General Overview
On average, the Caribbean region has pleasant, warm weather all year round, with most destinations enjoying average temperatures in the 28oC (83oF) neighbourhood in wintertime and around 31oC (88oF) during the summer. Some destinations are hotter than others, such as Curacao, Cancun, St. Thomas, and Aruba, where the daily average temperatures reach around 33oC (91oF) or slightly above that in the summer. As for the coldest daytime temperatures in the winter months, the islands of Turks & Caicos, Punta Cana, the Bahamas, and Roatan are the winners, with average temperatures around 26oC (78oF).
Regarding the eastern regions, they include the Bahamas and Bermuda (although none of them are actually located in the Caribbean Sea) for the sale of eastern Caribbean cruises. Nevertheless, they share much in common with their Caribbean counterparts, except for the much colder weather in the wintertime.
It is important to note that some of the hotter Caribbean destinations are also the islands with the highest rainfall during that specific time of the year. This is because, for the overwhelming majority of the Caribbean nations, the warmest and, at the same time, wettest months are part of the tropical storm period.
Finally, the southern Caribbean is a bit warmer than the rest of the region in the winter, which makes Curacao, Barbados, Aruba, and other nearby destinations so popular during that time of the year.
Rainfall
Rainfall during the peak of the hurricane season, meaning between August and November, is quite intense. The only exceptions are the arid islands of Bonaire, Curacao, and Aruba, which experience a very moderate hurricane season despite having light rainfall for most of the year, with only a couple of dry months. For the rest of the Caribbean nations, the period between January through April is a dry season with moderate rainfall.
That being said, January, February, and March are the Caribbean’s dry times with the majority of regions averaging around 50.8-76.2 milimetres (about 2-3 inches) of rain. For that reason, it is a period that receives a large influx of tourists and spring breakers who rush to the western Caribbean destinations (primarily) to enjoy the good weather and dry season of this part of the world! However, although the temperatures during the day are warm and enjoyable, you will probably need a light jacket for colder-than-normal nights.
Speaking of chillier evenings, the northern ocean currents drop the sea temperature, making it slightly uncomfortable for activities like swimming and snorkelling. For the warmest waters, we suggest heading to Aruba and other southern Caribbean destinations.
Concerning the briefest rainy season, it seems that May is a common month for many Caribbean destinations, followed by April and June.
Hurricane Season
Officially, the hurricane season in the Caribbean starts in June, climaxes around September, and ends in November. That being said, July and August are favourite months for many families wanting to escape the same-old, same-old of their country and fly to the Caribbean destinations with the least chances of tropical storms. It makes sense, considering that the hurricane season is very mild in most Caribbean islands before September. The more we move toward the middle of November, though, the rarer the tropical storms become (and the more short-lived).
Water Temperatures
The Caribbean nations welcome visitors with relatively warm seas even amidst the wintertime. This means that you can visit them at any given time of the year (almost) and still get to enjoy water sports and endeavours like swimming, scuba diving, rafting, kayaking, snorkelling, fishing, and many more. For most destinations, the sea temperatures are nearly the same as the daytime mean temperatures (about a few degrees (3-5oC) colder than the air temperature). For the warmest seas, we suggest visiting the beaches around early afternoon unless you stay at a southern Caribbean island where the water temperatures are significantly warmer than in the other islands (these destinations lie much closer to the equator than the rest of their siblings).
Trade Winds
The presence of trade winds in the Caribbean contributes to the reduction of the perceived temperatures, which means that you may feel it is less hot than it really is. This could affect the frequency you apply your sunscreen, which can have detrimental effects on your skin health because the UV Index scale is quite high in the Caribbean (above 7 for most islands and even above 11 in some months, which means a high risk of sunburn from unprotected exposure to the sun). At the same time, the eastern trade winds create a chill factor that makes the evenings cold enough to require a light jacket or sweater!
What to Expect From a Caribbean Vacation per Trimester
- Between January and March – The weather is steadily warm and temperatures range around 27oC (80oF) for most islands, except for Cozumel, where temperatures drop by a few degrees from January to March (from nearly 28oC or 83oF to 25.5oC or 78oF). Among the hottest nations are Grand Cayman, Curacao, and Aruba, while Dominican Republic, San Huan, and the Bahamas are among the coldest regions with seas that are rather uncomfortable to swim in.
- Between April and June – Expect warm weather and pleasant sea temperatures that enable swimming. The risk of rain is also low, making it the most ideal time of the year to travel to the Caribbean. As for the average air temperatures, they can reach nearly 32oC (89oF) during the daytime by June, especially in islands like Grand Cayman, Curacao, Cancun, and Aruba.
- Between July and September – It is the beginning of the hurricane season for the Caribbean destinations, although the temperatures keep rising for all islands. If you are planning a summer getaway to the Caribbean, we suggest you travel to the region as early in the summer as possible to avoid the high risk of a tropical storm.
- Between October and December – A good time for activities like hiking, trekking, golf, cycling, and other outdoor ventures, with hot-enough temperatures and quite inviting beaches, especially after mid-November through late December. For northern travellers, December is a great month to visit the Caribbean to get away from the chilly winter of their country. In destinations like St. Thomas, Curacao, and Aruba, the wintertime equals daytime highs in the 30oC (87oF) neighbourhood. Cancun, on the other hand, has lower daytime temps that drop to nearly 27oC (82oF), which is still nice for many travellers.
