A prestigious title that reinforces Saint Vincent's place in the Caribbean
The Sandals Group has reached a new milestone with its St. Vincent and the Grenadines resort, recently named Best All-Inclusive Resort 2025 at the Travvy Awards. This distinction, awarded by one of the most closely watched organizations in the travel industry, places St. Vincent at the heart of Caribbean destinations that are moving upmarket. This success is helping to establish the archipelago as a credible alternative to the region’s more high-profile tourist destinations.
A resort designed in an unspoilt environment
Located in a discreet bay in the south-west of the island, the Sandals resort blends into a largely unspoilt landscape. The relief, vegetation and proximity of a small river provide a setting where the architecture blends into the environment rather than seeking to dominate the site. The concept is based on a simple vision: to offer an upscale experience without upsetting the natural balance of the site.
The resort is distinguished by its water villas, suites with personalized services, Caribbean and international-inspired restaurants and wellness areas. Travelers will find a tranquil atmosphere, far from dense tourist areas.
Why does Sandals stand out at the Travvy Awards 2025?
The recognition Sandals received at the Travvy Awards was based on several criteria observed by the jurors: the quality of the infrastructure, the consistency of the experience offered, the level of service, traveler feedback and innovation in the all-inclusive offer.
In the case of Saint-Vincent, all the elements converge towards a masterful approach to luxury hotels. The restaurants showcase Caribbean cuisine using island products, the communal areas feature lightweight construction, and the Learn-to-Dive diving program helps guests discover the island’s seabed in the best possible conditions. The resort also stands out for its ability to offer personalized luxury without creating too strong a break with the island ecosystem.
A real impact on tourism in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
The Group’s arrival in Saint-Vincent has led to renewed interest in the destination, often referred to as the “Sandals effect” by regional tourism players. Air links have been strengthened, excursions have been diversified, and the local hotel sector is benefiting from a new dynamic.
This international distinction helps to consolidate this progress. It places the archipelago in the category of sought-after destinations for a top-of-the-range all-inclusive stay, while highlighting a development model based on a balance between comfort, landscape and authenticity. For tourism professionals in the Caribbean, the success of the Saint-Vincent resort shows that there is a place for hotel projects that do not distort their immediate environment.
A strong signal for the Group in the region
For Sandals Resorts, this recognition is part of a broader strategy: to consolidate its presence in the Caribbean while renewing its quality standards. The St. Vincent resort plays an important role in this evolution, marking one of the group’s most recent developments. Its international distinction confirms the relevance of a positioning more focused on nature, tranquility and a tailor-made experience.
The Travvy Awards 2025 reinforce the resort’s legitimacy in the Caribbean world of upscale tourism. The brand has demonstrated its ability to evolve with travelers’ expectations, while preserving the uniqueness of the territories in which it operates.
The election of Sandals de Saint-Vincent to the title of Best All-Inclusive Resort 2025 is an essential moment for the destination and for the group. It highlights a resort where luxury hotels find their place in a preserved environment, and where the Caribbean is shown in a more authentic light. For Saint-Vincent, this distinction confirms a trend that has already begun: that of an archipelago that is gradually asserting itself as one of the region’s most promising destinations.
Just a few miles east of Puerto Rico, Vieques juts out like a tongue of land bordered by clear coves, lagoons and ocean-side roads. Here, time slips by smoothly: a conversation on an Esperanza stoop, a horse striding through the village, light lingering on the seaside almond trees. The island doesn’t impose anything, it proposes a rhythm. And it’s a rhythm that the islanders hold dear.
A simple geography, a landscape that breathes
Vieques is easy to read: two small towns – Isabel II to the north, Esperanza to the south – and, between them, an alternation of coves, scrub-covered hills, lagoons and former military roads turned sea trails. The south coast offers a succession of beaches with a distinct character: Sun Bay and its generous arch, Media Luna with its calm waters, Navío hemmed in by rocks, La Chiva and Caracas where the horizon opens up effortlessly. Nothing ostentatious: a line of sand, crystal-clear water and the steady breeze of the trade winds.
Mosquito Bay, the night that lights up
When the moon fades and the wind dies down, Mosquito Bay whispers another Vieques truth. In this protected lagoon, micro-organisms light up at the slightest movement. A stroke of the paddle, an arm brushing the water, and thousands of bluish sparks respond. The spectacle needs no superlatives: it’s striking because it surprises, because it demands slowness and attention. Local guides insist on a few simple rules – limit the use of creams, avoid sudden gestures, respect silence – not out of rigidity, but because beauty lies in this tacit agreement between place and visitor.
Creole horses, village neighbors
In Vieques, you quickly get used to sharing the road. Creole horses move about in their own way: a band trotting along the beach in the morning, a foal sheltering under an almond tree, a group crossing Esperanza’s main street as the fishermen return. Their presence is not the stuff of postcards; it simply expresses the continuity of rural life, the ancient use of pastures, the proud autonomy of a small island. Glances are exchanged, the pace slows and the daily routine continues.
