November is one of our favorite times of year to travel to the Caribbean. The weather is glorious, the crowds are less and the deals are plenty. But it’s also close enough to peak season that you’ll still get much of the same energy and activity as you will during high season. 

The latest edition of Places to Visit takes you across the Caribbean from the tony enclave of St Barth to the booming tourism hub of Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. 

St Barth November is a sublime time to travel to this French Caribbean gem; the must-visit eateries and boutiques are open, but there’s an extra degree of calm and serenity — not to mention more available rooms and villas (the latter being one of the most wonderful ways to stay on the island). But this is a particularly exciting November in St Barth, thanks to the debut on island of CJ’s Caribbean Rum Awards, starting Nov. 6. The four-day event is the region’s leading celebration of Caribbean rum, with a focus on ultra-premium expressions and on the diverse world of rhum agricole. Even better? The event is timed perfectly with the St Barth Gourmet Festival, the gastronomic dinner series that’s chock full of Michelin-starred culinary adventures. 

The BVI The Caribbean’s coolest culinary festival is a great reason to plan your trip to the BVI this month, with the month-long BVI Food Fete. The series of events is, uniquely, held across a number of different islands and cays, making it a full-fledged island-hopping food festival. And even if you’re on a diet, the BVI is back and better than ever, from private-island getaways like Cooper Island and Guana to the resurgent scene in Tortola. 

Guadeloupe While it still remains an under-the-radar destination, Guadeloupe is set for a big lift next year with the launch of its first-ever JetBlue flights from New York. But for those in the know, Guadeloupe is one of the more fascinating, sophisticated and romantic places to visit in the Caribbean, and it just got a whole lot more interesting this week with the debut of its first-ever five-star resort, the transformed La Toubana in Sainte Anne. 

Bonaire Travelers are increasingly falling in love with this action-packed jewel of the Dutch Caribbean. It’s got a remarkable adventure offering, from some of the Caribbean’s best diving to windsurfing, snorkeling and even more exotic sports like landsailing — married with a quietly booming food scene and a diverse selection of hotels that remains arguably the best-value hotel product in the Caribbean. 

Punta Cana What was already the most popular hotel investment destination in the Caribbean is getting even hotter this year, with the imminent launch of Hyatt’s highly-anticipated new all-inclusive properties in Punta Cana’s chic corner of Cap Cana later this week. They’re a breath of fresh air for the destination and a reminder that the Dominican Republic is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to the beach resort experience.