This rich biodiversity serves as a reminder that opening the area to the public must also take into account a sensitive natural environment. The Voltaire Creek is part of the Maroni watershed and originates in a small mountain range east of the Sparouine Mountains. It flows for approximately 30 kilometers. In its upper reaches, the valley narrows and becomes winding: this is where the waterfalls are located. The terrain thus explains the spectacular appearance of the Voltaire Falls today.
At the foot of the waterfalls, a new kind of hospitality
The restoration doesn’t stop at the trail. At the base of the Voltaire Falls, visitors now have access to a large shelter, a fire pit, hammock shelters, and picnic tables with benches. These facilities are designed to provide a more comfortable rest stop after the hike. The reopening may also boost the appeal of western French Guiana as a tourist destination. The inn located at the site’s entrance is one of the local businesses likely to benefit from the return of visitors. This connection between natural heritage and the local economy adds another dimension to the work that has been done.
But the challenge won’t just be attracting more visitors. It will also be necessary to maintain a balance between visitor numbers, safety, and respect for the environment. At the Voltaire Falls, distance remains a key factor: 70 kilometers of road before the trail begins, followed by the forest and the creek leading to the waterfalls. The renovation makes the route safer and more comfortable. It doesn’t change the fact that it’s remote. And that may be precisely what makes the Voltaire Falls a unique destination in western French Guiana.
The Voltaire Falls are located in western French Guiana, south of Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni. They can be reached via the Paul Isnard trail, traveling about 70 kilometers before reaching the trailhead.
From Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni, take the road and then the Paul Isnard trail for about 70 kilometers. Once there, the journey continues on foot along a trail that is expected to take about three hours to complete.
The renovation of the Voltaire Falls is primarily aimed at making the trail safer and improving the visitor experience. The work includes new signage, visitor facilities, trail restoration, and a main footbridge approximately 21 meters long that spans the Voltaire Creek.
In the southwestern part of the Dominican Republic, the landscape seems to defy geography. Lake Enriquillo, said to be the largest lake in the Caribbean, lies in a depression whose surface is 40 meters below sea level. It is a vast saltwater lake with no outlet to the ocean, home to American crocodiles and iguanas. Behind this very concrete scene lies a much broader question: how did such a unique lake come to be here, and what does it reveal about the territory that surrounds it?
Lake Enriquillo, a lake with no outlet to the sea
One of the keys lies in the very shape of the basin. The United States Geological Survey (USGS), a government research agency specializing in Earth sciences, describes Lake Enriquillo and the neighboring Lake Azuéi in Haiti as two salt lakes located in the Hispaniola rift valley. Both occupy a closed basin: their waters have no natural outlet to the sea.
This lack of an outlet changes everything. The lake’s water level depends heavily on rainfall, runoff, and evaporation. When water enters the basin, it is not drained into the ocean. Evaporation therefore plays a major role in the system’s balance, while salts remain concentrated in the water. This is one of the reasons why USGS researchers classify the lake as hypersaline.
The landscape is therefore never completely static. Landsat images analyzed by the USGS show dramatic changes over the decades. Between 2002 and 2016, a sharp rise in water levels submerged farmland and displaced thousands of families. In Lake Enriquillo, this geographical reality is also evident in the daily lives of the riverside communities.
A Shelter for Reptiles
Another unique feature of Lake Enriquillo can be seen along the water’s edge. The Dominican Republic’s population of American crocodiles is confined to this geographical area. In this dry, salty landscape, the presence of this large reptile gives the lake a particularly strong ecological identity.
Iguanas are also part of the scenery. Two species are found in this region, including Ricord’s iguana, a species with a very limited range on Hispaniola. Isla Cabritos, one of the recommended stops in the national park, is an iconic spot for observing this wildlife and understanding the site’s biological richness.
This biodiversity also explains the level of protection afforded to the territory. Lake Enriquillo has been listed since 2002 as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention. The lake is also part of the Jaragua-Bahoruco-Enriquillo Biosphere Reserve, designated in the Dominican Republic in 2002 and, since 2017, integrated into a transboundary biosphere reserve with La Selle, in Haiti, under the auspices of UNESCO.
When Lake Enriquillo Also Tells Us About the Climate
The lake is also of interest to scientists for a less obvious reason: its sediments preserve information about the climate of the past. In 2019, the USGS team retrieved several sediment cores from the lake, some of which were about five meters long. Their goal was to reconstruct the history of precipitation and droughts in the Caribbean during the recent Holocene.
