10 Military Bases & Facilities in Caribbean That You Shouldn't Miss

August 20, 2021 Velvet Mowry

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Restaurants in Caribbean

1. Fort Recovery Tower Fort

West End Road The Towers, VG1130 +1 284-495-4467
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

The original Fort dates back to the 1600s built by the Dutch. It is said the pirate Laffite's gold, jewels and pieces of eight remain buried deep within the fortified 35 foot diameter stone walls. Known as the only recorded tower to remain entirely in tact in the Caribbean. Sixteen pound cannon balls were found on the surrounding grounds.

2. Castillo de San Cristobal

Calle Norzagaray Old San Juan, San Juan 00901 Puerto Rico +1 787-729-6777 [email protected] http://www.nps.gov/saju/index.htm
Excellent
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4.5 based on 4,595 reviews

Castillo de San Cristobal

This massive 27-acre series of fortifications is the largest the Spanish built in the New World.

Reviewed By JeanneCristello11 - Philadelphia, United States

Castillo de San Cristobal was built by Spain to protect San Juan from land attacks, and create a crossfire with Del Morro across the bay. Finished in 1765, San Cristobal was built after attacks by England and Holland to strengthen the Spanish position. A self-guided tour will allow you to see the historic rooms, cannons, and tunnels of San Cristobal. Poking out from walls around are the famous San Cristobal Garita (sentry boxes). These Garita are a symbol for the island and show the strength, importance, and pride of Puerto Rico. San Cristobal offers stunning views of San Juan, included below. Tickets to San Cristobal or Del Morro can be used to enter the other fort.

3. Camp Garcia

Puerto Rico
Excellent
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4.5 based on 14 reviews

Camp Garcia

Navy used this base to train soldiers.

4. Fort Charlotte

Off Endinboro Road, Kingstown St. Vincent +1 784-530-8138 http://www.tourism.gov.vc/tourism/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=58&Itemid=63
Excellent
28%
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4.0 based on 271 reviews

Fort Charlotte

Reviewed By mikemX8651RO - Clevedon, United Kingdom

The perfect finish to an island tour, with superb views back over Kingstown and the surrounding area, as well as our cruise ship. The fort has been pretty well maintained, and is free to enter.

5. Fort Beekenburg

Caracas Bay, Willemstad Curacao
Excellent
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4.0 based on 156 reviews

Fort Beekenburg

Reviewed By RachaelandDarren - Montreal, Canada

The oldest fort on the island of curaçao and still in great condition and worth a visit. It’s free to get in and explore but the parking area is quite small and right off the road. Make sure to lock your car and leave nothing. The fort itself can be seen from a few miles sitting perched atop a hillside. There is a ladder inside so you are able to climb right to the top and have a breathtaking view of the ocean below. The original cannons are still sitting atop the tower and are quite amazing to look at. Just a short drive from Willemstad but so worth it.

6. Fort James

Shellbourne Street Near Recreation Ground, Plymouth Tobago http://www.destinationtnt.com/fort-james/
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4.0 based on 46 reviews

Fort James

Reviewed By gabriele2bago - Buccoo, Caribbean

Fort James origins date back from 1760s. British built a ‘guard house’ and barracks as early as 1764. Four years later permanent barracks were constructed and the fort was put in a better state of defense. Fort James site is well maintained by the Tourism bureau and it is possible to see the remains of the fortification made of low coral limestone and faced volcanic stone walls, with brick work at their corners. In the bastion shaped structure are present four cannons: two 18 pounder showing the Tudor double-rose; one 18 pounder and one 6 pounder marked GR (George Rex). Also present the Powder magazine and a brick furnace to heat the shot before firing from the muzzle-loading cannons, for the purpose of setting fire to enemy warship (French improved the old time-consuming method of heating round shot by covering in the coals of a large wood fire by using specially-constructed furnaces to heat shot in their artilleries). Fort James was captured by the French in 1781, retaken by the British in 1793, occupied by the French again in 1802 and captured by the British under Sir Samuel Hood in 1803. Fort James is part of Eurochamtt Historical Itineraries at La Tartaruga, Buccoo Bay.

7. Fort George

Harbour Drive and Fort Street, George Town Grand Cayman http://www.nationaltrust.org.ky/index.php/info-sheets/fort-george-cayman-islands
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3.0 based on 80 reviews

Fort George

The remains of the late 18th century fortress offering a historical walking tour.

Reviewed By andrewmU2655XD

The ruins of Fort George are located next to the Cruise Port. It is easily missed as all that remains is an open sandy area and the ruins of a semi circular coral and limestone wall which is approximately one meter in height at the tallest point. The fort was named after George III who was King at the time of it's construction. This was the third and final fortress built in the Cayman Islands. The other defence points of Prospect and Bodden Town were built a few years earlier. Only two canons remain, and these are positioned pointing towards the sea. The development of the town over the years has led to the sea view being blocked from the site of the fort. A local artist, John Broad, painted a three piece mural on the wall near the fort which shows the view which would have been possible from the fort. The murals from left to right, depict the Spanish invasion shortly after the forts initial construction. This attack totally destroyed the fort and it had to be rebuilt. The second shows a German U-boat attack on ships which occurred six times in 1942, the nearest only 18 miles south west of Georgetown. The fort had a U-boat lookout tower in a cotton tree, which has been recreated as a small hut atop a pole. The last mural is of local boys cheering schooners in the local regatta which dates back to 1935. Storyboards are located throughout the site, and these provide additional history on the lookout post at the fort and other locations on the island, the use of Georgetown as a US base during WW2, a general history of the fort and the Jamaican Home Guard. There is also a storyboard relating to two of the murals. The fort was restored in 2014, but was in good condition until 1972, when it was destroyed by a "property developer" . This developer is referred to on the blue storyboard. The interesting story here, is that the developer was actually the country's first national hero, James (Jim) Bodden who has a statue a short walk east of this site in Heroes Square. Other historical defence sites are Prospect (monument to the fort site) and Bodden Town (two cannons). The Gun Bay and Bodden Town Guardhouse are sites which have canons and may also be visited. These canons are not the originals, but salvage from the 10 Sails wreck. Other nearby attractions include the Elsmlie Church and Memorial Light. A "wall of history" on nearby Albert Panton Street mentions the fort history on the tiled mural.

8. Roosevelt Roads Naval Station

Ceiba Puerto Rico
Excellent
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3.0 based on 4 reviews

Roosevelt Roads Naval Station

9. El Castillo

Calle Castillo Final, Ponce 00730 Puerto Rico

Also known as "El Castillo", this old building is an antique military base that was constructed around 1894. It was built by Spaniards to serve as the main base for those stationed in Ponce, and as a defense from the American invasion of 1898. Nowadays, the structure is used as the campus for the Ponce School of Fine Arts.

10. Bateria del Escambron

San Juan Puerto Rico

Bateria del Escambron is a great family spot. The place offers various entertainment options. You can enjoy a bike tour or simply a walk by the deck enjoy the sea breeze.

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