Crystal-clear waters, breathtaking forests, culture, history and traditions that pack a wallop for their singularity, sceneries that invite travelers to feast eyes on them… cities, places and landscapes so indispensable on today’s world tourism map. Caribbean Tourist Excellences magazine brings readers closer to ten of these getaways in its 100th issue.

The Florida Keys, USA The best approach to the many attractions the Florida Keys have to offer is no doubt by road. The starting point on the southernmost tip of Florida is the Gateway to the Keys, down a road that runs over a teal-hued sea that sometimes flashes a turquoise and emerald shade. Spectacular landscapes meet the eye and the first photo op stop is on Key Largo. The highway –a masterful piece of engineering- boasts 42 bridges and covers 93 miles through a multitude of picture-perfect spots. Alabama Jacks Bar, the hangout of choice for fishermen, tourists and locals dressed in wild shorts, rustic sandals, tee-shirts and a hankie wrapped around their heads, makes drivers pull over to have a plate of fish fritters and a schooner of icy beer from any brand you might choose from. The road goes on southbound and for moments a few clear spots along the mangrove thickets let trippers make out the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico on both sides of the highway. There are some very special places, like Tavernier or Plantation Key, the perfect hideaway of bootleggers and liquor smugglers during the Prohibition Act that now harbors a school of marine studies. Beautiful Isla Morada also pops up in sight; close to the 70 mile marker, there’s a very popular place fitted out for campers and a long rest, known as Fiesta Key Koa. The road trip is coming to an end, but first we hopscotch through Big Pine Key, home to the National Deer Wildlife Reserve in the Keys, and lovely Stock Island. Key West is the final destination. It’s a location marked by Spain’s traditional colonial architecture, elegant chalets, fancy hotels and fabulous beaches cut out for unforgettable days. Except for the flag and the official language, this neck of the woods has little in common with America. The island was virtually “colonized” by the Cubans and this is something that has lived out for centuries.

Tulum: Treasure of the Riviera Maya. Mexico Along the nearly 75 miles of Mexico’s charming shoreline from Puerto Morelos all the way to Punta Allen –the famous Riviera Maya- there are names that certainly reel in visitors when it comes to Caribbean travel: Cancun, Isla Mujeres, Xcaret, Xolbox, Puerto Aventuras… you name it. Tulum is no doubt high on that list and is indeed a cherished treasure hedged with astounding natural scenery full of jungles and amazing beaches, lovely hotels and the chance to get closer to this millenary culture in a matter of minutes. Cenotes, coral reefs and the nearby Sian Ka´an Biosphere Reserve are all must-sees. Small luxury hotels pour guests with conveniences in this piece of the Mexican Caribbean, like the Ocho Tulum, an 18-cabin inn powered by solar energy and built with local materials as a good token of what sustainability is all about. The Shambala Petit Hotel, the Maya Tulum and the Casa Violeta are equally charming and stick to this small-lodging design in which coziness and peace are the name of the game, featuring holistic and spa treatments highly sought after by tourists who come here with a view in mind to bring heaven down to earth and enjoy a few of days of happiness. Tulum can be reached by good roads from Playa del Carmen in a half-hour drive and from Cancun some 75 minutes later.

Costa Rica: Nature’s Seductive Power Climate, kindhearted people, a country of barely 20,000 square miles teeming with jaw-dropping biodiversity and natural wealth like few places on the face of the planet can boast, where you can still walk for hours under the shadows of the deep forest –now turned into parks or nature reserves that cover little more than 30 percent of the total surface- are the things Costa Rica has to offer. The destination means satisfaction guaranteed for nature lovers and adventure seekers. There are dozens of itineraries, trails and combined options to scour the wealthy region of Valle Central, to climb rugged mountains, take a stroll down the lowlands brimming with lagoons and beautiful valleys, to take a closer look at roaring volcanoes that send chills up and down any visitor’s spine, or just to enjoy beaches like Manuel Antonio or Concha, featuring gilt sands that resemble gold powder. There’s a well-developed road network that let trippers move in just about any direction and take them to the breathtaking canals of Tortuguero or to an exciting rafting experience down the Reventazon River’s rapids, or maybe watch the mundane lifestyle of the Central Tableland, dotted with top-notch hotels and as many conveniences as you can find both in the middle of the rainforests and in the cities and small towns. Places like Corcovado and Monteverde appear to be reminiscences of the dawn of mankind. However, it’s good to know that in any direction Costa Rica is a universe laden with jungles and evergreen landscapes in which untapped nature explodes and the world is standing still, trapped in some prehistoric time.