Lake Enriquillo is thus more than just a geographical curiosity. Its sediment layers, fluctuating water level, and salinity form a natural archive that allows scientists to study the balance between rainfall and evaporation. What we see on the surface today can therefore help researchers better understand climate variations that have occurred over thousands of years.
About 40 meters that change the way you see things
What ultimately makes Lake Enriquillo so memorable is an apparent contradiction: the largest lake in the Caribbean is located in one of the driest regions of the Dominican Republic, below sea level, yet it is home to remarkable wildlife and preserves part of the Caribbean’s climate history in its depths.
The figure of about 40 meters catches the eye. But above all, it opens a door to a region where geology, climate, biodiversity, and human lives remain intimately intertwined. What if some of the Caribbean’s most fascinating destinations were precisely those whose landscapes first force us to rethink what we thought we knew?
Lake Enriquillo is located in the southwestern part of the Dominican Republic. It lies in a closed basin and is about 40 meters below sea level.
Lake Enriquillo has no natural outlet to the sea. The water that flows into the lake evaporates, leaving the salts concentrated, which explains its hypersaline nature.
Lake Enriquillo is said to be the largest lake in the Caribbean. Located below sea level, it is home to American crocodiles and iguanas, among other species, and its sediments preserve evidence of the region’s past climate.
Four artists, four regions, four journeys. On September 19, 2026, the National Academy for the Performing Arts in Port of Spain will host a ceremony at which Patra, Calypso Rose, Alan Cavé, and Shyne will each receive a special award. The 2026 Caribbean Music Awards will bring them together on the same stage, but their journeys tell different stories about Caribbean music and its ability to transcend borders.
One Scene, Four Legacies
The announcement made by the Caribbean Music Awards highlights four distinct honors. Patra will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award. Calypso Rose will be honored with the Elite Calypso Honors. Alan Cavé will receive the Elite Konpa Honors, while Shyne will be awarded the Global Ambassador Award.
This selection almost maps out the region’s musical landscape. Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Haiti, and Belize are thus represented by artists whose careers have taken very different paths. More than just a list of winners, this selection offers a glimpse into the cultural diversity of the Caribbean.
Patra, a leading figure in Jamaican dancehall
With Patra, the 2026 Caribbean Music Awards are honoring an artist associated with a significant period in the globalization of Jamaican dancehall. Her style, visual identity, and positioning have helped bring to the forefront a strong female presence in a musical world often dominated by male figures.
The Lifetime Achievement Award highlights this aspect of longevity and influence. It is not merely a matter of recalling past successes, but of recognizing an artist whose image remains closely tied to a pivotal moment in the spread of dancehall beyond Jamaica.
Calypso Rose, the Living Legend of Calypso
Calypso Rose represents a different story. A native of Tobago, she has for decades embodied the narrative power of calypso, a genre that reflects society, comments on its times, and transforms the stage into a space for expression.
The Elite Calypso Honors, therefore, highlight more than just an individual career. Through her, it also celebrates a musical tradition deeply rooted in Trinidad and Tobago. Her presence in Port of Spain will give this honor a special significance: that of an artist being honored in the very heart of the land to which her musical history remains intimately tied.
Alan Cavé and the Spread of Konpa
With Alan Cavé, Haitian konpa also takes its place in this regional landscape. The singer is one of those artists whose career has unfolded across Haiti, the diaspora, and audiences located far beyond his homeland.
His *Elite Konpa Honors* serves as a reminder that Caribbean music isn’t limited to the genres that enjoy high visibility in English-speaking markets. Konpa has its own networks, communities, and collective memory. Alan Cavé’s recognition brings this history back to the forefront of a scene designed to celebrate the sounds of the entire Caribbean.
Shyne: An Influence That Goes Beyond Music
Shyne’s career offers a fourth perspective. A native of Belize, he was honored with a Global Ambassador Award—a category that goes beyond musical performance alone. His public career has gradually combined music with representing and promoting his country on the international stage. This award thus broadens the very definition of cultural influence. Promoting the Caribbean can be achieved through a song, a musical genre, or an artistic career, but also through the ability to project a region’s image beyond its borders.
