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Some Like it Hot...

Different seasons have their own perks when traveling to Barbados

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Understanding a little more about the advantages and disadvantages of each season can help travelers make sure they pick the perfect time for their Barbados vacation.

Weather in Barbados, like most places in the Caribbean, doesn't vary much from season to season. The average annual temperature is 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit (24 to 29 degrees Celsius). Winter in Barbados is like May in much of the North American Southeast, with balmy temperatures. Most people visit in the winter, getting away from the freezing temperatures of their home towns in North America.

Summer brings slightly hotter weather, and the summer and fall months bring a greater chance of rain. The hurricane season officially lasts from June 1 to November 30, but that's not cause for concern. More hurricanes hit the U.S. mainland than Barbados, and with today's meteorological technology, there should be more than enough warning to take proper precautions.

Although they can be avoided if you get off the beaten path, the most obvious difference between visiting in the tourist season or the off-season is the crowds.

The "Season"

Although Barbados isn't as crowded as, say, Puerto Rico or the Bahamas, visiting in the high season is quite an experience. The most popular tourist areas are filled with hustling, bustling vacationers reveling in the beautiful weather and the Caribbean experience. Hotels, shops, and restaurants offer their most extensive service with a smile. This is when there is the most entertainment at the resorts, and the most people to enjoy it with. The crowds can be exciting, exhilarating, and even a little daunting. This is definitely a time for small groups, singles, couples, or groups of friends who can navigate the islands with ease. The dating scene is also livelier in the high season, and meeting people in the off season might be more difficult, if that is your objective.

Because of the increased traffic, accommodations and flights to Barbados should be booked two to three months in advance during the high season. Reservations are necessary, transportation is stretched thinner, and tours are generally more crowded. This is when the island makes most of its money, so they roll out the red carpet for every guest who arrives.

The "Off-Season"

While the high season is exciting, the off-season may be more indicative of the true spirit of Barbados. With diminished crowds, a less-hurried, more quintessentially Caribbean way of life prevails. The midday temperatures may rise to highs considered uncomfortable to many, but the Atlantic trade winds keep the weather pleasant. Hotels and resorts may reduce their services and diminish their staff in the off-season, and some tours or activities may be closed altogether. Hotels also reserve their major repairs or renovations for the off season, so it's a good idea to call ahead and make sure you won't be staying in the midst of a construction site.

Traveling in the off-season can be much more affordable. On Barbados, hotels cut rates from 20 to 60 percent at this time, and tours and shops may cut prices to remain competitive. There is easier access to public transportation, tee times at golf courses, tennis courts, water sports, and other enjoyable activities, and flights and accommodations are easier to book. You may even be able to walk into an upscale restaurant off the street and eat without a reservation. This is a good time for families to travel, because it's easier to keep track of children, and there are fewer crowds to fight. The atmosphere is decidedly less American because a greater percentage of tourists visiting in the off season are European.

Seasonal Events

Many vacationers visit the Caribbean for a certain event or festival. Some of the most popular events surround international holidays, such as New Year's Day, Good Friday and Easter, Labor Day, and Christmas. More unique to Barbados are holidays like Errol Barrow Day (Jan. 21), National Heroes Day (April 28th), Whit Monday, and Emancipation Day (August 1st).

 

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