Timeshare considerations in the Caribbean

[dbrower]

Hi, 

During the past few years it seems like there has been a lot of hurricane activity in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico.  If one was considering purchasing a timeshare in the Caribbean, when is a good time to buy and vacation there?  Although a wonderful place, the islands look like they are a direct target for every major storm in the Atlantic.

What other issues need to be considered when buying a timeshare outside of the United States?  Are there additional taxes, limitations on owership, or other issues that are not standard with a US based timeshare?

Thanks,
DB

[Eric B.]

During the past few years it seems like there has been a lot of hurricane activity in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico.  If one was considering purchasing a timeshare in the Caribbean, when is a good time to buy and vacation there?

Hurricane season runs between June and November so your ideal "safe" time would be the winter and spring

What other issues need to be considered when buying a timeshare outside of the United States?  Are there additional taxes, limitations on owership, or other issues that are not standard with a US based timeshare?

When you buy outside of the US it is on a Right to Use basis (like a lease). Which means the contract will expire with the option to renew. The terms are typically 25, 30, 50 and 99 years in length. I don't know of any other restrictions or taxes that vary from US timeshares.

[Gator1]

Keep in mind that the winter months would normally be high season in the Caribbean and therefore more expensive. You may want to try the spring, say April/May timeframe just prior to the start of hurricane season. If you need to vacation during the summer months due to your schedule, then the earlier the better when it comes to potential hurricane activity. My wife and I lived through three in a row in Orlando in 2004 - they came in mid-August, mid-September and late September.

[Tr0p1cTraveler]

HI,
Sorry I did not find this thread or this site till recently -- I HOPE YOU HAVE NOT GONE ON VACATION OR BOUGHT A TIMESHARE in the meantime!
Please read vacation alerts from State Dept and the like about timeshares, even tho they are rather inadequate.
You might also read my article which gives a roundup of problems with one chain, but alot of these things apply to other timeshare companies, too. Here is a link --
http://minnieapolis.newsvine.com/_news/2008/01/31/1269118-word-is-getting-out-that-royal-holiday-timeshare-is-fraudulent-operation

Thanks, and good luck. Enjoy doing normal stuff on vacation not buying something that will not pan out like they say.