iCruise Tips: 5 of the Best Kepts Secrets in the Caribbean

5 of the Best Kepts Secrets in the Caribbean

By Alara Shannon, Marketing   |  September 01, 2013      ( Comments)

Cruising is one of the best vacation values available, and this year we have seen unbelievable Caribbean cruise deals and last minute cruises to the Caribbean. Cruise lines are expanding their fleets and the selection of U.S. departure ports is growing; making a Caribbean cruise more accessible than ever before.

This and more (like white sand, blue waters, culture, history…) makes traveling to the Caribbean hard to ignore and, in turn, the most popular cruise destination in the world. However, after multiple cruises to the same sunny region, some cruisers may become jaded - adopting a ‘been there, done that’ attitude.

So we tapped into the minds of some of our seasoned cruise specialists for their suggestions on the best kept secrets, hidden gems, and must-sees of the Caribbean.

San Juan, Puerto Rico

1. Fuentes BBQ & Castillo Serralles - Cruise Specialist, Jen Perez

At Fuentes BBQ you will find the best authentic, local cuisine there is. Highly recommended for a delicious, inexpensive meal located approximately 9 miles from the cruise terminal. Open: Mon. – Sun. 9:00am-11:00pm. Address: Ave. San Alfonso #1323 San Juan, Puerto Rico 00921

If you have time before or after a cruise from San Juan, travel down to Ponce, Puerto Rico and visit the Castillo Serralles. This beautiful Spanish Revival mansion was built in 1930 for the Serralles family, owners of the Don Q rum distillery. Perfect for those that love history and architecture.

Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, U.S.V.I.

2. Morning Star Beach – Cruise Specialist, Hector Hernandez

Highlights: beachside restaurant and bar; chairs, umbrellas, snorkel gear and floats are available to rent from the hotel; views of Charlotte Amalie Harbor.

“I had been to St. Thomas several times, and did not want to get trapped in the same old tourist traps. So I asked members of the ship’s crew what they liked to do when they have a little time off. I was told to visit Morningstar Beach, just 10 minutes from the ship. Head to the right out of the pier, instead of following the tourist trail to the left.

I got in a shared taxi that cost $6 per person. 10 minutes later I was dropped on the side of Morningstar Resort (sister hotel to Marriott Frenchman’s Reef), I walked a few short steps and found a hidden beautiful beach that was the backdrop to the resort. There was just a peace to the place. After spending a few hours at the beach, we walked through a path up to the resort, seated on a hill. From there I could see my cruise ship and the others in the harbor, the view was incredible. I continued on the path and found a pool designed to look like it dropped right into the bay.

I found this to be the perfect spot for people that just want to get away from the masses, thanks to the advice from the crew. When we left, the ride back took, again, just 10 minutes. So, we were not worried about heavy traffic, which can get pretty bad in the afternoon in St. Thomas.”

More Hidden Gems in St. Thomas:

• Coconuts Bar & Grill (10 Main St., St. Thomas 00802). Inexpensive, convenient to the cruise port. This endearing hole-in-the-wall is full of whimsy and even better food. Get a burger and a Backstreet Bushwacker, you’ll thank us later!
• Lindberg Bay (aka Emerald Beach) on the southside of the island and Sapphire Beach on the east side both feature beautiful beaches, chairs, water sports, facilities, plus food and drinks.
• St. Thomas is mountainous and offers multiple spots for stunning views in addition to the Paradise Point Tramway: Drake’s Seat over Magen’s Bay; Skyline Drive Overlook over Charlotte Amalie, Hassel Island, Water Island and more; Mountain Top spectacular view over Magens Bay, Drake’s Passage and neighboring island.

Virgin Gorda, B.V.I.

3. The Baths – Cruise Specialist, Patty Brown

“The Baths on Virgin Gorda, my favorite beach on the planet. It has house-sized rocks thrown down from the heavens that you have to wind your way through in order to get to the best beach you could ever imagine.”

Giant boulders form an ancient volcano are scattered across a picture perfect, white-sand beach forming caves, grottoes and tidal pools. Not necessarily hidden, or a secret, but a beach you could, and should, visit multiple times. Most large cruise ships dock in Tortola, just 12 miles away and you are able to travel across the sound by water taxi. Smaller cruise lines like Windstar and Silversea are able to call directly on Virgin Gorda.

