Carnival in Trinidad
There are Carnivals and then there is Trinidad's version. A five-day explosion of cultural extravaganza, dominated by vibrant costumes, calypso, and dance—all reflecting this island's African heritage and Caribbean spirit—have led many to call this the world's best Carnival. Walk the neighborhoods in the weeks leading up to parades to hear band after band rehearsing in the sweet night air. It may all seem like a friendly pod of co-revelers but it is fierce competition—for best band, best dance, most elaborate costume—that drives this party machine. Your role? Submit to the mood and become part of the celebration.

Wind Sports in Aruba
Reliable wind returns to Aruba in February, and with it come the wind-sport enthusiasts. Expect breezes in the 18- to 25-knot range, excellent off-road touring on the island's rustic east side and cold beers wherever you see a bar. You could get some rain, especially early in the month, but it's a welcome respite on the typically arid island. Pack a cooler, head out to the fully stocked windsurf center at Fisherman's Huts, and if we don't hear from you in a month we'll come on down to join the fun.

Florida Keys, FL
The holidays are gone, spring break is still a month off, and you've got an entire string of limestone islets to explore with a lot less competition: bonefish the flats of Islamorada, dive the spoke-and-groove reef of John Pennekamp State Park, and tour the still-funky streets of Key West (and tip a cocktail with real live locals!) before watching that legendary sunset flash into the sea. When you get home, don't let the secret out!

Carnival in Guadeloupe
With Carnival officially on the calendar for late February one might think the rest of the month would be subdued. One would, of course, be wrong. The anticipation and revelry build throughout the February, especially on weekends, culminating in a supremely lively five-day fete. The top parades include those in Pointe-a-Pitre and Basse-Terre, but the costumed dancing, music making, and overt merriment sweeps the cheerful French island.

Saint Martin's French Side
Yet another island that knows how to throw a Carnival, St. Martin warms up early in February with pre-Carnival costumes displays and "jump-ups," all leading up to a ten-day blowout to end the month. This isn't quite the coup de gras-they do that in April on the island's Dutch side-but it's still a colorful fiesta, capped by the crowning of a Carnival Queen, parades, and omnipresent live music.

Tulum, Mexico
With a higher percentage of clear days in February than most of the rest of the Caribbean, Tulum becomes an ideal spot for photographing Mayan ruins, snorkeling the teeming near-shore reef, and lazing about on the beach. If all that sun becomes too much, head into the jungle of Coba for more ruins or find a cenote (clear, blue freshwater pools often hundreds of feet deep) and put some soothing cool water between you and the solar rays.

Manual Antonio, Costa Rica
Let’s get the qualifiers out of the way: This is a popular beach, which means some crowding, and vendors do work the area. Now, why it made our list anyway: One of Costa Rica’s most seductive water views, with the spires of Manuel Antonio National Park jutting from the sea a couple hundred yards away, and the silky water lapping at a stretch of sand backed by shading palm trees. The once-and-present backpackers’ haven has opened up to all comers. Despite this, you won’t soon forget the inspiring views.

Green Sand Beach, Big Island, HI
This one takes a little work to reach, even in a 4WD vehicle (bounce, bump, jar, ooph!), but the setting is unusual enough to merit the effort: a cove of mineral green—yes, green—sand carved between three rocky walls. Credit the erosion of olivine crystals from the Puu Mahana volcanic cone for the color. Swimming is safe here, unless the surf is too big, and keep an eye out for the resident sea turtles.

Spa Retreat at LeSport Resort, Saint Lucia
The gluttony of the holidays, the dark days of winter, the stresses of work…you deserve better than that, and so does your body. Ergo Body Holiday at the LeSport Resort, one of the top-rated destination spas in the world, promises to give you comfort, calm, and relaxation, and send you home with the techniques to sustain that higher level of living throughout the year, and beyond.
(www.thebodyholiday.com; 800.544.2883)

Mustique
Hey, we couldn't let Valentines Day pass without recommending some serious pampering. Like at a 1,400-acre private island glistening in the southern Caribbean like a firey diamond sparkling on the world's prettiest hand. Sure, nightly rates run in the thousands, but one look at the crystal sands, multi-hued waters, breezy horizon, and luxuriant privacy and you'll start scheming ways to afford this trip every year. Oh, and be careful who you bring here, especially during lovers' month: If you aren't hitched yet, that diamond reference may turn out to be more than a metaphor.