Turquoise oceans, coconut trees, beautiful sandy beaches, reliably warm temperatures and the steady refreshing trade winds make the Caribbean islands a vacationer delight. Though the Caribbean Islands stretch over 15 degrees of latitude and 20 degrees of longitude, they have a rather similar climate throughout thanks to ocean waters that are warm throughout the year. The waters stay warm because of ocean currents that transport the warmth from the equatorial regions.

The best time of year weatherwise is the time when vacationers from the northern climates are most in need of some tropical sunshine and warmth, the winter months. The region is strongly influenced all through the year by the Atlantic subtropical high pressure belt. This brings a steady diet of northeasterly winds called the trade winds. In winter the high is close by and the result is sinking air and sunshine. In summer the high shifts north and the equatorial cloud and shower belt known as the Intertropical Convergence Zone shifts north. Daytime showers (brief but intense) are more frequent and tropical waves and storms moving westward in the trade wind belt bring occasional rainy periods and the risk of tropical storms and hurricanes. Hurricanes can bring very heavy rains and damaging winds. Most places get significant rains from spring and summer showers and the occasional tropical wave or storm every year, but may not get a direct hit from a strong hurricane for several years.

Islands that are mountainous see more showers in the summer on the northeast facing slopes where the moist trade winds are forced to climb. On the back (leeward - often southwest) side of the mountains, the weather is often drier. Unfortunately that side of the islands doesn't enjoy the benefits of the trade winds as much.

Temperatures are kept from extremes by the maritime influence. Temperatures over 100 are almost unheard of and readings below 60 are experienced only in extreme cold outbreaks and are usually restricted to Cuba or the northern Bahamas. Even then the air is much modified in transit over the warm water.

The wet season is May through October when these tropical waves and storms occur. The greatest risk of strong hurricanes is August and September. The dry season begins in December and continues until spring.

The best time for travelers to vacation in the Caribbean is the period from December through April, when the risk of hurricanes is low, rain is less frequent and temperatures are a bit more moderate. If you vacation in the other months, expect more heat and humidity and more frequent rains, and, be prepared for hurricanes.

NASSAU, THE BAHAMAS

SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO