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Sugar cane and rum are big business on Puerto Rico. Locals love piña coladas, mojitos, coquitos (the Puerto Rican version of eggnog), and daiquiris—all of which are made with rum. Don Q and Bacardi both offer tours—complete with tastings—that will transport you back to the romance of early 1900s Puerto Rico. At Casa Bacardi in Cataño, just outside San Juan, you can watch a documentary about sugar cane, the rum-producing process, and the Bacardi family; study old letters and furniture; smell diverse rums in their barrels; and watch a mixing demonstration. Casa Don Q in Old San Juan invites you to read about the rum-making process, and listen to an explanation about different Don Q rums and how to mix them. Miller/Flickr.

Seasons 52 allows you to leave your calorie counter at the door with a seasonal menu that has a ceiling of 475 calories for every item. Serving contemporary American cuisine, Seasons 52 prides itself on using only the freshest produce, and feature not only an impressive array of healthy (and flavorful) food, but also an exhaustive wine list, with over 100+ varieties from all over the world. Those with special dietary needs and/or allergies, this is where you can heave that sigh of relief, as you navigate your way through six alternative menus: lactose-free, vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, garlic-free, and low-sodium. Recommendations: cedar plank-roasted salmon, and all the mini indulgences—chilled lobster and shrimp spring rolls, lemon verbena mojito, and Sonoma goat cheese ravioli.

Just down from the Central Park in Old Havana, you’ll find Bar Monserrate, which a Cuban friend initially described as a neighborhood “dive bar.” That’s all I needed to make the scene my own. Being a dive bar genre expert, my first impressions suggested it fit the bill. Old, worn, - and we’re talking about some of the regulars sitting at the bar, - and unpretentious. The dichotomy in the “dive” classification becomes apparent with the introduction of my waiter - crisply outfitted in a sharp, white coat and ready to work. Absent is the dive bar attitude of “your here, get over it” vibe, replaced with recommendations for food and drinks. Then the band starts to straggle in for the evening’s entertainment. When the music starts, the place lights up, ever so dimly, while locals dance on the sidewalk just beyond the open storefront and patrons inside pound down their mojitos. Dive on in at Bar Monserrate, Cubano style!

This airy, oceanfront restaurant can get crowded, so expect a wait whenever you go. It’s worth it, however, for the stellar menu of Hawaiian seafood dishes, plus the tropical cocktails. Pair a ginger mojito or strawberry piña colada with pupus (appetizers) like macadamia-crusted calamari and soy-ginger ahi poke, topped with local Surfing Goat Dairy cheese. Then move on to entrées like citrus-herb grilled fish tacos or the coconut-crusted catch of the day. If you’re not one for seafood, there are also excellent burgers and a teriyaki sirloin on the menu.

From the first time I set foot on the island of Ambergris Caye, Caramba became my favorite restaurant in San Pedro. And that’s not changed, even ten years later. Rene Reyes, Sr. and his wife Patty have done a remarkable job with the restaurant. Every season brings something new and exciting – whether it be décor changes, menu enhancements or even new cocktail creations. The Reyes’ sons Jonathan and Renesito are now involved in day-to-day operations, keeping Caramba one of the long-standing family-owned and operated businesses on the island. Personal recommendations include Conch Fritters (seasonal), Sopa de Lima, Fish Tacos, Pibil Pork Sub and the Coconut Shrimp. Any of the seafood dishes are spectacular – go for the Maya or Tour Guide cooking options. Be sure to try one of bartender Charlie’s cocktails, like the Strawberry Beerita, King Margarita, or a special mojito. Not a drinker? Caramba has some of the best fruit smoothies on the island. Closed Wednesdays. Check Foursquare for current specials.

After exploring Balboa Park for a few hours, this is the place to be for a cocktail or lunch. The food is really good, and the chef has won multiple awards over the years. They’ve got great mojitos, and my new favorite drink, the caipirinha (sugar cane liquor). I really like the beet salad, which consists of different varieties of beets sprinkled with goat cheese. There’s indoor and patio seating, but who wants to sit inside on a beautiful San Diego sunny day? The outside patio overlooks part of the park and inside is filled with eclectic decor. The zoo is right next door, so when we have out of town guests, we’ll just walk over after exploring the zoo and have lunch or an early dinner. The Prado does have online reservation system and I recommend using it or calling ahead unless you are going to be here right when they open at 11 a.m. It can get crowded really quickly, especially on the weekends.