Recent memory, reinvented territory
Vieques wasn’t always as sea-oriented as it is today. For decades, part of the coastline was used for military training. The inhabitants defended access to the beaches, the quality of the water and the possibility of a future that would not be built against nature. From this period remain paths that have been reclaimed by vegetation, batteries won over by salt, and above all a conviction: the value of Vieques is measured by its ability to remain itself. This memory nurtures a public-spiritedness: here, we discuss, we organize, we prefer clarity to haste.
Esperanza: the seaside at human level
The Malecon d’Esperanza rolls out its low-slung houses, its cafés open to the trade winds, its terraces where people linger. The hours take on a different color: in the morning, passers-by greet departing crews; at midday, the shade attracts conversation; in the evening, the bay captures a sky that changes hue at a glance. A few steps are all it takes to go from the murmur of the waves to the voices that answer each other under the verandas. Hospitality often comes in the form of an address, a tip on the state of the sea, or a dish of the day that varies according to the catch.
Island itineraries: walking, paddling, watching
At La Chiva, the transparency of the water can be read from the shore; at Media Luna, the curve of the bay protects against currents; at Navío, the swell sculpts a more pronounced breath. The paths leading to the beaches pass through woods of mancenilla, grape and cactus: a dry, straightforward landscape punctuated by chiaroscuro. On the lagoons, a kayak glides between the mangroves; on the seagrass beds, turtles graze peacefully. The guides insist on simple gestures: don’t walk on the weed beds, keep your distance from the fauna, leave with your garbage. In short, elegance.
A way of being in the world
What we take away from Vieques is not an inventory of places ticked off a list; it’s a feeling of rightness. A windless evening in Mosquito Bay, an early-morning walk on Sun Bay, a greeting exchanged with a horseman, a meal eaten facing the water – these are all moments when the island seems to be saying “take your time”. We leave with the impression of having relearned a simple gesture – looking – and of having found a place at human level, between sea, light and village voices.
Vieques doesn’t look for effects. She prefers links. And perhaps that’s why it stays in the memory for so long.
The OECS continues its regional modernization with a landmark initiative in Saint Lucia: the commissioning of automated kiosks at the country’s two main airports. A decisive step towards smoother, more technological and more secure border management in the Caribbean.
A forward-looking regional project
The OECS Commission (Organization of Eastern Caribbean States) has handed over ten self-service kiosks to Saint Lucia: eight at Hewanorra International Airport (HIA) and two at George F. L. Charles International Airport. This state-of-the-art equipment enables travellers to complete entry formalities themselves, reducing waiting times and congestion in arrival halls.
This operation is part of the OECS Border Management Improvement Program, financed by the European Union through the Regional Integration Through Growth Harmonisation and Technology (RIGHT) program. This partnership illustrates the regional organization’s determination to strengthen cooperation between its member states, while relying on technology as a lever for efficiency and security.
Automated kiosks for a better passenger experience
With this installation, Saint Lucia becomes a concrete example of digital transformation at the service of tourism. The new automated kiosks scan passports, capture fingerprints and speed up data verification, while maintaining a high level of security.
The aim is twofold: to facilitate travel for the region’s nationals, particularly those from CARICOM and the OECS, and to strengthen the country’s ability to identify and filter high-risk passengers. This intelligent approach illustrates the balance the region is seeking to strike between opening up tourism and tightening controls.
Strong words from Caribbean leadership
At the official handover ceremony at Hewanorra International Airport, OECS Director General Dr Didacus Jules emphasized the strategic significance of this development:
“As global tourism becomes more competitive, travelers are looking not only for beautiful destinations, but also for an efficient, seamless and secure entry experience.”
Dr Didacus Jules emphasized that modernizing ports of entry is an essential pillar for supporting the economic growth of member states and reinforcing the international perception of an organized, technological and welcoming Caribbean.
For his part, Saint Lucia’s Minister of the Interior, Crime Prevention and Persons with Disabilities, Hon. Jeremiah Norbert, praised the investment:
“To maintain the global competitiveness of our tourism sector and meet security challenges, efficient border management systems are essential. They must deny entry to at-risk passengers while offering smooth passage to legitimate travelers.”
These declarations reflect a shared vision: to make the OECS area a model of harmonized regional management, where technological innovation is integrated with the imperatives of sovereignty and mobility.
A regional program already underway
The handover of ten kiosks in Saint Lucia comes just a few months after a similar initiative in Grenada, where six kiosks were delivered in March 2025. Eventually, the OECS Commission aims to equip all member states: Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Montserrat, as well as associated territories such as Anguilla and the British Virgin Islands.
Beyond infrastructure, the aim is to establish a framework for cooperation and data sharing to harmonize entry procedures, strengthen traceability and ensure better coordination between immigration services.
The initiative is thus aligned with the OECS’ regional priorities, which aim to accelerate digital transformation, boost sustainable tourism and improve regional connectivity. Technology becomes a strategic tool to accompany the mobility of Caribbean citizens while supporting economic competitiveness.
