Koncocoo

Best Caribbean Travel Guides

StreetSmart Havana Map by VanDam - City Street Map of Havana - Laminated folding pocket size city travel map (English and Spanish Edition), July 2017 Edition
VanDam's best-selling Havana StreetSmart maps all of the capital's cultural attractions, neighborhoods, beaches, hotels, resorts and more at an immensely legible scale. Using his signature StreetSmart series design for printed maps (Internet connections are still scant in Cuba), Mr. VanDam points out Havana s restaurants, hotels, resorts and the home-based restaurants known as paladares and offers five self-guided tours that wind through the city s many plazas to contemporary galleries, music venues and gardens, along the Malecón coastal road and as far as the beaches of Playas de Este. "In Cuba, Maps Make a Comeback" by Steve Heller Old-fashioned navigation is enjoying a renaissance on the island, where Internet access is still scant. When Stephan Van Dam began designing two detailed tourist maps of Cuba in 2014, he couldn t have known that one year later, the prospect of renewed relations between the country and the U.S. could effectively create a whole new market for them. Walking Havana from one end to the other gave Van Dam a sense of the urban fabric, which is, by his description, frozen in time and brimming with period-specific architectural jewels buildings that reflect Plateresque, Cuban baroque, Neoclassical, Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Streamline Moderne, Mid-century modern, and Soviet Brutalist architectures. With the prospect of sanctions being lifted in the near future, Van Dam is already planning more Cuba projects across new media, starting with a website mapping the influence of the clave, an instrument that figures widely in Cuban music, around the world. With Internet coverage at a scant 5 percent across the country and download speeds reminiscent of the pre-dial-up era, Cuba doesn t yet have the digital infrastructure to support cell phone cartography. Which leaves room for a handy paper copy renaissance: This is a fleeting moment, Van Damm notes, when the trusty laminated map trumps Google views.
Reviews
"great little map."
"The map has the majority of the places you'r probably going to check out, and for the few that weren't on there it's easy enough to drop a mark with a sharpie."
"Used it all over Havana, very useful and nice museum suggestions."
"Lent it to a friend for her trip after we got back."
"Nothing special just a decent street map of Havana that gives you a good over view of what the city is laid out like."
"This is gold if traveling to Cuba and want to see the real Cuba!!"
"Good detail."
"Very well illustrated, handy and easy to read."
Find Best Price at Amazon
Paladares: Recipes from the Private Restaurants, Home Kitchens, and Streets of Cuba
A narrative and visual feast from James Beard Award–winning writer Anya von Bremzen and photographer Megan Fawn Schlow—with more than 100 vibrant recipes. Paladares is a fascinating culinary and visual journey through the new Cuba. (José Andrés chef and owner, minibar by José Andrés and ThinkFoodGroup ). “Cuban food authorities call their home ‘this country of inventors,’ and this exhaustively researched and gorgeously photographed book reveals how necessity sparked culinary magic. (Ted Allen host of Chopped on Food Network ). “Filled with intimate sketches of the people behind paladares, and beautifully photographed food you can’t wait to make, Anya von Bremzen and Megan Fawn Schlow capture the surreal and confounding contradictions of present-day Cuba with remarkable insight. (Ana Sofía Peláez author of The Cuban Table: A Celebration of Food, Flavors, and History ). “In Paladares , Anya von Bremzen and Megan Fawn Schlow show us the unique intersection of cultures, history, and geography that define the home cooking of Cuba as elevated within a closed-door restaurant.
Reviews
"The most beautiful and unique cookbook that I have ever seen."
"The pictures and stories are an incredible addition to the amazing recipes!"
"Beautifully written with excellent recipes and great content."
"An introduction filled with historical background to help you appreciate the people and the food along with recipe that have both their name in Spanish and English further entrench you into the mindset needed to recreate these delectable dishes."
"Paladares are small, homegrown eateries that are officially licensed by the government to sell food to locals and tourists. There is beautiful full color photography of the Cuban towns and landscape, as well as pictures of each dish. Kudos to the author for putting together such a fascinating book that is rich with history, amazing photography, and mouthwatering recipes. Each recipe comes with an explanation or story about the dish, as well as a full list of ingredients and cooking instructions."
"Cuban culture…Cuban history…. …an amazing book of stories and recipes, along with many vibrant and BEAU-tiful photos!"
"I just got the book yesterday so have only prepared one--for Grandma Tona's Chicken Soup--and I never thought I could be surprised with such a basic."
"Cuba is in the midst of a food revolution now and the amazing range of flavors, creative personalities and magical essence of life in Havana can be found in each photograph."
Find Best Price at Amazon
StreetSmart NYC Midtown Manhattan Map by VanDam -- Laminated pocket sized city street Map with all attractions, museums, Broadway theaters, hotels and subway map, 2017 Edition.
VanDam's newly revised 2018 STREETSMART® NYC Midtown Edition maps all top attractions including museums, major architecture, hotels, theaters, shopping destinations, and the subway system for all of Manhattan at an immensely legible super-scale of 1:32,000 complete with 3-D building illustrations. For example: you are looking to get from the NoMAD hotel to Jazz at Lincoln Center, searching for exits with elevators on the HighLine, meeting friends at the Hudson theater in Times Square, maneuvering the shifting grid of the West Village, shopping the Meat Market, hiking across Central Park to the MET, trekking to Hamilton Terrace in Harlem, looking for an uptown exit from the FDR Drive or just wanting to understand how the subway connects with ferries along the East River. STREETSMART® NYC includes the entire island with a stunning dimensional detail of Midtown Manhattan from Chelsea to the Upper East and West Sides with Times Square and the Theater District at its center. Each sleek and laminated city map package opens to 24" x 9" and then easily folds down to 4" x 9" to snuggly fit into a shirt pocket or purse. Stephan Van Dam, AIGA is an award-winning cartographer, graphic designer, and information architect.
Reviews
"Took this with me to NYC and was thankful to have a map."
"This is a very nice, discrete map for those traveling to one of the United States' best cities."
"Great fold up map."
"Great Manhattan Map!"
"Folding and unfolding causes wear marks but good for reference before trip."
"Easy to use with all the important sights and landmarks."
"Perfect for tucking in your purse."
Find Best Price at Amazon

