The Caribbean is always a top pick for vacationers seeking crystal waters on unchartered islands. The fact is that the Caribbean lies within the Atlantic Hurricane belt and sometimes the beautiful sea can become fierce and destructive.The hurricane season typically runs from June 1st to November 30th, even though there have been instances when storms develop outside that time frame. These storms bring strong winds, water surges and heavy rainfall that can be very destructive to the countries that happen to be in the hurricanes path.Here in Belize, we have just been affected by Hurricane Earl. While this was only a Category One storm, it did leave quite a bit of destruction behind. Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker were among the areas that sustained the most damage, particularly to their eastern coastlines.For those who wish to visit (or may have already booked their trip), the question lingers on how the storm will affect their experience. There is no reason to worry too much, destinations affected by hurricanes – especially touristic destinations are known to recover quickly. After all, to us hurricanes are not an anomaly, we expect them every year and are well prepared!Here are some tips you should take into consideration when deciding whether to visit after a hurricane or not:1. Utilities are a #1 priority and are restored as soon as possible after the storm, so don’t worry about being without electricity, water, internet and cable. Most areas affected will have these utilities fully functioning within 24 hours.2. Public transportation is also back on once the ALL-CLEAR is officially given. Both international and local flight, water taxis and buses begin operating immediately after the official go-ahead. Blocked roads and highways are among the first issues addressed. So yes, you can get around – of course areas that are flooded remain blocked off until the water recedes.3. Shopping and dining continues as usual. No community will halt completely after a storm. People need to be fed, groceries need to be bought and the economy needs to remain stimulated. Most businesses will open within 24 hours of the storm, to ensure that everyone has access to amenities needed to go on with daily life. This means that tourists can still enjoy shopping at their favorite gift shop and dining at restaurants. Some business that sustain infrastructural damage will need to repair before opening. But some are very creative, setting up mini-shops however possible.4. The beaches are always a big concern. For example, Hurricane Earl battered the coastlines of Belize, destroying almost every single dock/ pier on the eastern coast. This requires a lot of attention for clean-up and reconstruction, so beaches may not be as pristine and accessible for a while. While efforts to restore beaches back to their original beauty are ongoing, they take time. In the meantime you may be able to enjoy the pool where you are staying!5. Due to the destruction of docks/piers, it will also take some time for tour operators to start working again. Don’t worry, our Caribbean waters return to normalcy pretty quickly and tour operators commence offering tours as soon as they can get their business location back up and running – this usually takes around a week or so.Also, for tourists who happen to be in Belize during a hurricane, seek assistance at your hotel/resort – they are sure to have a plan of action to ensure all their guest safety. With the technological advancement available to track storms, there is also ample warning given with enough time to evacuate.Overall, tourists are still welcomed to visit our country – just have some consideration of the setbacks a storm can cause to your desired destination.