Port Canaveral
The Space Coast, as the area around Port Canaveral has come to be known, has become one of the top tourist destinations in Florida. The magnificent Kennedy Space Center is the embodiment of the promise that President John F. Kennedy made to the nation in the early 1960?s. Even after hundreds of space explorations, shuttle launches at Cape Canaveral are still a special event.
Although it's easy to spend an entire day at the Kennedy Space Center, there is plenty more to see and do around Port Canaveral. For one, the government purchased too much land around Cape Canaveral. Instead of just selling it back, the land has been designated as wildlife refuges and nature preserves. Nature lovers will not want to miss the beautiful hikes through Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, or the gorgeous sights that surround the Canaveral National Seashore. Just south of Cape Canaveral is Cocoa Beach, which has become a surfer's nirvana. Temperate weather and bodacious waves have transformed this beach into a year-round party.
Port Canaveral is a man-made port, with lots of cruise ships using it as an entryway to ports of call throughout the Caribbean. The area around the port has been beautifully developed, with shops and restaurants dotting the waterfront. Fishing boats and gambling cruises have added to the carnival that surrounds Port Canaveral.
The best way to enjoy the Space Coast is by balancing your day. Spend the morning marveling at the technological wonders of space exploration. Then, take a picnic lunch to the nature reserves, enjoying the serenity afforded you here. Finally, top off the day by admiring the sunset from a waterfront restaurant on Cocoa Beach. Spacing out your time will allow you to fully enjoy everything that the Space Coast has to offer.
Ocho Rios
Jamaica's name comes from an old Arawak word, Xaymaca,
meaning "land of wood and water." Looking around the island, it's
plain to see where the Arawaks came up with that description. The lush greenery
of Jamaica's inland contrasts perfectly with the pristine white sand beaches
along the island's northern coast. Ninety percent of the island's 2.5
million residents are of West African descent, with the remaining population
consisting mainly of small pockets of European minorities. The island lies 90
miles south of Cuba, and trails only its neighbors, Cuba and the Dominican
Republic/Haiti in size, weighing in at 4,400 square miles.
In recent years, Jamaica's image has taken a bit of a
beating, as some tourists have bristled at overly aggressive vendors and a
rising crime rate. Some of the more affluent private resorts have taken to
forbidding their guests from leaving the resort without a guide. Of course, this
means that some people aren't getting the true feel of this island nation.
Travelers to Jamaica need not feel unsafe. As long as you
take the same precautions that you would take in any major American city, you
will have little to worry about. On the whole, Jamaica's people remain
friendly and hospitable, and they are proud to welcome you to their island
paradise.
Ocho Rios is on Jamaica's north coast, 64 miles or an hour
and a half's drive from Montego Bay and two hours from Kingston, Jamaica's
capital on the southern coast.
This small city has become a hugely popular tourist
destination, with pretty much every major cruise line making a stop here. It has
embraced the economic boom that has come with the tourism industry, and everyone
is trying to get a piece of the action.
You may get the feeling that each person you meet here is
trying to sell you something, and to some extent that is true. The people of
Jamaica are poor, in general, and the little crafts they are constantly peddling
may mean dinner on the table that night. If you do not want what is being
offered, just politely and firmly tell them you are not interested. You need not
feel intimidated.
If you come to Ocho Rios during the month of February, you
will be treated to the Reggae Sunsplash Festival, celebrate the beautiful sounds
of traditional Reggae music as well as the fascinating Rastafarian heritage.
So enjoy Ocho Rios beaches and restaurants. Negotiate
yourself a good deal on some souvenirs, and allow yourself to get lost in
Jamaica's island beat.
Cozumel
If you're looking for a beautiful Caribbean style vacation
within Mexico, then look no further than Cozumel, Mexico. This lovely hideaway
is Mexico's largest island, yet remains somewhat undiscovered by Mexico's 20
million annual visitors. Cozumel is located 12 miles offshore of the city of Playa del Carmen. Yet
only 3 percent of its land has been developed, making it an ideal place to
explore the region in its pristine and nearly unaltered state.
Cozumel's history is centered on its importance to the
Mayan culture as one of three ceremonial centers in the region, and this link to
the past can be further explored by paying a visit to one of 40 archeological
sites still present on the island. When the Spanish took over the island in
1519, Cozumel became a pivotal trading center in salt and honey. The collapse of
the Spanish Empire in the late 16th century ushered in nearly 300
years of obscurity to this Caribbean land, yet it has recently flourished as a
popular cruise and travel destination; luring people from across the globe to
bask in its wonderful weather, amazing diving locations, and friendly people.
Cozumel, although not nearly as developed as its northern
neighbor Cancun, still contains all the resources necessary for the ultimate
cruise destination. Shopping is prevalent, and duty-free stores, selling
everything under the tropical sun, invite the seasoned bargain hunter. Cozumel
has been consistently rated the best spot in the world for scuba diving
and snorkeling. Restaurants on the island are world-class as well as affordable.
Finally, its proximity to the popular excursions of Xel-Ha Lagoons, the Mayan
ruins at Tulum, and Playa del Carmen solidify its position as one of the top
cruise destinations in the Caribbean.
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