Best Antigua & Barbuda Travel Guides

Antigua and Barbuda: Island Guide
The Antigua & Barbuda Island Guide provides insightful information that allows visitors to feel like locals while enjoying the indisputable beauty of this Caribbean nation. GAIN INSIGHT – Behind those long stretches of white sand beach and turquoise colored water is a vibrant culture all its own.
Reviews
"We used this book along with "Rough Guide Directions Antigua and Barbuda" by Adam Vaitilingam, between the two books, they formed a fairly comprehensive guide to the country, it's history, how things work from Taxi's and other public transportation, the airport, the roads and rental cars, etc... I was truly amazed at how few of the guests at our resort had rental cars (me and 4 others) everyone else either stayed on the resort property or just took the organized tours, if you're going to do this, you don't need the books."
"Should have looked at when this was published, a little out of date, but still a good deal of good onformation and well written."
"Unfortunately, I was interested in the history of these islands and I could not find enough information."
"This book was somewhat helpful but was dated."
"just got back, this is a great small book to take with you!"
"Very informative travel book."
"It was a poor choice for a gift."
"Not very helpful and out of date."
Find Best Price at Amazon

Best Aruba & Netherlands Antilles Travel

Laminated Aruba Map by Borch (English, Spanish, French, Italian and German Edition)
Includes inset map of Lesser Antilles (1:7,000,000), ABC Islands (1:1,000,000), Beaches (1:25,000), Oranjestad (1:10,000), San Nicolas (1:20,000). Borch, a cartographic publishing company from Germany, makes tough, long-lasting maps with non-toxic, environmentally responsible lamination material.
Reviews
"The only problem is that although the map has tons of street names on it, few streets on the island are clearly marked, which kind of makes a map less useful."
"The map was very helpful and worth purchasing in advance of a cruise port day in Aruba."
"Although reading street signs on the island is tough, the map was helpful in getting us around."
"The Aruba map was very helpful."
"The map was great!"
"I have purchased several maps of Aruba over the last 20 years."
"Going to Aruba in a few weeks and purchased this on the advice of Charles Smith's free online e-booklet, "How to Enjoy Aruba" (."
"I found it really useful by using my I pad to pull up a resteraunt or someplace else that I wanted to visit, then finding that location on the map."
Find Best Price at Amazon

