Generally speaking the climate over the whole Caribbean area is impeccable. As
islands, their temperature is kept constant by the sea, so the climate is far gentler than on
the continent that surrounds them.
Frost is unknown and it is rarely ever cold. The sun is hot year round, but you'll
find in "winter" that a slight breeze takes the edge off. Air conditioning is
not really necessary most of the year; fan ventilation and breezy hotels do the
job.
The temperature varies just a few degrees across the year and across the geographical
area, from Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas, in the north to Port of Spain in
Trinidad, which lies more than 1000 miles farther south, just off the South American
coast. In the larger islands it will occasionally reach 100F. Temperatures drop
at night; in summer there is no need to cover up, but you might need a thin jersey
on a winter evening, particularly at high altitudes.
Here are the average winter and summer temps for the Caribbean to help you plan
your trip a little better...
|
Winter |
Summer |
| Nassau, Bahamas |
| ave. temp C(F) |
21/69 |
27/80 |
| Kingston, Jamaica |
| ave. temp C(F) |
25/77 |
28/82 |
| San Juan, Puerto Rico |
| ave. temp C(F) |
26/78 |
28/82 |
| St. John, USVI |
| ave. temp C(F) |
25/76 |
28/82 |
| Port of Spain, Trinidad |
| ave. temp C(F) |
26/79 |
27/80 |
| Willemstad, Curaçao |
| ave. temp C(F) |
27/80 |
28/82 |
Caribbean seasons do not follow those in the temperate zones. There are two main
seasons in the islands: wet, in which tropical showers pass by, offload thousands
of gallons of water in seconds, and then the sun comes out to dry it all up again;
and the dry season, in which it still rains but less frequently or heavily. The
seasons vary slightly in timing between Nassau in the north and Port of Spain:
the wet seasons are in May or June and October or November. A tropical shower
will drench you in a matter of seconds. You may consider taking a waterproof,
but remember that the sun will dry you out almost as quickly as you got wet. Of
more concern are cold fronts which spin off the continental weather system up
north, putting a blanket of cloud over the islands for three or four days at a
time. They seem to have been a bit more frequent in recent years.
If you're trying to figure out just how to tackle this great country, check out our
Suggested Itinerary!
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