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Pure white sand, sparkling turquoise seas, a gentle breeze in the palm trees overhead – it’s hard not to feel relaxed when you imagine a stay in the Caribbean.
There’s plenty to choose from, so much so that it can be a little tricky trying to plan the right trip for you.
Advice from the Ministry of Tourism of one of the most popular countries in the area, the Bahamas, suggests that September may be one of the best times of the year to visit.
Located just 90 miles southeast of Florida, this archipelago of nearly 700 pristine coral islands is a true hidden paradise right next door. Here are 6 reasons why now is a perfect time to take a look:
Several new flight routes from the US
The Bahamas has always been a well-visited destination from the United States, but this fall will make them even more accessible with the launch of new flight services from several airlines.
Delta Air Lines will launch its first-ever direct service from Miami, Florida to the Bahamian capital of Nassau on November 5 of this year.
Beginning November 15, Bahamasair will begin biweekly flight service between Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (also in Florida) and Exuma International Airport near George Town in the Bahamas.
With a little research, you can easily find an affordable and convenient flight to this Caribbean paradise.
The season of great food
Eating in the Bahamas is one of the country’s draws, and September through December is a great time to experience it.
Every Friday night in September, Governor’s Harbor on the tiny island of Eleuthera hosts a huge fish fry where travelers can enjoy local entertainment and fresh seafood straight from the ocean, as well as traditional rice and peas with pork chops.
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Other classic Bahamas dishes that you can enjoy alfresco or in one of the country’s many excellent restaurants include tuna with grits, fried macaroni, conch, rock lobsters, Bahamian stew, and Johnnycakes—a sweet bread similar to cornbread.
Festival fun for everyone
Life in the Bahamas is often just killing time before the next party, festival or celebration.
One worthy of your attention in September is the second annual Bahamas Dragon Boat Festival at Goodman’s Bay Beach in Nassau.
This exciting event takes place on September 30 and showcases the best of these unique ships.
Also in Nassau is the Bahamas Heritage Festival, which takes place on October 7.
Celebrating the best of Bahamian rum, beer, wine, food and culture, this event is always a celebration worth stopping by.
If you plan your trip a little later in the year, you can enjoy Junkanoo, a holiday parade that takes place on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day and harkens back to the Bahamas’ colonial past.
Savings for smart travelers
Fall is a great time of year to snag a deal on a trip to the Bahamas.
While the island is largely a year-round destination, many island hoteliers make an extra effort at this time of year to extend summer for travelers.
Several well-known properties are taking advantage of this time of year to offer some enticing offers, such as Resorts World Bimini offering offers of up to 40% off all bookings made from now until the end of October.
Autumn and winter warmth
As you would expect from a Caribbean country, the Bahamas has decent weather for most of the year.
The average temperature in September is still around 22 degrees Celsius, falling to only about 70 degrees Celsius in December and January.
The only thing to remember is that rainfall is relatively high in September, but it usually decreases immediately in November.
Be sure to keep an eye on the weather, as this destination can be hit by hurricane season in the fall.
Unique experiences
In addition to pristine beaches, laid-back island life, and impressive luxury resorts, the Bahamas also offers unique experiences that you won’t find anywhere else.
An example is the well-known group of swimming pigs in Exuma.
No one is quite sure how these 20 or so pigs ended up on this island, but they enjoy the slower life here and are very popular with visiting tourists.
If swimming with pigs is too wild for you then there are plenty of other wildlife encounters you can have here, including nurse sharks, stingrays, starfish and rock iguanas.
Traveler warning: Don’t forget your travel insurance for your next trip!
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
