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Caribbean

The islands of the Caribbean Sea or West Indies are an extensive archipelago in the far west of the Atlantic Ocean, mostly strung between North and South America. They've long been known as a resort vacation destination for honeymooners and retirees and are a major area for cruise ships, but a small movement toward eco-tourism and backpacking has started to open up the Caribbean to more independent travel. With year-round good weather (with the occasional but sometimes serious exception of hurricane season in the late summer and early fall), promotional air fares from Europe and North America, and hundreds of islands to explore, the Caribbean offers something for almost everyone.

Countries and territories
Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola (shared by the Dominican Republic and Haiti) and Puerto Rico, often grouped as the Greater Antilles, are by far the largest islands in the area and the most visited by travellers. The Caribbean also includes the Lucayan Archipelago to the north, which is comprised of the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands, and the Lesser Antilles, a group of much smaller islands to the east.

Other areas include:

 * Navassa Island - Administered by the United States but also claimed by Haiti, special permission from the US government is required to visit, and access is difficult and hazardous.
 * San Andrés and ProvidenciaProvidencia - Colombian territories off the coast of Nicaragua. These remote, off the beaten path destinations primarily cater to Colombian tourists.
 * The Florida Keys are geographically adjacent to the Caribbean, and have a similar environment. Greater Miami is home to a large Caribbean culture.
 * Belize, French Guiana, Guyana and Suriname are often considered part of the Caribbean as they share a common cultural heritage.

Cities

 * The "Paris of the Antilles" with gorgeous colonial architecture and old American cars.
 * The capital of Jamaica and a great place to experience the reggae life.
 * The main island of the Bahamas.

Other destinations

 * in Saint Kitts
 * in Milot, Northern Haiti
 * in Central Cuba
 * — a chain of islands of the northern coast of Central Cuba
 * in northern Trinidad
 * in Pinar del Rio province of Western Cuba
 * in San Juan, Puerto Rico
 * — a beautiful valley in Pinar del Rio province of Western Cuba
 * on Dominica featuring the Boiling Lake, the world's second largest geyser.

History
The Caribbean Islands were first inhabited by the Arawak Indians, then were invaded by a more aggressive tribe, the Caribs. Neither could appreciate their victory forever, although the Arawaks may have had a quiet reign of nearly two millennia. With the arrival of the Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, French, Danish, and British, the Carib population steeply declined due to various factors, although the inhabitants today have been proven to still possess significant Carib heritage. The islands have known many historic battles and more than a few pirate stories. Unlike the Central American mainland, which was colonized almost exclusively by Spain (with English protectorates on the Caribbean side), the Caribbean has seen various colonizers, who sometimes fought hard over control of relatively minor islands, primarily because the Caribbean was a very profitable place to grow the cash crop sugarcane with slave labor. Ultimately, slavery became untenable due to uprisings like the Haitian revolution, which succeeded in achieving abolition of slavery and independence in one fell swoop, and due to the increasing moral qualms of the European colonizers themselves. Following the abolition of slavery, the British, and later the Dutch, French and Spanish colonizers brought indentured Indian labourers to the Caribbean to work on the plantations instead. As the rest of the world industrialized, many Caribbean nations fell behind because the plantation owners were unwilling or unable to invest their considerable wealth in industry and today most of those islands live from agriculture, the export of raw materials and tourism. Some territories have also found success as "tax havens" or as a destination for casino tourism (e.g. Cuba until the 1950s) due to laxer laws than in the U.S. or other nearby nations. In the 21st century, many Caribbean countries have developed close ties with China, who have invested heavily in infrastructure projects under the auspices of the Belt and Road Initiative.

Culture
While Spanish influence is strong in many parts of the Caribbean, indigenous, African and non-Spanish European influences are strong or even dominant on some islands. While most of the Caribbean is nominally Christian, indigenous and African rites have been blended with some tenets of Christianity to create new and unique belief systems. There are also many adherents of the Yoruba religion — called Santeria and Vodun — that came to the Americas with enslaved Africans. Some islands have substantial Hindu or Muslim minorities or both, while small Jewish communities on several islands including Curaçao are among the oldest in the Americas. Jamaica is famous as the wellspring of the Rastafarian religion.

The Caribbean is known worldwide for its African-influenced music, including charanga in Cuba; merengue in the Dominican Republic; ska, reggae and dancehall in Jamaica; and calypso in Trinidad and Tobago. And of course there are the steel pan performers on quite a few islands. But this only scratches the surface of what you can hear on a trip to the Caribbean.

Climate
In general the climate of the Caribbean is tropical with little change in temperature over the course of the year, however, rainfall does vary by season and there is also a pronounced hurricane-season with a handful of major tropical storms passing through the region each year.

From Europe
Given the region's colonial past, there are plenty of present connections from many large European cities. The routes do change over time, but generally most islands can be reached via London Heathrow, Frankfurt Airport, Amsterdam Schiphol and Paris Charles de Gaulle.

From the United States
The proximity of the United States means that most islands have a connection. The region is best served by Miami International Airport, but there are also flights from many large airports including those based in New York City.

From Canada
Major Canadian airports have direct flights to the region, albeit in lower volume than the United States.

Canada did not participate in the embargo on Cuba by the United States, so flights were possible from major Canadian airports long before the U.S. reestablished scheduled flights from U.S. airports to Cuba.

From Central America and South America
There are flights from many Latin American countries to some islands, albeit not as comprehensive as from the United States.

Some Caribbean Islands actually belong to South American countries such as Venezuela and Colombia, and connecting through the capital city is possibly the best way to reach them.

It might be easier to get to Cuba via a connection from a Latin American country, since many have friendly relations with the government there.

From the rest of the world
There are a few direct flights from major cities in Asia (e.g. China to Cuba), but it is probably best to find a connection between your city and either Europe or the United States to make your journey to this region. Australia and New Zealand may find a rare connection through Latin America however it will be comparatively expensive, with the United States providing more options. Travel from Africa is likely best served with a connection in Europe. Major airport hubs for access to the region are Miami International Airport, Florida and Tocumen International Airport, Panama.

By boat
Cruise ships are an alternative for getting into the Caribbean. Largely catering to visitors from the US, probably the most popular starting points for Caribbean cruises are Miami and Key West, though there may be cruises starting from the Yucatán Peninsula and Venezuela too. As cruise ships often spend the Northern Hemisphere summer in the Mediterranean and the winter in the Caribbean, they may offer transatlantic cruises to or from the Caribbean depending on the season.

The only regular passenger ferry from the mainland to a Caribbean island is operated by Baleària Caribbean and runs daily between Fort Lauderdale, Florida and Freeport, in the Bahamas.

Caribbean destinations are also popular among those who sail their own vessel.

Get around

Numerous companies offer cruises, charters, and boat tours in the Caribbean.

By plane

 * Caribbean Airlines, a Trinidad-based offers flights between islands and Canada, US, Europe and other airport in South America
 * American Eagle is another notable air carrier between islands

By boat
Express des Iles offers transport between Dominica, Guadaloupe, Martinique, St. Lucia and others for about one-way and  round-trip.

Sail Caribbean Yachts offers Sailing Boats, Motor Boats, Catamarans and Gulets for exploring the Caribbean sea.

Overland
With few exceptions transport on the individual islands is by bus or car only with any remaining railways long past their prime and not serving as practical means of transportation.

Talk
English, Spanish, Dutch and French respectively are spoken on various islands, depending largely on its former colonial power. However, the majority of the population might not speak the metropole-version of said language but rather a creole, which often incorporates a lot of words from other languages (usually African and/or Native American) and can sometimes differ so much in grammar and spelling as to be unintelligible to even native speakers of the European language the Creole is based on.

The well-educated upper class and those who work in the tourism industry will usually be able to speak a version of the national language closer to what European visitors are used to, and they will often be able to hold a conversation in one or several other European languages as well. However, the likeliness decreases the further you get away from big cities and major tourism hot spots. As most of the Caribbean has a long history of both slavery and racial discrimination, and Creoles arose with that background and still sometimes have a stigma attached to them, you should be extremely cautious not to say anything negative about the Creole languages, their speakers, or their intellectual background. Believe it or not, political tracts and works of literature have been written in various Caribbean creole languages for centuries now, and to give just one example, the Jamaican Patois of Bob Marley is just as capable of expressing complex topics as are any American or British pop songwriters. Code switching is also pretty common and many people can be heard effortlessly switching from one idiom into another depending on the social situation, speaking "broad" Patois with friends or family and a much more metropole-sounding variant with tourists or in formal situations.

See

The Caribbean Islands are famous for the "3 S's" Sun, Sea and Sand, which you can find plenty of in the region. There are all kinds of beaches from touristy ones with plane or shiploads of tourists to exclusive and expensive private islands, and of course places popular with locals. Some famous beaches include the Seven Miles Beach in the Cayman Islands and the Arashi beach and Baby Beach in Aruba. Traditionally (beach) tourism to this part of the world has been about resorts, cruises and package trips, but independent travel is certainly also possible.

While the indigenous heritage has all but disappeared, apart from the small remnant of the Carib people, who live in Dominica, the oldest colonial cities of the Americas can be found in the Caribbean. Perhaps no surprise as this was where Columbus and other Europeans first set foot in the New World, and several islands are still dependencies of France, Netherlands or the UK. Indeed, many of the world heritage sites in the Caribbean are colonial old towns, including ones in Havana, San Juan, Curaçao and the English Harbour.

