Caribbean holidays: hotels in San Juan, Puerto Rico

The capital of Puerto Rico is a favourite holiday destination for US travellers because –among many other reasons that include its alluring tropical vibes- an entry visa is not required. UK nationals, Australians, and most visitors from countries in western Europe like Spain do not need to apply for a travel visa either, as long as the validity of their passport lasts for three months after they exit the country, there are at least two blank pages in it and they do get the corresponding transit permits for other territories where they may be having a stopover if that is the case.

Overseas visitors frequently fall in love with San Juan’s nice climate, tasty cuisine, tropical beaches, castles and old forts, museums and the cobblestoned streets of the colonial old town, all of which blend in perfectly with a vibrant, modern urban life. That being said, we must admit that  after the early morning hours spent sightseeing and perhaps salsa dancing at night, the preferred pastime in Puerto Rico is sunbathing or taking long strolls on the Isla Verde and Carolina beaches, or on those that are closer to San Juan International Airport (Luis Muñoz Marín), few kilometres south of the city centre. This short distance separating the airport from San Juan makes it really simple and affordable for arriving passengers to get to their hotel in Puerto Rico by taxi or by hiring a car at the terminal.

Flights to San Juan in Puerto Rico

While many tourists arrive aboard cruise ships, independent travellers normally choose direct or connecting flights from Europe (operated by Iberia, Air Europa and codesharing partners), South America (operated by Avianca, Copa Airlines and partners) or North America (operated by Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Spirit, Southwest, United or WestJet).

Belize vacation in the Caribbean: flights and hotels

Hotels in San Juan, Puerto Rico

If you are planning a holiday in Puerto Rico, we can recommend hotels in San Juan that will fit into your travel budget when vacationing on your own, with your special one or even with the whole family. Take a look at our suggestions sorted out by star rating below.

2-star accommodation in San Juan, PR: SJ Suites

This option lies just ten minutes from the nearest beach and the cruise port, so it will take you a short stroll to reach the seashore and feel the much sought-after tropical ocean breeze. The area is full of restaurants, bars and supermarkets, and invites to explore the also close Old Town. Visitors may transfer to other points of interest such as the Bacardi Rum distillery and Ocean Park Beach by car or taxi. The SJ Suites hotel in San Juan, Puerto Rico, provides guests with spacious rooms featuring large comfortable beds, complimentary wireless internet access and satellite TV. This is a good option if you want to stay in a central area yet be able to spend time on the beach and try the varied regional cuisine served at local businesses.

The Decanter hotel in Old San Juan of Puerto Rico

Within walking distance of beautiful landmarks like the Cathedral and less than one kilometre from the breathtaking sea views you can get from San Felipe del Morro fort, the location of the Decanter hotel in San Juan is ideal for visitors longing to live this experience as locals, eating at the many charming cafés and local restaurants in the vicinity that make up a rich choice for short and long stays alike. The accessible facilities feature free WiFi all throughout, and most rooms are equipped with a living area, a kitchenette, a wardrobe and a terrace. Daily cleaning is provided, as well as safes and luggage storage, among other services. The staff can assist you in both English and Spanish.

Beach hotel in San Juan, Puerto Rico

The Serafina Beach hotel in San Juan is a 4-star accommodation for your holidays in Puerto Rico that stands by the coast and so offers stunning ocean views from its en suite rooms with private bathrooms and amenities. Five kilometres away from San Felipe del Morro and close to a wide range of museums and theatres, it is our closest recommendation to Luis Muñoz Marín International airport in Puerto Rico (only eight kilometres). However, chances are that you will want to stay inside these facilities more than usual, as it features a gym, WiFi free of charge in all areas and an onsite restaurant specialising in Mediterranean and Italian cuisine. The staff at the reception, who can assist you in four different languages (French, Spanish, English and German) will give you advice on how to use the ATMs, get tourist information, have your clothes washed and ironed or how to enrol in organised tours and activities that include windsurf, snorkelling and hiking. If you hire a vehicle to get around during your Caribbean trip, know that there are also paid parking spots in the surroundings.

