Caribbean Attractions

Versailles Gardens
Versailles Gardens has marble and bronze statues of historical and mythological figures including Hercules, Napolean and Josephine, and President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. The Cloisters, a 14th-century French monastery, was brought brick by brick from its mother country and reconstructed at the top of the garden. Visitors are welcome at no charge.
(512) 475 9077.

Fort Montagu
This fort dating from 1741, stands as a testament to British engineering. The stronghold never saw much battle, except when occupied by U.S. naval legend John Paul Jones during the American Revolutionary War. Visitors are welcome to explore the grounds on their own. The area is surrounded by a public beach.
(242) 322 7500

Pirates of Nassau
Nassau's rich pirate history is popularized at this downtown attraction, taking up nearly a block, just off the main drag. Visitors tour a full-scale pirate ship, a dungeon and a pirate community. A patio bar is just outside, and a gift shop is open from the street.
(242) 356 3759

Ardastra Gardens
Nassau's wildlife habitat and park, a mile from downtown Nassau, has parrots and peacocks wandering through tropical gardens, while monkeys leap among banyan trees above. Grounds consist of 5.5 acres of tropical jungle, with paths and canals.
(242) 323 5806

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Rawson Square
In downtown Nassau, Rawson Square near Prince George's Wharf thrives with shops, restaurants and bars. A statue of the first native Bahamian governor, Sir Milo Butler, stands over the square. Taxis, horse-drawn surreys, and the public buses favored by locals congregate here.
(242) 322 7500

Queen’s Staircase
Carved out of the limestone cliff by slave labor, these steps are one of Nassau's most popular attractions and were later renamed for Queen Victoria to commemorate her 65 years of rule ending in 1901. A waterfall runs from the top, and the staircase affords a panorama of Nassau.
(242) 322 7500

Blue Lagoon Island & Stingray City
A 30-minute boat ride from Nassau is a private island for snorkeling, sailing, shopping, dining and dancing to live calypso music. The Stingray City amusement park provides undersea entertainment and a white sand beach is great for sunning.
(242) 363 3333

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Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Parque Nacional José Armando Bermúdez
Declared a protected area in 1956, this northwestern region park is in the Cordillera Central, the island’s largest mountain range. Along with neighbor Parque José del Carmen Ramírez, the park hosts the highest peak in the Caribbean: the Pico Duarte. A dozen key rivers originate here.
(809) 472 4204

El Malecón
El Malecón, a levee along the shore, is popular for casual strolling. Ice cream parlors and restaurants await nearby, along with nightlife in several bars and discos. El Malecón is where Carnival and July's Merengue Festival are staged.

El Alcázar de Colón
Built in the 1520s, the Italian Renaissance style palace has some gothic details, with a main entrance in Isabeline style. Abandoned in 1770, attempts were later made to turn it into a prison, but none succeeded. Landslides in 1809 and 1835 collapsed parts of the building, restored in 1957 to its present condition. The rectangular, two-story building has two galleries.
(809) 689 5946

Casa de Bastidas
This building was the residence of Don Rodrigo de Bastidas, the king's tax collector and mayor of the city. The main entrance forms part of the outside fortress wall. La Casa de Bastidas houses an art gallery.
(809) 687 4722

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Banco de la Plata Sanctuary
This area is a breeding ground for humpback whales. Every year between December and April these giants migrate to the warm waters to mate. The Silver Bank (translated from Banco de la Plata) was declared a marine mammal sanctuary in 1986. Sea turtles and diverse varieties of fish also make themselves at home here. The area derived its name from the shipwrecked Concepcion vessel in 1641, because of its cargo of gold and silver.
(809) 221 4660

Acuario Nacional de la República Dominicana
Opened in 1990, the National Aquarium boasts a modern, open-air design overlooking the Caribbean. Roughly 3,000 live specimens of 250 species of marine life inhabit waters. Guided tours are offered daily.
(809) 766 1709

