Call this the anti-Cancun resort. Ceiba del Mar is a low-key, laid-back luxury hideaway in a quiet fishing village on Mexico's Caribbean coast:

Review of the Ceiba del Mar Beach and Spa Resort

More than one Caribbean island has claimed to be the region's culinary capital: Dutch St. Maarten has 200 restaurants to back its case (and that's only one-half of the island):

Top Restaurants in St. Maarten

Caribbean villa-rental experts share great tips and advice for travelers in my new story, How to Rent a Caribbean Luxury Villa. You'll learn how to pick the right villa for you and your family or group, which islands are best for a villa vacation, what you'll pay and when to go.

Hint: the holidays are a great time to rent a villa for a family get-together in the islands, but if you want to go you've got to get planning now!

Need some more information? Hideaways International is offering About Caribbean Travel readers a free copy of their guide, Villa Vacations Made Easy. The guide is normally about $20 but you can get yours free by e-mailing your name and mailing address (and mentioning that you saw the article here) to info@thehideawayscollection.com

Here's a helpful new article on Caribbean deals from our sister publication, the New York Times: Practical Traveler - In the Caribbean, Good Deals but Not a Fire Sale - NYTimes.com.