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Justin Burch's Articles

  • Tips For Traveling To The Caribbean
    The Caribbean has long been a favorite destination for American travelers. Treasured for its scenery and family-friendly atmosphere, the Caribbean is one of the safest travel destinations for millions of American tourists each year.

    Yet, like anywhere else in the world, some travelers occasionally experience travel headaches. More often than not, these travel troubles are the result of poor planning by tourists. Hence, the key to a successful Caribbean vacation is preparat...
  • Aruba: Paradise For Watersport Enthusiasts
    Unlike any other destination in the world, the island of Aruba offers nearly every watersport imaginable – with recreation options for every age and skill level. The crystal-clear waters surrounding this Caribbean paradise are full of shipwrecks waiting to be explored, exotic fish ready to be photographed and rolling waves ideal for windsurfing and a host of other activities. Whether you are a scuba devotee, a deep sea fisherman or just someone in search of the most unique fu...
  • Cancun Has A New Draw For Divers
    Early this year, a pair of professional divers uncovered a new landmark beneath Cancun and the Yucatan Peninsula. After years of searching and thousands of dives, Steve Bogaerts and his dive partner, Robbie Schmittner, were able to find a connection between two massive underwater cave systems. Bogaerts and Schmittner performed more than 500 dives of several hours over a course of four years to connect the world’s second-longest (Sistema Sac Actun) and third-longest underwater...
  • The Malecon: Puerto Vallarta’s Famous Boardwalk
    One of the most popular activities in Puerto Vallarta is a stroll down the city’s famed boardwalk, the Malecon. Lined with shops, restaurants and artwork, the Malecon provides great entertainment for all ages and budgets. The young and fashionable can shop during the day and hit the restaurants and clubs at night. Families can enjoy the scenery, find plenty of friendly people and activities and rest on any of the boardwalk’s many rustic benches. There is something for everyon...
  • Beating The Winter Blues In Aruba
    While snow is falling throughout the U.S., the Caribbean island of Aruba is enjoying never-ending summer. With an average annual temperature of 82°F (28°C), visitors are guaranteed a balmy climate regardless of season. In fact, no month has an average high temperature lower than 85°F (29°C) or higher than 89°F (32°C). Low temperatures typically range from 76°F (24°C) to 80°F (27°C), allowing visitors to enjoy the nightlife all year long. Yet, because so many of us suffer the ...
  • All-Inclusive Is Not For All Travelers
    Located throughout the Caribbean, all-inclusive resorts lure visitors with affordable vacation packages. Encompassing airfare, lodging and onsite activities, these Caribbean beach resorts are enjoyed by families and couples hoping to relax in the sunshine. Yet, many visitors have left such all-inclusive resorts with a bitter taste in their mouths. If you – like many of the travelers disappointed by the inflexibility of all-inclusive resorts – want to establish your own itiner...
  • Tips For Traveling With The Tots
    While many parents avoid traveling with young children, a bit of preparation can ensure a successful family vacation. By making a checklist of all your necessities and planning for any difficulties, you and your family can enjoy your vacation instead of worrying about what could go wrong. Here is a list of travel tips to help you prepare for your family vacation. By following some of these suggestions, you and your family will always remember your family vacation for all the ...
  • The Natural Side Of Aruba: Arikok Park
    Of Aruba’s many activities, a tour of Arikok Park may be the most unique. From sand dunes and cacti within the park’s desert interior to the limestone cliffs and hidden coves on the Caribbean shore, Arikok Park offers as much ecological diversity as any place you’ll ever visit. Unique historic sites within the park’s boundaries shed light on Aruba’s agricultural and mining past. Arikok Park is also home to numerous unique species, supported by the microclimates of the park’s ...
  • Tips For Smooth Traveling On Your Holiday Vacation
    As crowds are bigger and delays longer, traveling to the Caribbean during the holiday season can sometimes be difficult. When traveling during the holiday season, you will find that most of the delays confronting you involve the airport. Most of these troubles can be avoided, however, with a little preparation. You must organize all the details of your vacation, especially your air travel, before you depart to prevent any unwanted surprises. Here are some important travel tip...
  • Mind Your Travel Manners In Aruba
    There are plenty of travel stories about “ugly Americans.” Usually, these travelers aren’t aware they are doing anything wrong while on vacation. But if you aren’t aware of local customs and etiquette, offending those around you may be inevitable. Though you will find that the uniquely Caribbean hospitality and slower pace of Aruba tourism are markedly different than anything in the U.S., adjusting isn’t nearly as difficult as it seems. As you enjoy all of your activities in ...
  • A Day In The Life Of A Vacationer In Cancun
    Unlike any other city in Mexico, Cancun truly offers the best of both worlds. No other city can claim the unique distinction of being a glamorous, modern resort destination right in the middle of the ancient Mayan kingdom and vibrant nature of the Yucatan Peninsula. With ease, you can explore the ancient Mayan ruins or nature preserves during the day and enjoy world class shopping and dining in the evening. The following is a sample itinerary for a day in Cancun, incorporatin...
  • How Sugary Sweet Is St. Kitts
    For centuries, sugar cane was one of the most important crops in the world. As sugar cane grows best in tropical climates, European settlers saw an opportunity for wealth in Caribbean islands like St. Kitts. After colonization, forests were razed and replaced with sugar plantations to benefit the production of molasses, rum and raw sugar. As the oldest and wealthiest English colony in the Caribbean, St. Kitts once boasted 68 profitable plantations on just a 68-acre island. Th...
  • Planning A Destination Wedding In St. Thomas
    As couples have become more mobile in recent years, destination weddings have greatly increased in popularity. Most Caribbean weddings come as customizable vacation packages with all details accounted for by the resort or planning service. As a result, you and your guests can spend time relaxing on the beach rather than scrambling through last-minute preparations. Though it would seem far more difficult to plan a wedding from thousands of miles away, the reality is that a wed...
  • Exploring Old Town In Puerto Vallarta
    Most visitors to Puerto Vallarta are familiar with the beaches and resorts of the Hotel Zone and Marina Vallarta. Yet, many tourists overlook historic Viejo Vallarta, the most authentically Mexican section of this amazing city. Here you can experience a true ‘South of the Border’ environment with a friendliness not known in the more tourist-dominated areas.

