[:RU]It’s no surprise that the Caribbean islands are one of the most sought-after beach holiday destinations in the world: hundreds of gorgeous islands, all year round good weather and great opportunities for recreation. And if you are planning a vacation in the Caribbean, then this article will just help you decide on a Caribbean trip.
When to visit the Caribbean.
Weather in the Caribbean is classified as either dry or wet. The dry season lasts from mid-December to mid-April. At this time of year, the days are quite warm and there is low humidity, and the nights are cool. The rainy season here lasts from mid-April to mid-December. During these months, the weather is warm and humid, with occasional showers.
Keep in mind that June through November is Atlantic hurricane season, which peaks in September. If you are planning a trip to the Caribbean at this time, then try to skip September. Otherwise, you will have to spend long days in your hotel room, having fun playing Caribbean Poker, slot machines online, play for free in the casino.
Some of the popular islands that fall out of the hurricane belt are Curacao, Trinidad and Tobago, Aruba, Bonaire and the Cayman Islands.
The months from December to the end of April are considered the peak season as it is the most expensive time of the year due to the fact that the weather is at its most pleasant during this time. During these months, prices for hotels and villas rise from twenty to fifty percent compared to the rest of the year. During the high season there are the highest number of tourists, fully occupied hotels and crowded beaches, especially on Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve and during Carnival in February. September and October are the least noisy months. Many restaurants and hotels are closed during this period and bars are almost empty.
If we take all the above points into account, we can understand that best month May is the best time to visit the Caribbean islands. The weather in May is almost as good as during the peak season, although accommodation is relatively cheap. If you are planning budget holiday, then plan your trip in May. However, at the end of August, tariffs also begin to decline.
Popular islands.
Here is a list of the islands included in his top picks for Caribbean holiday destinations:
Anguilla;
Antigua;
Barbados;
British Virgin Islands;
Cayman islands;
Cuba;
Dominican Republic;
Grenada;
Jamaica;
Nevis;
St. Kitts;
Saint Lucia;
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines;
Trinidad and Tobago;
Turks and Caicos.
You can especially consider Dominica, which is known for its dense tropical forests and mountains. Here you can find many hiking trails that will lead to beautiful lakes and chic embankments where you can enjoy bird watching.
Puerto Rico, these islands represent an interesting mixture of Spanish and American cultures. This is a great option for a beach holiday. Good places Sightseeing spots include Old San Juan, the vast caves of Camuy, the subtropical forest of El Jungu and Ponce, where you can see the rich colonial culture and Art Nouveau architecture.
Russians have also fallen in love with these resorts in recent years, despite the long and expensive flights. And also, because of the exotic and romantic nature of the Caribbean resorts, many newlyweds choose this destination as a destination for their honeymoon.
Resort | Prices | Visa | All year round. It can be rainy in May and November |
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All year round, the best time to go is from December to April |
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Electronic registration of permission | All year round. May to October are the hottest and wettest months |
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Bahamas | All year round, but best time to visit Bahamas The period is considered to be from September to May |
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Placed on the border | All year round. It can be rainy in May-June and October-November. Typhoons are likely in August-September |
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Virgin Islands | All year round |
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Antigua and Barbuda | From December to May |
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Barbados | All year round. July can be humid and there can be storms from May to October |
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Cayman Islands | All year round. From May to October there is a possibility of hurricanes and storms |
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Costa Rica | From December to May |
Varadero, Cuba
Holidays in Cuba will be of interest both to lovers of beach activities (parasailing, diving, sailing, snorkeling) and to lovers of nature, which is simply fabulous here. Besides pleasure beautiful beaches and sunny weather, you can walk around the colorful old Havana, visit tobacco and coffee plantations, and breathe in freedom deeply.
How to get there: Direct flights from Moscow to Havana, travel time from 12 hours, or with a transfer in Paris, Frankfurt or Amsterdam - travel time from 16 hours.
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
There are a number of resorts in the Dominican Republic that will appeal to scuba diving enthusiasts, because here you can see picturesque coral reefs, many different types of exotic fish, and sometimes even wrecks of sunken ships. In addition, the Dominican Republic is very popular for organizing beach weddings and holidays for newlyweds.