Does your journey to San Juan in Puerto Rico include a stopover or layover in Miami, Florida? Find the best places to spend the night in Miami International airport.

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Belize vacation in the Caribbean: flights and hotels

Looking for flights to Belize airport? Curious about what to do and see during a vacation trip to this Caribbean destination in the Northeastern coast of Central America? Our holiday travel tips might help you discover yet unexplored places and leisure possibilities in its mainland, islands, cayes and coral reefs, which only add up to the Mayan sites, exotic food, eclectic local culture and captivating music waiting to be enjoyed.

Beautiful Belize has, in fact, something for everyone, but it is particularly recommended to travelers seeking an active retreat where they can hike, go trekking, practice snorkeling and scuba diving, ride horses, learn and get lost in nature. Whether you prefer to stay in a budget accommodation near the jungle -to the west-, be closer to the ocean at a hotel -to the east- or get pampered at a resort in the Cayes, the subtropical weather of this Caribbean country remains warm and nice throughout the year. Continue reading below for advice to plan your trip and get ready to pack your bags.

How to travel to Belize: international airport, flights and transport options

The main international airport in Belize is the Philip S.W. Godson air terminal which, aside from seasonal operations, receives regular scheduled flights from Los Angeles, Houston, Atlanta, Denver, Orlando, Alaska, Dallas and Miami in the United States, Panama City in Panama, Cancun and Merida in Mexico and Flores in Guatemala all year round.

Domestic flights within the country are operated by Maya Island Air and Tropic Air to and from Corozal, Dangriga, Placencia, Punta Gorda, Caye Caulker, Caye Chapel and San Pedro. After landing, you may take a taxi to Belize City or Belmopan (the capital), a shuttle to the water taxi terminals or else hop on a chartered boat to reach St. George’s Caye, Ambergris Caye, Tobacco Caye, Glover’s Reef or the islands. Adventure travelers visiting Belize usually rent a car at the airport to get around independently.

Best places to stay in Belize and what to do during your trip

Former visitors and travelers have stated that their favorite areas to stay at in Belize are San Ignacio, Placencia, El Caracol, Caye Caulker, San Pedro and Punta Gorda. Notwithstanding that, you may prefer some areas over the others depending on what you want to do during your trip: relaxing, seeing the marine reserves and coral reefs, practicing sports, spotting wildlife or becoming an explorer at the more than ten ancient Mayan ruins and sites across the land. See our own selection below.

Hol Chan Reef Resorts & Villas in San Pedro beach, Belize

This accommodation is superbly located within short walking distance of San Pedro beach and the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. North Ambergris Caye and Playa Blanca lie about 7 kilometers from this point. Guests enjoy free private parking spaces, an outdoor pool, free WiFi and spa services and facilities, and may choose from a wide range of family rooms, suites, condos, villas and luxury residences for their stay in Belize.

Hidden Valley Inn & Reserve immersed in nature in Belize

The Hidden Valley Inn & Reserve in San Ignacio is an eco-resort consisting of luxury cottages located in the heart of the Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve, near the Chiquibil Forest and the Mayan ruins of El Caracol. Suitable for those who plan to go caving, canoeing and trekking during their trip to Belize, this sustainable accommodation has an onsite restaurant serving regional dishes, and offers suites, twin rooms and double rooms featuring private bathroom.

Saint Charles Inn in Punta Gorda, Toledo

Punta Gorda in Belize is the perfect place to stay for ocean activities like snorkeling, scuba diving and marine life spotting, but also to taste the country’s finest pure chocolate, take a trip to see the waterfalls or visit Tiger Cove and the Snake Cayes. This property has luggage storage facilities and provides guests with currency exchange services, as well as with fully equipped rooms of varied capacity ranging from budget single to deluxe queen units.

