Experience the Caribbean

The One Thing You Don't Want to Miss

Don't miss the opportunity to explore the ruins of the ancient Mayan city of Tulúm, majestically perched above the turquoise Caribbean. The site was occupied as far back as 600 A.D. However, it was most densely populated around 1200 A.D. You will be struck by the pyramid-shaped El Castillo, which dominates the city from atop a forty-foot cliff. The nearby Temple of the Descending God provides equally excellent insight into the architecture of the Mayan people, who gained considerable achievements in the arts and sciences, only to decline and vanish for no apparent reason.

Other Fun Things to Do

• Explore the underwater world of Chankanaab on a deep-sea adventure aboard the Atlantis Submarine.
• Discover what makes a dolphin so magical as you play and interact with these amazing creatures in Chankanaab National Marine Park.
• Sit back, relax, and bury your toes in the white sand of Playa Mia Beach in Cozumel. This destination offers all the food, drinks and activities you can imagine, including relaxing massages on the beach.
• Take a Jeep®-safari adventure through the tropical landscape of Cozumel's east side. Ride through sand dunes and trails for an unforgettable experience.
• Learn to prepare a Mexican feast and enjoy your culinary skills with Mexican wines and a festive atmosphere.
• Escape to the secluded beauty of your own private beach paradise, Passion Island.

Sporting Adventures

• Experience snow-white bunkers and breathtaking views as you play a memorable round of golf on the championship course at the Cozumel Country Club.
• Snorkel in the clear sapphire-colored water around Cozumel's coral reefs. It's a snorkeler's dream, and one of the world's premier snorkeling destinations. Equipment, instruction and guidance begin at Sand Dollar Beach. From there, you'll be able to enjoy everything your eyes behold for as long as you like, with transportation ready and waiting to take you back to your ship.
• Take in the views of the north side of the island while skimming through the water in your two-person speed boat.

Shopping for Bargains

Regarded as the "St. Thomas of the Western Caribbean," Cozumel has become one of the world's best duty-free shopping ports. Cozumel offers unbelievable prices on diamonds, colored gemstones, jewelry, watches, gold, sterling silver, and even Oriental rugs as well as Mexican housewares and handicrafts. You can find designer jewelry pieces and watches from C2K, Caribbean Hook, Honora, House of Tanzanite, John Hardy, Kabana, La Nouvelle Bague, Starnight, White Diamonds, Cartier, Concord, Maurice Lacroix, Michele, Movado and more.

Located 480 miles south of Miami in the quiet western Caribbean, this trio of tiny islands is a premier destination for discriminating travelers, honeymooners and families. World renowned for its beaches and diving spots, and ranked as the world's fifth largest financial center, the Cayman Islands offer exciting recreational opportunities along with friendly, high quality, modern service. Grand Cayman is home to the Cayman Islands' capital city, George Town, and offers a wealth of activities for both outdoor enthusiasts and leisure travelers interested in learning more about the history and culture of the Cayman Islands. Travelers can relax on the sands of Seven Mile Beach, and also explore attractions in Grand Cayman that provide a glimpse of the area's cultural heritage and highlight key geological and natural wonders. Grand Cayman is one of the most popular ports for Caribbean cruises. In the absence of a dock, passengers are ferried ashore by tenders to the North or South dock terminals in George Town.

