#caribbean-cultural-reimagining

#caribbean-cultural-reimagining

Jimmy Buffett loved to weave his love of food, drink, and the spots that served them up with good vibes into his songs. Few musicians have made a bigger mark in the food world than Jimmy Buffett, when you think about it - look at his mega-hit 'Margaritaville' and the entire chain of restaurants it spawned.

Eliades Ochoa's aura is so powerful that under the generous rays of sunlight streaming through the large window on this March morning, he evokes a Western film.

The Bandera Cimarrona, a flag conceived at the first edition of the International Summit of Afro-descendants in Puerto Rico in 2022, stands as a symbol of the resistance, the pursuit of freedom, and the strength of Afro-descendants on the island and throughout the Americas.

According to Josue Pierre, one of the biggest hurdles facing small businesses is gaining access to capital and opportunities for visibility. He explained that programmes like CRISP help reduce those barriers by connecting local businesses with the thousands of families who visit the museum each year.

When retirement approaches, many start to wonder where they want to spend their golden years. Some might be most comfortable in the familiar surroundings of their hometowns, but others envision themselves in an idyllic location-one that offers beaches, sunshine, palm trees, and a laid-back vibe. Whether the goal is to reduce expenses and live comfortably on a fixed income or to spend retirement in luxury among beautiful scenery, some tropical spots are perfect for seniors.

As a collection of over 7,000 islands spanning 13 sovereign island nations and more than a dozen dependent territories, there's always a new cove or cay to uncover. Recent years have seen the Caribbean's popularity boom among British holidaymakers, too, with areas including the British Virgin Islands and Jamaica reporting record visitor numbers in 2025.

A few blocks from Revolution Square, in a former shantytown in Havana, Dr. Omitsa Valdes holds her consultations. It's a dusty, dilapidated place where she tells patients they must bring their own syringe and medication from home. But if a general checkup is needed, including urine and blood tests, Dr. Valdes is even more direct: If you can get it done yourself, I'll write the order.

I was playing against the world No. 1 men's player, Carlos Alcaraz, at a tennis clinic designed for amateurs like me to get a once-in-a-lifetime chance to play against a champion. Three "once mores" later, I couldn't take advantage anymore and offered to call the game.

Violent crime is a risk throughout Jamaica. The homicide rate reported by the Government of Jamaica is among the highest in the Western Hemisphere. The State Department has placed a travel restriction for U.S. government employees working in the region, prohibiting them from using public transit or driving overnight, and encourages American citizens who are visiting to follow the same guidance.

Santa Teresa on Costa Rica's Pacific coast is a favorite among surfers and traveling professionals because of its long beaches and relaxed atmosphere. The town offers several coworking spaces and cafés with reliable internet, which makes remote work easier. The area is accessible via Tambor Airport with onward road and ferry connections to larger cities. Accommodation prices range from budget hostels to luxury villas. The local community is international, and the abundance of healthy restaurants and yoga studios contributes to a comfortable and productive stay.

Axel Brown, the pilot of Trinidad and Tobago's bobsled team, came to the Milan-Cortina Winter Games with a simple goal. "Just don't come last," he said. "We know that there is a 0% chance of us contending for medals. It doesn't matter if we have the absolute best day we've ever had. "That's just the reality of it. It's not defeatist, it's not negative. It's just being realistic."

Otherworldly forms greet you at the entrance to the exhibition, transporting you into a kaleidoscopic, dream-like space. A voice speaks in the background as projected images dance across the forms, animating the space. "It's been really beautiful to see her work come alive, become a landscape ... where you can traverse and kind of get lost," curator Fabiola R. Delgado says of Lisu Vega's "The Uncertain Future of Absence (El Futuro Incierto de la Ausencia)" (2025).

The updated warning was published on Jan. 17, but the department noted there were no updates or modifications to risk factors travelers may face on the island. "Violent crime is a risk throughout Jamaica. The homicide rate reported by the Government of Jamaica is among the highest in the Western Hemisphere," the State Department wrote in its advisory, but added "Tourist areas generally see lower rates of violent crime than other parts of the country."

Sixty-seven years have elapsed, and Havana still remembers the triumphant entry of Fidel Castro and his bearded revolutionaries. After departing from a military academy in the morning, a convoy of trucks advances at midday from the Malecon, traversing the city along the same original route. Riding atop the olive-green trucks are young men and women with red flags, raised fists, and shouts of Long live Fidel!