How to get there: Direct flights from Moscow to Punta Cana, travel time from 13 hours.
Cancun, Mexico
Cancun is recognized as one of the best resorts Mexico and now it is gaining popularity among tourists from Russia. Cancun is famous for its stunning white beaches, clear water and developed infrastructure. Also in Mexico you can see waterfalls, cenotes, and Mayan pyramids of extraordinary beauty - Chichen Itza, Palenque.
How to get there: Direct flights from Moscow to Cancun, travel time from 13 hours.
Bahamas
The Bahamas are synonymous with the concept of luxury vacation. The archipelago of the Bahamas includes about 700 islands, only 30 of which are inhabited. There are beautiful beaches, developed hotel infrastructure, and exotic nature. One of the best beaches in the Bahamas is Pink Sand Beach, the sand of which is an unusually beautiful shade of pink.
How to get there: international Airport Freeport, Nassau. There are no direct flights. You can fly with a transfer in London or the USA, travel time is from 13 hours.
Jamaica
Every year more and more tourists visit Jamaica in order to see the exotic nature, gorgeous beaches, cane fields, listen to live reggae...Jamaica will also appeal to lovers of pirate stories, museums and monuments. Here you can snorkel and even hunt sharks.
How to get there: Kingston and Montego Bay International Airports. There are no direct flights from Russia; transfers are made in London and Frankfurt. Flight time is approximately 16 hours.
Virgin Islands
Trunk Bay Beach, which is located on the island of St. John of the Virgin Islands, according to the National Geographic Community, is recognized as the most best beach Caribbean. Coral reefs and rich undersea world attract hundreds of tourists from all over the world to the Virgin Islands. The water near the islands is so clear that visibility is 40 m deep.
How to get there: St. Croix and St. Thomas International Airports. There are no direct flights; you can get there with a transfer to the USA or Puerto Rico.
Antigua and Barbuda
On the islands of Antigua and Barbuda you can find both pristine nature and a variety of tourist attractions in the form of yacht clubs, bars, hotels and casinos. There are many cozy bays that are protected from storms by coral reefs, and snow-white beaches - of which there are as many as 365 on the island of Antigua.
How to get there: St. John's International Airport. There are no direct flights from Russia, only with transfers in London or Frankfurt.
Barbados
Since Barbados was once a British colony, some English traditions are still preserved here - for example, the game of cricket is widespread, and golf competitions are held. In addition, Barbados will delight vacationers with beautiful nature, excellent beaches and many modern hotels. Holidays here in English are measured and relaxed, so not all hotels accept families with children.
How to get there: Bridgetown International Airport. Transfer in London or Frankfurt, journey from 14 hours.
Cayman islands
The Cayman Islands will be ideal for those who want to take a break from the metropolis and crowds and feel like they are on a desert island - here you can find many beautiful secluded beaches. There is a variety of flora and fauna here.
How to get there: International airport on Grand Cayman Island. Transfer in London or Miami, journey from 20 hours.
Costa Rica
The sand on the beaches of Costa Rica comes in a variety of colors and shades: white, gold, silver and even volcanic black. At the resorts, in addition to sunbathing, you can go surfing, diving, sport fishing, and also watch how sea turtles lay eggs. In addition to all this, there are exotic fruits, national parks, mountains and volcanoes.
How to get there: San Jose International Airport. Flight - there are no direct flights, only connections in Madrid, Frankfurt, Havana are possible. On the way from 13. hours
It's difficult to say which island or resort Caribbean Sea best. Despite the long, expensive and often indirect flight, a visit to one of the above resorts is a must. Holidays in the Caribbean are available almost all year round; visa requirements have recently been simplified and more and more direct flights are appearing. Kilometers of snow-white beaches with fine hot sand, green palm trees bending over the water, exotic fruits, nature and an intoxicating sense of freedom will remain in the memory for a long time.
