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2007 Travel Alert - Passports Needed for Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and Caribbean. Beginning January 23, 2007, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport. As early as January 1, 2008, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries), may be required to present a valid passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. Click here for the State Department Summary.  And, if you need a passport in a hurry, because you forgot to apply months ago when you should have and your trip is almost upon you, click on Passports In A Hurry, or on Passport Visa Express!

Islands of the Caribbean

Passports, Visas and Other Travel Documents
Almost all visitors to the Caribbean should have a valid passport, and, in some cases, from some countries, a visa. Wherever you travel in the world,  a valid passport is always the recommended and preferred form of identification especially since international traveling involves numerous identification stops. When you have a passport, you will find that it will most likely allow you quick, hassle-free passage through customs and immigration checkpoints of most Caribbean nations. Bear in mind the following passport and entry information:
►The passport application process takes a minimum of three weeks, but you may be able to place a rush order on your passport for an additional fee. Passports In A Hurry! My recommendation is that you apply a couple months in advance of your departure date.
►The application processing time greatly increases during the spring months. The best time to renew or apply for a passport is during the fall and winter months.
►Make two photocopies of your passport; give one copy to someone in your native country and bring the other copy with you. Keep your copy in your money belt, not in your suitcase or hotel room. Contact the local authorities and your closest embassy in the Caribbean if your passport is lost or stolen.
►To enter one of the Caribbean islands, you will need a valid passport and a return or onward ticket unless you are a British, Canadian, or United States citizen.
►If you are a British, Canadian or U.S. citizen, you must only show proof of citizenship, preferably an authentic birth certificate along with a government-issued photo ID, and a return or onward ticket.
►Certain islands may also require proof of funds adequate to cover the duration of your stay. Be sure to check ahead first.
►Entry or re-entry into the United States now requires a passport from any travelers (including U.S. citizens) returning from the Caribbean. If your trip continues on to or ends in the U.S., be sure to bring a valid passport. See http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html for additional information or visit the Getting Away Passports and Visa pages.
►Visas generally are not mandatory if you are an Australian, British, Canadian, European Union, Japanese and U.S. citizen, unless you are traveling to the Caribbean for business. Visa fees, allowances and stipulations vary from island to island; contact an embassy or consulate for further information.
►Each island in the Caribbean charges a departure tax. The exact fee varies from island to island, but customs and immigration usually accepts payment in cash only. Many airlines and cruise lines incorporate the departure tax into the price of the air or cruise fare, but this courtesy does not exist with all travel outlets. Check with your travel agent to determine whether or not you'll need to reserve cash for this end-of-trip expense.

Additional information can be found at Embassies, Consulates, and Tourist Offices. Citizens of the United States who are in need of a passport in a hurry, should visit Passports In A Hurry!

Hotels, Resorts and Other Accommodations

You will find that most hotels in the Caribbean add a government tax of approximately 7.5 percent in addition to an average 10 to 15 percent service charge to the price of the room. You will want to keep this in mind when you are planning. When you are quoted a price for a room, be sure to ask if it is an all inclusive price that includes these items. There may be other charges for items not included with the room such as special amenities or upgrades. High-end resorts or luxury hotels may charge surplus fees up to or beyond 20 percent. Again, to be on the save side, ask ahead.

If your particular hotel does not add service charges to the final bill, tipping is acceptable for employees such as bellhops and maids. Generally, Caribbean bellhops expect $1(USD) to $2(USD) per bag as a flat rate, but this rate increases as the class of the hotel does. A minimum tip for hotel maids is typically $2(USD) per day, and, just as with bellhops, tipping standards may be higher in more expensive hotels. Traveler's tip: Consider keeping smaller bills in an easily accessible location for quick tipping.

Although tipping is pretty standard throughout the islands, many Caribbean all-inclusive hotels and resorts expressly discourage tipping. Your accommodation rate generally includes all tipping and service charges, although "all-inclusive" may mean different things at different hotels. The best bet is to consult with your travel agent, hotelier, or reservations clerk so you will understand just what is, and is not included in the price of your all-inclusive package.

For accommodations suggestions, including hotels, resorts, inns, bed and breakfast and camping, go to each of the country pages of Getting Away.

Getting Around
It is actually pretty easy to get around the various islands of the Caribbean as there are numerous transportation options to suit all tastes and budgets. Renting a car may offer the most freedom if you want to get around the islands on your own. On many Caribbean islands, however, cars are not recommended as your primary form of transportation due to road hazards or local driving ordinances. Taxis or buses may be your best transportation bet if you need a bit of help to get around. Buses are usually the most affordable type of transportation on any island. However, as some cab drivers will provide narrated tours for an additional fee, a taxi can also be a nice choice. Perhaps one of the best, and surly the most interesting, is to do it on a bicycle, scooter or motorbike. One them, not only can you do the city and town thing, but you can try out the back roads. These are available to rent for a nominal fee. To get from island to island, you have the basic choice of flying or taking a ferry. Ferries are widely available and ideal for travelers who want to visit multiple islands. Of course, if you have your own boat, getting to the different islands is no trouble at all.
Getting Around by Air
Ferries and Boats
Getting Around By Bus
Getting Around By Taxi
Driving Yourself

Getting Around by Air
Once you’re in the Caribbean, the easiest and quickest way to get around is to fly. To get around by air, you can choose from inter-island, commuter, or charter planes.

