Weather

The temperature starts to go up but the chance of precipitation is still low. No need for a jacket at night now, but make sure to pack light clothing for the day.

Sample temperatures

Freeport avg high 25C/77F ; avg low 18C/66F
Nassau avg high 26C/79F ; avg low 18C/66F

>>read more about Weather

Accommodation & Flights

March is when the Spring Break falls so the prices stay high and the crows of students head to The Bahamas. Expect the hotels and the resorts to be (almost) fully booked and make sure to do the reservations in advance . The same is valid for flights , so plan ahead if you want to fly here during March.

Read more about:
>>Best Bahamas Hotels
>>Most Romantic Resorts in The Bahamas
>>Best Tennis Resorts in The Bahamas

Things to do

The youngsters pretty much fill the beaches now , looking for parties, tanning and fun. You can escape to less-crowded beaches , if you don’t fancy the hustle and bustle.

Or you can put on your walking shoes and explore the historical sites in Nassau. The three main forts – Fort Charlotte, Fort Fincastle and Fort Montagu – offer excellent insight into the history. Plus, the views of the areas are amazing.

Put on your walking shoes and head to one of the trails in the national park. Explore the underwater caves or just soak up the sun on the beaches.

If you travel with the kids, take them to swim with dolphins. Or plan to visit some museums.

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Weather

Remember the weather in January? Well, it’s the same in February. It feels like early summer, with mild temperatures and almost no rainfall. It can be cold at night, though, so pack a jacket if you like to stay up late.

Sample temperatures

Freeport avg high 23C/74F ; avg low 17C/64F
Nassau avg high 25C/77F ; avg low 18C/65F

>>read more about Weather

Accommodation & Flights

February falls during the high season , so expect to find high rates at the hotels and the resorts . The same is valid for flights : prices are high and the demand is just as high.

Book the flight ahead of time and take advantage of the deals available. Or use those saved miles to lower the price. Otherwise, a hotel & flight package can save some money, too.

Read more about:
>>Best Bahamas Hotels
>>Most Romantic Resorts in The Bahamas
>>Best Tennis Resorts in The Bahamas

Things to do

What do you dream of when you head to the Caribbean? Of course, the long days at the beach . And Bahamas has plenty of beaches for its visitors. Soak up the sun, swim, snorkel or try other water sports.

If you want to do some shopping, try the Port Lucaya Marketplace. There are souvenirs to choose from, excellent food , such as conch , and don’t forget the tropical fruits, either.

Nassau offers a lot of historical sites to visit. You might want to visit at least one of the three main forts : Fort Charlotte, Fort Fincastle and Fort Montagu. They offer excellent history lessons and you get to see lovely views of the surrounding areas.

You can also explore the beaches , caves and trails in the Lucayan National Park. If you like to be active, put on your walking shoes and walk on the trails. Otherwise, you can just enjoy a lovely tan on the beaches.

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Weather

The weather in January feels like early summer, with mild temperatures and little chance for precipitations. Temperatures might drop during the night, so pack a light jacket if you plan to stay up late. Otherwise, light clothing made from natural fabrics is excellent choices. A good pair of walking shoes and sandals are quite enough.

Sample temperatures

Freeport avg high 23C/74F ; avg low 17C/64F
Nassau avg high 25C/77F ; avg low 17C/64F

>>read more about Weather

Accommodation & Flights

The hotels start to charge the highest prices starting with mid-December, and the trend continues during January, of course. Same goes for the resorts , so your best bet is to check for accommodation in advance. You might also want to check for flight and hotel packages, as they can save some money.

If you go the independent way, book your flight ahead of time and take advantage of the deals available. Using the saved miles can lower the price, too.

Read more about:
>>Best Bahamas Hotels
>>Most Romantic Resorts in The Bahamas
>>Best Tennis Resorts in The Bahamas

Things to do

Head to the beach is one of the main reasons people visit The Bahamas. If the water is a bit too cold for swimming, you can always sit back, relax and catch a tan. Or rent a wetsuit and go diving.

The Grand Bahama Island is one of the most popular places where tourists love to spend their time. If you don’t mind the crowds, do the same. And don’t forget to check out the Port Lucaya Marketplace.

Nassau , on the other hand, offers a lot of historical sites to visit. Don’t miss visiting Christ Church Cathedral, Fort Charlotte, Fort Fincastle and Fort Montagu. They offer excellent insight into the history of the area and excellent views of their surroundings.

If you like to be more active, put on your walking shoes and explore Lucayan National Park, located in Freeport. Spend time on the beach or explore the trails. You might want to check out the underwater caves, too.

