When anyone comes to us looking for a summer deal, we'll always point them to getaways in the Caribbean. Summer either means high heat or rain showers, and then there are the risks inherent during hurricane season, which lasts from September to November. Of course, this means great deals all around, as long as you're open-minded to a bit of unpredictability and can schedule your beach outing around the weather. Whether you're looking for dirt cheap vacations or unbelievable luxury for less, these 10 deals for summer and fall run the gamut:
Cheap Getaways Under $150 Per Night
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic: Alsol Hotels & Resorts ($145-$167 per night)
Alsol Hotels & Resorts have three properties in Cap Cana, which comprises 30,000 acres of beaches, hiking trails, and everything else you'd want in a Punta Cana vacation. This summer, nab junior suites at 35 percent off at two of the estates, from $144.26 per night at Alsol Luxury Village and $166.66 at Alsol del Mar, based on double occupancy and including taxes and service fees. For about $100 more, you can get an all-inclusive experience including gourmet meals, drinks, and activities. (High season rates, for a comparison, hover around $400 per night.)
Paradise Island, Bahamas: Atlantis (50% off)
This classic Caribbean mega-resort encompasses no less than 11 pools, three beaches, and it's own movie theater, casino, and 141-acre water park. Two specials are currently on offer: For the Slide into Summer special, rates start at $179 per night in August and from $199 in July. For the Fall Special, rooms cost $117 from September through December. Both specials apply for rooms at the affordable Beach Tower complex and includes daily unlimited access to the water park. Either way, that’s more than 50 percent off rates of $300-$549 in more popular seasons. Staying four nights or longer? Opt for the air-inclusive package with your stay and get $250 air credit per room. Book by June 23.
St. Lucia: Blu ($130 per night)
Calling all chocolate lovers! Blu, St. Lucia, a Harlequin property with sophisticated contemporary digs, is celebrating Chocolate Month with a special cocoa-filled experience. Throughout August, sweet tooths can enjoy breakfast and a comfortable stay in a standard veranda or courtyard room for $130 per night. You’ll be treated to a chocolate drink on arrival as well as other chocolate surprises. Can’t wait till then? The current World Cup Fever special for around the same rate gets you two complimentary 30-minute spa treatments.
St. Kitts: Marriott Resort & The Royal Beach Casino ($124 per night)
Arguable one of the regions least touched destinations, St. Kitts teams with lagoons, rainforests, and wildlife amidst seaside and historic fort settings. July through December 21, a stay at the open-air St. Kitts Marriott resort is yours for as low as $124 -- so long as you book by June 18 and use promo code SPU. Low-season rates for June are also available from a slightly higher $164 (still less than half of what you'd shell out in high season).
Cruise: 7-Night Caribbean Sailing, MSC Cruises ($379+ per person)
For those who can’t choose from the Caribbean’s many islands, a cruise might be the perfect solution. MSC Cruises’ seven-night Caribbean sailings start from $379 per person based on double occupancy -- that’s less than $55 per night. Setting off from Miami, you'll drop anchor in Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, Cozumel, and Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas with nearly 8 hours in each port. Aboard the MSC Divina, enjoy a 4-D cinema, Formula 1 simulator, aqua cycling, and more.
St. Lucia: Bay Gardens Resorts ($84-$145 per night)
Bay Garden Resorts has something for every budget, with three distinct properties in St. Lucia: the spacious, modern Bay Gardens Beach Resort & Spa by the ocean; the mid-range and quaint Bay Gardens in for an idyllic retreat; and a cozier three-star Bay Gardens Inn for the most value-conscious. Summer deals at all three properties means saving 35% off high-season rates, from $144.30, $84.50, and $84 respectively. This deal is only good for a few more days, through June 15.
Great Savings Under $250
St. Thomas: Frenchman’s Reef Marriott Beach Resort (45% off w/$200 credit)
Want to invite the whole extended family on an affordable vacation? The coastal-chic Frenchman's Reef is giving the clan more than 45 percent off four-night stays, along with daily breakfast and a $200 activity credit this summer. The Family Island Adventure package features rooms starting from $239 per night this summer -- compared to $399 during high season -- and the activity credit can go toward sailing and snorkeling excursions, night tours in clear-bottom kayaks, and more. Note: A daily resort fee of $35 applies, covering amenities like WiFi, snorkel gear rental, floats, and gym classes. Use promo code ZJL, which is valid through August.
The Cayman Islands: Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort & Spa ($180 per night)
If you value a great location and consistent, high-quality acommodation, the Westin is for you. Located between the famed Seven Mile Beach and the main road, the property has easy access to both the ocean and the restaurants, bars, and shops in the area. Through December 19, travelers staying six nights will pay only for four. We found rates that worked out to be $207 per night in July, $180 in August, and $167 in September.
Smart Splurges Up to 30% Off
St. John: Caneel Bay ($399 per night w/breakfast)
Get away from it all on Caneel Bay, a 170-acre peninsula with seven white sand beaches. You'll pay a small premium for enjoying its remote beauty -- which includes colorful reefs, and turtle and dolphin habitats -- but you'll save $90-$150 on high season rates in the coming months. The Summer Escapes promotion offers rooms from $399 per night through August 26 with a three-night minimum, compared to $559 in high season. While the rate doesn't cover taxes and fees, it does includes a daily breakfast buffet. For $60 more, regular rates also include afternoon tea, a welcome bottle of island rum, and use of sailboats, kayaks, paddle boards, and snorkeling gear.
St. Lucia: Windjammer Landing (33% off)
During the month of August, the Amazing Chocolate Package treats visitors to an all-inclusive experience of three daily meals, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, and non-motorized sports. On top of a 33 percent savings off typical all-inclusive rates, additional perks take the form a an extra couples chocolate spa wrap and a chocolate turndown gift. Rates start from saves more than 33% off regular all-inclusive costs, from $1,779 per couple for four nights in an ocean view one-bedroom villa ($445.75 per night), excluding taxes and fees.
The Bahamas: Kamalame Cay Private Island & Residences (save up to $1,340)
Kamalame Cay caught our attention for two reasons: It's a private (read: super exclusive) island, and it takes all-inclusive to a whole new level. The island adventures, one of which is included daily, can take the form of a moonlight kayak and mangrove trip, a high-speed boat ride with snorkeling to an underwater blue hole, or a reef fishing trip after which the chef will prepare and serve your catch. The La Dolce Vita package treats guests staying four nights in Beach Suite rooms at the all-inclusive rate to $100 spa credit and up to $600 in helicopter and seaplane charters ($300 for each charter, which range from $400-$600 full-priced). The rooms are $1,005 per night, so the savings of a four-night stay ($4,020) would total $1,340 compared to high season rates.
Antigua: Curtain Bluff (25% off)
Don't let the room rates at the luxe Curtain Bluff scare you. Junior Suite might start at $880 per night for two adults (or $995 for two adults and one child, and $1,110 for two adults and two children), but this all-inclusive rate includes three meals, afternoon tea, a cocktail hour, and alcoholic beverages daily. That's not to mention myriad of beach activities, from snorkeling and water skiing to yoga and tennis. Extended families will find the best value here, thanks to a free full-time kids camp with extra exclusive programming like chocolate making and crab races. Even better: Get the fourth night free when you pay for three nights, or get both the sixth and seventh nights free when you pay for five. That's savings of 25 percent. Stay through mid-August.