Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
by larger-than-usual amounts of food (combined, for many va-
cationers, with large amounts of rum).
Water is potable on nearly every island, although some resorts
offer bottled water because the tap water produced by desalini-
zation is slightly unusual to the taste. In the Dominican Repub-
lic, we would recommend drinking only bottled water, due to
possible contamination. However, most islands offer excellent
water supplies (and some, like St. Kitts, are so above average
that cooks swear it accounts in part for their delicious cuisine).
Sunburn
Nothing will destroy romance on a vacation any faster than a
sunburn, your biggest danger in the Caribbean. You'll be sur-
prised, even if you don't burn easily or if you already have a
good base tan, how easily the sun will sneak up on you. At this
southern latitude, good sunscreen, applied liberally and often,
is a must. (And for those of you frequenting those nude beaches,
let's just say you need to be extra generous with the sunscreen
or even sunblock for the sake of your romance.)
Insects
Oh, those pesky bugs! While the number of mosquitoes are gen-
erally fewer than in the American South (the omnipresent sea
breeze keeps them at bay), the worst insects in the Caribbean
are sand fleas. Popularly known as “no-see-'ums,” these pesky
critters raise itchy welts where they bite, usually along the an-
kles. Use an insect repellent if you'll be on the beach near sun-
set, the worst time of the day for these unwelcome beach bums.
Manchineel Trees
Manchineel (
Hippomane mancinella
) trees, found on most Ca-
ribbean islands, present an unusual danger. These plants,
members of the spurge plant family, have highly acidic leaves
and fruit. During a rain, water dropping off the leaves can leave
painful burns on your skin, and the tree's tiny apples will also
burn you if stepped on. In most resorts, manchineel trees have
been removed or are clearly marked, often with signs and with
trunks painted red.
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