Dunder pit? This is the one of the most distinctive features of traditional Jamaican rum, a style exemplified by Hampden, which has been in operation since 1753. You typically make rum by fermenting molasses and/or sugar cane juice into an alcoholic wash, then distil that into a potent liquor, but local distillers developed several strategies to oomph up the flavour.

But rather than walk away from his creative calling, Driven said he pivoted - teaching himself videography and landing his first paid job through a Craigslist post filming Caribbean DJ, and DJ Mad Out. "That opportunity introduced him to New York's Caribbean music scene, where he went on to work with artists such as Shaggy, Ding Dong and Kranium," she said. "Those early experiences sharpened Hillmedo's eye for authenticity, capturing Caribbean culture not as spectacle, but as lived reality," she added.

Back in chilly February, when you were bored at work, you didn't think twice about booking a wine tasting and zipline excursion back to back. By the time reality hits in July, you're desperately chugging water to try and stave off heat stroke. Just like that, your 'relaxing' getaway is not so relaxing at all.

When your plane descends into Puerto Rico's Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, it will likely fly low over the colorful buildings of Santurce, a sprawling district famous for its creative residents and Afro-Caribbean influences. Neglected for decades, Santurce is rapidly reclaiming its title as one of San Juan's most exciting quarters - a transformation that has earned it the nickname "The Brooklyn of Puerto Rico." And if you're looking for Afro-Caribbean cuisine, you're coming to the right place.

Puerto Rico's boutique hotels are the island's best storytellers. Small, locally owned properties can shape a trip in ways chains cannot. In Old San Juan, they occupy vibrant streets where pastel-colored facades meet cobblestones, letting guests wander from museums and galleries to independent shops without ever leaving the neighborhood.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of China (Taiwan) GEORGETOWN, Guyana, Caribbean Life - The State Department is slapping sweeping immigrant or permanent visa processing suspensions on dozens of countries around the world, including the entire group of Eastern Caribbean nations, an announcement stated on Wednesday. The suspensions come on top of similarly punishing suspensions imposed on Dominican and Antiguan citizens by the Trump administration last month, covering ordinary B1/B2 tourist visas and other types of visas.

Michelle Paulin dances while instructing youth at the Dulce Tricolor Venezolano dance group at the Ariel Dance Studio in Campbell on Jan. 25, 2026. Dulce Tricolor, a Bay Area Venezuelan dance group founded in 2019, teaches children traditional folk dances while preserving culture, building community and offering a sense of home amid Venezuela's ongoing political and economic crisis. (Josie Lepe for KQED)

Despite decades of jokes and occasional bad publicity, cruise vacations are more popular than ever - just ask the tens of millions of Americans who take one every year and together represent more than half of all annual cruise travelers. Today's ships are massive, complex affairs backed by giant corporations and celebrity commercial sponsorships, all commanding big money. And while to the uninitiated, a ship may just seem like any other ship, experienced cruisers increasingly understand that unique offerings make all the difference.

Positive update from the Caribbean-I was online and on the phone for HOURS all day yesterday but finally got flights so we will be heading home sooner than Friday," Han wrote in an Instagram post, adding in the video, "We all recognize and realize fully that there are far worse places to be stuck. We're lucky just to be able to have been here in the first place.

Close enough to island-hop to nearby St. Lucia and Dominica but worlds away in terms of language and customs, Martinique offers a distinctive Caribbean experience. The French overseas territory is greatly influenced by its European counterpart; residents speak French, the euro is the official currency, and outdoor bistros in the capital city of Fort-de-France mimic those of Paris. Many residents speak Creole, too-a nod to the island's rich West African heritage, which is on full display during the annual Carnival season.

Split into Dutch Sint Maarten in the south and French Saint-Martin in the north, this Caribbean island offers a unique mix of cultural and historical influences in one effusively hospitable destination. St. Martin is one of the region's most accessible islands for travelers from the U.S., and numerous daily inter-island flights and ferries make it a popular stopover for people headed to Anguilla or to hidden gem islands like Saba and Sint Eustatius. Visitors will find stunning stretches of sandy coast, international flavors, and thrilling adventures from zip lining to shark diving as well as more relaxing things to do.