The image of the Caribbean plays out in your mind in a kaleidoscope of colors from its pulsating verdant forests and blue oceans to the culture palpable all over the islands, marketplaces, hotels and resorts, and eating places. If your restless feet haven’t taken you yet to these islands noted for its drop dead gorgeous beaches, mesmerizing crystal-clear seas, warm weather and exotic foods and cocktails, it is high time to get it ticked off your bucket list.
Is Caribbean Expensive and Swanky for You?
Everyone’s thinking that Caribbean is not for the small-time travelers. It can be if you are thinking of exclusive beaches or resorts or any place included in The Richest’s Caribbean: The 10 Most Expensive Locations such as Antigua and Barbuda.
“Antigua and Barbuda is an expensive place to visit near Guatemala. The restaurants around the area tend to charge $60 or more for a dinner for two without alcohol … better hotels here like the Casa Palopo can cost $500 a night to rent. The Lighthouse Bay Resort is a particularly expensive place in that this nine-suite resort costs $2,500 to stay at for one night.”
The other places listed here include St. Barts, Grand Cayman, Turks and Caicos Islands, Paradise and Eleuthera in the Bahamas, part of Saint Kitts and Nevis, St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Runaway Bay is located in Jamaica .
Affordable Caribbean Holidays
If you have been tightly watching your expenses, avoiding the Caribbean doesn’t make sense. While it is certainly a playground for the rich and famous, there are spots around that will be right for your budget. Marnie Hunter of CNN offers a list of the 10 most affordable Caribbean hot spots, which was lifted from TripAdvisor with its TripIndex Caribbean. The index compares “the cost of a one-week trip for a group of four for the period from March 1 through April 30. Included in the price analysis is the average cost of round-trip airfare from the continental U.S., a seven-night hotel stay, six dinners and a half-day snorkeling excursion.”
Here are the top 10 value destinations, with the cost of a weeklong trip for four:
- Puerto Rico – $4,609
- Jamaica – $4,631
- Trinidad and Tobago – $4,771
- Dominican Republic – $5,315
- St Maarten-St Martin – $5,566
- Bahamas – $5,815
- Curacao – $5,833
- Bermuda – $6,064
- Aruba – $6,260
- Grenada – $6,622
A Second Look at Caribbean Holidays for Less
Three destinations that deserve a second look according to World Travel Guide’s The Co-operative Travel: Top Affordable Caribbean Breaks are Cuba, Dominican Republic and Barbados.
Cuba Holidays: … Cuba is … home to some of the world’s most beautiful beaches… It’s not simply a destination for sun seekers, idyllic beaches and tropical heat … it’s also an island steeped in … history…
Cuba is known for being an inexpensive destination in this part of the Caribbean, which makes it a fabulous option for travelers who have the itch for the Caribbean at a non-prohibitive price. Havana, Santiago de Cuba or Cayos islands makes incredible places to stay while exploring Cuba.
Dominican Republic holidays: This is a place where you will find stunning resorts alongside breath-taking natural beauty. There is a very diverse landscape to take in here, from its incredible coastline to lush rainforests and majestic mountains.
It is also among the destination that is the easiest on the pocket. With the world-class resorts and incredible attractions, holidays here are a bargain.
Barbados holidays: … the gorgeous landscapes, beautiful beaches and sizzling sunshine will make you think of any place but home. Barbados combines a relaxed vibe and chilled out ambiance with vibrant nightlife, exciting festivities and fascinating culture.
The bottom line? Caribbean is for you as it is for any well-heeled traveler. There are destinations and hot spots that can be experienced on a modest budget, if you will do your research and try a bit of adventuring. Revel in the Caribbean year-round sunshine, wander along the coconut-tree lined beach and relish the delectable flavors of the island as your fancies become reality. Don’t miss the fun of a wonderful holiday just because you think Caribbean is upscale.