Cozumel, Mexico

4. La Conchita del Caribe – Cruise Specialist, Kelly Wickson

Address: 65 Avenue South #960, between Calles 13 & 15, Cozumel 77620, Mexico

Highlights: fresh, local cuisine served by a friendly and accommodating staff

“I have been to Cozumel 11 times, and I was struggling with having to visit Senior Frogs or Carlos and Charlies’s one more time. So, I finally asked a server at Carlos and Charlie’s where to eat real, local food. He told me about La Conchita Del Caribe. It is not within the touristy areas, you need to take a cab to get there but it is so worth it.

I now eat there every time I go! It is so nice to relax (no crowds), and enjoy really fresh Mexican seafood specialties. The service is very friendly, and they do have a few menus in English. The food is outstanding, yet simple. Whole fried Snapper, fresh guacamole, and I always get the triple ceviche. We went with a family of 8 and they were able to serve children and families. In fact, they are very happy to have you!”

More Hidden Gems in Cozumel:

• Isla Pasion: a fantastic beach getaway on a private island (30 minutes by boat from Cozumel) for an unforgettable day among palm trees, sugar-white sands and crystalline seas.
• Comidas Caseras Tonita, aka Tonita’s (Mon. – Sat. 8:00am-6:00pm. Calle Salas 265 between Calles 10 and 15). Delicious, homemade Mexican food. Please, please try the guacamole and Chile Rellenos.
• Casa Denis: The oldest restaurant on the island, outdoor seating, friendly atmosphere and local cuisine.
• La Choza: A local favorite with attentive staff and excellent fajitas, fresh grilled seafood, plus the mandatory I’m-on-vacation tropical drinks.
• Las Flamitas (Mon – Sat. 11:30-4:30pm. Ave 25 between Calle 3 and Morelos): Local and economical, best for adventurous eaters as you will find few tourists here and the staff speaks little English. But, absolutely worth it for some of the best Yucatecan food and Sopa de Lima on the island.
• Punta Morena, Playa Palancar and Playa Uvas feature beautiful beaches, chairs, water sports, facilities, plus food and drinks.
• Tucan Sailing Adventure: this is a unique sailing adventure to the remote northern beaches of Cozumel with snorkeling, lunch, fishing, beach time and more.
• Maybe not so hidden, but great for fun in the sun and snorkel day is Chankanaab National Park. It is $21 per adult, $14 for kids ages 3-11, and kids under 2 are free but includes facilities, wildlife shows, restaurants, playground and other amenities.

Belize City, Belize

5. The Great Blue Hole at Lighthouse Reef – Cruise Specialist Christa Rimmer

Although this geological wonder is not a secret, it is a destination to visit over, and over again.

“The Great Blue Hole is a tremendous, must-see for avid divers. This ‘blue hole,’ is almost perfectly circular, 480 feet deep and a quarter of a mile across. Located 60 miles off the coast of Belize City, right in the center of Lighthouse Reef, this is one of the most amazing dive sites in the world.”

More Hidden Gems in Belize:

• Goff's Caye: Experience the definition of paradise on this small, private island off the shore of Belize City, Belize. Travel by boat (40 min.) and escape to this tropical caye for a day of sun, sand, snorkeling and family fun. Enjoy refreshments like rum punch or burgers, kabobs and lobster from the grill at Goff’s Caye Palapa. A word of warning, you will not want to leave!
• Caye Caulker. This small laid-back island (5 miles across and 1 mile wide) is 20 miles off the coast of Belize (45 min. by boat), and just one mile west of the Belize Barrier Reef. Despite the rise in tourism, the island takes pride in preserving its culture and is still largely undeveloped. “The Split” is your best bet for swimming and snorkeling. The area was actually split in two by hurricane Hattie in 1961, thus its name. It is accessible by a short 10-15 minute walk from the water taxi dock. The Lazy Lizard Bar & Grill is located at the Split for food, drink and bathrooms.

Do you have a favorite spot, a hidden gem, you’ve found in the Caribbean (that you’re willing to share ;)?