The Caribbean has two seasons: dry (December–April) and wet/hurricane (June–November). Here's how to time your trip. **December–April (PEAK SEASON)** — Why most travelers choose these months: - Average 25-28°C daytime, 20-22°C night - Humidity 65-75% (comfortable) - Trade winds 10-20 knots — cooling sea breeze - ZERO hurricane risk - Rainfall low (50-100mm/month) - Sea state calm — best for sailing, diving, snorkeling Downside: highest prices (30-100% more than off-season), crowds, advance booking essential, especially Christmas/New Year/Easter. **May & November (SHOULDER)** — sweet spot for value: - Still warm, dry, low hurricane probability (statistically <5% major storm) - Prices drop 20-40% from peak - Smaller crowds - November risks Late Atlantic storms but mostly tracking north of Caribbean **June–August (EARLY HURRICANE)** — risky but workable: - Statistically quietest month for storms is July - Sea water at warmest (28-30°C) - Sargassum seaweed can affect Atlantic-facing beaches (Caribbean side usually clear) - Prices 40-60% lower than peak - Caribbean coast of Mexico (Cancún), Aruba/Bonaire/Curaçao (outside hurricane belt) — safer **September–October (PEAK HURRICANE)** — highest risk: - 85% of major hurricanes form between mid-August and mid-October - Eastern Caribbean most exposed (Lesser Antilles, Greater Antilles) - ABC Islands (Aruba/Bonaire/Curaçao) outside belt — usually safe - Trinidad south of belt — usually safe - Prices at lowest, but high cancellation risk **Hurricane preparedness for travelers:** - Travel insurance with hurricane coverage essential June 1 - November 30 - Most resorts offer free rebooking if cyclone within 48-72h of arrival - Monitor NOAA National Hurricane Center - Pack light rain gear May–November even for "dry" weeks **By island — safe months:** - Aruba/Bonaire/Curaçao: year-round (outside hurricane belt) - Trinidad and Tobago: year-round (south of belt) - Barbados: Dec-Jul safe, Aug-Nov occasional risk - Lesser Antilles (Anguilla to Grenada): Dec-Jun ideal - Bahamas: Dec-May ideal, hurricane Jun-Nov - Cuba: Dec-Apr dry, May-Oct wet+hurricane - Cayman Islands: Dec-May, less risk than Bahamas **Wedding/honeymoon picks:** late November after end of season, or early May before rain ramps. Cheaper and lower crowds than Christmas, almost guaranteed sunshine.