Best Bahamas Travel Guides

National Audubon Society Field Guide to Tropical Marine Fishes: Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, Florida, Bahamas, Bermuda
Featuring a durable vinyl binding, hundreds of brilliant, full-color photographic identification pictures arranged for quick access, and definitive text, the National Audubon Society Field Guide to Tropical Marine Fishes is an essential reference guide for any ocean lover. Covering tropical marine fishes of the Caribbean, the Gulf of Mexico, Florida, the Bahamas, and Bermuda, this field guide by C. Lavett Smith (curator emeritus, Department of Ichthyology, American Museum of Natural History in New York) sets the tropical-fish standard.
Reviews
"I bought this for my son who is a scuba instructor in the Caribbean."
"Audubon Field Guide of Caribbean Tropic Fishes is a great book for anyone who travels the waters of the Caribbean....whether you cruise, sail, dive, or snorkel, this book is for you."
"I made baskets & filled them with: Audubon Calendar, Audubon field guide, Audubon bookmarks, oragami cranes, silk flowers, pine cones, Audubon Birds of America Tiny Folio, bottle of wine, bird seed."
"This thick book is less than half color photos of the fish -- which is what i had wanted."
"Came quicker than I expected it would."
"THIS IS THE ABSOLUTE BIBLE FOR SNORKELING....THIS IS A MOST IF YOU LAKE TO DO DIVING AND OR FISHING WITH YOUR KIDS."
"Excellent quality."
Find Best Price at Amazon

Best Barbados & Trinidad & Tobago Travel

101 Things To Do and Places To See in Barbados
This insider’s guide reveals the island’s best-kept secrets, so you can feel like a “regular”, even on your first trip, and find activities for the whole family! Learn the stories behind the sights Plan your holiday before you leave home - and make sure you pack the right stuff! Plus over 30 full-colour pictures, a short guide to local cuisine and a list of major annual cultural and sporting events. This book doesn't include every beach, rum shop or building that the Queen or George Washington ever stayed in.
Reviews
"Good basic overview if you like holding a book in your hand."
"A great resource for anyone traveling to Barbados."
"Got if for a friend ."
"While there is good information in this little pamphlet It is over priced for what it is."
"This book starts with brief history of the island - great for context - and then lists beaches, attractions and activities with useful descriptions including the personal experience of the author."
"Much, much smaller than I expected."
"this is not a book, it's just a little phamphlet."
Find Best Price at Amazon

Best Bermuda Travel Guides

National Audubon Society Field Guide to Tropical Marine Fishes: Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, Florida, Bahamas, Bermuda
Featuring a durable vinyl binding, hundreds of brilliant, full-color photographic identification pictures arranged for quick access, and definitive text, the National Audubon Society Field Guide to Tropical Marine Fishes is an essential reference guide for any ocean lover. Covering tropical marine fishes of the Caribbean, the Gulf of Mexico, Florida, the Bahamas, and Bermuda, this field guide by C. Lavett Smith (curator emeritus, Department of Ichthyology, American Museum of Natural History in New York) sets the tropical-fish standard.
Reviews
"I bought this for my son who is a scuba instructor in the Caribbean."
"Audubon Field Guide of Caribbean Tropic Fishes is a great book for anyone who travels the waters of the Caribbean....whether you cruise, sail, dive, or snorkel, this book is for you."
"I made baskets & filled them with: Audubon Calendar, Audubon field guide, Audubon bookmarks, oragami cranes, silk flowers, pine cones, Audubon Birds of America Tiny Folio, bottle of wine, bird seed."
"This thick book is less than half color photos of the fish -- which is what i had wanted."
"Came quicker than I expected it would."
"THIS IS THE ABSOLUTE BIBLE FOR SNORKELING....THIS IS A MOST IF YOU LAKE TO DO DIVING AND OR FISHING WITH YOUR KIDS."
"Excellent quality."
Find Best Price at Amazon

