Book in shoulder season for best prices, access

Everyone knows the difference between peak season and off season, but there is another season for traveling: Shoulder season.

According to Travel and Leisure Magazine, shoulder season exists between the busiest time of the year and the slowest time. It is a lesser known sweet spot of traveling when there are fewer tourists and, therefore, better access to attractions. While the weather might not yet be ideal, it also isn’t the worst it can be.

Depending on the location, shoulder season can occur either before or after the peak time during the year.

One example is a ski resort in Whistler, British Columbia. Crowds disappear by April, but the skiing conditions are still good and rooms are $189 less than in February.

In Mexico’s northeastern Yucatan Peninsula, The Riviera Maya has hurricane season from August to October. But by mid-November, the coast is clear and rates are half the price of peak travel in December.

For adults, shoulder season can be the best season. It often falls in time frames unsuitable for families with school-age kids.