If you love the beach, but also want a little culture, you'll love Christiansted, one of St Croix's two waterfront towns. Historic churches, charming courtyards, shaded walkways, stone arches, antique lampposts and rows of restored town houses add to the city's appeal. Relax on a tranquil, white-sand beach or float in the aquamarine water. Enjoy the shops, boutiques, galleries, cafés and restaurants, or visit attractions like Fort Christianvaern, the Customs House and the Old Scale House.

Made up of St Croix, St John and St Thomas, the laid-back USVI offer sophisticated dining, turquoise waters and quaint towns. On St Croix, Christiansted's colourful Danish Colonial buildings provide a lovely backdrop for dining or sailing, and underwater coral gardens are heaven for divers. On St Thomas, shopping mecca Charlotte Amalie has hopping nightlife. Tranquil St John offers quiet trails, secluded coves and lively Cruz Bay's shops and bars. Ferries and local air services link the islands.

The biggest draws to St. Thomas are beautiful beaches and duty-free shopping. Once your luggage is full of china, crystal, liquor and jewelry, you can explore life outside the markets, and there's no shortage of options.  You can visit Fort Christian, the 17th century Dutch stronghold; swim or snorkel in the calm blue waters of Magens Bay; hop a ferry to St. John; or just lie beside the pool with a daiquiri.

If you prefer your beaches without the accompanying commercial developments, Isla de Vieques is your tanning turf, with more than 40 beaches and not one traffic light. Visit Mosquito Bay when the moon is dim to see its famous glowing water (a tiny organism is responsible for the shining effect).

More than 60 idyllic islands, including Jost Van Dyke, Tortola, Anegada and Virgin Gorda, make up the BVI. Turquoise waters offer thrilling diving, fishing, sailing and swimming. Tortola is the largest island in the volcanic chain and has beautiful beaches and coves, forts, ruins and warm, welcoming people. Virgin Gorda boasts yacht clubs, chic resorts and secluded sands. Coconut palms shade beaches on tiny Jost van Dyke. Sailing is a popular way to travel between islands. Ferries are the other option.

Life just moves a little bit slower on Virgin Gorda, so named because this British Virgin Island resembles a large reclining lady. The laid-back pace of the island is the perfect excuse to take your time, whether you’re wading along the granite grottoes of The Baths, doing some casual snorkeling in Devil’s Bay, or exploring the stone ruins of a 19th century Copper Mine. Hanging out in the hammock at Mad Dog while you sip a Painkiller is the ultimate in Virgin Gorda relaxation.

You don't have to choose between visiting a cultural capital or a sunny Caribbean beach destination—San Juan is both. This city's architecture ranges from Spanish colonial to 20th-century Art Deco, while the new Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico presents Latin American and Caribbean artwork in state-of-the-art galleries.

Are there more flamingos than people on Bonaire? It's possible, and it's part of this unspoiled island's appeal. Bring your binoculars and your scuba gear to make the most of Bonaire's natural charms: more than 200 different species of birds live here, and the island itself draws divers from around the world to its reef-lined coast, a National Maritime Park.

Thirty-eight small, gorgeous beaches frame the turquoise waters around Curacao, and each one offers a distinct experience, from secluded to surrounded by cliffs. Scuba divers and snorkelers will find this a world-class destination, as will windsurfers and boaters of all kinds.

Set in rugged, mountainous territory in the east, Cuba's fourth largest city is known as the City of Parks. Columbus called the area the most beautiful land eyes have ever seen and much of the surrounding area hasn't changed. Officially called San Isidro de Holguin, the city's elegant plazas, scatter of colonial buildings and few museums make for a pleasant daytrip. More wonders lie offshore. Swim with dolphins in Bahia de Naranjo Nature Park. Dive to sites off Playa Esmeralda and Guardalavaca.

Travelers come to this small island north of mainland Cuba to bask in the sun, swim in sparkling blue water, and be pampered at an all-inclusive resort. To explore Cuban culture, you’ll need to go farther afield (this is a planned resort development; employees are bused in), but if you’re simply looking for a stress-free tropical break, Cayo Santa Maria might be perfect for you.

U.S. citizens still need to jump through a few hoops to visit Cuba, but as visitors from around the world know, this island offers some amazing opportunities for cultural exchange. Havana is a mix of old-world architecture and of-the-moment culture. Head out of the capital city to the small town of Trinidad to see more Spanish colonial architecture. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a fantastic home base for a visit to the Valley of the Sugar Mills, a pocket of land that formerly served as the centre of Cuba’s sugar industry.

There are no two identical Bahamas holidays. With options as diverse as its 700 islands, the Bahamas may seem schizophrenic: is it a family destination, a place for lovers to sneak away, a gambling mecca, a cruise-afficianado’s chief port of call or a shopper’s world market? The answer is, yes. It’s that, too.

The farther you go from Grand Cayman's busy docks, the more peace and quiet you'll find. At Stingray City (actually a sandbar), stingrays swim alongside you in the tranquil waters. Closer to town, travellers report finding some of the best massage and spa services anywhere in the Caribbean.

Is there a better way to cap off a day of pristine reef diving and heart-pumping adventure sports than by sipping a sunset cocktail? Didn’t think so! From ziplining to deep sea fishing to exploring the military-protected archipelago of Cayos Cochinos, the Honduran island of Roatan is a playground for lovers of water sports and ecotourism. Landlubbers will flip for the Carambola Botanical Gardens, a tour of the Stone Castle Cameo Factory or exploring the beaches on horseback.

It’s not just for spring-breakers. Cancun, with its golden beaches and perfect climate, is the premiere coastal destination in Mexico. And while there is certainly a 365-day party available for college students, resorts cater well to families and to those seeking solitude. This Yucatan paradise is also the gateway to the ruins of Tulum and Chichén Itzá.

One of the top diving destinations in the world for its bright storybook coral reefs, the island of Cozumel is also home to a variety of natural beaches. Choose a beach with soft white sand for relaxing, or snorkel off a rockier vista. A destination for both adventure and romance, Cozumel has a year-round Caribbean climate, untrammeled jungle and abundant nightlife.