As of today, the country has welcomed 1,016,185 air visitors and over 700,000 cruise passengers. This represents a 4.6 percent and 23 percent increase over last year, Edmund Bartlett, Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, told reporters this week.

Jamaica has been working non-stop on different fronts to achieve these extraordinary results.

“We will continue to aggressively market the destination and work assiduously with our partners to get there,”  Bartlett said. 

For Donovan White, Jamaica’s Director of Tourism, the island’s laid-back environment is the key to its success among tourists from all over the world, especially from the United States.

“Whether it’s our food, music, or entertainment, there is a vibe that only comes alive in Jamaica,” said White. 

Considering the country’s stats, Jamaica is on its way to achieving its five million annual visitor target over the next 4 years rather than the five initially forecasted by tourism authorities, said Bartlett.

On January 23, the US government updated its Travel Advisory due to a spike in crime and the lack of proper medical services available for visitors and locals.

Ironically, American tourists are the ones pushing up tourism figures in Jamaica in recent times.

Visitors from the US have risen by 16 percent over 2023, said the tourism minister. Americans represent 74 percent of all international tourists visiting the island.

This “speaks to the confidence our tourism partners and visitors have in the destination,” Bartlett concluded.

As per the advisory, US citizens should “Reconsider Travel” to this destination for the reasons mentioned above.

As a “Level 3” country, Jamaica is being impacted by violent crimes such as armed robberies, homicides, and frequent sexual assaults taking place even in all-inclusive resorts, the advisory reads.

This Caribbean island possesses the highest homicide rate in the Western Hemisphere and crimes are not frequently solved. Americans who get into legal trouble may not find justice.

If you still decide to visit this island, the government urges you to purchase travel insurance that covers medical evacuation, as “the Department of State does not pay medical bills.”

Last but not least, it’s important to avoid bringing any types of firearms or objects related to them, avoid public transportation or physically resist any robbery attempts.

This country has a large number of places that should be avoided at all costs. Check them out here.

The post Jamaica’s Tourism Continues Booming Despite Negative Travel Advisory In Early 2024 appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.

Beaches most affected by high concentrations of algae include Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Sian Ka’an, and certain areas between Cancun and Puerto Morelos.

However, accurately predicting which beaches will be affected and to what extent is extremely difficult, as conditions change almost daily and often without notice.

Join our Seaweed/Sargassum Cancun FB group where locals and tourists post photos and videos from the area

Read on for the latest information on the sargassum situation at Mexicos’ beaches.

Sargassum Seaweed Cancun Right Now (MAY 7 Update)

Sargassum season in Cancun has been very good in 2024 but recently there has been an increase. There are morning clean-ups organized by resorts which keep the beaches mostly clean until afternoon.

Mexican Caribbean Coast Sargassum Seaweed Map

The latest sargassum seaweed MAP of the Quintana Roo coast was issued on April 29, 2024.

Note: The situation changes every day in unpredictable ways, so you take this information as an estimation. You can count on Isla Contoy and Isla Mujeres as clean destinations. As for Cancun, seaweed levels are low but depending on the current it can change from day to day.

Sargassum Seaweed Distribution Across the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean – Satellite Report

Latest Cancun photo updates:

Cancun video update (by Traveling Lifestyle) – April 24, 2024

The walk was recorded on April 24 on Playa Delfines passing famous resorts:

• Iberostar Selection Resort Cancun,
• Seadust Cancun Family Resort,
• Royal Caribbean Cancun,
• Wyndham Grand Cancun Resort,
• Fiesta Americana Condesa Cancun,
• Paradius Cancun Resort,
• JW Marriot Cancun Resort & SPA,
• Hard Rock Resort Cancun.

Here are some of the live cameras from Cancun Resorts:

• The Royal Haciendas 2
• The Royal Sands Live Webcam Phase 1
• Cancún desde Hotel Iberostar

Daily Seaweed Updates and Beach Photos (Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Isla Mujeres, etc.):

May 2 – May 7

Viral videos from different parts of the Mexican Caribbean are circulating the internet and continue to impact tourism as the sargassum season slowly starts peaking in the region.

Playacar MAY 3 – Video report from the walk in front of popular resorts (RIU Palace, Reef Hotel, Iberostar Playacar, Viva by Wyndham etc.)

