The Caribbean - San Juan Honeymoon in October - Am I Crazy?

We were seroously thinking about a wonderful and near no-cost PR honeymoon -- points for the hotel, miles for the flights, and off-season in a relatively cheap place... But then we started reading, and everywhere I look, I see "October = hurricane season...don't go!" :eek:

I can't get straight information from anywhere else, so I thought I would ask here: Are we crazy to even think of going to San Juan in the first week of October 2009? Is this really a disaster in the making, or are the warnings overblown? Have any of you been there in October, and what was it like?

Any and all thoughts are welcome... I'm kind of at the end of my rope on this one ... :(

Hurricanes only last a day or two, if one comes. i'd worry more about having decent air conditioning.

i have taken about 20(i'm really old) vacations in BVI, turks and cacoes, cayman, etc during hurricane season. the hotel will take care of you. have survived through about 5 hurricanes, including two when on a chartered 50' sailboat.

they average about 1 every 2-3 years through PR. they have blockbusters, get a couple of movies and watch the wind and water. hurricanes are spectacular.

that region does not usually have cat. 4 or 5 hurricanes. if one of those babbies comes through, stay in the basement.

I really can't add any more other than you'll be fine. In the event of a hurricane, the hotels do take very good care of their guests.

Thanks for your input!

I guess the question isn't so much "will we survive?" as "are we taking a real risk that our vacation will be ruined?" A few hours of rain are fine; getting rained on for a week straight, though, is a different story...

Thanks for your input!

I guess the question isn't so much "will we survive?" as "are we taking a real risk that our vacation will be ruined?" A few hours of rain are fine; getting rained on for a week straight, though, is a different story...If you do get hit with a hurricane, it would not last for a week. And if it hits before you travel, the airline would likely permit a change in flight dates (or a redeposit of points) for little or no fee.
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13F

If you do get hit with a hurricane, it would not last for a week. And if it hits before you travel, the airline would likely permit a change in flight dates (or a redeposit of points) for little or no fee.
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13F

Okay, but forget the hurricane itself for a minute, which I imagine is an extremely remote possibility even at the height of hurricane "season." Might it rain steadily for five days straight? Is it possible to have five days without sun?

The frustrating thing, having no experience with travel to the Caribbean, is that everywhere you look, everyone says don't go, the weather will be bad. But then I read other places that it's not so bad... :confused:

Might it rain steadily for five days straight? Is it possible to have five days without sun?Extremely unlikely. Unless you travel to London or Amsterdam.

But won't you be spending most of the time indoors? :D
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13F

My second post on this thread... having spoken with my old man about this. He agrees with me in that October isn't bad at all for Hurricans. The risk is quite minimal. The only problem that could happen is that if you arrive too early in October and we're hit in September, the island might still be a mess.

My second post on this thread... having spoken with my old man about this. He agrees with me in that October isn't bad at all for Hurricans. The risk is quite minimal. The only problem that could happen is that if you arrive too early in October and we're hit in September, the island might still be a mess.


I was born and raised in PR, currently live in Chicago and I travel to PR every other month, specially in Oct since it is my bday. The worst that can happen is lack of electricity and water, but most hotels have their own power supply. It has been a while since PR has been hit, and we mostly feel that we are blessed that way. You mentioned that will book your trip with points, so it cost you mostly nothing, however, I will suggest you buy trip insurance that will cover the hotel reservation. The airline will allow you change your schedule in case of bad weather, but I dont think a hotel will adjust its schedule. Please look into this, and have fun.

Here is the same reply I gave when you asked this exact question in the Mexico forum. Just replace PR with Cancun.

Anyplace in the hurricane belt will get you pretty much the same answers. Hurricane season is hurricane season. If the place is in the hurricane area then, there you go.


Hurricane season is from June 1 to November 30th. That's the official season. You can get storms before or after those dates. There may also be no storms during those dates. The chances of having rain and/or a tropical depression even with no true hurricane are greater during this time.

Cancun will still be pretty hot and humid in October. But it's a great place to go.

Okay, but forget the hurricane itself for a minute, which I imagine is an extremely remote possibility even at the height of hurricane "season." Might it rain steadily for five days straight? Is it possible to have five days without sun?

The frustrating thing, having no experience with travel to the Caribbean, is that everywhere you look, everyone says don't go, the weather will be bad. But then I read other places that it's not so bad... :confused:

I went to PR in June and July. I was worried about the hurricane and had watched weather forecast for about a month before going to PR. Nothing bad.

Rent a car and go to Rainforest. (update the map in your GPS and easy to drive)
And go to San Juan old town....
Big hotels have their own Casino

* bump *

Planning on going to SJU, PR in September, so I have the same concerns...first time to the Caribbean in fact. What are some "alternative" things to do if it rains for an extended period of time? Are there bus tours where you can still sightsee without getting soaked? Museums? Etc?

* bump *

Planning on going to SJU, PR in September, so I have the same concerns...first time to the Caribbean in fact. What are some "alternative" things to do if it rains for an extended period of time? Are there bus tours where you can still sightsee without getting soaked? Museums? Etc?

I did research about museums in case of raining. But I did not go.

Museums
San Juan Museum of Art and History
The Pablo Casals Museum
Casa de los Dos Zaguanes (House of the Two Foyers)

I think you can still enjoy rainforest. Just rent a car at the airport (bring you GPS). Lane width is small, but it was relatively easy to drive.
http://www.elyunque.com/about.html

Old San Juan is not big. You can walk under your umbrella.

Old San Juan is not big. You can walk under your umbrella.

Mrs. Flews and I love Old San Juan. If you're looking for a sun and beach vacation, then yes the fall is dicey for weather. But to spend a week or so wandering the streets, checking out the churches and museums and casinos, and discovering all kinds of local, family-run eateries, the worst that can happen is it rains and you get wet. Just pretend you're going for a dip!

Enjoy!

Cheers,

We were seroously thinking about a wonderful and near no-cost PR honeymoon -- points for the hotel, miles for the flights, and off-season in a relatively cheap place... But then we started reading, and everywhere I look, I see "October = hurricane season...don't go!" :eek:

I can't get straight information from anywhere else, so I thought I would ask here: Are we crazy to even think of going to San Juan in the first week of October 2009? Is this really a disaster in the making, or are the warnings overblown? Have any of you been there in October, and what was it like?

Any and all thoughts are welcome... I'm kind of at the end of my rope on this one ... :(

yes, PR is not a destination i would consider for a honeymoon. the timing is wrong too. why not take a short flight to another good island in the carrib ? if you can go at a different time ?

Fall is rainy season in the Caribbean. That's just the way it is.

The further south you go, the less risk of hurricane (where they start), the further north - even as north as Florida, Texas, Louisiana, or event he Carolinas - (where they finish) the greater the risk.

I've had great fall vacations in the Caribbean, including my own honeymoon - seven days of perfect weather in Turks & Caicos - and other times I've had complete rainouts.

YMMV

Cheers,