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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. 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.

When the results of all our hands-on research were tallied, the The Soggy Dollar won the most votes, again!. "The Dollar," as it's called by regulars, is the original home of the Caribbean's signature drink, "The Painkiller". This wickedly delicious concoction is a mixture of dark rum, coconut, and fruit juices, with fresh nutmeg sprinkled on top and is perfect for this magical setting. The drink is $6, the experience; priceless. Located on White Beach (the 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. Don’t be surprised to find Kenny Chesney strumming his guitar as he sips a cold one.

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.

The Office 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.

Lola's, 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. 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. This is some serious St. Barth's real estate with a twist.

Nikki Beach – Cabo San Lucas
Nikki Beach, the "Sexiest Place on Earth" brings its world-renowned fame to one of the world's most exquisite dream destinations, Cabo San Lucas. It is located on the popular Medano Beach at ME by Melia Cabo, the incredible view and design raises eyebrows. Nikki Beach, the perfect mix between refinement and avant-garde awaits you, while some of the world's most beautiful people enjoy exotic cocktails and relax languidly in our signature white teepees and plush lounge beds. If you like pretty people, this place is nirvana.

Foxy's is an institution on Jost Van Dyke. Hosting one of the world's top New Years Eve parties, they are no strangers 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.

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 posh, casual, adventurous, or a little bit of each, it is always best to research these topics thoroughly, and leave no drink un-drained on the noble path to knowledge.

Dune Preserve, Rendezvous Bay – Anguilla
There's only one degree of separation between Kevin Bacon and the Dune Preserve bar on Rendezvous Bay—this is where the Hollywood star comes to play live music when he's in Anguilla. But this ramshackle bar set in the sand dunes and constructed of driftwood and material scavenged from shipwrecks is not cool because it attracts celebrities. It is cool because it is a ramshackle bar in the sand dunes made from driftwood and shipwrecks and because it doubles as the home of reggae artist Bankie Banx and because it has one of the best music scenes in the whole of the Caribbean. Of course, being right on the beach and serving up cold beers helps too.

Infiniti Bar, Grace Bay Club, Turks & Caicos
The longest bar in the Caribbean is also one of the coolest. The 28 meter (90 foot) long Infiniti Bar stretches its black marble from the restaurant at the Grace Bay Club all the way to (and, seemingly, into) the ocean. The bar is the most active in the evening though it is a great place to hang out during the day when it is covered by what we assume is some of the Caribbean's finest real estate.

Not incidentally, the Grace Cay Club is a cool place to stay for more reasons than the Infiniti Bar. This elegant Spanish-style villa sits on one of the best beaches in the Turks & Caicos. The scene is chic and sleek, decorated with blazing blue and gold Bisazza glass mosaic tiles, was designed by Keith Hobbs of United Designers, known for his work with Nobu and London's W Hotel. You shouldn't have trouble finding a seat here, because according to Grace Bay, this is the longest bar in the Caribbean. The black marble construction stretches 90 feet across the beach and true to its name, Infiniti, seems to extend indefinitely into the ocean.

The Dune Bar, One & Only Ocean Club, Paradise Island, Bahamas
Want to drink and dine like James Bond, saddle up to the sexy Dune Bar at the One and Only, a very cool, open-air beach bar on Paradise Island where parts of Casino Royale were filmed. Attracting world-class athletes, actors, filmmakers, and musicians, the place is a celebrity magnet. They have created a classy colonial feel that's topped off by a white marble bar. The bar menu fits the upscale atmosphere, and be sure to try the lobster and the conch salad for dinner. Although some items are expensive, the decor and the view make the experience worth it! For a romantic dinner while the sunsets, this place is pretty amazing!

Basil's Bar on Mustique Island
At Basil's Bar on Mustique Island in the West Indies, bar owner Basil Charles says that despite his establishment's celebrity following (Mick Jagger, Morgan Freeman, Johnny Depp), right now it's all about value and keeping it real. Contributing to the unpretentious vibe is the bar's thatched roof, open-air dance floor, and wood deck, which is perched on bamboo stilts over the water.

At this world famous Beach Bar is one of those places where every night which has been open for around 30 years and is part of the fabric of Mustique life. Basil welcomes sailors, business tycoons, film, fashion and rock stars, and Caribbean islands holidaymakers. It is said that Basil's Bar is a leveler of people from all walks of life and it's mantra is to "live for the moment". The bar is constructed on stilts over the beach on the waterfront with wonderful views of Britannia Bay and the Caribbean Sea. Basil's may well be the most famous bar in the world.

Whether you're looking for upscale or down-home, the Caribbean and Mexico offers a treasure trove of beach bars where you can relax, rejuvenate, party and toast to a future full of possibilities—or just enjoy living in the present.