Getting the flavor of … Jamaica in the summer, and more

Jamaica in the summer

Most travelers don’t think of Jamaica as an inexpensive summer getaway, said Michelle Higgins in The New York Times. But prices here are generally lower than in Europe, and the temperatures during summer months are actually a few degrees cooler than those of many U.S. cities. Among the largest Caribbean islands, Jamaica abounds in “beautiful beaches, lush mountains, secluded waterfalls”—not to mention golf courses, snorkeling spots, and “raucous nightclubs.” The choice of resorts ranges from family-oriented to adults-only to “quiet boutique hotels perched on cliffs.” In Negril, the Rockhouse Hotel sits atop a rocky outcropping overlooking the sea. Visitors climb down “ladders and stairs carved into the rock” when they want to go for a swim. Popular destinations for children include the Green Grotto Caves in Montego Bay. These caves, crowded with massive stalagmites and stalactites, were a hiding place for runaway slaves in the 18th century.

Contact: Visitjamaica.com

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

An island for homeless pups

Puppies are the new tourist draw at Turks and Caicos Islands, said Rosemary McClure in the Los Angeles Times. The “sandy beaches and turquoise water” of this tiny island east of Cuba make it a celebrity playground. And many upscale visitors now return home with a different kind of souvenir—homeless pups known as potcakes. The name originated from locals’ practice of feeding strays—most resembling a medium-size shepherd mix—“the caked remains in the bottom of the pot.” Two years ago, a nonprofit group called Potcake Place was established to round up and vaccinate homeless pups. Some visitors now arrange to adopt a potcake, while others serve as couriers to shelters in the U.S. More than 400 dogs have been relocated in the past two years alone. Potcakes are “hardy, smart, and make good house pets,” said Jane Parker-Rauw, director of Potcake Place. “And they smile a lot.”

Contact: Potcakeplace.com