Four Ways to Experience the Caribbean
Bringing together Patra, Calypso Rose, Alan Cavé, and Shyne ultimately reveals what the 2026 Caribbean Music Awards aim to celebrate this year: not a single Caribbean musical identity, but multiple heritages capable of coexisting. Dancehall, calypso, konpa, and cultural representation don’t all tell the same story. Yet each demonstrates how a region can produce a voice that travels, transforms, and reaches new audiences.
In this context, their differences will thus become the true common thread: four distinct legacies, four different relationships with the world, and a shared ability to integrate Caribbean creations into international and sustainable cultural networks. On September 19, these four paths will converge in Port of Spain. And perhaps that is where the strength of this edition lies: in reminding us that the Caribbean shines precisely because it never speaks with a single voice.
Patra, Calypso Rose, Alan Cavé, and Shyne will each receive a special award at the 2026 Caribbean Music Awards.
Patra will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award, Calypso Rose will receive the Elite Calypso Honors, Alan Cavé will receive the Elite Konpa Honors, and Shyne will receive the Global Ambassador Award.
The 2026 Caribbean Music Awards ceremony will take place on September 19, 2026 at the National Academy for the Performing Arts in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.
In Barahona, in the southwestern part of the Dominican Republic, a blue stone bridges geology, craftsmanship, and national identity. Larimar is not only prized for its color: its history is tied to a specific region, to those who mine it, and to those who craft it. From the Sierra de Bahoruco to the jewelry workshops, its journey illustrates how a local resource can become cultural heritage, a symbol, and a cause for conservation.
In Barahona, a stone begins its journey
In 1974, Dominican artisan Miguel Méndez became interested in a blue stone known in the Barahona region. Together with geologist Norman Rilling, he helped identify its deposit and develop its use in jewelry. Méndez also gave it its name: “Larimar,” a combination of “Larissa,” his daughter’s first name, and “mar,” the Spanish word for “sea.” Behind this name, which has become familiar in the Dominican Republic, lies a history deeply rooted in a region, a family, and a tradition of craftsmanship.
Larimar: Why Is This Stone So Unique?
Larimar is a blue variety of pectolite that Dominican authorities claim is unique to the country. Its deposit is located in the Sierra de Bahoruco, in the southwestern part of the Dominican Republic, specifically in the communities of Los Checheses and La Filipina, in the province of Barahona. Its color, which ranges from light blue to deeper shades, gives it an instantly recognizable visual identity.
But its uniqueness lies not only in its appearance. It stems above all from its geographical origin: Barahona is not merely a backdrop for the stone; it is the place that gives it its history. This geographical context changes the way we view it: behind every crafted piece lies the concept of a heritage that the country intends to preserve.
When stone passes through the hands of artisans
Extracting this stone is just the beginning. Once it’s out of the ground, the material must be sorted, cut, polished, and then transformed. That’s where artisans play a vital role. Jewelry, pendants, rings, and decorative pieces give the stone a second life and transform a mineral resource into a cultural artifact. In December 2025, Dominican authorities reported that at least half of the extracted material remained in the country to be processed locally, particularly in the fields of handicrafts and jewelry.
This transformation represents a significant challenge: retaining more value within the region rather than simply exporting raw materials. It also helps maintain a visible connection between the stone’s origin and the processes that give it its final form before it enters the international market.
How did Larimar become a Dominican symbol?
This relationship between the stone, the region, and the craftsmanship has gradually transcended commercial boundaries. On November 4, 2011, Law 296-11 designated Larimar as the “National Stone” of the Dominican Republic. Since the passage of another law in 2018, November 22 has also been designated as National Larimar Day.
These recognitions lend an institutional dimension to what the artisans and communities of Barahona have been building for decades. Choosing this stone, then, is no longer simply a matter of selecting a blue stone. The stone evokes a place, a history of transformation, and an identity that the country has chosen to officially recognize.
Protecting the name “Larimar Barahona”
The next question was almost inevitable: How can this designation of origin be protected when the stone is exported? The answer today lies in the “Larimar Barahona” designation of origin. Its international registration under the World Intellectual Property Organization’s Lisbon System allows the name to be legally linked to the territory from which it originates.
In June 2026, the Dominican Ministry of Energy and Mines reported that this designation was protected in 28 countries. The goal goes beyond combating the misuse of the name. It also aims to improve traceability and encourage cutting, polishing, and jewelry making in the Dominican Republic.