    Viejo Vallarta, also known as Old Town, is a maze of cobblestone streets lined with charming inns, independently-owne...
  • Exploring The Abc Islands
    As a group, the ABC islands offer an incredibly distinctive Caribbean vacation. Consisting of Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao, the ABC Islands were under the control of the Netherlands as the Netherlands Antilles until 1986. In that year, Aruba gained independence, though the island is still aligned with the Dutch Kingdom. Today, the Willemstad, Curacao serves as the capital of the Netherlands Antilles, a colonial grouping which also governs Bonaire and the smaller islands of St. ...
  • Securing A Passport For Aruba Doesn’t Have To Be Painful
    On January 8, 2007, all travelers to Aruba and other Caribbean destinations will need a U.S. passport for air travel. The change comes as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security attempts to alleviate travel concerns about border security under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) and the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004. Unlike previous years when passports were not required for travel to Caribbean beach resorts, this upcoming season has ad...
  • Vacationing With The Family In Curacao
    Of all the Caribbean’s many destinations, Curacao may have the most to offer children and their families. From the family-friendly resorts to the island’s small-town ambience, Curacao is an ideal destination for a Caribbean family vacation. To get the most out of your trip, consider including some the activities outlined here in your Curacao vacation package.

    Perhaps the most unique of Curacao’s family attractions is the Curacao Seaquarium. Constructed in 1984, this oceanf...
  • Soaking Up The Sun And Taking In The Sites In Aruba
    In addition to white sand beaches and Caribbean beauty, Aruba has a wealth of history and exceptional sites to offer. Though you may not want to leave your plush beach resort, you should certainly explore some of these sites located throughout the island. Here are some helpful travel tips for the adventurous traveler.

