There’s nothing better than visiting a destination in its shoulder season — or even completely in its off-season — when there are fewer visitors, better prices and easier avenues for authentic discoveries. This, after all, is the time of year when you get to see a place as it really is.
In Latin America and the Caribbean, that often means dining, drinking and exploring with hospitable locals. From busting capitals like Buenos Aires and Lima to paradise isles like Aruba and Bermuda, here’s a look at how to take advantage of off-season rates across the region.
As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.
December – February
Bermuda
Bermuda enjoys off-season temperatures that rarely dip below 60 degrees while cities like Boston, New York and Washington, D.C. — all just two hours away by air — dig out from winter snows. By taking advantage of off-season airfare deals, you can escape to an island paradise bereft of crowds. Moreover, the temperate winter weather in Bermuda is actually perfect for golfing.
The St. Regis Bermuda Resort is the ideal spot for that, and for golfers, too, with its oceanfront Five Forts Golf Club. While there, you can also stroll the white sands of St. Catherine’s Beach, partake in a lavish afternoon tea ceremony or explore the 18th-century homes of historic St. George.
March – May
Viña del Mar, Chile
The coastal resort of Viña del Mar, just 90 minutes west of Chile’s international airport in Santiago, is a lively city by the sea with a string of gold-sand beaches lapped by cool Pacific waves. Since the water tends to feel chilly all year long, you might as well visit in the austral fall, when the weather is optimal for long, leisurely strolls.
Fall is also harvest season in the nearby Casablanca Valley wine region, which marks the occasion with traditional vendimia (grape harvest) festivals. Or you could swing by neighboring Valparaíso, a bohemian port city famed for its hilltop promenades, colorful homes and vibrant street art.
Book an ocean view room at Sheraton Miramar Hotel & Convention Center and you’ll be a 15-minute taxi ride away from Valparaíso while enjoying one of Viña’s best beaches.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Carnival season in Rio de Janeiro wraps up by early March, and with the mass hordes of tourists gone, the city gets back to its normal routine. Yet the conditions are still excellent for an iconic Brazilian beach vacation. That’s because, after heating up all summer, the water at famed beaches like Copacabana and Ipanema is still warm enough to swim.
Book an off-season stay at JW Marriott Hotel Rio de Janeiro, a luxe Copacabana retreat with palatial suites and a rooftop bar. Enjoy spa treatments, beach access and lounging by the pool overlooking the teal-blue sea.
June – August
Guatemala City, Guatemala
There are several reasons why June, July and August are ideal for visiting the Guatemalan capital. For starters, you have quick, light rain showers, which help to cool off the city in the afternoon. You also have ripe summer fruits like pitaya, or dragon fruit, which are great for morning smoothies.
Finally, you have fewer crowds at Guatemalan hot spots further afield, including the historic city of Antigua, the Mayan ruins of Tikal, and the wild Pacific Coast beaches, where it’s turtle nesting season.
Use AC Hotel by Marriott Guatemala City, in the sophisticated Cayala neighborhood, as a comfy launchpad.
Aruba
Many travelers are afraid to visit the Caribbean during hurricane season, yet Aruba actually sits south of the hurricane belt, offering the chance for a tropical vacation without the risk. The weather is typically hot and dry between June and August, with the chance for a passing afternoon shower to cool things off. There’s also a good breeze this time of year, which keeps the heat at bay.
Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort sits in the heart Oranjestad, the Dutch island’s pastel-painted capital. One of its best perks is exclusive access to the offshore Renaissance Island, home to private cabanas, seafront dining and serene beaches — including the adults-only Flamingo Beach, where pink flamingos roam.
September – November
Buenos Aires, Argentina
The city of soccer, tango and steak dinners makes for a romantic escape any time of the year. Yet spring in Buenos Aires is particularly appealing, with 18,000 blooming roses in the Paseo del Rosedal in Parque Tres de Febrero and jacarandas draping their purple flowers over the streets of the Palermo neighborhood.
Then there are the city’s perennial attractions, including the vibrant arts scene, sprawling food halls and quaint wine bars serving plummy malbecs and flowery torrontés.
Buenos Aires Marriott lies in the heart of the theater district just steps from Teatro Colón, a grand opera house that’s among the finest in the world. The hotel’s location on the famed 9 de Julio Avenue also makes it easy to zip around town to ritzy Recoleta, historic San Telmo or bohemian La Boca, home to the most famous soccer team in the nation, Boca Juniors.
Lima, Peru
High season in Lima ends by September, making it possible to score a table at the Peruvian capital’s renowned restaurants without the weekslong wait. Gorge on traditional meals like ceviche, causa (a layered mashed-potato terrine) and lomo saltado (a beef stir-fry), or learn about Nikkei cuisine, a fusion of Japanese techniques and Peruvian ingredients. The low-rise Barranco neighborhood, sea-facing Miraflores and upscale San Isidro hold the bulk of the city’s top restaurants.
The Westin Lima Hotel & Convention Center is located in San Isidro, a financial and shopping district lined with galleries, parks, and of course, top restaurants, including Malabar, Astrid y Gastón and Cosme.
The hotel is also a quick taxi ride away from pre-Inca pyramids like Huaca Huallamarca and the wowing pre-Columbian artifacts of the Larco Museum.
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