Jamaica: Just About Anything in 4,243 Square Miles Lands of gorgeous inland, beaches that resemble mirages of paradise and universal and mystical music called reggae –one of the Caribbean’s greatest rhythms. Therefore, traveling there and feeling the Garden of Eden is something Jamaica delivers with both hands. As a matter of fact, a hotel in Negril Beach, the Hedonism II –it’s not the only one of its kind run by this brand- which is absolutely thought out for those purposes and where sun, beach and pleasure come together into a perfect combination, featuring options considered for the most complete relaxation money can buy. Montego Bay is just another major destination in Jamaica. This is an interesting city that breathes a tremendous British influence and seems to be the perfect place to get to know the rich cultural lifestyle of the Jamaican people. Not far from there visitors can find Discovery Bay, Runaway Bay, Saint Ann and famous Ocho Rios, for many the country’s main attraction, thanks to the spectacular Dunn’s River Falls that slope down in layers and flow all the way into the sea. On both banks of the river there are platforms outfitted with bars and canopy, let alone trails into the jungle where nature lovers can watch hummingbirds and other bird species. Other sightseeing spots to consider are Port Antonio, the Errol Flynn Tropical Haven, the spectacular Blue Mountain range and Kingston, the island nation’s capital.

Jamaica –the name means island of woods and rivers- today shows off a hard-to-ignore blend of landscapes, tropical climate and ingredients as fabulous as its beaches, contagious beats and the blissful spirit of its hospitable and warmhearted people.

