The One Time Of The Year You May Not Want To Visit The Caribbean

Tropical weather and crystal clear waters make the Caribbean the ultimate vacation spot. Names that come to mind for an island getaway include the Bahamas, Turks & Caicos, and Jamaica. But with 13 countries and hundreds of islands to choose from, there are places in the Caribbean you've likely never heard of. Needless to say, there are plenty of underrated tourist destinations that should be on your radar, including Charlotte Amalie in St. Thomas and Gustavia in St. Barths, to name a few. 

However, when planning your vacation to the Caribbean, the when is just as important as the where. With this in mind, you might want to skip out on a Caribbean vacation during the winter. This is considered the start of the high season. During this time of year, visitors flock to the Caribbean to take advantage of the picturesque climate. While this is certainly ideal if you want to stay nice and toasty throughout the winter, know that the destination of your choice will likely be overflowing with tourists. 

This could impact your itinerary, and unfortunately, more tourists means you will pay higher prices for your vacation. Typically, the high season runs until April. Nevertheless, there is a different time of the year when you can avoid all these stipulations.

If you want to get more bang for your buck on your Caribbean vacation, head to your destination between June and November. Visitors will enjoy the warm weather the Carribean is famous for and encounter fewer tourists. Most importantly, your trip will be less expensive overall. Of course, there is a catch. June through November constitute the Caribbean's shoulder and low seasons for a reason; this is also the Caribbean's hurricane and rainy season. While this equates to affordability, you should plan accordingly if you opt for a Caribbean getaway during this time. 

For example, when booking, inquire about cancellation policies regarding your flights, lodging accommodations, and other aspects of your trip. For peace of mind, ask your resort or hotel about their protocols for natural disasters. To be on the safe side, purchase travel insurance. Depending on your policy, this could cover your trip if it gets canceled due to a hurricane. At the worst, you'll be able to reschedule your trip rather than lose out on going or receive a reimbursement. 

Insurance could also cover necessities and medical bills if a hurricane hits on your trip. To get the best coverage, it's recommended to acquire travel insurance long before you leave for your trip. In other words, don't do it at the last minute, as this could lessen your chances of getting optimal coverage.

Winter, summer, and fall are perhaps far from being the perfect times to visit the Caribbean. Despite this, deciding when to go on your Caribbean vacation is subjective. If you want the best weather conditions sans hurricanes, choose winter. However, if you're on a tight budget, traveling during the hurricane and rainy season might be your best option. Note that hurricanes are more common in certain regions in the Caribbean than in others. 

Thus, to lessen your chance of a hurricane ruining your vacation, consider destinations like Grenada and Trinidad and Tobago, where hurricanes are infrequent. You could also take a cruise during this time as they will avoid areas where storms are present. That said, there is a middle ground to all three of these seasons: visit the Caribbean in springtime, specifically in May. 

This is part of the shoulder season, and the weather is nearly perfect during this time of year. Best of all, if you visit after spring break, you'll miss out on the tourist crowds and price surges. Whenever and wherever you decide to go, there's a reason why travelers love the Caribbean. Unbelievable scenery and adventures guarantee a once-in-a-lifetime trip.