The Caribbean is famous for its balmy breezes, perfect beaches and drinks by the water. Resorts like the Tamarind in Barbados (shown here) serve mojitos made with local rum, which has been distilled in Barbados for more than 300 years.
Courtesy of Tamarind by Elegant Hotels Group
A deeper dive into Barbados: Mount Gay Rum offers a comprehensive tour and a hands-on cocktail workshop.
Courtesy of Mount Gay Distilleries
Antigua: Hermitage Bay resort's brilliant blue water is just right for snorkeling, kayaking and swimming.
Courtesy of Hermitage Bay
A deeper dive into Antigua: For a window into the country's British colonial heritage, book the resort's tour of the island's historic sites, including Nelson's Dockyard National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Slavery flourished here until emancipation in 1834, when Antigua was granted independence from Britain in 1981.
Courtesy of Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority and Ted Martin
Aruba: Palm Beach offers long expanses of powdery sand and blue-green water clear enough for a dive to see the frolicking fish.
Courtesy of Aruba Tourism Authority
A deeper dive into Aruba: Desert terrain covers much of the island. To get a greater sense of the island's arid landscape, explore Arikok National Park's cacti and aloe plants on a Jeep excursion with De Palm Tours.
Courtesy of Aruba Tourism Authority
Grenada: Grand Anse Beach is a 2-mile stretch of silky white sand on Grenada's southwestern coast, and Spice Island Beach Resort sits directly on this public beach.
Courtesy of Spice Island Beach Resort
A deeper dive into Grenada: Cocoa beans thrive here, and small-batch chocolate production is alive and well. Wander the cocoa fields at Belmont Estate, and observe the bean-to-bar chocolate-making process while drinking a hot cocoa.
Courtesy of Belmont Estate
Jamaica: Montego Bay's turquoise waters look like they were lifted from a postcard.
Courtesy of Half Moon, Jamaica
A deeper dive into Jamaica: Annual music festivals such as July's Reggae Sumfest (featuring Beenie Man in this picture) draw an international crowd. Year round, Pier One is the place to dance into the wee hours of the morning.
Courtesy of Jamaica Tourist Board
Curaçao: Just a few minutes walk from Willemstad, Curaçao's capital, the Avila Beach Hotel gives guests a choice of these side-by-side beaches.
Courtesy of Avila Beach Hotel
A deeper dive into Curaçao: Consecrated in 1732, Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue is walking distance from Avila Beach. The synagogue claims to be the oldest in continuous use in the Western Hemisphere and features stained-glass windows and ornate menorahs.
Courtesy of Curaçao Tourist Board
Saint Lucia: For dazzling beauty both below and above sea level, the village of Soufrière is hard to beat. Just offshore from Anse Chastanet Resort, there's a coral reef teeming with fish.
Courtesy of Anse Chastanet
A deeper dive into St. Lucia: For an up-close encounter, book Anse Chastanet Resort's guided trek to the summit of Gros Piton. This strenuous two-hour climb leads to a stellar view from the top.
Courtesy of Anse Chastanet
San Juan, Puerto Rico: The city's Isla Verde neighborhood, just minutes away from the cultural riches of Old San Juan, is home to beaches such as Pine Grove, El Alambique and Balneario de Carolina. San Juan Water Beach Club Hotel is a swanky spot to stay on El Alambique beach.
Courtesy of San Juan Water Beach Club Hotel
A deeper dive into San Juan: Spoon Food Tours' Old San Juan Walk & Taste Tour makes approximately a half-dozen mouth-watering stops. Sip Puerto Rican coffee straight from the mountains of Yauco and sample mofongo, a traditional dish with fried green plantains.
