12 Cheap Beach Destinations in the Caribbean You Will Love

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The Caribbean is one of the most loved vacation destinations in the world. Famous for unparalleled tropical destinations, it offers long white-sand beaches, beautiful resorts, vibrant cultures, and amazing turquoise waters. Furthermore, the region has something for every traveler.

However, with so much deserved love, people tend to classify the Caribbean as a luxurious and expensive destination, making it much harder to plan a budget-friendly vacation. Luckily, you have nothing to worry about. There are islands out there that suit every budget.

To show you more, here are 12 cheap beach destinations in the Caribbean. You can easily afford a budget-friendly getaway in these tropical destinations with good preparation.

St. George’s, Grenada

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Let’s kickstart our list with Grenada. This picturesque island is widely regarded as one of the most affordable islands in the Caribbean, so you can expect to make your money go further. Resorts, food, and drink are more affordable than luxurious destinations like Barbados.

Grenada is a relatively underdeveloped island known for its beautiful volcanic landscapes, scenic coastal towns, and breathtaking beaches. In towns like St. George’s, you can immerse yourself in local cultures, shop to your heart’s content, and soak up the sun on one of the island’s many beaches. Beautiful beaches on the island include Grand Anse Beach, Mount Paddy Beach, and Morne Rouge.

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Punta Cana is a beachgoer’s haven, offering 20 miles (32 kilometers) of undisturbed, pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters. Together with the Bávaro area, Punta Cana forms what is known as La Costa del Coco, or the Coconut Coast. This area is famous for its lavish resorts, breathtaking landscapes, and outdoor activities, including windsurfing and kayaking.

Despite the area’s unparalleled luxury, Punta Cana is much cheaper than other Caribbean beach destinations. Like Jamaica, the Dominican Republic offers more affordable flights, including direct flights from places like the United States and the United Kingdom. Meanwhile, all-inclusive resorts and cheap activities are available across the island, including in Punta Cana.

San Juan, Puerto Rico

San Juan, the capital and largest city in Puerto Rico, is an excellent vacation destination for travelers who love good beaches, interesting architecture, and partying. Highlights of a trip to San Juan include parting along the Isla Verde resort strip, strolling along Isla Verde Beach, and admiring iconic 16th-century landmarks like the El Morro.

During your visit, don’t miss the Paseo de la Princesa Bayside promenade, La Fortaleza, and El Escambron Beach. Luckily, San Juan is one of the more affordable beach destinations in the Caribbean. In the low season, finding great accommodation deals is possible. Food and drink are slightly more expensive, but they don’t usually cost more than food prices in the US.

St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands

St. Croix is one of the U.S. Virgin Islands. While it may not be as luxurious as sister islands St. John and St. Thomas, it makes up for it by enticing travelers with lower prices, a larger variety of activities, and a beautiful coastline. St. Croix has many pristine beaches, such as Rainbow Beach, Cane Bay Beach, and Isaacs Bay Beach.

You’ll also find many historical sites to explore, including Fort Christiansvaern and Fort Frederick. According to Budget Your Trip, a one-week trip to St. Croix for two people costs $3,486. That’s almost $2,000 less than more expensive destinations like Barbados, where you’ll be set back over $5,000 for a one-week trip.

Oualie Beach, St. Kitts & Nevis

If you’ve always wanted to rub shoulders with the rich and famous, now’s your chance! While these exotic tropical islands are famed for being a celebrity retreat, it’s still possible to find an affordable vacation during the off-season of summer and fall. Those looking for a relaxed vacation surrounded by the best beaches should head to Nevis, while travelers keen to soak up the culture should stay in St. Kitts.

One of the most affordable beach destinations in St. Kitts & Nevis is Oualie Beach, home to a gorgeous stretch of golden sand framed by palm trees and turquoise waters. You’ll find budget-friendly beachside rooms, local bars and restaurants, and a fantastic local atmosphere here. Spend your time at Oualie Beach sunbathing, swimming, and sipping cocktails.

Negril, Jamaica

Jamaica is a popular Caribbean vacation destination famed for its tranquil beaches, beautiful waterfalls, and scenic landscapes. Of course, the island is also much loved for its reggae culture. Jamaica is also an affordable beach destination. Considered the gateway to the rest of the Caribbean, Jamaica is much cheaper to fly to than many Caribbean islands.