The traditional food in Bahamas is conch, served in two main ways: deep-fried or raw with a hint of lemon. And of course, the classic Caribbean dish – rice and beans/peas – can be found all over the island.

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Weather

The wet season has ended in November so now the rainfall is very low and the sun is shining. Temperatures are going down , averaging a comfortable 24C/76F during the day. Pack light clothing and your bathing suit, of course. If you plan to go hiking or walking, bring a good pair of walking shoes. Otherwise, sandals are pretty much enough.

Sample temperatures

Freeport avg high 24C/76F ; avg low 18C/65F
Nassau avg high 25C/78F ; avg low 18C/66F

>>read more about Weather

Accommodation & Flights

The hotels charge the highest prices starting with mid-December, so if you want to visit Bahamas now, plan for a trip during the first two weeks of the month. Same goes for the resorts . And make sure to book in advance, regardless of when you plan to visit (during the high season).

Mae sure to also book your flight ahead of time. It’s possible to still find some bargains, especially if you look for deals or flight & hotel packages.

Read more about:
>>Best Bahamas Hotels
>>Most Romantic Resorts in The Bahamas
>>Best Tennis Resorts in The Bahamas

Things to do

The beaches – such as Cabbage Beach or Cable Beach – are one of the most important reasons why people come to the Caribbean islands. If you find the water a bit too cold for swimming, then you can enjoy the sun and get a lovely tan. Or you can get a wetsuit and go snorkeling.

Head to the Grand Bahama Island and check out the Port Lucaya Marketplace. You can o some Christmas shopping while you are it or just look for souvenirs. Don’t forget about the tasty Caribbean foods you can pick up at the market.

Nassau offers a lot of historical sites to visit. Put on your walking shoes and check it out. Don’t miss the Christ Church Cathedral. It’s free to visit and the architecture is superb Stop by Fort Charlotte to learn its history and see lovely views of Paradise island. Another lovely sight is Fort Fincastle. And Fort Montagu is the third main fort in Nassau.

Put on your hiking shoes and explore Lucayan National Park, located in Freeport. You can visit underwater caves, soak up the sun on the beaches or explore some trails.

If you like carnivals, then Junkanoo , held on Boxing Day (December 26) should be on your not-to-miss list. The costumes are interesting and you can take one back home as souvenir.

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Weather

November marks the end of the off-season for The Bahamas. The rainfall drops – but you can easily expect some showers right smack in the middle of the day – and the temperatures start to go down, too. Pack light clothes, made from natural materials. Make sure to pack a pair of good walking shoes, water resistant.

Sample temperatures

Freeport avg high 26C/80F ; avg low 20C/69F
Nassau avg high 27C/82F ; avg low 21C/71F

>>read more about Weather

Accommodation & Flights

November is one of the best times to visit The Bahamas. The wet season is ending and the crowds aren’t here yet. Plus, now it’s the time when there are quite a lot of deals available.

It’s a good idea to book your flight ahead of time – although 4 to 8 weeks are quite enough. When it comes to the accommodation, there are plenty of choices, depending on your travel budget: hotels , resorts , private rentals, and so on. Search ahead of time and you’ll most likely be able to find good deals and discounts.

Read more about:
>>Best Bahamas Hotels
>>Most Romantic Resorts in The Bahamas
>>Best Tennis Resorts in The Bahamas

Things to do

The beaches are the most important part of planning a vacation in the Caribbean. Who doesn’t want to escape the cold only to head to a sandy beach to get some lovely tan? Or maybe go snorkeling or trying other water sports. Check out Cabbage Beach and Cable Beach.

If you travel with the kids, head to Grand Bahama Island, where the little ones can interact with dolphins.

And while you are here, check out the Port Lucaya Marketplace. If you look for souvenirs or just want to pick up some fresh fruits, this is a lovely place to check out.

Take a walking tour of Nassau and stop to visit Christ Church Cathedral. The architecture is stunning and you can easily spend an hour or two checking it out. It’s free to visit but pay attention to the worship hours. Also, stop by Fort Charlotte – one of the three ports still standing on the island – to explore its history and see lovely views of Paradise island.

You can also explore the Lucayan National Park, located in Freeport. From trails, to underwater limestone caves and lovely beaches, this park offers hours of things to do and places to check out.

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Weather

December marks the start of the high season for those heading to Jamaica. It is one of the coolest and driest months of the year. It is perfect weather for sunbathing and rain might occur in the evening or early night.

