Why Hurricane Season Travel Isn't as Bad as You Think

Damaging hurricanes have drawn attention to the tropics in recent months from around the world. Still, many travelers choose to visit the Caribbean and surrounding areas during the hurricane season. Some may wonder why people would knowingly put themselves in such danger, but the benefits of traveling during this season can often outweigh the risks.

Much of the year – June through November – makes up what is considered to be Hurricane Season in the Atlantic. Tropical storms can change into fast-moving storm systems that can severely damage property if they reach land during this time of year.

Still, it's important to remember that that not every storm makes landfall and not every strong storm turns into a hurricane. Tropical storms and even tropical depressions can make landfall and cause tornadoes and flooding problems but are far less severe than those caused by hurricanes.

The later months of hurricane season typically bring the strongest storms. September and October, for example, see a rise in the number and intensity of such storms, while damaging strikes are rare in the early months of the season.

Although hurricanes can certainly deter some from tropical travel, many vacationers choose to take their chances. Travelers have little to worry about most years, and taking a gamble can be worth the relaxation of a tropical vacation.

Of all the benefits of off-season travel, the most talked-about is cost. Travel during the hurricane season often includes the benefit of extremely low-cost vacationing. Hotels can sometimes even cut rates in half, and tour operators, airlines, and rental companies usually follow suit.

With children on break from school in June, July, and August, the beginning of hurricane season can be the perfect time for a family vacation. And, of course, travel in the early portion of the hurricane season reduces the chances of being affected by storms.

Travelers looking to avoid crowds during their island travels will find off-season vacationing a breath of fresh air. While there may be reduced hours at some island attractions, travelers who prefer a little more space on the beach may not mind abbreviated hours.

If you'd like to travel during the hurricane season, there are several ways to eliminate some of the danger. Choose your destination wisely. The southern Caribbean usually avoids the brunt of hurricane season. In fact, there is a “hurricane zone" through which most of these tropical storms pass. Islands outside this zone are hit much less frequently.

The best-known of these hurricane-avoiding islands are the “ABC" Islands. Dutch territories Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao are located just north of the coast of Venezuela, and each offer Caribbean flair without the tropical danger.

Another way to prepare for the worst is to check out the hurricane policy of the hotel you choose to book. Many hotels, especially those in often-effected areas, have hurricane policies offering complimentary stays for the same number of nights the following year, or they may offer other similar plans to help ease the sting of a disrupted vacation.

So, despite the fact that many hurricanes cause trouble in the Caribbean, it is a sure thing that vacationers will be back during hurricane season every year. With so many benefits, why not?

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Jennifer Smith writes for Antigua-Guide.info, Grenada-Guide.info, and other Segisys travel Web sites.

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