Evening star., 1949-12-11
Caribbean Area
Prices Cut by
DevaluatiOn
Revised Rates Not
Uniform, However
By Edword TomIinson


The wave of currency devalua-
tions of last September has
raised the question of vacation
travel costs in many countries
long known to the American
tourist. Particular interest turned
recently to Caribbean area prices,
now that the winter season has
begun. Cheapening of monies
based on the British pound has
caused some readjustments Of
prices in this favored winter tour
ist realm. But there is no set
pattern of change. Prices vary
greatly throughout the area.
Devaluation of the pound has
had much to do with stimulating
travel to Jamaica, the Bahamas
and other British possessions in
the Caribbean. Hotel accommo-
dations in Nassau are expected to
be about 80 per cent under last
years rates. while those in ia
maica will average from Is to 80
per cent less.
According to the best informa-
ton from travel agencies and
other sources. the American
traveller in the Caribbean may ex-
pect to find suitable accommoda-
tions in the majority Of the less
pretentious centers from 81 up
ward a day on the American plan.
Elsewhere. the average minimum
price for q room with bath and
meals Is around $12 a day.
Cuba Among Exceptions.
The exceptions are Cuba, the
Dominican Republic and Puerto
Rico, where hotel prices are usu-
ally on the European plan and
the minimum range from S. to So
Q day for a room and bath.
In Nassau, rates in the best
hotels range from $24 a day,
American plan.. at the fashionable
British Colonial to SO q day for
a single room, European plan. at
the new Balmoral Club. Smaller
hotels are considerably less. In
Cuba. the rate for q single room
at the Hotel Nacional Is SIS a
day and up and the cheaper places
around S..
Rates In the various hotels In
Haiti are expected to 60 up this
winter, especially after the open
ing of its exposition. Present rates
in the better places range from
ST to SIS for a single room with
bath and meals.
In Jamaica, the Myrtle Bank
In Kingston charges $13 for a
single !, room with bath on the
American plan. or $11 per person
TO a double room. The Mon
teso Bay hotels are more ex-
pensiye. On the American plan.
as are practically all the British
Colonial hotel accommodations,
the rates at the Casa Blanca are
S14 per person for room with
bath and meals.
Car1be-H HutOu hAIc8.
The new Caribe-H Hilton in San
Juan, Puerto Rico. charges % TO
SIS for a single room without
meals and $12 to SIS for double
rooms. Three meals . day viii
average $6. A spacious room with
terrace at the Pan American
Guesthouse is Sc. European plan.
Rates at the Jaragua in Tru-
jillo City are 50 single. European
plan. At Bluebeards Castle Hotel
in Charlotte Amalie, st. Thomas,
Virgin Islands, the rates are $12
for a single room with bath and
meals, while the new Virgin Isle
expects to charge $16 to $24 for
. single room and bath on the
American plan. On Barbados. the
average rates range from IS to ~
for room with bath and meals.
The Piarco Pan American Guest
house in Trinidad is IS per person.
European plan.
1IHIlSpO1 OdtlOA4 w oAA oAAS ASAsSA~~@A
and countries IL one OF the chief
advantages to Caribbean travel.
Pan American World Anyways has
frequent and fast service to prac-
tically every island and atoll. not
only from Miami and New
Orleans, but also from New York
and several other Eastern and
Gulf cities. Both Eastern and
National Airlines have services out
Of Miami and Tampa for Cuba
and Puerto Rico. and Braniff and
other Middle Western lines oper-
ate to several Of the islands and
on to South America.
Pan American has inaugurated
winter excursion fares. In addi-
ton to special tourist trips at re-
duced rates. The excursion fares,
which are Is per cent less than
regular round-trip tickets, include
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