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You've had a delightful day of fun in the sunny Caribbean, and now the night is approaching and you aren't yet ready for bed. You're in luck because there is an absolutely crazy and extensive array of activities for you to engage in after dark. From raunchy and steamy to mild and G-rated, the nightlife prospects are numerous. Known for its many different music genres, the islands of the Caribbean have countless clubs and bars that feature merengue, jazz, reggae, and even rock and roll. There are discos and dance clubs, piano bars, and places to hear a steel-drum band play. Some of the spots playing music may even be tame enough for conversations to take place. On those islands with casinos, big Las Vegas-style shows abound with lots of girls, glitz, and glitter, and music--always music. Little out-of-the-way local dives compete successfully with big and glamorous Caribbean cabaret revues. There are places for family entertainment, and there are gay bars, folkloric shows, and female impersonator shows. And, there are dangers, too, places where women shouldn't go alone for instance. Because of factors like these, checking things out in advance is always a safe bet. Local Caribbean newspapers are good resources, often available free of charge at your hotel. Island tourism authorities will also have schedules of events and shows. If you're planning on taking the kids, or sweet old Aunt Martha, check with the front desk of your hotel. Aruba is known for its nightlife. At least ten casinos present stage shows in addition to the gaming tables. These shows rival anything you might enjoy in Las Vegas. Resorts offer themed entertainments, featuring folklore, steel-pan bands, maybe even the limbo. There are weekly street festivals showcasing local dance, food, and arts and crafts. If serious partying is your forte, give the Kukoo Kunuku a try. This is a wildly painted, 1957 Chevy bus, which can hold up to 40 passengers. It will shuttle you between six or so of Aruba's most popular bars, starting around 5:30 p.m. and ending around midnight, every night except Sunday. The cost per person includes pickup and dropoff, dinner, and drinks. There aren't any casinos on Barbados, but the nightlife doesn't suffer for it. Here you can find English-style pubs, rum and reggae cruises that set sail after sundown, and dinner theaters at which the productions are often performed by amateurs. Check the local newspaper for a showing of the cultural "1627 and All That." They really like to dance in the Dominican Republic (which isn't to suggest that they don't everywhere else!), so the locals frequent the nightspots along with tourists. Some of the places are rowdy enough that you might be frisked for weapons, and women shouldn't go alone. There are also tamer places, welcoming couples only in a more formal setting. Rocksteady, ska, calypso and reggae are just a few of the musical forms you'll hear driving the nightlife of Jamaica, an island with a talent for giving birth to new rhythms and beats. You'll also find fire-eaters and stilt walkers and maybe even a magician who'll do a trick for you right at your table. Also, for something a little different from the club scene, sometimes a resort or hotel will throw a "Boonoonoonoo," the wonderful Jamaican word for beach party. And then there is Puerto Rico, well-known for its many upscale casinos with plenty of sideshows to entertain you between placing your bets, or instead of doing so. There is no drinking at the gaming tables allowed here, so the bars within the casinos are hopping places to be. There are many who think the whole island is a hopping place to be when the sun goes down. For something with more cultural overtones, consider the "Teatro Tapia," a theater presenting dramas, dance, and musical plays. Of the three islands that make up the U.S. Virgin Islands, the one with the most active nightlife is St. Thomas. You should probably stick with what is offered at the major resorts and hotels because in recent years, some areas have gotten a little dangerous after dark--especially for women alone. If strong drinks and loud music aren't for you, and you aren't particularly interested in the tinsel and dazzle of big, riotous shows, do some checking around, Caribbean nightlife isn't limited. There is stargazing available at an observatory, a drive-in theater showing mostly American movies, and places to play dominoes, all somewhere in the Caribbean. You can also find a bowling alley and a video arcade. There are sports bars for watching the big game, or for playing a game of pool or darts or pinball by yourself. You might even find a horseshoe pit somewhere. Check local listings for details. |
