Autumn is perhaps the most treacherous time of the Caribbean year, characterized by particularly tricky weather conditions and unpredictability. The fact is that in the fall from Atlantic Ocean Tropical cyclones, accompanied by heavy rains and hurricanes, hit the Caribbean.
The masters of all the world's oceans except the Arctic Ocean, tropical hurricanes (aka cyclones, aka typhoons) remain one of the most mysterious and dangerous natural phenomena of nature. The most powerful of them, the so-called super-hurricanes, are comparable in their destructive energy to a nuclear explosion (!).
Hurricanes are born far in the ocean due to atmospheric disturbances caused by pressure surges and overheating of the ocean surface above 27 °C. Under certain conditions, this “outrage” develops into a whole “scandal”: a huge vortex funnel, the “eye of the hurricane,” is formed at its epicenter.
The problem is further aggravated by the fact that a hurricane never comes alone: hurricanes are always accompanied by heavy downpours, thunderstorms, gusty winds and stormy seas.
It is impossible to know for sure when and where exactly the next hurricane will originate, or with any force it will hit the shore - one thing is known for certain: it will come, and it will come this fall!
To understand the mechanism of tropical hurricanes, I invite you to familiarize yourself with the map of hurricane zones around the globe:
As you can see, in the Caribbean (zone 7), hurricane season begins in June and lasts until the end of November with a peak in September.
Depending on the strength of the wind, hurricanes are divided into three categories:
- Tropical depressions (50…65 km/h),
- Tropical storms (65…120 km/h)
- and hurricanes themselves (above 120 km/h), which in turn are divided into 5 subcategories. The most dangerous of them are super hurricanes, blowing with wind speeds of over 250 km/h.
Hurricane fronts in the Caribbean islands are variable and depend on the island's proximity to the equator. Those farthest from the equator, the northern ones, suffer more from hurricanes. Caribbean Islands: how south of the island, the more chance he has of NOT getting into the danger zone.
It’s clear now why the famous resort islands of Saint Barth and Saint Martin ( northern islands French West Indies) suffer from hurricanes more than southern Guadeloupe and Martinique:
- Saint Barth and Saint Martin - once every 6 years,
- Guadeloupe - once every 8 years,
- Martinique - once every 10 years.
The mechanism of hurricane development can be clearly seen from the super-hurricane Matthew that recently swept through the Caribbean, October 2016.
The island of Haiti suffered the most from Matthew, but everyone suffered nuts, right down to the coast of Florida (Haiti was at the epicenter, and Florida was in the final phase of the hurricane).
The French West Indies were even more fortunate: while passing through our latitudes, Hurricane Matthew had not yet had time to gain destructive power, and therefore we “got away” with a tropical storm.
Alas, it is impossible to calculate the trajectory of tropical hurricanes 100% accurately. This means it is impossible to calculate on which particular Caribbean island you can “sit out” the harmful cyclone season without risk to health. But even if your island is “blown away” this time, unstable windy weather, frequent rains and rough seas are guaranteed.
Incl. By succumbing to the temptation of low autumn flight fares and tour operator discounts for autumn holidays in the Caribbean, you risk spoiling both your holiday and your nerves.
Well, what if “what the hell is not joking!” and “what Russian doesn’t like driving fast?” at least try not to go to the Caribbean in September - the most dangerous month of the cyclonic season.
It is in September-October that the peak of bad weather occurs on the island. Guadeloupe.
The most destructive hurricanes modern history The French West Indies happened precisely at this time: super-hurricane Hugo - in September 1989, with its epicenter on the island. Guadeloupe; super hurricane Luis - in September 1995, with its epicenter on the island of St. Maarten.
The latter, by the way, was included in the pages of the book “Caribbean: Restaurant under the Palm Trees” by the English authors Melinda and Robert Blanchard, I recommend it.
Traditionally, in winter, many ultra-high netizens go on vacation and travel around the Caribbean, bask in their own or rented villas and yachts. But over the past couple of years, when the issue of a second passport has become increasingly popular (according to The Wealth report, 39% of Russian ultra-high netizens have it and this figure is only increasing every year).