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic Near the turquoise-color beaches, the endless rows of palm trees and the fancy resorts, Santo Domingo –the first capital of the Americas- is a modern city whose historic center was added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage sites in 1990. Over 500 years after its foundation back in 1496, the city still oozes out its colonial atmosphere and some of the continent’s first-ever institutions: the first cathedral, the first monastery, the first bishop’s office, the first fortress, the first hospital, the first hydraulic work, the first university and the first courtroom. From its museums, squares and colonial houses, travelers can watch the Columbus Lighthouse and remember how many conquistadors departed to other lands from these coasts, old witnesses of the voraciousness of pirates and corsairs who ruled the Caribbean Sea back in the 16th and 17th centuries. In the history of the Dominican Republic, there’s a special place for Francis Drake, the pirate captain who launched a ferocious attack to the country in 1586. This is a diverse city, breezed by the sea and graced by stone art and time. Always amazing from the Chinatown to Conuco; from Alcazar de Colon (where Diego, the Admiral’s son, lived) to the Amber Museum and the Mercado Modelo, a grand fair of Dominican handicrafts; from the February carnival and its parades on the George Washington coastal avenue to the merengue bands performing at the Expreso Bourlevard on 27 de Febrero Avenue. The La Caleta National Underwater Park, featuring two ship-museums sunk for scuba divers and the indigenous cemetery; the National Botanical Garden or the fortresses, are all cultural tokens in this destination that always sways to the beat of merengue and bachata. The country’s main gateway is also the best place to cozy up to the Dominican people, not to mention its being the perfect departure point to head for other sightseeing spots, either surrounded by mountains or flanked by beaches, towns, marinas and neighboring islands. You can also venture down an array of trails, by far the golden rule to make this trip of yours to this Caribbean destination a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Cartagena de Indias, Colombia Magic and beautiful in the same breath, this city –a.k.a. Corralito de Piedra- is one of the gems of the continental Caribbean. Cobblestone streets, baroque façades in both civil and religious buildings, balconies boasting wooden rails carpeted with cascading bougainvillea and other tropical flowers, inner patios decked out with fountains and lush foliage. There are very special places like the Bolivar Park, the Inquisition Palace Museum, the Museum of Gold, the Cathedral, the Couch Plaza, hemmed in by colonial buildings and one of the city’s top nightlife hangouts. When it comes to buying keepsakes, nothing beats Las Bovedas, a set of vaults built in the 18th century and used at the time as garrisons and jailhouses. Today, they have been restored and equipped to harbor art galleries, warehouses where visitors can buy the country’s finest handicrafts, jewelry, antiques and a whole lot more. When the night falls, in addition to a long list of superb restaurants, tourists may choose from theaters and concert halls, clubs, casinos and discos, bars and alfresco cafés set up in lovely inner patios. Either way, for many the best baptism for your first night in Cartagena is the rumba on Chiva, a typical bus painted with motley colors that rides around the city and carries a band of musicians and an open bar serving local drinks. Sensual, nightly, living, clear… Cartagena is also a city for romance. Florentino Ariza walked down these streets in Love in Times of Cholera “as he waited 53 years, 7 months and 11 days with their nights” for Fermina Daza. Its colonial palaces nestled on narrow cobblestone streets, the assortment of rocks, wood and vegetation, the sea and the gleeful spirit make it a one-of-a-kind town. Immersed in the same real-magical ambience that inspired Gabriel Garcia Marquez, UNESCO declared it World Heritage in 1984. Its bay saw off shipments of gold and silver leaving El Dorado and Potosi to Seville and Cadiz. Its seaport has also made the list of the World’s Most Beautiful Bays Club. Visiting this city is undoubtedly an experience you’ll always want to repeat time and again.

Salto Angel, Venezuela It takes a long trip to get to this spot in the state of Bolivar, right in Venezuela’s inlands. The Pemone Indians paddling their canoes sail down a number of rivers all the way to a location near the famous waterfalls. From that site, travelers have to walk on to the closest point in which the rivers flow off the crags, right atop the Auyantepuy tableland. Known among the local aboriginals as Kerepakupai Vena (it means jump from the deepest place in Pemone dialect), the waterfall is no doubt a breathtaking image. At a staggering 3,211 feet high, this is the world’s highest waterfall and taking a look at it is an adventure indeed. First, you need to sail on a canoe for hours, slithering down several rapids, walk down a number of slopes, cross a rainforest as you hear in the distance the roaring sound of the waterfall crashing against the bedrock below, harmonically blended with the twits, chirps and howls of the jungle.

The Canaima National Park, embracing 11,583 square miles, is home to the Salto Angel, southwest of the Orinoco River, a place characterized by tall tablelands called tepuyes that cover nearly 65 percent of this vast extension. The cities closest to this natural wonder are Santa Elena de Uairan and Ciudad de Guayana, yet accommodations for those who have gotten there to see Salto Angel are fitted out at the Canaima Camp, a hotel nestled in the heart of the woods from where tours leave every day at 4:00am. Rafting, climbing, hikes and wildlife observation are the location’s major tourist attractions. A team of Pemone Indians organize and plan tours from that base, so they are in charge with all assistances and attentions.

