ROYAL CARIBBEAN’S QUIET VACATION SPOTS FOR ULTIMATE RELAXATION

This article originally appeared on RoyalCaribbean.com

BY MELISSA ALVARADO SIERRA

I needed a break and didn’t have the time or energy to plan a complicated trip, nor did I want to go on an expensive retreat. I just wanted to de-stress and experience one of the best relaxing Caribbean vacations. This is why I love cruising; to start with simply packing my travel bags and vacation wardrobe before heading to a port near me like the Miami cruise port with time to plan an enjoyable day trip as everything else is handled for me from highly rated food, impressive entertainment and quiet vacation spots. It’s all included in one price.

The Caribbean is my preferred destination when it comes to decompressing and leaving all worries behind. There’s something in the salty air, the gentle waves and the friendly people that encourages a laid-back vacation. The Caribbean is filled with amazing getaway destinations that are not only the best for quiet vacation spots, these are also places where locals teach visitors important reminders about living at a slower pace and appreciating the little, beautiful things in life.

PLAN A ST. LUCIA VACATION TO QUIET THE MIND

Iwas on top of a dormant volcano called Gros Piton in St. Lucia. About 2,400 feet below, the ocean was shimmering, and I could see gentle waves blanketing white sand on the shore. Gros Piton is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the most sought-after backdrop in all of St. Lucia. There was no one else there that day, and I made sure to hike up pretty early, so I could take it all in by myself. I was feeling the ocean breeze in peace and reaching a level of relaxation that can be very healing. I sat down for a snack on a huge rock facing Petit Piton, the other impressive peak by the water that I heard is nearly impossible to hike. Tour guides and travel guides all told me to stick to Gros Piton, saying it was an easier hike. Still, the almost two-hour climb was challenging but oh-so rewarding. I think it’s the best hike in all the Caribbean and one of the best places to relax, mainly because of the gift that is the view from the very top.

People move quietly and serenely in St. Lucia. It’s like the beauty of the island serves as an antidote to stress and worry. “It must be very healthy to live in such a beautiful and peaceful place,” I told Chili, my tour guide. “I would not have it any other way, it’s a blessing,” she told me. We were entering Pigeon Island, an islet that used to be surrounded by water until 1972 when it was connected to the mainland thanks to a causeway. Today, it’s easy to reach the historic island for a dive into St. Lucia’s past. Walking around the island is very calming, and it’s one of the most quiet Caribbean vacation spots I’ve visited. I was learning about history and enjoying beautiful vistas. My tour guide spoke in a very gentle voice and allowed me to explore by myself at times, then reunited with me for more background on the island. Suddenly, we were inside an ancient structure called Fort Rodney. I climbed to the top of the lookout and took in the mesmerizing views of the northwest coastline.

If I could describe Grand Cayman in one word it would be: cinematic. It felt like I was watching a movie or magazine cover — the place is that dreamy. Locals say this is the best Caribbean island for relaxing vacation vibes and I have to agree.

GRAND CAYMAN MOVIESQUE GETAWAYS

If I could describe Grand Cayman in one word, it would be: cinematic. It felt like I was watching a movie or magazine cover — the place is that dreamy. Locals say this is one of the best Caribbean islands for relaxing vacation vibes and I have to agree. I walked around George Town and was able to loosen up and connect to the mellow energy of the place. Everywhere I looked, I found a photogenic spot: colorful buildings by the waterfront, hip cafés serving lattes in funky cups and happy people populating the streets. And I was one of them.

After taking in the pretty town, I headed to Seven Mile Beach. This is perhaps one of the most jaw-dropping beaches in this part of the world and for good reason. Although it’s only five and a half miles long, not seven, this stretch of sandy shore is flawlessly beautiful. The sand is extra white, and the water is extra crystal-clear — but because of this, the beach can become crowded. This didn’t alarm me in the slightest. Something I have learned in my many years of visiting popular tropical islands is that it’s all about finding your nook. And so I did. I walked around until I found a quiet corner to sit down and relax. I could still see the kids playing, couples swimming together and groups of youngsters laughing and taking pictures, but I had my own patch of sand under a palm tree and a cold beer in my hand. The view felt like gazing at a postcard, and after a while, I took a nap right then and there, the faraway sounds turning into a lullaby.

A drive around the island was in order after my nap, so I headed north to the Crystal Caves — the spooky limestone caves found deep within the heart of Grand Cayman. Stalagmites and stalactites hung from above and protruded from below creating a toothy, mouthy cavern. There were cave rooms around every corner and passageways that connected them. And then there was a lake, right there inside the cave. I sat by the lake in the dark and took a minute to unwind. There was utter silence, and I felt my worries dissipate. I felt protected there, like the bats sleeping around me, just resting safely.

VISIT ARUBA FOR ANIMAL SANCTUARIES AND NATURAL POOLS

Some might find this strange though visiting an animal sanctuary is one of the best places to relax, in my view I ventured to visit the droves of donkeys. And during a vacation in Aruba, I got to befriend these loving and playful creatures in the Wildlife Reserve. They followed me around for treats and love, and as I petted them, they showed me their huge front teeth. I like to think they were smiling at me, maybe even laughing at my bad jokes. Yes, I talked to them. Donkeys were brought to Aruba by the Spaniards many years ago. At first, they worked on farms around the island, until they were no longer needed and were freed to roam wildly. Because of the modernization of the island, they were unable to do this safely, and the sanctuary was created to offer them a home. They are fed and loved and shared with visitors in a very conscious way. Spending time hiking the quiet areas of Aruba to connect with both nature and these native donkeys was a highlight of my trip.