Saint Lucia, showcase of a new Caribbean era
For Saint Lucia, this partnership with the OECS and the European Union symbolizes a major step forward. The island is reinforcing its image as a modern, welcoming destination, with infrastructures that meet international standards. The automation of entry points is set to reduce waiting times, improve visitor satisfaction and optimize the management of tourist flows – a crucial issue for a country where tourism accounts for over 60% of GDP.
But beyond the immediate gain, this initiative reflects the political will to place Saint Lucia on a regional trajectory of digital integration. By relying on the structure and coordination of the OECS, the island benefits from a common framework of expertise, financing and training, while contributing to the construction of an interconnected Eastern Caribbean.
Towards intelligent regional connectivity
OECS is demonstrating its ability to combine vision, financing and execution in projects with a tangible impact. The installation of these terminals is more than just a technological gesture: it symbolizes the growing power of a region that is modernizing its infrastructure, reinforcing safety and making mobility more fluid.
At a time when competition between tourist destinations is intensifying, this modernization positions the Eastern Caribbean in a strategic niche: that of an integrated, safe and technologically advanced area.
By uniting its members around tangible initiatives, the OECS is once again asserting its role as a regional driving force, in the service of a more efficient, more connected and resolutely forward-looking Caribbean.
CHIEF 2025, taking place from November 16 to 18 at the Wyndham Grand Barbados Sam Lord’s Castle, promises to be one of the most strategic meetings for Caribbean tourism. Organized by the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), the event will focus on the transformation of the hotel sector in a world disrupted by technological, climatic and social change.
An action-oriented forum for regional cooperation
For over ten years, the Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum (CHIEF) has established itself as the leading forum for exchanges and concrete solutions for players in the Caribbean tourism industry. The 2025 edition stands out for its strong theme: “Innovating Caribbean Tourism for a Disrupted World: Adapting with Purpose, Leading with People, Planning for Permanence”.
Under this banner, CHIEF 2025 aims to provide practical tools for industry professionals – hotel managers, destination managers, associations, investors – to face contemporary challenges with foresight and cohesion.
Sanovnik Destang, President of the CHTA, sums up the spirit of this meeting: “CHIEF continues to evolve in real time, addressing the issues that hoteliers face today while giving them the means to act tomorrow.” So this forum is less a conference than an ideas laboratory, where each session leads to concrete action and sustainable networking.
Technology and customer experience: the Caribbean hotel industry in the age of AI
CHIEF 2025’s program includes a strong focus on digital issues. The session Digital Futures: AI, Automation and the Caribbean Guest Experience will explore how artificial intelligence, data collection and automation can transform customer relations without dehumanizing the experience.
Experts such as Charlie Osmund (Triptease) and Adam Mogelonsky (Hotel Mogel Consulting) will show how these tools, long reserved for the big chains, are becoming accessible to the region’s independent hotels.
Other sessions, such as Personalization at Scale and Cybersecurity in Action, will address strategies for strengthening data security, personalizing services on a large scale and improving digital competitiveness. The aim is clear: to ensure that the Caribbean is not just a dream destination, but also a model of technological efficiency.
Talent at the heart of transformation
Human capital remains a priority. Against a backdrop of high staff turnover and a shortage of skilled workers, CHIEF 2025 offers several sessions dedicated to training, building loyalty and enhancing the value of teams.
Workshops such as Staffing Smarter: Building Flexible Teams for an Unpredictable World and Ground Up Leadership will explore ways of building versatile, resilient teams capable of adapting to unforeseen economic and climatic events. The idea is no longer simply to recruit, but to transform each employee into a true ambassador for his or her establishment.
Another highlight, Turning Staff into Stakeholders, will examine the new expectations of employees, who want more recognition, flexibility and meaning. By reinventing the employer-employee relationship, the Caribbean tourism sector can not only retain its talent, but also strengthen the quality of hospitality for which the region is renowned.
Sustainability, identity and economic performance
CHIEF 2025 is not limited to technological innovation: it also explores the issue of sustainability as a driver of profitability. The session Certifiably Sustainable? Measuring the ROI of Certification will analyze the return on investment of environmental labels, often perceived as costs, but increasingly recognized as growth drivers.
The Sourcing Smarter and Tourism for Us workshops will highlight the importance of local partnerships: regional sourcing, short circuits, collaboration with communities. These initiatives reduce logistics costs while creating a lasting social impact.
The CHIEF 2025 approach is based on a simple conviction: sustainability is not a constraint, but a long-term strategy for strengthening the reputation, profitability and autonomy of Caribbean destinations.
When gastronomy becomes a tourism strategy
One of the most inspiring parts of CHIEF 2025 will undoubtedly be Flavors with Intent: Elevating Caribbean Cuisine, led by James Beard Award finalist and Puerto Rican chef Carlos Portela. This session will explore how Caribbean gastronomy can become an economic and identity pillar.
Portela advocates a culinary approach that values local products, traditions and regional know-how. By linking culture, cuisine and tourism, hotels and restaurants can offer visitors an authentic experience while supporting local producers.
This vision illustrates the spirit of CHIEF: to unite performance and meaning, profitability and identity. In a region where cultural diversity is a strength, cuisine becomes a vector of differentiation and a universal language of travel.