Back then, the Caribbean Islands also became a major destination for Africans that the colonizers forcibly brought in to work as slaves. The enslaved people lived under inhumane conditions with hard work, violence, disease and starvation making up their daily life. Slavery is long gone; some former plantations have now been turned into memorials, for instance the Slave Huts on Bonaire. Black and mixed people make up a majority of the population of the Caribbean today, and the local culture has African influences, including the voodoo religion of Haiti, the carnival and various styles of Caribbean music and dance.

Natural attractions (other than beaches) include rainforests, volcanoes and other geologically interesting features such as the Boiling Lake in Dominica. Other interesting mountains include the pitons in Saint Lucia (pictured on their national flag), and Pico Duarte in the Dominican Republic, which is the highest point in the Caribbean.

Just traveling around the Caribbean can be exciting too, whether you do it by boat, plane or road. On Saba, you can land and take off on the world's shortest commercially used runway.

The Caribbean conjures up tales of pirates and buried treasures. There are a few interesting hideouts from the Golden Age of Piracy that hold the scars of its swashbuckling past.

Sports
Two closely related sports that are popular in the Caribbean are baseball and cricket. Baseball is very popular in much of the Spanish-speaking Caribbean, while cricket is the more popular sport in the English-speaking Caribbean.

The Caribbean is also known for its sprinters in athletics, with Jamaica and the Bahamas in particular regularly producing a large number Olympic gold medallists.

Eat
Local cuisine is usually very well seasoned whether the outcome be savory, sweet or spicy. Don't be afraid to ask about what you're eating but be open minded when patronizing rural eateries where the cuisine is not tailored for international palates. The not-so-secret ingredient in much of the Caribbean (including the Caribbean coast of mainland Central America) is coconut and you may be surprised by the huge variety of foodstuffs that can be improved by the addition of coconut.

Many Caribbean countries also have large Indian communities due to the fact that many indentured labourers were shipped here from India to work on the plantations instead following the end of the Atlantic Slave Trade. As a result, Indian-influenced dishes like curries as flatbreads are common in countries which received a large number of these Indian indentured labourers such as Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago.

Drink
Rum is of course the spirit of choice in most of the Caribbean and some of the most well known and internationally acclaimed distilleries are found in this region.

Sleep

The most affordable prices for accommodations you gonna find in the Dominican Republic and on San Andrés.

Many islands have luxury hotels available specifically for international tourists. Larger resorts are also available with ready access to the sea and swimming pools, but with not much freedom for anything else.

Respect
All Caribbean countries have a Christian majority, with some having significant minorities of Muslims and Hindus, and Jamaica having a significant minority practising the indigenous Rastafari religion. Christians in the Caribbean tend to be more religious and conservative than those in the West, so expect many businesses to close on Sundays, when most of the locals will be at church.

Stay safe
Natural disasters that may affect the Caribbean are hurricanes during the summer and autumn, and less frequently but anytime and usually without warning: earthquakes and volcanic activity.

The crime situation varies considerably between islands and you should refer to the article on each island for specific information. Most places do experience low level theft such as wallets and cameras from unsuspecting tourists. Homicide levels also vary greatly, from high levels such as in Trinidad and Jamaica to low levels such as Cuba and Bermuda. Many islands with high crime rates often have exclusive resorts where tourists can be kept safe in a luxurious setting, with the obvious disadvantage that you will not do any exploring or see much of the local culture.

Go next
Fly west to the great deserts of Mexico, or go in the other direction and visit the massive rain forests of Brazil. Or you could go north and visit the impressive USA. Central America isn't far away, either.

title: Caribbean


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Caribbean Coast (Guatemala)

Caribbean Coast is a region in Guatemala.

Other destinations

 * - national park and small river town that is a popular moorage spot for people sailing around the Caribbean.

Get in
One of the best ways to see the southernmost Caribbean islands or surrounding South American islands is via a cruise.
 * Puerto Barrios Airport

See

 * Quiriguá — a world heritage listed Maya archaeological site

Go next

 * Chiquimula
 * Livingston
 * Rio Dulce

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Caribbean Coast (Guatemala)


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Limón (Province, Costa Rica)

Limón, the easternmost province of Costa Rica, is situated in the country's Caribbean lowlands. It is the least visited region of the country, and home to the country's Caribbean culture.

Cities
The major places of interest to tourists are:

 * - close to the Reserva Indigena Bribri y Cabecar
 * - little town next to the National Park of Cahuita
 * - just a stopover place for most tourists, although the central market is worth a visit, as is the city during Carnival
 * - the south Caribbean coast
 * - accessible only by boat or airplane, it is located in the Northern part of Limón
 * - banana territory close to the Panamanian border
 * - accessible only by boat or airplane, it is located in the Northern part of Limón
 * - banana territory close to the Panamanian border

Other destinations

 * near Punta Uva
 * near Punta Uva

Understand
The months where it rains the least are September, October, February and March. However, unlike other regions in Costa Rica, there is no real dry season in Limón.

Talk
Although Spanish is the official language of Costa Rica and is understood by practically everyone, due to its large population of people of Jamaican descent, many locals in Limón also speak an English-based creole known as Limonese Creole (Mekatelyu), which was derived from and is very similar to Jamaican Patois. As such, Jamaicans should be able to make themselves understood by speaking Jamaican Patois. Standard English is not widely spoken, though English speakers may be able to communicate with some difficulty due to the fact that Limonese Creole is based on English.

Get in
There is frequent bus service (hourly) from San José to Puerto Limón. Some buses continue along the southern Caribbean Coast to Sixaola, with stops in Cahuita and Puerto Viejo. To travel to a number of other destinations, you'll need to change the bus in Puerto Limón.

One of the best ways to see the southernmost Caribbean islands or surrounding South American islands is via a cruise.

See
The Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge is located south of Puerto Viejo near Punta Uva. The refuge is free to visit and can be reached by a bus to Manzanillo. You can as well get to Gandoca from Sixaola via taxi or private car. From the highway, it is 8 km until the beach of Gandoca which lies pretty much on the border to Panama. In Gandoca you can stay as well over night. From February until May, turtles come to the beach to lay their eggs there.

Do
There are opportunities to participate as a volunteer in social and environmental programs, like wildlife protection and social care. Tourists usually participate in such programs while they discover the natural beauty and culture of the province (sustainable travel). One of the most recognized organizations working on these matters is Planet Conservation, which is always looking for volunteers for programs related to sea turtle protection, kids' education, beach cleaning and more. They also sponsor campaigns against the use of plastics and the promotion of recycling and reuse of second-hand products.

The province is also a better place to learn Spanish than San José if you only speak English and you have zero knowledge of Spanish, as it is populated by natives of Costa Rica who speak Spanish, but also by people of diverse origins like the Caribbean, Europe and the United States who speak English and other European languages, so you can use your native language in your daily life while you learn Spanish (there is a degree of transition). You can find a lot of Spanish schools in the northern and southern parts of the province, but people usually visit the south Caribbean coast and study at language schools in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca. This town is a good place to stay because it is near to the best places to visit in the province and allows you to do activities such as surfing and yoga.

title: Limón (Province, Costa Rica)


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Caribbean Honduras

Caribbean Honduras is the area of northern Honduras on and just inland of the Caribbean coast.

Cities

 * — small beachfront town with a Spanish colonial fortress.
 * — the main town in the remote northeast.
 * — founded in 1525, this is where Columbus first set foot on mainland America. Overlooks a beautiful bay with nice beaches against mountainous backdrop with a nature reserve.
 * — small beachfront town with a Spanish colonial fortress.
 * — the main town in the remote northeast.
 * — founded in 1525, this is where Columbus first set foot on mainland America. Overlooks a beautiful bay with nice beaches against mountainous backdrop with a nature reserve.
 * — founded in 1525, this is where Columbus first set foot on mainland America. Overlooks a beautiful bay with nice beaches against mountainous backdrop with a nature reserve.
 * — founded in 1525, this is where Columbus first set foot on mainland America. Overlooks a beautiful bay with nice beaches against mountainous backdrop with a nature reserve.

Other destinations

 * - Utila, Roatán, Guanaja, and the Cayos Cochinos - a natural paradise where snorkeling and diving is a must.
 * - highland mountain park with a mysterious lagoon and miles of hiking trails
 * - the largest tropical rainforest in Central America.
 * - protected natural areas along the Miskito Coast
 * - the largest tropical rainforest in Central America.
 * - protected natural areas along the Miskito Coast

Understand
This is a region of great contrasts. The Sula Valley in the west is the most densely populated part of the country. In the east, the La Mosquita region is a huge area of remote lowland jungle, including the UNESCO world-heritage site Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve.

Perhaps most well known to travellers though are the offshore Bay Islands. These offer some of the best diving and snorkeling anywhere in the Caribbean.

Get in
One of the best ways to see the southernmost Caribbean islands or surrounding South American islands is via a cruise.
 * Golosón International Airport
 * Puerto Lempira Airport

title: Caribbean Honduras


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Caribbean Islands (Venezuela)

The Caribbean Islands are in Venezuela.

