Puerto Rico – A U.S territory since 1917, and is more laid back than popular San Juan.  When here stay at the Normandie Hotel, located only 15 minutes (by car) away from Old San Juan, and was renovated in 2004.  Also you can stay in Ponce’s historic zone at Hotel Melia, which has 73 rooms with balconies over the plaza.

St. Kitts – Made one of the Caribbean’s rickets nations by their production of Sugar, and kept one of its richest from its tourism.  When here stay at Bird Rock Beach Hotel, which offers excellent diving and fishing.

St. Lucia – Offers long stretches of beach with your pick of white, golden or volcanic sand.  When here stay at the family-run guesthouse, La Haut Plantation, which features 13 hillside rooms.  Or at Ti Kaye Village Resort, who’s 33 ocean-view rooms and cottages (each with a veranda and hammock) are located 75 minutes from the airport, but are worth the wait.

St. Martin/St. Maarten – This is the smallest landmass in the world to be shared by two countries:  the Netherlands and France.  When here you can choose to stay on the French side of the border (St. Martin) at Les Balcons d’Oyster Pond, where you can rend out bungalows with marina views.  Or on the Dutch side (St. Maarten), at the Pasanggrahan Royal Guest House, with the name appropriately meaning “place of rest.”

Turks & Caicos – Of all the islands of Turks & Caicos, Providenciales (Provo) is the most developed island, yet it is never crowded.  When here stay at Sibonne Beach Hotel, where the beach is just steps away from every room.  Or the family-run Caribbean Paradise Inn, which is only two minutes from Grace Bay Beach.

U.S. Virgin Islands – A Caribbean island where no passport is required in order to travel there from the U.S.  When here stay at the historic Hotel 1829, which was built in 1829 by a French sea captain.  Or at Hotel on the Cay, which you can take a free two-minute water taxi (which runs 24 hours) to, and where you can relax on the hotels very own beach, giving the hotel’s 53 rooms their own ocean view.

 The Caribbean is making itself over, and here are some of the most popular new and refurbished hotels in the Caribbean this 2007-08 season.

 In the Bahamas you will find the Atlantis Paradise Island, which will have finished its multimillion-dollar expansion by December 19 of this year by adding the new 497-unit Reef Atlantis.  This is a section of family-friendly units that feature kitchens, laundry facilities and large terraces, also with upscale options such as butler service. Rates start at $340 a night for a 519-square-foot studio terrace.  Another in Bahama is the 694-room Sheraton Cable Beach Resort in Nassau, which just went through a $2.3 billion refurbishment on their seven-acre beachfront property.  The rates start at $199 a night.  And on the out-island of Bimini you will find the new Bimini Bay Resort, which features 300 condos and villas, and ranges from $250 a night for a studio to $2,400 for a four-bedroom villa.

 In Puerto Rico you can visit the Caribbean’s first oceanfront water park, Coqui Water Park.  This 2.4 acre water park opens in January 2008 at the El Conquisitor Resort.  This park features a 8,000-square-foot “lazy river”, a 9,000-square-foot infinity pool that overlooks the Caribbean, Flumes and free-fall slides.

 In St. Thomas you can stay at the Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas, which through its $40 million transformation will offer 55-new club-level guest rooms in addition to the previous, and now re-done, rooms.  They also expanded the spa with Prada-branded treatments.  Rooms start at $359.

 In Jamaica you can visit the living-history park, Outameni Experience, which traces 500 years of Jamaican history with interactive exhibits set in a historic Great House.  This park was opened in September in Trelawny between Montego Bay and Ochos Rios.  You can also go over to Negril and go to the Kool Runnings Water Park, which offers a Jamaican bobsled ride.  And when looking to stay in Jamaica, you need not look farther than the Iberostar Rose Hall Resort in Montego Bay.  This 950-room resort is going through two phases of a $850 million development, one of which is finished with rates starting at $208 and the second of which will open next year.

 In Mexico you can stay at one of the newest hotels, Mandarin Oriental Riviera Maya, which opens in January 2008.  On 36 acres is features 128 villas and a 25,000 square-foot spa.  Doubles start at $700.

 In the Dominican Republic you will find the Cap Cana Resort on 33,000 acres in Punta Cana.  This is Punta Cana’s first resort hotel once is opens the 176-suite Sanctuary Cap Cana Golf & Spa, with rates starting at $468.

 And in Antigua you can relax at the eco-friendly Verandah Resort & Spa, located on 30 acres along Dian Bay.  This resort offers hiking trails, two sheltered beaches and the islands largest free-form pool.  Rates start at $243.

            Escape the nightlife and late nights in San Juan to the relaxing and cultural retreat in Porta Caribe, an area in the southern portion of the island.  In Porta Caribe you will find an environment rich with Puerto Rican culture, beautiful beaches, and upgraded hotels.

            Porta Caribe is rich with culture and 19^th century architecture.  When looking to see these wonders, you need not look far.  You can visit the Catedral de Neustro in the downtown plaza, or their famous art museum, Museo de Arte de Ponce , which has a collection of European art combined with important Puerto Rican works.  You can also visit the beaches of Guanica and Ponce to enjoy in the beauty of Porta Caribe.  You can also take a look at the vast coffee plantations that are found throughout the region, and the run industry that has long been a part of the economy of Puerto Rico .

            Due to the popularity of Porta Caribe, they are divising a plan for 2007-2011, which would include the spreading of wealth from San Juan to the other regions of Puerto Rico .  In Porta Caribe they plan a development of 346 rooms which is an investement of nearly $60 million and 106 jobs.  The new developments to be added to Porta Caribe include the Plaza Las Delicias Hotel, Vista Magna, and the expansion of Pichis Convention Center .  They also plan to expand their seaport, with Puerto Las Americas in Ponce already having station for six vessels.