Barbados
Best time to visit Barbados: dry season, rainy season and festivals
Barbados is warm all year. What separates the months is rain, wind, prices and the risk of storms. Here is the year on the island, and the months we would choose.
In short: when is the best time to visit Barbados?
December to April is the dry season and high season, with sunshine, trade winds and 27 to 30°C. It is also when prices peak, especially over Christmas. May and June still bring good weather and lower prices. From July to October it is hotter, more humid and hurricane season, although Barbados is rarely hit.
The whole island, with beaches and hotels, is in our Barbados guide.
The year in Barbados
Barbados lies 13 degrees north of the equator, east of the rest of the Caribbean. The temperature barely changes through the year, 27 to 31°C by day and around 24°C at night. The sea stays at 26 to 29°C.
December to April: dry, sunny and with trade winds that keep the heat comfortable. High season.
May and June: a transition, with some showers and plenty of space. Good prices.
July and August: hot and humid, with short, heavy showers. The Crop Over festival.
September and October: the wettest months and the peak of hurricane season.
November: the rain eases and the season starts towards the end of the month.
Archers Bay
Photo: Chloe Christine / Unsplash
The dry season: December to April
These are the months most visitors choose. The sea is calm on the west coast, the sky is blue and the north-easterly breeze means you rarely break a sweat in the shade. Over Christmas and Easter you need to book early, and prices can be double those in May.
In February the Holetown Festival fills the west coast with music and food, marking the arrival of the first English settlers there in 1627.
May and June: our best tip
When high season ends, prices fall while the weather stays good most of the time. There are more showers, but they usually pass within an hour. Sargassum seaweed can wash up on the east and south coasts in these months, so the west coast is the safest bet for swimming.
Summer and autumn: Crop Over and hurricane season
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June to November, peaking from August to October. Barbados lies slightly east of the most common track and is rarely hit directly, but tropical storms can bring heavy rain and wind. Follow the forecasts and have travel insurance that covers changes.
Crop Over is the island's big summer festival, rooted in the celebrations marking the end of the sugar cane harvest. It runs for several weeks and ends with Grand Kadooment, a huge parade, on the first Monday in August.
Frequently asked questions about the best time to visit Barbados
What is the best month to visit Barbados?
February, March and April are among the best, with dry weather, reliable sunshine and a calm sea on the west coast. May is a good alternative with lower prices.
When is hurricane season in Barbados?
Hurricane season runs from June to November, peaking from August to October. Barbados lies east of the most common track and is rarely hit directly.
Is Barbados warm in December?
Yes, it is around 28 to 29°C during the day in December, and the sea is around 27°C. It is the start of the dry season and high season.
When is the cheapest time to go to Barbados?
Prices are lowest from May to November. May and June offer the best mix of low prices and good weather.