Best Cuba Travel Guides

Malama Honua: Hokule'a -- A Voyage of Hope
Interwoven with descriptions of Hokule'a's experiences in port are the voices of the master navigators and crew members, who guide the ship along the ocean's trackless path using only stars, birds, wind, and seas -- non-instrumental wayfinding techniques-- and the local pioneers -- scientists, teachers, and children touched by Hokule'a' -- who work tirelessly to weather the many environmental challenges in our modern lives. “Malama Honua: Hokule'a - A Voyage Of Hope is a luxurious and content-rich hardcover book that will inspire Hawaiians and non-Hawaiians to explore the enchantments of nature, through one of the ultimate symbols of Polynesian culture.” ―Surfer Today.
Reviews
"The size, feel, weight, and even the magical endpapers all add to the luscious presentation of this important, timely and captivating book. Malama honua means “care for Mother Earth,” and in the midst of this great adventure story, we learn about inspiring projects as vast as American Samoa’s struggle to eliminate plastics, as ambitious as Cuba’s Agro-ecology program, as critical as the Giant Tortoise restoration in the Galapagos, as energizing as the Billion Oysters Project in New York. Hokule’a is a needle sewing a lei of flowers around the world as an act of peace… and that is why we sail.”. A colleague and I intend to use this book in the university and elementary school, where we teach, to remind our students that there is a bigger, brighter horizon in front of them... more alluring than the world they squint at on small screens in the palms of their hands. They deserve to hear this epic story and imagine what it would be like to look up to the stars to guide them. This review doesn't scratch the surface of all this book offers."
"The crew member stories are rich and reflect the values learned through voyaging, while the compelling images tell their own incredible stories."
Find Best Price at Amazon

Best Dominican Republic Travel Guides

Lonely Planet Dominican Republic (Travel Guide)
Follow in the footsteps of conquistadors in Santo Domingo, claim a spot in the sand at Playa Rincon, or dance merengue till the wee hours at a Santiago bar; all with your trusted travel companion. Color maps and images throughout Highlights and itineraries help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interests Insider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots Essential info at your fingertips - hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, transit tips, prices Honest reviews for all budgets - eating, sleeping, sight-seeing, going out, shopping, hidden gems that most guidebooks miss Cultural insights give you a richer, more rewarding travel experience - including cuisine, history, art, architecture, music, dance, sport, politics, landscapes, wildlife Over 28 maps Covers Santo Domingo, Playa Rincon, La Vega, Damajagua, Cabarete, Punta Cana, the Peninsula de Samana, Lago Enriquillo, Pico Duarte and more.
Reviews
"What you would expect from Lonely Planet a good basic guide to all the well known places in the D R. This is the latest version and updated in October 2014 and the only disappointment for me with the book, which is why I lack a bit of confidence in it, was that the Chikungunya virus didn't get a single mention in the health and safety part of the guide."
"Great resource for travel."
"You can't go wrong with Lonely Planet."
"Easy to read and small enough to take on vacation with me when I went to the DR."
"Provide lots of information and things to do for recent vacation."
"LP never lets me down, and this is no exception!"
"There are several other travel books that are better organized and actually have pictures."
"You can find more info from Google."
Find Best Price at Amazon

