Jamaica

Jamaica's diverse landscape—sugary beaches, mountainous rain forests, and unique rocky coasts—has been luring visitors steadily for the past several decades. And thanks to infrastructure improvements, it's easier than ever to create an itinerary that includes all three. Resorts, large and small, have lined up along the coast, which means guests can choose from a laundry list of water sports, from kayaking and kite surfing to deep-sea fishing and diving (the best of which can be found in Negril). Farther inland, canopy tours offer a bird's-eye view of the lush interior, and rafting trips traverse the rivers near Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, and Port Antonio. Golf is another big draw, especially in Montego Bay, which is home to three championship courses.

Jamaica's strong sense of culture is a huge draw as well. Practically synonymous with reggae, the country hosts the world-renowned Red Stripe Reggae Sumfest in mid-July, and pays tribute to its ambassador, Bob Marley, at the artist's former residence in Kingston and at the Bob Marley Theater in Montego Bay. Jerk spice is another of the island's famous exports, but it barely scratches the surface of Jamaican cuisine—one that reflects a complex heritage and merits a trip beyond the large resorts to truly local restaurants. (Rastafarians, a small but influential portion of the population, have their own distinct cuisine, known as ital, that's salt-free and vegetarian.) Touring the former great houses (or plantation houses) gives a taste of the British colonial period and the influence it still has on the island's art and architecture.