Venezuela has more coastline and off shore Islands than any other destination in all of the Caribbean. Venezuela remains the last unspoiled part of the Caribbean, maintaining its authentic beauty and idiosyncrasy. Just to mention a few islands: Los Roques, Las Aves, Tortuga, Margarita.

Cities

 * — a small fishing village
 * is a market town further east of Puerto de la Cruz and Mochima and there is plenty to do there for the day.
 * is a market town further east of Puerto de la Cruz and Mochima and there is plenty to do there for the day.

Understand
The north Venezuelan coast is spectacular. Accommodation can be quite hard to find (as at 1997, may have developed somewhat now) but there are areas to camp if needed.

Get in
Islands can be easily reached by frequent small boats from Mochima, some were deserted in 1997 with more being "commercialised" with beach services such as restaurants.

One of the best ways to see the southernmost Caribbean islands or surrounding South American islands is via a cruise.

By boat
Windward Islands - Windward Islands, one of the worlds largest yacht charter companies, can take care of all crewed charter (no bareboat available) in Venezuela and Los Roques. Operating from 8 international offices (USA, UK, Germany, France, Spain, Switzerland, Caribbean, Monaco).

See
Large Venezuela sea urchins

title: Caribbean Islands (Venezuela)


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Caribbean Nicaragua

Caribbean Nicaragua is a region in Nicaragua.

Other destinations

 * and Little Corn Island

Understand
The Caribbean coast of Nicaragua is truly one-of-a-kind. Once a haven for pirates and contra rebels, it is on the furthest edge of Nicaragua's Autonomous Regions. There are six distinct ethnicities and five languages that make up this cultural rondon.

The climate of this part of the country is notable insofar as it doesn't have a real "dry" season and Bluefields, for example, averages 225 rainy days a year. Although a day with nothing but rain is uncommon, your best bet for a relatively dry experience would be March and April, which could be labelled the "drier" season.

Hurricanes do affect this region from time to time, so if you are concerned, avoid hurricane season (roughly June to December), which is one of the wetter parts of the year, in any case.

Talk
There are some rural places on the Caribbean coast where people might not speak Spanish. Common languages along the Caribbean side of Nicaragua are, in ascending order of speakers: Rama, Garifuna Miskito and Caribbean Creole English. Because Caribbean English can be hard to understand (almost impossible to decipher for most of those for whom English is a secondary language), Spanish might still be your best bet. More developed places (notably the Corn Islands) often have a lot of recent immigrants from Spanish speaking parts of the country, especially in tourism-related jobs.

Get in

 * plane from Managua to Bluefields, Waspan, Big Corn Island and Bilwi as well as Siuna and Rosita for more see the domestic airline's website
 * smooth road from Managua via Juigalpa to El Rama or direct bus Managua to Bluefields
 * some of the worst roads in Central America to the northeastern mining triangle (about 24 hours one way from Managua to Bonanza)

Get around
Transport is mostly by boat or on awful roads. Most domestic flights go into and out of this part of the country. The road from El Rama to Managua however is one of the best in the country and there's a new (2019) road from Nueva Guinea to Bluefields.

See

 * Reserva de biosfera Bosawas - the biggest contiguous piece of rain forest in the Americas north of the Amazon.
 * Indigenous villages that managed to preserve their Rama or Miskito culture and language.
 * A working gold-mine in one of the Las Minas towns.

Do

 * The Corn Islands are known as a divers' paradise for more see there.
 * Hike through the second biggest continuous rainforest in the Americas in the Bosawas wildlife reserve

Eat
Depending on where you are food ranges from very basic Nicaraguan fare to truly mouth-watering seafood and coconut extravaganza. Every meal usually includes Gallopinto, which is rice with red beans. A special treat is ron don (from English run down), a fish and coconut stew that takes time and expertise to prepare so order well in advance. Especially in the RAAN-region but also around Pearl Lagoon there are some indigenous communities who keep their culture, their food and their language very much alive. Although this often requires planning ahead and time and effort to get there, experiencing their cuisine as well as their culture could be well worth it.

Drink

 * Coconut water right from the fruit is sold in most places
 * The potability of running water is more often than not questionable. Stay with bottled water to be on the safe side. If you are planning on heading into the Bosawas area, make sure to take some means of water purification with you. Over-extraction in Bluefields means the water supply is often salty.

Stay safe
This part of the country is not unaffected by drug traffic so crime is more common than on the Pacific side. However, with a basic level of caution you should be safe.

Go next

 * The Rio San Juan Region via a boat from Bluefields to San Juan del Norte that might or might not leave Bluefields once a week (inquire locally as there doesn't seem to be any kind of reliable schedule, but the boat that does the trip most of the time is the Captain D)

title: Caribbean Nicaragua


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Caribbean West

The Caribbean West region of Panama includes all of Bocas del Toro province and Ngöbe-Buglé province as well as the northern portion of Veruguas province.

Cities

 * – The biggest town on Isla Colon and party capital of the region. Bocas del Toro offers diving, beach horseback riding and lots of beaches.
 * – A large town on the mainland.
 * – A port town on the mainland and where all ferries leave for the islands around Bocas del Toro.
 * – The border town where you can immigrate into Panama from Costa Rica.

Other destinations

 * - a beautiful island with secluded surf beaches and a small walking only village
 * - a small island with a beach and some accommodation opposite Boca town
 * - a nature filled island
 * - the second largest island in Boca del Toro
 * - a remote National Park on the mainland

Understand
Bocas del Toro Province is centered around the water. Much of the hinterland of this Province is difficult to access.

Hispanic influence in Bocas del Toro Province is weaker and much more recent than in the rest of Panama. The native Ngöbe and Buglé people still make up a large portion of the population. Descendants of 19th century immigrants from Jamaica make up another large segment of the population of the Province. These two cultures plus Hispanics from other parts of Panama all give the Province a lively cultural diversity.

Talk
English is widely spoken along much of the Central American coast, and Panama is no exception. The locals of Bocas del Toro are descendants of West Africans caught in the slave trade and speak English. One might also notice the mixture of several tongues in the Creole that the natives speak amongst themselves. As in the rest of Central America, note that English is more spoken on the Caribbean side than the Pacific side.

Get in
There are two road routes into Bocas del Toro Province, one over the lush, jagged mountains from Chiriqui, the other from the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. Buses travel both of these routes. If you are traveling from Costa Rica, take the bus to the border.

By bus
In David terminal look for buses to Changuinola and ask a driver to stop in Almirante ($9 / 4 hr). In Almirante take a taxi ($2) or walk (1.6 km) from bus stop to water taxi and then $5-6 boat to Bocas del Toro. Most of buses are small coasters and they will make a short stop for bathroom breaks and food near Rambala in Bocas del Toro province.

By plane
There are as well several flights into Bocas del Toro (town) from San Jose, Costa Rica and Panama City.

Option 1
From the border in Panama (closes at 6PM Panamanian Time and 5PM Costa Rica time as there is a time difference!) you can take a mini bus(US$10) to Almirante and a 25 min boat from there to Bocas town (US$6).

Option 2
Take a local Bus to Changuinola and a taxi to the docks and then the 1 hour / US$7 boat to Bocas del Toro (town) or a Minibus for US$5 from the border straight to the docks of Changuinola. As of 11/08 the water taxi route has been closed. As of May of 09 there has been no word on reopening this route. All water taxi service is from Almirante.

Option 3
The cheapest way is probably going with the chicken bus (leaves every hour/US$1) to Changuinola, take a regular bus to Almirante (~US$1,50 / one hour), then taxi (US$2) or walk (1.6 km) from bus stop to water taxi and the US$6 boat to Bocas del Toro (town)

Get around

 * Water taxis travel to Bocas del Toro town from both Changuinola and Almirante. Almirante is the quickest route, but the boat to Changuinola travels the route of an old canal and is a fun ride. As of April 2010, the canal route from Bocas Island to Changuinola is still closed.

 * Otherwise, you can go by thumb, bus or taxi, in the order of cost.

See

 * Rent a good bike and take a day trip to the other side of the main island to Bocas Del Drago. There is also a taxi shuttle that runs if you get too tired along the way.  However, make sure you do not travel alone, especially if you are a woman!
 * Rent a bike and take a day trip to Bluff Beach, the most spectacular beach of Isla Colon. When you arrive at the "Y". after you left town, stay to the right and follow the coastline. The road has been fixed and it is a very pretty ride. Approximately 7 km from town to the Beginning of Bluff Beach. Bluff Beach itself is another 7 km of relatively deserted while sand beach where Leatherback turtles nest starting April. You can also take a taxi to Bluff Beach. Cost is approximately $10/way
 * Go snorkeling or scuba diving. There is a good chance you will see a reef shark!
 * Red Frog Beach- only $5 for a round trip on a water taxi. It is an absolutely gorgeous white sand beach, that usually has fewer than 10 other beachgoers present. $5 is the MINIMUM price for a water cab and there is a $1–2 entrance fee to access the beach.
 * A cheaper alternative to Red Frog Beach is Wizard Beach on the island of Bastamentos which is a $2–3 round trip ride form Bocas Town, the water is a little rougher (good for bodysurfing) and it takes a 20 min. hike but it's worth it. The island of Bastamentos itself is a funky Caribbean island and a great place to get real "roots" food.
 * The Bat Cave- only $1 to enter and you walk through water while looking at tons of bats clinging to the ceiling.
 * Dolphins!

