Here is a brief guide to electric systems used around the Caribbean. If you’re not familiar with the different plug types, you can see illustrations here.

• Anguilla, 110V, 60Hz, North American NEMA1-15, North American NEMA 5-15
• Antigua, 230V, 60 Hz, North American NEMA1-15, North American NEMA 5-15
• Aruba, 127V, 60 Hz, North American NEMA1-15, North American NEMA 5-15, European CEE7/7 Schuko
• Bahamas, 120V, 60 Hz, North American NEMA1-15, North American NEMA 5-15
• Barbados, 115V, 50 Hz, North American NEMA1-15, North American NEMA 5-15
• Belize, 110/220V, 60 Hz, North American NEMA 5-15, British BS-1363
• Bermuda, 120V, 60 Hz, North American NEMA1-15, North American NEMA 5-15
• Cayman Islands, 120V, 60 Hz, North American NEMA1-15, North American NEMA 5-15
• Dominica, 230V, 50 Hz, British BS-1363
• Dominican Republic, 110V, 60 Hz, North American NEMA1-15
• Grenada, 230V, 50 Hz, British BS-1363
• Haiti, 110V, 60 Hz, North American NEMA1-15, North American NEMA 5-15
• Jamaica, 110V, 50 Hz, North American NEMA1-15, North American NEMA 5-15
• Netherlands Antilles, 127/220V, 50 Hz, North American NEMA1-15, North American NEMA 5-15, European CEE7/7 Schuko
• Puerto Rico, 120V, 60 Hz, North American NEMA1-15, North American NEMA 5-15
• St. Kitts and Nevis, 230V, 60 Hz, British BS-1363
• St. Lucia, 240V, 50 Hz, British BS-1363
• St. Vincent, 230V, 50 Hz, North American NEMA1-15, British BS-1363
• Trinidad & Tobago, 115V, 60 Hz, North American NEMA1-15, North American NEMA 5-15
• Virgin Islands (British and U.S.), 115V, 60 Hz, North American NEMA1-15, North American NEMA 5-15

A number of languages are spoken in the Caribbean, most of a European origin. You can get by just about anywhere with English, but it’s fun to explore the islands and hear the local languages.

• Anguilla: English
• Antigua: English
• Aruba: Dutch, Papiamento, English, Spanish, Castilian
• Bahamas: English
• Barbados: English
• Bermuda: English, Portuguese
• British Virgin Islands: English
• Cancun: Spanish, English.
• Cayman Brac: English
• Curacao: Dutch, Papiamento, English, Spanish; Castilian
• Dominica: English, French Patois
• Dominican Republic: Spanish, Castilian
• Grand Cayman: English
• Grenada: English, French Patois
• Grenadines: English
• Guadeloupe: French, Creole Patois
• Haiti: French, Creole
• Jamaica: English, Patois
• Martinique: French, Creole Patois
• Puerto Rico: Spanish, Castilian, English
• St. Croix: English, Spanish, Castilian, French
• St. Kitts and Nevis: English
• St. Lucia: English
• St. Maarten: Dutch, English
• St. Thomas: English, Spanish, Castilian, French
• Tortola: English
• Trinidad & Tobago: Languages: English, Hindi, French, Spanish
• Turks & Caicos: English
• U.S. Virgin Islands: English, Spanish, Creole

The small island of Aruba offers a wide variety of diversions for visitors. From abandoned gold mines to white sand beaches to casino gambling, the tiny Dutch island has plenty to offer. Although this author has a lot of good things to say about the island, don’t get too excited about the natural bridge that’s mentioned. It collapsed in September 2005.

“Aruba is a very small island,” said Cathie Barile, co-owner of Travel Emporium of WNY Inc. of the Town of Tonawanda. “You can rent a Moped for a day and see the whole island and meet some of the world’s most fantastic people, many of Dutch and Venezuelan extraction. Venezuela is just 15 miles off the coast of Aruba.”

Five more satellite island tours were added to the site today. Here is the full list of islands that are now available.

• Anguilla Map and Satellite
• Antigua and Barbuda Map and Satellite
• Aruba Map and Satellite
• Barbados Map and Satellite
• Bonaire Map and Satellite
• Grenada Map and Satellite
• Montserrat Map and Satellite
• Puerto Rico Map and Satellite

I’m working on a new set of satellite island tours to take advantage of the Google Maps API. For now you can take tours of the following islands and see popular sites from the sky. When I have the entire Caribbean completed I will launch a redesign of the site to better show off these pages.

• Aruba Map and Satellite
• Grenada Map and Satellite
• Puerto Rico Map and Satellite

Originally uploaded by The Fuzzy Squid.

The 100-foot long natural coral bridge that was a focal point of tourism in Aruba collapsed Friday. This photo on Flickr shows the broken span. The bridge was cut out of coral limestone by pounding waves over thousands of year.

