Miami
A destination of vast diversity, Miami's year-round warm
weather attracts visitors from all over the world to its beautiful beaches,
modern architecture, and vibrant nightlife. Two million people call Miami home,
but another 10 million come to visit every year.
The Spanish were first to arrive, and it is understandable
that their influence should be felt first and foremost. Miami was colonized by
the Spanish in the 1500?s, then used as collateral in negotiations with the
English that ended the Seven Years War. Spain gained Havana back in exchange
for Florida. In 1783, England traded Florida back to Spain for the Bahamas, and
Spain ruled Florida as a colony until 1821, when Florida became a state.
Miami now is world famous for its beaches, 35 miles worth,
from South Beach to Sunny Isles. Whether you want to sunbathe, swim, or just
people watch, there are enough different beaches to suit your fancy.
But there is so much more to the city. A wide range of
museums and parks can be found here. They add a refined sense of culture to the
glitz and glamour of Miami's world-renowned nightlife.
Of course, if shopping is your main objective, Miami has more
than enough shops and boutiques to suit your needs. That's without even
mentioning the many upscale shopping malls and sidewalk stores that dot the map
What sets Miami apart from most other tourist destinations is
the blend of people who call it home. Nowhere else in the world will you see so
many people from so many different cultures. Large communities of Cubans and
Haitians mix with retired "snowbirds" from New York and Canada.
It's hard to take in all that Miami has to offer in one
day, but here are some of the highlights.
Roatan
In the dazzling Caribbean, 40 miles northeast of beautiful Honduras, you will encounter spectacular Roatan Island. Roatan is an island dedicated to the senses, with palm trees, shimmering sand beaches, and picturesque sunsets. Known best for its wonderful sportfishing and incredible scuba diving, Roatan is becoming more popular with tourists with each passing year. The landscape is quite diverse, ranging from dense tropical jungle to vacant white-sand beaches. Roatan is the most developed and modernized island in the Bay Islands chain, and the culture is a mixture of Spanish, British, Paya Indian, and African. The great majority of the citizens on Roatan speak fluent English, making traveling around the island convenient and simple.
The Paya Indians inhabited Roatan for centuries, until the Spanish raided the island in the 16th century. Henry Morgan and a band of over 5,000 pirates invaded Roatan and soon took control. When the slave trade was at its highest, rebellious British slaves were sent to Roatan. Today the descendants from this group of people are called Maroons, after marooned slave. Also known as Garifuna, they reside near Punta Gorda.
There are a number of splendid outdoor museums on the island, and one of the best is the Roatan Institute for Marine Sciences. Multiple hands-on learning facilities make this scientific complex fascinating. Sherman Arch's Iguana Farm and The Bird Park are two more great outdoor adventures, and believe me; you will be disappointed if you forget to bring your camera with you to the Iguana Farm! Several of the restaurants on the island are spectacular, and there are quite a few enjoyable clusters of shops and boutiques.
Puerto Limon
Costa Rica, while only about the size of West Virginia, is a
country of amazing diversity. Everywhere you travel in this country spotlights a
different prominent feature. For those who have never visited, it would be easy
to group Costa Rica in with its Central American neighbors, and think this is an
unstable nation. Nothing could be further from the truth. Costa Rica has been
able to avoid the problems that have plagued other Central American nations such
as Nicaragua and El Salvador. In fact, Costa Rica does not even maintain an
army, having gotten rid of it over fifty years ago.
Puerto Limon is the capital of the province of Limon, on
Costa Rica's east coast, along the Caribbean Sea. The people of Puerto Limon
are a veritable stew of cultures and nationalities. Among the population of
225,000 are Jamaican, European, Chinese, and indigenous peoples. Of course, now
that they all call Costa Rica home, they are all "ticos," as Costa
Ricans are known.
Puerto Limon is a pretty lively town, with lots of people
using it as their arrival and departure point, and with the cruise ships making
many stops here. But truth be told, this isn't a tourist town per se, compared
to other destinations in the Caribbean Sea . Nevertheless, there are things to
see and do while you are in port.
From a climate standpoint, there are only two main seasons in
Puerto Limon. The Dry Season lasts approximately from December through April
with little rain. The Green Season, which runs from about May through November,
has a more tropical feel, with short late afternoon showers as a regular part of
the day. If you can stand the rain, it is much prettier to travel during the
Green Season, if possible.
Please remember that Puerto Limon is a port town. That means
that you should be on guard there, as you would in any town. Women of the night
are in business here, and with sailors always coming in and out of port, they
have a steady clientele. Women traveling alone should exercise particular
caution.
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