Vegetarian Dining in the Caribbean

For vegetarians, dining out presents manya buffet, so you'll be able to pick and choose.
challenges; finding vegan choices can be evenSample menus are generally posted on a resort's
more frustrating. Add travel to the mix andwebsite, so logging online may be one way to do
you've got a potential recipe for disaster. Whilea bit of investigative work. Still, it's a good idea to
the Caribbean's abundance of seafood will suitcheck with the resort before booking to find out
pescetarians, discovering true vegetarian mealshow veg-friendly they are.Higher-end resorts are
requires a bit more work. Fortunately, a littleoften more conscious of serving healthy food,
research before you go will help find dining choicesincluding vegetarian dishes. Some of them use
which are not only suitable but delicious.If you'relocally grown and/or organic items in their cooking.
planning to take a cruise, you're in luck. A numberEven if you can't afford to stay there, you may
of cruise lines offer vegetarian options, abe able to eat at their restaurants. For instance,
complete vegetarian menu, or can make youthe Sugar Mill Restaurant at the Sugar Mill Hotel
special dishes on request. Celebrity Cruises has(British Virgin Islands) is a local treat that's worth
received rave reviews for their excellent gourmetthe trip. Voted "The Best Restaurant in the
vegetarian cuisine, which tailors meals to diners'Caribbean" by readers of Caribbean Travel & Life,
needs. NCL and Royal Caribbean also rank highlythis gourmet restaurant's ever-changing menu
with vegetarian passengers. Carnival Cruise Lines,always offers several vegetarian dishes and its
on the other hand, may be one to avoid. Althoughatmosphere makes it a great place for a special
they offer one vegetarian item per menu andnight out.Meat-free travelers interested in visiting
claim they can accommodate vegetarianthe Dominican Republic should consider Sirenis
requests, they don't have a dietician on board, soHotels, which have an all-vegetarian restaurant at
their ability to make changes is limited. Fortheir Punta Cana resort complex. Comprised of
vegans, this can be a big problem. One veganSirenis Cocotal Beach Resort and Sirenis Tropical
reports that she was assured before the cruiseSuites, the vegetarian restaurant seems to be on
that her diet would be no trouble; however, all shethe all-inclusive plan of Tropical Suites but not
could actually eat was bread, lettuce, and anCocotal Beach Resort. If you prefer to stay at
occasional baked potato. When booking a cruiseCocotal, check with them to find out if you'll be
with any company, tell them you're vegetarian orable to eat at the vegetarian restaurant.As far as
vegan and ask any questions you may havespecific countries go, Jamaica is veggie heaven.
about menu offerings.Land-lubbers may find theBecause Rastafarians are vegetarian, options
easiest way to assure a variety of vegetarianabound. The key word to remember is "Ital,"
choices is to stay at a resort with severalderived from "vital." Ital cooking uses pure, organic
restaurants. The Sandals chain, for example,ingredients, and is essentially vegan. However,
includes up to eleven eateries at each location.some dishes may contain honey, so if you don't
Their menus typically include at least oneeat honey be sure to ask about it. In fact, Ital is a
vegetarian option in each category. While thatgood word to look out for anywhere, as Ital food
may sound limiting, resort menus tend to changecan be found in other countries, too.
frequently, often nightly. Resorts also usually have