Caribbean travel covers the Greater Antilles (Cuba, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico), the Lesser Antilles, including Guadeloupe and Martinique, and islands further south such as Aruba and Curaçao. Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint-Martin and Saint-Barthélemy are French; the European Central Bank notes that euro banknotes and coins are legal tender in overseas departments, territories and islands that are part of, or associated with, euro area countries (ecb.europa.eu, checked October 24, 2026).
The climate is tropical, warm all year, with warm seas. There are two seasons: a dry season, called carême in the French Antilles, usually from December to April, and a wetter season, hivernage, which coincides with the Atlantic hurricane season, officially June 1 to November 30 according to the US National Hurricane Center (NOAA, checked October 24, 2026). The southern islands, such as Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao, are drier and less exposed to hurricanes. See the month-by-month detail in our guide on when to go to Guadeloupe. For these drier southern islands, our guide to things to do in Aruba covers beaches, budget and the best time to go. To locate the island and its beaches, see our map of Aruba.
Which destination for which season?
The trends below are general. The table of countries by month, above, and our “when to go” guides give the detail destination by destination.
December to April: dry season on most islands, the most popular and most expensive period. A good time for Guadeloupe, Martinique, Cuba or the Dominican Republic.
May and June: often a worthwhile transition: weather still fair, fewer visitors and lower prices.
July to November:hivernage, hotter, wetter and exposed to hurricanes. The southern islands (Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao) are an alternative.
Which destination for your kind of trip?
Beaches:Guadeloupe (Grande-Terre, Marie-Galante), Martinique, Saint-Barthélemy, the Dominican Republic, Aruba.
Culture: Havana and Trinidad in Cuba, the Creole heritage of the French Antilles, Santo Domingo.
Hiking: La Soufrière volcano and Guadeloupe National Park, Mount Pelée in Martinique, Dominica.
Tight budget: outside the dry season, flights to the islands are often cheaper. Private rentals and local markets help keep costs down.
Families:Guadeloupe and Martinique (well-developed tourist infrastructure).
Honeymoon: Saint-Barthélemy, Saint Lucia, the Grenadines, or island-hopping by boat.
Planning your trip
Entry requirements: passport, visa, electronic authorisation: rules differ by island and change over time. Check them for each country on your route on travel.state.gov (US citizens) or GOV.UK foreign travel advice (UK citizens) before booking. A stopover in another country can change the rules.
Hurricanes: between June and November, follow the US National Hurricane Center and local weather services, and choose flexible bookings. For Guadeloupe, the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated October 22, 2026) recommends monitoring the World Meteorological Organization and the US National Hurricane Center.
Health: the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated October 22, 2026) lists dengue and Zika among health risks in Guadeloupe, and the U.S. State Department (travel.state.gov, last updated September 9, 2026) lists chikungunya and dengue as prevalent in the French West Indies. Protect yourself from mosquitoes, especially in the wet season, and see a doctor or travel clinic before departure.
Sargassum: sargassum seaweed washes up on some beaches, to a degree that varies from year to year. Check local bulletins before choosing your accommodation.
Our seasonal recommendations are based on climate normals published by national weather services. To see how we select and update them, read our methodology.
Frequently asked questions
When is hurricane season in the Caribbean?
The Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from June 1 to November 30, according to the US National Hurricane Center (NOAA, checked October 24, 2026). The southern islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao are drier and less exposed.
What is the best time to visit the Caribbean?
December to April, the dry season on most islands, is the most popular and most expensive period. May and June are often a good compromise, with fewer visitors and lower prices.
Do I need a passport for the Caribbean?
Rules depend on each island and on your nationality. Check travel.state.gov (US citizens) or GOV.UK foreign travel advice (UK citizens) for every country on your route before booking.
ArubaCountry guide
BahamasCountry guide
BarbadosCountry guide
CubaCountry guide
Dominican RepublicCountry guide
GuadeloupeCountry guide
JamaicaCountry guide
MartiniqueCountry guide
Puerto RicoCountry guide
Saint LuciaCountry guide
Saint-BarthélemyCountry guide
Saint-MartinCountry guide