Ultra-high net worth individuals are those whose net assets are at least $30 million.
Demand for Caribbean passport programs has also increased significantly. Thus, according to Knight Frank, this winter the number of requests for the purchase of real estate in the Caribbean has doubled. The entry threshold is low compared to other programs, starting at $100,000, and passports provide a huge number of benefits for the holder and his family.
Knight Frank Director of Overseas Real Estate Marina Shalaeva spoke about the most popular immigration programs and islands for recreation and yachting. Typically, purchasing real estate exotic islands happens when a person already has a lot, if not everything: a dacha on Rublyovka, and a villa on Cote d'Azur, and an apartment in London. This is at least the fifth property.
A villa in Barbados or an apartment in the Dominican Republic is primarily a purchase for recreation and hobby, however, due to immigration programs and investment prospects, more and more real estate is being bought here specifically for investment (and not only ultra-high-net-worth investors).
Investors can expect attractive returns from rental business: the tourist flow on the islands is about 46 million people per year, while rental costs can reach over 18 thousand dollars per week of stay, and citizenship programs for investment in real estate provide the opportunity for visa-free entry into the Schengen countries, the UK, Singapore and Hong Kong.
Based on requests from ultra-wealthy clients, we have identified the top 5 most popular locations in the Caribbean, where the main demand of wealthy Russians is concentrated.
Saint Kitts and Nevis
A state consisting of two island federations. The capital, Basseterre, is located on the island of St. Kitts, where the bulk of the population lives. This location attracts diving enthusiasts: there are approximately 400 sunken ships near the islands. The island has many interesting options for recreation: from sports complexes, golf courses, tennis, riding club, new marina and everything you need for yachting and surfing, to SPA programs in hotels and authentic restaurants. There are numerous routes across the islands excursion routes In Nevis, plantations and ancient architecture are especially popular among tourists.
St. Kitts and Nevis also has a lucrative passport program - the oldest in the Caribbean - where participation can be secured through the purchase of property on the islands. The price per square meter on the island of St. Kitts varies from 3.5 to 4 thousand dollars. The minimum investment threshold is $200 thousand, and the investor has the right to sell the property after seven years of owning it. Basically, this budget purchases rooms in five-star hotels, which are subsequently managed and rented out with a yield of 3-4%. As a rule, investors purchase properties here solely to participate in the program, and they themselves rarely vacation, since it is not very convenient to get there. For those who are especially sophisticated, you can buy luxury villas here on a budget from 1.5 to 10 million dollars and leave for the winter. After all, this is one of the the most beautiful islands in the world.
St. Kitts and Nevis is also the leader in the number of visa-free entry countries - 154 countries, including the Schengen countries and the UK.
Barbados
The island of Barbados is located in the eastern Caribbean. The island's most popular beach, Accra Beach on the south coast, is loved by fans active rest. Here you can swim with turtles, dive to coral reefs, kayaking, surfing or windsurfing. For more have a relaxing holiday The Hasting Rocks coastline is suitable for children. At the end of November, the Barbados Food and Rum Festival takes place here, where it is worth tasting the dishes local cuisine. Large-scale celebrations also take place on Barbados Independence Day - November 30th. On this day, all the buildings of the city are lavishly decorated, a military parade is held and various fairs are organized.
Real estate prices in Barbados are quite affordable: the cost per square meter on the island is about 2.2-2.5 thousand dollars. Our buyers are considering both small houses by the sea with an area of 170 sq. m and luxury villas with an area of 1.8 thousand sq. m. Prices for villas on the first line of the sea start from $3 million, and further from the sea in less prestigious areas you can purchase house from 325 thousand dollars. Prices for small apartments with an area of 45 sq. m start from 175 thousand dollars.
Saint Lucia
Saint Lucia is a paradise for a relaxing and peaceful holiday. There is everything here: from cozy small beaches and bays to colorful wildlife tropical forest. Fans of active recreation can climb the volcano and swim in a natural spring with a waterfall. The entertainment infrastructure is also developed here - there are kayaks and catamarans, you can go snorkeling and windsurfing. Many hotels have SPA centers. In November, the main yacht regatta of the season, the Atlantic Cruiser Rally, takes place on the island. The race route runs from Gran Canaria to Canary Islands to Rodney Bay Marina in St. Lucia.