April 30 – May 1

The situation in Playa del Carmen is out of control in some of the beaches. The cleaning crew struggles to keep up with constant (24h) seaweed arrival.

Here are some latest seaweed photo updates from Holbox, PDC, Tulum and Puerto Aventuras:

April 24 – 29

Latest photo updates from Puerto Morels and Playa del Carmen

April 22 – 23

Tankah Bay and Paradius

Playa Caracol, the cleanest beach in Cancun, zero seaweed – April 22, 2024

April 20 – 21

Sarah G. said in her FB report: “Today in Tulum. Sargassum is here. But they are doing a good job of mitigation. It’s different everywhere but also not really in the water or stinky. No complaints.”

“The worst photo is La Zebra. The other two are equidistant in either direction. Enjoy.” she continued.

April 17 – 19

Latest news, photos, and video from recent seaweed arrival

Sargassum seaweed alert in Cancun and the Mexican Caribbean has been raised for the first time in 2024 by the local officials.

The arrival of the sargassum continues as predicted. According to photos submitted to our FB reporting group and information from our journalist in the area, the situation is at its worst in 2024.

This increase in the sargassum prompts the Mexican Navy to install more barriers along the Cancun and other parts of the coast.

Video report from Puerto Morelos (by Traveling Lifestyle)

April 15 – 16

Another wave of sargassum is expected in the upcoming weeks

Mexican officials expect another wave of seaweed on the beaches of popular destinations such as Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Akumal, and Cozumel.

Latest photo & video updates:

April 13 – 14

Latest update on Mexico’s seaweed situation from the FB reporting group. Photos from Playa del Carmen, Akumal and Puerto Morelos

April 11 – 12

Latest photos from Playa del Carmen, Playa Car, and Puerto Morelos

Massive Arrival of Seaweed to Mexican Caribbean from April 6

Massive invasions of seaweed started happening in the Mexican Caribbean. From April 6, people started uploading photos into our FB seaweed reporting group with huge amounts of seaweed on the beaches of Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos, Tulum, etc. This invasion continues throughout the week and it’s most likely caused by increased temperatures in the Caribbean.

Here are some photos from our FB group (April 7 – 10):

When Does Seaweed Season Start In Cancun (Mexican Caribbean)?

According to the data from the last 2 years, seaweed season in Cancun starts in February and peaks between April and August. Some parts close to Cancun, such as Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, and Puerto Morelos see the start of the peak already in February.

What is the seaweed sargasso and what is causing it?

Sargassum is a type of brown seaweed that floats on the ocean surface and is known for forming large masses or “blooms.” It is distinctive for its leafy appearance and air-filled bladders that aid in buoyancy.

The recent increases in sargassum blooms, particularly in the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean, are attributed to various factors including nutrient enrichment from agricultural runoff and human waste, climate change, and altered ocean currents. These factors contribute to an environment conducive to the rapid growth and accumulation of sargassum, leading to significant environmental and economic impacts on coastal regions.

The post Cancun Sargassum Seaweed Area DAILY 2024 Updates and MAP appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.

According to the latest update from University of South Florida scientists, Florida will start seeing the peak of the sargassum seaweed invasion in late May this year.

Join our FB group where Florida’s locals post the latest photos and videos on Sargassum Seaweed in FL

Latest Updates on the Seaweed Situation in Florida:

April 25 – May 4: Latest photo reports from Sargassum Seaweed Florida Reporting FB Group

Seaweed season 2024 is in full swing in Florida and it’s about to start peaking! Most affected areas are expected to be Key West and the Florida Keys.

April 25, 2024: Latest photo updates

April 25, 2024: Florida seaweed forecast: The invasion to start in late May this year

According to the Palm Beach Post, scientists from the University of Florida predict a potentially massive sargassum seaweed invasion in May.

Official seaweed season in the Caribbean has already started but it has been very mild up until the middle of April. Caribbean places such as Cancun, Tulum, and Punta Cana are usually strongly affected and started seeing higher seaweed arrivals only in the past 2 weeks. This delay was most likely caused by lower sea temperatures in the Caribbean this winter.

