Bargain Caribbean vacations for families

[taylor]

I'm thinking it's not too early to begin planning a trip to the Caribbean this winter. But I'm wondering if I go in early December to avoid the crowds and the steep prices of high season if I'll be risking being too close to hurricane season.
Any feedback welcome. Thanks!

[muele]

The hurricane season is a bit over-feared, i think. I've been to Eastern Caribbean twice during the hurricane season, first in October, and this year in November, and it's been great. Sure, there's been some rain also, but it's not like there are hurricanes all over the place... Early December starts to get crowded already in some places, but it's surely better than late Dec or January, if you want to avoid the crowds.
And about the bargains, Dominican Republic might have some nice deals for families.

[Buzliteyear]

There are some fantastic hotel deals going on in parts of the Caribbean right now. Puerto Rico and the Bahamas, not so much, but we stayed in Cancun (Resort Level Gran Melia) last October for $70 per night. We used Priceline to get the hotel for that price. We later learned that we probably could have bid $60. per night and gotten the hotel. And the Gran Melia was absolutely beautiful.

[Antimon]

Try to avoid crowd in late December. You can also find some discount travel deals in early season...

[lauras]

Some of the best rates are in November and early December before the holiday crowds start to appear. Then high season when snowbirds flock to the warmer regions keeps the prices a bit higher in winter and early spring. Summer used to be more of a low season since it's pretty hot in the Caribbean then, but with the increasing numbers of families traveling, prices during this time can be higher than they used to. Late fall is a great value, and your chances of encountering a hurricane are statistically somewhat slim.

[shass150]

i'll check it out

[genie]

January to April is high season in the Caribbean, and low season for bargains! Deep discounts appear in late April or early May, and last into December.

Of course, some of these months are Hurricane season, too. The official Atlantic Hurricane Season starts June 1 and lasts six months. But there are strategies for lowering hurricane risks; and several resort companies and tour operators have hurricane protection policies.

Gene
Cheap Airfare

[RedDot]

A great way to avoid the crowds is to rent a private home. We rented a villa just south of Cancun this spring. It was quiet and relaxing. We had the whole beach to ourselves. The villa came with maid service, internet access and laundry facilities. It was right on the beach and had it's own private pool. Boogie boards and pool equipment were at the villa.

We ordered several meals to be delivered. With six of us on this vacation, the villa cost each of us under $300 for seven days.

You can see what we got for our money by reading an article I wrote about it here:
http://www.thebusysaver.com/2009/05/...on-part-4.html

I did ask the manager about renting during hurricane season (I want to go back!), he said basically the same thing genie said. He added that if you are at the villa when a hurricane is approaching, they will evacuate you to a safe place inland. It might be a school or another public place.

Good luck! Have fun!

[Cuthbert]

Try to avoid crowd in late December.

[hillcrest]

Summer is the ideal time to travel to St. John. The beaches are not as crowded and the prices on the vacation rentals are much lower. Many offer discounts up to 30% off their rates.