Island magic, a town called Hell, and beekeeping missions await minutes beyond these cruise ports.
Some of the world’smost singular beaches . smack - packed local cuisine and irresistible cocktails . Music , chronicle , and calm nature at every turning . The island that make up the Western Caribbean part are unfeignedly some of the most bewitching places on the planet – and all of them are also home to bustle about port cities that make them soft to research .
Three of the region ’s most popular port destinations — Nassau , Bahamas;Falmouth , Jamaica ; and George Town , Cayman Islands — make up a “ golden circle ” that is a dearie of both cruise blood and travelers for good rationality .
Nassau is where Bahamian swagger meets honest-to-goodness - world appeal . Pirate lore bristle amid pastel colonial architecture , while the air carries the scent of the day ’s freshly becharm seafood .
Falmouth is a quiet Jamaican port town that makes you feel like you ’ve stepped into a reggae dream . Just beyond town are dense rainforest and tonic waterfalls .
In George Town , underwater man and an upscale ambience on landed estate delectation . In a one - day slide , you may snorkel alongside Ne fish while exploring coral Rand , float among friendly stingrays , or shop to your heart ’s content .
These destinations are clearly vivacious , pulsing with local flavor and culture all at your fingertips just beyond the dock . Here ’s how to make the most of your visit .
Seven Mile Beach|VIG-Vam/Shutterstock
Don’t leave this nook of the Caribbean until you…
See : Amid Nassau ’s high - close boutiques and more tourer - cloggy haunts , theStraw Marketoffers Bahamian - made souvenir crafted from conch shells , wood and , you opine it , local drinking straw . Pro tip : Take the vendors ’ chaffer as part of the spell . courteously worsen if you ’re not concerned in a stall and move on to the dozens of other options .
Touch : The white sands with your toes atWest Bay Beach , just northward of the intemperately trafficked Seven Mile Beach in George Town . Quiet instant , aqua blue and icteric pavilion for lounging and a picturesque , simplistic wooden pier for selfies look .
Smell : Bursts of papaya , plantain , coconuts and sugar cane at theHamlin Stephenson Farmer ’s Marketin George Town . coalesce - and - lucifer for a smoothie and take home some hot sauce .
Seven Mile Beach|VIG-Vam/Shutterstock
pick up : Junkanoo fix on the daily atLukka Kairi Restaurant , a quick saunter from Nassau ’s port . savor tapa - trend island fare and delightfully minty mojitos among other handwriting - craft cocktail while sit on an Indigenous - made wooden BM .
Taste : A Jamaican staple , the omnipotent Jamaican patty . Beyond the immediate stalls near the interface , pop in toJuici Patties , a local favorite in Falmouth . Beyond the traditional beef oblation , peewee and plant life - based varieties are also available , all tuck in light , outlandish soft orange - hued dough pouch .
Things to do in Nassau, Bahamas
There are 700 total island in the Bahamas , 30 of which are dwell and only one of them home to its crown precious stone and majuscule metropolis : Nassau . Turquoise waters ring its center as modern luxury and compound computer architecture commingle . A haven for sea rover in the 18th hundred , this is where the famed Blackbeard once ruled the water . Whether you ’re at thePirate Museumto various attractive feature throughout the city , you ’ll never be far from a pirate - themed tchotchke in Nassau . AtFort Charlotte , you’re able to literally walk through the tunnels that pirate ship once roamed .
This free - wheeling spirit still rule in Nassau today , in the form of go - with - the - flow vibration , groundbreaking island menu and memorable sips from locally crafted rum to wine . It ’s the quintessential Caribbean juxtaposition of island prison term fulfill a visibly bustling city . For foodies , it ’s bliss that spans the street food to fine dining spectrum . A forgetful walk from Atlantis Paradise Island across the bridge to downtown covers everything from a top - grade chophouse ( Seafire ) to mom - and - dada shacks trade conch salad . While each Bahamian island extend its own zing , Nassau sincerely is the best of it all .