“Unlike most previous years, total sargassum amount decreased from about 9 million metric tons in February to about 6.5 million metric tons in March,” a report from USF’s Optical Oceanography lab stated earlier this month. “The total amount in March was still above the 75% of all previous March months, indicating 2024 could still be a major sargassum year.” according to scientists.

January 15, 2024: Another record blob of sargassum was measured in the Central Atlantic Ocean

University of South Florida scientists have reported a significant increase in sargassum, a type of seaweed, in the Central Atlantic, near the Caribbean Sea. As of December 2023, the mass of sargassum reached nearly 5 million metric tons, a substantial increase from the 1 million metric tons recorded at the same time in the previous year.

This amount sets a new historical record for the region. Despite a 15% decrease in May 2023, which deviated from the 2022 record high of 22 million metric tons, researchers anticipate 2024 to be another major year for sargassum growth.

Currently, the majority of this seaweed mass is located about 500 miles east of the Caribbean Sea, with significant blooms also observed near Venezuela’s Orinoco River, affecting areas like Trinidad and Tobago and the southern Caribbean Sea.

What’s causing the seaweed problem?

A 2020 study, involving research from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has linked the surge in sargassum in the tropical Atlantic Ocean to a shift in the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) around 2009-2010.

This change led to stronger west and south winds, which dispersed sargassum from the Sargasso Sea into the tropical Atlantic, where it received more sunlight and nutrients from ocean upwelling.

The longevity of this increased sargassum presence is uncertain, with NOAA’s Rick Lumpkin noting the possibility of a similar event occurring in the past, followed by a decline of the Sargassum belt after several decades.

What could be done? These are possible alternative uses of sargassum heading to Florida, according to a new startup

The surge of sargassum seaweed in recent times has triggered businesses to explore novel methods of eliminating it, and its potential uses are already manifold.

Scientists and entrepreneurs aspire to transform it into syrup, bricks, and conceivably even jet fuel. Carbonwave, an organization based in Boston and Puerto Rico, is utilizing it as a constituent in fertilizer, cosmetics, and even synthetic leather.

REPORTS & UPDATES FROM SEAWEED SEASON 2023

The last sargassum seaweed season was predicted to be devastating and the worst ever. There was 5,000 miles long seaweed belt measured by scientists at Florida University which was heading towards the Caribbean and Florida. Fortunately, in July 2023, the seaweed belt shrunk by 75% and did not pollute the beaches as expected. Therefore, this year is hard to predict!

July 18: Latest seaweed news and photos from Florida

June 1: Jupiter Dog Beach

June 1: Panama City Beach

May 22: Latest photos and reports from travelers and locals in Florida

Here are a few latest photos and updates from different areas around Florida. Join our group “Sargassum Seaweed Updates Florida” and ask about any particular area.

May 22: Bahia Honda State Park Seaweed Report

May 21: Melbourne Beach Seaweed Report

May 16: Bal Harbour Beach Seaweed Report

Key West – Southernmost Point of the Continental USA (April 30)

The post Sargassum Seaweed In Florida, Florida Keys & Key West 2024: Daily Reports appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.

According to these governments, digital nomads will bring entrepreneurial ideas to their countries, which will be valuable to technology and similar sectors. 

Let’s review the specifics and requirements to get a digital nomad visa in these countries.

Italy

Italy’s long-awaited digital nomad visa is finally available for non-EU citizens who carry out “a highly qualified work activity with the use of technological tools capable of allowing them to work remotely, both as a worker self-employed or as a collaborator or employee of a company even if not resident in Italy,” reads the decree.

Requirements:

• Eligible candidates must earn €28,000 annually or more.
• Robust health insurance that covers you for your entire stay. 
• Proof of accommodation for the time the visa is valid.
• Proof that you have been a digital nomad or remote worker for longer than six months.
• Criminal records.

The visa is valid for one year and it can be renewed if the applicant has the same conditions.

Digital nomads must be tax-compliant in Italy before applying for this visa. The Italian government will contact the taxation office in the applicant’s country of origin regarding taxes.

If interested, visit an Italian diplomatic-consular office to start the process.

Turkey

The Republic of Türkiye is now offering a digital nomad visa for international remote workers.