Best French West Indies Travel Guides

Haitian Creole Phrasebook: Essential Expressions for Communicating in Haiti
A mini-dictionary includes essential vocabulary for quick reference An 30-minute audio download that features key words and phrases Vital vocabulary and phrases relevant to relief and rebuilding processes. Cécile Accilien, Ph.D. is Assistant Professor of French and Francophone Literatures at Columbus State University. She has taught French and Haitian Creole at Portland State University and Tulane University.
Reviews
"I'm the student that needs to hear the spoken word, rather than try and read it so I also purchased an audio set of lessons that have been most helpful."
"Wonderful for my use on mission trips to Gonaives, Haiti."
"I gave this as a gift for both my brother and sister and they both were really excited and couldn't wait to use it on their trip to Haiti in the spring."
"This book definately helped me when I went to Haiti for a medical mission trip."
"Excellent phrasebook to get a general grasp of language."
"I recently went on a medical mission trip to Haiti and this book would be useful for someone doing relief and knew little or no Creole."
"I took it with me on my 3rd trip to Haiti and learned some valuable words right as I needed them."
"Unlike the history that you read about in the sample of the book, you are not able to increase or decrease the font of the vocabulary."
Find Best Price at Amazon

Best General Caribbean Travel Guides

StreetSmart Havana Map by VanDam - City Street Map of Havana - Laminated folding pocket size city travel map (English and Spanish Edition), July 2017 Edition
VanDam's best-selling Havana StreetSmart maps all of the capital's cultural attractions, neighborhoods, beaches, hotels, resorts and more at an immensely legible scale. Using his signature StreetSmart series design for printed maps (Internet connections are still scant in Cuba), Mr. VanDam points out Havana s restaurants, hotels, resorts and the home-based restaurants known as paladares and offers five self-guided tours that wind through the city s many plazas to contemporary galleries, music venues and gardens, along the Malecón coastal road and as far as the beaches of Playas de Este. "In Cuba, Maps Make a Comeback" by Steve Heller Old-fashioned navigation is enjoying a renaissance on the island, where Internet access is still scant. When Stephan Van Dam began designing two detailed tourist maps of Cuba in 2014, he couldn t have known that one year later, the prospect of renewed relations between the country and the U.S. could effectively create a whole new market for them. Walking Havana from one end to the other gave Van Dam a sense of the urban fabric, which is, by his description, frozen in time and brimming with period-specific architectural jewels buildings that reflect Plateresque, Cuban baroque, Neoclassical, Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Streamline Moderne, Mid-century modern, and Soviet Brutalist architectures. With the prospect of sanctions being lifted in the near future, Van Dam is already planning more Cuba projects across new media, starting with a website mapping the influence of the clave, an instrument that figures widely in Cuban music, around the world. With Internet coverage at a scant 5 percent across the country and download speeds reminiscent of the pre-dial-up era, Cuba doesn t yet have the digital infrastructure to support cell phone cartography. Which leaves room for a handy paper copy renaissance: This is a fleeting moment, Van Damm notes, when the trusty laminated map trumps Google views.
Reviews
"great little map."
"The map has the majority of the places you'r probably going to check out, and for the few that weren't on there it's easy enough to drop a mark with a sharpie."
"Used it all over Havana, very useful and nice museum suggestions."
"Lent it to a friend for her trip after we got back."
"Nothing special just a decent street map of Havana that gives you a good over view of what the city is laid out like."
"This is gold if traveling to Cuba and want to see the real Cuba!!"
"Good detail."
"Very well illustrated, handy and easy to read."
Find Best Price at Amazon

Best Grenada Travel Guides

Grenada, 2nd (Bradt Travel Guide)
Paul Crask showcases the islands’ music festivals and cultural heritage, pinpoints ways to support local producers and craftsmen, and goes off the beaten track to reveal some of the country’s little-known sights. Petit Carenage Beach has to be one of the prettiest on Carriacou.
Reviews
"Brandt Books are great - used the same line in Dominica."
"very informative book, a definite if you are visiting the island, I like that it has some particular tips on how you can contribute to the island's various social programs and so forth."
"Grenada was fabulous and I loved the suggestions for places to eat and stay."
"Excellent guide for anyone going to Grenada."
"Great book, every detail imaginable."
"We found the book helpful for learning about the island and how it had changed since visiting it in the seventies."
"very informative book."
Find Best Price at Amazon

