Caribbean Time

What’s the first thing that pops into your head when you envision the Caribbean?

For me, it is picture perfect blue water, sunshine, bougainvillea draped buildings, sandy beaches and cold drinks. The postcards aren’t far from reality. That’s what makes the Caribbean such an appealing destination.

The Caribbean is an archipelago with more than 7000 islands, islets, reefs and cays stretching over 2500 miles in the Caribbean Sea. There are 14 distinct countries and 12 territories owned by 4 countries. As a result there are many languages spoken: English, French, Dutch, Spanish, Haitian Creole and Papiemeto and wide cultural differences.

The geography and climate vary widely too.

Some islands are as flat as a pancake: Aruba, Barbados, the Bahamas and Saint Croix for example but some have fantastic mountain ranges including Cuba, Dominica, St. Lucia, Puerto Rico and Jamaica. Temperatures don’t fluctuate much from season to season – they’re always tropical. However wind patterns will moderate temperatures especially on the windward side of the island. Rainfall varies widely across the islands. Aruba has the driest climate whereas Dominica can see upwards of 300 inches of rain per year in its tropical interior. In general, look for less rain on the southwest side of an island and lusher, wetter country on the northeast side.

When deciding what time of year is best to go, there are two main considerations: budget and hurricanes. High season runs from December 15^th to April 15^th, timed to coincide with bad weather in the northern hemisphere. Prices can vary by as much as 40% between high and low season. If you still want to go in high season pick January, the most affordable high season month.

Hurricane season threatens from June until November BUT September is usually the worst month. You can still head to the Caribbean in hurricane season - just stay out of the hurricane zone. Visit Trinidad and Tobago, Aruba, Curacao and Bonaire to stay out of the zone.

Here are some factors to consider when you’re choosing a Caribbean vacation.

• How do you want to visit the islands?  By cruise ship, by plane via a vacation package to one or to multiple islands or do you want to plan it on your own?
• Do you want an active holiday or is this about zoning out with a good book on a beach for hours at a time?
• What kind of activities are you interested in? – Deep sea fishing, snorkeling, scuba diving, hiking, golfing, tennis or sailing?
• Do you want an all inclusive resort or do you want to pay as you go?
• Do you want Jamaica’s reggae music scene or Cuba’s jazz scene?
• Are you interested in intimate retreats or a giant resorts? A small cruise ship or large? Two star or 5 star?

If you are planning a vacation to the Caribbean, many travel agencies are available to help you with the planning process, such as Liberty Travel. You can book Caribbean cruises, flights, or all-inclusive resorts. If you do not wish to plan your trip through a travel agency, you can plan the trip by yourself. If you choose this option, you can find some great deals with proper research.

Except for hurricane season there’s never a bad time to visit the Caribbean.

Leigh McAdam

HikeBikeTravel
Photo credit: Caribbean beach

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