From Barahona to the World: The True Story of Larimar
The story of this stone ultimately tells of much more than just a geological curiosity. A material buried in the Sierra de Bahoruco became a resource, then a craft, a national symbol, and now a heritage that the Dominican Republic seeks to protect beyond its borders. In this story, Barahona remains, even today, both the starting point and the central thread.
Perhaps this is where the true heritage value of this stone lies. Its uniqueness stems not only from its rarity, but also from the connection between a place, people, and the processes that transform the stone. Protecting this connection also raises a broader question: in the Caribbean, a region rich in traditions deeply rooted in their territories, how many other forms of craftsmanship could, in turn, become cultural heritage that is better recognized, better passed down, and better protected?
Larimar is a blue variety of pectolite associated with the Dominican Republic. Its deposit is located in the Sierra de Bahoruco, in the province of Barahona.
Larimar has become a national symbol associated with Dominican identity, craftsmanship, and expertise. It was designated the national gemstone of the Dominican Republic in 2011.
The “Larimar Barahona” designation of origin protects the connection between the stone and its region of origin. In particular, it aims to preserve the stone’s traceability, authenticity, and the value created locally through its processing.
As the plane leaves Georgetown, the roads fade from view, the houses become tiny, and the forest eventually fills almost the entire horizon. Then, suddenly, a white break appears in this vast expanse of green. These are the Kaieteur Falls, where the Potaro River plunges 226 meters in a single drop. The sight is impressive not only for its height but especially for its surroundings: almost no man-made structures, just rock, forest, water, and open space.
Kaieteur Falls: 226 meters that put things into perspective
At 226 meters, or 741 feet, Kaieteur Falls is more than four times as high as Niagara Falls. Its uniqueness also lies in the combination of this height and the volume of water plunging from the plateau. Here, the Potaro River does not cascade down in a series of waterfalls. It flows through the landscape, suddenly reaches the escarpment, and then vanishes into a curtain of water, spray, and roaring sound.
This power gives the place a feeling that is difficult to capture in a photograph. From the viewing points, the eye is not drawn solely to the waterfall. It also takes in the rock faces, the mist rising from the pool, and the expanse of forest that seems to stretch on endlessly.
A waterfall in the heart of a landscape billions of years old
Kaieteur Falls are located in the Potaro-Siparuni region, within Kaieteur National Park. Established in 1929, the park now covers approximately 62,700 hectares. It lies on the Guiana Shield, a geological formation whose rocks are over two billion years old in some places.
This geological depth adds another dimension to the site. Kaieteur is not just a spectacular destination—it’s also a window into one of the oldest landscapes on the South American continent. In this part of Guyana, the tourist experience relies less on a series of activities than on coming face-to-face with the sheer scale of the landscape.
A place filled with stories
Long before the first Western accounts, Kaieteur Falls were known to the region’s Indigenous peoples, particularly the Patamona. Several oral traditions are associated with their name. One tells of a chief who chose to cross the falls in a canoe to protect his people. Another tells of an old man who was swept away by the waters. These stories should not be confused with established historical facts. Their significance lies elsewhere: they serve as a reminder that the place is also part of a cultural memory, and not just part of the history of tourism or exploration.
On April 29, 1870, British geologist Charles Barrington Brown reached the falls during an expedition. This date marks its entry into Western exploration history, but not its “discovery” in the strictest sense: local communities had known about Kaieteur for much longer.
A Living World to Explore Up Close
Around Kaieteur Falls, the spectacular can be found in just a few centimeters. The park is home to Anomaloglossus beebei, a small golden frog endemic to the area. It lives in close association with large bromeliads, whose leaves retain small reserves of water used for the development of tadpoles. Visitors can also spot the orange rock cock and Kaieteur swifts, which nest in the cliffs near the waterfall. This biodiversity serves as a reminder that the waterfall is not just an isolated attraction: it is the most visible part of a much larger ecosystem.
The experience of seeing Kaieteur Falls begins even before you arrive
For many visitors, the journey to Kaieteur Falls is part of the experience. Flights from Ogle Airport in Georgetown take about an hour. From the small planes, the urban landscape gradually gives way to rivers, then to the forest. Upon arrival, guided trails lead to several viewing points, including Rainbow View, Boy Scout View, and Johnson View. Each offers a different perspective: from one vantage point, the falls appear massive; from another, they seem almost suspended above the valley.