Photo: thinkstockphotos.com, flickr.com
Autumn is perhaps the most treacherous time of the Caribbean year, characterized by particularly tricky weather conditions and unpredictability. The fact is that in the fall from Atlantic Ocean Tropical cyclones, accompanied by heavy rains and hurricanes, hit the Caribbean.
The masters of all the world's oceans except the Arctic Ocean, tropical hurricanes (aka cyclones, aka typhoons) remain one of the most mysterious and dangerous natural phenomena of nature. The most powerful of them, the so-called super-hurricanes, are comparable in their destructive energy to a nuclear explosion (!).
Hurricanes are born far in the ocean due to atmospheric disturbances caused by pressure surges and overheating of the ocean surface above 27 °C. Under certain conditions, this “outrage” develops into a whole “scandal”: a huge vortex funnel, the “eye of the hurricane,” is formed at its epicenter.
The problem is further aggravated by the fact that a hurricane never comes alone: hurricanes are always accompanied by heavy downpours, thunderstorms, gusty winds and stormy seas.
It is impossible to know for sure when and where exactly the next hurricane will originate, or with any force it will hit the shore - one thing is known for certain: it will come, and it will come this fall!
To understand the mechanism of tropical hurricanes, I invite you to familiarize yourself with the map of hurricane zones globe:
As you can see, in the Caribbean (zone 7), hurricane season begins in June and lasts until the end of November with a peak in September.
Depending on the strength of the wind, hurricanes are divided into three categories:
- Tropical depressions (50…65 km/h),
- Tropical storms (65…120 km/h)
- and hurricanes themselves (above 120 km/h), which in turn are divided into 5 subcategories. The most dangerous of them are super hurricanes, blowing with wind speeds of over 250 km/h.
Hurricane fronts in the Caribbean islands are variable and depend on the island's proximity to the equator. The northern Caribbean islands farthest from the equator suffer more from hurricanes: than south of the island, the more chance he has of NOT getting into the danger zone.
It is now clear why the famous resort islands of Saint Barth and Saint Martin (the northern islands of the French West Indies) suffer from hurricanes more than the southern ones of Guadeloupe and Martinique:
- Saint Barth and Saint Martin - once every 6 years,
- Guadeloupe - once every 8 years,
- Martinique - once every 10 years.
The mechanism of hurricane development can be clearly seen from the super-hurricane Matthew that recently swept through the Caribbean, October 2016.
The island of Haiti suffered the most from Matthew, but everyone suffered nuts, right down to the coast of Florida (Haiti was at the epicenter, and Florida was in the final phase of the hurricane).
The French West Indies were even more fortunate: while passing through our latitudes, Hurricane Matthew had not yet had time to gain destructive power, and therefore we “got away” with a tropical storm.
Alas, it is impossible to calculate the trajectory of tropical hurricanes 100% accurately. This means it is impossible to calculate on which particular Caribbean island you can “sit out” the harmful cyclone season without risk to health. But even if your island is “blown away” this time, unstable windy weather, frequent rains and rough seas are guaranteed.
Incl. succumbing to the temptation of low autumn flight fares and tour operator discounts on autumn holiday in the Caribbean, you risk spoiling both your vacation and your nerves.
Well, what if “what the hell is not joking!” and “what Russian doesn’t like driving fast?” at least try not to go to the Caribbean in September - the most dangerous month of the cyclonic season.
It is in September-October that the peak of bad weather occurs on the island. Guadeloupe.
The most destructive hurricanes modern history The French West Indies happened precisely at this time: super-hurricane Hugo - in September 1989, with its epicenter on the island. Guadeloupe; super hurricane Luis - in September 1995, with its epicenter on the island of St. Maarten.
The latter, by the way, was included in the pages of the book “Caribbean: Restaurant under the Palm Trees” by the English authors Melinda and Robert Blanchard, I recommend it.
In the Caribbean Sea between South and North America is the Caribbean, which consists not only of island countries, but also the mainland of Northern, Central and South America. The Caribbean is made up of 13 sovereign states and 17 dependent territories, covering an area of over 1.06 million square miles.
