Vacation Seasons: When to travel

It isn’t just a matter of where to go on vacation or where to stay once there. It is important to also decide when to travel.

 

The standard four seasons – spring, summer, fall and winter – don’t necessarily apply when planning a vacation. Travel destinations like the Emerald Coast, depending on the accommodations, can have six, nine or 11 seasons, and nightly rates will reflect that.

 

Spring and summer alone can be broken into as many as four or five distinct rate seasons.

 

This is especially true of Panama City and Destin. Spring and Spring Break are two very different seasons. Spring is typically early to middle March and travelers can expect rates for accommodations to be near the lowest of the year. Once Spring Break begins, usually mid-March through April, rates will rise significantly, and then fall again until the official beginning of the summer season.

 

Summer hotel and resort rates begin to increase around the middle of April and continue through the peak season, typically until early August. Rates will continue to decrease through the fall months, rising slightly over Labor Day weekend.

 

Peak summer rates, from June through July, are at their highest. While these are the best times to enjoy the beach, it is also the most expensive. Check with hotels for available discounts or special rates for extended stays.

 

September and October, when schools have resumed classes and major holidays are weeks away, are a good time to travel. Nightly hotel and resort rates are low and the weather is still warm enough to enjoy a vacation at the beach. Crowds are smaller, traffic is lighter, and there is plenty of fun to be had.

 

During the winter months, from November to the middle of March, hotel rates are at their lowest. Travelers can expect to pay as much as half what they would have during peak travel times.

 

Depending on the hotel or resort, these seasons can change. Be sure to contact the reservation desk and ask when the best rates are. These dates are estimates and can overlap: