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There is nothing that takes your mind off the rest of the world more than laying in a hammock under swaying palms, watching clouds float by, while sipping an adult beverage with a name like "painkiller" or "rum runner" from a hollowed out coconut. When you arrive at one of the bars that made this list, you'll have that "ah-ha" moment and find yourself enjoying the company of new friends from around the world over an exotic drink and in a setting that you will never forget for as long as you live. These are the best places to leave your worries and your shoes behind.

Years of tiresome and painstaking research went into the compilation of Luxury Living International's top Caribbean beach bars. It was a grueling process, but somebody had to do it. Thankfully, we were up to the task, and in the end we hope to at least have piqued enough interest for some individual studies abroad.

When the results of all our hands-on research were tallied, the The Soggy Dollar won the most votes. "The Dollar," as it's called by regulars, is the original home of the Caribbean's signature drink, "The Painkiller". Located on White Beach (name says it all) on Jost Van Dyke, The Soggy Dollar has recently become accessible by road, but most patrons still swim up from their anchorages. Because of their journey, the dollars are often wet, hence the term "Soggy Dollar." In fact there is a line where the bills are clipped up so that they can dry off. Hammocks are strung from the trees providing a tropical experience to sip and sun, or partake in any number of bar games provided before swimming back to your boat.

Willie T's There cannot be a discussion about beach bars without referencing the amazing Willie T's in the BVI. The bar is a floating pirate ship anchored in Bight's Cove off Norman Island, near the fabled treasure trove of Long John Silver. If drinking on a pirate ship in the Caribbean isn't impressive enough, try some of their notorious drinks, such as the "shotski" or their infamous "bodyshots". As the day goes on at Willie T's, the crowd gets rowdier and clothing becomes optional. Many pirates-in-training end up jumping off the stern, clad only in their birthday suits to the delight of their fellow onlookers below.

Hunkering down for a day at The Office in Cabo San Lucas isn't exactly a desk job. The Office has some of the best finger food around, especially their ever-popular breakfast served on tables 25 feet from the surf. Lounge around on their portion of Mendano Beach and then head up to a table for one of their bar specials. In addition to the "toes in the sand location", at night the beachside dance floor is packed with happy-and tipsy-tourists. The Office is the perfect mix of sun, sand, food and fun.

Located on the best beach in the entire country of Belize, and in the middle of the quaint fishing village of Placencia, sits a vaunted institution of the Caribbean bar scene: the Barefoot Beach Bar. This small shuttered bar sits about 70 feet from the Caribbean and only steps from main street, dubbed "the worlds smallest main street" by Guinness Book of World Records, basically a long sidewalk that winds through the village hosting art galleries, t-shirt shops and a few other good bars. Barefoot not only sits on a great beach but offers thirsty tourists surprisingly great bar food and cheap tropical drinks. Although the most popular beverage is a toss-up between Belikin Beer (BZ's official brew) and One Barrel and Coke (BZ's official rum) it offers all your faves. Don't miss the reggae bands on most weekend nights, when people from around the world gather to dance the night away under the palms, One Barrel in hand.

Down on Playa Avellanas in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, just a few miles down from the new J.W. Marriott, is a long and wonderful stretch of miles of undeveloped beach, with incredible surf break after surf break and the most consistent beach waves in an area that is famous for them. The only thing on the beach? Lola's, an open air bar that is an exact replica of the one you have in your head: relaxing chairs and hammocks, palm trees and white sand, surfer girls in bikinis, amazing sunsets and ice cold beer and cocktails. Sundays are local's day, and surfers' fuel up before the high tide with one of Lola's amazing fresh fruit smoothies, then veg out after their session. People of all ages come from all over, dogs too, and every sunset is a big, protracted, low-key party. Just perfect. Just don't freak out when the giant pig the place is named after comes over to say hi.

Savor a slice of the fabulous life at Nikki Beach in St. Barth's, beach bar to the beautiful and famous. Nestled up to the beach of St. Jean, Nikki Beach is the place to be on the island. White on white beds, drapery and an abundance of pillows complement the chic European beach oasis. Expect to be rubbing shoulders with the VIPs and celebrity clientele at this stylish hotspot. Resident DJ Jacques Dumas spins a mix of music from around the world while models and tourists alike delight in the tunes, dance on tables and shower each other with champagne.

"Happy Hour is the reason I get up every afternoon" read the server's shirts at Woody's in St. John, and they aren't kidding. Woody's is the top destination for the five-to-seven crowd. The small blue and white shack is always packed, and the food coming out of the kitchen is amazing. Conch fritters and seafood platters are all offered at a very reasonable price, coupled with dollar beers and discounted drink specials, this a must-stop-spot in St. John. Never fear, the festivities are not restricted to Happy Hour, you can find a party at Woody's every night of the week.

Foxy's is an institution on Jost Van Dyke. Hosting one of the world's top New Years Eve parties, they are no stranger to a good time. Foxy Callwood himself, a sixth generation Jost Van Dyke native is renowned for his original songs and jokes. The bar hosts many regattas and is always jam packed with people looking for a great time, a rocking band and a unique cold drink. Foxy offers his own microbrews (ask him for a tour of the brewery) and many of the drinks on premise are made this his own unique rum. Foxy's is a perfect destination on the beach to enjoy great music, high spirits, and colorful characters. Click to View Related Video

At the El San Juan Hotel in Puerto Rico, the Caribbean goes glam at the groovy Encanto. A traveling cart stocked with seven varieties of their signature drink, the Mojito, (need we say more?!) is wheeled around to patrons as they lounge poolside in luxurious canopied daybeds and pod chairs. There is also the option to rent a tiki hut cabana complete with wi-fi access, flat screen televisions, a full minibar and of course the roaming drink cart. Think table service in the VIP section of the hottest clubs, only round the clock. This isn't exactly a "sand in the toes anything goes" kind of beach bar, but it is a fantastically posh oasis to get away from it all.

Settled right above the waves of the pristine undeveloped Anegeda, the Cow Wreck Beach Bar and Grill is a coveted destination for Caribbean travelers. The funky bar sits alone, with nothing but unspoiled stretches of sand on both sides. What sets this bar apart is the freshness of the food, the low-key attitude and the absolutely stunning location. The close proximity to the water is necessary for their lobster kept in underwater cages, and the local sharks that the barman catches every morning. The peaceful beach is great for a lazy day of snorkeling, eating and drinking.

Imagine a perfectly round fort, made of scrap and driftwood, with a thatched palm roof, on stilts, in the middle of a sandbar. That would be Floyd's Pelican Bar in Parrotte Bay off the south coast of Jamaica. Floyd Forbes, a local Jamaican fisherman, dreamt one night about building a bar out at sea. So vivid was his dream that he began transporting wood in his fishing boat to build Floyd's Pelican Bar. There are plenty of locals who are willing to provide a lift out to the bar, where lunch is caught and cooked to order. Snorkel around, catch some sun, play dominos and soak in the surroundings of the most unique bar around.

As fall starts to settle into the States, we hope that these bars serve as an inspiration for a personal educational Caribbean adventure. Whether it be posh, casual, adventurous, or a little bit of each, it is always best to research these topics thoroughly, and leave no drink undrained on the noble path to knowledge.

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