central america

Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection Joins Marriott Bonvoy

Marriott Opens New Vacation Club Resort in Costa Rica

Marriott International has opened its first-ever Marriott Vacation Club resort in Costa Rica, Caribbean Journal has learned. The new resort is set at the Los Sueños Resort and Marina, a 1,110-acre master-planned community. It’s also the first Marriott Vacation Club …

Dreams All-Inclusive Planning March Relaunch in Panama

The all-inclusive Dreams Playa Bonita resort in Panama will be opening at the end of the first quarter, Caribbean Journal has learned. The resort, which is parent company AMResorts’ only hotel property in Panama, will reopen on March 10, 2021, …

Sunwing Suspending Outgoing Caribbean Flights Amid Coronavirus

Sunwing is suspending all of its outgoing Caribbean flights for the next two weeks amid the coronavirus epidemic. The Canadian travel giant said it would be suspending all flights to its “sun” destinations for the next two weeks in order …

Belize Has Quietly Become a Caribbean Hotspot

Long a well-kept secret for travelers in the know, Belize has quietly become a full-fledged Caribbean hotspot in recent years, buoyed by one of the region’s fastest rates of tourism growth. And now it’s borne out by the data — Belize …

Rum Journal: Papa’s Pilar “The Lost Cask”

The barrels were an afterthought, hidden away in the corner of the rum factory. And while they were few in number, these “lost” barrels held something rather special. And now Papa’s Pilar, the rum brand named for Ernest Hemingway’s fishing …

Holland America Line’s Newest Panama Canal Cruises

By the Caribbean Journal staff Holland America Line is planning a big push to the Panama Canal this upcoming season. The cruise line will run a total of 32 sailings to the Canal from September 2019 and May 2020, it …

Accor Names New CEO for Americas

By the Caribbean Journal staff Fast-expanding hotel giant Accor has named a new CEO to lead its North America and Central America regions, the company announced this week. The company has tapped Heather McCrory for the role, in which she …

Travelers Are Flocking to Belize Right Now

By Alexander Britell and Dana Niland Belize is one of the hottest destinations in the region right now, according to the latest data from the country’s tourism board. The country on the Caribbean coast of Central America reported 14.6 percent …

JW Marriott Opening in Panama

By the Caribbean Journal staff The JW Marriott brand is coming to Panama. The Bahia Grand Panama, which first opened in 2011 as a Trump hotel, will be rebranded as a JW Marriott. It had been operating as an independent …

Copa Launches Belize Flights

Panama-based air carrier Copa Airlines has officially begun service between Panama and Belize. The airline’s first flight from Panama to Belize arrived on Tuesday carrying 92 passengers. Belize becomes Copa’s seventh destination in Central America. “For COPA Airlines this is …

Starwood Hotels and Resorts Appoints New Regional Vice President

Above: the W Vieques By the Caribbean Journal staff Starwood Hotels and Resorts has named a new vice president of operations for the Mexico, Central America and Caribbean region, the company announced this week. The new appointment is Jean-Marc Janod, …

Delta Launching New Flights Between Los Angeles, Nicaragua

Above: the Hotel Contempo in Managua By the Caribbean Journal staff Delta Air Lines is launching new seasonal service from Los Angeles to Managua, Nicaragua. The weekly service will launch June 5. Delta already offers daily nonstop service from Atlanta …

Op-Ed: Integrating the Caribbean and Central America

By Alberto Duran and Noemi Areli SanchezOp-Ed Contributors The Central American Integration System (SICA) was formed in 1991 and is a regional organization which includes the States of Belize, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama. …

A New Wyndham in Panama

Above: the TRYP by Wyndham Hotel in Panama By the Caribbean Journal staff The new TRYP by Wyndham Albrook Mall has opened in Panama, the largest TRYP by Wyndham in Central America. The hotel is also the second TRYP property …

World Bank: Central America, Caribbean Can Reduce Dependence on Oil

Above: a wind farm in Nevis (CJ Photo) By the Caribbean Journal staff Central American and Caribbean countries can reduce their dependence on oil through a combination of renewable energy, energy efficiency initiatives and regional energy integration, according to a …

OAS Urges Central American-Caribbean Collaboration in Honduras Talks

Above: Roatan on Honduras’ Caribbean coast By the Caribbean Journal staff Honduras Tourism Minister Nelly Jerez Karina Caballero met with Organization of American States Assistant Secretary General Albert Ramdin Wednesday to disuse the “growing importance” of the tourism sector for …

Barbados, Panama on Verge of Air Link

Barbados and Panama are “on the verge” of cementing air links between the two countries, according to Industry Minister Denis Kellman. Kellman was speaking at the official opening ceremony of Barbados’ trade mission in Panama. The Minister said officials had …