Crescent beaches, turquoise waters, palm trees rhythmically swaying in the warm trade winds, and luxurious resorts catering to your whims are the lures of a Caribbean visit. It is a carefree time to unplug, reconnect with family, and spend carefree hours lounging, touring, and dining. Far are the thoughts of our daily routines and the usual caution we carry during our working or homebound lives.

A Caribbean paradise simply has that effect on those of us lucky enough to travel there for vacation or for business, making us the envy of our colleagues. Thousands of American and European tourists and business visitors join the migrating flocks heading south for the winter. Waiting expectantly is an equal number of international corporate and local businesses. Having survived another austere off-season, there is hope tempered with recession economy fear, that it will be a season of positive metrics and margins.

There is, however, a more sinister side to the Caribbean. An often ignored side that must be considered when evaluating personal and business line risks. Consider that the Caribbean islands are a mixed conglomerate of sovereign nations, self-governing commonwealths with mixed civil and common law, and territories ruled by the laws of a number of European Union members. There are many cultural influences including Spanish, French, African, Creole, and more, creating unique cultural nuances that are distinct to each island. They can be as different from one another as any culturally diverse group of nations that are bound only by the same region.