The Caribbean is the first place to go if you want to escape the bustle of life and soak in nature.
There is much more to see and do in this collection of over 700 islands.
Forge new connections on your next adventure with the latest advice from our weekly newsletter.There are lots of things for everyone in the Caribbean. The diversity of the region makes it different from other destinations and each island has a different experience.
You could soak in a hot spring in the untouched natural beauty of Dominica, marvel at the preserved history of revolutionary Cuba, become a costumed goddess at Trinidad Carnival, or bask on the white sands of the famous Grace Bay Beach.
The islands have different costs as well. During the high season when the Caribbean is in great demand, it can be costly to travel to the island. If you're a budget-conscious traveller, you can enjoy everything the Caribbean has to offer. A sense of adventure is what it calls for.
Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your time in the Caribbean.
The high season for travel to the Caribbean is November to April. In the low and shoulder seasons, when hotels may have discounts and incentives to lure travelers, prices are lower.
The fall months of September and October tend to see heightened activity during the hurricanes that can pose a great danger to lives and infrastructure. It's a good idea to visit Trinidad and Tobago and Curaao at this time since they are outside of the hurricanes.
Knowing when to book is the most important factor when it comes to your budget, there are a number of airlines that offer routes between the Caribbean, the United States, Canada and Europe. You need to book your ticket months in advance if you want to go to Carnival. Do you know where to go for carnivals year-round?
Cheap flights to destinations in the vicinity of The Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, the Cayman Islands and Puerto Rico can be found if you are flying from the US. British Airways and Virgin Atlantic fly year-round from many UK airports to the Caribbean.
It is possible to fly from the Netherlands and Germany to islands such as Dominica. You can find the best prices by working with a travel agent.
It doesn't have to be expensive to eat in the Caribbean. Cheap choices include street food and fresh fruit and vegetables. For less than US$10, you can enjoy a plate full of root crops such as yam and dasheen, as well as delicious fried fish in the popular Oistins area.
In Turks and Caicos, you can attend free weekly fish fry events where you can enjoy live music and an array of street-food vendors, or you can take a walking tour of Puerto Rico where you can learn about the country's history.
Every month of the year, there are carnivals in the Caribbean. One of the best ways to experience the culture of an island is to plan a trip during a festival. There is a string of back-to-back Carnivals in the Caribbean during the summer period.
You don't have to pay a lot of money to enjoy the activities once on the ground. There are a lot of low-cost cultural delights to enjoy, from the cost-free spectacle of a costumed street parade to a visit to a pan yard to enjoy steel band orchestra rehearsals.
It's difficult to hop across the Caribbean due to a lack of flights. If you stick to certain areas, you can take a cheap island-hopping vacation. Bargain routes are operated by airlines and ferries in the northern Caribbean. The Express de les operates a ferry between four islands. The cost for a round trip between the islands is US$100.
If you go to Trinidad with Caribbean Airlines, you can hop over to the other side of the island for around US$70 for a round trip or under US$20 for a return sailing. You can jump on one of the hourly sailings to Nevis on either the ferry or the faster water taxi for under US$20. You can book a Winair flight from Sint Maarten to a number of destinations in the area for less than $90. You can hop around the smaller islands of StVincent and the Grenadines.
The closer you get to your travel date, the lower the prices are.
Smaller hotels and guesthouses often have rate cards that don't change based on demand but large hotels and resorts do run all manner of specials that can mean big savings for those willing to commit many months before they plan to travel Shopping online will pay off in savings. Free meals, excursions, room upgrades and more are included in some deals.
Online booking sites may offer package deals that include airfare to the island. Great savings can be offered, but not always. You should check the cost of flying separately.
It doesn't mean you have to do everything at the resort. Think of a resort as your printer at home, it was cheap because the printer company makes its money selling extras. When you stay at a resort, they will make their profit by selling you expensive services and extras.
The resort activities desk makes a lot of money. You can use an independent activities vendor on the beach. Look for online reviews of trips that are more fun and personable than the resort offerings.
Eat and drink your own way. The beach bar or cafe is likely to use the same rum in its drinks as the resort, but it will cost less. It's the same for a seafood platter or a cheeseburger.
Do you want to plan a wedding? It is possible for the resort to arrange a memorable event that you will always remember. Find out online what you need to do to get a marriage license and then exchange vows at the beach of your choice
If you rely on private taxis, moving around could be expensive because there aren't a lot of islands with ride-share options. The price of gas makes it difficult to rent a car. If you want to cut costs, use public transportation, but always put your safety first and don't wear expensive or flashy jewelry.
You can rent bikes or go on cycling tours on some islands for less than 70 dollars. San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico, is a great place to rent an electric scooter. Taking a stroll around downtown Havana is a great way to learn about the city.
Nature's bounty is plentiful in the Caribbean. There are some places that you have to pay for, but there are many places that are free.
Many islands have public beaches that are free to access, and you don't need a lounge chair to enjoy the sun. If you enjoy hiking, look for easy trails that don't require a guide or group tours that will take you to some scenic spots.
Hostel room: $30–70 Basic room for two: $60–200 or more Self-catering apartment: $100–350 or more Public transport ticket: $1–2 Coffee or tea: $1–2 Cheeseburger: $5–12 Dinner for two: $40–120 or more Beer at the bar: $2–6
Beach lounger rental: $10
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