Saint Lucia is not only an excellent location for yachting and recreation, but also an attractive investment destination. Saint Lucia's passport program is one of the most sought after in the Caribbean: an investor needs to purchase real estate for $300,000 and also pay administrative fees of $50,000. It can be like a luxury holiday villa (exclusive properties can cost up to $35 million), but most properties are priced between $500,000 and $10 million. More than 60% of St. Lucia property buyers are British, but we also receive requests for this location from Russian ultra-high-netters who want to be in solitude and without their compatriots.
The passport program mainly buys managed apartments, which are then rented out to tourists.
Citizenship of Saint Lucia allows visa-free entry into 145 countries, including Schengen countries, the UK, Hong Kong and Singapore. The tax system in Saint Lucia is very lenient: there are no luxury, gift or inheritance taxes, or taxes on assets outside the country.
Dominica
Dominica is a country in the Caribbean Sea, located on the island of the same name. Dominica is the largest of the Windward Islands and is famous for its hot springs and beautiful nature. This is an excellent location for diving and underwater photography, and the Northern Forest Park is home to many exotic birds.
One of the most notable options for purchasing real estate on the island is Dominica's first resort - Cabrits Resort Kempinski. The resort is located in the north-west of the island on the coast of Douglas Bay and is surrounded by Carbis National Park. The buyer is guaranteed an annual interest income of 3-4% per annum. Also, to participate in the passport program, it is possible to purchase even a share, and not the entire apartment. The cost per square meter on the island averages 2 thousand dollars.
Purchasing property on the island also gives you the right to apply for Dominican citizenship. A Dominica passport allows visa-free travel to 137 countries, including Schengen countries, the UK, Singapore and Hong Kong. The main advantage of this passport program is its low cost: the minimum investment amount is $200 thousand.
Antigua and Barbuda is a small state in the waters of the Caribbean. The country consists of three islands: Antigua, Barbuda and Redonda. The island of Barbuda suffered greatly after Hurricane Irma, so the main focus is on the island of Antigua. This place is interesting for lovers of diving and snorkeling; you can swim in the company of dolphins and stingrays. The island has courses for golf, tennis, cricket, and all conditions for riding scooters and kayaks.
The cost per square meter in Antigua is slightly higher than on other islands and averages from 3.5-4 thousand dollars. Villas with an average area of 150 sq. m can be purchased in the range from 700 thousand to 1 million dollars, and from 300 sq. m - from 2 million dollars.
When purchasing real estate worth over $400,000, an investor can apply for an Antigua and Barbuda passport, which can also include a spouse, dependent children under 26 years of age, and parents over 58 years of age, as in most programs. Nationality of this island state an attractively loyal tax system and the possibility of visa-free visits to 149 countries, including the European Union, Great Britain, Hong Kong and Singapore.
For the passport program, real estate properties are quoted by the government, but this does not limit the buyer, but rather protects him from unverified developers. The investor can purchase land plot, hotel, villa or apartment. There is no shortage of luxury accommodation here. However, mainly buyers participating in the passport program purchase apartments or small houses for recreation and rental.
To summarize, we can say that the Caribbean is one of the most unique and sought-after destinations not only for traveling New Year holidays, but also for the purchase of holiday property - such as a distant dacha or for obtaining a second passport, which opens up limitless opportunities for both the investor and his entire family.
Everyone knows where the Caribbean islands are - in the tropics, between North and South America. Cuba is located closer to the United States, so the sun here is not so hot, and sometimes cool cyclones come from the north. It turns out that due to the more pleasant weather, a holiday in Cuba is easier for those who do not like the heat. But due to the rapid development of industry, the air and water here are not very clean, but the nature and ocean are incredibly beautiful.
The Dominican Republic has a very active sun and a completely unpredictable climate - clear days easily give way to showers, and vice versa. The rainy season on the Caribbean islands lasts from May to October, but warm tropical showers pass within 15 minutes, bringing relief to vacationers; nevertheless, the air temperature here in the summer months reaches +35 ° C.