A showcase for innovation and regional unity
In addition to the conferences, CHIEF 2025 will feature its Exchange Hub, a meeting place for service providers, startups, consultants and institutions. The CHIEF Awards will recognize exemplary initiatives in the fields of sustainability, technology and service.
For the CHTA, this forum embodies the dynamic regional cooperation that is vital in the face of a fragmented tourism market. Bringing together 32 national associations and over 1,000 members, the organization plays a central role in the defense and modernization of the Caribbean hotel industry.
Working together for resilient tourism
In a world marked by uncertainty, CHIEF 2025 is positioned as a catalyst for ideas, opportunities and concrete solutions. The event is a reminder that the future of Caribbean tourism depends as much on technology as on the ability of the men and women in the sector to collaborate, innovate and preserve what makes the region unique: its humanity.
By focusing on training, innovation and sustainability, the Caribbean is asserting itself as a model of adaptation. CHIEF 2025 doesn’t just discuss the future of the hotel industry: it builds it, step by step, with conviction and coherence.
On Roatán, the sea seems to speak low. It stretches shades of blue around the hills, glides over the seagrass beds, then lingers on the corals that line the coast. Here, the island welcomes you without artifice: regular breathing, villages open to the horizon, and inhabitants who still live by the rhythm of the water. Roatán is not a setting: it’s a territory that has chosen to combine nature, history and hospitality.
An island on the Great Mesoamerican Barrier Reef
Off the coast of Honduras, Roatán belongs to the Islas de la Bahía. Its coastline juts out like a balcony over the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, a vast coral ecosystem shared with Mexico, Belize and Guatemala – the largest reef in the Western Hemisphere and the second largest in the world. This marine continuum is home to major biodiversity and sustains the life of coastal communities.
On the west coast, the Bay Islands National Marine Park (BINMP) oversees the protection of key areas, while the NGO Roatán Marine Park works with local residents to run education, monitoring and restoration programs. This alliance between citizen science and official management gives the island a leading role in reef conservation.
West End, West Bay: life on the reef
To the west, West End and West Bay offer clear waters where, from the shore, you can observe the mosaic of coral and the dance of tropical fish. Here, snorkelling is renowned for its easy access to the reef, a rare asset in the region when accompanied by responsible attitudes: respect for beacons, no contact with coral, zero anchoring on seagrass beds.
More than just a postcard, Roatán has adopted a simple educational approach, with information panels, community centers and naturalist outings. More than a leisure activity, underwater observation becomes a way of understanding the territory and preserving it.
Punta Gorda: Garifuna memory in the present
On the north coast, Punta Gorda recalls a founding story. In 1797, Garifuna families – Afro-American Indians – were uprooted from St. Vincent and landed here. They built the first Garifuna community in Honduras and gave Roatán an essential part of its identity. Today, Garifuna music, language and dance are recognized by UNESCO as part of humanity’s intangible cultural heritage (Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua).
In Punta Gorda, this memory is not a fixed memory: it is shared on a daily basis through cuisine (cassave, grilled fish), polyrhythmic songs and ancestral tales. This heritage gives Roatán a unique voice in the Caribbean: a voice that links the movement of the tides to the paths of exile.
Island itineraries: sea, dry forests and villages
Roatán’s beauty lies in its contrasts. The main road runs through dry forests dotted with agaves, reaches lookouts from which you can follow the line of the reef, then descends to wooden piers where fishermen sort the day’s catch. In the coves, seagrass beds are home to turtles and starfish; offshore, the coral gardens reveal, in places, rare bunches of acropora that are still vigorous, as at Cordelia Banks, a reference site for the regeneration of the species.
Life is organized around sheltered bays: cafés open to the trade winds, small marinas, artisan workshops. In West End, strolls follow the water’s edge; in Sandy Bay, community organizations run awareness-raising campaigns; to the east, villages are spaced out, giving way to a more secretive island.
Hospitality through the eyes
A warm welcome on the island is based on simple gestures: advice on the state of the sea, an address where to try a local dish, a story shared when returning from the open sea. Many accommodations have opted for a human scale; nature guides work hand in hand with associations; restaurateurs favor local fishing and seasonal produce. This local economy relies on the sea without forcing it.
Travelers often come away with a lesson: the beauty of a reef cannot be consumed, it must be earned and respected. The fine sand, the clear water, the light all demand attention, in other words, a way of being rather than a performance.
An island that keeps its promises
What makes Roatán stand out is its coherence: a world-leading reef, communities that depend on it, a culture that carries a unique Caribbean memory, and committed local players. The island doesn’t try to impress with superlatives; it prefers to keep a clear promise: to leave room for everyone to listen to the sea and learn from it.
In the salty morning drizzle, in the sun setting over West Bay, in the drums of Punta Gorda, the island reminds us that the Caribbean is a collection of islands, yes, but above all a collection of stories. Its own stories, patiently woven between reef and memory, make you want to come back to take a better look and walk more gently.