The Turkish Culture and Tourism Ministry gazetted the requirements for those who are interested.

Requirements:

• Candidates must be aged 21 to 55 years old.
• A university degree.
• Digital nomads must be employed, self-employed, or hold a business contract with an overseas company.
• Eligible candidates must earn $36,000 or more per year. 
• A valid passport.

Successful applicants will obtain a Digital Nomad Identification Certificate. Then, they have to submit this certificate and the rest of the documents to a Turkey visa center or consulate to get the actual visa.

The following are the nationalities that can apply:

“France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Ireland, Denmark, Greece, Croatia, Spain, Portugal, Austria, Finland, Sweden, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovenia, Slovakia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Bulgaria, Romania, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, United Kingdom, Switzerland, USA, Canada, Russian Federation, Ukraine, Belarus.”

South Africa

South Africa is the latest African country to offer a visa for “highly skilled workers” in the technology sector (some exceptions apply). Nomads will be allowed to live and work in this country for a set period.

Requirements:

• Proof that you earn ZAR 1 million per year (around $53,000).
• The foreign company you work for, may need to register and comply with South Africa’s PAYE tax system.
• Proof of a rental contract, a lease or a hotel booking for the time you’ll be in the country.
• Health insurance tailored for digital nomads working abroad.
• An employment contract or any other document that proves you are self-employed.
• A valid passport.

According to a decree released in February, visas may be issued for up to three years.

Applicants who will only stay in South Africa for less than six months won’t be subjected to income tax.

The post These 3 Popular Countries Launched Digital Nomad Visa In April 2024 appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.

In 2024, sargassum seaweed season in Cancun was better until last week when the whole Mexican Caribbean saw an influx of seaweed on the beaches.

Thankfully, not all beaches have been equally affected by the presence of Sargassum. We have curated a comprehensive selection of beaches in the Cancun area with low amounts of Sargassum.

Caracol Beach – Hotel Zone

Caracol Beach is located in the Northern part of Cancun’s Hotel Zone. As it doesn’t have the same current as the main beaches, the waters are more calm with less seaweed.

It’s located in Punta Cancun which is a prime location with restaurants, bars and some of the best Cancun resorts such as Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach, Hotel Riu Cancun, and Hotel Riu Palace Las Americas. Playa Caracol is a public beach, so it’s easy to reach even if you’re not staying in one of the resorts.

It’s also known as one of the best beaches for families as the waves are not strong and there are no dangerous currents.

Isla Contoy

Spanning a mere 5 miles in length, the island’s pristine white sand, untouched by sargassum, stands as its undeniable centerpiece, drawing visitors in with its sheer beauty.

Isla Mujeres Playa Centro

Playa Centro, famous for its pristine white sand and stunning waters, stands as one of Quintana Roo’s most beautiful beaches. It is no wonder that a visit to Isla Mujeres is a must-do for many tourists during their stay in Cancun.

You can get to Isla Mujeres by ferry from Puerto Juarez which is located only 15 minutes from Cancun. It only takes about 15 minutes and it goes every 30 minutes.

Isla Mujeres – Punta Sur

Punta Sur, although not a traditional beach, is a perfect retreat to evade sargassum. Marvel at the extraordinary sculptures and captivating coastline.

This rocky shore showcases the remarkable artwork of over 20 skilled Mexican painters, along with fascinating traces of Mexican archaeology. Capture stunning photos of the sargassum-free Caribbean Sea, making it an ideal destination for photography enthusiasts.

Chiquila Beach

A serene beach in Chiquila, away from Cancun’s hustle, provides a peaceful retreat and perfect getaway from seaweed.

Indulge in delicious seafood while lounging on the sand. Chiquila’s port offers daily excursions to Holbox Island for adventurous travelers.

Holbox Island is located 37.8 miles (60.9 kilometers) from Cancun and can be easily reached by car or shuttle bus but you will have to take a ferry after. There are no cars on the island, so you if you’re coming with a rental car, you’ll need to leave it at the port. The ferry ride takes around 25 minutes.

Playa Tortugas

Playa Tortugas is a captivating destination renowned for its stunning beaches and serene atmosphere. Situated in the North of Cancun, it gets less seaweed compared to other beaches in Cancun.

