Anguilla

This British Overseas Territory remains a low-key place, with narrow roads and few large buildings. A tranquil speck in the Leeward Islands, Anguilla is 16 miles long, three miles wide and home to roughly 12,000 inhabitants. The landscape is flat and scrubby, but the sea is a luminous turquoise, and the white-sand beaches are among the best in the Caribbean. Perhaps because of its proximity to the French islands of St. Martin and St. Barths, Anguilla can boast a surprising number of excellent restaurants. Most visitors arrive either by plane from Puerto Rico or private hotel cruiser from St. Martin (35 minutes). For the more adventurous, there is an entertaining public ferry.

WHEN TO GO : There is little variation in the year-round temperature, and rainfall is light. The most pleasant time to visit is November-May.

CURRENCY : East Caribbean dollar (XC$). Set rate valued at XC$2.6 = US$1.00 as of March 2012. Note: Our suggested hotel quotes rates in US$.

U.S. EMBASSY : None. U.S. Embassy is located in Barbados, (246) 227-4399.

DIRECT DIAL CODES : To phone hotels in Anguilla, dial 1 + 264 (Anguilla code) + local numbers in listings.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS : Passport. Visit travel.state.gov, and for travelers’ health information, cdc.gov.