Booking Caribbean last minute for Xmas break?

rainio

Hello,
Martin recommends booking early or within the last few weeks.

Does anyone know if booking within a few weeks of December 23rd is risky for a caribbean holiday (as it is likely popular so most of the flights would have gone thus reducing flight options (and the caribbean is a destination for much of the America's and Europe etc, compared to Spain which may be a more European destination)?

Would rather book late (to ensure finances are stable with economy as it is) rather than earlier (though booking now is hardly "early" - our fault).

Thanks a lot.

bigadaj

Wouldn't expect many late deals for ten Caribbean at Xmas, I'd have thought it's very risky and expensive.

redmalc

Rainio

You are going to struggle to get a decent hotel in the Caribbean for Xmas now,we normally book a year in advance.
The last minute accommodation will be what nobody wants,the decent places are booked up very early

theonlywayisup

It is the start of peak time in the Caribbean, booking early is always best for peak time there.

You could try looking for flights/holidays out of European airports rather than the UK.

If you want to book late because of your finances, perhaps you shouldn't be booking at all?

Alan_Bowen

Not a cat in hell's chance of last minute deals over Christmas. The hotels double the prices, the lowest fare on BA to Barbados is already £1500 plus reflecting demand at peak season so if you want to go you need to commit now ( or indeed should have done so at least 3 months ago)

shaun_from_Africa

I fly from the UK to Trinidad (via St Lucia or Antigua) every couple of months and when it comes to flights between November and January, I have found that it's best to book these many months in advance.
Not only will the availability drop very soon, the prices will start to rocket upwards.

rainio

Thank you for your advice.

Could anyone recommend a few hotels, please?
We're looking at Cancun (or anywhere else really with water and sun). Not sure how much we can trust tripadvisor.

Thanks a lot.

redmalc

Raino

I can recommend the Iberostar Grand Paraiso been many times but it's in Playa Paraiso approx 6 miles from Cancun.
Fantastic world class hotel with no children,not cheap but worth every penny.
I think Thomas Cook are the only UK company who go there and it's cheaper booking the package

Kernow666

if you book via someone like booking.com they have free cancellations so book a few different ones then filter out the ones you don't like and then at least you cancel fee free if you decide not to go