A UNESCO World Heritage site, this hotel was the home of Hispaniola’s first governor, Nicolás de Ovando, and one of the first colonial structures built at the top of cobbled Calle Las Damas (the first paved street in the Americas). Built in 1502 and connected in 1974 during a reconstruction ordered by then President Joaquín Balaguer, the three stone buildings retain their original coffered ceilings, massive arches, tile floors, and brick and stone walls. In addition to 92 rooms and suites, including a dozen Imperial Club rooms overlooking the Ozama River and Don Diego Harbor (Room 4015 has a particularly stunning view and gorgeous bathroom), you’ll find a lovely reading nook, gourmet restaurant, lobby mojito bar, and tranquil garden, which features herbs and fruit trees used by the hotel kitchen.

An Old Town icon, the Sofitel Legend Santa Clara is a smart pick for travelers who appreciate high-tech modern conveniences as much as colonial architecture. The 123 French-influenced rooms and suites are spread between two 17th- and 19th-century wings separated by gardens and courtyards; the former includes parts of a former convent replete with original crypts, confessionals, and secret windows. Accommodations lean on the contemporary side with signature MyBed mattresses, Nespresso machines, and Lanvin toiletries. True to Sofitel form, the property also offers the full range of luxury amenities, from a large outdoor pool and nearly 9,000-square-foot spa with solarium to a sun-drenched poolside bar, 24-hour room service, and three on-site restaurants. Opt for clubby El Coro Lounge to dine on tapas and sip mojitos with a live-music backdrop.

The state-of-the-art design and chic layout create an almost surreal ambiance, enhanced by a unique cocktail program and an fabulous menu. Enjoy your libations on the outdoor terrace as you take in stunning views of Xinyi district in one of Taipei’s most elite nightlife destinations.

After a hard day of hiking the myriad trails through Sedona’s gorgeous red rock country, my friend and I earned a dining experience where calories did not count. Everyone recommended Elote Cafe. Thank you, everyone, for one of the finest meals I’ve ever earned. The menu at Elote (translation: roasted corn on the cob, or corn cob) features several unique and flavorful corn dishes quite beyond traditional Mexican fare. The restaurant’s namesake appetizer is out of this world: fire-roasted corn with spicy mayo, lime, and Mexican Cotija cheese. Pictured is one of the entrees, the grilled wild Mexican shrimp in a spinach-chipotle cream sauce. Wow! For dessert, I decided on the pastel de elote — a warm, sweet corn cake with dulce de leche, raspberry jam, and vanilla ice cream. Happy birthday to me (oh, BTW, it was my birthday!). From the drinks menu (remember, no calories, AND birthday), I sampled the homemade blood orange limeade, as well as the best Mojito to be found outside of Cuba. For after dinner (pictured at right): a shot of Agavero, a sublime tequila liqueur flavored with extract of the Damiana flower. Also noteworthy was the warm, earthy atmosphere, with glowing copper tabletops. Reservations are not currently accepted, so be prepared for a wait!

Located in the heart of Whalers Village on Kāʻanapali Beach, Hula Grill is a busy hangout with live music seven days a week. You can sit for a meal in the open-air dining room, but the real party happens at the restaurant’s Barefoot Bar, right on the water’s edge. Kick off your shoes and sink your feet in the sand, then order a Barefoot Brew (made specially for the bar by Maui Brewing Co.) or cocktails like piña coladas, mojitos, and Maui Mules with organic vodka. Also on offer are a range of non-alcoholic drinks, from house-made sodas and fresh-squeezed juices to local kombucha and pure coconut water, as well as a solid food menu that highlights Hawaiian farmers and fishers. For a great deal, head here for Aloha Hour, which takes place daily from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. and includes special prices on pupus and drinks.