Perhaps that is where Kaieteur’s true strength lies. Its 226 meters are impressive, but they tell only part of the story. Kaieteur also reveals a Guyana that is forested, ancient, indigenous, and deeply connected to its wild landscapes. It is a destination that demands not only to be admired, but to be understood within the context of the land that gives it its full power.
Kaieteur Falls are located in Guyana, in the Potaro-Siparuni region, in the heart of Kaieteur National Park. They are formed by the Potaro River, in a vast tropical rainforest setting.
Kaieteur Falls is approximately 226 meters, or 741 feet, during their main jump. The Potaro River plunges almost straight down from the plateau, creating the impressive waterfall that can be seen today.
Kaieteur Falls are notable for their combination of height, powerful flow, and secluded forest setting. The site also has significant cultural importance, linked to indigenous traditions, and is home to remarkable biodiversity.
Standing in front of a screen displaying 1,083,448 visitors, Minister David Collado presented the results for July 2026. Behind this record-breaking tourism figure in the Dominican Republic, authorities want to highlight concrete impacts on employment, suppliers, and government revenue. But the figures also reveal a concentration of arrivals in just a few regions.
A New Milestone Reached in July
The Dominican Republic welcomed 921,718 tourists arriving by air and 161,730 cruise ship passengers in July, for a total of 1,083,448 visitors. This figure represents a 2.9% increase compared to July 2025, a 6.4% increase compared to 2024, and a 60.6% increase compared to 2019.
In the first seven months of 2026, the country welcomed a total of 7,700,118 visitors: 5,885,259 arrived by air and 1,814,859 by sea. The cumulative total is 7% higher than in 2025 and 10.4% higher than in 2024. Tourism in the Dominican Republic thus confirms a growth trend that is not based on a single exceptional month.
Punta Cana accounts for 58% of air arrivals
This is a national record, but the distribution remains uneven. In July, Punta Cana Airport handled 537,204 passengers, accounting for 58% of all air arrivals. Las Américas received 219,494 passengers, or 24%, while Cibao handled 119,662, or 13%. Puerto Plata accounted for 3%, compared with 1% each for La Romana and Samaná.
This breakdown highlights Punta Cana’s significance to tourism in the Dominican Republic. However, other destinations are also experiencing strong activity. Nationwide hotel occupancy reached 76%, with 92% in Bayahíbe, 83% in La Romana, 82% in Miches, and 80% in the Bávaro–Punta Cana area.
183,000 jobs generated by occupied rooms
Authorities estimate that hotels support more than 183,000 direct jobs and that approximately 605,000 people depend economically on the tourism industry. The kitchen is the largest source of hotel jobs, with 42,460 positions. Restaurants account for 28,991, and bars for 14,443.
In addition to these occupations are services, maintenance, security, tours, transportation, and retail. Yanira Eusebio, a beverage vendor on Guayacanes Beach, explained that the renovation of her sales stand and customer service training had helped her increase her income. Her story serves as a reminder that tourism in the Dominican Republic is not limited to hotel resorts.
Salaries, Suppliers, and Taxes
In July, the total payroll for hotels reached 4.77 billion Dominican pesos. Purchases from suppliers totaled 11.59 billion, or more than 374 million pesos per day. The sector also paid 8.729 billion pesos in taxes, according to data presented by the ministry.
The supply chain amplifies these benefits. According to Deputy Minister Jacqueline Mora, 92% of the farmland that supplies hotel kitchens is located outside the Eastern Region. Consequently, a portion of the spending generated by tourism in the Dominican Republic benefits producers located far from the popular beaches.
Do visitors leave the hotels?
Six out of ten tourists reportedly participated in activities outside their accommodations, including excursions, tours, snorkeling, or buggy rides. This tourism activity can support tour guides, transportation providers, restaurant owners, and small businesses. It also allows visitors to explore regions and cultural heritage sites beyond the scope of an all-inclusive vacation. Satisfaction levels remain high: an average of 4.4 out of 5, with 91% of respondents saying they would like to return and 59% stating they would recommend the destination.
What the record doesn't show yet
These results illustrate the sector’s economic strength, but not its full distribution. They do not specify job stability, wages by occupation, or the share of revenue retained in each municipality. Nor do they measure the impacts on housing, water, waste management, or coastal areas. The next challenge for tourism in the Dominican Republic will therefore be to transform record visitor numbers into sustainable value. After 1,083,448 visitors in July, the question is no longer just how many people are arriving, but how many local communities, workers, and businesses are thriving alongside them.