Quito, Ecuador Four centuries after its foundation, this burg boasts a quasi-perfect cityscape of colonial architecture. Its historic center –the largest of the Americas- was declared World Heritage by UNESCO and this year was named the Cultural Capital of the Americas by the International Bureau of Cultural Capitals. Featuring breezy climate due to its proximity to the Andes mountain range and at nearly 10,000 feet above sea level, Quito is a genuine living museum that draws tremendous interest among connoisseurs, experts and sightseers eager to delve into a history told by stones, buildings, architecture and shapes, with dozens of churches, chapels, monasteries, colonial convents, squares and colonial buildings to feast eyes on. A few must-sees are the Independence Square, hemmed in by the Cathedral and the Government Palace, Ronda Street. They all convey good signs of what Quito used to be and still is: splendorous and beautiful, a city that can be discovered as you walk down its ancient cobblestoned streets dotted with gracious red-roof white houses, colonial balconies, lamp poles and all kinds of decorations. The National Museum of the Central Bank, the Ethno-Historic Museum, the Museum of Mindalae Handicrafts and the Chapel of Man, coupled with the Cerro del Panecillo and its 9,842-foot-high watchtower, are all ideal spots for travelers who want to see it all at once. In addition to being a maze of sensations where everyone can always find a little spot of choice, the fact of also being one of the planet’s most biodiversity-laden regions also reels in visitors. The edge is clear because in just a couple of hours you can switch from skiing up in the snow-capped Andean mountains to traipsing into rainforests, lakes and lagoons, combining assorted activities and possibilities without heavy investments in terms of time and transportation. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil From the Redeeming Christ of Corcovado and the Ipanema and Copacabana beaches to the Maracana Stadium, the celebrated carnivals and the mazy favelas, the heart and soul of this great city sways in all directions, refusing to live off its postcard image and overlooking some of the nation’s most spectacular beaches, trapped between stone castles and lighthouses in a motley blend of gray and green hues pitched against a deep blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean that serve as a perfect backdrop. That explains why tourists hailing from all parts of the world have for long become one of the city’s main income sources, with arrival numbers steadily on the rise year after year, all eager to be a part of a restless social and cultural life. It’s so common for both locals and visitors to lie down by the sea, along any of the beach strips skirted by the Atlantic Avenue, or walk under the trees of the huge Botanical Garden, run through the clouds aboard the cable cars that reach to Pan de Azucar, or take a long look down from the base of the Redeeming Christ, watching squares, palaces and cathedrals from above. Or maybe dance to the beat of samba and get soaked in hallucinating and happy days that will make many people regret why they hadn’t come here before. The fact of the matter is that Rio de Janeiro has no match. It’s all about the Maracana, the Sambadrome, the nearby beaches, the sea that lets small keys jut out with green-carpeted mountains in the middle, steep peaks that cherish the passing clouds, the view of a lovely city built on rugged terrain. And above all that, the locals (known as cariocas) who are no doubt very special people to spend time with.

Machu Picchu, Peru A century after it was unveiled for the whole world to see the existence of this wonder of the Inca archeology by Yale University Prof. and explorer Hiram Bingham, Machu Picchu continues to be Peru’s number-one travel destination. Declared World Heritage in 1983, the puzzling citadel and the city of Cuzco are two indispensable enclaves to understand the old Inca Empire and its exceptional civilization. Day by day of every month, in the morning, at noon and in the afternoon, a train leaves the San Pedro station in Cuzco and chugs its way up for three and a half hours to a spot called Puente Ruinas –the last stop along the railroad located at 1,246 feet from the ruins. Towns like Huarocondo or Ollantaytambo are left behind along the way, past semidesertic prairies and jungles on its way up to 5,577 feet above sea level. While climbing up the mountain, visitors can make out the zigzagging watercourse of the Urubamba River. Machu Picchu is perched on a rugged terrain and for centuries nature itself built some kind of inexpugnable fortress. That’s genuine adventure, that’s what, even with today’s conveniences. On the other hand, it’s inevitably gripping to imagine the way all those ruins used to be in the past: the walls, the buttresses, the pathways, its 200 buildings ranging from small, midsize and tall edifices dedicated to shrines, graves, palaces and housing. Bingman, its discoverer, wrote in his book The Incas’ Lost City, “I don’t know any other place in the world that could be compared to this one.” His phrase goes on to be the publicity claim of Peru’s major travel destination and sightseeing spot of all.