Morning – Stroll by caverns and sinkholes at a national park . For an escapade within a 30 - minute of arc hack of Nassau ’s cruise interface , you’re able to absorb yourself in Bahamas ’ wilderness atPrimeval Forest National Park . The landscape painting seep with limestone caves , sink and native works , all of which can be experienced along its main walk loop , a one - mile , mostly flat trek .
Primeval Forest National Park|Photo courtesy of Primeval Forest National Park
noontide – Food shack record hop en route to Atlantis . obliterate gems aplenty await on the southside of the bridge circuit direct to Atlantis . Among your spots to prioritise areMckenzie ’s sweet Fish & Conchfor a ceviche - similar conch salad andThe Midnight Spotfor a flash - fried grouper . If you have n’t tried the local beer by now , Kalik , snag an icy one . End your amble at Atlantis and through the boutique at itsMarina Village . Give some casino game a tailspin inside Atlantis , if you ’re feeling golden .
good afternoon – Tour a Nassau still staple . A Nassau staple fiber since 2003 , thisdistilleryin a vibrant red house offers gratuitous hitch day by day . There ’s a tasting at the death — for a fee — offering up four - or - so options . If you ’re a vino fan , hit the nearbyGraycliff Wine Cellarinstead . Fun fact : It has the world ’s third large wine-coloured root cellar and , go figure , a massive wine-coloured selection to equalize .
Evening – Jam to some Junkanoo at a tiki hut . Within a 20 - minute walk of the cruise port , Tiki Bikini Hutcomes active at dark with music , dancing and , on weekend , blade goat god players and Calypso vocaliser . The hut is nest right off Junkanoo Beach , bearing the name of the Bahamas ’ biggest yearly carnival , which takes place the daylight after Christmas , on New Year ’s Day , and on various Saturdays throughout the twelvemonth .
Tiki Bikini Hut|Photo courtesy of Tiki Bikini Hut
Things to do in Falmouth, Jamaica
Compared to bustle Nassau , Falmouth is a pocket - sized Ithiel Town , with a class - round universe of less than 10,000 . Georgian architecture , bright pastel buildings , and the most pristine of white gumption beaches fill the landscape while green pot loom in the distance . It ’s snuggle on Jamaica ’s northerly slide , with the tourer hot spot ofMontego Bayjust a 45 - minute driving force western United States .
With its unparalleled geography , Falmouth was once a loot and rummy swap standout , making it one of the wealthiest towns in the Caribbean . Today , it is very much a port town , attracting the largest of sail ships that dish up as its ever - vary , tall skyscraper . Just beyond the town is a cornucopia of naturistic curiosity . The thrills come in the variant of secluded beaches , tropic rainforests , and one of the very few bioluminescent bay in the integral Caribbean . For nature devotee , Falmouth and its surroundings will satisfy , while the food and boozing - motivated will delight in the topically craft rum and a Jamaican cake ( or five ) .
break of the day – Soak up the vibes on Red Stripe Beach . This beach has no affiliation with the celebrated beer but brook its same name . It ’s a hearty public beach choice , often with vendors selling coco weewee and snacks . If you ’re attempt chairs , a bar and Wi - Fi,876 Beach Clubis nearby , and access is just $ 10 .
Martha Brae River|Douglas Pearson/Photodisc/Getty Images. Westend61/Westend61/Getty Images.
Afternoon – Gawk at timeless computer architecture in Falmouth ’s historic district . Back near the port , Falmouth ’s specify historical district dates back 250 - plus years , with seeable court to time past . If the Georgian architecture and cobblestone streets do n’t entrance you , some of its ethnic landmarks will .
Among them , William Knibb Memorial Baptist Church is named after a Jamaican - bred hero of the abolitionist movement . Knibb was an England - breed Baptist rector who was at the forefront of fleeing the slaves whose lying-in was responsible for the town ’s lucre and rummy wealth . Knibb ’s namesake church now stands among the grandiloquent building in town . The Falmouth Courthouse is also among Falmouth ’s centrepiece thanks to its vibrant yellowed hue with stately white columns . Both sites are as down in the mouth Florida key as the town itself and have no entry fees .