The Dominican Republic welcomed 1,083,448 visitors in July 2026. This total includes 921,718 tourists arrived by air and 161,730 cruise passengers.
According to data from the Ministry of Tourism, hotels support more than 183,000 direct jobs. In July 2026, they are said to have paid 4.77 billion pesos in wages, purchased 11.59 billion pesos in goods and services from suppliers, and generated 8.729 billion pesos in taxes.
Punta Cana remains the country’s main gateway for tourists. In July 2026, its airport welcomed 537,204 passengers, or 58% of air arrivals, ahead of Las Américas with 24% and Cibao with 13%.
A few meters below the surface, silhouettes slowly come into view. Children are holding hands. A man sits at his typewriter. In Grenada, art doesn’t just occupy the seabed—it transforms along with it. Further on, carnival figures seem to be moving through the water. Visitors don’t just discover submerged sculptures; they enter a landscape that currents, corals, and time continue to shape.
In 2006, artist Jason deCaires Taylor installed what would come to be widely recognized as the world’s first underwater sculpture park in Molinere Bay. Now located within the Molinere-Beauséjour Marine Protected Area, the site lies at a depth of between five and eight meters. It can therefore be viewed while scuba diving, snorkeling, or from a glass-bottom boat. Nearly twenty years later, the artist sums up the project’s origins in a single sentence: “Grenada is the seed that started it all.”
A museum that the sea is constantly reshaping
In a traditional museum, works of art are protected from moisture, salt, and the passage of time. Here, everything works the other way around. The sculptures were designed to support marine life. The pH-neutral cement and stainless steel provide a surface on which organisms can gradually attach themselves.
In Grenada, a work of art is therefore never completely finished. Seaweed alters its colors. Sponges cover certain shapes. Fish swim among the figures. The waves, currents, and light constantly change the way the whole piece is perceived. The museum becomes an artificial reef, but also a collective creation in which the ocean acts as a second sculptor.
The idea was born in a vulnerable area. Molinere Bay had suffered significant damage during Hurricane Ivan in 2004. The installation of artificial structures provided new habitats for marine life. The park also attracts some divers and swimmers, which helps reduce visitor traffic to certain nearby natural reefs that are more vulnerable.
Faces That Tell the Story of Grenada
The park isn’t just about the environment. It also tells stories, showcases people, and highlights aspects directly linked to the region. One of his best-known works, *Vicissitudes*, depicts twenty-six children standing in a circle and holding hands. Set about five meters deep, their bodies blend into their surroundings, symbolizing adaptation and the cycle of life. Other works incorporate fragments of memory. The Lost Correspondent shows a man sitting in front of a typewriter, surrounded by articles that evoke a period in Grenadian history. Enlarged reproductions of petroglyphs, meanwhile, serve as a reminder of the traces left by the island’s earliest inhabitants.
This cultural aspect grew even stronger in 2023. The park welcomed The Coral Carnival, a series inspired by Spicemas, the carnival in Grenada. Created in collaboration with local artists, twenty-five sculptures depict several iconic figures from the masquerades, including the Jab Jab, the Short Knee, and the Vieux Corps. For the first time in Taylor’s underwater work, natural pigments were used to add color to the figures.
From Carnival to the Living Reef
Underwater, however, these costumes will not remain the same. Their appearance will change as marine organisms colonize them. This is precisely what gives the project its power. Local culture is not confined to a static image. It interacts with a living environment. The carnival characters mingle with the fish, while marine textures gradually replace the colors applied by the artists.
In this way, Grenade tells the story of its region without separating art, history, and the sea. The park is at once an attraction, an educational space, and a work of art in constant transformation. It also serves as a reminder that a destination can make a name for itself in ways other than by building more and more structures along its coastline.
Since 2006, the Molinere Museum has not sought to resist the passage of time. On the contrary, it makes room for time within its creative process. Each new layer of coral alters its silhouette. Every fish that takes shelter there adds an unexpected movement. What if Grenada’s greatest uniqueness were precisely that it has created a museum where no two visits can ever be exactly the same?
The Grenada Underwater Museum is located in Molinere Bay, within the Molinere-Beauséjour Marine Protected Area, on the island’s west coast.
