Recent disasters have brought worldwide attention to the damage hurricanes can cause. Still, many travelers choose to visit the Caribbean and surrounding areas during the hurricane season. Some may wonder why people would knowingly put themselves in such danger, but the benefits of traveling during this season can often outweigh the risks.First, The Facts.

Hurricane season in the Atlantic lasts throughout much of the year ? June through November. This is the time of year when tropical storms can change into fast-moving storm systems that can severely damage property if they reach land.However, it's important to remember that that not every storm makes landfall and not every strong storm turns into a hurricane. Tropical storms and even tropical depressions can make landfall and cause tornadoes and flooding problems but are far less severe than hurricanes.

Typically, the later months of hurricane season bring the strongest storms. September and October, for example, see spikes in the number and intensity of such storms, while damaging strikes are rare in the early months of the season.Benefits of Off-Season Travel.

Although hurricanes can certainly be a deterrent to tropical travel, many vacationers choose to take their chances. Most years, travelers have little to worry about, and taking a gamble can be worth the relaxation of a tropical vacation.Of all the benefits of off-season travel, the most talked-about is cost. Travel during the hurricane season often includes the benefit of extremely low-cost vacationing. Hotels can sometimes even cut rates in half, and tour operators, airlines, and rental companies usually follow suit.With children on break from school in June, July, and August, the beginning of hurricane season can be the perfect time for a family vacation.

And, of course, travel in the early portion of the hurricane season reduces the chances of being affected by storms.Travelers looking to avoid crowds during their vacation will find off-season travel a breath of fresh air. While there may be reduced hours at some island attractions, travelers who enjoy spending time alone on a beach won't mind abbreviated hours.Location, Location, Location.If you'd like to travel during the hurricane season, another way to eliminate some of the danger from hurricanes is to choose your destination wisely.

The southern Caribbean usually avoids the brunt of hurricane season. In fact, there is a "hurricane zone" through which most of these tropical storms pass. Islands outside this zone are rarely hit.The best-known of these islands are the ABC Islands. Dutch territories Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao are located just north of the coast of Venezuela, and each offer Caribbean flair without the tropical danger.

Another way to prepare for the worst is to check out the hurricane policy of the hotel you choose to book. Many hotels have hurricane policies offering complimentary stays for the same number of nights the following year, or they may offer other similar plans to help ease the sting of a disrupted vacation.So even though many hurricanes cause trouble in the Caribbean, it is a sure thing that vacationers will be back during hurricane season next year. With so many benefits, why not?.

By: J. Smith