Hurricane season lasts from August to October, and during this time many hotels and restaurants even close.
Oleg Yarovoy
Travel agency manager
“The holiday season on the Caribbean islands opens in December and lasts until the end of April. At this time, there is a very comfortable climate and optimal humidity, there are no rains or hurricanes, so hotel prices are 20-50% higher than in the summer. The peak season is New Year, Christmas and February carnival. The holiday season by month in Cuba and the Dominican Republic is approximately the same. Most budget holiday— in May, since the rainy season has not yet begun, but prices have already dropped.”
Cuba and Dominican Republic: several differences
If you like a comfortable and relaxing holiday with high level service and you have an unlimited budget, go to the Dominican Republic. This country has a very developed tourism industry, which, combined with high economic level creates a special atmosphere of luxury, so attractive to many tourists. Naturally, the prices here are much higher. But this money is worth it, because you will live in comfortable hotels with well-trained staff in an incredible environment beautiful scenery, spas, gourmet restaurants and sea activities will always be at your service. The pristine Dominican beaches have many cozy lagoons where you can retire for romance or meditation. In the Dominican Republic, most attractions are natural objects. For example, Bounty Island with snow-white sand and clear water, as well as many other picturesque islands, national parks, waterfalls and mountains.
Cuba is a socialist country; you won’t find luxury or high service here. On the other hand, the prices here are quite affordable. The spirit of the USSR of the 1980s reigns in the country, so if you are interested in the unusual and colorful Cuban history, a trip to Liberty Island will definitely interest you. Soviet cars drive along the streets of Havana, many shops resemble pre-perestroika department stores, and socialist posters hang on the walls of houses. All this revolutionary surroundings, combined with beautiful nature and fiery Latin American dances, is real exoticism. Cuba is a party place where fun always reigns, with many exciting festivals taking place, for example the Havana Rum Festival.
Cuban beaches are clean and picturesque, and they also have less algae compared to the Dominican coast. In both countries, they feed well in cafes and restaurants and treat little tourists with warmth.
The most striking sights of Cuba
If you find yourself in Havana, be sure to visit Plaza Vieja - Old Square with an Arabic market located on it - and admire the ancient architecture of the 18th century. Sit in the evening on the Malecon promenade, watching old men with fishing rods, listening to the sound of the surf and salsa tunes. Stop by the famous Bodeguita del Medio bar, where Hemingway, Marquez and Fidel Castro visited. Here you can smoke a cigar, try Cuban rum and see unusual photographs on the walls telling about the history of Cuba.
U south coast The island is home to the Jardines de la Reina archipelago, the world's third largest coral reef, where people come to dive and see sea turtles.
The list of popular attractions in Cuba includes the Hemingway House Museum with preserved furnishings, one of the largest cemeteries in America with more than 500 beautiful sculptures, monuments and memorials, as well as the Havana Club Rum Museum, where you can learn about the history of the legendary drink and buy a bottle of real rum.
Cuba is also home to sugar cane plantations, where excursions are constantly organized, while tourists are additionally taken to sugar factories and to a workshop for the production of sugar cane juice with a tasting of the drink. Also check out the Tropicana show, which is held in the Botanical Garden under starry sky. Salsa, rumba, cha-cha-cha, bright costumes, laughter, sunny beaches, warm ocean, rum, cigars - this is a vacation in Cuba!
Holidays in the Dominican Republic: what you need to see
One of best areas in the Dominican Republic - Punta Cana, where the most picturesque beaches, luxury hotels and huge golf courses. The province of Samana is famous for its tropical forests, national parks, coconut groves and cozy small beaches, many of which tourists do not know about. Here humpback whales swim to the shores, and special sea excursions for daredevils who want to swim with whales. The Nacional del Este Park is interesting for its coral reefs, rich marine flora and fauna, rare birds, tropical forests, beaches and rock paintings of the indigenous people of the Caribbean islands.
And be sure to take a walk around Zona Colonial - this is the ancient district of Santo Domingo with cobblestone streets, ancient buildings in pastel colors and cozy family coffee shops. Visit the fishing village on Saona Island for a truly relaxing beautiful beach planets' Bahia de las Águilas, accessible only by boat, and swim in the Damayacua Falls in the hills of the Northern Corridor.