A miniature island with great character
Lost between Canouan and Union Island, Mayreau is the smallest inhabited island in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Fewer than 300 inhabitants live here, to the rhythm of the wind and the sea. Accessible only by boat, Mayreau has no airport, giving it a rare charm in the contemporary Caribbean: that of an unspoilt territory on a human scale.
Here, everything seems measured. Time, distance, gestures. A single village, Old Wall, clings to the hillside. Inhabitants cross paths with kindness, children play in the alleys, and in the evening, the golden light stretches out to sea. The island’s atmosphere is one of simplicity that cannot be imitated.
An exceptional geography
Despite its small size – just 4 km² – Mayreau boasts an astonishingly rich geography. The island forms a gentle relief, alternating hills, beaches and seagrass beds. From the summit, near the Divine Mercy Catholic Church, the panorama is breathtaking: a string of turquoise islets form the Tobago Cays, a marine sanctuary world-famous for its translucent waters and protected coral reefs.
This viewpoint, one of the most spectacular in the Caribbean, symbolizes the island’s uniqueness: a tiny island that opens up views of infinity. The view extends over shades of blue and green that change with the day. The ever-present wind also seems to be part of the scenery, like a breath linking sea and land.
A living marine heritage
Life in Mayreau is inextricably linked with the sea. Artisanal fishing remains an essential activity: fish, lobster, lambis and sea urchins feed the local cuisine and form part of trade with neighboring islands. Early in the morning, the colorful boats leave the bay of Saline or Salt Whistle, gliding on the still calm sea.
The locals know every current, every cove, every season. Their relationship with the sea is not touristy, it’s vital. The oldest still tell of journeys between Grenada, Bequia and Saint-Vincent to sell fish or trade salt. This know-how, handed down from generation to generation, remains at the heart of the island’s identity…
Some of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean
Mayreau’s beaches are among the most remarkable in the archipelago. Salt Whistle Bay, to the north, forms a perfect curve between two seas: on one side, the calm waters of the lagoon; on the other, the waves of the Atlantic. This site, often mentioned in nautical guides, attracts sailboats who anchor at a respectful distance, aware of the unique character of the place.
Saline Bay, larger and more open, welcomes ferries and fishermen. This is where daily life is concentrated: children bathing, boats leaving and returning, discussions in the shade of almond trees. Each of Mayreau’s beaches has its own atmosphere – one for contemplation, one for movement, all for emotion.
Authenticity on a human scale
In Mayreau, there is only one main road. It links Saline Bay to the top of the village, winding through the hills to the Divine Mercy church. Life is concentrated on this modest road: a few bars, a small market, brightly painted houses and the occasional hand-painted sign indicating a family restaurant.
The inhabitants are naturally kind and live in a local economy. Electricity comes in part from solar panels, accommodation is small and tourism is respectful. Nothing is standardized here. You come for the essential: the sea, the light, the people.
This sobriety is not an absence, but a strength. It makes Mayreau a place where every visitor feels invited to slow down, to walk, to listen. In the evening, sounds mingle: the lapping of the water, the music of a local bar, the wind in the palm trees. It’s a gentle symphony that never completely dies away.
A balance between tradition and sustainability
Like many of the Grenadine islands, Mayreau has to reconcile its ecological preservation with its openness to the world. Water resources are limited, and residents are pragmatic in their approach: rainwater harvesting, rational waste management and solar power generation. This discreet model of sustainability makes the island a silent reference in the region.
Local authorities and the community work together to maintain this fragile balance: welcoming without altering, sharing without denaturing. Tourism is developed in a controlled manner, in keeping with the island’s culture. Visitors who set foot here quickly understand that the island is not an island of consumption, but one of transmission.
The inner Caribbean
Highlighting Mayreau is a reminder that in the heart of the Caribbean, there are islands that refuse to be caught up in the frantic rush of the modern world. Here, beauty doesn’t need to shine brightly to be seen. It’s in the details: a sunrise over Salt Whistle, a child’s smile at the market, a boat slowly pulling away towards the Tobago Cays.
Mayreau embodies this inner Caribbean, sensitive and sincere. A land where the sea is a companion, nature is a guide and silence is a language. In an archipelago often in a hurry, the island reminds us that true luxury is time.
As the ferry pulls away from the mainland and heads towards Culebra, you feel as if you’ve left behind the rhythm of the ordinary. Here, every beach whispers a story, every cove invites silence, every horizon evokes a space where the soul breathes. Culebra is a gentle invitation to reconnect with the sense of landscape and insularity.
A subtly designed geography
Culebra, a municipality of Puerto Rico, is located some 27 kilometers east of the main island. It is approximately 11 kilometers long and 5 kilometers wide, giving it a modest but harmonious geographic density. Around its coastline lie more than twenty cays and islets, often classified as reserves, which extend the marine territory beyond the visible shoreline.
The Culebra National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1909, covers a significant part of the coast, mangroves and small outlying islands. It protects marine areas, coral reefs, turtle nesting beaches and the forests around Monte Resaca, the island’s highest point. These protected areas embody the balance between biodiversity, sustainable tourism and local pride.