General

 * Bocas del Toro has great beaches on the Caribbean
 * Diving and Scuba
 * Surfing
 * Boating
 * Fishing
 * Snorkeling
 * Yoga

Eat
True to the history of the region, the food of Bocas del Toro has a lot more Caribbean influence than the rest of Panama. For one thing, you will find coconut used a lot more here than in other parts of Panama. While there are places you can find more traditional food (platos típicos), for the most part the majority of restaurants have American style dishes (pastas, pizza, sandwiches, etc...).

Drink
Local beers include Balboa, Panama, and Atlas.

Sleep
Look at local guides for accommodation listings.

title: Caribbean West


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Caribou

Caribou is the most northeastern city in the United States and located just 10 minutes from the Canadian border. The community was incorporated in 1859. The community has a rich agricultural history and is known for some of the finest snowmobiling in the Northeast.

Get in
Caribou is 1 hour north of Houlton on U.S Route 1. Travel times are approximately 3 hours north of Bangor, Maine, and 5 hours north of Portland, Maine. The community is 4 hours east of Quebec City and 2 hours north of Fredericton, New Brunswick.

title: Caribou


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Carini

Carini is a city of 38,000 people (2011) in Sicily. Carini's lure for tourists is based mainly on shopping. It has one of the biggest shopping areas in Sicily called the Zona Industriale where more than ten big shopping centres can be found. For history buffs, it has a medieval Norman castle, and many defensive towers.

Get in
Carini is 20 minutes from the capital city of Sicily, Palermo. There are various ways to get to the capital and transfer to the smaller town, or go directly there.

Palermo International Airport is some 32 km west of the city at Punta Raisi and has flights incoming from other Italian centres and major European cities on a regular basis. Half hourly shuttle buses provide inexpensive transport into the city centre (€5). There are 1-2 trains per hour, 50 minutes, €8 (destination Punta Raisi). The usual taxi and car rental services are also available at the airport. From the airport there are buses and taxis which take you directly to Carini.

Another alternative is taking a ferry from mainland Italy to the port in Palermo and then taking a bus, train, or taxi from Palermo to Carini.

Once in Carini either a car can be rented, but driving manually is a necessity. Motorscooters called Vespas are also very popular in the island town and can be driven at the age of 14, to rent a car you must be 21. The temperature in the town rarely goes below, and most of the attractions can be walked to, so car rental is not even necessary.

See
Carini is a medieval city and still has beautiful marble houses, and cobblestone streets. Virtual tour Carini

There are many historic churches which can be attended for mass, or just visited during the day for site seeing.

The largest must see site in Carini is the Castle of Carini. The Castle was started in 1075 and finished in 1090. Upon visiting the castle you will hear the horrid tale of the princess of the castle. Tours are also available in English.

Do
Within driving distance of Carini are many beautiful Mediterranean beaches. One of the more famous beaches, Zingaro is about a half-hour away, other beaches are much closer, but part of Oceans 13 was filmed at this beach.

There is always something to do at night. The most popular form of nightlife are the outdoor discotecas. These locations are not solely for the teenagers, but adults alike also go to these clubs.

Buy
There is a souvenir common to many tourists who visit the area. The ornately decorated carts available in many sizes are painted with pictures of the history of the area.

Located in the centre of town is a piazza, a social square with a fountain in the middle. Surrounding this area there are many shops with fine Italian jewelry, designer clothing, leather handbags, and fragrant perfumes.

Eat
Common to the Italian culture many families even with small children go out for pizza as late as midnight.

The most appealing restaurant in Carini is called Mira del Mare. In English this means to look at the beach. The restaurant and gelateria overlooks the Sicilian coast. At night they open the patio area and serve drinks. It then becomes a lovely outside bar overlooking the ocean.

Sleep
Citta del Mare is a resort located right along the border of the small town. This resort offers three large pools, with water slides connecting them. The last slide reaches down to the ocean. There are trails throughout the resort that overlook the ocean and beautiful Mediterranean setting. The rooms offered are spacious and immaculately clean. A huge brunch is served daily. There is a youth club and aerobics offered in and out of the water.

title: Carini


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Carinthia

Carinthia (German: Kärnten) is a state of Austria. It is especially known for its skiing areas, and its fantastic lakes.

Cities

 * — the capital of Carinthia with about 100,000 inhabitants
 * — famous for its middle-age spectaculum in summer, home to a local beer brewery
 * — main village of the Bezirk Hermagor-Presseggersee located in the Gail Valley with a population of approximately 1,600
 * — home to a renaissance castle where comedies are performed every summer, with Lake Millstatt nearby
 * — picturesque Carinthian village
 * — popular summer holiday destination with VIPs and locations from German and Austrian TV and movies
 * — with 56,000 inhabitants the second-largest city in Carinthia.
 * — with 56,000 inhabitants the second-largest city in Carinthia.

Other destinations

 * — mountain skiing resort area close to Villach
 * — Lake Millstättersee (Millstätter See) the jewel of Carinthia, top for families and sportlovers
 * — excellent for skiing, close to the Italian border
 * — skiing resort area at the border with Styria
 * — Lake Wörth, Carinthia's biggest lake and one of Austria's top tourist attractions in Summer
 * - This is Austria's oldest and biggest national park. It spreads out over the three Austrian provinces of Tirol, Carinthia, and Salzburg. The mountainous terrain supports a wide variety of wildlife, and scenic lakes and waterfalls.

Understand
Carinthia is possibly the most autonomous state in Austria (with the possible exception of Tyrol). Older than Austria itself, it has always been fairly isolated from its surroundings by its geography. Carinthians are rooted and proud, but also have a reputation for being more warm-hearted than other Austrians.

There are several explanations of where the name Carinthia comes from. For example, it is said to be derived from the Celtic word carant, which means friend. Other explanations assume that the name comes from the Celtic word karanto, which means stone.

Carinthia is a very mountainous area sandwiched by the Alps in the north, and the Karawanken in the south. It shares a border with both Italy and Slovenia.

In addition to its natural beauty and ski resorts, Carinthia was sadly known as the home of the infamous far-right politician Jörg Haider, and for a long time his political campaigns had their biggest successes there. However, Carinthia has now become one of Europe's most "green" and socialist regions; Austria's left-wing parties perform very well here, and European institutions have praised the region for its eco-friendly practices.

By plane
Just across the border, the airport of Ljubljana has a much wider share of international connections. Instead of a connecting flight through Vienna, you could also take the train from there. Graz airport can be reached by car in a little more than an hour from the eastern parts of Carinthia. Meanwhile, Villach is close to Trieste Airport in Italy.

By train
Villach and Klagenfurt are railway-gateways to all parts of Austria, therefore it's easy to get to Kärnten from all major cities in Austria. Trains from Vienna and Graz arrive approximately every two hours to each city. Both cities also see a good amount of international traffic thanks to Nightjet trains to and from Italy, as well as ICE trains to Germany.

By car
Take the Südautobahn (A2/motorway) if your travelling from Styria or Vienna. If you are arriving from Salzburg take the Tauernautobahn (A10/motorway, liable to pay costs).

By car
Driving by car is definitely the easiest way to get around. Be prepared that apart from the main routes mountain roads can especially tricky for those who are not used to driving on mountain roads. This is especially true in winter.

By train
The main railway hubs are located in Villach and Klagenfurt. The region is served by the S-Bahn Kärtern; though most major urban centers are served, frequency of service is irregular.

By bus
It might be tiring to get around using the federal bus network because the frequency of buses is low to non-existent on weekends.

See

 * Minimundus - Located in Klagenfurt this park offers a huge collection of miniature models of famous buildings from many countries in the world.
 * Landskron - Located a few kilometers from Villach. This old ruin has birds of prey.
 * Reptilienzoo Happ - Located in Klagenfurt. A small zoo offering a large and varied stock of reptiles and animals.
 * Burg Hochosterwitz - A scenic, more than 1000 years old castle located on the top of a hill. To get to the castle you have to make your way through 14 defensive gates.
 * Friesach - a city located in the north of Carinthia. It's also the oldest city in Carinthia. Don't miss the spectaculum in summer, where the whole city is prepared to look like a real middle-ages city.

Do
Kärnten is known for its ski resorts as well for its scenic lakes and mountains (hiking, climbing). If you are travelling in summer try out one of these lakes:
 * Wörthersee - Austria's biggest lake, a popular resort for German tourists and the location for various German and Austrian film and TV-series productions. Prices tend to be higher than elsewhere in Carinthia due to its importance to tourism.
 * Faakersee - A small lake close to Villach.
 * Ossiachersee - located in the north-east of Villach.
 * Millstättersee - located in the east of Spittal an der Drau.
 * Weißensee - the highest-altitude swimming lake in the Alps (930m above sea level) with crystal clear water, beautifully situated in a fjord-like valley.

Skiing resorts include Nassfeld at the Italian border, Turrach at the border with Styria, Flachau and Katschberg both bordering Salzburg. Skiing is a bit cheaper than in Tirol and Vorarlberg.

