Caribbean Weather
- Hurricanes
- Current Caribbean Weather
Hurricane Information
Hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30, with August and September as normally the most active months.
Before Your Trip
• If you plan to travel during hurricane season, it’s a good idea to register your plans, prior to your departure, with the State Department. Doing so allows the Department of State to better assist you in case of an emergency.
• Check with your tour operator and airline regarding their cancellation and rebooking policies in the event of a hurricane.
• Consider purchasing travel insurance. Travel insurance covers unexpected expenses such as cancellation, interruption and delay, lost deposits, lost or damaged luggage, medical emergencies and more. However, you’ll only be covered if you buy insurance at the same time you book the trip and before any kind of hurricane watch or warning is issued. Also, be sure to read the fine print for what is actually covered.
• Get a cell phone that works internationally to inform the folks back home of your whereabouts.
• Leave a detailed itinerary and your local contact information with a friend or family member.
What to Pack
• First-aid kit and water treatment purification tablets.
• A list of local emergency phone numbers, as well as numbers for the U.S. Embassy.
• A waterproof container for your passport and other vital travel documents.
• Flashlight with fresh batteries.
If a Hurricane Hits While You’re on Vacation,
Airlines may offer cancellation or rebooking options without penalty in the event of a hurricane. However, if you find yourself stuck on an island with a closed airport, the airline will not reimburse you for additional costs, including extra hotel nights, meals, or phone charges.
Caribbean resorts often have hurricane policies that allow you to cancel or rebook your trip also without penalties, but each resort will have different ideas about what is reasonable.
If you work with travel agent to handle the planning and booking of your trip, the agent can work on your behalf directly with the travel packager, airline and resort. If you've booked your package online, you'll be fending for yourself.
