Timesharing in the Conch Republic
April 29, 2010
Key West and the Florida Keys Offer Plenty for the Timeshare Owner or Exchanger
The Conch Republic, more commonly known as Key West and the Florida Keys, is to salute the 28th anniversary of its founding Friday, April 16, through Sunday, April 25. As well as showcasing the independent and eccentric spirit that characterizes the Florida Keys, the celebration benefits a variety of local charitable organizations.
The birth of the Conch Republic was prompted by a 1982 U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint set up at the head of the Florida Keys so agents could search cars for drugs and illegal aliens. It virtually halted traffic on the only road to the mainland. Realizing that the island chain was being treated as a foreign country, local officials protested by staging a secession from the U.S. and proclaiming the independent Conch Republic. They waged “war” on the mother country by pelting federal agents with stale Cuban bread, surrendered almost immediately and requested $1 billion in foreign aid. The Border Patrol checkpoint was removed, but not before the Conch Republic had captured the popular imagination.
Shared Ownership
As it turns out, this “neighboring republic” thrives on tourism and imports countless visitors every year. What’s more, the Conch Republic has a wealth of timeshare resorts all the way along the Overseas Highway (U.S. Route 1) from Key Largo (Mile Marker 106) to Key West (Mile Marker 0).
Starting in the Upper Keys, noteworthy resorts include Port Largo Villas Resort at Mile Marker 100 in Key Largo. Each two-bedroom, two-bath villa is tastefully decorated and includes a fully equipped kitchen and wraparound patio. Guests can swim in the pool or play volleyball, shuffleboard, basketball, or horseshoes, and boat dockage is available upon request. Nearby, the worldfamous John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, provides ample opportunities for diving, snorkeling, kayaking, sailing, and waterskiing.
Pennekamp Park is known for its nine-foot tall bronze “Christ of the Deep” statue, which sits on a pedestal on the ocean floor at a depth of 24 feet. Port Largo Villas (portlargovillas.org) has been named an Interval International Select Resort.
Surrounded by the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, the Matecumbe Keys boast fishing, boating, and other water sports. Here in Islamorada, at Mile Marker 73.5, you’ll find Caloosa Cove. This resort provides everything for enjoying the sun and surf, including a full-service marina. You’ll want to take a sight-seeing trip to the wreck of the galleon Herrera, which offers a thrilling opportunity for underwater photography. Caloosa Cove (www.caloosacove.com) has been named an RCI Silver Crown Resort.
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