By Ryan Ver Berkmoes From Lonely Planet

When our authors hit the road they’re on a mission to hunt down the fresh, the transformed, the hot and the happening. Here are a few of our favorites that sparked their interest while researching Lonely Planet’s latest Discover Caribbean guide.

Falmouth Cruise Port

Jamaica now has a third major port of call for cruise ships. Go on heritage walks around the historic 18th-century town.

 

Punta Rusia, Dominican Republic

A new paved road makes it much easier to reach this small town along the north coast. It’s a popular spot for travelers who want real nature.

 

Saba and Sint Eustatius

The two very small islands of Saba and Sint Eustatius became ‘special municipalities’ of the Netherlands and have adopted the US dollar as their currency.

 

Martinique

Jardin Botanique du Carbet is a beautiful new botanical garden created around ruins from the colonial era. It’s in the hills, just a short drive from Fort-de-France.

 

Belmond La Samanna, St-Martin

One of the largest and best-known resorts in the Caribbean reopened after a huge renovation. The Belmond’s commanding views of the island’s best beaches are better than ever.

 

Condado Vanderbilt Hotel, San Juan

Signaling new energy on San Juan’s beautiful beachfront, this enormous old hotel has been lavishly renovated. Its historic charms are now matched with modern luxury.

 

Antigua & Barbuda Passport Sale

The nation started its own ‘citizenship by investment’ program (St Kitts & Nevis and Dominica already have such schemes). Pay enough money and you can have citizenship.

 

Seabourne Airlines

During a time when the major regional airline Liat has had financial problems, this Puerto Rico–based carrier is expanding fast across the region.

 

Kempinski Resort, Dominica

The island’s government has cut a deal with Middle East developers for a new upscale resort on the north end of island. It will be the first major resort on Dominica.

 

National Gallery of the Cayman Islands

This art museum has made a huge move from a storefront in a strip mall to a beautiful new building on Grand Cayman. Its collection of regional works has never looked better.

IMAGES:

Buy a slice of paradise in Antigua & Barbuda and citizenship can be yours. Image by Catriona Savage / CC BY 2.0

All you need is a (US) dollar: the new currency of Saba. Image by Stefan Krasowski / CC BY 2.0

Nelson’s Dockyard, Antigua. Image by Roger Wollstadt / CC BY-SA 2.0

The first major resort has been approved for nature-lover’s paradise Dominica. Image by Chris Favero / CC BY-SA 2.0

For more on this story go to: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/caribbean/travel-tips-and-articles/whats-new-in-the-caribbean#ixzz3KHg3RidL

Added image: Cayman Islands National Gallery www.gailsibley.com