Eat
Carinthian cuisine is closely related to Italian cuisine and therefore known for all types of noodles. Specialities are

 * Kletzennudel - sweet noodles filled with dried pears
 * Kasnudel - Noodles filled with a mixture of potatoes, curd cheese and fresh herbs (such as black spearmint) and served with hot butter. The exact recipe varies throughout Carinthia as every cook has his own special secret for preparing these noodles.
 * Glundner Kas - cooked cheese made of caraway, butter and mature curd cheese.
 * Reindling - a type of cake made of yeast dough filled with raisins, sugar and cinnamon. Baked mainly during the Easter holidays.

Drink
There is a well-known brewery in Hirt near Friesach which make fantastic beer. (Hirter Pils and Hirter Märzen) The city of Villach is home to the brewery of the "Villacher" brand of beer.

Stay safe
Like the rest of Austria, Carinthia is a very safe place. The usual precautions when travelling are usually enough.

Go next

 * The Soca / Isonzo valley in Slovenia is about an hour's drive from Klagefurt and Villach over the Predil mountain pass. Its deep limestone gorges offer a spectacular scenery and its emerald-coloured rivers are famed for some of the best kayaking and white water rafting in Europe. Since the Soca valley is actually easier to reach from Villach and Klagenfurt than Ljubliana (Slovenia's capital) it's well worth a day trip if you're hanging around Carinthia for longer. Head for the town Bovec, the touristic centre of the Soca valley.
 * If you are in Villach take a trip to Tarvisio in Italy (it is about 30min by car) which is a popular place to eat and shop for Carinthians.
 * East Tyrol, the province neighbouring Carinthia to the West, is an alpinist's paradise. The capital Lienz can be conveniently be reached by train or car.

title: Carinthia


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Carita

Carita is a town in the province of Banten in the Western Java region of Indonesia. It is on Java's west coast, and because it is mainly known for its beaches, the town is sometimes also called Carita Beach (Pantai Carita). Carita is just south of the even more well-known beaches of Anyer.

Understand
Administratively, Carita is a district in the regency of Pandeglang, about 30 km west of the town of Pandeglang.

Get in
Carita is along the coast road from the city of Cilegon via Anyer and Carita to Labuan. From Jakarta, Carita can be reached by taking the Jakarta-Merak toll road, exit at East Cilegon (Cilegon Timur), and then follow the main road to the south along the coast. Without traffic, Jakarta to Carita takes about 2.5 hours. However, because of the usual traffic congestion it is better to count on about 4 hours.

To get to Carita by public transport, you can take a so-called elf (public transport minibus) from behind the Grand Mosque of Cilegon. It is also possible to take a silver-coloured angkot (minivan) from Cilegon, but most of the angkots on this line do not go further than Anyer.

Get around
The distance from the north to the south of Carita Bay is about 3 km.

See

 * White sand beaches
 * Panoramic views of Krakatau rising above the horizon in Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra.

Do
There are many activities you can do in this place. You can go swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving. Carita beach is clean and children can play white sands. Besides all of that, Carita Beach also offers challenging activities such as banana boat and jet ski.

Eat
Seafood - there are variety of fish, prawns and cuttlefish fresh from the traditional market.

Sleep
Visitors should not have difficulties finding a place to stay here as many cottages, hotels and camping grounds are available.

Stay safe
While you are in the beach, merchants sometimes offer you a unique t-shirt and hot pants combination. They may also offer to provide you with a temporary tattoo, though the ink used for the tattoo can sometimes make your skin itchy. Take care and test a small sample, before making a big commitment, especially if you have sensitive skin.

Go next

 * The fishing town of Labuan is just south of Carita.
 * Other beaches along the west coast can be found in among others Anyer and Panimbang.
 * Ujung Kulon — national park on the southwestern tip of Java, known for the Javan rhinoceros.

title: Carita


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Carleton

Carleton is a village in Monroe County.

Understand
Platted in 1872 and incorporated in 1911, this village was named after a popular Michiganite poet who went by the full name of Willian McKendree Carleton (21 October 1845 – 18 December 1912), Will Carleton for short. It's an agricultural community with an operating grain elevator that also has several small businesses and restaurants which are worth exploring and improvising.

Connect
Area code: 734

title: Carleton


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Carleton Place

Carleton Place is a town of about 13,000 people (2021) in Lanark County, midway between Smiths Falls and Ottawa. It is just outside of the Ottawa municipal boundary, and has become a suburb of that city.

History
The town sits on the edge of a large limestone plain, just south of the edge of the Canadian Shield in the deciduous forest ecoregion of North America. Carleton Place was first settled by Europeans when British authorities prompted immigration to Lanark County in the early 19th century. The Morphy and Moore families were among the first to arrive. Edmond Morphy chose the site in 1819 when he realized there was potential in the area waterfall. He built a mill there and was the first of many such textile and lumber industries to reside in the area. The settlement was then known as Morphy's Falls. In 1829, the area was renamed Carleton Place, after a street in Glasgow, Scotland, when a post office was constructed. It became a village in 1870, and a town in 1890. The community's economic growth was enabled by the construction of the Brockville and Ottawa Railway later in the century. The town was also renowned for its access to Mississippi Lake, and had steamship service to Innisville on the west end of Mississippi Lake between the 1860s and 1920s. The river led to the development of the Ottawa Valley Canoe Association in 1893, which still exists as the Carleton Place Canoe Club. The town received further recognition when a World War I fighter pilot, and town resident, Captain Arthur Roy Brown, made history by shooting down the Red Baron.

Visitor Information

 * Town of Carleton Place

By car
Carleton Place is at the junction of Highway 7 and Highway 15. This portion of Highway 7 is part of a branch of the Trans-Canada Highway that passes through the area, traveling between Sudbury and Kanata (near Ottawa) on Highway 69 and 400, then Highway 12, then Highway 7, then Highway 417.

Get around
There is no public transit in Carleton Place.

Go next

 * Almonte — a small, but historic town in Lanark County. The village is the birthplace of Dr. James Naismith, the inventor of basketball, celebrated with a statue downtown and a museum.
 * Smiths Falls — the mid-point of the Rideau Canal, and home of the canal's museum. The town was historically a railway hub, and although only a few passengers trains still serve the town, the Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario features a scale model of rail yard inside 1923 passenger coach.
 * Ottawa — Canada's capital city, with historic buildings, national museums, festivals and events. It also offers a busy nightlife in the Byward Market, and outdoor recreation in every season along the Rideau Canal or Ottawa River. Gatineau Park is just across the provincial border, in Quebec.

title: Carleton Place


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Carlinville

Carlinville is a town in the Central Illinois region of Illinois with a population of 5,710 as of the 2020 US Census. It is home to Blackburn College and hosts the Macoupin County Fair on the fair grounds north of town every year. Farm land surrounds the town as well as a few coal mines still in production, though there has been a stark decline in mining operations in the 21st century.

Understand
Carlinville is located in the center of Macoupin County and is the county seat. Founded in 1865, Carlinville was named after Thomas Carlin, 7th Governor of Illinois and major contributor to the creation of Macoupin County.

Carlinville is moderately famous for its collection of Sears Catalog homes. An entire neighborhood of Sears Homes was built in town by the Standard Oil Company of Indiana to house local coal mine employees. Today, 149 of the original 156 homes still exist, and is considered the largest single repository of Sears Catalog Homes in the United States.

Carlinville is also known for the Macoupin County Courthouse. Built in 1870 by and designed by Elijah E. Meyers, the courthouse was considered the largest outside of New York at the time of its construction. The courthouse is known locally as "The Million Dollar Courthouse" due to the overspending to build it. There were accusations by county residents regarding misappropriations of funds during the construction of the courthouse. Judge Loomis was accused of using stone from the courthouse to build a hotel, the Loomis House, on the square. Judge Loomis stated he purchased the stone but never produced a bill of sales. Another commissioner, County Clerk George Holliday, was seen leaving town by train in the middle of the night carrying a carpet bag. Public opinion was that the bag was filled with some of the money raised for construction of the courthouse. Holliday was never seen again and it is still a mystery as to where he went.

By rail
Carlinville is rather well served by rail, with multiple daily Amtrak trains calling here. There are four daily departures on the Lincoln Servie between Chicago and St. Louis. Additionally, the once-daily Texas Eagle between Chicago and San Antonio, with through-cars to and from Los Angeles three times per week, calls here.

By car
Carlinville sits where Illinois Route 4 and Illinois Route 108 intersect. Route 4 links Carlinville to Springfield in the North and the St. Louis Metro East area to the south. Route 108 connects Carlinville to Carrollton to the west and I-55 to the east. I-55 is 12 miles east of town on Route 108s eastern terminus, linking Carlinville to A major Interstate artery connecting Chicago all the way to New Orleans.

By plane
Carlinville is not serviced directly by any airport. The closest airport is the  in Springfield, which hosts multiple daily flights from Chicago and Fort Worth Texas, but still requires transportation from Springfield down to Carlinville.

The  is the closest, most frequently used airport in the area and is an hour drive south west of Carlinville. The airport hosts a number of international and national flights throughout the year.

Get around

 * Macoupin County Transit services the nearby town of Macoupin counts from inter-town and town-to-town travelling.
 * Driving is the easiest method of travel in town and in the surrounding areas.

Go next

 * Litchfield
 * Springfield
 * St. Louis
 * Alton

title: Carlinville


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Carlisle

Carlisle is an English cathedral and historical fortress city in the modern county of Cumbria, at the northern end of the Lake District and 10 miles (16 km) from the Scottish border. It's an ideal base for exploring the English Lake District, the world famous Hadrian's Wall and the Northumberland National Park.

