Ice Skating in the Caribbean?

Can you enjoy this favorite winter pastime in the tropics? Yes! Here’s where you can go ice skating in the Caribbean.

The Caribbean is known for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing. But what about ice skating? This fun activity might not be the first thing you think of adding to your schedule when planning your Caribbean vacation, but there are actually plenty of places to enjoy it. There are even outdoor rinks with synthetic ice, proving that you can go skating no matter the weather!

Where to go ice skating in the Caribbean

Puerto Rico

The Weekly Journal has just announced the arrival of a Swiss-made synthetic ice rink on the island of Puerto Rico. These will be placed in the town squares of Quebradillas, Morovis, Coamo and Manatí. Hosted by the Puerto Rico Skating Blast Tour, the rink will spend about a week in each city. Locals of Quebradillas can enjoy ice skating from November 21st to December 1st. Then, the tour will move to the Morovis town square from December 4-8. From December 11 to December 15 it will be in Coamo, and from Dec. 20 to Jan. 6 at Manatí .

In addition, Puerto Rico has an indoor skating rink. The Aguadilla Ice Skating Arena is located in the town of Aguadilla on the island’s eastern tip.

Ice skating in the Caribbean — Aguadilla Ice Skating Arena. Photo by Eric Irizarry

Barbados

A synthetic ice skating rink found a home on the island of Barbados in 2016. It was the first permanent rink to be built there. Located in Bridgetown, the Icetopia Skating Rink measures about 2000 square feet. After generating plenty of social media buzz, the rink became a hit with locals and tourists alike.

The Florida Panthers hosted an ice hockey clinic there in 2017. Defensemen Alex Petrovic and Ian McCoshen were the head instructors.

“We are happy to be hosting the Panthers for their second year in Barbados and share this experience with them,” owner of Icetopia Paolo Carraro told NHL.com. “Skating is of course a very new concept to Barbados. So to have the novelty of being able to skate with a professional hockey player is pretty amazing for a Bajan child.”

The Bahamas

Each year, the Hope Town Christmas Village Festival held at Jarret’s Park in Hope Town, Abaco Island features a skating rink. It is the only ice skating rink in the Bahamas. Besides the skating rink, the event includes synthetic snow fall, live music, and delicious food from local vendors. In addition, there are bouncing castles and craft activities for the kids, as well as an appearance from Santa.

Dominican Republic

Plaza de España (the square in front of the Palace of Columbus -Alcázar de Colón-) often features a synthetic skating rink during the holiday season. Located in Santo Domingo’s colonial zone, it’s hard to miss if you happen to be strolling through this historic area during December or January.

Curacao

Mambo Beach has been known to set up an ice skating rink during the holiday season. And it’s located–you guessed it– right by the beach! The cost to use it is only about 3 dollars. Look for updated information about the rink on the Mambo Beach Facebook page.

Main image: An outdoor synthetic ice rink in Puerto Rico. (Source)

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