How to winter in the Caribbean
With winter weather slowly creeping in, more and more people are thinking about what to do during it. Some will go to the mountains and enjoy the slopes or go on long hikes. Others will visit one of the gorgeous European cities and see how they are like during this magical period. But, there are those that simply don’t like the cold of winter. And for those people, the Caribbean is the place to go. But, how are you supposed to prepare for winter in the Caribbean and what is living here going to be like? Well, let’s take a closer look at what the Caribbean is like during the coldest months of the year.
What is winter in the Caribbean like?
To give you the right idea straight away, the average winter temperature in the Caribbean is 27.2 °C (81.0 °F). The whole of the Caribbean has a prevailing tropical climate. This means that temperatures rarely go below 18 °C (64 °F). Add to that gorgeous beaches and beautiful weather and you can easily see why the Caribbean is one of the best places for people who like to avoid traditional snowy winter.
Living in the Caribbean during winter
But, what is life like in the Caribbean during winter? Well, this is a more difficult question. After all, the Caribbean is not a place that we can sum up in a sentence or two. It is comprised of 13 sovereign states and 17 dependencies. Therefore, spending winter in one can be quite different from spending winter in another. Islands such as St. Lucia, Dominican Republic, Martinique, Dominica, Guadeloupe, and northeast Jamaica are usually the driest ones during winter. Others tend to be a bit rainier, but nothing you probably haven’t seen before. But, there are some similarities that we feel confident in pointing out.
Winter, as it turns out, is one of the best times to visit the Caribbean. Most hotels and resorts use the fall period to renovate their establishments. This means that if you come during winter, you can expect great service and accommodation. Since winters here feel like May, you will have a swell time simply walking around and enjoying the beaches. Not to mention all the fun activities and sports you can have fun with. Depending on the weather and your preference, you might even be able to have a swim.
How to prepare for coming here
Let us, for the sake of the argument, say that you’ve decided to winter in the Caribbean. What should you do? Should you simply wait until a week before going and pick the first accommodation that you stumble on? Of course not. If you really want to have a swell time, you need to start planning and preparing for your winter holiday in the Caribbean months ahead.
Proper packing
If you are only packing for a holiday in the Caribbean, you need not pack much. Of course, some islands can be a bit lacking when it comes to certain luxuries, so you should definitely check in advance. But, if you are planning on going to Cuba or Jamaica, you’ll be pretty much set. We would just advise you to pack some clothes for rainy weather. Even if there is no rain in the forecast, you should be prepared, just in case.
Finding accommodation
Again, if you are only going to stay for a holiday, finding accommodation will not be much of a problem. Just keep in mind that the Caribbean can sometimes be more crowded during winter. So, make sure to look for accommodation as soon as possible. You can risk a last-minute search for transport and accommodation, and you may even be lucky enough to find it. But, as a general rule of thumb, the sooner you start planning, the better.
If you plan on spending a winter in the Caribbean, book your accommodation as soon as possible.
Owning a winter home in the Caribbean
Since a lot of people decide to visit the Caribbean, it should come as no surprise that some of those people choose to get a winter home here. Once you feel the winter climate of the Caribbean, you might have a hard time going back to cold winters at home. So, should you go to Verified Movers and find professionals to help you move here during the winter? Well, there are a couple of things you should take into consideration.
Should you get a winter home?
Unless you plan on spending at least a month every year in the Caribbean, there is no need for you to get a winter home. Know that besides buying one, you also need to pay for taxes and maintenance. You can try to find tenants, but this is really difficult to do remotely. Therefore, if you are truly going to spend your winters in the Caribbean, get a decent winter home where you can make sure to rest after the long move. If not, stick with renting apartments or booking hotels. Doing so will be much more cost-effective in the long run.
Do some research about where you are going
Simply stating that you are going to the Caribbean is almost like saying that you are going to Europe. Remember, this is a large area that has numerous countries situated in it. These counties vary historically and culturally, which is why you’d be smart to do your research. Spending time in the Cayman Islands is quite different than spending some in Jamaica or Saint Martin. So you can imagine the difference is spending whole winters in them. Every island and every country here has its own share of beauty. And to truly appreciate it, you need to be aware of all the history and culture that make it what it is.