| -- End Ad Box ---> | | | | rates in half, and tour operators, airlines, and rental |
| With large number of hurricanes sweeping the tropics | | | | companies usually follow suit. |
| in recent months worldwide attention has been | | | | With children on break from school in June, July, and |
| drawn to the damage these massive storms can | | | | August, the beginning of hurricane season can be the |
| cause. However, many travelers choose to visit the | | | | perfect time for a family vacation. And, of course, |
| Caribbean and surrounding areas during these months. | | | | travel in the early portion of the hurricane season |
| While some travelers may find it surprising, there are | | | | reduces the chances of being affected by storms. |
| many reasons why vacationers choose to travel | | | | Travelers looking to avoid crowds during their |
| during the Hurricane Season. | | | | vacation will find off-season travel a breath of fresh |
| Know the Facts | | | | air. While there may be reduced hours at some island |
| Much of the year — June through November | | | | attractions, travelers who enjoy spending time alone |
| — makes up what is considered to be | | | | on a beach won't mind abbreviated hours. |
| Hurricane Season in the Atlantic. Tropical storms can | | | | Place Particulars |
| change into fast-moving storm systems that can | | | | If you'd like to travel during the hurricane season, |
| severely damage property if they reach land during | | | | there are several ways to eliminate some of the |
| this time of year. | | | | danger. Prepare for the worst by checking out the |
| Still, it's important to remember that that not every | | | | hurricane policy of the hotel you choose to book. |
| storm makes landfall and not every strong storm | | | | Many hotels, especially those in often-effected areas, |
| turns into a hurricane. Tropical storms and even | | | | have hurricane policies offering complimentary stays |
| tropical depressions can make landfall and cause | | | | for the same number of nights the following year, or |
| tornadoes and flooding problems but are far less | | | | they may offer other similar plans to help ease the |
| severe than those caused by hurricanes. | | | | sting of a disrupted vacation. |
| Typically, the later months of hurricane season bring | | | | Choice of destination is an important step many |
| the strongest storms. September and October, for | | | | overlook. The southern Caribbean usually avoids the |
| example, see spikes in the number and intensity of | | | | brunt of hurricane season. In fact, there is a |
| such storms, while damaging strikes are rare in the | | | | hurricane zone through which most of these |
| early months of the season. | | | | storms pass. Islands outside this zone are hit far less |
| Why Travel Off-Season? | | | | often. |
| Although hurricanes can certainly deter some from | | | | The best-known of these hurricane-deterring islands |
| tropical travel, many vacationers choose to take their | | | | are the ABC Islands. These Dutch territories - |
| chances. Travelers have little to worry about most | | | | Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao - are located just north |
| years, and taking a gamble can be worth the | | | | of the coast of Venezuela, and each offer Caribbean |
| relaxation of a tropical vacation. | | | | flair without the threat of tropical danger. |
| Of all the benefits of off-season travel, the most | | | | So, even with so many hurricanes causing trouble in |
| talked-about is cost. Travel during the hurricane | | | | the Caribbean, it is a sure thing that vacationers will |
| season often includes the benefit of extremely | | | | be back during hurricane season next year. |
| low-cost vacationing. Hotels can sometimes even cut | | | | |