The Worst Time to Visit the Caribbean and When You Should Go
Are you trying to avoid the worst time to visit the Caribbean?
The Caribbean is known for its perfect tropical beach weather, but every month isn’t perfect. Your trip could get ruined by a hurricane or battling with tourist crowds and higher prices.
I’ve visited the Caribbean multiple times during different seasons, including cruises in the eastern and western Caribbean and resort stays in Cancun and the Bahamas.
What concerns do you have about traveling to the Caribbean? Weather? Prices? Crowds?
Let’s take a look at the worst time to visit the Caribbean and narrow down when you should book that vacation.
The Worst Time to Visit the Caribbean
The worst month to cruise the Caribbean or book a resort is July, August, September, or October because of the increased risk of hurricanes.
Another bad time to visit the Caribbean is in April and December because of the increase in crowds and costs over winter and spring break.
With every con there is a pro, so let’s dive into these worst times to visit the Caribbean and why you might decide to book your vacation in these months anyway.
Peak of Hurricane Season
The Caribbean hurricane season runs from June to November, with September and October being the highest chances of storms.
Even if the hurricanes don’t make it to land, the weather is hotter and more humid. You should expect strong winds and lots of rain.
The high winds or a storm can close down the pools on a cruise ship. Bad storms or hurricanes can cause a missed cruise port stop on your itinerary.
The official rainy season is May through November, but it’s smart to prepare for rain any time of the year.
Traveling to the Caribbean anytime between July through October is possible. It’s just a risk you might want to take with a trade-off of less crowds and cheaper travel deals.
The best thing you can do is check your travel insurance for weather-related coverage before booking that summer or fall Caribbean vacation.
The Busiest Tourist Periods
December to April is known as the Caribbean’s tourist season.
The Caribbean isn’t as hot and humid in winter or spring, but it’s still a warm tropical temperature of 75° to 85°F (25° to 30°C).
The beautiful weather and lower risk of tropical storms mean more tourists. Less wind makes the visibility better for snorkeling and SCUBA diving.
December and April are usually the most crowded because of winter vacation around the holidays and spring break.
If you want to leave the snow to enjoy the clear skies and relax on the beaches, you can still travel to islands in the Caribbean during winter. Just look into January or February instead of December.
I thought the beginning of April was the best time to go to the Caribbean. It was over spring break and Easter, but the ship and the shore excursions didn’t seem overly crowded.
My friends and I were on a smaller Royal Caribbean ship, so I’m sure that helped. The smaller cruise ships have fewer people (obviously), so it doesn’t take as long to disembark at port.
The trade-off of a smaller cruise ship is fewer bells and whistles. Our cruise ship didn’t have a water slide or mini golf, but it did have pools and a rock climbing wall.
My April Eastern Caribbean Cruise didn’t have a crazy crowd, but your vacation might. There are tons of tourists looking for fun things to do.
The Western Caribbean is typically easier and cheaper to travel to, so maybe look for an overlooked island like St Kitts and Nevis out east instead of Turks and Caicos or the Bahamas.
The Best Time to Visit the Caribbean
The best months to visit the Caribbean are January, February, March, and May because of the good weather and off-season pricing.
June and November are also good months to go to the Caribbean in the off-season but are at the beginning and end of hurricane season.
Cheapest Time to Travel to the Caribbean
May, June, and November are the shoulder season months because they have cheaper off-season pricing between the more popular travel times.
For me, June in the Bahamas was the perfect vacation without crowds. Think of your ideal tropical getaway for good weather, homemade ice cream, and SCUBA diving.
I could walk around in a sundress and flip-flops and only had a light sweater for the air-conditioned hotel.
There were some rainy days when I was there, but it never lasted long. The only drawback of the rainy weather was leaving the jacuzzi because of lightning.
As far as the summer months go, June is your best bet. There is less risk of hurricanes, and June in the Caribbean isn’t as hot and humid as August or September.
January through April are the official cruise season, but January, February, and March are the sweet spot. They are the months that let you enjoy the Caribbean weather and good deals on cruises and travel.
Best and Worst Times to Visit the Caribbean by Month
Keep in mind there are a lot of Caribbean destinations.
The Eastern Caribbean islands have a different vibe and can have different weather patterns than countries in the Western or Southern Caribbean.
In winter, the Eastern Caribbean Islands, like the British Virgin Islands, have cooler weather than you might want for a beach getaway. Avoid them in winter and plan to go in spring or November. A good rule of thumb to remember is that the Southern Caribbean is usually warmer.
The ABC islands, Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao, are your best options in August. They can get high winds but are just outside of the hurricane belt and have fewer chances of tropical storms during the official hurricane season.
January and February – Best Month (Cruise Season, Good Weather)
Pros:
- Cruise season
- Lowest risk of rainfall
- Cool temperatures 75° – 85°F (25° – 30°C).