By car
The city is 10 miles from the English-Scottish border. The M6 runs just to the East of the outskirts of Carlisle, giving this city excellent road links with the rest of the country. Carlisle is two hours from Edinburgh, Scotland's capital, and from Glasgow, Scotland's largest city.

By train
Trains run hourly from London Euston, taking 3 hr 20 min via Warrington, Wigan, Preston, Lancaster, Oxenholme (for Lake District) and Penrith, and continuing from Carlisle non-stop to Glasgow Central (another 70 min).

Trains from Manchester Airport and Piccadilly, and from Liverpool Lime Street, also run via Preston to Carlisle and continue to Lockerbie, where they branch either for Motherwell and Glasgow Central, or for Edinburgh Haymarket and Waverley.

An hourly train runs from Dumfries via Annan and Gretna to Carlisle. Every few hours these start from Glasgow Central and meander through Kilmarnock and a dozen small places.

Trains run every 30 min from Newcastle upon Tyne, taking 90 min via Metrocentre, Prudhoe, Hexham, Haltwhistle and Brampton. Some start from Morpeth.

Trains from Leeds run a scenic route every couple of hours, taking 2 hr 40 min via Shipley (for Bradford), Keighley, Skipton, Settle, Ribblehead and Appleby.

The Dalesman is a steam-hauled excursion train running June-Sept from York or Chester to Carlisle via this line.

Trains from Barrow-in-Furness wend and wind along the coast hourly via Millom, Ravenglass (for Eskdale), Sellafield, Whitehaven, Workington, Maryport, Wigton and Dalston.

is central in town. It has a staffed ticket office and machines, toilets, a cafe and waiting rooms. There is step-free access to all platforms.

By plane

 * Manchester Airport is best choice global connections and competitive fares. There's an hourly direct train from the airport, taking two hours to Carlisle and continuing to Glasgow.
 * Newcastle upon Tyne and Glasgow ( and ) airports are reasonable alternatives.
 * Newcastle upon Tyne and Glasgow ( and ) airports are reasonable alternatives.

By foot
Much of Carlisle's history is within walking distance of the city centre.

By bus
Other places can be reached by bus: Stagecoach and Reays operate the bus services in the city.

See

 * Explore the Eden Valley.

Do
Carlisle offers easy access to many parts of Hadrian's Wall (though the Hadrian's Wall Footpath is just a scenic route along a path where wall was). The city runs just to the north of this historic landmark.

 * Football:
 * Football:
 * Football:
 * Football:

Drink
In 1916, during World War I, the government nationalised the breweries and pubs in the area around Carlisle, to reduce drunkenness in the workers in the munitions factories near Gretna. The State Management Scheme persisted until 1973, and can still be seen in the design of the New Model Inns, built in the early twentieth century.

 *  Concrete on Lowther Street is a popular nightclub. Very popular amongst students, it has a very positive atmosphere with 2 bars, 2 dance floors and a pool table.
 * Botchergate is lined with bars of differing styles and expense.
 * Botchergate is lined with bars of differing styles and expense.

Connect
As of June 2022, Carlisle has 4G from O2 and Vodafone, and 5G with EE and Three.

Go next

 * North across the border into Scotland is the wedding industry of Gretna. For Robert Burns associations continue to Annan and Dumfries.
 * West to Cockermouth
 * Southwest to the Lake District National Park including Keswick
 * South to Penrith, Appleby-in-Westmorland and the Eden Valley
 * East to Brampton and Haltwhistle, for the best sections of Hadrian's Wall.

title: Carlisle


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Carlisle (Iowa)

Carlisle is a small town outside of Des Moines in the state of Iowa. It has a nice swimming pool, a couple of parks and a good choice of shops.

title: Carlisle (Iowa)


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Carlisle (Pennsylvania)

Carlisle is a city in Pennsylvania. It is the seat of Cumberland County, and is home of Dickinson College. It is located in the Harrisburg area.

By car
The Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-76) and I-81 pass through Carlisle.

By bus
There are no major public transportation links to Carlisle. The Greyhound bus stop closed sometime after 2000, and there has not been a train station in the city for many years. The closest public transportation is in Harrisburg.

Get around
Capital Area Transit Bus Route C services Carlisle. Most of downtown is very walkable, notably Hanover, High, and West Pomfret Streets.

See
The two main streets in Carlisle are Hanover and High Streets. These streets intersect in the middle of town, creating a nice square by the courthouse. Most of the buildings of interest in Carlisle are located along one of these two streets.

Go next

 * Allentown, 103.5 mi
 * Philadelphia, 124 mi

title: Carlisle (Pennsylvania)


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Carlow

Carlow (Ceatharlach) is the county town of County Carlow, some 85 km south of Dublin. It's become a commuter town for the city and in 2022 had a population of about 27,000; it's fairly compact and has preserved its old centre.

Understand
This lowland, fertile area has been inhabited for thousands of years, with Brownshill Dolmen the chunkiest relic of prehistory. Carlow's main feature is the River Barrow flowing south towards Waterford. In Irish the town is Ceatharlach, "four-legged", referring to livestock that were brought to market here, and swum across the river until the bridge was built in the 16th century. (Another version has it as Ceatharloch, "four lakes", but there's no trace of any such thing.) The Normans fortified the crossing, and from 1361 to 1374 made Carlow their seat of government in Ireland. The town was damaged but not wrecked in the many upheavals of the following centuries, and was able to grow up as a quiet provincial place. It prospered from 1800 when the entire river was made navigable up to Athy, whence a canal connected to the Dublin-Shannon Grand Canal. The railway arrived in 1846, industries were established, and from 1891 Carlow was powered by hydro-electricity generated above Leighlinbridge. The river formed the county boundary, with the west bank community of Graiguecullen standing in County Laois, until the boundary was adjusted in 1898.

The town languished in the 20th century, so its old centre was never re-developed. Its population boomed when the M9 put it within an hour's commuting distance of Dublin, and city centre prices drove individuals and businesses to settle further out. Perhaps as a sign of healthier times, Carlow's sugar beet industry closed but was replaced by the manufacture of electric toothbrushes. That too has closed but the pharmaceutical company MSD have opened a large vaccine production facility here, not a moment too soon.

By train
Trains run every 2-3 hours from Dublin Heuston via Newbridge, Kildare and Athy, taking an hour to Carlow and continuing to Bagenalstown / Muine Bheag, Kilkenny, Thomastown and Waterford (another 1 hr 45 min). A walk-up single from Dublin might be €11, see Irish Rail for timetables, fares and on-line tickets.

By bus
Expressway 4 / X4 runs every hour or two from Dublin Airport and Busáras to Carlow, for a single fare (as of June 2021) of €20. X4 takes 75 min and continues non-stop to Waterford and New Ross. Bus 4 also stops at Dublin Eden Quay and Heuston, taking 1 hr 40 min to Carlow and continuing to Carlow IT, Leighlinbridge, Gowran (for Kilkenny racecourse), Thomastown, Mullinavat and Waterford.

JJ Kavanagh competes on this route, with Bus 736 every hour or two from Dublin Airport and several city stops but not Busáras, taking almost two hours to Carlow (single fare €18) and continuing to Paulstown, Kilkenny, Waterford and Tramore. They have at least one overnight run.

Kavanagh Bus 873 runs twice M-F from Kilkenny via Paulstown, Bagenalstown and Leighlinbridge to Carlow.

Bus Éireann 73 trundles across the midlands from Athlone to Moate, Clara, Tullamore, Mountmellick, Portlaoise, Stradbally, Carlow, Kilkenny, Thomastown, Mullinavat and Waterford. There are two M-Sa and one on Sunday.

Local Link Bus 880 plies three times M-F from Naas along R448 via Timolin, taking about 90 min to Carlow.

Local Link Bus 800 runs from Arklow (for trains from Wicklow Town, Wexford and Rosslare ferry port) via Aughrim and Tullow, taking two hours to Carlow. There are four M-Sa and two on Sunday.

The is at the foot of Barrack Street, junction with Kennedy Ave. It's just a draughty bus shelter.

By road
From Dublin take N7 / M7 onto M9 and follow it to Exit 4 for R448 into town; an hour should do it. M9 continues to Waterford. From Rosslare ferry port, take M11 to Enniscorthy then N80 northwest.

By boat
Carlow is on the national waterways network. The Barrow Navigation branches off the Grand Canal (between Dublin and the Shannon) and courses south through Athy, Carlow and into the tidal river at New Ross and Waterford. Obviously there are limits on how far a rental boat may be taken.

Get around
Walk, town centre is compact. The historic main streets are Dublin St north, Castle St and Bridge St west, and Tullow St east.

Bike will easily get you to the outlying sights, which lack public transport. There are half-a-dozen shops for bicycle sales, spares and repairs, but no bike hire.

By car is pointless for town centre but the quickest way to reach outlying sights. Lower Tullow Street in the central one-way system is closed to traffic M-Sa 08:00-18:00.

Carlow has over 3000 car parking spaces, so there's never a shortage. There are two multi-storey car parks, with the largest in Carlow Shopping Centre, and another on Dublin Street. You collect a ticket on entry, which needs to be validated by a local shop.