Inter-island flights on major airlines will service many of the largest Caribbean islands, as well as connect travelers to other countries. This would be a good choice if you should decide to start your vacation in Puerto Rico, and later fly to Barbados or Aruba. Booking an inter-island flight is similar to booking a trip on any other international flight. You simply purchase a ticket on already scheduled flights.

Commuter flights are usually small, local airlines, or affiliates of one of the international airlines. Both types generally provide short, inexpensive service to nearby islands or towns. Commuter flights can often be somewhat more flexible than regularly scheduled inter-island carriers, but they also have established times and routes.

Charter flights allow you to completely customize your Caribbean itinerary. When you hire a local pilot, you can chart your own island-hopping vacation. Although these flights may be more expensive than other options, they give you more control over departure times, routes, and stops.

Travelers who want to see several islands should not overlook the great opportunities afforded by planes, as this is the quickest and easiest  way to see the Caribbean. You can island hop by way of one of the many small Caribbean airlines. Below is a list of the airlines offering connections between major flights and local Caribbean service:

Getting Around By Bus
Coming Soon. In the mean time, if you have something you believe should be added to this section of Getting Away, please contact Jim at Getting Away with all of the information. Mail To: jimbruner@gettingaway.com

Getting Around By Taxi
Coming Soon. In the mean time, if you have something you believe should be added to this section of Getting Away, please contact Jim at Getting Away with all of the information. Mail To: jimbruner@gettingaway.com

Driving Yourself
Coming Soon. In the mean time, if you have something you believe should be added to this section of Getting Away, please contact Jim at Getting Away with all of the information. Mail To: jimbruner@gettingaway.com

Martinique

For accommodations in Martinique, click on Search by city for hotels and other accommodations in Martinique.

The all-inclusive Club Med Bucaneer's Creek Resort is located in the southern tip of Martinique in the French West Indies. Club Med has been located here since 1969, and breathes a Creole spirit. This all-inclusive resort is perfect for couples and family vacations. It is the best destination for Caribbean beach vacations. The public beach is long and narrow (it stretches for 1 km of yellow sand). It is the most beautiful beach on the island, and the Caribbean is shallow at the edge with a sandy floor. The beach is equipped with deckchairs. Gardens consisting mainly of palms and a magnificent grove of over 3000 coconut trees. Resort of 289 rooms all located in bungalows from one to three floors (with no elevator) spread between a tropical garden by the sea, along a magnificent coconut grove and a large white sandy beach. Very close to the village of St Anne, the resort has the most beautiful beach of the island. A splendid Club Room , with a view over the gardens, near the various Resort activities, located throughout the buildings on 3 levels. Or consider a room with a sea view, from which you will enjoy the sunset.  Or, take full advantage of a Deluxe Room which unites comfort with one of the finest views of the Caribbean. There are also spacious suite accommodation with sitting-room, a view of the tropical gardens for nature-lovers, or with Sea View over one of the most beautiful bays in the West Indies. For additional information, or to make a reservation, click on Club Med Information and Reservations

Information on Martinique will soon be coming to Getting Away. In the meantime, visit the page for Martinique on Wikipedia. When you click on Martinique, you will be leaving Getting Away. Please remember to come back to Getting Away. Thanks, Jim.

If you have information you believe should be put in this area of Getting Away, please send the information to Jim. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com

Montserrat

Information on Montserrat will soon be coming to Getting Away. In the meantime, visit the page for Montserrat on Wikipedia. When you click on Montserrat, you will be leaving Getting Away. Please remember to come back to Getting Away. Thanks, Jim.

If you have information you believe should be put in this area of Getting Away, please send the information to Jim. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com

Netherlands Antilles

For accommodations in the Netherlands Antilles, click on Search by city for hotels and other accommodations in the Netherlands Antilles.

Information on the Netherlands Antilles will soon be coming to Getting Away. In the meantime, visit the page for the Netherlands Antilles on Wikipedia. When you click on The Netherlands Antilles, you will be leaving Getting Away. Please remember to come back to Getting Away. Thanks, Jim.

If you have information you believe should be put in this area of Getting Away, please send the information to Jim. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com

Saba

Information on Saba will soon be coming to Getting Away. In the meantime, visit the page for Saba on Wikipedia. When you click on Saba, you will be leaving Getting Away. Please remember to come back to Getting Away. Thanks, Jim.

If you have information you believe should be put in this area of Getting Away, please send the information to Jim. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com

Books, Magazines and Other Information