The Caribbean, Mexico, and Central America

Nowhere is the supply of villas more plentiful than in the Caribbean, especially on the islands of Jamaica, Anguilla, St. Bart's, Mustique, and Barbados. Belize, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua are also heating up. And a smattering of houses is cropping up in the Turks and Caicos and on Mexico's Baja Peninsula. Throughout most of the region, high season runs from mid-November to April. The best times to score a deal and nearly perfect weather are during May and November, but be prepared for occasional showers and shuttered restaurants.

From June 2006

By Hillary Geronemus

THE REGIONAL PLAYERS

Wimco Villas has 1,200 listings throughout 12 islands, and nearly 200 of these are exclusives (most of them on St. Bart's). Founded in 1983, the company also covers the French Rivieria, Italy, Greece, and Morocco.

McLaughlin Anderson Luxury Villas works with more than 130 Caribbean properties, including many on Tortola, Grenada, St. John, and St. Thomas—the company's home base.

Villas of Distinction covers Mexico and the Caribbean, as well as Hawaii, Italy, France, and Portugal. The firm was recently purchased by the California-based travel agency Creative Leisure International, so it has the resources to plan your vacation from start to finish.

LaCure, a Toronto-based agency, has an inventory of more than 1,300 properties, with locations on 23 Caribbean islands, France, Italy, Spain, Greece, and Morocco. The company is quick to pick up on the demand for new and unusual locations, and it has some excellent houses in Central America and Thailand.

Also worth a look CaribbeanWay, Island Outpost, Sanctuare, Villas & Apartments Abroad, and Unique Properties & Events

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The information in this story was accurate at the time it was published in June 2006 but we suggest you confirm all details and prices directly with any establishments mentioned. The quality of offerings and services tends to change over time.