Nonstop Caribbean: Fly right to the beach

JAMAICA
Everything seems a bit more vibrant here, and the lilting patois of the locals makes everything sound sunnier. The main entry points for U.S. travelers are Kingston and Montego Bay.

Must-do: Kingston's Bob Marley Museum is where the legend lived until he died in 1981 (876/927-9152, bobmarley-foundation.com, $10). In Montego Bay, taste authentic Jamaican jerk chicken at the Pork Pit (27 Gloucester Ave., 876/940-3008, $3).

Where to stay: For the all-inclusive experience, it's hard to beat the five pools, waterslides, a beach, and water sports and activities at Starfish Trelawny Resort & Spa in Montego Bay (877/467-8737, starfishresorts.com, web-only rate from $89). In the heart of Mo' Bay, but isolated from the action, El Greco Resort is an all-suite complex on a hill above Doctor's Cave Beach, which is accessible by elevator (888/354-7326, elgrecojamaica.com, from $125). If you are flying into Kingston, consider Morgan's Harbour Hotel and Marina. Lime Cay beach is a 10-minute boat ride away (876/967-8040, morgansharbour.com, from $117, includes breakfast). Or see another side of the island at Forres Park Guest House, on a coffee farm near the Blue Mountains (876/927-8275, forrespark.com, from $80).

MARTINIQUE
It's easy to believe Martinique is officially a department of France, what with French being spoken everywhere and food that's better than average for the region.

Must-do: Le Jardin de Balata is home to 3,000 varieties of flora (011-596/596-64-48-73, jardindebalata.fr, $9).

Where to stay: The Frégate Bleue Hotel has high-ceilinged rooms furnished with antiques (011-596/596-54-54-66, fregatebleue.com, from $212, includes breakfast). The view of Diamond Rock island is the prime reason to stay at the apartment-style Hotel Diamant Beach (011-596/596-76-16-16, diamant-beach.com, from $105).

PUERTO RICO
A U.S. territory since 1917, Puerto Rico has more to offer than bustling San Juan. There are also nonstops from the mainland to Aguadilla, on the west coast, and Ponce, on the south coast.

Must-do: Hike to 35-foot-tall La Mina Falls, where there's a natural pool, in El Yunque National Forest (Rte. 191, 787/888-1880, http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/caribbean/, free).

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Where to stay: About 15 minutes by car from Old San Juan, the art deco Normandie Hotel was renovated in 2004 (787/729-2929, normandiepr.com, from $145). In Ponce's historic zone, Hotel Melia has 73 rooms, some with balconies over the plaza (787/842-0260, hotelmeliapr.com, from $105). La Rosa Inglesa is a hilltop B&B in Rincón, about a 30-minute drive from Aguadilla; there's a pool and three suites (787/823-4032, larosainglesa.com, from $100).

ST. KITTS
Sugar production once made St. Kitts one of the Caribbean's richest nations, but it's now known more for tourism.

Must-do: Built by slaves, Brimstone Hill Fortress is both a moving look at St. Kitts's history and a vantage point from which you can see Nevis (869/465-2609, brimstonehillfortress.org, $8).

Where to stay: At laid-back Bird Rock Beach Hotel, there's an outfitter for diving and fishing (800/621-1270, birdrockbeach.com, from $90). The Ocean Terrace Inn has three swimming pools, and it's only a quarter-mile walk to the city of Basse­terre (800/524-0512, oceanterraceinn.com, from $109).

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