Travel Tips

Good to know

• The Caribbean enjoys year-round sunshine with a warm, tropical climate tempered by cooling tradewinds. Average temperature is over 25ºC (80ºF) all year round.  On average, there are over 8 hours sun per day all year round. The 'high' season in the Caribbean is generally considered to be mid-December to April, except for Bermuda which is sub-tropical and their high season is from April to October. Check out the Carriacou and Grenada weather today

Average Temperature 

• Weather
• The 'rainy' season can occur any time between July and December, when rainfall and humidity can increase. The showers during this period can be sudden and leave a lot of rainfall but they are short and are quickly followed by sunshine. 
• Hurricanes
• There have been a number of well publicised hurricanes over the last ten years although the majority pass by without any major damage being done. However if you don't want to be in the Caribbean when there could be one, the most likely month for hurricanes is September. 
• Health
• Vaccinations are not compulsory for visitors to the main islands but you may want to check that polio and tetanus injections are up to date and you may choose to have an injection to give some cover from Hepatitis A, although this occurs rarely.
• Malaria is still a problem in Haiti and to a lesser extent in the Dominican Republic so if you plan to visit these countries it would be wise to take some preventative medicine before you go.
• Take a look at the CDC Travel Information guide prepared for travellers to the Caribbean www.cdc.gov/travel/Caribbean  

• There are very few poisonous plants in the Caribbean but the manchineel tree is one.

• This tree often grows on beaches and both the fruit which looks like a small apple and the sap of the tree is very unpleasant. 

• Tap water is drinkable on most of the islands.

• In Haiti and the Dominican Republic only bottled water should be drunk.

• *** Travellers Tips***

• 
  How to Avoid the Mosquitoes

• 
  Two weeks prior to your holiday make garlic a part of your everyday seasonings for your food. I promise you it works, apparently the scent it gives through your pores, is repulsive to our bothersome friends. 

• Events
• Thebiggest events are the various carnivals, usually held just before Lent but some are also staged at the end of the sugar harvest, usually in late July or early August.
• Many official celebrations are also held on the British islands around Emancipation Day, 1st August. There are also many smaller events held all year round that centre around music, eg calypso, steel pan or reggae, or around sports eg fishing competitions, tennis, golf and some triathlons.

Electricity

• In most Caribbean islands the electrical supply is 110 or 120 volts at 60 cycles so no adaptor is required for US appliances but British or French visitors will need to take one.

• The French islands work to 220 volts and the Dutch islands to 110 volts. Many of the British islands work to a 230 or 240 volts supply at 50 cycles per second although even on these islands some of the hotels are set up to the American system.

• It is probably worth checking with the hotel before you go which system they are using and taking an adaptor anyway if you have one.