Compare holidays to the Caribbean
Swap umbrellas and pouring rain for cocktail umbrellas under the palms. When the UK weather is doing its usual miserable thing, there's no better time to bag yourself a last-minute Caribbean holiday.
Whether you're escaping the drizzle or chasing a sunshine-soaked bargain, we've rounded up the best cheap last-minute Caribbean holidays to help you find your perfect quick getaway.
Explore our top Caribbean last-minute holidays and discover dreamy last-minute Caribbean resorts worth dropping everything for!
What are the best Caribbean islands for a spontaneous holiday?
You don’t need months of planning or a winning lottery ticket to make your dreams of a tropical beach break come true. So, if your idea of forward planning is buying a swimsuit from the hotel gift shop, we've got you covered. With regular flights, easy entry requirements and plenty of hotel rooms, these three islands are a top choice for last-minute holidays to the Caribbean.
Jamaica
Prices from
£1,079 pp
Dominican Republic
Prices from
£658 pp
Barbados
Prices from
£953 ppWhy visit the Caribbean last-minute?
Swap downpours for desert islands
Don’t shiver in your raincoat while you wait for the bus back home. Opt for a sunset cruise with a rum punch in hand instead. With the dry season running from December to April, the Caribbean’s best weather neatly coincides with the worst in the UK. It’s hot year-round, so if you’re not afraid of some daily showers that usually clear quickly, travelling during shoulder months such as May, June and November can mean an even cheaper trip.
If you’ve seen one Caribbean island... you’ve seen one Caribbean island
Put simply, no two Caribbean islands are the same. From music to food, the language spoken and the landscape and beaches, each offers something different. Looking for last minute Caribbean holidays for couples? Try Antigua or Barbados’ romantic beach hotels. Craving a classic beach break with plenty of facilities? Aruba. Fancy dancing the night away? Jamaica, the Dominican Republic and St Lucia have everything from street parties to beach bars that vibrate with banging basslines.
Bag a bargain bucket-list break
Make the most of last-minute availability and snag yourself a bargain. With long-haul flights and top-notch hotels, a trip to the Caribbean can easily be costly. However, booking last-minute can mean a cheap Caribbean holiday could be yours, as hotels and airlines look to fill unsold spaces, often at significant mark downs.
The best things to do in the Caribbean each season…
The Caribbean is hot year-round; yippee! But be aware, there are two distinct seasons, wet and dry. Peak dry season runs from December to April when temperatures range from the mid to high 20⁰Cs. With minimal rainfall, it’s bucket and spade weather. Spend long days on the beach, boat-tripping to neighbouring islands, or exploring everything from forts to volcanic peaks, rainforests to cactus-strewn national parks.
The wet season runs from June to November. It’s hotter, more humid and there’s plenty of rain, from daily downpours to full-on storms. You can still enjoy the beach, and a significantly cheaper trip. But be aware some of those storms could be hurricanes; mid-August to mid-October is the main hurricane season. But not all islands sit inside the hurricane belt. So it’s something you need to consider and check any insurance covers ahead of making a booking.
Frequently asked questions about late Caribbean holidays
FAQs
Are last-minute flights to the Caribbean cheaper?
Last-minute flights to the Caribbean are not necessarily cheaper, and depend on the time of year you wish to travel, how much availability there is, and how quickly any remaining seats are selling. Prices are not guaranteed to drop but are more likely to for off-peak times and during the Caribbean’s low season which runs from June to November.
When is the best time to book a last-minute Caribbean holiday?
The best time to book a last-minute Caribbean holiday is within two to four weeks of your ideal departure date, especially if you’re travelling during shoulder seasons such as May, June and November when demand typically falls and there’s greater availability. However, you may need to be flexible on your destination, hotel and flight times to secure the best deals.
Do I need a visa for a quick trip to the Caribbean?
British passport holders do not need a visa for short tourist visits (typically up to 90 days) across most Caribbean destinations. You will need to provide proof of onward or return travel and accommodation upon arrival. Many also have mandatory online immigration or customs forms to be completed before arrival. Some destinations, such as Cuba, require a tourist visa. Check before you travel.
Which Caribbean island is best for a last-minute family holiday?
The best Caribbean islands for a last-minute family holiday depend on what’s most important to you. If price is the deciding factor, larger islands with a higher number of hotels and flights such as Jamaica or the Dominican Republic will give you the best chance of getting a great deal as competition to fill unsold places will be higher.