- Great visibility for SCUBA diving & snorkeling
Cons:
- More expensive & crowded
March – Best Month (Cruise Season, Good Weather)
Pros:
- Cruise season
- Lowest risk of rainfall
- Cool temperatures 75° – 85°F (25° – 30°C).
- Great visibility for SCUBA diving & snorkeling
Cons:
- More expensive & crowded
- Start of USA spring break
April – Best Month (Cruise Season, Good Weather), Worst Month (Crowds & Pricing)
Pros:
- Cruise season
- Lowest risk of rainfall
- Cool temperatures 75° – 85°F (25° – 30°C).
- Great visibility for SCUBA diving & snorkeling
Cons:
- More expensive & crowded
- Tourist season
May – Best Month (Low Season, Good Weather)
Pros:
- Off-season
- Warm temperatures 80° – 90°F (27° – 32°C)
- Less expensive
Cons:
- Humidity & rain starts to increase
June – Best Month (Low Season, Less Hurricane Risk)
Pros:
- Off-season
- Less expensive
- Fewer hurricanes and tropical storms
Cons:
- Warm temperatures 85° – 95°F (29° – 35°C)
- Humidity & rain starts to increase
- Start of hurricane season
- Start of US summer vacation
July – Worst Month (Hurricane Season, Hot & Humid)
Pros:
- Less expensive
- Fewer hurricanes and tropical storms
Cons:
- Warm temperatures 85° – 95°F (29° – 35°C)
- High humidity & heavy rainfall
- Hurricane season
August and September – Worst Month (Peak Hurricane Season, Hot & Humid)
Pros:
- Less expensive
Cons:
- Warm temperatures 85° – 95°F (29° – 35°C)
- High humidity & heavy rainfall
- Peak hurricane season
- Fewer businesses open
October – Worst Month (Hurricane Season, Hot & Humid)
Pros:
- Warm temperatures 80° – 90°F (27° – 32°C)
- Less expensive
- Hurricane risk decreases toward end of the month
Cons:
- High humidity & heavy rainfall
- Hurricane season
- Fewer businesses open
November – Best Month (Low Season, Less Hurricane Risk)
Pros:
- Cool temperatures 75° – 85°F (25° – 30°C).
- Less expensive
- Fewer hurricanes and tropical storms
Cons:
- High humidity & heavy rainfall
- Hurricane season
December – Worst Month (Crowds & Pricing)
Pros:
- Lowest risk of rainfall
- Cool temperatures 75° – 85°F (25° – 30°C).
- Great visibility for SCUBA diving & snorkeling
Cons:
- More expensive & crowded
- Tourist season
Summary of Best and Worst Time to Visit the Caribbean
To sum it all up, the worst time to visit the Caribbean depends on what would put a damper on your trip.
Do you want to avoid hurricanes?
Don’t travel to the Caribbean in August or September. If you do travel during that time, check out vacationing in Curacao.
Want to avoid crowds and higher prices?
The worst months to cruise the Caribbean are the peak tourist seasons in December and April. Try cruising January through March instead. Those months are great for off-season pricing, less crowds, less rain, and cooler weather.
June and November have warmer weather and more rain, but still give you fewer crowds and cheaper travel deals.
Pick what weather and budget fits your travel style, then start booking that well-deserved vacation! Everyone should experience a trip to the Caribbean.
FAQ Worst Time to Visit the Caribbean
What are the Peak Months of the Hurricane Season in the Caribbean?
The peak months of hurricane season in the Caribbean are June to November. The worst months for tropical storms are August and September.
Can I still enjoy a Caribbean Vacation During the Hurricane Season?
Yes, you can still enjoy a Caribbean vacation during the hurricane season. Plan your visit in June or November at the beginning or end of the official hurricane season. Or pick an island outside of the hurricane belt such as Aruba, Bonaire, or Curacao.
When is the Best Time to Visit the Caribbean for Good Weather and Fewer Crowds?
The best time to visit the Caribbean for good weather and fewer crowds is late April and early June. It will be warm without being too hot or humid and is between the busy spring cruise month and before hurricane season starts.
Are There Any Cost Benefits to Traveling to the Caribbean During Certain Times of the Year?
Yes, there are cost benefits to traveling to the Caribbean during certain times of the year. Late spring to early fall is the off-season and hurricane season. This time frame is cheaper, but some businesses may be closed, and you need to check if your travel insurance covers tropical storms.
What are Some Alternative Destinations if I Want to Avoid the Caribbean During the Hurricane Season?
There are alternative destinations if you want a tropical beach vacation during summer and early fall but want to avoid the Caribbean during the hurricane season. Try visiting Hawaii, the South Pacific Islands, or parts of Southeast Asia.
