8 Caribbean Natural Wonders You Have To See To Believe – Huffington Post

Theres no better time than the winter for a warm tropical getaway, and theres no better destination than the Caribbean islands. Home to some of the most unique and inspiring scenery this side of paradise, the Caribbean is the perfect sensory feast for anyone who needs to hit refresh during the cold winter months.

Thats why weve teamed up to talk itineraries with global cruise line Royal Caribbean. Weve mapped out the eight natural wonders that will steal the show on your next island-hopping adventure, because its time to swap out those winter blues for the bright blue skies of the tropics!

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But its the waterfalls youll really want to experience as you hike through the rainforest. La Coca Waterfall was once thought to harbor the legendary Fountain of Youth, and this hidden gem is still a salve to the senses. Experienced hikers should check out La Coca Trail, which crosses several rivers and waterfalls, where you can cool off with a quick dip. There are plenty of hiking trails throughout El Yunque, and some are less steep that La Coca. Be sure to wear sturdy shoes that can handle the muddy conditions, and bring plenty of water! And while it rains up to four times a day here, these are warm and pleasant rain showers that bathe the rainforest in a dewy light and enhance that fresh tropical scent that you just cant get from a mainland winter.

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Shockingly clear freshwater fills the Cenote Azul, which stretches 300 feet deep and hundreds of feet wide, causing a topsy-turvy effect that some divers equate to drifting in space! Exploring the cenote by dive will reward adventurers with glimpses of ancient stalactites, stalagmites and a few Mayan artifacts (the Maya believed these underwater caves were passages to the underworld). This is also a great spot for a swim or kayak in the clear waters.

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And youll also want to check out Pekelmeer for its amazing flamingoes. As one of only four areas in the world where flamingos breed, Pekelmeer sees thousands of these pink beauties snacking on the ponds brine shrimp. The red carotenes found in the shrimp turn the birds even pinkier, causing the Caribbean flamingo to be the most colorful of its species.

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Enter another world when you hop aboard a bamboo raft to weave through the Jamaican jungle on the Martha Brae River. Just a few minutes away from the town of Falmouth, youll feel like youve stepped back in time. During your three-mile journey, look for local fruits such as colorful ackee, breadfruit and calabash dangling from the trees that arch over the water. Your guide may tell you the story of the rivers namesake, Martha Brae, who local legend describes as an Arawak witch who lived on the riverbank and led Spanish treasure hunters to their watery demise. These bamboo rafts were once used to transport sugar up river, but they have since become a favorite activity of adventure travelers looking to get off the beaten path.

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Steam rises and the mud boils at the Caribbeans only drive-in volcano, a stunning day trip south of Castries, St. Lucia. Walk along Sulphur Springs Park to get an up-close look at the active geothermal area that emerged around 35,000 years ago. Outside of the springs there are warm sulphuric springs that are safe for bathing. The grounds rich minerals include iron, calcium oxide, sulphur, copper oxide, carbon and magnesium. Rumored to have skin-healing properties, take advantage of natures own spa after a walk through Sulphur Springs Park as a great natural detox!

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Curacao is known as a great scuba destination with plenty of shallow water reefs. Explore Playa Kalkinicknamed Alice in Wonderlandfor a particularly special dive. This rainbow coral wall is alive with giant lobsters, hawksbill turtles, spotted eagle rays and squirrelfish. Divers can explore the limestone-rich underwater cliffs and the panoramic views of ocean life at its finest.

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Twin waterfalls emerge from the luscious green mountains after a 20-minute drive from Roseau, Dominica, and a short hike through the west side of Morne Trois Pitons National Park. Feel the mists tingle your skin as you debate which cascade to frolic under first. The higher waterfall called Father descends into hot springs and the lower waterfall called Mother flows into a colder natural basin. If you left your swimsuit behind, you can stay dry on the viewing platform and still absorb the serene landscape a perfect backdrop for envy-inducing vacation photos!

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Take a walk on the wild side near Roatan, Honduras, where more than 40 acres of tropical flowers, spices and medicinal plants grow undisturbed in this stunning natural habitat. Vibrant star fruit trees appear along the jungle trails of the Carambola Botanical Gardens, where sweet-toothed trekkers search for the renowned "Chocolate Tree" among the ferns. Enjoy the jaw-dropping panoramic views of the mountain at the summit of Carambola Mountain, where youll see the worlds second largest reef spread out below you. Then theres the sheer cliff known as the Iguana Wall, where several species of iguanas and parrots can be seen frolicking. Its hard to think of a place with more concentrated beauty than the Carambola Gardens.

Escape the winter time blues with a Royal Caribbean adventure, and visit some of the most breathtaking natural wonders in the Caribbean. Visit Royal Caribbean to explore itineraries and find out how you can trade the ordinary for the extraordinary.

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8 Caribbean Natural Wonders You Have To See To Believe - Huffington Post