Top Ten Things to Do

1. Hit the Beach! Whether it's relaxing in the sun or snorkeling in the reef just off shore at the Sunrise Villa, enjoy the year-round tropical breezes on our beaches.
2. The World-Famous Stingray City: Top of every visitor's list is an excursion to Stingray City, an extraordinary 12-foot dive site and adjacent sandbar. In as little as two to six feet of water, everyone—with or without snorkel gear—can feed and touch the friendly Southern Atlantic stingrays. The local captains who personify the mariner tradition of the Cayman Islands have made the trip for years. They'll regale you with lore, a traditional beach lunch with just-caught marinated conch, and perhaps a few tunes.
3. Visit George Town: About 10 miles away is downtown George Town, Grand Cayman's bustling little town full of duty-free shops and restaurants by the waterfront.
4. Spend a Lazy Afternoon at Rum Point: Hop in your rental car and head to Rum Point on Grand Cayman's quiet North Side, a favourite destination for both residents and visitors. Experience island atmosphere the way it used to be (Rum Point was first documented on a 1773 map, and one can only speculate how it got its name!) in a scenic spot known for its clear, calm waters and tall pines. Sink into a hammock with a book, swim, snorkel, or try a glass-bottom boat trip. The Wreck Bar, a Rum Point landmark, serves lunch and frosty drinks at picnic tables on the beach. Also on the North Side, Cayman Kai is home to a number of exclusive residential properties and resorts. It is just minutes from Rum Point beach and the Kaibo Yacht Club.
5. Go to Hell: For a fun, quick stop, head over to Hell, just north of the Seven Mile Beach in West Bay. Visit the tacky gift shop and see the "devil" himself. Behind the shop, take a look at the million-year-old calcareous rock that has been blackened by fungus over time, leading to its name. Be sure to mail a postcard from Hell, complete with the official postmark.
6. Boatswain’s Beach: Boatswain’s Beach is the name of the new 30-acre marine theme park that is the expansion of the Cayman Turtle Farm. When Christopher Columbus first discovered the islands in 1503, he named them "Las Tortugas," meaning The Turtles. According to legend, there were so many turtles that the islands looked like they were covered with rocks. Located in Grand Cayman, the Turtle Farm has been in operation since 1968 and has since been dedicated to educating the public on the benefits of a proactive conservation program for sea turtles. The world’s only commercial Green Sea Turtle farm, it is home to over 16,000 sea turtles, ranging in size from six ounces to six hundred pounds! From the tiniest hatchlings to six hundred pound adults swimming in the one million gallon, breeding pond, guests can experience all of the life stages of these magnificent creatures. Visitors to the farm are welcome to participate in sponsoring the release of their own turtle into the wild each year. The new attraction of Boatswain’s Beach will be a 1.3 Million Gallon Saltwater Snorkel Lagoon where visitors can swim with turtles and other marine life, a Predator Tank (viewable by snorkelers), an Aviary and Iguana sanctuary, a Nature Trail and “Blue Hole” Sunken Cave, Caymanian Heritage Street with porch-side artisans and crafts and restaurants featuring classic and contemporary Caymanian cuisine, and a state of the art research and educational facility focusing on the conservation of sea turtles.
7. Butterfly Farm is an unforgettable encounter with nature in all its beauty and diversity. Step into a tropical garden teeming with butterflies from around the globe and prepare to meet some of the world's most colourful creatures. Observe the life cycle of these fascinating animals from egg to caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly, while a tour guide entertains you with commentary on butterfly habits and the miracle of metamorphosis. Arrive early and witness new butterflies emerging from the chrysalis and taking their first flight. The Butterfly Farm is a rare opportunity for photography and a sure delight for visitors of all ages. An admission ticket also gives you a free pass for the rest of your vacation so you can enjoy the butterflies as often as you like! Located on Lawrence Road in George Town, the farm's last tour is 3:30 PM daily.
8. Indulge in Cayman Cuisine: It would be difficult to spend time in Cayman without being offered conch fritters, a local Stingray beer, or Cayman’s own Heavy Cake. But don't miss the island specialties that will make your visit unique; for a snack that is not to be missed, stop in at any of the Tortuga Rum Company stores for a Tortuga Rum Cake. Compare the spicy taste of Cayman Brac’s McCoy’s BBQ to the unique flavour of Bussy’s Jerk Chicken on Little Cayman. Visitors and locals alike crave Joe’s Caribbean Shack’s delectable smoothie experience. To satisfy an island sweet tooth, ICOA chocolates are the perfect remedy. Available in individually wrapped boxes, these Caymanian specialties make great gifts and can be purchased at their specialty shop in Seven Mile Shops.
9. Submerge into an Amazing Journey: In the Cayman Islands, fantasies of exploring the mysterious underwater world can be met -- without ever getting wet! By viewing marine life from a submarine, the Cayman Islands fish covered reefs and enthralling drop-off can be discovered by land-lovers. Atlantis submarines offer rides aboard the 48-passenger Atlantis XI, and the Seaworld Explorer takes 35 passengers just five feet below the surface. Cayman Submarines' SEAmobile Submarine Tours has room for two passengers to explore underwater life at depths of up to 60 feet with a 360-degree view, and Nautilus offers the 60-passenger air-conditioned Nautilus semi-submarine with a protected glass hull that cruises five feet below the sea's surface.
10. Discover the Cayman Story: The National Trust for the Cayman Islands office, located in George Town, offers visitors extensive information on the destination’s history and environment, national symbols and culture. Tours are also available for guests to uncover the Cayman of yesteryear -- by learning about wattle and daub, a method of construction used to build homes; discovering historical sites such as the Bodden Town Guard House, Old Savannah Schoolhouse and Watlers Cemetery; environmental treasures such as the Mastic Trail; and resources such as the Trust’s Herbarium and Insectarium. Other historical sites not to be missed include the National Gallery, National Museum in George Town, and Pedro St. James in nearby Savannah - Cayman's oldest surviving stone structure, and the nation's “Birthplace of Democracy." Interactive displays in the multi-media theatre orient visitors to the history, lifestyle and economics of 18th and early 19th century at Pedro.