Best Haiti Travel Guides

Breath, Eyes, Memory
The 20th anniversary edition of Edwidge Danticat's groundbreaking debut, now an established classic--revised and with a new introduction by the author, and including extensive bonus materials At the age of twelve, Sophie Caco is sent from her impoverished Haitian village to New York to be reunited with a mother she barely remembers. Danticat's elegant, intricate tale wraps readers into the haunting life of a young Haitian girl." It is clear in retrospect that this is a novel whose literary resonance has been profound, one that opened many doors for others—without it, would we have The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao ?” —Barnes and Noble Review. "Danticat has created a stirring tale of life in two worlds: the spirit-rich land of her ancestry, whose painful themes work their way through lives across generational lines, and her adopted country, the United States, where a young immigrant girl must negotiate cold, often hostile terrain, even as she spars with painful demons of her past." — Emerge "A distinctive new voice with a sensitive insight into Haitian culture distinguishes this graceful debut novel . In simple, lyrical prose enriched by an elegiac tone and piquant observations, [Danticat] makes Sophie's confusion and guilt, her difficult assimilation into American culture and her eventual emotional liberation palpably clear."
Reviews
"This is a book that I first had to read as a summer reading book when I was in high school, I didn't know what to expect but once I started reading the book I was hooked and couldn't put the book down."
"...when I read the words of Edwige Danticat."
"Another focus on international culture and ethnicity - perfect for my International Psychology course - she's a great writer - easy to connect with - and reminds me very much of Paule Marshall and her stories of growing up in NYC after immigrating from Barbados...rich material, very informative - and necessary today while there is so much animosity towards those who have immigrated - and counters the mis-information about their behavior once arriving - Danticat demonstrates the determination to survive, to work hard - to overcome racism and assimilate into society as an active contributor, and to overcome adversity even within a family."
"I absolutely love, love, love the way this writer/author writes, so much so that I came back and ordered every single book she wrote and I am NOT sorry I did!"
"It held your attention throughout but I found I wanted to better understand the characters and so I found the ending unsatisfying."
"The whole while I read this book, I was taken in by the good prose and interesting story."
Find Best Price at Amazon

Best Jamaica Travel Guides

The Naked Truth About Hedonism II: A totally unauthorized, naughty but nice guide to Jamaica's very adult resort
The Hedo myths: Only young singles go to Hedonism II. Every myth has its truth...but Hedonism II is 50% couples--and most guests are over 30, full nudity is only allowed on one beach, the hotel does not condone public sex (but it happens), and your wife--well, that's her choice. FYI: The resort Hedonism II did not authorize this book; the book includes the good, bad, and the ugly. This newest version (published May 2003) of the Hedonism II travel book continues the tradition of inspiring hilarity and amazement in readers--do enjoy!
Reviews
"My wife and I are having a fifteenth anniversary next year, and we're considering a trip to Jamaica. As I was researching Jamaica trips, I kept having Hedonism II pop up in searches for things we enjoy doing. Well, as I started reading reviews of Hedo II, I realized that my perception wasn't completely acccurate. This book by Chis Santilli kept showing up as one of the best resources to learn more about Hedo, so I grabbed a copy."
"The Best Adult Vacation Ever. I really enjoyed the humor and reading 'The Naked Truth about Hedonism II'."
"The most unfortunate are those who have never read Chris Santilli's guide and have arrived ill-prepared to take advantage of all the fun, never get a good chair reserved on the beach, try to get reservations at the specialty restaurants on nights they're closed, and generally don't get clued in until it's time to leave. Then there are the true savvy travelers. Any smart traveler worth his/her frequent flier miles relies on an up-to-date travel guide to get the very most out of a vacation."
"Fun reading, especially after having stayed at the resort a few times."
"This is the first travel book I've read that didn't put me into a coma."
"I love the humor."
"It tells you that you need to bring safety pins to hold your toga in place. My wife learned that she is going to have to bring toenail polish because the sand on the beach will wear it off (uhhh yeah, that sounds right)."
Find Best Price at Amazon

