With its beautiful beaches, lush flora and exotic local cultures, it's no wonder the Caribbean is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Its festive music is an important part of any visit to the region. Jamaica's reggae and ska, soca and calypso from Trinidad and Barbados, Haitian compas, zouk from Martinique and Guadeloupe, Cuban and Puerto Rican salsa, merengue from the Dominican Republic, the multicultural fusions of Aruba and Curacao, and the bouncing punta of Belize are just a few of the hundreds of local music styles that entrance visitors.
Musical cousins, these styles share a common legacy of the blending of African and European traditions. The results of this shared history are wonderfully varied, and each island has developed a unique musical heritage. Like a tropical punch, the different cultures blended, resulting in intoxicating musical concoctions.