Evening – Take lucent laps . There are only a half - twelve or so bioluminescent bays in the Caribbean and one is good off Falmouth ’s shores . lambent Lagoonis like floating in a starry sky at night , with billion of microorganisms glowing when the water is splashed . glisten Watersis a popular local tour operator that knows exactly where to go in the bay to experience the phenomenon firsthand .
Luminous Lagoon|GummyBone/iStock/Getty Images
Things to do in George Town, Cayman Islands
Situated on the westerly edge of Grand Cayman — the bombastic of the nation ’s three island — George Town is a story - filled haven that ’s home to 40,000 people . On the historic front , George Town was where plagiarizer like Henry Morgan lay away his loot in caves and where sailors would trade ocean turtles for their centre .
you may experience all of its plenteous history at theCayman Islands National Museum . Otherwise , for a dose of today , you ’ll see George Town ’s skyline is a bit bigger and boxier compared to other larboard metropolis . That ’s because , in part , this is a financial hub for much of the Caribbean , and an offshore banking name and address for many across the globe . Amid the big business façade , George Town and its surroundings offer privy cave , cozy tiki bars , and a singular excursion to , well , Hell .
dawn – Buzz over to a beekeeping tour . begin your daytime taking in George Town ’s lush rural landscapes atReagan ’s Honey , which offers beekeeping term of enlistment within a 20 - minute taxi of the port . go are offered day by day at 9 am and typically last an minute . As part of the experience , you ’ll wear a apiculturist causa , receive iguanas , inspect an active beehive , and take home a jar of honey of your own .
Reagan’s Honey|Photo courtesy of Reagan’s Honey
midday – Get your pickleball jam in . Less than a five - instant taxi ride from the port , you ’ll find 12 shaded motor inn and then some for getting your pickleball fix . Pickleball Caymanis where you and your squad can dink away . The spot welcomes cruise guests and has carriage uncommitted for example . Just make indisputable to book your sessions in overture . If you did n’t happen to pack your own boat paddle , the on - land site pro shop offers equipment to buy or rent .
Afternoon – Explore seven miles of gumption before heading to Hell . Hugging the west seacoast of Grand Cayman is Seven Mile Beach , one of the Caribbean ’s most prized beaches . Expect crystal - clear water , banana gravy boat rides and ashen sands . Whichever square of sand you lay a towel on will be bliss . If you ’ve soak up enough rays , keep on Frederick North toHell . Yes , Hell is the area ’s name , with limestone formations , a “ Welcome to Hell ” gift shop and plenty of Hell - signed things for the perfect photo op .
even – Dabble in daiquiris at a tiki bar . For frozen rum cocktail with a aspect , Sandbaris it . Watch the sun countersink over aqua waters and then see the sensible horizon twinkle as nighttime falls . Grand Tikiis also great for lounging , with a sward - floored terrace and breeze tables overlooking the water , and tantalizing tiki cocktail .
Seven Mile Beach|Debbie Ann Powell/Shutterstock
What to know before you go
The currency
pay off by credit card to keep thing seamless , ideally using a card with no international fees . US dollars are widely accepted across all three address . Be warned that if you back away or take change in local currency ( Bahamian dollars , Jamaican dollar and Cayman Island dollars ) , it may be fabulously hard to exchange back home as , for illustration , Bahamian dollars channel the same value as US dollars and virtually zero bank or substitution houses carry or accept them .
International adapters you’ll need
No business leader adaptor need here — these destinations use the same voltage and outlets ( 110V ) as the US .
When to plan your visit
wintertime and other leaping ( December through April ) shoot a line the driest stretches and most pleasant temperature , with high in the low 80s . June through November marks the Atlantic hurricane season , so if you are traveling during these months , you may count on few crowd , but keep an eye on developing or hover storm .
Your fun Western Caribbean dinner party fact
Beyond the Cayman Islands , there are also places called George Town in Tasmania , Malaysia , India , and Liberia . There ’s a Georgetown University in Washington DC , too , but that ’s spelled differently .
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Grand Tiki|Photo courtesy of Grand Tiki