I left the sanctuary to visit Arikok National Wildlife Park, home to a beautiful and serene natural pool surrounded by rocks and powerful waves breaking all around. Getting there was an adventure in itself. I rented a vehicle with 4WD and drove past lush and windswept scenery. It was a hot day, and I needed to cool down for a bit. Though it was an intimidating experience, I jumped inside the natural pool and let the soft spray from the crashing waves shower me. It was magical. I brought my snorkel gear and explored the underwater world, too, where I was met by colorful fish. After my swim, I reached Sero Arikok, Aruba’s second-highest mountain. I parked, turned off the car and enjoyed the panoramic views.

After spending time high above the ground, I decided to go down to the shore and stop by a beautiful beach. No other beach is more quintessentially Aruba than Eagle Beach. Found just west of Oranjestad, Aruba’s capital, Eagle is a lovely slice of silky sand with tree after tree framing the coast. As you might’ve guessed, finding a comfy shaded spot was pretty easy here. I rented a beach chair and placed it under a gorgeous ancient tree, ordered a rainbow sangria from the nearest bar and did what you’re supposed to do when you visit quiet Caribbean vacation spots: just chill.

BONAIRE VACATION, DIVING FOR THE BEST PLACE TO RELAX

I was floating peacefully, my body decompressing and my mind slowing down. Below me while snorkeling on my dive were the precious sea life of the Bonaire National Marine Park — perhaps the most venerated attraction visit when planning on a vacation to Bonaire as well as one of the best examples of shore diving in the Caribbean. With discovering one of the best places to relax in quite on the island I was rewarded with miles of seemingly untouched coral reef and endless experiences alongside Caribbean wildlife, and I was discovering it all thanks to the dry terrain and little soil runoff, which create exceptional visibility. The park is a protected area, covering the entire coast of Bonaire, and I had over 100 dive sites to enjoy. Because the place is so detailed and extensive, I only managed to visit a handful, mostly those accessible from the shore. A visit to a dive shop helped me understand the conservation efforts there, and I learned how to protect this mesmerizing place while also relishing in its relaxing beauty.

Colorful, alive, mystical — Bonaire is not your average Caribbean island. This is a place where the desert landscape and unhurried pace wash over you. Klein Bonaire, a little isle floating off the coast of Kralendijk, is an example of that. The tiny deserted speckle of sand is home to the most beautiful beach here: No Name Beach. See? It doesn’t even need a name. There are zero facilities here, only marked diving spots and plenty of shade on the beach. I instantly knew this was the place for a well-deserved nap. I was reading my new book and dozing off to mellow dreams. I woke up feeling incredibly rested and energized.

Before leaving Bonaire I wanted to do something out of the ordinary. Bon Bini means welcome, and nothing says this more than drinking a cactus. Stay with me — it’s not as thorny as it sounds, it simply means enjoying Cadushy, known as the “Spirit of Bonaire.” The Cadushy Distillery makes liqueur out of the local Kadushi cactus and serves up a storm of flavors using the distilled liquid as the base. I tried the cactus vodka because the bartender described it as being smooth with a spiny character. They also have scotch, rum and bourbon available. I left the distillery with a bottle of Cadushy as a souvenir and a feeling of pure bliss. I can now say I drank a cactus.

CURACAO WITH ITS CHARMINGLY QUIET BRIDGES

When I reached Willemstad, the local port for my vacation in Curacao, I wondered if I had landed in a European city by taking the wrong cruise ship. The Dutch-colonial buildings, European fusion menus and history museums truly all contributed to this feeling of being in a sunnier version of a Dutch capital. I kept taking pictures of the buildings and sending them to my family and friends, tricking them into believing I was somewhere else and then showing them the turquoise waters. They were very confused.

After enjoying the architecture, I sought to retreat somewhere nice to relax and breathe in the gorgeous city by the water. After all, this was my main goal since I boarded the ship, to find quiet vacation spots to unwind and recharge. I identified a charming bridge from afar and asked a street vendor about it. He said I was looking at “Our Swinging Old Lady,” also known as the Queen Emma Bridge. He said that San Francisco has the Golden Gate Bridge, the borough of New York City of Brooklyn has the Brooklyn Bridge and Willemstad has this: a floating bridge that is the pride and joy of locals. I could not believe that the bridge, built in 1888, is supported only by pontoon boats, the original ones. I thought a floating bridge was the perfect place to witness the pastel-gabled waterfront architecture and do some people-watching as I crossed Saint Anna Bay. I took my time crossing this bridge, forgot about everything else and just concentrated on the bridge’s ingenious design. It’s the only wooden pontoon bridge in the world, and I was on it. Then, I spotted a chic café nearby and decided to sit and relax under a striped umbrella and stare at the bridge for a while. A glass of wine was my companion as I reflected on a rejuvenating Caribbean vacation.