Renowned chef Paco Roncero re-interprets everyday Spanish food without crossing the line into pretentiousness at Estado Puro; here, flavor matters more than presentation and dishes are perfectly portioned. Patatas bravas, fried potatoes spiked with red pepper, is perhaps the most typical bar snack in Spain however Estado Puro has successfully re-interpreted the ubiquitous dish. Using hollowed, roasted baby-potatoes filled with spicy sauce it’s a subtly new take on a Spanish classic. If you’re staying for a snack or meal try the chipirones, cod-fritters, and creative mojitos too. The restaurant is also uniquely designed. Under the glass-topped bar you’ll notice endless rows of tiny flamenco dancer dolls while above you’ll see undulating rows of peinetas—the traditional decorative comb used by Spanish women to hold their flowing mantillas, veils, in place. In Madrid the dinner begins late, so if you eat before nine in the evening you’ll feel as if you have the place to yourself. There are also two Estado Puro restaurants; one across from The Prado and another around the corner from the Plaza Santa Ana (one of Madrid’s liveliest squares at night).

Aman hotels recently opened a 25-suite resort along Venice‘s Grand Canal in the 16th-century Palazzo Papadopoli, one of the city’s most stunning waterfront palaces. What’s great about this destination is that, unlike many of the resorts in Aman’s portfolio, you can come here for dinner and drinks even if you’re not a guest. I recommend visiting just before dusk and pre-booking a table in the hotel’s adjacent garden. But it’s also nice to visit for lunch, (the hotel has one of the city’s only Thai-themed restaurant menus) and spend the afternoon sipping cold mojito’s on their cozy garden chairs next to the Grand Canal.

Since 1982, Rose’s Cantina has been drawing locals for Latin American flavors on a street known for its plethora of dining options. On a busy night, don’t expect intimacy or romance, as the Reguliersdwarsstraat establishment is big, boisterous and noisy. But if it’s a fiesta you’re after, this is the spot for killer nachos and Pan American favorites like chili con carne, enchiladas and flaky empanada pastries. For more adventurous eaters, braised octopus and duck breast with pineapple-raisin salsa are on the menu. Enormous burgers are topped with jalapeños, melted cheddar, bacon and guacamole. At €18, they’re pricey, but will easily feed two, especially if you order appetizers like classic ceviche, chicharrones or quesadillas. Finish off with chocolate mousse splashed with tequila, Dulce De Leche and crunchy sea salt. Rose’s also is known for its fine cocktails and tequila library. Choose from tiramisu, pomegranate or frozen fruit margaritas or order a Jalapeno Margarita spiced with subtle agave. Mojitos are great, made with Bacardi Superior Rum, mint and lime. Rose’s is the brainchild of restaurateur Casper Reinders of Jimmy Woo, Bocinq, Lion Noir and Chicago Social Club fame. Like his other Amsterdam establishments, this one is unique―furnished with leather couches, Chesterfield chairs and exposed beams. The turquoise-green paint is an original recipe, fabricated to recreate a Mexican cantina. With a group of 50, host your private fiesta in the heart of Amsterdam.

Guavate, a section of Cayey better known as the Ruta del Lechon (“Pork Highway”), bursts into a rush of food-infused ecstasy every Friday and Saturday. People from all parts of the island come to watch someone roast a whole pig over the open fire before chopping it with a machete. Side dishes abound. I recommend sorrullos (corn sticks), bacalaitos (cod fritters), alcapurrias (fritters made of plantain dough and stuffed with meat), and rice with different types of beans. The blood sausage is not for me, but my father and boyfriend devour it every chance they get. Here in the mountains, shacks of all sizes let you pick your poison—beer, piña colada, or mojito (made from lime, mint leaves, rum, and sugar)—and drink to the beat of salsa and reggateon music. This creates the euphoric atmosphere for which Puerto Ricans are so famous. The cherry on top of the piña colada: Guavate lets you absorb the laughter, music, and food for a reasonable price. If you want the pig, but not the rambunctiousness, take your food to El Yunque National Forest and eat it by a waterfall (see my “Swimming Under a Hidden Waterfall” highlight). To find it, get on Luis A. Ferre Expressway, take the exit toward PR-184, and follow the signs for Guavate. You’ll start seeing pork soon after you take PR-184, but wait about fifteen minutes (until you’re around km 27) before you stop to get all the real action.