In addition, excursions are organized from the capital of the Dominican Republic to Constanta - in the mountains with green forests and statues left over from ancient civilization, trips to Lake Enriquillo, where crocodiles and iguanas live, as well as to the deserted island of Paradise Island and Mangroves, where you can go diving or fishing. By the way, the caught fish will be cooked right in front of you in the fisherman’s cafe.
Beach holidays in the Dominican Republic, sea activities, luxurious restaurants and romantic walks on the ocean bring joy and peace. Tourists who have visited the Caribbean claim that if there is paradise on earth, then it is here, in the Dominican Republic...
What to bring from Cuba
“When leaving the Caribbean islands, you want to take a piece of this heavenly happiness with you, so the question arises about souvenirs,” avid traveler Oksana Lyutova shares her experience. — And here I would like to immediately say about one important thing. Souvenirs purchased in the Caribbean must have a license for export, so you need to purchase them either in large shopping centers or in specialized stores at hotels. Otherwise, you will have to part with these wonderful things at customs.”
Cigars and rum are usually brought from Cuba; the Havana Club rum brand is especially popular, many varieties of which are aged for 25 years. Remember that you can take out no more than two liters of drink and no more than 50 cigars per person. Jewelry made from black coral is highly valued, since this stone, according to Cubans, has magical properties. However, when buying at the market, gullible tourists are sometimes sold, instead of coral, a coralline stone similar to it or an artificial fake. Remember that natural coral shimmers red in the light.
Cuba produces good natural cosmetics, nutritional supplements from shark cartilage and sugar cane, high-quality coffee, spices and delicious marmalade made from exotic fruits. They also usually bring original dishes from Cuba as souvenirs. musical instruments, sombrero and images of Che Guevara.
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The Caribbean is comfortably located in the geographical “hollow” between North and South America. Large and small, sunny and tasty, firmly inhabited by tourists and uninhabited, the Caribbean islands are a paradise for people tired of running around and lovers of tranquility in life, and at the same time one of the most popular destinations beach exotica.
On more than fifty islands Caribbean Sea There is a perfect combination of natural and man-made: the rich heritage of the colonial past in the form of a mass of house-museums and pompous mansions emphasizes the exotic nature, where the greenery of tropical forests gives way to volcanic landscapes, and the expanses of coffee plantations give way to thickets of sugar cane and bananas.
What does the Caribbean include?
The Caribbean includes Great and Little Antilles. The first include those “stretching” to the mainland 4 large islands: Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica and Puerto Rico. The second includes small geographical formations, in turn divided into leeward and windward islands: the bustling Bahamas and authentic Turks and Caicos, divided between the USA and Great Britain Virgin Islands, outlandish Antigua and Barbuda, discovered by Columbus Guadeloupe and the birthplace of Josephine Beauharnais Martinique, Grenada, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, and finally - Dominica, famous for the saga of Jack Sparrow. By the way, the island of Curacao (the one that gave the name to the popular liqueur) is also located here.
When is the best time to fly to Caribbean resorts?
Different Caribbean islands have slightly different climates, ranging from temperate tropical to humid. At any time of the year, the temperature here is not lower than +25°C, varying up to approximately +30°C. The water off the coast is also very warm - from 22°C to 26°C all year round. The rainy season begins in September and lasts until November inclusive. There is also quite a lot of rainfall in May. But September and October are the period of hurricanes in the Caribbean islands; before traveling during this period, it is better to make sure the situation is safe.
"Crown" Caribbean cuisine
Caribbean cuisine - recipes from thousands of islands and islets Central America. Local Indian traditions are smoothly but firmly intertwined here with those brought to different times culinary habits and new products of Europeans, Asians, Africans. The result is Caribbean cuisine - as bright, colorful and rich as the entire nature of this region, as generous and interesting as the local residents. No wonder Columbus once called these islands “the Garden of Eden on Earth.”