Exceptional beaches and marine atmosphere
The island’s reputation is largely based on its beaches. Flamenco Beach is one of the world’s most renowned, with its bright white sand and clear waters, often hailed in international rankings. Nearby, a rusty old Sherman tank, a relic of the military era, recalls a time when the sea was used for other purposes.
Other, more discreet beaches, such as Carlos Rosario or Tamarindo, offer a more intimate atmosphere, conducive to underwater observation or contemplation. Further offshore, the islet Culebrita, accessible only by boat, reveals a 19thᵉ century Spanish lighthouse and several peaceful coral-lined coves. These places give Culebra a rare depth: a balance between raw beauty and respect for living things.
History, memory and community spirit
Culebra’s modern history has been marked by an American military presence. From the 1930s to the 1970s, the island was used as a naval exercise ground, until the inhabitants united to demand an end to the firing. In 1975, the people won this battle: the navy left the island, making way for a civilian project focused on nature and reconstruction.
Today, the Culebrense community of less than two thousand inhabitants lives by the sea. Artisanal fishing, small-scale commerce and moderate tourism sustain the economy. Here, modernity has not erased the old ways of doing things: repairing a net, maintaining a boat, cooking the day’s catch are still daily practices, handed down with pride.
Trails, secondary beaches and marine routes
To walk in Culebra is to understand the island from the inside. Roads lead to lookouts offering views of the surrounding cayes, and trails wind through areas where vegetation mingles with rock. Monte Resaca, to the north, offers a panoramic view of the chain of protected islets.
For sea lovers, every cove becomes a sensory exploration ground. Around the island, the waters are rich: intact coral reefs, tropical fish, hawksbill turtles and parrotfish color the sea with an abundance of life. The island has become a benchmark for responsible snorkeling and marine ecotourism.
Challenges and vision
Culebra’s challenge lies in its balance: how to preserve the purity of its ecosystems while maintaining a viable economy for its inhabitants? Fresh water, imported from the mainland, remains precious; the modest infrastructure requires maintenance and planning. Yet Culebra’s strength lies in its ability to resist tourist standardization.
Local initiatives encourage a sustainable approach: family-run accommodation, tours guided by locals, restaurants promoting the products of the island’s fisheries and agriculture. This conscious choice for development on a human scale makes the island a possible model for the Caribbean of tomorrow.
An island to be experienced more than visited
What sets Culebra apart is its sincerity. Nothing here is artificially seductive. The charm comes from the wind, the light, the voices of the locals and the swaying of the boats in the bay. The visitor leaves with the memory of a true place, where the sea tells, where silence has meaning.
When the sun dips over Flamenco Beach and the last light is reflected on the waves, the island reveals itself in its most beautiful definition: an island of balance, memory and sea. A space that, without ever raising its voice, reminds us of what the very essence of the Caribbean still means today.
An island apart in the Caribbean
Bequia, the second largest island of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, covers an area of around 18 km². It may seem modest in size, but its history and identity make it a singular territory. As soon as you approach its shores, a direct link with the sea is revealed: fishing boats lined up on the sand, sailboats at anchor in Admiralty Bay, shipyards where wood crafts are perpetuated. Bequia is a land shaped by the sea, its riches and its trials.
The breath of maritime history
Bequia’s memory is deeply linked to whaling. As early as the end of the XIXᵉ century, locals learned from American whalers how to hunt humpback whales. This practice, now classified by the International Whaling Commission as “aboriginal subsistence hunting”, remains limited to a quota of four catches per year, rarely reached. More than a resource, it is now a heritage that illustrates how an island community has built its survival on the sea.
At the same time, Bequia retains a tradition of wooden boat building. In the villages, carpenters still fashion boats by hand. Each boat is a collective work of art, reflecting skills handed down from generation to generation.
The power of nature and everyday life
The island’s landscapes are a mix of beaches, hills and viewpoints. Princess Margaret Beach, just a stone’s throw from Port Elizabeth, stretches out its blond sand bordered by almond trees. Further south, Friendship Bay opens its waters to the Atlantic, offering a livelier sea. Trails lead up to Peggy’s Rock, a peak that reveals the beauty of the surrounding Grenadines.
These landscapes are also the rhythms of daily life. Fishermen leave the bay at dawn and return laden with tuna, sea bream and lobster. The market comes to life afterwards, reflecting a way of life still centered on the sea and its resources.
A preserved island culture
With around 5,000 inhabitants, Bequia remains a community on a human scale. Musical traditions – steelband, reggae, calypso – accompany gatherings, while crafts express the local identity. Meticulously carved models of wooden boats tell of the island’s maritime past, and are on display even in the small stores of Port Elizabeth.
This attachment to the island’s heritage is also expressed in its gastronomy, which focuses on seafood. Each dish is a reminder of the balance between tradition and adaptation.
