Global Escapes

The Caribbean

Soft sand, warm water and a short flight from home, with an island for every mood.

By the Global Escapes travel team · Updated

Best time to go
Mid-December to April
Trip length
5 to 10 days
From Atlanta
About 2 to 4.5 hours nonstop to most islands
Time difference
Same as Atlanta, or 1 hour ahead in winter on many islands
Entry
U.S. passport, except Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands
Currency
U.S. dollars widely accepted

Why the Caribbean keeps calling

Some islands are made for doing nothing at all. Others are full of music, food and adventure.

Grace Bay in Turks and Caicos and the quiet Exumas are all about calm water and long beach days. Jamaica brings music and energy, St. Barts brings French food and style, the Virgin Islands are made for sailing, and St. Lucia has rainforest hikes beneath the Pitons.

Choosing the right island is half the fun, and it’s where we help most. We match the beach, the resort and the flight time to the way you like to travel.

Flight times from Atlanta

  • Nassau, BahamasAbout 2 hours
  • Turks and CaicosAbout 2.5 hours
  • Montego Bay, JamaicaAbout 2.5 hours
  • San Juan, Puerto RicoAbout 3.5 hours
  • St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin IslandsAbout 3.5 hours
  • ArubaAbout 4 hours
  • St. LuciaAbout 4.5 hours
BahamasExumasTurks & CaicosJamaicaPuerto RicoVirgin IslandsSt. BartsSt. Kitts & NevisAntiguaSt. LuciaBarbadosAruba

When to go

The best months, the busy weeks and the quieter windows, so you can choose the trip that fits.

  1. JanDry, breezy, perfect
  2. FebPeak beach season
  3. MarSpring break
  4. AprEaster, still dry
  5. MayWarm water, better rates
  6. JunHurricane season begins
  7. JulSummer family trips
  8. AugHot, storm risk rises
  9. SepQuietest month
  10. OctLate-season storms
  11. NovHurricane season ends
  12. DecHoliday weeks

Peak season Shoulder season Low season

Average temperatures and rainfall

Approximate average daily high and low in °F, with average monthly rainfall in inches.

Spring

March and April stay dry and sunny, with spring break and Easter adding crowds on some islands. Late April and May are a sweet spot for value.

Summer

June through August is warm and humid, with short afternoon showers. Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao sit south of the usual storm track and are smart summer picks.

Fall

Hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30 and is most active from mid-August through October. Prices are at their lowest, and we always recommend travel insurance for this window.

Winter

Mid-December through April is the classic season: dry, breezy and sunny. Holiday weeks book a year ahead.

Where to go

The places our travelers love most, and what each one does best.

Turks & Caicos

Grace Bay’s calm, turquoise water is among the most beautiful anywhere, and it’s an easy nonstop from Atlanta.

Best for Beach lovers, families

The Bahamas & Exumas

Close to home, with sandbars, swimming pigs and private-island resorts in the Exumas.

Best for Short getaways, boating

Jamaica

Reggae, rum, waterfalls and all-inclusive resorts from Montego Bay to Negril and Ocho Rios.

Best for All-inclusives, music, couples

Puerto Rico

Old San Juan’s colorful streets, El Yunque rainforest and glowing bioluminescent bays. No passport required.

Best for Culture, food, easy travel

The Virgin Islands

Sail between the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, with stops at The Baths on Virgin Gorda and Jost Van Dyke’s beach bars.

Best for Sailing, island hopping

St. Barts

French style in the Caribbean, with boutiques, beach clubs and wonderful restaurants.

Best for Luxury, food lovers

St. Kitts & Nevis

Two green volcanic islands a short ferry ride apart, with a UNESCO-listed hilltop fortress, a scenic railway and the Four Seasons on Nevis.

Best for Couples, history, quiet luxury

St. Lucia

The twin Pitons, rainforest hikes and resorts with plunge pools facing the sea.

Best for Honeymoons, adventure

Aruba

Dry, sunny and reliably breezy, with long white beaches and very little rain any time of year.

Best for Year-round travel, families

From the travel blog

Turks and Caicos

Grace Bay’s calm turquoise water, the best resorts for families and couples, and an easy flight from Atlanta.

Read the guide

Good to know

The small things that make a big difference once you arrive.

Pick the right island

Calm water or big waves, lively or quiet, all-inclusive or boutique. We help you find the island and resort that fit.

Insurance in storm season

Traveling June through November? We’ll recommend coverage that protects your trip if a storm changes plans.

Passports

You’ll need a passport for every island except Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

All-inclusive or not

All-inclusive is great for families and easy budgeting. Boutique hotels let you explore local restaurants. We’ll talk through both.

Reef-safe sunscreen

Several islands, including Aruba and the U.S. Virgin Islands, restrict sunscreens that harm coral. Mineral sunscreen is the safe choice.

Island hopping

Small planes and ferries connect many islands, but schedules can be limited. We build connections that actually work.

Questions we hear a lot

When is hurricane season in the Caribbean?

June 1 through November 30, with the most activity from mid-August through October. Many travelers visit then for the value, with travel insurance in place.

Which Caribbean islands don’t require a passport?

Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. You’ll need a passport for every other island.

Which island is best for families?

Turks and Caicos, the Bahamas and Aruba are favorites for calm water and easy flights, and Jamaica has excellent family all-inclusives.

Which island is best for a honeymoon?

St. Lucia, St. Barts and a sailing trip through the British Virgin Islands top the list, depending on your style.

What’s the shortest flight from Atlanta?

The Bahamas, at about two hours, followed closely by Turks and Caicos and Jamaica.

Let’s find your island

Tell us when you’re thinking of going and who’s coming along. An advisor will take it from there.

Start planning Call 706.549.1164