The Southern Caribbean, a long haul for most cruises, is becoming a more popular destination, according to Cruise Critic Editor Carolyn Spencer.

The islands of the Southern Caribbean, which translate roughly to those lying east and south of St. Maarten/St. Martin, have always been slightly more exotic than counterparts in the Western and Eastern Caribbean. Part of that is due to the very strong colonial influence that pervades many of these islands, a great percentage of which are still related to France, the Netherlands and the U.K.

Cruise lines are beginning to offer “deep-south” itineraries that hit these islands and cruisers can always opt to leave out of San Juan, which gives them a head start in the right direction.

Because of the search for a missing U.S. woman in Aruba, there seems to be an increase in interest in the crime levels of various Caribbean islands. A good place to look before heading anywhere overseas is the U.S. Department of State website. The State Department offers advice about the level of crime in various countries and offers specific advice on travelling to Caribbean destinations. Below I’ve compiled the State Department’s crime information for Caribbean nations:

Antigua and Barbuda
Violent crimes have increased and armed assaults have been perpetrated against tourists. Petty street crime also occurs and valuables left unattended on beaches are subject to theft.

Bahamas
Visitors should exercise normal caution in safeguarding valuables left on the beach. Woman may wish to avoid deserted areas, especially at night. Crime is more prevalent in major population centers, particularly the “over-the-hill” area of Nassau.

Barbados
Street crime sometimes occurs. Valuables left unattended on beaches are subject to theft.

Bermuda
Bermuda has a low crime rate. However, during the tourist season, pick pocketing and theft of unattended baggage can occur.

Dominica
Street crime occurs. Valuables left unattended on beaches are subject to theft.

Dominican Republic
Valuables left unattended in parked cars, on beaches, and in other public places are subject to theft. Burglaries of private residences have increased. Some resort areas have experienced an increase in violent crime. The larger resort complexes, which rely on private security services, have generally not been affected.

French West Indies
The French West Indies include the islands of Guadeloupe, Isles des Saintes, La Desirade, Marie Galante, St. Barthelemy, St. Martin and Martinique. Street crime, sometimes involving armed assault, appears to be on the rise in St. Martin. In the other territories, petty street crime occurs. Valuables left unattended on beaches are subject to theft.

Grenada
Tourists have been victims of armed robbery in isolated areas, particularly after dark. Valuables left unattended on beaches are subject to theft.

Haiti
Reports of crime, including armed and sometimes violent robbery, are increasing. Crimes involving occupied and unoccupied vehicles along Route Nationale No. 1 in the port area, in Cite Soleil, and along the airport road continue to be a problem.

Jamaica
Crime is a serious problem in and around Kingston, Jamaica’s capital. Criminal acts can rapidly turn violent. Visitors should exercise common sense, not walk around at night, and use only licensed taxis or hotel-recommended transportation. In tourist areas, be careful at isolated villas and small establishments.

Netherlands Antilles
The Netherlands Antilles include the islands of Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, St. Eustatius (also known as Statia), and St. Maarten. Petty street crime and armed robbery, including shooting of the victims, are increasing.

St. Kitts and Nevis
Petty street crime occurs. Valuables left unattended on beaches are subject to theft.

St. Lucia
Petty street crime occurs. Valuables left unattended on beaches are subject to theft.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Petty street crime occurs. Valuables left unattended on beaches are subject to theft.

Trinidad and Tobago
Violent crime, including murder, is on the rise. While crime is significantly lower in Tobago, travelers may wish to avoid traveling alone.

According to USA Today, high-end resorts in the Caribbean are beginning to sell out for the first time in many years. Except for Grenada and Grand Cayman, the islands have rebounded from last year’s rough hurricane season. There are also a number of new resorts opening this year. I’ve included the list below along with links to their web sites.

• Aruba: Bucuti Beach Resort, now with a new adults-only wing.
• Barbados: Hilton, located near Bridgetown and historic Fort Charles.
• British Virgin Islands: Mainsail BVI, a 230 acre private island located 5 minutes by boat from Tortola.
• Dominican Republic: Sunscape the Beach Punta Cana, a beach front resort on the Eastern tip of the island.
• Turks & Caicos: The Palms, an ultra-luxurious property with 72 two and three-bedroom suites.
• Grenadines: Raffles Resort Canouan Island, set on 300 acres with three secluded white-sand beaches.
• Jamaica: Sandals Whitehouse European Village & Spa, a 50-acre resort on the south coast of the island.
• Puerto Rico: Paradisus Resort, on the northeastern shore of the island just minutes from El Yunque rainforest.
• West Caicos: Molasses Reef Ritz-Carlton Resort, located on a previously uninhabited 11-square-mile island.

Originally uploaded by linuxinternet.

Palm umbrellas line a large beach at the Bucuti Beach Resort in Aruba. Bucuti is a European-style resort located on Aruba’s west coast. The resort’s website offers cams of Bucuti Beach, Tara Beach and the resort grounds.