Caribbean

Generalist: Martha Gaughen, Sterling Brownell, Atlanta
Gaughen knows the best villas, resorts, and activities for kids or honeymooners. To show clients that Jamaica is much more than beaches, she arranges biking trips into the Blue Mountains and tours of old plantation homes (800-447-2799; martha@sterlingtvl.com; sterlingtvl.com).

Terry McCabe, Altour International, Fair Lawn, New Jersey
This veteran island-hopper knows both the luxury resorts and the hidden small hotels with old-world charm. Peak season lasts just four months, she points out, with values to be had the rest of the year (201-703-8585; terrymccabe@altour.com; altour.com).

Becky Veith, Travel Experts, Raleigh, North Carolina
Veith is a whiz when it comes to the islands, particularly the all-inclusive resorts. Don't challenge her to a game of Caribbean trivia unless you already know that motorized water sports are forbidden during Easter week in the Dominican Republic or that touching the fruit of a manchineel tree causes blisters (814-734-5112; becky@travelxperts.com; beckyveith.com).

Costa Rica and Nicaragua

Leigh Ann Cloutier, Rico Tours, Austin, Texas
Cloutier sends hundreds of clients to Costa Rica's bohemian hotels and upscale resorts each year as well as to Nicaragua's up-and-coming hideaways. She's not only on top of but ahead of the trends, and has already toured properties around the Marino Ballena National Park that won't be open for another year (512-303-0001; lac@ricotours.com; ricotours.com).

Richard Edwards, Austin-Lehman Adventures, Billings, Montana
Edwards resided in Costa Rica for 12 years and uses his background as a sustainable-development economist to weave eco-conscious elements into his itineraries. He's especially well versed in the small, upscale family-run lodges, many of which have strong ties to their communities (406-534-0158; richard@austinlehman.com; austinlehman.com).

Guatemala

Brady Binstadt, Geographic Expeditions, San Francisco
Between visits to lesser-known markets like the one in Solola, guided volcano climbs off Lake Atitlán, and helicopter transfers, Binstadt's clients soak up Guatemala's rich culture in charming small hotels, private villas, and even homestays (800-777-8183; brady@geoex.com; geoex.com).

Mexico

Generalist: Ada King, Connoisseur's Travel, Chicago
King covers all aspects (and corners) of the country, from the Mayan temples to the cuisine of Mexico City. Her shopper clients know to be in Oaxaca for the city market on Saturday and in Tlacolula for the Indian market on Sunday (888-672-1140; ada@connoisseurstravel.com; connoisseurstravel.com).