Off-Season Caribbean Travel Tips

Making a decision when to go to the Caribbean may seem far from easy, especially if you take weather, crowds, special events, and fluctuating prices into consideration. If you dream of spending your family vacation at a Caribbean resort but don't want the usual high prices, think about booking an off-season stay in the late spring, summer, or fall. It is often possible to find some great Caribbean vacation packages during the warmer months, since this is the time when tropical storms could occur more often and fewer travelers visit the islands as a result. If you want to experience the most action and the best weather, go during peak times. But if the thing that counts for you is avoiding crowds and saving money, consider traveling to Caribbean during off-peak season.

In general, there are two major travel seasons in the Carribean. The high season starts in the middle of December and ends in the middle of April. The rest of the year is considered to be the low season, mainly because of the possible hurricanes. The prices during the two seasons are wildely different, of course.

If you want to avoid the hurricanes that tend to be the most active during the months of August, September, and October, you should decide to travel before or after these months. That gives you more chances for really nice holidays. Also, consider visiting islands located outside the hurricane belt such as Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, and Trinidad and Tobago. Summers on these islands are much more pleasant with only scattered showers that don’t seem to be a serious problem.

Travelers will certainly find reduced rates and fewer fellow travelers at this time. Cruise lines tend to reduce prices to fill their staterooms. You can save even up to 40 percent of the money you would spend traveling in high season.

It's important to note that off-season travel can have some disadvantages. Additionally, not all shops and restaurants are open year-round. Some close during off-peak times or operate on a much more limited schedule.

As you can see, with a little planning and research, any time can be a good time to enjoy your dream Caribbean vacation.

Stan Rich is a travel writer and webmaster of Best All Inclusive Resorts.