Beginning on January 23, the much-debated Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative will require a passport for all air travel to the Caribbean, Bermuda, Mexico, and Canada (with the exception of U.S. territories, such as Puerto Rico and the U.S.V.I.). The new rule has not been popular in the Caribbean, which relies heavily on tourists--Americans in particular. In 2004, Americans accounted for about 52 percent of arrivals, according to the Caribbean Tourism Organization. For details on the new passport requirements, which will likely extend to land and sea travel in 2008, visit travel.state.gov/travel.

To entice travelers who might be turned off by the $97 cost of a passport, resorts throughout the Caribbean have dreamt up a wide range of discounts; some will even reimburse travelers for the cost of a new passport.

ANGUILLA: The Arawak Beach Inn's four-night Passport to Paradise package includes accommodations, a complimentary private excursion to a secluded beach, and a gourmet packed lunch, starting at $240 per person, based on double occupancy, for travel through June 30, 2007. Travelers must be first-time passport holders or veteran passport holders with two or more Anguilla stamps (877/4-ARAWAK).

ARUBA: The Westin Aruba is offering a $50 food credit per person per stay, valid through 2007 (866/978-5792). Similarly, the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino is giving out a $75 food-and-beverage credit per room, valid through 2007 (888/PARADISE). The MVC Eagle Beach (011-297/587-0110) and the Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort (800/932-6509) are both giving out $25 food-and-beverage credits per person per stay, with a five-night minimum stay, valid Jan. 3-Dec. 17, 2007. The Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino has a $100 resort credit per room with a five-night minimum stay, valid Jan. 1-Apr. 30, 2007 (800/223-6388).

PUERTO VALLARTA: Present your new passport at check-in at the CasaMagna Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort to demonstrate that the property is your first destination stamp and you'll receive a $100 resort credit for one person per room. The deal is good for travel, Jan. 1-Apr. 30, 2007, and a five-night minimum stay is required (888/727-2347).

ST. LUCIA: The eco-resort Ladera will reimburse the cost of a passport for travelers who make St. Lucia their first stop with the new passport between Jan. 1-Dec. 21, 2007. Guests will also receive a leather passport case, a 30-minute massage at the Ti Kaye Pose Spa, and a cocktail from the bar. A five-night minimum stay is required (800/738-4752).

ST. THOMAS: The Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort & Spa is offering a Pass by that Passport package that includes an all-inclusive stay (meals, drinks, non-motorized sports, and admission to the Grotto Grove Kids Klub) from $414 per room per night, based on double occupancy, through Apr. 14, 2007 (340/777-7100).