Not all countries washed by the Caribbean Sea are correctly called the Caribbean. For example, the Caribbean region does not always include Belize, Venezuela, Colombia and others. All islands are united into three large groups - the Bahamas, Lesser and Greater Antilles. The largest are Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica and Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the birthplace of Beauharnais Martinique, Guadeloupe, picturesque Antigua and Barbuda, the islands of Trinidad and Tobago, Dominica and others.
The Greater Antilles are the most visited islands in the Caribbean. Travelers love Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti, the Cayman Islands and Puerto Rico for their mild, warm climate, snow-white beaches and evergreen forests. Very often, the Antilles are combined with the Bahamas, which stretches from the American peninsula of Florida to Haiti.
Each Caribbean region has its own geographical feature, cultural specificity and history. Some archipelagos, such as the Lesser Antilles, are of volcanic origin. The Caribbean islands are united by a warm climate, amazing nature and a large selection of holiday options.
Climate and weather in the Caribbean islands
An even and mild monsoon climate is characteristic of almost all Caribbean islands. Air and water temperatures rarely drop below 26–27 °C. Regions differ in the amount of precipitation, so before planning a trip it is worth familiarizing yourself with the climatic conditions in a particular place. Even in June, you can experience brief but heavy rain or witness a tropical hurricane.
A humid climate with a lot of rain is typical for the eastern part of the island of Haiti; the Antilles, on the contrary, boast minimal precipitation. Northern Isles The Caribbean Sea is prone to destructive hurricanes; typhoons occur in summer and autumn.
The Bahamas is characterized by uniform weather, without sudden changes; the seasons on the islands differ little. Even in winter the weather is warm and sunny, which reaches its peak in summer. The air temperature does not fall below 30°C. In Saint Barthelemy, short-term heavy rains occur 1-2 times a week in the summer months, the season lasts until the onset of autumn. Summer is the most comfortable time for a holiday in Antigua.
Be careful when visiting the Mexican coast in August. This is not only the hottest time, when temperatures can reach 40°C, but also the rainy season. In August there are on average up to 20-25 rainy days. In March, the temperature drops to a comfortable 22-24 °C, the optimal time to plan a trip.
The tropical climate in Martinique encourages holidays all year round. In the hottest months, air temperatures can reach 30 °C. Best time to visit Martinique - from December to the end of April, the rainy season begins in July and ends only in November. If you are planning a holiday in Martinique, pay attention to the Caribbean islands.
Visas for the Caribbean Islands
One of the main advantages of a holiday in the Caribbean is the presence of a large number of visa-free countries for citizens of Russia and Ukraine. Travelers from Russia can visit Jamaica, Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, Turks and Caicos and other islands without a visa.
Citizens of Ukraine will not require a visa to Haiti, Jamaica, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Barbados and others. Visa-free entry is usually limited to a stay of 30 to 90 days. In some cases, a visa is issued upon arrival at the airport.
The Caribbean islands belonging to France also have a number of special conditions. Citizens of the Russian Federation and the CIS who have a French Schengen visa for a period of 6 months to 5 years or a long-term visa or residence permit of any Schengen state can travel to Martinique, Guadeloupe and the French part of the island of Saint Martin without issuing additional visas.
Holidays in the Caribbean
Warm sea all year round, picturesque nature, developed tourist infrastructure make a holiday in the Caribbean an ideal vacation option. You can easily choose a tour to the Caribbean. It can be on its own organized trip or a ready-made tour, including flights and hotel accommodation.
When planning a vacation to the Caribbean islands, you will find a large selection of accommodation options from luxury apartments to budget hotels. Consider package offers from tour operators. Most have direct contracts with hotels and can offer exclusive hotel stays in the Caribbean at a good price.
A distinctive feature of the Caribbean is its wide variety of recreational activities. Each region has its own specifics, so it won’t be difficult to find entertainment that suits your interests: calm beach holiday, active night life or aquatic species sports The Caribbean islands are especially loved by divers due to the variety of reefs in the area.
For a calm and relaxing holiday in the Caribbean, you can safely go to Barbados. Large selection of comfortable hotels. A beach holiday, conducive to walks around Old Havana in Cuba or the Dominican Republic, excursions to coffee and tobacco plantations. Become a chance witness to a concert of street singers or go to a disco and enjoy the air of freedom.
