Hurricane season is upon us, with predictions that the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season is going to be a very active one according to The Weather Channel.
June 1 through November 30 is hurricane season for the Atlantic and the Caribbean, which means that summer and fall beach trips run the risk of bad weather, big storms, and even full-blown hurricanes.
However, there are three sunny islands in the southern part of the Caribbean that are largely out of the path of hurricanes, making them a safe bet for summer and fall vacations.
What Are The ABC Islands?
The ABC Islands consist of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao.
These three beautiful islands are located in the southernmost part of the Caribbean just north of South America.
All three are dependencies of the Netherlands and have lots of Dutch influence.
One thing that makes the ABC Islands unique is that they are well-sheltered from hurricanes, unlike the rest of the Caribbean and the Atlantic.
This makes Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao a safer bet for a summer or fall trip to the Caribbean.
You might still have afternoon showers or storms if you travel at this time of year, but you’re very unlikely to have your trip impacted by severe storms or hurricanes.
I’ve visited all three of the ABC islands, and these are my recommendations for who should visit each island based on your travel style and what you’re looking for out of your vacation.
Aruba: One Happy Island
Aruba is the most popular of the ABC islands, and it has earned the nickname “One Happy Island” due to its fun-loving nature. It’s truly a Caribbean paradise.
With nearly 3 million annual visitors, travelers love Aruba because of its beautiful beaches, unique scenery, and wide variety of places to stay. Eagle Beach and Palm Beach are two of the most popular areas to stay in Aruba, with tons of great all-inclusive resorts and hotels.
Aruba is also the island that is best connected to the U.S., with nonstop flights from a dozen cities.
This is a great island for families who want a hassle-free vacation or anyone looking for a relaxing getaway. According to BudgetYourTrip, a trip to Aruba costs around $325 per day.
I really liked Aruba, but it’s definitely the most over-developed of the ABC Islands.
Bonaire: A Beautiful Nature Escape
Bonaire, on the other hand, is the least developed of the ABC islands, making it a great destination if you’re looking to get off the beaten path and immerse yourself in nature more.
It’s known for having beautiful unspoiled beaches and other unique features like salt flats where you’ll see wild flamingoes roaming. Bonaire is also one of the premier scuba diving and snorkeling destinations in the Caribbean, known for its great shore dives.
It’s also the cheapest of the ABC Islands, costing $256 per day according to BudgetYourTrip.
Being the least visited of the ABC Islands with just 170,000 visitors in 2023, this is a great place to go to avoid the crowds and spend time in nature (including under the sea!)
My favorite beach in Bonaire was the beautiful Te Amo Beach.
Curacao: Fun And Great Beaches
Finally, Curacao is an island perfect for fun-loving travelers who want a mixture of great beaches as well as things to do in town like shopping, dining, and nightlife.
Curacao saw 1.7 million visitors last year, so it’s still not as popular as Aruba, but it’s quickly growing in popularity.
The colorful capital Willemstad is the island’s main hub, but much of the rest of the island is still undeveloped and full of pristine beaches and nature.
The best beach I went to in Curacao was Cas Abao Beach, which regularly ranks as one of the top beaches in the Caribbean.
According to BudgetYourTrip, the average cost of a vacation to Curacao is $332 a day.
I’d recommend Curacao for couples or groups of adult travelers who want to avoid the crowds of Aruba while still being on a beautiful island with lots of things to do.
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