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6 Top Caribbean Islands for Outdoor Enthusiasts

By U.S. News & World Report

Most people think of a Caribbean vacation as a time to relax, let their hair down and let their worries melt away while swinging in a hammock. Sun seekers bring along bathing suits, their favorite books and sip fruity drinks while listening to the calm, lapping surf. But adventurous travelers see the Caribbean in a different light. Sure, the Caribbean has some of the world’s most beautiful beaches, but its diverse destinations also offer some of the best opportunities for outdoor recreation. Whether you want to hike, mountain bike, fish, dive or partake in other active Caribbean adventures, there are plenty of places where you can test your limits and get your adrenaline fix.

[See: 9 Top Experiences to Consider for Your Caribbean Vacation.]

If you’re an explorer looking for a vacation where you can embrace the outdoors with tropical beaches nearby, travel to these Caribbean islands, which offer both beautiful natural attractions and heart-pumping thrills.

Nevis

Nevis, which sits adjacent to St. Kitts, offers miles of unspoiled natural surroundings and some of the best hiking and water sports in the Caribbean. After a short boat ride from neighboring St. Kitts, you can kick-back in Nevis for a vacation filled with relaxation, beach time and outdoor activity.

Visitors to this luxurious island can hike the famous Nevis Peak, which is more than 3,200 feet high. Plus, the island’s crystal-clear, calm waters are perfect for snorkeling with sea turtles, wakeboarding or stand-up paddleboarding. On you vacation, you can also tackle Russell’s Rest Nature Hike through the rainforest and waterfalls, bike the 36-mile square mile Nevis Challenge tour or ride by horseback as the sun goes down.

As for hotel options, consider staying in the lap of luxury at the Four Seasons Resort Nevis, where you can sign up for the Summit and Spa Experience. This tour includes a guided hike to the top of Nevis Peak, along with an island-inspired lunch and a massage with exotic spices and scents from the West Indies.

Cayman Islands

The Cayman Islands were the birthplace of recreational diving, and their clear waters and bounty of dive sites continue to attract sea lovers by the thousands. Grand Cayman boasts the iconic Seven Mile Beach, which is just a short boat ride away from Stingray City — the premier spot for snorkelers and divers to mingle with rays and tropical fish at the nearby reef. And at Rum Point, divers can visit the vibrant coral and spot rare fish and sea life.

Divers can also circle for the USS Kittiwake, a former submarine which now houses beautiful sea creatures nearly 60 feet under the surface. Of course, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman are also well known for their diving sites, too.

When it comes to resort options, the secluded Wyndham Reef Resort, which is located on the east end of Grand Cayman, is an ideal lodging choice. As the only full-service hotel with an all-inclusive option, the Wyndham property makes it easy to enjoy the outdoors with opportunities for jet skiing, stand-up paddleboarding, kite surfing and sailing.

[See: 10 Unexpected Wildlife Experiences in the Bahamas.]

Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico offers some of the most diverse outdoor recreation options for seasoned travelers. Here, you can partake in an array of water sports from fishing to diving to hiking and exploring the El Yunque National Rainforest to riding the world’s tallest and longest zip lines at Toro Verde adventure park to kayaking through one of the Caribbean’s bioluminescent bays.

El Conquistador, located in Fajardo, offers a convenient resort choice thanks to its proximity to the nation’s bioluminescent bay and El Yunque, along with its own options for outdoor recreation. On the property’s private isle, Palomino Island, you can also participate in activities such as horseback riding, stand-up paddleboarding, snorkeling and more.

Dominica

Known as “nature island,” Dominica is revered for its natural allures. The isle is home to 365 rivers, volcanoes, mountains, waterfalls and hot springs, along with the second-largest boiling lake in the world and lush rainforests. Travelers can enjoy any combination of outdoor experiences, from hiking to forest bathing to snorkeling through the caves to horseback riding to kayaking to diving. And hikers will especially be thrilled to explore the Waitukubli National Trail, which covers 115 miles.

Travel to Rosalie Bay Resort for an eco-friendly retreat with a premier spot along black-sand beaches where the Rosalie River flows into the sea. The resort is a natural nesting habitat for several species of endangered sea turtles, making it the perfect vacation spot for nature lovers.

Grenada

Grenada is home to breathtaking waterfalls, countless hiking trails, more than 30 world-renowned diving sites and some of the best scenery in the Caribbean. Divers will especially be thrilled to travel to the largest shipwreck in the Caribbean, along with the world’s first underwater sculpture park.

Calypso Island, a small off-shore paradise, is also available for visitors interested in fine dining, water sports and amazing sunsets. You can book sailing and snorkeling tours, or charter a private catamaran for your own water-based adventure. Mount Cinnamon Resort & Beach Club is an ideal for divers in Grenada. With its own on-site dive center, the property is the island’s leader for snorkeling and diving operations in and around beautiful Grand Anse Beach. The resort also offers a special dive package that include a four-night stay, breakfast, a couples massage and up to eight dives.

Curacao

Curacao is an outdoor lover’s paradise. With more than 40 different diving areas, thriving reefs, a tugboat and airplane wreck, and various other natural and man-made wonders to explore, divers will never tire of the local wildlife and crystal-clear waters.

[See: The 10 Best All-Inclusive Resorts in the Caribbean 2017.]

There are also plentiful, beautiful and popular hiking trails to explore across the island that are well-suited for adventurous travelers with unique tropical plants and secluded regions of the island. For a memorable stay at a top-notch hotel, head to Hilton Curacao, which offers its own dive shop with courses for novice and experienced divers of all ages. Adults who want to learn the craft of diving while on vacation can sign up for the PADI Discover Scuba Diving course, which prepares new divers to explore the beautiful ocean on their own.

More from U.S. News

5 Under-the-Radar Caribbean Islands to Visit Now

12 Top Caribbean Beach Bars

No Passport Required: 4 Caribbean Islands to Visit Now

6 Top Caribbean Islands for Outdoor Enthusiasts originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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