A Trip To The Caribbean Doesn’t Have To Cost An Arm & A Leg: Here’s Why
Want the secret sauce to creating a cheap Caribbean holiday without affecting your fun? Well, we’ve got you friend. So if you’re thinking that the Caribbean looks incredible, but out of budget, we’ll tell you why that may not be the case.
The phrase “cheap Caribbean holiday” is not an oxymoron and here’s why.
You can save money left, right, and centre and still have an amazing escape if you know where to look. Because “affordable” doesn’t have to mean paired-back.
In this blog, we’ll cover all the ways you can slice the price of your stay in paradise. Without feeling like you’ve done the Caribbean “on the cheap”.
So, let’s get into it.
How To Capture a Cheap Caribbean Holiday
The best way to reduce the cost of your Caribbean holiday is to go all-inclusive and select your activities wisely. Consider booking in low-frequency months like September too when rooms are cheaper.
Research from previous holidaymakers shows that, on average, you could be expected to spend around £300 per day in Barbados.
Plus, a trip to Barbados (for example) just got more affordable again, because the local government’s ‘Feels Like Summer’ campaign will now pay you up to $400BBD each to experience some of the best things to do on the island.
Why Is September The Cheapest Month To Visit The Caribbean?
September is the cheapest time to book a Caribbean holiday as it falls in the middle of hurricane season. However, don’t let that put you off, as this usually just means there’s a greater chance of showers at that time.
Hurricane season in the Caribbean runs from June 1 to November 30. But the chances of you actually being affected by a tropical storm in that time are around 2%.
Plus, you can reduce that risk even further by choosing an island outside of the hurricane belt. Five historically super safe islands to think about are:
Which Caribbean Islands Are Safe From Hurricanes?
It’s true, not every gorgeous, sun-soaked Caribbean island has the terrifying side feature of sitting in a hurricane zone.
While you can never say that any destination is completely safe from these natural disasters, the five islands above lie outside of the hurricane belt. That could be something to think about if you’re wrestling with a tough decision over a couple of islands like St Lucia or Tobago for example.
Best Affordable Activities On A Caribbean Holiday
It’s true. You could save all the money in the world if you just stuck to your sunbed and made the most of your resort’s all-inclusive offering.
But the Caribbean is one of the best regions for tagging some amazing and inexpensive activities on to your itinerary. So, what are these awesome activities and what do they entail?
- Exploring local towns
- Snorkelling
- Beach days
- Festivals
- Sunset watching
- Hiking in nature
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Why Should You Explore Your Local Area?
One thing that can be said for most areas across the Caribbean is the locals are super friendly. They love showing their towns and villages off.
Plus, within those locations, there are hundreds of incredible things to do that won’t cost the earth.
Take the Dominican Republic, for example, popular spots like La Romana or Punta Cana are brimming with amazing experiences. Alongside offering some of the country’s best beaches, these locations also awesome activities like:
- Whale watching
- Historical sites
- National parks
- Golf courses
- Shopping villages
Elsewhere, though, if we head back to the islands again and think about Barbados, towns like Oistins or Holetown are home to an incredible offering of activities. The former promises iconic Friday nights with a weekly shindig which is completely free to enter. Meanwhile, in Holetown, you can experience more natural attractions like water sports or explore the eerie world of Harrison’s Cave for around $31.
Best Places To Go Snorkelling in the Caribbean
The Caribbean is littered with amazing submarine adventures. In fact, getting under the water is one of the best ways to explore the Dominican Republic.
If you’ve chosen to go all-inclusive on your cheap Caribbean holiday, then you may have snorkel gear hire included in your plan. For instance, diving at Sandals Barbados is included in the all-inclusive plan.
But, don’t worry if you haven’t because some of the best snorkel sets have affordable options. So, it might be a nice money-saving venture to pick one up before you go. A decent set can cost anywhere from £10 – £40.
Where To Go For The Best Beaches In the Caribbean
If you’re looking for the ultimate affordable Caribbean beach escape, it has to be Antigua. This tiny island is home to 365 beaches! This means you’ll never be far from another storming stretch of sand.
Undoubtedly, one of the best things to do on a cheap Caribbean holiday is kicking back on the dreamy beaches. They don’t cost a penny to lounge on, they’re beautiful and they offer lots of awesome Instagrammable moments.
If you want to get out and tour the best beaches in Antigua, the cost of getting around in the country is pretty nominal. A 30-minute taxi from St John’s to English Harbour is around $25. And buses will be even less!
Time Your Trip To Coincide With Festival Season
If there’s one thing the Caribbean islands do better than most it’s parties. And there’s no bigger celebration than a colourful carnival.
The best news is, because these celebrations are so big, you can be a part of them for nothing! February is one of the best times to catch a carnival in the Caribbean, But that’s not the only time.
So where are the biggest festivals and when should you be looking to book your escape?
5 Biggest Festivals in the Caribbean
- Junkanoo – The Bahamas – December 26 – 1 January
- Carnival – Trinidad & Tobago – February 15 – 23
- Vincy Mas – St Vincent & The Grenadines – June 30 – 11 July
- Crop Over – Barbados – August 7 – 14
- Spicemas – Grenada – August 9 – 16
Catch a Sunset At Shirley Heights
While you’re kicking back on those Antiguan beaches it pays to stick around and catch an enchanting sunset. Watching the sun slowly recede behind the Caribbean Sea is an unforgettable experience.
Although, if you want to truly breathtaking view, then you need to head to Shirley Heights. One of the best excursions in Antigua.
Make the journey up the hill before 4 pm on a Sunday and you’ll find a steel pan band, bars and food trucks to help you enjoy nature’s show, with the festivities ending around 10 pm.
As we said above, taxis and buses are pretty cheap on the island. There is also a small entry fee (about $10) to get into the party at the top.
Go For A Walk In St Lucia
Our final tip for creating an incredible but cheap Caribbean holiday is getting out on foot.
Islands like St Lucia are just begging to be explored. Climb the Pitons through a resort-led excursion or shop around for a cheaper deal. A Gros Piton climbing excursion starts from about $90.
Although, the iconic volcanos are free to access. So it might be a little easier on the wallet if you grab some public transport and make your own way up.
Why Not Think About a Caribbean Cruise?
Okay, so the initial outlay of a Caribbean cruise can be meaty. But our flexible payments allow you to spread the cost of your escape.
Plus, when you break it down, a cruise is a brilliant way of getting a feel for several Caribbean islands without booking an individual stay at each.
You could experience some of the best things in the Caribbean on one trip. Moreover, your excursions are included so there’s no additional cost when you’re onboard.
As a final bonus, if you’re still worried about being caught in a hurricane, then a cruise is a better way to go. Cruises are constantly watched and redirected to avoid any bad weather while at sea.
Just something to think about.
Pick Your Time & Book For Less
A Caribbean holiday doesn’t have to cost the earth. If you book all-inclusive and don’t mind going at quieter times, then it becomes so much more affordable.
Make sure you map out what type of holiday you want and plan an itinerary with inexpensive excursions. Or just enjoy your savings from the comfort of your sun-soaked lounger.
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