Coldwell Banker Islands Blog

Christmas in Aruba is a time for singing and dancing, and greeting everyone you see with a cheerful “Bon Pasco!” With average temperatures in the 70s and 80s, the beautiful beach to enjoy each day and local fireworks each evening, there’s no happier place to spend your winter holiday. Shops will be closed on 12/25 and 12/26 (Boxing Day). Taxis will be available.

Dec. 5 - Saint Nicolaas celebrates his birthday. Traditionally, Saint Nicolaas arrives with his Zwarte Pieten (helpers) at the Parrdenbaai Harbor in Oranjestad just before his birthday to greet the children of Aruba and reward them with gifts for their good behavior during the year.

Dec. 25 - an official holiday, celebrated with special season’s delicacies, food, drink, family traditions and exchange of gifts.

Dec. 26 - Boxing Day, an official holiday, a tradition kept over from the colonial days.

Many hotels and resorts are offering specials for the holidays. Come spend your Christmas with us on Aruba!

Christmas in Aruba is a time for singing and dancing, and greeting everyone you see with a cheerful “Bon Pasco!” With average temperatures in the 70s and 80s, the beautiful beach to enjoy each day and local fireworks each evening, there’s no happier place to spend your winter holiday. Shops will be closed on 12/25 and 12/26 (Boxing Day). Taxis will be available.

Dec. 5 - Saint Nicolaas celebrates his birthday. Traditionally, Saint Nicolaas arrives with his Zwarte Pieten (helpers) at the Parrdenbaai Harbor in Oranjestad just before his birthday to greet the children of Aruba and reward them with gifts for their good behavior during the year.

Dec. 25 - an official holiday, celebrated with special season’s delicacies, food, drink, family traditions and exchange of gifts.

Dec. 26 - Boxing Day, an official holiday, a tradition kept over from the colonial days.

Many hotels and resorts are offering specials for the holidays. Come spend your Christmas with us on Aruba!

Mariposa Villa on exclusive Ocean Point Drive, Sapodilla Bay. 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, oceanfront home on the island of Providenciales. The kitchen is fully equipped with a dishwasher, microwave, self-cleaning oven and more. Additionally, there is cable TV receiving over 30 channels, a stereo for CD’s and cassette tapes, a washer and dryer, plus many other amenities. Within easy reach are several tennis courts, Provo Golf Club, numerous restaurants, a casino, outstanding scuba diving, snorkeling, fishing, sailing and friendly people. Mariposa, with its desirable location, dramatic setting, luxurious interior and beautiful architectural design combine to make this a truly exceptional place to spend your next holiday.

More photos on our Coldwell Banker listing page.

If you don’t need luxury, consider this home in Colibri Gardens, which rents at $1700/week. The home sleeps 4 and is near Grace popular Bay Beach. This complex is comprised of only four bungalows in a fully fenced and gated community. There is a screened-in porch across the front of the home increasing the living space and providing ample indoor/outdoor living. Close to shops, restaurants, the grocery store or the beach. If sitting by the pool is more your liking, there is a small shared pool next to the cottage.

More photos on our Coldwell Banker listing page.

Try Turks and Caicos this holiday season. You’ll never want to go anywhere else!

Hurricane Cove is noted for its spectacular views. The peninsula provides 270 degree views; mountains, Oualie Bay, sunsets and St. Kitts. Bungalows are one, two or three bedrooms - each has its own unique style and wonderful view. Many have their own private freshwater swimming pool. Sold fully furnished with 2 cars. 4.74 acres. 800+ feet of waterfront. Asking $3,950,000.

More photos on our Coldwell Banker listing page.

More than 60 islands make up the British Virgin Islands group, some rising just higher than the reef around them. They have names from pirate times, like Dead Chest and Mosquito Island. The BVI promotes itself as the sailing capital of the world, and with so many safe anchorages and light trade winds, they offer ideal sailing. There are no airstrips big enough to carry jets to the islands, so arrivals by boat are common. Today every type of craft, from Russian billionaire super-yachts to modest cutter, explore the islands.

If you go for a sailing holiday, you’ll find many exotic hideways and exclusive hotels throughout the BVI, many frequented by celebritities, from actors to princes. There is superb diving, where wrecks litter the seabed.

