A get-away to the Caribbean is always a good idea. However – the best time of the year to go depends on you and what you want from your vacation. Do you want to go when the rates are down and prices are cheap? Do you want to be in the Caribbean for a music or cultural festival? Looking for the best season to go bonefishing? With a little planning, you can find the optimum time for your vacation interest.
Winter in the Caribbean runs from mid-December to mid-April. Snowbirds from the US and Canada seek the warmth of tropical sun and beaches from Aruba to the Virgin Islands. This is ‘high-season’ in the Caribbean. With all of the tourists escaping snow and cold weather, the islands swell and the economy booms. If you don’t mind the crowds and the elevated prices, then this is the time to go. Soak up the rays in Ocho Rios, Jamaica where the mountains are a bit cooler and the views to the bay are stunning. Press through the throngs on Seven Mile Beach in the Cayman Islands for one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Here thick mounds of powdery soft sand edge crystal clear water- a snorkeling paradise.
If you can stand the high humidity and sometimes sweltering heat, summer in the Caribbean is the low-season. June, July and August are the hot months. However, since it is hot in the snowbird states too, not many people come to the Caribbean, choosing instead to stay in mountain homes and cooler climes. This is perfect for those wanting to catch great rates in the Caribbean. Hotel rooms drop their rates dramatically. Rooms are available everywhere. The crowds have dwindled and beaches have open spots for your umbrella and chair. This time of year also offers great open markets for shoppers looking for baskets and spices and woven fans.
The mid-season of late fall and late spring are also good for those looking to save money. Accommodations cost less than in winter and the temperatures are still in the high 80’s. The islands do get crowded at times in this season. For example – spring break and Easter are very busy times and the rates reflect that. Try to plan outside of those dates for the best savings.
September and October are the peak of the hurricane season. However – they are also the time when Caribbean cruises are at their cheapest prices. Take advantage of the rock-bottom rates and the great cabins available on these cruises. If a hurricane is detected, cruise ships will go around the storms. Generally, a hurricane poses very little risks for cruisers. Some islands are also less likely to encounter hurricanes than others. For instance – Barbados has hurricanes only about once every twenty years. Aruba and Curacao are also very safe places to visit in the hurricane season.
Pick your best time and come enjoy the playground paradise of the Caribbean. We’re waiting for you!
Top photo: Cuba: Cultural performance via ©Cuba Tourism Board.
