The TRAVELER'S JOURNAL: January ninth, calling attention to costly Caribbean farewells.

Many travelers will make their way to the Caribbean this winter. With hundreds of islands comprising dozens of independent nations, protectorates and colonies, the Caribbean presents travelers with a crazy quilt of choices. Apart from the differences in their physical beauties and accommodating aspects, the islands can also present a confusion of local custom and bureaucratic regulation. These differences can make a journey to each new island an adventure, even for travelers well acquainted with other Caribbean destinations.

There is, for example, no one rule that applies to all of the islands when it comes to entry and exit requirements, even for casual travelers. Cuba is presently the only destination for which American tourists must obtain advance documentation, and that regulation is imposed by our government, not their's. Other islands, like the Dominican Republic, require tourists to register upon entry.

That's why it's always wise for Caribbean travelers to take proper documentation. That usually is a government-issued photo I.D. or proof of U.S. residence or citizenship, such as a voter's registration or certified birth certificate. While not mandatory anywhere, passports are always the best proof to bring.

Some islands also ask travelers to prove their intent to eventually leave, such as having a onward air ticket. Many islands also charge a departure fee of $15 to $20 per person, which often must be paid in cash at the point of exit. Some even tack on an airport fee.

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