Best Shoulder Season Vacations: 10 Trips Worth Shifting Dates For
European Mediterranean shoulder
Santorini, Mykonos, Amalfi, and Barcelona all run 25 to 40 percent cheaper in May and September than in July and August. Water in May and September is still 70 to 76 degrees in all four destinations. A Santorini week in May or September runs $2,000 to $4,500 per person versus $3,000 to $7,000 in July or August.
Caribbean post-season (September to mid-November)
The Caribbean's shoulder season is September through mid-November when hurricane season is technically active but pricing drops 20 to 35 percent from winter peaks. Aruba (outside the hurricane belt) is the safest shoulder-season Caribbean pick. Punta Cana and Jamaica Negril also run shoulder pricing with occasional heavier rain. Expect $1,500 to $3,500 per person for an all-inclusive week in Aruba in October; prices climb back by mid-November.
US national parks shoulder
Yellowstone and Banff are both at their best in late August and September when crowds thin and wildlife is active. Weather is often more reliable than July. Expect $1,800 to $3,500 per person for a Yellowstone week in September versus $2,500 to $4,500 in July.
The Southeast Asia shoulder
Bali and Thailand both have shoulder windows (September to early November for Bali) where flights are cheaper and tourism infrastructure is less crowded. Bali in October runs $1,800 to $3,500 per person for a week; peak December to March runs $2,500 to $5,000.
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