The basis of the dishes here is the “Indian trio” - corn, beans and pumpkin. They are eaten boiled and stewed, and they are used to make flour for flatbreads, porridges and soups. Vegetables are stuffed or added to stews.
In addition to the ancient “trinity”, wheat, yams, yucca, sweet potatoes, potatoes, salads, tomatoes, onions, zucchini, peppers imported from different parts of the world are cultivated and prepared here... Very popular dishes in the Caribbean: local bean soup, corn porridge with cinnamon and vanilla , salsa with red onion and pineapple, rice with tomatoes and even beans and rice (one of the traditional dishes)!
Do you know that, according to some researchers, the term “barbecue” comes exactly from these places? This is what the local Indians called the process of frying meat over a hole with an open fire (“barba koa”). In fact, even today this is the most traditional way of cooking.
The islands' main exports are coffee and sugar. Moreover, both plants from which they are produced are not local, but brought long ago by settlers: coffee trees from Arabia, sugar cane from the Canary Islands. Now guess what the most popular drink is here? That's right, rum! And this is hardly a joke, although, of course, they also love coffee here. Especially sweet, with cane sugar. But sugar cane is much more readily used on the islands to prepare the local symbol - rum, of which there are several varieties. All of them in their pure form and as part of numerous cocktails can be tasted in the Caribbean.
Cost of a trip to the Caribbean?
The price of a tour to the Caribbean countries starts from 3 5,000 rubles per person based on double occupancy for 9 nights. But the price, as always, depends on the seasonality of the trip and the star rating of the desired hotel.
For tour selection details:
- Call: 3-75-57; 8 915 703 03 50
- WhatsApp, Viber 8 915 703 03 50
- Write:
[:RU]It's no surprise that the Caribbean is one of the most sought-after beach holiday destinations in the world: hundreds of gorgeous islands, all year round good weather and great opportunities for recreation. And if you are planning a vacation in the Caribbean, then this article will just help you decide on a Caribbean trip.
When to visit the Caribbean.
Weather in the Caribbean is classified as either dry or wet. The dry season lasts from mid-December to mid-April. At this time of year, the days are quite warm and there is low humidity, and the nights are cool. The rainy season here lasts from mid-April to mid-December. During these months, the weather is warm and humid, with occasional showers.
Keep in mind that June through November is Atlantic hurricane season, which peaks in September. If you are planning a trip to the Caribbean at this time, then try to skip September. Otherwise, you will have to spend long days in your hotel room, having fun playing Caribbean Poker, slot machines online, play for free in the casino.
Some of the popular islands that fall out of the hurricane belt are Curacao, Trinidad and Tobago, Aruba, Bonaire and the Cayman Islands.
The months from December to the end of April are considered the peak season as it is the most expensive time of the year due to the fact that the weather is at its most pleasant during this time. During these months, prices for hotels and villas rise from twenty to fifty percent compared to the rest of the year. During high season here greatest number tourists, completely occupied hotels and crowded beaches, especially on Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve and during Carnival in February. September and October are the least noisy months. Many restaurants and hotels are closed during this period and bars are almost empty.
If we take all the above points into account, we can understand that best month May is the best time to visit the Caribbean islands. The weather in May is almost as good as during the peak season, although accommodation is relatively cheap. If you are planning a budget vacation, then plan your trip in May. However, at the end of August, tariffs also begin to decline.
Popular islands.
Here is a list of the islands included in his top picks for Caribbean holiday destinations:
Anguilla;
Antigua;
Barbados;
British Virgin Islands;
Cayman islands;
Cuba;
Dominican Republic;
Grenada;
Jamaica;
Nevis;
St. Kitts;
Saint Lucia;
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines;
Trinidad and Tobago;
Turks and Caicos.
You can especially consider Dominica, which is known for its dense tropical forests and mountains. Here you can find many hiking trails, which will lead to beautiful lakes and chic embankments where you can enjoy bird watching.
Puerto Rico, these islands represent an interesting mixture of Spanish and American cultures. This is a great option for beach holiday. Good places Sightseeing spots include Old San Juan, the vast caves of Camuy, the subtropical forest of El Jungu and Ponce, where you can see the rich colonial culture and Art Nouveau architecture.