Port Elizabeth, an island crossroads
Port Elizabeth, Bequia’s modest capital, nestles at the head of Admiralty Bay. This natural harbor attracts fishermen, sailors and visiting yachts. For decades, it has been a renowned stopover for Caribbean sailing. Here, the liveliness of the anchorage contrasts with the tranquility of the lanes lined with colorful houses and small cafés. The island has not sought to become a mass destination: it favors a measured approach to tourism, based on close contact with the locals.
Legacy and future
Bequia illustrates the dilemmas faced by many small Caribbean islands: preserving authenticity while securing an economic base. Controversial whaling is often the focus of debate, but it does not sum up the island. The future also relies on fishing, local agriculture, boating and handicrafts, all sectors that maintain a resilient economy.
This direction reflects a clear choice: to maintain a balance between openness to the world and respect for an identity forged by the sea.
A sensitive and human Caribbean
Bequia is not an island defined by its size or infrastructure, but by its maritime soul. Its landscapes, traditions and people make up a mosaic where every detail carries the weight of history and the hope of the future. On this island of the Grenadines, the sea is more than just a horizon: it is a memory, a resource and a promise.
A unique island in the Caribbean
Isla Margarita, located off the Venezuelan coast, belongs to the state of Nueva Esparta, alongside the islands of Coche and Cubagua. Nicknamed the “Pearl of the Caribbean”, it occupies a unique place in the region’s history. At once a land of memory, a remarkable natural area and a place of contemporary contrasts, Isla Margarita illustrates the many facets of the Caribbean, past and present.
Origins linked to pearls
Isla Margarita ‘s European history began in 1498, during Christopher Columbus’s third expedition. On his arrival, the island was inhabited by the Guaiqueries, an indigenous fishing people. The Spaniards soon began exploiting the pearl deposits in the surrounding waters, giving the island its fame and its name: Margarita, Latin for “pearl”.
Over the following centuries, the wealth generated by these pearls attracted pirates and privateers. The English and Dutch attacked Spanish installations, forcing the Crown to fortify the coasts. These episodes left behind a military heritage that can still be seen today, bearing witness to the colonial rivalries that marked the Caribbean Sea.
A contrasting geography
Isla Margarita is 78 kilometers long and 20 kilometers wide, making it one of Venezuela’s largest islands. Its territory is divided into two mountain ranges linked by a low, narrow isthmus. This relief gives rise to a diversity of landscapes: arid zones to the north, green hills to the east, lagoons and mangroves along the coast.
The semi-arid tropical climate alternates between dry seasons and moderate rainfall. These characteristics explain the presence of fragile ecosystems that are essential to Caribbean biodiversity. Isla Margarita’s ecological richness makes it an area of great heritage value.
Protected lagoons and remarkable biodiversity
Among Isla Margarita’s natural gems is the La Restinga lagoon classified as a national park since 1974. This 18,000-hectare ecosystem includes canals, islets, mangroves and beaches. The fauna is abundant: fish, crustaceans, flamingos and herons make up a rich natural tableau. La Restinga is one of the island’s most emblematic sites, both for its beauty and its ecological importance.
Another protected site is the Laguna de Las Marites a listed natural monument, is distinguished by its hypersaline waters and mangroves. It is home to migratory bird species and a flora adapted to extreme conditions. These areas, though fragile, symbolize the desire to preserve vital zones in the face of urban and tourist pressures.
In the center of the island, the Cerro El Copey National Park – Jóvito Villalba protects mountain forests and freshwater springs. Rising to almost 900 metres, this massif offers a striking contrast with the arid coastal areas, confirming Isla Margarita’s ecological diversity.
A colonial heritage that's still with us
Isla Margarita’s strategic position made it a central point on colonial sea routes. Numerous fortifications remain, such as the Santa Rosa fort in La Asunción and the La Galera fort in Juan Griego. These monuments are a reminder of the frequent pirate attacks and the island’s military importance in the defense of colonial Venezuela.
The main cities also reflect this history. La Asunción the administrative capital, boasts a cathedral and streets of colonial charm. Porlamar a more modern city, has become the commercial heart of the region, thanks to its status as a free port since 1974. Juan Griego, last but not least, the city is known for its spectacular sunsets and commercial past. This urban triptych embodies the complementary relationship between memory, commerce and local life.
Tourism and the economy: a changing sector
For decades, Isla Margarita has been one of Venezuela’s leading tourist destinations. Beaches such as Playa El Agua and Playa Parguito, tax-free shopping centers and natural landscapes attracted both national and international visitors.
However, the Venezuelan economic and political crisis has profoundly affected this dynamic. Visitor numbers have plummeted, some hotels and resorts have closed, and infrastructures suffer from a lack of maintenance. Despite this, Isla Margarita still has great potential: its natural assets and free port status could once again become economic levers if the country stabilizes.
Cultural identity and daily life
Beyond the economy, Isla Margarita retains a strong cultural identity. Religious traditions, such as the Virgen del Valle festival, attract thousands of worshippers every year. Local music, notably the galerón margariteñoillustrates a blend of Spanish and Afro-Caribbean influences.