Taxi fares are nationally regulated and taxis must use the meter. As of March 2021, fares M-Sa 8AM to 8PM are €3.80 flagfall then €1.14-1.50 per km, 20:00 to 08:00 and Sunday €4.20 flagfall then €1.45-1.80 per km. In slow traffic or if asked to wait they charge by the minute, 40-50 cents. There's a taxi rank on Potato Market, and they meet the trains and buses from Dublin. Operators include Bridge Cabs +353 59 917 0777 and Carlow Cab Service +353 59 914 0000.

See

 * St Patrick's College or Carlow College is east side of the cathedral; indeed the college is older, founded in 1782, and owns the land where the cathedral now stands. There's no public right-of-way but you can stroll the grounds of the elegant buildings. Until 1989 it was a seminary for the priesthood then became an independent arts college, with some 700 students.
 * is a fountain at the centre of Potato Market, commemorating the 640 United Irishmen slain on or around 25 May 1798. The 1798 uprising sought to unite all Irishmen of every creed; it flopped in Dublin but had stronger support in the south. Some 1200 rebels, called "Croppy Boys" for their short hair, converged on Potato Market unopposed. But their plans were known and they had walked into a trap: a deadly fusillade tore into them. Over 400 were killed in the next few minutes, and another 150 were executed in the aftermath. The loyalist forces suffered no casualties, but some 200 civilians died as their houses were torched or fired upon and they attempted to flee. The rebellion held out in Enniscorthy, County Wexford for another month until they were encircled and slain. The fountain was commissioned for the 200th anniversary.
 * , at the junction of Dublin St and Athy Rd, looks like it wants to be on a banknote. It's a neo-classical design, modeled on an Athenian temple, and completed in 1834. The Russian cannon in front was a trophy of the Crimean war. Refurbished in 2002, it's always been a courthouse; in the early 20th century the County Council shared the premises before moving to their own offices.
 * is the charming late 19th-century building on Centaur St. It's still used as local government offices and was refurbished in 2006 but Carlow no longer has a "town council": it's a municipal district and electoral area within Carlow County Council. Their main building is modern, on Athy Rd.
 * , at the junction of Dublin St and Athy Rd, looks like it wants to be on a banknote. It's a neo-classical design, modeled on an Athenian temple, and completed in 1834. The Russian cannon in front was a trophy of the Crimean war. Refurbished in 2002, it's always been a courthouse; in the early 20th century the County Council shared the premises before moving to their own offices.
 * is the charming late 19th-century building on Centaur St. It's still used as local government offices and was refurbished in 2006 but Carlow no longer has a "town council": it's a municipal district and electoral area within Carlow County Council. Their main building is modern, on Athy Rd.
 * is the charming late 19th-century building on Centaur St. It's still used as local government offices and was refurbished in 2006 but Carlow no longer has a "town council": it's a municipal district and electoral area within Carlow County Council. Their main building is modern, on Athy Rd.
 * remains only as its western wall and adjoining towers. It was built on the river bank circa 1210, the reign of King John. Anglo-Norman castle architecture was still evolving so it doesn't have features that would later be typical, such as a gatehouse and great hall. It went through ownership changes and spells of being empty, and was damaged (of course) by Cromwell, but what did for it were the humane new approaches to mental health flourishing in the 19th century. Dr Philip Parry Prince Midleton leased the building and spent a fortune trying to turn it into a lunatic asylum, the Charenton of the west. In 1814 he had a brainwave: by packing the lower level with explosives, he could open up the interior and a passageway entrance. What followed was not really a blast, more like a protracted crump as three of the four walls subsided, and locals regretted that the castle was no longer suitable for confining Dr Midleton himself.
 * is a five-arched stone structure of 1569, though re-built and widened in 1815. The west bank neighbourhood of Graiguecullen was in County Laois until the boundary was adjusted in 1898.
 * Town Park is the pleasant green space west bank of the river, reached by a footbridge from town centre. It's open daylight hours.
 * just west of Town Park on Ninety-eight Street is the mass grave of the United Irishmen, the "Croppy Boys", killed in the 1798 uprising.

Further out

 * 2.5 km north of town is a medieval ruin. The two High Crosses are from the earlier abbey.
 * or Kernanstown Cromlech is a portal tomb dating from 3000 BC. It hasn't been excavated but its occupant must have been one helluva swell, as it has a humonguous granite capstone of some 150 metric tons, probably the largest in Europe. This is supported by upright stones, with a portal stone closing the burial chamber, and the whole structure used to be covered in earth. Free access, reach it on R726 Hacketstown Road, 3 km east of town.
 * is the ruin of a 12th-century Romanesque church. It's 5 km northwest of town on R430, just across the boundary into County Laois.
 * is the ruin of a 12th-century Romanesque church. It's 5 km northwest of town on R430, just across the boundary into County Laois.

Do

 * Cinema: Carlow Omniplex is within Fairgreen Shopping Centre by the coach park.
 * Gaelic games: Carlow GAA play football and hurling at Dr Cullen Park, capacity 21,000. It's on N80 ring road 1 km north of town centre.
 * River Barrow is navigable from tidal waters up through Carlow to Athy, then the canal continues north, eventually joining the Grand Canal. Boat trips sail from the west bank just upstream of the bridge. The towpath on the east bank is a long-distance hiking and cycling route. Go with the Flow organise canoeing at various spots along the river.
 * is a pleasant woodland 2 km north of town. There are walking trails, picnic sites, and toilets at the car park.
 * is a pleasant woodland 2 km north of town. There are walking trails, picnic sites, and toilets at the car park.
 * is a pleasant woodland 2 km north of town. There are walking trails, picnic sites, and toilets at the car park.

Events

 * St Patrick's Day is celebrated on 17 March whenever it falls in the week. There's usually a street parade and live entertainment.
 * Gordon Bennett Classic Car Rally, open to vehicles of more than 30 years, is based in Portlaoise and circles through Kildare, Stradbally, Athy and Carlow. It's held in June over the Bank Holiday weekend.
 * Carlow Arts Festival (formerly Éigse) is held over ten days in June. Wide programme, multiple venues, including many free events.
 * Carlow Garden Festival at the end of July opens up many gardens that aren't usually accessible.

Buy

 * ATMs are plentiful in and around the shopping areas.
 * Tullow St is the original downtown retail strip, with the lower part pedestrianised during shopping hours. Stores include Hadden's (clothing), Shaw's department store, and Allen's for hardware and giftware.
 * Carlow Shopping Centre is the block south of Tullow St and Potato Market, with a multistorey car park.
 * Fairgreen is the large shopping centre just east across Barrack St, extending south to the coach park and river. Tesco is open M-Sa 7AM-10PM, Su 8AM-10PM.

Eat

 * The three main strips are Kennedy Ave / Hanover Square near Fairgreen Shopping Centre and the bus park, Tullow St through town centre, and Dublin St leading north.

 * Liberty Tree Restaurant is within Talbot Hotel along with Corries Bar & Bistro, see Sleep.
 * Liberty Tree Restaurant is within Talbot Hotel along with Corries Bar & Bistro, see Sleep.
 * Liberty Tree Restaurant is within Talbot Hotel along with Corries Bar & Bistro, see Sleep.
 * Liberty Tree Restaurant is within Talbot Hotel along with Corries Bar & Bistro, see Sleep.
 * Liberty Tree Restaurant is within Talbot Hotel along with Corries Bar & Bistro, see Sleep.
 * Liberty Tree Restaurant is within Talbot Hotel along with Corries Bar & Bistro, see Sleep.
 * Liberty Tree Restaurant is within Talbot Hotel along with Corries Bar & Bistro, see Sleep.
 * Liberty Tree Restaurant is within Talbot Hotel along with Corries Bar & Bistro, see Sleep.
 * Liberty Tree Restaurant is within Talbot Hotel along with Corries Bar & Bistro, see Sleep.
 * Liberty Tree Restaurant is within Talbot Hotel along with Corries Bar & Bistro, see Sleep.

