Enjoy
a Vacation in Caribbean National Parks
by Jennifer Smith
Most
travelers are familiar with their home country's national parks
system, but the Caribbean's parks get relatively little notice.
From the many national parks throughout the Dominican Republic
to the world's second longest barrier reef in Belize, there
are a wide range of natural activities and sights to delight
all ages.
Want
to spend an afternoon underwater, swimming with the fish? What
about a morning watching beautiful tropical birds awaken? Or
an evening gazing at the sun setting over mountains? You can
do all of this in the national parks found throughout the Caribbean.
Unusual
Terrain
Travelers
looking for a place to stretch their legs can find just what
they're looking for among the Caribbean islands. With so many
different island terrains, doing a bit of island exploration
is never dull.
The
famous Trois Pitons in Dominica offer picturesque splendor,
while the geysers in the interestingly-named Valley of Desolation
will delight visitors. Dominica is well-known for its incredible
nature and relatively untouched physical surroundings.
You'll
find the Dominican Republic's highest peak, Pico Duarte, in
the Cordillera Central mountain range, which is located in The
Madre de Las Aguas protected area. At more than 10,000 feet
tall, Pico Duarte is the tallest mountain in the Caribbean.
Of course, mountains aren't all you'll find on the Dominican
Republic. The ancient solenodon, a mammal which first appeared
30 million years ago, now lives only on this island.
Rincon
de la Vieja, or Old Woman's Corner, is another unique park in
Costa Rica for vacationers interested in sights with heights.
The volcano is said to be named for an old lady in Guatuso tribal
lore who is, in some stories, angry, but in others is a kind
old lady whose cooking fires send up the smoke for which the
peak is known. This volcano is known to bubble and steam even
now.
Aruba
offers an entirely different kind of island terrain in its Arikok
National Park. Don't forget to pack some extra water when exploring
this desert island. Aruba is unique in the Caribbean and is
known for its divi divi trees, aloe, and unusual animals.
Rainforests
can be found at the other end of the terrain spectrum, and the
most well-known is probably Puerto Rico's El Yunque, the only
rainforest within the U.S. National Parks system. Vacationers
can explore the forest and see sights like no other. Incredible
animals and plants also flourish in this beautiful spot.
Aquatic
Adventures
While
some travelers may be content to stay on land, others enjoy
time spent exploring beneath the waves. Fortunately, the Caribbean
is full of incredible underwater sights, from sunken ships to
amazing sea creatures.
Hol
Chan Marine Reserve in Belize is just one of many areas full
of underwater treasures. Snorkel off of the world's second-largest
barrier reef during your stay in this unique vacation hideaway.
Make sure to check out the world-famous blue hole, where the
bottom suddenly drops to more than 300 feet in a nearly-perfect
circle.
Saba's
National Marine Park was established in 1987 to help preserve
Saba's natural underwater beauty. What makes this preserve unique
is that the tiny island did not establish the park to repair
an already-damaged environment, but to stop any damage from
occurring, so these pristine reefs offer something truly one
of a kind.
Curaçao
also has a marine park in which snorkelers and divers can take
in picturesque shipwrecks covered in coral. With almost 1,500
acres of marine park to explore, it's hard to go wrong!
Although
Caribbean islands share many characteristics, each has its own
terrain and culture, making the Caribbean a diverse place. Planning
to explore the islands? Take a look at what their national parks
have to offer.
About the Author
Jennifer Smith writes for Curacao-Guide.info,
PuertoRico-Guide.info,
and other Segisys travel Web sites.
