I am going on holiday in August (anytime as I have the full month off) and we are looking at going somewhere abit further afield. We would love to go to Brazil/Cuba/Carrabean but I believe it is hurracaine (excuse any spelling mistakes !!) season July-Oct so I am alittle concerned. We have a budget of £1000 each and would like 2 wks all inclusive. Has anyone been to these places in August and had lovely weather ?? Or does anyone have any other ideas ???

Thank you guys/gals xx

Hi Cath5,

I've been to Cuba, but in November, so can't advise you on August, sorry.  The time you want to go to that region is hurricane season, so you would be taking a chance ;)  However, Cuba is a fantastic country and if you are going to go, do it soon before it all changes when Fidel Castro dies.

One thing I would recommend is to get off the resort as much as you can - the country has to be seen to be believed.  We didn't go to Havana, but we went to Santiago de Cuba, the second city, and I've never seen anything like it in my life, absolutely fascinating.  We stayed in a five star resort, all inclusive, and it was absolutely fabulous and exceptionally good value for money.  The staff were brilliant, so warm and friendly, and happy to tell you all about their country and the lives they lead.  Your budget would see you far in Cuba and you would be able to get a super holiday for it.

We also swam with Dolphins, visited a cigar factory (one of the girls working there winked at OH and made his holiday, LOL!), went on an ancient steam train and went deep sea fishing, when we got the entire boat, two crew and a guide to ourselves because no one else had booked it   And we came home with Che Guevara T-shirts!

Would recommend it, if only to experience a country that is so vastly different and unusual. 

HTH

Lesley

We've been to Barbados late August/beggining Sept and weather was great. It did rain a few times but it was more like a sun storm they're gone in 20-30min. We actually appreciated the rain as the sun was very intense!!

You can find some good deals re. accomodation/flights if you search the travel sites.
I would reccomend Barbados if you realy want to relax on the beach with a coctail and do absolute 'sod-all' (sp), you know what I mean?!?
However there is lots to be done if you get bored; we rented a car and drove round the island and made stops along the way (the scenery is fantastic), went to the Wildlife Reserve (zoo where animals are not caged), went on a 4x4 expedition (great fun), swiming with big turtles, snorkeling, Pirates cruise..

We have also been to Cancun twice, but both times over Xmas, so don't know what's the weather like in August, sorry....
Now Cancun is brilliant, lots to do, lots to see, amazing shopping, great food, very friendly people,not expensive at all.

HTH

my friend went to cuba is august last year and said it was scorching hot, but she'd have rather gone to the dominican. Either are too hot for me!

I've been to Antiqua (Nevis, St Barts etc..) Dominican, Jamiaca, Cancun/Cozumel and loved them all. The earlier the better for most of the Islands so August is probably OK but there is no guarantee. Here is a site that shows the peak season for each Island in the region. http://stormcarib.com

The Domincan was nice; about half the price of Jamaica and the local people were very friendly. I love Mexico but I'm not sure how much of Cancun has been rebuilt after the hurricanes. I didn't get to see much of Antigua as we were racing all week but once again the people there were really friendly. How fun, it's always exciting to go somewhere new.

Mid-late August is really the start of the hurricane season in the Caribbean.  July and August tends to be the 'rainy' season, hence why it's often cheaper and quieter there rather than our winter season, but by rainy season, I mean it'll pour down for about 10 minutes and then the sun is out again and you'll see so more poor weather til the next short down pour the next day! 

The majority of the Caribbean islands are an idyllic place to visit although generally the infrastructure within the islands isn't very developed-whilst the hotel resorts are lovely, don't be shocked when you see some of the houses people live in.  I found Cancun and the Bahamas very touristy and tatty to be honest, and I know the Mexican penninsula is still seeing a lot of rebuilding after the hurricane.  I never fancied the Dominican Republic myself, I've heard a few poor things about it, but evidently some on here have been and liked it.  My absolute favourites are Grand Cayman and Barbados though - we're off to Barbados again in July after having our honeymoon there last August.  Another tip - expect things to be expensive there!  Although, we actually found it comparible prices with home last year in Barbados, what with the Bajan Dollar - US Dollar - Sterling exchange rate being favourable to us!  But the islands are beautiful, the weather fantastic, the people lovely and scope for great food!  For a couple of extra hours on a plane and a bit more spending, you can have a holiday of a lifetime!

:) Kay

We have been to Barbados, Bahamas and the Dominican Repubiic.

I know the DR gets a bad press, but we had a lovely hotel and the best beach out of the three. Certainly the best value.  If you do consider it, make sure you go for a 5 star hotel, preferably one that is internationally owned. It is not an island to do on the cheap, saying that, the best hotels are not that expensive.  We were on the East coast, Bavaro beach.

Sandra

I confess Kay that all my trips to the Mexican penninsula were back in 80's. Crikey, I forgot how old I was!! I'd love to go to the ABC's and Grand Cayman. Think we should do that instead of remodelling the kitchen or doing the loft conversion. :-D

Ah yes, absolutely Lori, who needs a new bit to the house when you could have a great, exotic holiday?! :D  We always fly BA (airmiles :) )but so many other airlines are now flying to the Caribbean- I was looking the other day and see that British Midland are now flying to Barbados and both BA and Virgin do some pretty good deals on flights to the region - if you search around enough, there are some good deals out there to be had!

My sister went to the Maldives for her honeymoon and I think that's where I'd like to head next - it looks so idyllic!

Yeah, thanks spaniel-lover. I now have a good excuse. The Maldives sounds great doesn't it. I used to pick the places with good diving but the OH refuses to even consider it. He thinks the fish will eat him. Now I just have to convince my sister that the Caribbean is a better place to visit than her house! Oh, it was so much easier when I lived in California!

We did a caribbean cruise (although not at that time of year). It was one of the best hoildays we have ever had. I can definitely recommend cruising if you want to be spoilt. Great food, great entertainment, relaxing and visiting different countries into the bargain.
Jane

Ive been to Cuba...but in June...I can highly reccomend it..we stayed in Varadero...stunning beaches crystal clear water....just over a hrs drive to Havana which is a must see...and Mattansis which is between Varadero and Havana...also you can fly to Jamaica for either a day for around £99..or a over night stop for a little more.
End of july and August is Hurricane season...A other option is the indian ocean...Maldives. .mauritius...