Established in 2006, it is widely recognized as the world’s first underwater sculpture park. The sculptures gradually evolve as they come into contact with corals, seaweed, and marine life.
The site can be explored while scuba diving, snorkeling, or from certain glass-bottom boats. The sculptures are located at a shallow depth.
In June 2026, Aruba welcomed 143,343 overnight visitors, compared with 126,391 a year earlier. The island thus welcomed 16,952 visitors over a 12-month period, representing a 13.4% increase. Behind this growth, another challenge emerges: understanding which markets are driving this growth and what it can actually bring to the region.
An increase that exceeds the number of arrivals
This increase is all the more notable given that June 2025 had already posted 3.1% growth compared to June 2024. It is therefore not starting from a particularly weak month; rather, it is picking up momentum after an already positive first year.
Visitors welcomed in June 2026 generated 912,256 overnight stays. Their average length of stay is 6.4 nights. This figure is just as important as the number of arrivals. It means that travelers aren’t just passing through the island—they’re staying there, eating, getting around, and booking activities for nearly a week. For hotels, vacation rentals, restaurants, transportation providers, and tour operators, this length of stay can generate greater economic benefits than a simple increase in the number of travelers.
The United States remains Aruba's driving force
North America accounts for 73.6% of arrivals recorded in June. The United States alone is Aruba’s largest market, with 102,224 visitors. This strength is a clear advantage. It shows that the island continues to hold a strong position among American travelers. But it also reveals a high degree of concentration. When nearly three-quarters of arrivals come from a single region, economic or aviation developments in that market can quickly have an impact on the destination.
Diversification is therefore becoming essential. South America already accounts for 20.3% of visitors. Argentina contributed 11,682 arrivals in June 2026, a sharp increase compared to the previous year, although the Aruba Tourism Authority did not disclose the exact percentage of this growth. Europe remains a smaller market, accounting for 3.5% of the total. The Netherlands leads this market with 2,755 visitors.
A destination that spans generations
The traveler profile shows a relatively diverse customer base. Generation X accounts for 26.8% of visitors, ahead of Millennials at 25.4%. Generation Z accounts for 20.8%, while Baby Boomers account for 18.8% of arrivals. Aruba, therefore, does not rely solely on an older clientele or traditional family tourism. The island attracts people of all ages, each with different expectations: beaches and relaxation for some, fine dining, sports, cultural exploration, or shared experiences for others.
This diversity also requires the destination to adapt its offerings without losing its identity. Simply attracting more visitors isn’t enough. It’s also necessary to offer experiences that make people want to stay, return, and explore places beyond the most popular attractions.
The cruise reaffirms Aruba's appeal
The results of the annual cruise tourism survey reinforce this finding. Of the 2,414 people surveyed in 2025, 81% said thatAruba’s inclusion in their itinerary influenced their choice of cruise. That figure was 78% in 2024. All 14 aspects evaluated showed improvement. The beaches, safety, and local hospitality received the highest ratings. During their port calls, cruise passengers spent an average of 197 U.S. dollars per person, primarily on excursions, local crafts, food, and beverages.
Turning Growth into Local Value
The figures for June 2026 confirm Aruba’s strength as a tourist destination. But above all, they raise a more important question: How much of this growth is providing lasting benefits to residents, artisans, and local businesses? Perhaps the next key metric to track won’t be just the number of visitors. It will be Aruba’s ability to turn every visit into economic, cultural, and social value for the island.
Aruba welcomed 143,343 overnight visitors in June 2026, compared with 126,391 in June 2025. That represents an increase of 16,952 visitors in one year.
The number of overnight visitors to Aruba increased by 13.4% between June 2025 and June 2026. This increase was accompanied by 912,256 overnight stays and an average length of stay of 6.4 nights.
The United States is Aruba’s largest tourism market, with 102,224 visitors in June 2026. North America accounted for a total of 73.6% of the arrivals recorded during the month.
At Fort Oranje, the view descends toward the sea before rising again toward the verdant cone of the Quill. The cannons lined up along the ramparts serve as a reminder that here, on November 16, 1776, eleven shots were fired in response to a salute from an American ship. This historic scene offers a key to exploring Sint Eustatius, a Dutch Caribbean island where the landscapes preserve the memory of the world.
