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The travel off-season (or "low season") typically coincides with summer and fall in the United States and Europe. Savvy travelers know that traveling during this time of the year usually means lower prices and fewer crowds, particularly in warm weather destinations like Latin America and the Caribbean. This is especially convenient for family vacations, as you don't have to worry about the kids missing any school. Many airlines, tour operators, large hotels, and small lodges offer significant discounts for off-season travelers, some with rates that are half the price compared to the high season! Read on for country-specific tips for off-season travel, including sustainable hotels with discounted rates.*

Mexico

If you're heading to the famed Riviera Maya, you'll find cheaper rates from May after the spring break rush though early December before the holidays, and the beaches of this popular tourist destination will be considerably less crowded. The restaurants and shops of Cancun and Playa del Carmen will also be cheaper, as will tours to nearby attractions like the Maya ruins of Tulum.

Note that late summer typically coincides with Mexico's rainy season. Depending on the year and your particular destination, this could mean anything from an hour of moderate rain in the afternoon to a hurricane passing through -- so be sure to do your research and be aware of the risks before booking your trip.

A few sustainable accommodations to consider:

• Hotel Rosewood Mayakoba is a gorgeous all-inclusive resort on the beach in Playa del Carmen. Rates start at $475/night in the low season (compared to $750/night in the high season).
• Hotel Barceló Costa Cancún is a Mediterranean-style all-inclusive resort in Cancun. Rates start at $157/night for a double room in the low season (compared to $340/night in the high season).

Costa Rica

In Costa Rica, May through November is considered the rainy season. The air is still warm even if it's raining, so most tours will run regardless of the weather. Less customers means you'll get more personalized attention during activities such as zip lining and kayaking. There will be fewer people at the beach and everything from hotels to restaurants will be cheaper.

The low season is also a great time of year for wildlife watching. Flocks of migratory birds pass through in autumn along their journey south for the winter. If you want to see sea turtles, peak nesting season is in April and May for leatherbacks and August and September for green turtles on the Caribbean coast, and in August to November for olive ridleys on the Pacific coast. Peak season for humpback whale watching is from August through October on the Pacific coast. Keep in mind that the whale watching tours themselves will be more expensive during their peak season, but you can still find cheaper prices for accommodations, amenities, and other activities in the area.

A few sustainable accommodations in Costa Rica:

• La Laguna del Lagarto Lodge is a rainforest ecolodge in northern Costa Rica. Double rooms are $40/night from May to October (compared to $72/night in the high season).
• L'Acqua Viva Resort & Spa is a high-end hotel in Playa Nosara, on the north Pacific coast near prime olive ridley turtle nesting sites. Deluxe rooms are $199/night from May to November (compared to $240/night during peak season).
• Lapa Ríos is a luxury ecolodge on the Osa Peninsula near humpback whale calving areas. Single rooms are $350/night from May to October (compared to $510/night in the high season).
• Esquinas Rainforest Lodge is a rainforest ecolodge in Piedras Blancas National Park in southern Costa Rica. Single rooms are $100/night from May to June and $139/night from July to October (compared to $161/night in the high season).

Belize

Belize's rainy season is from May to November and is generally characterized by a passing afternoon shower. Average rainfall is significantly higher in the south. Hurricane season is from August to October, so be sure to keep your eye on weather news if you're planning on benefiting from the steep drop in prices during those months.

Some sustainable accommodations in Belize:

• San Ignacio Resort Hotel is in the Cayo district of Belize on the western bank of the Macal River. Single rooms are $144/night from May to November (compared to $168/night in the high season).
• Black Orchid Resort is on the banks of the wildlife-rich Old River. Double rooms are $115/night from July to November (compared to $140/night in the high season).
• Hamanasi Adventure & Dive Resort is a beautifully constructed high-end hotel on the central coast. Double beachfront rooms are $251/night from June to mid-December (compared to $398/night in the high season).

Caribbean

The low season in the Caribbean is roughly from mid-April to mid-December but price drops vary greatly depending on the island and even the individual hotel. The beaches will be far less crowded even though the weather is still hot and sunny. Hurricane season peaks in August to October, so check weather forecasts before you choose your dates. In some areas where visitation drops sharply, restaurants and other businesses will close for the season and hotels will offer fewer amenities. Be sure to ask what will be available during your stay before you book!

Some sustainable accommodations in the Caribbean:

• Hotel Mocking Bird Hill is a luxury boutique hotel in Port Antonio, Jamaica. A garden view room is $230/night from May to December (compared to $345/night in the high season).
• Sea-U Guest House is a charming bed & breakfast in the small village of Bathsheba on Barbados. Studio apartment-style accommodations cost $144/night from mid-April through October (compared to $184/night in the high season).

* All listed rates in USD and current as of May 2013.

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