It can be conveniently accessed by cab, allowing visitors to explore the lively entertainment areas of Cancun at their leisure.

Playa Ballenas

Playa Ballenas in Cancun is a must for beach lovers looking for a piece of paradise without sargassum. With its pristine sandy beaches and crystal clear turquoise waters, this idyllic beach offers a tranquil and picturesque retreat. Relax under the swaying palm trees, soak up the warm rays of the sun, and let the refreshing ocean waves carry you away. Whether you want to relax, enjoy water activities like snorkeling, or simply admire the breathtaking coastal scenery, Playa Ballenas has it all.

Plus, the beach is close to hotels, restaurants and amenities, so you are guaranteed a comfortable and enjoyable experience. Escape to Playa Ballenas and enjoy the beauty and tranquility that Cancun has to offer.

The post These Are 7 Beaches Near Cancun Without Seaweed appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.

The sargassum seaweed season in Cancun had been very mild in 2024 but it started changing last week. Reports and photos from today, April 24, suggest a huge spike in the amount of sargassum in Cancun and the region.

Last month, the state government, along with the Secretary of Navy, the private sector, non-governmental organizations, environmentalists and civil society, joined forces to tackle sargassum in 2024.

According to Jesús Almaguer Salazar, President of the Hotel Association of Cancun, Puerto Morelos and Isla Mujeres, local hoteliers have hired up to 300 workers each to keep beaches clean.

“Each hotel makes plans depending on sargassum behavior and with these barriers, we’ve significantly reduced its arrival. Some hotels have up to 300 employees dedicated to this [cleaning], depending on the hotel size.”

The Naval Region has started to install anti-sargassum ocean barriers from Puerto Morelos to Mahahual, which has always been the most affected area.

This preventive strategy, along with the use of special ships capable of collecting the algae in the open sea, has significantly reduced its presence at local beaches.

Almaguer also said that the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi) should take into account the particularities of the population living in tourist states such as Quintana Roo, given that funds to address issues like sargassum depend on data this institution provides.

“Inegi should consider that in tourist states like ours, we have up to 20 million temporary inhabitants throughout the year, who demand services, who require services, and who need to use public services.”

For this season, 22 smaller vessels will be supporting the “Natans” ship, in addition to 340 workers, including technical-scientific personnel, as per the Secretary of Navy (Semar.)

In the first two weeks of operation, Quintana Roo has collected 950 tons of seaweed in the sea.

The post Cancun Resorts Brace For Massive Sargassum Seaweed Influx appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.

A few days ago, over 120 tons of sargassum impacted Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and Cozumel beaches. Over the next few weeks, Playa del Carmen will receive up to 300 tones per day.

Northeastern winds on the Caribbean Sea produced by a cold front from a few days ago had kept sargassum at bay. 

However, an anticyclone plus new southeastern winds combined with higher temperatures will inevitably attract more sargassum, according to the Oceanographic Institute of the Gulf and Caribbean Sea.

“We know from experience that higher temperatures are correlated to the quantities of sargassum that will arrive. So, we are prepared to increase the collection, because from today the arrival will definitely begin to intensify,” said María de Lourdes Várguez Ocampo, Secretary of Sustainable Environment and Climate Change of Solidaridad.

The amount of seaweed washing ashore depends on multiple human factors as well as unpredictable weather conditions in the Atlantic Ocean.

This time around, sargassum volumes have seen a reduction. In the first two months of the year, Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Tancah, Cobá and Pole beaches collected 800 tons less than in the same timeframe in 2023. 

But the government won’t let its guard down. The Mexican Navy, along with State and private organizations, have geared up to combat sargassum months before the season began.

Cleaning heavy machinery and special vessels have been purchased to help the army of staffers who collect the seaweed right on the beach.

But that’s not all. Since April 1, the Navy has also been installing 8,600 meters of barriers to collect seaweed in the sea before it washes up on Cancun, Tulum, Playa del Carmen, and other Caribbean beaches, said Admiral Rafael Ojeda.

“Regarding Operation Sargasso, it began on April 1. We have four sweepers, 22 small vessels, 11 sargaceras, a sargacero ocean vessel, eight compacting band machines, and barriers,” said Admiral Ojeda.