    Throughout the 15th and 16th centuries, adventurers traveled throughout the Caribbean in search of wealth and treasures. One of the most precious sites of th...
  • More Flights To Mexico
    Consistently ranking as one of the top international destinations for U.S. travelers, Mexico has seen steady growth in airline and tourism options in recent years. American interest in Mexican resorts and spas has grown in tune with Mexico’s long-term tourism plan, a focus that contributes over $12 billion dollars annually to the nation’s economy. In fact, Mexico has become so popular with travelers that Cancun now ranks third behind London and Rome in international air booki...
  • Taking Advantage Of Your Concierge In Cancun
    Travelers often dismiss concierges as meaningless middlemen. Yet, when vacationing in Cancun, your hotel concierge can supply you a world of information and opportunity. These jacks-of-all-trades can be found at most resorts and know Cancun as well as anyone. While some concierges may have more valuable connections than others, any one of these hotel professionals can provide invaluable tips for your stay. Best of all, their assistance and advice are free of charge.
    When in ...
  • Scuba Diving And Snorkeling In The Caribbean: The Best Places To Dive In St Kitts
    Many experienced travelers consider St. Kitts to be a well kept secret, this small tropical island boasts some of the best snorkeling and scuba diving in the Caribbean. With a wealth of virtually untouched dive and snorkel sites, there are unique opportunities for divers and snorkelers of all skill levels.

    The western side of the island features placid waters, visibility in the range of 60-100 feet and reefs that are known throughout diving communities as some of the most ...
  • Do I Really Need Travel Insurance In St. Thomas?
    When planning your vacation to St. Thomas, you may want to consider whether or not travel insurance is a worthwhile investment. When making this decision, the most important aspect to consider is your personal level of risk. As part of a Caribbean vacation package, travel insurance would firstly protect your investment should any unforeseen events occur that prevent your travel, such as you or a family member are admitted to the hospital before your vacation, a car accident o...
  • Check It? Or Carry It On? - A Review Of Travel Restrictions Affecting Your Vacation To Aruba
    After you have planned your vacation to Aruba, you may be wondering what to pack. To ensure that you don’t experience any unwelcome surprises at either your departing airport or the Aruba Airport, make note of the guidelines in this article. The following is a convenient outline of what you can and cannot pack when traveling to Aruba and some added travel tips to make your vacation as enjoyable as possible.

    First, make sure you pack all your important personal belongings s...
  • Snorkeling And Diving In Curacao
    Home to over 80 miles of pristine coral reef, myriad tropical fish, sponges, sea turtles, seahorses, eels and dolphins, the waters surrounding Curacao beg to be enjoyed and photographed. Besides boasting the clearest water in the Caribbean, with average visibility between 80-140 feet, year-round water temperatures of 78-83°F allow the ocean to be enjoyed regardless of season. Whether you want to snorkel or scuba dive, there are plenty of experienced dive operators providing d...
  • The Beaches Of Puerto Vallarta
    The beaches in and around Puerto Vallarta may be the most diverse in Mexico. Located at the midpoint of Banderas Bay, the area surrounding Puerto Vallarta boasts 34 miles of coastline, 26 of which are sandy beaches. Within the city, the beaches are elegant and pristine, bordered by restaurants and resorts. Beaches to the north of the city tend to be longer and wider, with great opportunities for surfing and swimming. South of Puerto Vallarta, the mountains topple into the sea...
  • How To Relax And Revive In Cancun
    You probably already know about Cancun’s reputation as a tropical beach paradise, complete with luxurious resorts and decadent nightclubs. What you may not know is that when the party is over, relaxation options are not limited to merely sunbathing or shopping for trinkets. From sightseeing to spa treatments, Cancun’s Mayan heritage colors all aspects of the area’s recreation and relaxation.

    Mayan Historic Sites

    For instance, in the center of Cancun's Hotel Zone are the...
  • Palm Beach, Eagle Beach Or Baby Beach? - A Review Of Beaches In Aruba
    Collectively, Aruba's beaches are consistently ranked among the cleanest, widest and most beautiful of the Caribbean and the world. On the island’s southwestern coast, tourists will find one beach after another, each with its own distinct atmosphere and diverse possibilities. As nearly all of the beaches are public, access is a breeze. Furthermore, several Caribbean beaches have change and shower facilities, shade huts and water sport equipment provided by Aruba resorts and h...
  • St. Thomas: The Best Place To Shop In The Caribbean
    Beautiful beaches and lavish accommodations aside, St. Thomas is widely regarded as the Caribbean’s premier shopping destination. With over one million cruise ship passengers and overnight Caribbean resort guests visiting St. Thomas each year, the island’s ports have long been bustling centers of commerce and trade. Much of the finest duty-free shopping is concentrated near the waterfront of the island’s historic capital, Charlotte Amalie. At discounts of 40-60% off American ...

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