Bring light clothes, preferably made from natural materials. You can get away in your swim suit top and shorts on the beach but if you want to check out the restaurants, bring something to cover you up (a tank top is a good idea and a sarong is always a good choice). Bring a pair of good water-tight walking shoes.

Sample temperatures

Kingston avg high 30C/87F ; avg low 23C/75F
Montego Bay avg high 28C/83F ; avg low 22C/73F
Negril avg 25C/77F

>>read more about the Weather

Flights and Accommodation

The start of the high season means that the fares also start to go up. Make sure to book your flight to Jamaica ahead of time and if you manage to find a hotel & flight package, it’s even better.

Generally speaking, it’s best to start the search for both flights and accommodation the earliest possible and take advantage of the early booking discounts.

>>read more about the Best Resorts in Jamaica and the Cheapest Resorts in Jamaica

Things to do

Aside from the good food , fine beaches , reggae music and rum, Jamaica has plenty of other things to offer. If you travel with the kids, don’t miss a swim with the dolphins…or the sharks.

Adventure seekers can try canopy tours, river kayaking, 4×4 off road safaris, river tubing, a beach horse ride or a buggy adventure. There are plenty of tour companies which handle such adventures. You just need to shop around.

Put on your walking shoes and explore the cities – Kingstown, Ocho Rios or Montego Bay – at your own pace. You need a map and you can also download walking tours for your iPod or other device. Or you can create your own tour.

If you like hiking, you can walk between the villages, go to remote areas or hike for three days in the Blue Mountains National Park.

>>read more about the Things to do in Jamaica

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Vieques is a small Caribbean Island, belonging to Puerto Rico. It is located about 22 miles from Puerto Rico and has a distinct rural character.

>>read more about Things to do in Puerto Rico

Quick summary

The cheapest way to travel from San Juan to Vieques is by bus and ferry via Fajardo. Yes, it means you’ll be traveling for quite a lot (6 h 15 min excluding the transit time) but the round trip cost is under US$20 per person.

Flights from San Juan (airport code: SJU) to Vieques

San Juan is served by Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) and is hub for Air Sunshine and Cape Air. It handles flights to/from North America, other countries in the Caribbean , Europe and Central America.

Vieques is served by Antonio Rivera Rodríguez Airport (VQS) and is hub for Vieques Air Link. Because tourism plays an important role on this island, the airport tends to get quite busy.

Flights from San Juan to/from Vieques are operated by: Air Culebra (Air America), Air Flamenco, Air Sunshine, Cape Air, Culebra Air Services, Isla Nena Air, M&N Aviation, Seaborne Airlines and Vieques Air Link. The flight time is 24 min.

In mid-June 2012 expect to pay from US$109 one way on Cape Air. Return flights start at US$211 on the same airline. If you book in advance, you can expect the same fares during the high season, too.

>>book a flight to Puerto Rico

Ferry from San Juan to Vieques via Fajardo

There is a cheaper way to get from San Juan to Vieques. First, you need to get from San Juan to Fajardo by public transportation, rental car or taxi. The “carros públicos” take about 4 hours and set you back less than US$6 one way. A rental car costs from US$70 (per day, including insurance).

From Fajardo, take the ferry to Vieques. The ferry trip takes 1h 15 min and the cost is US$4 round trip. You cannot purchase the tickets online. The only way is to show up in the port several hours before departure and get a ticket. There are four ferries per day from Fajardo (9:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.).

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Cuba is the largest Caribbean island and is located close to Florida. Before the 1959 Revolution, Cuba was a very popular vacation spot for the Americans, but things drastically changed after that. Unless you go with an organized tour, it’s illegal to travel to Cuba if you are an American citizen (and yes, you can get into trouble even if you fly from other Caribbean island).

Quick summary

Cuba is a lovely island but transportation options to/from it are limited. The easiest way is the plane. There is a direct charter flight but it’s hard to book that one unless you go via a travel agent. Otherwise, you are left with connecting flights. Or you can search for cruises and charter boats which sail between the two islands.

Flights from Jamaica (airport code: MBJ) to Cuba

There are two airports serving Jamaica: Norman Manley International Airport (KIN) in Kingston and Donald Sangster International Airport (MBJ) in Montego Bay.

Norman Manley International Airport (KIN) doesn’t operate any flights to/from Cuba but Donald Sangster International Airport (MBJ) operated flights to/from Havana.

The airport is located 5 km from Montego Bay and is one of the largest airports in the Caribbean. It is the Caribbean hub for many airlines. The airport offers flights to/from North America, Europe and other countries in the Caribbean.

