Best time to visit the Caribbean
When it comes to weather, the Caribbean is renowned for having arguably the most desirable climate on the planet, with temperatures a gorgeous 24-29°C year round. It’s never cold, never roasting, and rain falls to a fairly predictable rhythm – keeping these tropical islands lush and leafy. The best time to visit the Caribbean is generally considered to be December to April, when it’s slightly cooler (particularly in the northern Caribbean), drier and less humid, and tourists flock to escape the northern winter. May to November can be soggy, with hurricanes possible from July to October – though these are rare in the far south, such as Trinidad and Tobago and the ABC Islands.
Within this, though, the best time to visit the Caribbean will vary depending on your interests, budget and island. Nesting turtles, migrating birds and submarine species all have their favoured seasons. Additionally, May to June and late November to mid December provide cheaper rates and fewer crowds – while still experiencing good weather for you to enjoy on a beach virtually empty of other tourists.
Our Caribbean Vacations
Caribbean nature tour, Lesser Antilles
Bespoke nature vacation on four idyllic Caribbean islands
From
US $3360 to US $3775
12 days
ex flights
Tobago beach accommodation
15 beautiful accommodations in unique eco resort
From
£95 to £270
per accommodation per night
Cuba small group vacation, 8 days
Explore the history and the nature of the Caribbean wonder
From
US $2350
8 days
ex flights
Cuba tour, The Revolutionary Trail
Follow in the footsteps of the revolutionaries
From
£1925
10 days
ex flights
Trekking vacation in Cuba
Hiking and exploring the unspoiled national parks of Cuba
From
£270 to £580
4 days
ex flights
Cuba cultural vacation
Immerse yourself in Cuban culture on this 8 day adventure
From
US $690
8 days
ex flights
St Lucia birdwatching tour, tailor made
Birds, flora and fauna in beautiful St Lucia
From
US $1095 to US $1450
9 days
ex flights
Cuba adventure tours
Authentic Cuba using guesthouses and local guides
From
US $425 to US $490
8 days
ex flights
Dominica nature vacation
Independent tour of Dominica, Caribbean's "Nature Island".
From
US $1575 to US $2295
9 days
ex flights
Trinidad and Tobago nature tours
An eco-adventure experience that includes every comfort
From
US $2695 to US $3495
15 days
ex flights
Small group tour to Cuba
Discover the fascinating diversity of Cuba
From
US $1130 to US $1245
20 days
ex flights
Haiti vacation, small group
Discover Haiti on this tour to the Caribbean's hidden gem
From
£2325
12 days
ex flights
Classic Cuba biking vacation
Cycle Cuba - Beaches, Mountains and Revolution!
From
£1999
15 days
ex flights
Small group tour to Western Cuba
Tour the 'Garden Province' of Cuba
From
US $250 to US $350
6 days
ex flights
St Lucia B&B accommodation, Marigot Bay
Waterfront B&B in the most loved & beautiful Caribbean, bay!
From
US $160 to US $200
per accommodation per night (sleeps 2)
Discover Cuba vacation, 15 days
Experience the real Cuba on this 15 day cultural adventure
From
US $1360
15 days
ex flights
Cuba vacation, West to East
Cuba travel 19 days from West to East
From
€1995 to €2295
19 days
ex flights
Learn Spanish and watersports vacation, Dominican Republic
Study Spanish & enjoy watersports in the warm Caribbean
From
£415 to £755
7 days
ex flights
Small group tours to Cuba
Explore off the beaten track locations
From
US $1200 to US $1280
9 days
ex flights
Self drive Cuba family vacation
Family vacation Cuba for parents & children
From
€1590 to €2990
15 days
ex flights
Cuba cultural tour, 9 days
Fun and legal tour for American travelers
From
US $1600 to US $2000
9 days
ex flights
Skyline Trail cycling tour in Western Cuba
Cycle the spectacular Syline Trail through Western Cuba
From
£1199
8 days
ex flights
Scuba diving and tour in Cuba
Scuba diving and roundtrip Cuba with homestays and/or hotels
From
€995 to €1790
15 days
ex flights
Help rebuild Dominica after hurricane Maria
Help rebuild an eco lodge and a local community,
From
US $70 to US $720
7 days
ex flights
Jamaica tour, Jamaica Discovery
Venture beyond the tourist trail of Jamaica
From
£2515
12 days
ex flights
Luxury resort in Saint Lucia, Jade Mountain
A cornucopia of organic architecture celebrating nature.
From
US $1050 to US $3050
per accommodation per night
Caribbean weather chart
Where to go & when
Greater Antilles
Greater Antilles, inc. Jamaica, Dominican Republic
Hugely popular due to their proximity to the USA, cheap flights and accommodation to suit all tastes and budgets, the Caribbean’s largest islands are bustling from Christmas to spring break, with another peak in the summer vacations for families. August to September is the main hurricane season, with big ones hitting roughly every decade, and rains lasting until November. Winters are pleasantly cooler, with a minimum of 20°C.
Cuba
Cuba
As frosty relations with the US finally thaw, Cuba is poised for a change. If you want to witness the island of your imagination, the best time to visit Cuba is now. For the best weather, March to mid April are warm, sunny and mostly dry – before the rains begin in May. Hurricanes are a risk from August to October. January and February are cooler but generally cheaper than Christmas and Easter . The further east you go, the hotter, wetter and stormier it gets.