Best Puerto Rico Travel Guides

Fodor's Puerto Rico (Full-color Travel Guide)
Puerto Rico is one of the Caribbean's most exciting destinations, and with many nonstop flights from major East Coast cities, it's one of the easiest islands to reach. Every year our local experts give you the inside track, showing you all the things to see and do -- from must-see sights to off-the-beaten-path adventures, from shopping to outdoor fun. Hundreds of hotel and restaurant choices in all price ranges -- from budget-friendly B&Bs to luxury hotels, from casual eateries to the hottest new restaurants, complete with thorough reviews showing what makes each place special.
Reviews
"Even with all the info available online--you can't beat a Fodors!"
"Just as a big plus if you can use an at&t phone with a good data plan you can use the GPS function on about 95% of the island with little issue."
"We finally did our trip to Puerto Rico and this book was a great reference."
"Found this book very helpful as we research and plan our trip to Puerto Rico."
"Trendier restaurants and clubs were often rated based as much on the scene as on the actual quality of the food."
"I did not like the structure at all-I cannot really tell what is is, there are chapters and headlines but somehow I get lost as soon as I start lookibg thibgs up.However, a pro is def."
"If you must, get this guide from the library to get a sense of the layout of Puerto Rico and the main suggestions, and don't bother taking this with you."
"One beach the book suggested as a great beach was ok but a 15 minute hike down the beach thru a trail led us to a gorgeous hidden gem of a beach."
Find Best Price at Amazon

Best Saint Kitts Travel Guides

The Complete Diving Guide: The Caribbean (Vol. 2) Anguilla, St Maarten/Martin, St. Barts, Saba, Statia, St Kitts & Nevis, Antigua, Guadeloupe
The Complete Diving Guides to scuba diving in the Eastern Caribbean, including descriptions of ALL dive sites, dive stores and operators. All in all, the guide contains everything a diver needs to know to decide which island to dive and where to stay, which operators to dive with, which sites to visit, what to expect to see and even which camera lenses to use to capture on film what you actually see. ". All in all, the guide contains everything a diver needs to know to decide which island to dive and where to stay, which operators to dive with, which sites to visit, what to expect to see and even which camera lenses to use to capture on film what you actually see. ". Each chapter starts with a short island introduction followed by a very specific description of the dive sites, operators and hotels. Surely this is the acid test of a dive guide?"
Reviews
"The book is well written and includes plenty of general information on diving, facilities, climate, sea, regulations, boats, cruise liners, resorts, hotels, flora, fauna, shipwrecks, photography and safety. The book then covers each of the Caribbean countries which form the main subject matter before concluding with a Glossary, Bibliography and Accident and Emergency Information. It does not fool you by pretending to be something it is not - as is the case with far too many so-called "Guides," but instead concentrates on providing all the relevant and peripheral information that any Scuba Diver will want to know before and during a trip to any of the Caribbean destinations covered."
"We particularly liked that it gave us information about the British and US Virgin Islands and as they are less than 5 miles apart it's simple to dive both areas."
"I used it while cruising in the area on my yacht in St. Maarten and dived in Saba, Statia and Anguilla on the strength of the information in the guide book."
Find Best Price at Amazon

Best Saint Lucia Travel Guides

Saint Lucia 1:40,000 Travel Map (International Travel Maps)
Saint Lucia Travel Reference Map 1st Ed. ITMB Publishing (International Travel Maps and Books) of Vancouver, Canada, has published detailed reference and travel maps of countries, regions, and cities around the world since 1985.
Reviews
"This is one large map folded up, and it was pretty useful, since some of the roads on this map are not even on Google maps."
"The good: - well printed, good color choices, - just the right level of road detail. - lots of terrain detail, includs Lat./Long."
"Signs, route names, road names, and building numbers are lacking in general in this country."
"This maps was so so helpful for driving around the island of St. Lucia (in which street signs are minimal)."
"We stopped into small bay areas for food and found the most beautiful vistas."
"Good detailed map but we stayed near Soufriere and the lack of a town map of Soufriere was a handicap."
"As there are no signs on the roads here, this map is a must if you plan to drive exploaring the island."
Find Best Price at Amazon