Parque Zoológico Dominicano
Inaugurated in 1975, the Parque Zoológico Nacional is one of the largest zoos in Latin America. Steep hills can make touring on foot difficult. Guided tours in Spanish aboard the zoo´s train are available for a fee. There is a large aviary, a serpentarium and a children´s area.
(809) 562 3149

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Jamaica

Appleton Estate Rum Tours
The 11,000-acre Appleton Sugar Plantation is situated in one of Jamaica’s most picturesque valleys. Visitors see sugar cane fields and tour the distillery, blending rums since 1749. Guides outline the production process, showing how sugar is distilled into rum. Tastings are conducted with opportunity to shop for gifts. Each visitor receives a complimentary bottle of rum.
(876) 963 9215

Shaw Park Botanical Garden
Shaw Park Botanical Garden, with panoramic views of the city and environs from 550 feet above sea level, is awash in bougainvillea, oleander, and other blooms. Spectacular waterfalls and a massive banyan tree are also worth visiting. A gift shop and bar are on site.
(876) 974 8888

Bob Marley Museum
On the site of the legendary musician's home (purchased in 1975, where he lived until his death in 1981), the museum displays Marley's personal treasures. Also on property are an 80-seat theater, gallery, and gift shop.
(876) 927 9152

James Bond Beach
Taking on a decided "007" identity less than 90 miles from Kingston, this beach also offers opportunity to tour on a glass bottom boat, or rent kayaks, wave runners and snorkeling equipment. The beach also has a bar and restaurant.
(876) 975 3663

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Dunn’s River Falls
Known as the Niagara of Jamaica, this 600-foot limestone rock formation is frequently crowded with climbers heading upward as water cascades toward the ocean below. Guides lead groups up the terraced rock. Excellent photo opportunities await along the way. A beach restaurant and artisan market are at the top.
(876) 974 2857

Roaring Rivers Cave
Reggae superstar Bob Marley reportedly used these caves for meditation. Two healing mineral springs are inside the cave. Nearby, Roaring River Village retains many features dating to slave time.
(876) 995 2094

Rose Hall Great House
This former home of Annie Palmer, the White Witch of Rose Hall, is permeated with tales of voodoo since her three husbands died under mysterious circumstances. Legend has it she also enjoyed seducing hired help. Guided tours include the house with its 18th-century decor and antiques, ending with visits to the dungeon, now a tavern. Garden paths lead to where Annie's three husbands are said to be buried.
(876) 953 2341

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San Juan, Puerto Rico

La Fortaleza
La Fortaleza, the governor's mansion, is in the western part of the city at street’s end, facing the bay. Built as a fortress in 1540, the mansion has been re-restored several times and was home to several governors since Spanish and American colonialist rules. Free tours are in English and Spanish.
(787) 721 7000

Isla de Cabras
Isla de Cabra (Goat Island) provides a retreat-like atmosphere with trees, rocky seashores and fishing. Ruins on the northern coast housed a 19th-century leper colony. On the southern tier are ruins of Fuerte del Canuelo dating to 1610. The fort once shared the responsibility with El Morro of protecting the Bay of San Juan.
At the end of Highway 870 and north of the Bacardi plant.

El Faro
A maritime museum and a whale watching and dolphin-spotting platform are at El Faro Lighthouse and Park in Rincon. The lighthouse, rising almost 100 feet, dates to 1892 and has survived countless hurricanes, an earthquake and a tidal wave. It was rebuilt in 1922. The museum is open only in winter.

La Casita
La Casita, housing the Tourism Information Center, is in the Plaza Dársena in Old San Juan, overlooking San Juan Bay. The Puerto Rico Tourism Company booth has information on accommodations, attractions, and walking tours.
(787) 724 1709.