Jose Martí International Airport (HAV) serves the capital of Cuba, Havana. It is hub for Cubana de Aviación Aero Caribbean and Aerogaviota. It operates charter flights to/from the USA, as well as scheduled flights to/from Europe, the Americas and the rest of the Caribbean.

Flights between Montego Bay and Havana are operated by Aerogaviota. The airline operates both scheduled and chartered flights, but the route between Jamaica and Cuba is listed as regional charter. Unfortunately the major booking engines don’t list this flight (the cheaper flight listed is one connecting trough the Cayman Islands with fares starting at US$288 one way in mid-June 2012).

You can also fly from Kingston to Havana , also via Cayman, but the fares are higher (US$301 one way in mid-June 2012).

>>book a flight to the Caribbean

Boats from Jamaica to Cuba

There are no ferries between the two islands, but there seems to be companies which offer Jamaica to Cuba excursions by boat. This is one of them but you need to contact them in order to get more information (prices, schedule, etc).

Another option would be to look for cruises originating in Jamaica and which go to Cuba. For example, Tropicana Cruises offers an 8 day cruise visiting the two countries but the price information is not available.

>>read more about Cruises

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Punta Cana is located on the easternmost tip of the Dominican Republic and offers quick access to major resort areas, such a s Bávaro and Uvero Alto.

The Dominican Republic is located within the hurricane belt, which means hurricanes can hit the areas from June to November. The high season lasts between December and April.

Quick summary

The cheapest way to travel between Santo Domingo and Punta Cana is by bus. It takes about 4 hours and costs less than US$10 one way.

Flights from Santo Domingo (airport code: JBQ) to Punta Cana

Santo Domingo is served by Las Americas International Airport (SDQ) and La Isabela International Airport (JBQ). While SDQ is the second busiest airport in the country, the flights to/from Punta Cana are operated from La Isabela.

La Isabela is hub for Aerolineas Mas, Air Century, Caribair, SAP Air and VolAir. It opened in February 2006 and serves mostly domestic flights, although there are a limited number of international flights , too.

Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) is a privately own airport , serving Punta Cana. It is not hub for any airline.

Flights from Santo Domingo to Punta Cana are operated by: Air Century and Air Inter Island. None of the flights are listed in major booking sites, so you are left with searching on each carrier’s website. The flight time is 1 h.

For example, the single fare on Air Century in early June 2012 is US$80.25. The same fares apply during the entire low season.

>>book a flight to the Caribbean

Buses from Santo Domingo to Punta Cana

Expreso Bavaro operates buses between the two cities. The travel time is about 4 hours and the single fare is RD$375 / US$9.65.

The Bavaro Bus Station in Punta Cana is located a block south of the Friusa Intersection. You can purchase the tickets directly from the station. In Santo Domingo there are two bus stations where the bus stops: one is near Avenida Maximo Gomez and the other in front of Parque Enriquillo.

There are two buses per day from Santo Domingo, departing at: 8 a.m. and 2:55 p.m. On the way back, the buses depart at the same hours from Punta Cana.

Driving from Santo Domingo to Punta Cana

You can also rent a car and drive between the two cities. There are two routes, both taking about 3 ½ h. The shortest is 218 km on Carretera Mella. But the longer one, 227 km on Autopista del Este, has a long section right by the sea shore so the excellent views are guaranteed.

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Curacao is part of the ABC Islands, together with Aruba and Bonaire . It is also close to Venezuela and outside the hurricane belt. Just like Aruba, it’s also a Dutch island, complete with building styles you’d find in the Netherlands.

There aren’t any ferries between the two islands, so the only choice is to catch one of the flights. If you book your flight in advance, chances are you won’t pay too much for it.

Flights from Aruba (airport code: AUA) to Curacao

Aruba is served by Queen Beatrix International Airport (AUA), located in Oranjestad. It is hub for Insel Air and Tiara Air. It handles flights to/from the North America, other countries in the Caribbean, South America and Europe.

Curacao is served by Hato International Airport (CUR) , located in Willemstad. It is hub for Dutch Antilles Express, Divi Divi Air, EZAir and Insel Air. It is quite a large airport handling flights to North America, Europe and other countries in the Caribbean.

Flights between Aruba and Curacao are operated by: Dutch Antilles Express, E-Liner Airways, Insel Air and Tiara Air. The flight time is ½ h. In mid-June 2012, expect to pay from US$63 one way on Dutch Antilles Express. A return flight starts at US$120 on the same airline. Even during mid-December the fares stay the same. However, they might get higher if you don’t book in advance.

>>book a flight to the Caribbean

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