We will be staying in a villa fpr two weeks and going for the first time late January. The last two years my husband and I have gone in late March, early April. Can anyone tell me what we may expect that time of the year, ex. the weather, conditions at the beaches, traffic, restaurants, etc. Love the island wanted to try a winter vacation for a change.
Also, anyone familiar with the Beacon Hill area. That is where we have the villa.

Barbara

We go the early portion of January. The wind can be rough on the Orient sometimes making the waters choppy. We prefer Orient but when it's bad, we pack up and head to Cupecoy or somewhere else and usually find calmer waters. Traffic is bad at times but managable. It's great to leave after a usually stressful Christmas season and head off to heaven. You'll love SXM in January

The Christmas Winds will probably be in effect when you are on the island. You can get sandblasted off the beach, especially on the east side of the island. That's a busy time of the year so traffic will be heavy. Daytime temps are low to mid 80s, generally.

Hi BarbaraA
We have gone every year for twelve years and this year again always at Christmas, between mid Dec. to mid Jan. for a month. The first week is always beautiful, most of the second too and then the winds start to pick up. They call it the Christmas winds. We have learned that if it is really windy on one side go to the other side of the island. If orient is too windy for us one of the beaches , Long Bae, Mullett Bay or Penel Island is always a good second choice. Check your map out with beaches. We are out and traveling to the beach every day by 8:30am so it gives us time to check it out. We have even spent the day in town and gone on the beach there and watched the action if the winds are strong. We go swimming buy lunch and now can walk up the new board walk and go swimming in front of Great Bay, which is always quiet waters.
We have never had a holiday ruined because of the winds. I will admit we have sometimes missed a couple of days in a month due to everywhere too windy but very very seldom has that happened. LOVE LOVE SXM AND JUST WAITING TO GET BACK. Just a suggestion. We found a car is essential to really enjoy being there. This gives the freedom to get around and enjoy another beach .