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Bacardi Rum Distillery
Bacardi Rum originated in Puerto Rico and continues to be distilled at the Bacardi Rum Distillery in Cataño. Tours cover history of production, including bottling and shipping. Tastes are offered along with opportunity to purchase from the distillery shop.
(787) 788 8400

El Morro
On San Juan Bay, this stone fort was attacked by the English and Dutch repeatedly. Originally constructed in 1540, exterior walls were not erected for another 200 years. The fort, restored in 1992, has an interior labyrinth of chambers, barracks, hallways and prison cells.
Old San Juan. (787) 729 6960

Cas Alcaldia
In front of the Plaza de Armas in Old San Juan, this city hall has arches flanked by a pair of towers, similar in design to Madrid's city hall. Construction in stages took place between 1604 and 1789. The building now has tourist information downstairs and an art gallery on the first floor. Admission is free.
(787) 724 7171

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U.S. Virgin Islands

Rain Forest
Drives on Routes 76, 763, and 58 outside Frederiksted pass through lush vegetation with kapoks, strangler figs, and hog plum trees that in the summer bear tasty yellow fruits. Scenic Road, through the forest, is best navigated with four-wheel drive vehicles.

Whim Plantation Museum
Operated by the non-profit St. Croix Landmarks Society, this plantation has an antique-filled great house, plus a windmill and cookhouse. Docents explain who is who in photographs on walls. A gift shop stocks items made in St. Croix. Grounds are ideal for picnics.
(340) 772 0598

St. George Village Botanical Garden
On the grounds of a 19th-century Danish sugar plantation, first inhabited by pre-Columbian Indians, St. Croix’s only botanical garden has 1,500 species of tropical plants. Stone ruins are interspersed with plants on 16 acres that include a rainforest walk and cactus garden.
(340) 692 2874

Fort Frederik
Standing guard over Frederiksted’s harbor, Fort Frederik was the site of the most important event in St. Croix history. After a march from nearby Estate La Grange, about 8,000 island slaves demanded freedom. On July 3, 1848, Danish Governor Peter Scholten acceded. Now a National Historic Landmark, the fort was built between 1752 and 1760. Admission is free.
(340) 772 2021

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Buck Island Reef National Monument
This 1,935-acre land and sea monument run by the National Park Service is home to vibrant-colored fish and coral, birds and pristine beaches. It can be reached via day charters leaving from Christiansted’s waterfront or a marina along the island's north shore. The reef surrounding the 180-acre island features an underwater snorkel trail suitable for novices. An easy hike takes visitors to the island’s apex a panorama of the reef below and the turquoise sea that stretches north to St. John. Free admission.
(340) 773 1460

Government House
St. Croix’s imposing Government House, with its sweeping front staircase, was once two homes built for Danish merchants. The part along King Street dates to 1794. It became the Danish governor's official residence in 1771. In 1826, an adjacent house, built between 1794 and 1797, was annexed. The building now houses offices for the territory's governor. Official events often take place in the second-floor ballroom or the formal courtyard. No admission.
(340) 773 1404

Mountain Top
Touristy as this attraction may be, the view from 1,500 feet above sea level is fabulous. The area, once known as Signal Hill, served in the 1940s as a strategic communications point for the U.S. government. This is a popular stop for cruise ship shore excursions, so count on tour buses.
(340) 774 2400

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Charlotte Amalie
The island's main town and the territory's capital, Charlotte Amalie was founded in 1666. Originally called Taphaus, or Tap House, it is now named after a Danish queen. Narrow streets are filled with shoppers seeking duty-free bargains, visitors heading for historic sites, or government workers and professionals going to their offices. Walking is the only easy way to navigate through the congestion.

Paradise Point Tramway
St. Thomas’ cable car makes a seven-minute, 700-foot trip up the side of Flag Hill, giving riders a view of Havensight Mall and adjacent cruise ship docks. An observation deck has a restaurant, bar, tropical bird display, and gift shop.
(340) 774 9809

99 Steps
Between Hotel 1829 and Government House on St. Thomas is the foot of the famed, steep 99 Steps, a staircase built in the 1700s by the Danes to connect parts of the town. Actually there are 103 steps, all made of ballast bricks from Danish ships. They lead to a hill above Charlotte Amalie and remains of a stone tower, now part of the Inn at Blackbeard's Castle complex. There is no admission charge.
(340) 774 8784

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