Everyone has that picture in their head: the one of the tropical island with the palm tree, waves crashing on the beach, and the constant, bright sunshine. While this might be the perfect fantasy to get you through a particularly rough week at work, it is not necessarily accurate. Certainly the weather in the Caribbean is beautiful—there is little seasonal variation and the temperatures rarely dip below 60 degrees. However, these tropical islands do have their share of rain and humidity. Understanding the weather conditions in the Caribbean can help you choose when and where to go on your next vacation.

A Varied Climate

One of the greatest things about the weather in the Caribbean is that it is not the same all year round, and it is definitely not exactly the same from island to island. Generally, the Windward Islands experience milder temperatures than the Leeward Islands because the Trade Winds temper the suns rays for the former locations. Because the Trade Winds come form the northeast, the northeastern sides of all Caribbean islands experience milder temperatures and heavier precipitation.

Somewhere within the Caribbean islands, there is a weather pattern suitable to someone's preference. Dominica, for example, is one of the most tropical islands in the Caribbean. It has heavy precipitation, lush vegetation, and an average rainfall of up to 300 inches per year. On the flip side, Aruba is very dry and arid, and this island rarely experiences hurricanes or any kind of inclement weather. Typically, the weather of the Caribbean islands is at either one of these extremes or somewhere in between.

When To Go

The most popular time to go to the Caribbean is during the winter. Mid-December to mid-April is considered the peak tourist season, because the weather in the Caribbean is milder during this time. Also, the weather in the United States and Canada is colder during this time.

During the peak season, hotel accommodations are more expensive and must be booked a long time in advance. However, if you choose to go during the off season, accommodations will be cheaper and beaches will be less crowded. Certainly, the weather in the Caribbean during this time is warmer; however, this is hardly a reason to not go at all.

A Great Time, Rain or Shine

No matter what the weather is like when you visit the Caribbean, the beaches and activities are sure to make your vacation worth it.