Caribbean Vacation Destinations You Can Visit On A Budget

The Caribbean is not what you would consider a cheap area of the world to visit. In fact, some islands are expensive, like St. Lucia, the Cayman Islands, or St. Barts. However, this doesn’t mean that travelers on a budget have to skip the Caribbean, as there are several places that are affordable to visit. The following destinations were picked out by US News as being the best cheap Caribbean destinations based on top recommendations by everyday travelers and industry experts alike.

Curacao, Netherlands Antilles

Located in the southern Caribbean, along with Aruba and Bonaire, Curacao is renowned for its great beaches, colorful coral reefs and excellent scuba diving. For travelers looking for an affordable Caribbean vacation, this island in the Netherlands Antilles is one of the top ones to choose from.

While flights from the US can tend to be pricy, as few options are available, once there, other costs will balance out the budget nicely. In fact, hotels, activities and food in Curacao are all cheaper than most other Caribbean islands, including its sister island, Aruba.

Martinique, Lesser Antilles

Next in line for an affordable Caribbean destination is Martinique, which forms part of the Lesser Antilles. This overseas region of France is known for its rugged natural beauty. Meanwhile, in addition to its excellent beaches, the island is popular for hiking and outdoor adventure.

Another aspect that is fascinating is that the island’s culture reflects a distinctive blend of French and West Indian influences. This is especially so in the local cuisine as can be seen in the island’s capital, Fort-de-France. In fact, Martinique is a top choice for travelers on a budget, looking for an off-the-beaten-path vacation.

Trinidad and Tobago

Among the affordable Caribbean destinations, Trinidad and Tobago is one of the cheapest. Located in the southern Caribbean, this dual-island Caribbean nation features distinctive Creole traditions and cuisines.

Trinidad’s capital is Port of Spain, known for its lively annual carnival, featuring colorful costumes and calypso and soca music. While Trinidad is a vibrant destination, Tobago is quieter and more laid back. For travelers on a budget, great deals can be found for hotels and tours in Trinidad and Tobago.

Jamaica – affordable Caribbean

While there is recently a surge of travel warnings from the US State Department due to crime, Jamaica is still popular for American travelers. Meanwhile, that popularity is due to its famous, laid-back “irie mon” (everything is alright and fine) atmosphere and beautiful beaches.

Moreover, there are many cheap flights from the US to Jamaica. Once there, many of the all-inclusive resorts are less than $300 a night, even in peak season. This makes the island a cheap travel destination indeed.

US Virgin Islands

This group of islands is a surprisingly affordable destination for American travelers and as they are a US territory, American travelers don’t need a passport to visit. On top of this, the islands feature great weather, idyllic beaches and plenty of activities to do.

The main US Virgin Islands are St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix, with St. Thomas being the most affordable place to stay. Meanwhile, St. John is a worthy day trip to visit the gorgeous beaches of the Virgin Islands National Park.

Grenada, an underrated Caribbean island

While Grenada remains one of the more undiscovered and underrated Caribbean islands, this makes it one of the most affordable islands for a cheap vacation. Meanwhile, its capital, St. George’s has been hailed as one of the most beautiful cities in the Caribbean.

Moreover, the rest of Grenada is all beautiful in nature, with excellent beaches and a lush, green interior to explore with waterfalls to cool off on a sunny day.

Enjoy an affordable Caribbean vacation this year and make plans for another getaway from the money you save.