Barbados in July ?

[BacksideInParsley]

We have a big birthday and big anniversary coming up this summer. Can't go anywhere until after 29 june. Just the two of us from Scotland. I have always loved the dream of barbados. It's shoulder season but that's ok if it's downpours and then sunshine... anyone been there? Who did you book with? Just want to have a lovely relaxing time...

Just got back. We booked independently. Stayed at Sugar Bay in Hastings. Fantastic hotel, All inclusive but the food was outstanding. The hotel is set on a wonderful beach within a lagoon, so perfect for safe swimming Easy walking to other beaches and Bridgetown. We booked flights with Virgin. There is a Facebook page for the hotel and often Travel agents post deals on there, but it's always good for advice as well. Loved Barbados, will definitely go back.

We’ve been in early July. I think we had two afternoons of rain and it wasn’t scorching, but blue skies, sunshine and we had a wonderful time.

The Caribbean can be a bit more humid in July with downpours occasionally. They soon go and the sun comes out again.

You could see if you can add a hotel to any flights, BA do or check flight and hotel separate bookings but be aware this is not a is Kate holiday and could reduce your rights re cancellation.

Look at West Coast. Some resort areas are cheaper (St Lawrence Gap) and other areas further north are smarter. And more expensive. I have always liked Antigua and there are some amazing more laid back smaller islands. These are better in my view.

Kate??? Package holiday I meant.

I don't like the weather in the Caribbean in the summer - it's really sticky and lots of flies.

If you can get a sea breeze you are ok. But choose area carefully.

What is the attraction for you?
I'd consider this carefully, and whether travel at that time of year to the Caribbean meets your requirements and provides appropriate cost/benefit return.

Personally I wouldn't visit the Caribbean in the Europe summer months, I could get similar weather and environment flying shorter haul for cheaper.

However in the last decade I've been to the Caribbean a number of times in February. Personally I love having a sun holiday at this time of year.

It’s a lot cheaper in our summer months. Feb is very expensive. I think Easter is a great time to go. However some people only get holidays in the summer months. I think it’s absolutely fine but it’s better value for a reason. Personally I prefer island hopping. You get a better feel for the islands and some of the lesser developed ones are just so special. The sea life is great and day sails are wonderful.

Interesting, we are in the DR atm. I've just had a look and it's the same price for a week from 25 Feb as mid-Jul.
Both of which are about £200 more people than we paid 10 days before flying out last week (so late booking discount as the price dropped over a couple of weeks as I was thinking about it).

That’s the DR though. That’s not the same as Barbados or Antigua.

Is it that much of a differential in terms of timings though?
I appreciate DR is on average cheaper, but isn't much of it governed by flight prices which tend to have a base level.
I've just had a similar look at Antigua and there are some hotels with a price differential, although not much, and others that are very similar.
Antigua has a very special place in my heart for the last 2 holidays I went on with my late DH, but I've been to DR 3 times since, and found it better value.

We yes but it’s DR though. It’s not the same. We certainly saw fairly large differentials in prices between seasons a few years ago.

We’ve booked to take the whole family in July - first 2 weeks. I’m a little worried about the weather but I think we’ve picked the right area. My friend goes every year for crop over festival and said the weather is still great. We’ve been to Greece in July and it’s poured down for a week so there are no guarantees anywhere.

We have been to Barbados end of June, beginning of July and it was great. The occasional rain shower but over quickly. It’s the Caribbean. There is a reason it’s so green and lush. It rains all year round unlike the hotter parts of Europe. But it’s not U.K. rain!