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Better still, accommodation, food, and drink across the island are more affordable than on other Caribbean islands. Negril, one of Jamaica’s most sought-after destinations, is known for offering cheap guesthouses and free activities. In Negril, spend your time sunbathing on Seven Miles Beach, eating Jamaican street food, and jumping into the sea from Negril Cliffs.

Willemstad, Curacao

Nestled between Aruba and Bonaire off the northern coast of Venezuela, Curacao is a beautiful Caribbean beach destination offering long white sand beaches, a rich history, and more affordable vacation packages. Curacao offers plenty of flight options thanks to its location, allowing travelers to find a good deal and easily island hop.

Meanwhile, the average price for hotels on the island is approximately $875 a week. This is much less than neighboring Aruba, where you’ll pay an average of $1,507 weekly. Willemstad is one of the best places to stay in Curacao. Here, you’ll find a unique mix of Dutch and African cultures, a charming Old Town with pastel-colored buildings and colonial architecture, and luxury beach resorts.

Store Bay, Trinidad and Tobago

Located on Tobago’s southwestern coast, Store Bay is a picturesque beach that offers travelers wall-to-wall sunshine, turquoise waters, plenty of amenities, and easy access to other famous beaches in Trinidad and Tobago. In Store Bay, you’ll swim in the sea, eat local cuisines, explore the coast by boat, and relax on the beach.

Regarding prices, Trinidad and Tobago are very affordable places to visit, which is one of the reasons why these twin islands are so popular. You’ll find accommodation, food, and drink cheaper than on other islands and various affordable activities. However, avoid staying around the Trinidad Carnival because prices can be outrageous. The carnival takes place on Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday.

Point du Bout, Martinique

Many tourist attractions in Martinique are cheap and easily accessible. You’ll find free attractions like St. Louis Cathedral and Les Salines Beach and affordable street vendors selling local cuisine. Finding affordable accommodation in Martinique is relatively easy, too. Many budget-friendly hotels and resorts offer affordable rooms and eateries.

However, to plan a cheap beach vacation, avoid popular tourist destinations such as Fort-de-France and Les Trois-Îlets. These places are known to inflate prices, especially during peak seasons. Instead, opt for places like Point du Bout. This beautiful neighborhood has gorgeous beaches, calm waters, and more affordable resorts while still offering convenient access to the capital, Fort-de-France.

The Grand Bahama, Bahamas

Generally, the Bahamas is associated with luxury vacations, fine dining, and expensive resorts. However, it doesn’t have to be an expensive place to visit. Take the Grand Bahama, for example. This famous tropical island is just a two-and-a-half-hour ferry from Miami, with prices starting at $100 one-way.

Better still, when you arrive on the island, you’ll find more affordable accommodation than the rest of the Bahamas. You’ll also find a wide range of popular attractions and stunning beaches. Significant points of interest on the island include the breathtaking Gold Rock and Fortune beaches, Port Lucaya Marketplace, and Lucayan National Park. The Grand Bahamas location also makes it much easier to island hop around the Bahamas.

Cancun, Mexico

Cancun, Mexico’s popular beach destination, is a colorful city on the Yucatan Peninsula. Many people might not count Cancun as the Caribbean because it’s not on an island, but it sits along the Caribbean Sea, so it’s technically in the Caribbean. This Mexican city is best known for its beautiful beaches, lively resorts, and vibrant nightlife.

In El Centro (downtown), you can immerse yourself in local cultures, try local cuisine, and shop in authentic markets. Meanwhile, the touristy Zona Hotelera area is where tourists enjoy a long beachfront, the best resorts, nightclubs, and restaurants. With cheap flights from almost everywhere and wonderfully affordable hotels, you don’t have to spend much to enjoy Cancun. According to Budget Your Trip, the average price for one week in Cancun is just $2,036 for two people.

Castries, St. Lucia

St. Lucia is one of those picture-perfect destinations we see a photograph of and instantly want to visit. However, it’s also a place many travelers associate with expensive luxury vacations. Luckily, you can do St. Lucia on a budget, especially if you stay in the capital, Castries.

Finding affordable flights, budget-friendly hotels, and cheap eats in St. Lucia is possible, so you can plan a cheaper Caribbean beach vacation to the island. According to Sandals, St. Lucia is much cheaper than the likes of Barbados and almost 40% more affordable than Antigua. Popular attractions on the island include Reduit Beach, Malabar Beach, the dramatic Pitons Mountains, Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens & Mineral Baths, and Rodney Bay.