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Why Now Is The Best Time To Visit This Record-Breaking Caribbean Destination

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Don’t let the rapidly decreasing temperatures here in the U.S. give you the wrong impression – there’s still plenty of time to make that dream beach getaway of yours happen finally.

And I’ve got just the place for you.

Hidden for far too long in the heart of the Caribbean, the U.S. Virgin Islands are finally emerging in the mainstream travel scene as one of the region’s top-tier destinations.

Aerial view of Trunk Bay, St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands

This year alone, the archipelago saw a record-breaking 26.5% increase in tourist arrivals, so it’s time to settle once and for all.

Why are people flocking to the once-overlooked hub at such massive rates, and why should you, too, consider a trip to the U.S. Virgin Islands before the year ends?

The Cheapest Time Of Year To Visit The U.S. Virgin Islands

The short answer is that now’s hands-down the best time you can find for an amazing trip to either Saint Croix, Saint John, or Saint Thomas (or any of the other surrounding minor islands, for that matter).

And the reason for that starts with uncharacteristically low prices

Palm trees on a beach in the U.S. Virgin Islands

Skyscanner estimates that September, October, and November (basically, all fall) are the cheapest months of the year to fly from the U.S. to the Virgin Islands, with round-trip tickets starting at just $119 this next month.

And while that’s just the lowest possible price point, you’ll notice that decreasing airfare rates are trending across the board – just check out this flight combo from Spirit and Frontier.

Best of all, you’ll find that hotels have become notably cheaper this time of year, too (this ties into the whole “less people are coming here in the fall” thing, but I’ll talk more about that below).

People enjoying the pool in a U.S. Virgin Islands hotel

The Hotel On The Cay is the perfect option for those on a tight budget, with rooms starting at just $120 a night, but if you’re willing to spend a bit more, I personally think Morningstar Buoy Haus Beach Resort offers the best value for money.

That Caribbean Beach Experience Without The Crowds

I’m all for visiting tried-and-true classics like Puerto Rico or the Dominican Republic, but now that the summer craze has slowly died down, we tend to crave someplace quieter, more peaceful, where we don’t have to share the pristine Caribbean coastline with hundreds of other people – in short, someplace exactly like the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Empty beach in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands

According to Kayak, the busiest months in the archipelago are March and December, so if you move quickly and book that trip before fall ends, you’re all but guaranteed a peaceful, crowd-free experience. 

The Weather Is Getting Better By The Day

If you’re familiar with the climate in the region, you’re probably wondering – isn’t it rainy season right now in the islands?

View from a beach in the U.S. Virgin Islands

And while yes, that’s technically true, since we’re nearing the end of the extra humid phase, rainy days are pretty sparse – even when it does rain, the showers are brief and followed by plenty of sunshine, so there’s not much to worry about there.

And with temperatures that range from the mid-70s to the mid-80s Fahrenheit (about 24-30°C), all you have to do to make sure you have an amazing time in the U.S. Virgin Islands right now is to check the weather forecasts and bring a light jacket just in case.

View of a beautiful bay on St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands

… And There’s Still So Much To Do!

Just because the summer crowds have dissipated and the winter rush has yet to come doesn’t mean that there aren’t a million fun things to do on any of the islands.

My ideal itinerary, for example, would definitely include an exploration session with the experts over at the Aqua Marine Dive Center (St. Thomas); a lazy sunbathing day at either Trunk Bay (St. John), Sapphire Beach (St. Thomas), or Shoys Beach (St. Croix); a trip to the incredible Virgin Islands National Park (St. John); and a long (and duty-free!) shopping spree in St. Thomas.

Trunk Bay Beach, U.S. Virgin Islands

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. You can go either here or here to see the rest of the amazing things you’ll get to experience in the U.S. Virgin Islands this fall.

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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.