Gastronomy features seafood: fish, lobster, seafood and typical dishes such as torta de cazón. Local crafts, notably woodworking and basketry, also contribute to the family economy and reinforce the island’s cultural dimension. Isla Margarita remains a place where popular traditions and modernity coexist.
An island of contrasts and resilience
Isla Margarita illustrates the contemporary paradoxes of the Caribbean: an island with exceptional landscapes and a rich historical heritage, but facing major economic and political challenges. Yet the resilience of the island’s inhabitants, their attachment to tradition and their determination to preserve its natural spaces, all point to a potential renaissance.
Highlighting Isla Margarita is a reminder that the Caribbean is more than just idyllic beaches. It also means giving a voice to territories marked by history, rich in culture and with a future that depends on collective choices in terms of sustainability and governance.
A unique island in the heart of the Caribbean
Marie-Galante, located in the south-east of Guadeloupe, is one of those territories that have preserved a strong identity within the Caribbean. Nicknamed “the island of a hundred mills”, it still retains traces of its sugar-making past, which has shaped its landscape, economy and collective memory. With its gentle hills, endless cane fields and jagged coastline, Marie-Galante’s rural character stands in stark contrast to the image of some more urbanized tourist destinations.
The island’s uniqueness lies in its balance between tradition and modernity. Far from the crowds, it attracts those who wish to experience a Caribbean faithful to its roots. The island is also a place of remembrance, where the history of slavery and sugar production still finds multiple echoes in its culture and landscapes.
Sugar heritage and mills
The nickname “the island of a hundred mills” is not insignificant. In the XVIIIᵉ and XIXᵉ centuries, Marie-Galante was a major center of sugar production. Windmills, used to crush sugarcane, dominated the plantations. Today, some 60 of these mills remain, restored or in ruins, and form a veritable open-air museum.
These vestiges are a reminder not only of past prosperity, but also of the harshness of the slavery system that marked the island. Through them, the island tells its own story: that of a territory that contributed to the global sugar economy, while bearing the weight of the servitude imposed on generations of deported Africans.
An island of agricultural rum
Although sugar has lost some of its importance, rum remains the great ambassador of Marie-Galante. The island is home to several renowned distilleries, including Bellevue, Bielle and Poisson (Père Labat). These distilleries perpetuate a centuries-old tradition, producing an agricultural rum made directly from cane juice, considered one of the purest in the Caribbean.
Marie-Galante rum is renowned for its strength and aromatic richness. At 59°, it has become a veritable signature. The distilleries welcome visitors, offering an immersion in production methods and the history of cane. Through this product, the island exports not only a drink, but also a part of its heritage and know-how.
Authenticity preserved
Marie-Galante retains a singular atmosphere, marked by slowness and simplicity. Far from large hotel complexes, it favors small-scale tourism, based on self-catering cottages, bed & breakfasts and family-run structures. This orientation guarantees a more direct encounter between visitors and locals, in a spirit of conviviality and mutual respect.
Farming is still very much a part of everyday life on the island. The cultivation of sugar cane, yams, manioc and sweet potatoes ensures continuity with ancient practices. This rural character gives the island a strong identity, where land and sea are still central to the balance.
Some of the region's most unspoilt beaches
In addition to its historical and agricultural heritage, Marie-Galante’s beaches are equally appealing. Plage de la Feuillère, with its white sand and turquoise lagoon, is one of the most beautiful in the Caribbean. Anse Canot, Grande Anse and Vieux-Fort offer seascapes of great purity.
These largely untouched sites reflect the island’s decision not to give in to the excesses of mass tourism. Here, nature takes center stage, without artifice. This preservation is a real asset at a time when many Caribbean destinations are under pressure from intensive development.
A vivid collective memory
Marie-Galante cannot be understood without taking into account its painful history. Like other Caribbean islands, it was marked by the slave trade and slavery. This memory, still palpable today, is expressed in commemorations, literature and stories handed down from generation to generation.
Places like the Murat dwelling, a former sugar plantation now transformed into a museum, provide a better understanding of this past. They remind us that the economic wealth of the time was built on profound human suffering. Through this recognition, the island is participating in a process of transmission and resilience.
A region in search of balance
Today, Marie-Galante is at a crossroads. Between the desire to preserve its authenticity and the need to strengthen its economic appeal, the island is looking for a sustainable model. Tourism, limited but qualitative, could be a balanced development path that respects both culture and the environment.
Local initiatives, notably in agri-tourism, rum production and heritage enhancement, show that Marie-Galante intends to take control of its future. The island thus illustrates another way of existing in the contemporary Caribbean: by making the most of its own assets, rather than imitating external models.
A Caribbean with a human face
Putting Marie-Galante in the spotlight means showing a Caribbean where time seems to flow differently. It’s a reminder that the region’s identity is also nourished by its small islands, their memories and traditions. With its mills, distilleries, beaches and rural character, the island embodies a human Caribbean, where the inhabitants remain the true custodians of the land.
In a world where tourism tends to standardize experiences, the island offers another perspective: that of a place that embraces its history, values its heritage and asserts a distinct identity. In this way, it sets an example for all islands seeking to combine past, present and future in a sustainable way.