Drink

 * Corries Bar & Bistro is in Talbot Hotel, see Sleep. They have live music Friday & Saturday nights.
 * Brewery and distillery: 12 Acres are a micro-brewery at Clonmore, off R430 towards Killeshin. No tours. Carlow Brewing Company are now known as O'Haras and have moved away to Muine Bheag / Bagenalstown. Walsh Whiskey is a distillery on Dublin Rd, 2 km northeast of town, no tours.
 * Corries Bar & Bistro is in Talbot Hotel, see Sleep. They have live music Friday & Saturday nights.
 * Brewery and distillery: 12 Acres are a micro-brewery at Clonmore, off R430 towards Killeshin. No tours. Carlow Brewing Company are now known as O'Haras and have moved away to Muine Bheag / Bagenalstown. Walsh Whiskey is a distillery on Dublin Rd, 2 km northeast of town, no tours.
 * Corries Bar & Bistro is in Talbot Hotel, see Sleep. They have live music Friday & Saturday nights.
 * Brewery and distillery: 12 Acres are a micro-brewery at Clonmore, off R430 towards Killeshin. No tours. Carlow Brewing Company are now known as O'Haras and have moved away to Muine Bheag / Bagenalstown. Walsh Whiskey is a distillery on Dublin Rd, 2 km northeast of town, no tours.
 * Corries Bar & Bistro is in Talbot Hotel, see Sleep. They have live music Friday & Saturday nights.
 * Brewery and distillery: 12 Acres are a micro-brewery at Clonmore, off R430 towards Killeshin. No tours. Carlow Brewing Company are now known as O'Haras and have moved away to Muine Bheag / Bagenalstown. Walsh Whiskey is a distillery on Dublin Rd, 2 km northeast of town, no tours.
 * Corries Bar & Bistro is in Talbot Hotel, see Sleep. They have live music Friday & Saturday nights.
 * Brewery and distillery: 12 Acres are a micro-brewery at Clonmore, off R430 towards Killeshin. No tours. Carlow Brewing Company are now known as O'Haras and have moved away to Muine Bheag / Bagenalstown. Walsh Whiskey is a distillery on Dublin Rd, 2 km northeast of town, no tours.
 * Corries Bar & Bistro is in Talbot Hotel, see Sleep. They have live music Friday & Saturday nights.
 * Brewery and distillery: 12 Acres are a micro-brewery at Clonmore, off R430 towards Killeshin. No tours. Carlow Brewing Company are now known as O'Haras and have moved away to Muine Bheag / Bagenalstown. Walsh Whiskey is a distillery on Dublin Rd, 2 km northeast of town, no tours.
 * Brewery and distillery: 12 Acres are a micro-brewery at Clonmore, off R430 towards Killeshin. No tours. Carlow Brewing Company are now known as O'Haras and have moved away to Muine Bheag / Bagenalstown. Walsh Whiskey is a distillery on Dublin Rd, 2 km northeast of town, no tours.

Splurge

 * Carlow doesn't have a standout hotel, but the countryside near Tullow has a couple of plush places.

Connect
As of June 2021, Carlow has 5G from all Irish carriers.

Hotels and other premises often have free Wifi, and Carlow County Library has access desks.

Go next

 * Tullow is near Altamont Gardens and Baltinglass Abbey.
 * Athy has the white castle and a fine cathedral. Travel via R448 to take in Castledermot monastery, Moone High Cross and Burtown House and Gardens.
 * Kilkenny is the medieval miniature city that for six turbulent years was effectively capital of Ireland.

title: Carlow


text:
Carlsbad

There is more than one place called Carlsbad:

Czech Republic

 * Carlsbad - Karlovy Vary (German: Karlsbad) - a spa city in West Bohemia

United States of America

 * Carlsbad - a city in California
 * Carlsbad - a town in New Mexico
 * Carlsbad Caverns National Park - a national park in New Mexico

title: Carlsbad


text:
Carlsbad (California)

Carlsbad is a city in the north end of San Diego County in Southern California. The city has a relaxed beach town atmosphere away from the urban madness of Los Angeles and San Diego, but close enough for easy access. It has a 7-mile stretch of mostly undeveloped coastline with nice beaches, secluded coves and picturesque cliffs that are well maintained and accessible.

Understand
Carlsbad is the third largest city in San Diego County. Its northern neighbor is the second biggest city in San Diego County, Oceanside. South of Carlsbad is the affluent beach town of Encinitas.

Carlsbad is a favorite destination for families and foreign tourists, especially Germans.

For families with children, Carlsbad's biggest draw is Legoland California, a theme park based on the popular toy line with sculptures made of the little plastic bricks and lots of Lego-themed rides. The downtown Carlsbad Village by-the-Sea area is a nice place to spend the day shopping and eating at an eclectic mix of places. For now the area has kept a charming mix of the Old California single story development - giving its European Village feel - with the modern amenities of a modern city.

By car
Carlsbad is about 30 miles north of San Diego on Interstate 5. The Coast Highway (County Route S21) passes through Carlsbad as well, under the name Carlsbad Boulevard.

By rail
While the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner, which travels between San Luis Obispo and San Diego, passes through Carlsbad, it does not stop in the city; the closest stops to Carlsbad are at the Oceanside Transit Center and Solana Beach Station. However, the more numerous commuter Coaster trains between Oceanside and San Diego, run by NCTD , do stop at two stations in Carlsbad: at 2775 State St near downtown and  at 6511 Avenida Encinas, between Palomar Airport Road and Poinsettia Lane.

NCTD Sprinter Hybrid Rail travels between the Oceanside Transit Center and the Escondido Transit Center, but does not pass through Carlsbad.

There are also regional Metrolink trains from Los Angeles to nearby Oceanside, from where it's possible to take a bus or taxi to Carlsbad.

By plane

San Diego International Airport is the closest major airport to Carlsbad. From SAN, you may take San Diego Transit's Route 992 bus to the Santa Fe Depot, connect to the COASTER, and get off at the COASTER stations at either Carlsbad Poinsettia or Carlsbad Village.

John Wayne Airport in Orange County is the next closest major airport; the nearest Amtrak/Metrolink stations are in Santa Ana, Tustin, and Irvine.

Get around
The North County Transit District provides public bus service within Carlsbad.

Eat

Gluten-free dining: If you are on a gluten-free diet you are in for treat. The following restaurants are located in Carlsbad Village and are walking distance from the train station: Pizza Port offers delicious gluten-free pizza and carries gluten-free beers and ciders. For Mexican dining try Garcia's or Norte, all of who can provide gluten-free options. Several Italian restaurants will substitute gluten-free pasta including Vigilucci's. The Coyote Bar and Grill has an excellent roasted half chicken and other menu options that can be made gluten-free.

Camping
Carlsbad State Beach. A beautiful area south of town on the Pacific Coast Highway. Reservations required most dates.

Go next

 * Oceanside
 * Vista
 * San Marcos
 * Escondido
 * Encinitas
 * Temecula

title: Carlsbad (California)


text:
Carlsbad (New Mexico)

Carlsbad is a small city in New Mexico near the Texas border best known for the nearby Carlsbad Caverns National Park.

By bus
Carlsbad is served by Greyhound and TNM&O bus lines.

By plane
The nearest airport with full-service airline connections is in El Paso, Texas.

By car
US highways 285, 62 and 180 reach Carlsbad, the former being one of the main north-south routes through New Mexico and the other two (which share a common roadway in this area) passing through en route between the Texas Panhandle and western regions of Texas. These are lonely roads; keep plenty of fuel in your vehicle.

See

 * Carlsbad Caverns National Park. The town's main attraction is the nearby national park, which is home to a massive underground limestone cave, claimed to be the most beautiful in the world. If you're going there for the first time, rent an audio guide for $3; it has much more information than the boards (available in several languages). The deepest point of the cave is over 1500 feet below the surface, while the unguided tour descends to a depth of about 900 feet. More extensive ranger guided tours are available. The descent can be slightly taxing on the knees, so there's an elevator available that will take you down to a depth of 750 feet. Photography is allowed, food is not, except in the underground "lunch room."
 * Carlsbad Caverns National Park. The town's main attraction is the nearby national park, which is home to a massive underground limestone cave, claimed to be the most beautiful in the world. If you're going there for the first time, rent an audio guide for $3; it has much more information than the boards (available in several languages). The deepest point of the cave is over 1500 feet below the surface, while the unguided tour descends to a depth of about 900 feet. More extensive ranger guided tours are available. The descent can be slightly taxing on the knees, so there's an elevator available that will take you down to a depth of 750 feet. Photography is allowed, food is not, except in the underground "lunch room."
 * Carlsbad Caverns National Park. The town's main attraction is the nearby national park, which is home to a massive underground limestone cave, claimed to be the most beautiful in the world. If you're going there for the first time, rent an audio guide for $3; it has much more information than the boards (available in several languages). The deepest point of the cave is over 1500 feet below the surface, while the unguided tour descends to a depth of about 900 feet. More extensive ranger guided tours are available. The descent can be slightly taxing on the knees, so there's an elevator available that will take you down to a depth of 750 feet. Photography is allowed, food is not, except in the underground "lunch room."

Buy
Standard consumer goods are easy to get downtown or at a mall on the north side of town. Please do not patronize shops or vendors offering pieces of cave formations! They'll likely disintegrate before you get them home, won't look as good on a shelf as in the cave even if they do survive, and are likely to have been obtained illegally -- which means that your possession of them is likely to be illegal as well.

Eat
Unfortunately, the dining in Carlsbad is rather subpar for a moderate-sized town near an important national park. If you'd prefer an upgrade on the chains (Denny's, etc.), try:

Go next

 * Guadalupe Mountains National Park - just across the Texas state line, if your adventures in Carlsbad Caverns leave you looking for more national-park recreation.
 * Sitting Bull Falls is in an unexpected and pleasant little park about 15 miles northwest of town, reachable via SR 137. Nice for picnics, particularly during the spring when the falls have enough water to be scenic.  SR 137 continues on into the Guadalupe Mountains, with interesting scenery and some ferociously rough jeep roads and hiking trails.  The "Guads" are honeycombed with caves, including some of the world's most beautiful, but most are for the experienced caver only (serious vertical work), and all require permits from the National Forest Service.
 * Brantley Lake north of town offers water sports (of a sort -- don't expect Lake Mead) and camping.
 * If you happen to be fascinated by UFOs -- Unidentified Flying Objects, or "flying saucers" -- the quirky, schlocky UFO mecca of Roswell is about 80 miles north on US 285.

title: Carlsbad (New Mexico)