From May to late December, prices for Caribbean vacations drop, and the bargains get so tempting one almost forgets the H-word.
Read below for some background about hurricane season in the Caribbean, and some protective strategies.
Officially, hurricane season stretches from June 1st to November 30th, and hits not only the Caribbean islands but also parts of Mexico, Florida and the Texas coast. Within that time frame, August to October are peak months.
Granted, the chance of a major tropical storm beating up your particular little spot of paradise is small. But even if a hurricane doesn't catch you right in its path, it disrupts weather patterns for miles around. Nobody wants to spend vacation time staring at the sky and wondering when the rain will stop.
Below are some practical suggestions for off-season holidays.
Caribbean - Hurricane Season: protective strategies
- Choose low-risk spots
Although there's not really a totally safe zone, the southern ABC islands -- Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao, in the Dutch Caribbean near Venezuela -- are considered the best bets. Also, Trinidad and Tobago are below the hurricane belt.
- Choose low-risk months
See more detailed When is Hurricane Season info.
- Choose a mobile resort
Cruise ships are a practical way to visit the Caribbean during the risky season, as they can simply re-route if a storm threatens.
- Choose a resort with guarantees
Most major resort chains offer hurricane protection: for ex., SuperClubs (which has the Breezes and Starfish brands), Club Med, Wyndham Resorts.*
- Book with a company that gives weather protection
Expedia.com, Apple Vacations, Funjet... many travel packagers offer some type of holiday protection.
See more about Caribbean Hurricane Season - weather protection offered by resorts and vacation packagers. Always read the fine print, though!
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Weather insurance possibilities
Regular travel insurance comes in many varieties -- such as Trip Cancellation or Interruption-- and some policies may also offer protection against weather; check with your travel agent or insurance company.