Drift Inn Cayo in Santa Elena, Belize

The Drift Inn Cayo in Santa Elena lies close to the Mecal, Belize and Mopan rivers, and a short drive to the Mayan sites. This accommodation features a shared lounge, a bar, a restaurant and a swimming pool. Room service is available as well as a daily continental or American breakfast. They can arrange airport shuttle services for guests, who may opt for staying in a room with patio or in a dormitory with bunk beds.

Parrot Cove Lodge in Hopkins beach

This beachfront lodge is virtually on the beach while also exceptionally situated halfway between the reefs and the rainforest. The premises comprise a swimming pool, a cafe, a terrace, a garden, and a wide array of accommodations such as triple rooms with pool view, junior suites featuring ocean views and standard double rooms overlooking the pool (to mention but a few types). They also put bikes, kayaks and standup paddle boards at the guests’ disposal at no extra cost.

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Caribbean holidays: hotels in San Juan, Puerto Rico

Cayman Islands: flights, airport and hotels

Cayman Islands: flights, airport and hotels

Although the Cayman Islands are certainly a dream vacation destination to many, and the perfect luxury beach trip for others, there is something for everyone in this British island territory in the Caribbean Sea (found between Mexico and Jamaica), from shopping to activities in nature, unless all you want to do in this little piece of paradise is chill and lie in the sun while taking pics to post on your Instagram account. The archipelago, which comprises the islands of Grand Cayman -home to the capital city, George Town-, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, boasts white sand beaches, barrier reefs, great spots for scuba diving, snorkeling and swimming with stingrays, a turtle conservation center and plenty of opportunities for sailing and touring the surroundings by boat. In this post, we will recommend some of the best hotels and resorts in Seven Mile Beach (Grand Cayman), provide tips on how to get to the main international airport and catch flights to two secondary airports, and give you some additional accommodation options for your holiday.

Which airport do you fly into the Cayman Islands?

Vacation goers flying from overseas typically land in Cayman Islands‘ primary International air travel hub: Owen Roberts International airport in Grand Cayman, which not only handles operations to and from destinations abroad, but is also busy with daily domestic routes to and from the airports of the minor islands, namely Charles KirkConnel airport in Cayman Brac and Edward Bodden airport in Little Cayman, operated by the regional airline Cayman Airways. Travellers arriving through Owen Roberts airport to the islands have taxis, buses, limousine services and rental cars at their disposal to transfer to their hotel or resort after landing.

Flights to Grand Cayman island in the Caribbean

Air Canada, Westjet, American Airlines, British Airways, Caribbean Airlines, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, United and Cayman Airways operate flights to Owen Roberts International airport in Grand Cayman all year round, thus linking the capital of the Cayman Islands to airports across North America and Europe like London Heathrow, Toronto Pearson, Charlotte Douglas, Dallas Fort-Worth, Miami, Kingston, Houston, Newark, Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, Atlanta and JFK.

How to get to Cayman Brac and Little Cayman

The best option to enjoy and explore the minor islands is to take a one day-trip either by air or by boat, the latter option offering plenty of possibilities to join snorkelling and scuba diving tours. Should you choose to catch a Cayman Airways domestic flight for this one day-excursion and fly back to Grand Cayman before the night falls, know that you will need to book a seat towards Charles Kirkconnel airport if you choose Cayman Brac, and to Edward Bodden airport to visit Little Cayman.

Hotels in Seven Mile Beach, Cayman Islands

The Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort & Spa

This 4-star seaside hotel in Seven Mile Beach has an onsite spa, several lounges and restaurants, and outdoor swimming pools with cabanas. Its guest rooms, which may feature either pool or ocean views, are spacious and equipped with comfortable beds, air conditioning, mini fridge, marble bath and private terrace balcony.