Falmouth and English Harbour on Antigua's south coast holds some of the most important and interesting historical remains in the Caribbean and is now the region's leading yachting center. The chief attraction is the eighteenth-century Nelson's Dockyard, which was the key facility for the British navy that once ruled the waves in the area. Today it's a living museum where visiting yachts are still cleaned, supplied and chartered. Nearby are several ruined forts as well as an abundance of attractive colonial buildings on the waterfront, several converted into hotels and restaurants. Across the harbor from the dockyard, there is further evidence of the colonial past at Shirley Heights, where more ruined forts, gun batteries and an old cemetery hold a commanding position over the water. The area also has a handful of spots worth a visit, including the massive military complex at Great Fort George, high in the hills above Falmouth, and the wonderful Rendezvous Bay - outstanding in an area with a paucity of good beaches - a short boat ride or less than an hour's hike from Falmouth.

Things to See and Do:

• Nelson's Dockyard
• Shirley Heights
• Great Fort George
• Rendezvous Bay
• Beaches and watersports

Bringing History Back To Life

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. is working with the Port Authority of Jamaica on a multi-phased plan to develop historic Falmouth into one of the premier, modern ports of call in the Caribbean. Visitors to Falmouth will be among the first to experience the revitalization of one of the first shipping ports in the Caribbean, with a rich heritage dating back more than 240 years. The first phase of development, which is nearing completion, includes a two-berth pier, retail and restaurant services and a transportation center. Subsequent phases will include onsite attractions and experiences, hotel and residential components and additional retail and restaurant options.

The One Thing You Don't Want to Miss

Founded as Martha Brae Point in 1769 by local English planter Thomas Reid, Falmouth became the shipment hub for sugar plantations covering the hills of Jamaica’s North Coast. From the wharfs of Falmouth, sugar, molasses, rum and coffee were sent to England, while ships making their way from across the Atlantic dropped anchor in the bustling port town to deliver other necessities of 18th-century life. Take in this history with a stroll through Falmouth's Historic District where visitors can explore an impressive collection of 19th-century Georgian architecture. Many of the buildings are still intact and renowned for their unique gingerbread woodwork. From small wooden houses to brick Georgian mansions to plantation complexes, visitors will find themselves on a delightful excursion into the 18th and 19th centuries.

Other Fun Things to Do

• If you like history, culture and scenic beauty, then a visit to the Good Hope Great House is a must. Built in the 1700s and entirely restored, it’s one of the most sought after Great Houses of the 18th century, featuring amazing views of the nearby Queen of Spain Valley and Cockpit Mountains. Visit the pottery house to see the work of the resident potter and then the trading house - the only store of its kind in the Caribbean - where you can purchase authentic art, carvings, books and souvenirs.
• Venice may have its gondolas, but Falmouth has 30-foot bamboo rafts that offer romantic and adventurous rides on the Martha Brae River. Sit back and relax as a raft captain guides you through an exceptional view of the island's tropical scenery. Visitors can also take a trip through time on a horse-and-buggy ride through town.
• Enjoy a scenic drive through Jamaica's interior to Appleton Estate, where visitors learn how rum is made, sample wet sugar and have the chance to taste different-aged rums. Purchase a souvenir available exclusively at Appleton and enjoy a Jamaican-style lunch.
• Travel east to Ocho Rios where you can climb the spectacular Dunn’s River Falls, soar through the lush rainforest canopy on a zip line, wind down the mountainside on a Jamaican bobsled or swim with dolphins at Dolphin Cove.

Shopping for Bargains

The pulse of Falmouth radiates from the heart of Water Square where you'll discover the Albert George Shopping and Historical Center. Pick up local craftwork wares that showcase the history and culture of the area and make memorable souvenirs for visitors and those back home. Wednesday morning was made for the most dedicated shoppers, as dealers fill stall after stall with native produce and gifts you won't find anywhere else you journey.

Get a Taste of Local Flavor

A trip to Falmouth, Jamaica, wouldn't be complete without sampling one of the more than 300 different jerk recipes that are cooked locally. From shrimp and lobster to chicken and pork, the jerk recipe is the signature of the city's tasty fare. Complement this culinary adventure by sampling local refreshing fruits like the ackee, breadfruit and star apple, a sweet finish to your flavorful journey.