General Overview
On average, the Caribbean region has pleasant, warm weather all year round, with most destinations enjoying average temperatures in the 28oC (83oF) neighbourhood in wintertime and around 31oC (88oF) during the summer. Some destinations are hotter than others, such as Curacao, Cancun, St. Thomas, and Aruba, where the daily average temperatures reach around 33oC (91oF) or slightly above that in the summer. As for the coldest daytime temperatures in the winter months, the islands of Turks & Caicos, Punta Cana, the Bahamas, and Roatan are the winners, with average temperatures around 26oC (78oF).
Regarding the eastern regions, they include the Bahamas and Bermuda (although none of them are actually located in the Caribbean Sea) for the sale of eastern Caribbean cruises. Nevertheless, they share much in common with their Caribbean counterparts, except for the much colder weather in the wintertime.
It is important to note that some of the hotter Caribbean destinations are also the islands with the highest rainfall during that specific time of the year. This is because, for the overwhelming majority of the Caribbean nations, the warmest and, at the same time, wettest months are part of the tropical storm period.
Finally, the southern Caribbean is a bit warmer than the rest of the region in the winter, which makes Curacao, Barbados, Aruba, and other nearby destinations so popular during that time of the year.
Rainfall
Rainfall during the peak of the hurricane season, meaning between August and November, is quite intense. The only exceptions are the arid islands of Bonaire, Curacao, and Aruba, which experience a very moderate hurricane season despite having light rainfall for most of the year, with only a couple of dry months. For the rest of the Caribbean nations, the period between January through April is a dry season with moderate rainfall.
That being said, January, February, and March are the Caribbean’s dry times with the majority of regions averaging around 50.8-76.2 milimetres (about 2-3 inches) of rain. For that reason, it is a period that receives a large influx of tourists and spring breakers who rush to the western Caribbean destinations (primarily) to enjoy the good weather and dry season of this part of the world! However, although the temperatures during the day are warm and enjoyable, you will probably need a light jacket for colder-than-normal nights.
Speaking of chillier evenings, the northern ocean currents drop the sea temperature, making it slightly uncomfortable for activities like swimming and snorkelling. For the warmest waters, we suggest heading to Aruba and other southern Caribbean destinations.
Concerning the briefest rainy season, it seems that May is a common month for many Caribbean destinations, followed by April and June.
Hurricane Season
Officially, the hurricane season in the Caribbean starts in June, climaxes around September, and ends in November. That being said, July and August are favourite months for many families wanting to escape the same-old, same-old of their country and fly to the Caribbean destinations with the least chances of tropical storms. It makes sense, considering that the hurricane season is very mild in most Caribbean islands before September. The more we move toward the middle of November, though, the rarer the tropical storms become (and the more short-lived).
Water Temperatures
The Caribbean nations welcome visitors with relatively warm seas even amidst the wintertime. This means that you can visit them at any given time of the year (almost) and still get to enjoy water sports and endeavours like swimming, scuba diving, rafting, kayaking, snorkelling, fishing, and many more. For most destinations, the sea temperatures are nearly the same as the daytime mean temperatures (about a few degrees (3-5oC) colder than the air temperature). For the warmest seas, we suggest visiting the beaches around early afternoon unless you stay at a southern Caribbean island where the water temperatures are significantly warmer than in the other islands (these destinations lie much closer to the equator than the rest of their siblings).
Trade Winds
The presence of trade winds in the Caribbean contributes to the reduction of the perceived temperatures, which means that you may feel it is less hot than it really is. This could affect the frequency you apply your sunscreen, which can have detrimental effects on your skin health because the UV Index scale is quite high in the Caribbean (above 7 for most islands and even above 11 in some months, which means a high risk of sunburn from unprotected exposure to the sun). At the same time, the eastern trade winds create a chill factor that makes the evenings cold enough to require a light jacket or sweater!
What to Expect From a Caribbean Vacation per Trimester
- Between January and March – The weather is steadily warm and temperatures range around 27oC (80oF) for most islands, except for Cozumel, where temperatures drop by a few degrees from January to March (from nearly 28oC or 83oF to 25.5oC or 78oF). Among the hottest nations are Grand Cayman, Curacao, and Aruba, while Dominican Republic, San Huan, and the Bahamas are among the coldest regions with seas that are rather uncomfortable to swim in.
- Between April and June – Expect warm weather and pleasant sea temperatures that enable swimming. The risk of rain is also low, making it the most ideal time of the year to travel to the Caribbean. As for the average air temperatures, they can reach nearly 32oC (89oF) during the daytime by June, especially in islands like Grand Cayman, Curacao, Cancun, and Aruba.
- Between July and September – It is the beginning of the hurricane season for the Caribbean destinations, although the temperatures keep rising for all islands. If you are planning a summer getaway to the Caribbean, we suggest you travel to the region as early in the summer as possible to avoid the high risk of a tropical storm.
- Between October and December – A good time for activities like hiking, trekking, golf, cycling, and other outdoor ventures, with hot-enough temperatures and quite inviting beaches, especially after mid-November through late December. For northern travellers, December is a great month to visit the Caribbean to get away from the chilly winter of their country. In destinations like St. Thomas, Curacao, and Aruba, the wintertime equals daytime highs in the 30oC (87oF) neighbourhood. Cancun, on the other hand, has lower daytime temps that drop to nearly 27oC (82oF), which is still nice for many travellers.