It’s better to spend your winter holidays in Martinique. In January there is a large-scale opening of the carnival season, which can be compared with the grandiose carnival processions in Brazil. Colorful processions in bright costumes with music and songs are something extraordinary. Traditional local rum and fun until the morning.
If your vacation time is limited, but you want to see as much as possible, pay attention to yachting in the Caribbean. This is a great way to visit several inhabited and uninhabited islands in a week's travel, visit different cities and combine a relaxing beach holiday with action-packed shore excursions.
To organize a yacht vacation in the Caribbean, you can rent a complete yacht or catamaran for 6-8-10 or more people. To do this, you do not need to have special knowledge and skills; an experienced skipper team will take care of organizing the trip. If you like to travel alone or with a couple, take advantage of booking a seat in groupage crews.
One of the most beloved and popular routes in the Caribbean includes a visit to Martinique, the islands of St. Lucia and St. Vincent, diving on the legendary reefs of Tobago, as well as a pirate party on a desert island accompanied by local music and excellent Caribbean rum. The cost of such a trip will not be more expensive than hotel accommodation.
When it gets cold in the Mediterranean and the season ends, it's time to head to the hot Caribbean islands for a bottle of pirate rum. Yachting in the Caribbean – The best way get the most out of your vacation in a short time. Steady winds of 10 to 25 knots favor sailors all year round, and the unexpected changes in direction make sailing in these areas especially interesting.
The best time for yachting in the Caribbean is from November to April. It is necessary to take into account the season of tropical cyclones, the probability of which is high from June to October. The distance between the islands is no more than 50 nautical miles, the crossings are relatively short, so yachting on the Caribbean islands is suitable for beginners in sailing.
When traveling on a yacht in the Caribbean, you can simultaneously combine different types of recreation - go sea fishing, explore the depths of the sea with divers, watch a picturesque sunset, taste the famous local rum, try a fragrant dinner in local restaurant and, of course, swim in the warm sea. Locals everywhere they will be happy to sell you fresh fish, lobsters or fresh vegetables and fruits.
The yachting infrastructure in each region has its own specifics. The most popular for charter are the British Virgin Islands, as well as Antigua, Guadeloupe, Martinique, and Grenada. There are noticeably more comfortable marinas in the British Virgin Islands than in the American Islands. There are many picturesque bays and anchorages on the islands, even if there is no comfortable anchorage nearby and you can always anchor.
Creating a route for yachting in the Caribbean will not be so easy; there are a lot of destinations and all are interesting and exciting in their own way. Grenada is famous for its hot springs, extinct volcanoes and ancient plantations of nutmeg, ginger, cinnamon in national park. The coast has all the conditions for snorkeling on the reefs.
In Antigua and Barbuda, you should go to the snow-white beaches with silky sand. There are many favorite places for divers here. And on the shore in the evening there is an extensive entertainment. Yachtsmen especially love the British and Virgin Islands; they are one of the best places for diving and sailing.
Martinique, which is owned by France, is a truly European island with amazing landscapes. Old volcanoes, mountain rivers and waterfalls are combined with old French architecture, ancient forts from the time of the conquest of these places. This is where our catamaran LAGOON 52F is based.
You can't rent a yacht in the Caribbean everywhere, but there are a lot of offers. Having previously decided on the route, you can charter a yacht in the Caribbean with an experienced skipper or without a crew. It could be small yacht for a day trip or a spacious catamaran suitable for long-term stays.
The SAILME company offers for rent a comfortable large luxury catamaran Lagoon 52F. With the terms of the lease you can. To summarize, it is worth noting that the Caribbean is the most the best place for recreation and yachting, both for beginners in sailing and for experienced yachtsmen. We invite you to see this with us!
Base on Tenerife: Marina San Miguel, Urbanizacion Amarilla Golf, S/N, 38639 San Miguel De Abona, Tenerife, España (map)
Base on Ibiza:
Marina Magna Ibiza, calle Lluis Tur i Palau, 07800, Eivissa
07800 Baleares, Spain (