Best Saint Vincent Travel Guides

The Complete Diving Guide: The Caribbean (Vol. 1) Dominica, Martinique, St. Lucia, St Vincent & The Grenadines, Grenada, Tobago, Barbados
It contains a description of each island, including apres dive activities, an overview of the diving environment, rules, regulations and safety information, site plans and maps, and fact panels about marine life. The first book of its kind for the area, The Complete Diving Guide - The Caribbean Volume 1 by Colleen Ryan and Brian Savage is meticulously researched and packed with useful information. Each chapter starts with a short island introduction followed by a very specific description of the dive sites, operators and hotels. The rest of the chapter provides just the sort of information you need, such as which operators have english speaking dive guides and which recognise the depth limitations of BSAC rather than PADI. "Three years ago Colleen Ryan and Brian Savage traded in their highly successful London careers for a life cruising the Caribbean on their yacht. It took two years' hard work, the mastering of a whole new set of skills from marine biology to desktop publishing and some dogged determination. The only problem is that you will end up wanting to sell up, buy a boat and spend the next several years checking out the dives in detail." Each chapter starts with a short island introduction followed by a very specific description of the dive sites, operators and hotels. The rest of the chapter provides just the sort of information you need, such as which operators have English speaking dive guides and which recognise the depth limitations of BSAC rather than PADI.
Reviews
"Earlier dive guides I have used have come from the Globetrotter series - who do not have a guide for Barbados, which is what I was looking for."
"We dive regularly in these areas covered by the Complete Dive Guide Vol 1, a place where information is scarce except for that offered by local operators."
"July 2001 I dove several of the sites reviewed by ms Ryan and Mr Savage. and found their profiles of the dives to be very accurate and. helpful.I hope she and Brian Savage will do a "complete. DG of the Bahamas,I'd buy it in a heartbeat."
"A very good book."
"I found this guide pleasant to look through, but not half as helpful as Best Dives of the Caribbean by Hunter Publishing, which gives a lot more detail on the dive sites, places for kids to snorkel, hotels and everything I need to plan a vacation."
Find Best Price at Amazon

Best Virgin Islands Travel Guides

The Cruising Guide to the Virgin Islands
Brand new for 2015-2016, with more Virgin Island photography and full color detailed anchorage charts, these guides have been indispensable companions for sailors and visitors to these islands since 1982. Brand new completely redesigned and updated style, with more Virgin Island photography and full color detailed anchorage charts, these guides have been indispensable companions for sailors and visitors to these islands since 1982. Covers the Virgin Islands including all the U.S. and British Virgin Islands!
Reviews
"It had the most up-to-date information on the Islands we were visiting, where we could moor/anchor overnight, and what restaurants/bars were worth checking out."
"Prior to our vacation, this book provided insightful explanations of what we could expect and helped us to pencil in a loose intinerary for the week; during the trip, it provided reminders of what to watch out for, what to look for and where to look for what. Prior to leaving on this second trip, we purchased this book again as a gift for our son, who also found the book enjoyable reading and spiked his happy anticipation of this vacation - which, he reported, was the "best vacation of my life!""
"My only build would be that a bit more of a steer on the cost of the various restaurants and provisioning stores would be very handy (Lonely Planet stylie)."
"It helped us figure out where to go for the night based on the ocean swells, where the best snorkeling was and what our dinner and provisioning options were."
"Not just great information about each island and bay, but also GPS Way Points to help you navigate between the islands."
"If you are planning a trip (sailing or not) to the BVI, this guide is a MUST HAVE!!!"
"Best help on approach, moorings, land info, eating, drinking etc."
"I am finding this guide exactly what I had hoped for, as my husband and I plan for a fall, 2016, bareboat catamaran trip in the BVI!"
Find Best Price at Amazon
Home > Best Books > Best Travel > Best Caribbean Travel Guides