If you aren’t lucky enough to own your own sailboat, try a charter, either pure sail or motor yacht. There are also sailing lessons available. The BVI is home to the world’s largest bareboat charter fleet. Take a look at BareboatsBVI.com for more information.

Good news! The gorgeous island of Exuma in the Bahamas now has faster air service.
American Eagle has replaced its daily turboprop flights to the island with jet service in response to all-inclusive hotel operator Sandals’ investment in the former Four Seasons resort.
This, coupled with Air Canada’s direct service from Toronto to George Town, Exuma, is expected to put Exuma back on the map now that Sandals has upgraded the Emerald Bay resort into one of its flagship properties.
According to Minister of TourismVincent Vanderpool-Wallace, the Eagles new jet service
helps strengthen awareness of Exuma as an individual island in the Bahamas.
While many people only associate Nassau and Paradise Island with the Bahamas, the country offers a variety of spectacular destinations and real estate opportunities with Exuma at the top of the list.
With Sandals’ investment in Exuma, the island has also attracted service from Atlanta and Miami.
Sandals has also expressed an interest in acquiring the Grand Isle Villas Resort property, located adjacent to their resort in Great Exuma, which is currently in receivership. Both sites sit on magnificent Exuma real estate.
And Bahamas Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham has announced that next year, the Bahamas government will start significant infrastructural work in Exuma, including work on the public dock.
Pointing to the “whopping” 83 per cent increase in visitor arrivals since the re-opening of the Emerald Bay resort under the Sandals brand, Ingraham foresees this impact only increasing as the company’s marketing drive to enhance Exuma’s recognition in the global tourism market pays off going forward.
All in all, the indicators for the future of Exuma Bahamas and Exuma real estate are positive.

Royal West Indies Resort, a 100-room all-suite property on Grace Bay Beach, has opened the Pelican Bay Bar & Restaurant, its new on-site dining venue. Situated pool side and close to Grace Bay Beach, it offers indoor and outdoor seating for breakfast, lunch and dinner, a separate open air bar, and pool and beach service.

The new Pelican Bay Bar & Restaurant has gone through an extensive renovation upgrade under a new management team and features a diverse menu of local Caribbean, European and Asian inspired dishes, as well as its signature tropical drinks from the bar, long a meeting point and social center of Providenciales.

Pelican Bay is open from 7AM to 10PM every day. Private functions, large or small, can be accommodated, and custom menus or beach catering for special events, weddings and/or other occasions can be arranged.

This luxury home is situated in the tranquil setting of Fern Hill. Nestled in half an acre of lush tropical gardens, Yellow Bird overlooks the Caribbean Sea to sister island St. Kitts. Built in 2006 this lovely, exquisitely furnished home offers a large living/ dining area with a fully equipped kitchen and three spacious en-suite bedrooms. Enjoy your meals in the large screened veranda overlooking the pool. Soak up the sun or enjoy the sunset views from the spacious pool deck. Economic citizenship available. Sold fully furnished. 3 bedrooms, 3 baths. Asking $695,000 US.

More photos on our Coldwell Banker listing page.

Fantastic vacation villa, near the beach, located opposite the Marriott and the Windsurf beach, in the upscale residental area of Bakval/Salina Cerca. This villa features 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. The two master bedrooms have a bath ensuite and Cable TV with cable. The spacious kitchen is fully equipped including dishwasher and connecting is a pantry with washer and dryer. The villa also features a spacious living room area together with an entertainment area with large flat screen TV. The outside pool area is fantastic to entertain with great cabanas, an outside shower and a spacious covered patio. The state of the art barbecue will help you create great dinners. Renting this villa guarantees a wonderful relaxing and comfortable vacation. Weekly rental rates are US$ 2500-3500 per week (9 guests) depending on the season. For Christmas, Thanksgiving and Presidents week a surcharge applies. Wheelchair-friendly home.

More photos on our Coldwell Banker listing page.

Great lot in a luxurious upscale neighbourhood. When you drive in to this project you will find yourself in one of the most desirable places on Aruba. Silence, pretty, fabulous are words that describe this area. The property land measures 3283 m2 (sq foot 35325). The land is located in the left corner of the residental project. Asphalt road. Asking $247,000 US.

More photos on our Coldwell Banker listing page.