Leeward Islands
Leeward Islands, inc. Virgin Islands, Antigua, St Kitts
These islands enjoy balmy winters with an average temperature of 27°C; mid December to mid April are the peak months, with November and early December offering slightly cheaper rates but good weather. The Leeward Islands experience heavy rains from July to November, and lie squarely in the path of hurricanes. However, the trade winds keep temps more pleasant during the summer than elsewhere in the Caribbean, and prices are low.
Windward Islands
Windward Islands, inc. Saint Lucia, Dominica, Grenada, Martinique
The Caribbean’s littlest islands follow a typically Caribbean weather pattern, with December to April the peak months (drier, cooler, less humid) – and September to October the most prolific for hurricanes, with rains starting in June. More mountainous islands - including Saint Lucia and Dominica - experience higher rainfall than those at a lower elevation – though this does make them lusher and lovelier for birdlife and waterfalls.
ABC Islands
ABC Islands
Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao, formerly known as the Dutch Antilles, sit well inside the Caribbean, off Venezuela’s north coast. Consequently, they are far south of the hurricane belt and enjoy a much drier climate. This is a brilliant spot for an off-peak Caribbean vacation as April through to August are warm but tempered by trade winds, with no storms, few visitors, no cruise ships and low prices. The winds are also fantastic for windsurfers.
Our top Caribbean Vacation
Caribbean nature tour, Lesser Antilles
Bespoke nature vacation on four idyllic Caribbean islands
From
US $3360 to US $3775
12 days
ex flights
Tailor made:
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
Helpdesk
Hello. If you'd like to chat about Caribbean or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help. Rosy & team.
What to do, month by month
Bird watching
Bird watching
Sitting between the cooler climes of North and South America, the Caribbean Islands attract birds from both continents. Though colourful species can be seen year round, South American migrants visit from May to September, while North American species are more likely to be seen from October to March – with Trinidad and Tobago, Dominica and Saint Lucia the region’s birding hotspots.
Hiking
Hiking
Muddy trails, high humidity and downright soggy weather mean that the storm season is not the best time to visit the Caribbean if you’re planning to do hiking or nature walks – late autumn to early summer offer much more pleasant conditions. Unfortunately, the hillier regions that offer the best walking (St Lucia, Dominican Republic, eastern Cuba) also attract the most rain – but this “liquid sunshine” can be a relief from the heat – and replenishes the waterfalls and natural pools.
Diving
Diving
The Caribbean Sea is always deliciously warm, of course, but visibility is at its best from January-August, with May-July offering the best conditions throughout most of the region. Cuba’s waters are calmer from December-April, thought whale sharks are most common in November. The dry and breezy ABC Islands have incredible diving but are sheltered from the worst of the weather – so diving takes place year-round.
Turtle watching
Turtle watching
Each year from March-September, hawksbill, green and giant leatherback sea turtles haul their huge bodies onto sandy beaches up and down the Caribbean, with nesting peaking in April-June – and hatchlings emerging a couple of months later. Trinidad is a particular hotspot, though St Lucia, the Grenadines, St Kitts and Nevis and Dominica, among others, also offer turtle tours and conservation programmes.
February Carnival
February Carnival
A riot of colour and culture, carnival is a love it or hate it experience. Preparations start after Christmas, so one option is to come in January to enjoy the rehearsals – without the full blown spectacle. If you do visit one of the islands with the biggest celebrations – particularly Trinidad, but also Dominica and Martinique – then book well in advance and be prepared for steep prices. The region isn’t shy of a good knees-up though, so you can catch other festivals throughout the year
Hurricane season in the caribbean
More about Caribbean
A vast archipelago of islands between North and South America, the Caribbean is rich in history, culture, music and food.
There are over 7,000 islands scattered through the Caribbean Sea, a super-abundance of beautiful destinations, each with its own unique characteristics.
The Caribbean region is prone to hurricanes, with the season lasting from the start of June to the end of November.
There’s so much to love about small ship cruising in the Caribbean, with all those islands, reefs, quiet bays and pretty coastal towns just waiting to be explored.
The Caribbean is a birding hotspot, home to 565 species, many of which aren’t found anywhere else in the world.
Anyone with walking boots and a sense of adventure will love exploring the Caribbean on foot, following jungle trails and mountain paths.
The Caribbean has its fair share of big hotels and identikit resorts, but scattered across its islands like so many precious jewels are some truly superb retreats, cottages and resorts.
Want to know the best place for bird watching? Or work out what to pack? We have quizzed our specialist tour operators, who know the Caribbean inside out, for expert travel advice.
Tourism is the lifeblood of the Caribbean, but the high numbers of people eager to visit this beautiful region has given rise to a range of tourism offers, from the good, to the bad and the ugly...
Why book with Responsible Travel
Photo credits: [Page banner: pshanson] [Haiti: Michele Walz]
[Trinidad: Neiljis]
[Greater Antilles: Gail Frederick]
[Cuba: Alexander Kunze]
[Leeward Islands: Mathieu Nivelles]
[Windward islands/St. Lucia: Terri Needham]
[ABC Islands: Nameer]
[Humming bird: Greg Tee]
[Hiking: Pierreloupi]
[Diving: Daniel Lobo]
[Turtle: Adam]
[Carnival : David Berkowitz]
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