Although beachgoers can find sargassum all year long, the arrival season as such, typically goes from April to August.

This seaweed is no longer a merely aesthetic issue. According to studies, its unusual overproduction is wreaking havoc on the Mexican coral barrier and destroying vital nurseries for the conservation of marine species. 

While sargassum can mess up with your Instagram pictures, rest assured that Mexican authorities are working non-stop to provide you with the best beach experience possible while you take in the sun, gastronomy, and culture of this incredible destination.

The post Officials Raised Sargassum Alert For Cancun And The Rest Of The Mexican Caribbean appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.

Eligible applicants are aged 21-55 years old, hold a college degree, make $3,000 per month, and come from any of the above-mentioned countries.

Candidates must upload a valid passport and register in GoTürkiye, the official government website for digital nomads.

Successful applicants will be issued a “Digital Nomad Identification Certificate,” which you should present at a Turkish visa center or a consulate back in your country.

The government looks to cater to those interested in history, exotic culture and cuisine, affordable living, and strong infrastructure.

Visa holders will be able to choose among Istanbul, Dalaman, Izmir or other multiple cities ready to welcome them. 

Regarding the country’s capital, GoTürkiye says it’s “a business hub with large companies and small start-ups, a metropole of 20 million inhabitants, a meeting point of different cultures [and] a historical center where the paths of millennia-old civilizations converge.” reads the site.

Other Countries in Southern Europe Offering Digital Nomad Visas

Multiple European destinations have launched digital nomad visas targeting people who have freed themselves from 9-5 traditional jobs and boast a stable income of around $3,000 on average per month. Some of these countries include Greece, Italy, and Spain.

Greece

Apply for a Greek digital nomad visa at a consulate in your home country or for a work permit at the Aliens and Immigration Department in Greece.

Successful applicants are those who can present proof of online work-related activities indicating the type of business they focus on, corporate purpose, and a business address, along with evidence showing they make at least 3,500€ per month.

Other requirements include: 

• A letter declaring that you are not going to stay in the country after your visa expires.
• Proof of employment and income.
• A valid passport.
• Filling out and signing the Application Form.
• Rental contract or hotel booking.
• Travel Insurance.
• Clean criminal record certificate.
• Return flight ticket.
• Proof that you don’t have infectious diseases.

‍Italy

Designed for non-EU citizens “who carry out a highly qualified work activity with the use of technological tools capable of allowing them to work remotely, both as a worker self-employed or as a collaborator or employee of a company even if not resident in Italy,” says the government on its recently launched digital nomad visa.

Requirements include but are not limited to:

• Health insurance.
• Proof of accommodation for the length of your stay.
• Proof of income.

The visa is granted to those who can show “advanced technological means.” Nomads can be in the country for up to a year or renew their visas for a year more.

Spain

The Spanish digital nomad visa is meant for non-EU/EEA citizens as well as US, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada nationals. Those who have lived in the peninsula during the last five years are not eligible.

Requirements:

• Proof that you are an authentic remote worker.
• A college degree certificate or something that shows your expertise in your field.
• Proof that you have been working as a digital nomad for more than three months in a stable company or sector.
• Proof that your company has been around for over a year.
• Evidence that you earn €2,160 per month or more.
• Travel Insurance.
• Clean criminal records.
• Proof that you are willing to remain in Spain for no less than five years.

The post Turkey Joins The Hype And Launches Visa For Digital Nomads appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.

The seaweed situation in Mexico had been very positive in the first 3 months of 2024. Various reports showed notably less sargassum than in the previous seaweed seasons but that changed on April 6. Travelers in the Mexican Caribbean and our journalists in the area started uploading photos to our Facebook seaweed reporting group of what seems to be a major increase in sargassum arrival on popular beaches like Playa del Carmen, Playacar, Tulum, etc.

Video recorded by our journalist on April 6 showcases the first arrival on Coco beach in Playa del Carmen which was absolutely clean the day before.

On April 8, a seasoned traveler Brendan H., lamented how much beaches in Mexico have changed in the last 20 years: “My wife and I have been vacationing in Playa for over 20 years. Sargassum ruined it. So sad!”