Sint Eustatius, where eleven gunshots rang out
On that day, the Andrew Doria entered Oranje Bay flying the flag of the rebellious American colonies. After the ship fired thirteen rounds, Governor Johannes de Graaff authorized Fort Oranje to return the salute with eleven rounds, in accordance with maritime protocol. The episode has become known as the “First Salute,” the first official tribute paid by a foreign authority to the new American flag.
The significance of this place, however, extends beyond the diplomatic event. From the ramparts, visitors immediately understand why the island was so important. The bay made it possible to monitor arrivals, protect trade, and connect the maritime routes between Europe, North America, and the Caribbean territories.
Sint Eustatius: Fort Oranje, the best starting point
Fort Oranje naturally separates Upper Town from Lower Town, the two distinct areas of Oranjestad. The upper part is home to government buildings and several historic sites. Further down, the road leads to the waterfront, the harbor, a few restaurants, and the ruins of the old commercial district.
The fort remains one of the island’s best-preserved monuments. In April 2026, management of the fort was officially transferred to the local government, just a few months before the 250th anniversary of the First Salute. This transfer of responsibility underscores a clear goal: to preserve a historic site without freezing it in time, so that it remains a place for gathering, remembrance, and passing on its legacy.
Oranjestad: A History to Explore
Heading down toward Oranje Bay means shifting from a panoramic view to an almost archaeological interpretation of the landscape. Lower Town preserves the ruins of warehouses, stone ovens, and brick structures dating back to the intense commercial activity of the 18th century. Some are now being eroded by the sea and bear the marks of hurricanes.
These ruins explain the nickname “Golden Rock” that Sint Eustatius was once given. Its free port attracted merchants from many different backgrounds and facilitated the flow of goods, weapons, and information. This prosperity was also based on slavery and the colonial system. The tour thus takes on its full significance when it combines the beauty of the site, its commercial power, and the memory of the exploited populations.
Sint Eustatius : Between Land-Based Heritage and Sunken Treasures
The story continues underwater. The marine park protects reefs, shipwrecks, and sites that can be explored with local dive operators. At Oranje Bay, snorkelers can see a submerged section of the old city wall. The sea hasn’t completely erased Lower Town—it has preserved part of it in a different way.
Sint Eustatius, from the Golden Rock to the greenery of the Quill
Just a few kilometers are enough to enter a whole new world. To the south, the Quill, a dormant volcano, dominates the landscape. Together with Boven National Park, it forms a network of seventeen trails totaling approximately twenty-one kilometers. Some trails wind through a semitropical forest, while others follow valleys lined with cacti or lead to overlooks of the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.
This proximity between fortifications, harbor ruins, the seabed, and volcanic terrain gives the island its unique rhythm. A morning might begin among the stone buildings of Oranjestad and continue along a shaded trail. Here, tourism isn’t based on a sheer number of attractions, but on the seamless blend of history, nature, and island life.
Why Visit Sint Eustatius in 2026?
The 250th anniversary of the First Salute is putting the island back in the spotlight. Exhibitions, heritage projects, and celebrations are set to culminate on Statia Day, November 16, 2026. For travelers, this year offers, above all, an opportunity to understand how a community tells its own story—one that is often presented from an American perspective.
The eleven cannon shots serve as an excellent starting point. They lead to a fort, a city straddling the hills and the shore, a former global port, a volcano, and a marine park. The real discovery begins after the famous story: what do we choose to listen to when a region reclaims its own history?
Sint Eustatius is particularly known for the First Salute. On November 16, 1776, Fort Oranje responded with eleven cannon shots to the American ship’s salute Andrew Doria. This event is considered the first official tribute paid by a foreign authority to the new American flag. The island was also an important free port in the 18th century, which earned it the nickname “Golden Rock.”
The main attractions in Sint Eustatius include Fort Oranje, Oranje Bay, the ruins of Lower Town, and the volcanic landscapes of the Quill. Visitors can also hike the island’s nature trails, see remnants of its former commercial district, and explore its marine heritage, which includes reefs, shipwrecks, and submerged historic structures.
The eleven cannon shots signify Fort Oranje’s reply to the salute from the Andrew Doria in 1776. This did not yet constitute full diplomatic recognition of the United States. Nevertheless, it represented a strong official gesture toward the flag of the rebellious American colonies. Today, this event links the heritage of Saint-Eustache to a major chapter in Atlantic history.
