Best Time to Visit Basse-Terre

Dry season: January to April

This is the best stretch to visit. Days are warm but not heavy, and the sea breeze takes the edge off. Showers still pass through, but most days stay bright for hours. February and March are the driest months, with about 10 rainy days each.

It suits almost any trip. Hike La Soufrière, the volcano that towers over Basse-Terre, when the sky is clear. Summit views can vanish in cloud, so go on a dry morning. Dive at the Cousteau Reserve off Malendure, and swim at Plage de Grande Anse in Deshaies.

Carnival runs from January until the days before Ash Wednesday. Expect parades, costumes and loud drums in the streets. Basse-Terre has its own Mardi Gras and Ash Wednesday traditions, with many people dressed in black and white on the Wednesday. Hotels fill up and flights cost more, so this is also high season.

May to June: the shoulder months

Rain picks up in May, with about 17 days of showers. June is wetter again. The rain usually comes as short, heavy bursts, then the sun returns. It's sticky, though, and the humidity sits near 78%.

If you want fewer people and don't mind a wet afternoon, these months work well. Rivers and waterfalls run full. The Carbet Falls look their best, and the trails to them stay muddy, so wear shoes with grip. Pointe-à-Pitre's Fête des Cuisinières in August is a famous food parade, but it falls in the wetter season, so it's one for foodies who accept the weather.

July to November: wet and stormy

This is the rainy season, and it's also hurricane season. October is the wettest month, with 168 mm. August and September come next, and both get 146 mm. Rain falls on over 20 days in most of these months. Hikes get slippery, and some days the volcano stays hidden in cloud.

On the plus side, hotels drop their rates and beaches are quiet. Nights stay warm, around 28°C. If you come now, keep your plans flexible and have a travel insurance policy that covers storms.

December: the sweet spot

December is the quiet gap before the crowds. It's drier than autumn and feels festive, with Christmas cooking and family gatherings. Prices climb near the holidays, so early December is the better bet.