“Last time I was there [Playacar], the beach was loaded with it [sargassum], the hotel had a tractor to clear it driving back and forth all day, it didn’t help much. Climate change in action,” said a beachgoer named Simon R., on April 9.

Other beaches like Isla Mujeres, which historically have been protected from sargassum for its privileged geographical position, have also started to receive some amounts of the smelly seaweed: “Actually. [I] was there today on the south side. Was not good. Cloudy, seaweed and ugly,” said Patty Drinkwater on April 8.

Other tourists have caught cleaning personnel on camera acutely operating heavy machinery to get rid of the algae invading some beaches of Playa del Carmen, but it seems just impossible to get it all out of the water.

Video recorded by our journalist on April 9:

Why is the seaweed season only starting now?

Authorities, beachgoers, and local vendors have been reporting a significant reduction in sargassum arrival throughout the beginning year.

According to Bartolo Canché, an aquatic tour seller, by the end of January 2023, Tulum was covered with sargasum. This year instead, the first sargassum blobs started to arrive at the end of March.

Sargassum collected on Tulum, Cobá, Playa del Carmen, Tancah, and Pole beaches between January and February 2024, was 800 tones less than in the same timeframe in 2023.

So far, mild temperatures in the ocean have kept sargassum at bay. But summer is around the corner and the inevitable will happen and the Mexican Caribbean will start seeing more sargassum in weeks and months.

What’s causing sargassum seaweed?

Martín Meléndez, Professor at the Technological Institute of Santo Domingo (INTEC), explains that the rise in water temperatures, global warming and an excess of nutrients discharged into oceans by the agricultural industry are causing sargassum to grow uncontrollably and head to Caribbean beaches “without the help of cyclones.” 

That’s why, he says, we are seeing sargassum throughout the year and not only during summer when high temperatures favor its reproduction.  

Sargassum originates at the north end of the Amazon River and the coasts of West Africa, from Sierra Leone to Ghana. Then, thermohaline currents (caused by temperature and salt) bring it to the Caribbean.

Regardless, this time around, the forecast is not as obscure as it was in previous years.

Diego Reina Anduze, Director of “The 7 Natural Wonders of America,” stated that the fight against sargassum requires synergy among governments, scientists, local communities, and the private tourism industry. 

The post Mexican Caribbean Is Seeing The Biggest Seaweed Arrival Of 2024 Season appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.

The popular cruise line Virgen Vogages has launched the Scarlet Summer Season Pass, a travel pass that allows holders to book a month-long cruise trip across the Mediterranean Sea.

“If you’ve been wondering if your work-life balance could use a little more life, we have the voyage offer for you,” Virgin Voyages wrote in a statement. 

On board the Scarlet Lady ship, digital nomads and remote workers will have access not only to a pool of international like-minded people but also to perks such as free Wi-Fi, drip and espresso coffee, laundry services, and other WFH essentials.

Other benefits include straightforward dining and on-shore excursion reservations, a dedicated concierge, food service, non-alcoholic drinks and fitness classes, as well as access to luxury amenities reserved for exclusive guests.

If ready to engage in this adventure, purchase the pass for as little as $9,990 for two people. This represents a reduction of 30 percent when compared to regular cruise fares, according to the company.

Keep in mind that if you don’t have a travel partner you’ll need to pay the whole fee by yourself. In such a case, we recommend you consider more affordable alternatives.

Book your tickets to depart in June, July, August, or September on a vessel capable of hosting up to 2,700 guests.

Not The First Cruise For Digital Nomads

Location-independent workers will be glad to hear that this is not the only cruise company offering trips tailored to digital nomads and remote workers.

With the idea of “connecting with a global community and making friends for life,” Johannes Voelkner created the Nomad Cruise, the first and largest “Digital Nomad Conference,” over the Atlantic Sea, back in 2015.

Since then, this out-of-the-box business idea has become a collection of unforgettable trips, an ever-growing community, and unique entrepreneurial experiences.

Sailing on the Nomad Cruise means that you’ll be surrounded by more than 200 like-minded people who are also eager to teach, learn, connect, create and share outstanding experiences that’ll enrich your life both personally and professionally.

The post Virgin Voyages Launches A Month-Long Cruise Tailored For Digital Nomads appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.