Need Help for a Sept. Vacation
 

My husband and I are interested in going on vacation during the second week of September. We are looking for somewhere where there are beaches and the weather will be hot. We know that this is season for Hurricanes in the Carribean and Mexico. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks.

During that time of year hurricanes can strike anywhere from the TX coast, on around the gulf coast down to the tip of FL, then up the Atlantic seaboard, pretty much eliminating the US if you want to be guaranteed no tropical disturbances yet have hot weather. <BR> <BR>Odds are so slim though, of one striking when and where you are! It can happen of course, but those are odds I'd risk. We've lived on the coasts of GA and FL for the past 8 years, have had to evacuate only once and the hurricane turned and went the opposite direction at the last moment, leaving us high, dry, and sunny. <BR> <BR>This is out of the realm of this board, but for some reason Aruba seems to be out of the hurricane belt so you might look into that as an alternative if the risks seem too great otherwise. <BR>

Funny, I was going to post the exact thing you said. We are going the 3rd or 4th week in Sept. I feel exactly the way you do. We got caught in a hurricane once in the Bahamas, so I'm very cautious about going to the Carribean or southeast US. <BR>I'm thinking more about Southern CA or Western Mexico. But I still can't decide either. Looks like we both need some help here! Any suggestions out there?

Well, I've never been there, but Aruba is out of the hurricane belt (too far south). Lots of info on Aruba on the Caribbean forum.

Well, I'll add my 2c since I've been to all of the above mentioned places. <BR>If you search Aruba, you'll find some good previous discussions. My take on Aruba is quite positive (relative to other Caribbean islands). I dislike humidity, I love white beaches, I love really hot weather, I tend to try to avoid hurricanes when vacationing, and one of my problems with most Caribbean islands is what some call the 'poverty factor'. It's not a snobby term implying a lack of regard for the poor. In this context it connotes the crime, racial tension and general uneasiness that pervades many of the Caribbean islands...in sharp contradistinction to, say, Hawaii, where this is virtually nonexistent. <BR>Aruba has a very low poverty factor compared to the USVI's, Puerto Rico, Bahamas, Martinique, Tobago, etc. <BR>Aruba isn't pure paradise, though. It is a desert island. It's scrubby, little vegetation, cacti, extremely dry. There is a nearly constant trade wind so at the beach you are frequently buffeted by tiny sand particles, that can actually sting when the wind whips. There are some very good hotels, but no 5 star type places. The Hyatt and Marriott do quite nicely though. Small island, easy to gety around. Virtually no history of hurricane activity. Something like 8 days of rain per year. Long flight to get there. Not especially expensive. <BR>In answer toyour original question, Diane, I think you've excluded most places in the US except SoCalif. I'm also a big fan of Cabo San Lucas. Really great weather and beaches. Very uncrowded if you stay between the 2 towns. Higher 'standard of living' among locals than in most other Mexican tourist towns.

I was in Hawaii last Sept and it was perfect! And NO storms to worry about!

I second Hawaii, although maybe you live more towards the eastern U.S. which may make Hawaii a long haul for 1 week. I have been to Hawaii in September, the perfect time to go, the crowds have left to go back to school, there are great deals on air and hotel, no long lines at restaurants, yet beautiful weather. enjoy!