Seven Mile Beach Resort

This 3-star resort is located within short walking distance of Seven Mile Beach in Grand Cayman and only a 10-minute drive from Owen Roberts International airport. It offers a wide range of amenities that include outdoor pool and hot tub, onsite parking and free WiFi, as well as family apartments fully equipped with kitchenette, TV, DVD player and bathroom.

Other holiday accommodation in the Cayman Islands

Sea Breeze in West Bay, Grand Cayman

This 4-star apartment complex by the sea features an open-air pool, a gym, free parking spaces, complimentary WiFi internet for guests and a garden. During your stay, you can enjoy four bedrooms, five bathrooms, a kitchen, a patio affording pool views, a hot tub, access to a private beach and both living and dining spaces.

Blue Water Villa in Driftwood Village

This private villa in Grand Cayman offers beautiful sea views, a private pool, air conditioning and free WiFi, roughly 14 kilometers from George Town, the capital city. The property owners will cater to your every need as a traveller by putting 5 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms at your disposal, alongside bed linen and towels, a kitchen with appliances, a TV set and a balcony overlooking the garden.

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Hotels near Maho Beach and Princess Juliana International airport in St. Maarten island (Saint Martin, Caribbean)

Plane spotting in Maho Beach, St. Maarten, is without a doubt a dream for plane spotters, aviation geeks and airplane lovers from all over the world. Indeed, many plan a trip to the Caribbean island of Saint Martin just for the sake of visiting this popular spot among aircraft photographers and curious tourists, and what could be better than staying in a hotel close to the seashore? This post intends to provide valuable info on how to get to this spot located 240 kilometers east of the coast of Puerto Rico, as well as where to find the best hotels in Sint Maarten island to make the most of an unforgettable aircraft spotting experience.

Flights to Princess Juliana airport in Sint Maarten

If you are planning to fly to Saint Martin island in the Caribbean, know that you can book regularly scheduled flights to visit Maho Reef all year round with major international airlines from the following destinations.

Paris (Orly and Charles de Gaulle) with Air Caraïbes and Air France, Santo Domingo with Air Century, Barbados with Caribbean Airlines; North Carolina, Miami and Philadelphia with American Airlines; Panama with Copa Airlines, Atlanta and New York with Delta, Curaçao with Jetair, Fort Lauderdale with JetBlue, Amsterdam with KLM-Royal Dutch Airlines, San juan de Puerto Rico with Silver Airways, Montreal and Toronto with Sunwing and New York from Newark with United Airlines.

However, the list goes on with many more domestic flights to and from destinations in the Caribbean as well as international routes to airports across the world that are operated seasonally, so always check with your airline of choice whether they fly to Princess Juliana airport or not.

Hotels close to Maho Beach and Sint Maarten airport for plane spotting

The recommended below are the best hotels near Maho Beach and Princess Juliana airport for plane spotters to stay during their trip to Saint Martin island in the Caribbean. While some of them are located in the adjacent Simpson Bay Beach, within short walking distance of Maho Beach and Beacon Hill Road, others feature their own aircraft spotting area, but all without exception offer easy access to the airport and to the worldwide popular seashore where you can take outstanding pictures of the airplanes approaching.

El Zafiro Boutique Hotel near Princess Juliana airport

This 3-star hotel not only lies 500 meters away from the airport and a short walk away from Maho Reef, but also boasts an exceptional beachfront location in Simpson Bay Beach, to which guests enjoy direct access. The air-conditioned rooms are fully equipped and feature a terrace affording stunning sea views, and there is a restaurant on site serving meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

SXM Spotters Paradise Hotel in Sint Maarten airport

The SXM Spotters Paradise is an apartment complex by the airport runways, which makes it the perfect place to stay near Princess Juliana International in St. Maarten if you love plane spotting. Each apartment is equipped with everything you may need, a kitchen with appliances, a living area and a bathroom with shower. Maho beach is just 400 meters away from the property.

Travel Inn Hotel Simpson Bay near Maho Beach

This hotel lies 2 kilometers from Sint Maarten airport, but guests positively value how quiet and tranquil this location is while also close to the main points of interests. Maho beach is a short drive away, and the aiport can be reached by taxi in a few minutes. The Travel Inn Simpson Bay offers guest rooms with cable TV, living area, microwave, refrigerator, private bathroom and balcony with ocean views, and the facilities feature complimentary Wi-Fi and an onsite restaurant.

Sonesta Maho Beach All inclusive resort

Staying near St. Maarten airport in style and being pampered at their luxury rooms and spa becomes a dream come true at the Sonesta Maho Beach resort. Affording beautiful views of the Caribbean Sea and only a short walk to the favorite location of plane spotters from all around the world, it provides guests with a unique chance to enjoy tropical seafood and all-day buffets inside the premises, two swimming pools, nightly outdoor cinema and snorkeling at Maho Bay.

Airport hotels for plane spotters: rooms with the best runway views around the world

Perks of staying in an airport hotel

How to access the infinity pool in Punta Cana International airport

Business travellers and holiday goers taking a trip to the Dominican Republic may now indulge in the ultimate luxury experience before they catch their flight back home: going for a swim in the infinity pool featuring runway views located inside one of the VIP lounges of Punta Cana International airport. This major hub in the Caribbean is one of the main gateways into the country for visitors flying from airports in Europe and America, as the arrivals and departures of both scheduled and chartered flights by Air France, American Airlines, Aerolíneas Argentinas, Aeromexico, Air Canada, Air Europa, Condor, British Airways, Delta, Avianca, Edelweiss, XL Airways France, Latam, Thomas Cook and TUI –among other carriers- are handled from its passenger terminals. For the purpose of enhancing your travel experience after leaving your hotel in Punta Cana and prior to setting off on a long-haul journey, the VIP lounges in Punta Cana airport are equipped to cater to the needs of the most demanding jetsetters. Find further information below.

In which terminal of Punta Cana International airport is the infinity pool located?

If you are looking forward to doing a few laps before your flight, you must be aware that the infinity pool in Punta Cana airport is exclusively available to passengers of flights departing from Terminal B. You will find the VIP lounge where the swimming pool is next to a Victoria’s Secret outlet opposite boarding gates 5 and 6; it stays open from 8 am to 9 pm every day of the week.

Whether you decide to relax and sunbathe on the loungers while enjoying your complimentary snacks and drinks or you prefer to take a dip, spending your waiting time before boarding at the infinity pool in Punta Cana International airport will enable you to get the best apron views, therefore standing a good chance of witnessing a considerable number of take-offs and landings from a privileged spot.

Passengers with a valid admission pass and departing the airport on the same day are allowed to stay for a maximum period of two hours. Continue reading in order to learn how to be granted admission to this service.

How to gain access to the infinity swimming pool in Punta Cana airport, Dominican Republic

There are different ways to get into the VIP lounge with swimming pool in Punta Cana International airport. Any traveller, regardless of the airline they will be flying with and the category of their ticket, may purchase a pass entitling them to enter the lounge, enjoy its amenities and swim in the pool on the day of their departure; the price to be paid at the reception desk is 50 USD, even though you will get 50% off if you use an American Express card to make the payment. On the other hand, members of frequent flyer programs such as Priority Pass, Lounge Club, Lounge Key and Dragon Pass only need to show proof of their membership to be admitted. Lastly, in some exceptional cases, airlines having an agreement with the lounge might offer free passes to the outdoor pool featuring runway views in Punta Cana International airport to compensate for a delay or cancellation or as a gift to a premium traveller.

Did you know that the coast of this locality in the Dominican Republic boasts a superbly location right where the Atlantic and the Caribbean oceans meet? If you are looking for the perfect holiday destination, this might be an excellent place to go on a couple or family vacation in view of the varied choice of all-inclusive hotels and resorts in Punta Cana.