12 Beautiful Places in the Caribbean Where You Can Live for Less Than $1,500 a Month

Are you looking for a place in the Caribbean where you can live comfortably for less than $1500? The Caribbean, known for its pristine beaches, clear waters, rich cultures, and beautiful landscapes, may seem like a luxury beyond reach. However, there are hidden gems in the Caribbean that offer a high quality of life at an affordable price, making your dream a reality.

Whether you are looking to retire, escape your current expensive city, or just change things up, this list has you covered. Read on for beautiful destinations in the Caribbean where you can live comfortably off of $1500 a month.

Table of Contents

Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic

12 Beautiful Places in the Caribbean To Live for Less Than $1,500 Dominican Rep — © Mehdi Kasumov / Shutterstock

Puerto Plata perfectly blends pleasant weather, stunning beaches, and a rich cultural heritage – a rare combination. For just $270 a month, you can find a one-bedroom apartment at the center of Puerto Plata. You can save a little more money by getting a studio or living outside the city center.

Whatever you choose, living in Puerto Plata gives you access to some of the most stunning beaches in the Caribbean. Some of its beaches you will undoubtedly love include Playa Dorada, famous for water sports and its golden sand; Playa Cofresi, which offers a tranquil beach experience; and Playa Sosua, renowned for its coral reefs, making it an excellent spot for snorkeling and diving.

Beyond the beaches, you can also explore Mount Isabel de Torres, whose summit features Christ the Redeemer Statue. You can get to the summit via the Teleférico Puerto Plata cable car or hiking trails that lead to the statue.

Whether exploring lush landscapes or getting lost in its cityscapes, Puerto Plata offers rich experiences at affordable prices.

Santa Marta, Colombia

12 Beautiful Places in the Caribbean To Live for Less Than $1,500 Colombia — © sonjanovak / Adobe Stock

Santa Marta, a tropical paradise in Colombia, is not just a feast for the eyes but also a treat for your wallet. With a monthly rent of $240- $400, you can secure a studio or a one-bedroom apartment in the city center. This means you can comfortably live in this stunning destination for less than $1500 a month.

Beyond the beautiful city, Santa Marta is blessed with stunning landscapes to explore on weekends. Some of its most beautiful beaches include Playa Blanca, Taganga Beach, and Rodadero Beach.

If you are into mountains, you will have Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, the highest coastal mountain range in the world, at your disposal.

You will also have much to do in Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona, a national park known for its beautiful beaches, hiking trails, and rich biodiversity. It is an ideal destination for those looking to live in a vibrant, tropical setting on a budget.

Bocas del Toro, Panamá

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Locals in Bocas del Toro live comfortably off of an average of $1035. Daily expenses such as groceries, housing and utilities are moderately priced. You could find a one-bedroom apartment outside Bocas Town for $300- $500.

Despite its low living costs, Bocas del Toro has much to offer locals and tourists. You can enjoy warm, tropical weather year-round.

You will also love the unique beaches this city has in store for tourists. For instance, Red Frog Beach is known for its beautiful red frogs, pristine sands, and clear waters, which make it ideal for swimming and relaxing. On the other hand, Starfish Beach is famous for the numerous starfish that can be spotted in its shallow water. There are multiple other stunning beaches on this island, including Polo Beach, Old Point, Bluff Beach, and Wizard Beach, all offering long stretches of golden sands backed with verdant greenery.

Another noteworthy highlight of Bocas del Toro is the Bastimentos National Marine Park, which hosts pristine beaches, coral reefs, and a variety of marine life perfect for snorkeling and diving. Bocas del Toro is a tropical paradise you won’t believe goes for that cheap.

Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica

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In the past decade, Costa Rica has constantly been ranked as the best destination to retire or escape to in search of tranquility and a laid-back lifestyle. This is largely because of the natural beauty the country offers and also because of how cheap living in Costa Rica can be. If you are looking for a perfect destination to move to in Costa Rica, Puerto Viejo is a good one to consider, especially because it is cheaper than other Costa Rican coastal destinations.

Depending on their lifestyle, couples live comfortably on $1200 a month in Puerto Viejo. Considering how beautiful this town is, this low cost of living can seem too good to be true.

You can spend your days on some of its beaches, like Playa Negra, Playa Cocles, and Punta Uva. Puerto Viejo is also known for its vibrant coral reefs, which makes it an ideal destination for snorkelers and divers.

But there is more than coastal adventures. Living in Puerto Viejo offers an opportunity to explore and immerse yourself in the lush rainforests like Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge and Cahuita National Park.

Quepos, Costa Rica

12 Beautiful Places in the Caribbean To Live for Less Than $1,500 Quepos — © iacomino FRiMAGES / Shutterstock

If tranquility and interconnecting with nature come to your mind when you think of Costa Rica, Quepos is an excellent destination to call your new home. For all the beauty and serenity this city offers, a couple with an average monthly income can live off of $925.

Beach lovers will love calling Quepos home, not just because of the beautiful beaches this town has but also because of the year-round perfect weather. You will not have to wait for summer to visit some of its beautiful beaches like Manuel Antonio Beach, Playa Espadilla, and Biesanz Beach. You can also spend your days digging into Manuel Antonio National Park, home to numerous wildlife species, including monkeys, sloths, and birds. You could also drive to Nauyaca Waterfalls and marvel at its beauty or dip in for a swim.

Montego Bay, Jamaica

12 Beautiful Places in the Caribbean To Live for Less Than $1,500 Jamaica — © Amanjot / Adobe Stock

If you want to live in a breathtaking Caribbean destination with a rich cultural heritage without worrying about financial strain, then Montego Bay would make a great new home for you. You can comfortably live in Montego Bay for just $1005, rent-inclusive

One of the things you will love is its beaches like Doctor’s Cave, Dead End and Cornwall Beaches. Whether looking for a lively or a secluded beach, you will find your cup of tea in Montego Bay.

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Another unmissable highlight is the Montego Bay Marine Park, known for its diverse marine life and vibrant coral reefs. It is an excellent spot for snorkelers and divers.

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Montego Bay is also a good destination for golfers, as the city hosts several world-class golf courses, such as Tryall Club and Cinnamon Hill Golf Course.

Georges, Grenada

Must-Visit Beaches in the Caribbean Grand Anse Beach, Grenada — © Hugh / Adobe Stock

With $575, you can rent an 85m² furnished apartment in a normal area in St. Georges, the capital of Grenada. St. George’s is known for its colorful buildings, cobblestone streets, and picturesque harbor, offering stunning coastal and hillside views that will captivate you. St. George’s Grand Anse Beach is one of the most famous in the Caribbean. This two-mile stretch of white sand and clear turquoise waters is a dream you will want to explore again and again.

Other great beaches to consider include Morne Rouge Beach and La Sagesse Beach. You could also get active in the Grand Etang National Park and Forest Reserve, which offers numerous hiking trails, scenic points, and wildlife encounters.

Port of Spain, Trinidad

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Port of Spain’s average cost is over 43% less than in New York City. A single person could live off an average of $978, with one-bedroom apartments outside the city center going for an average of $433.

Other than the affordable cost of living, a good reason to move to Port of Spain is its stunning beaches. Maracas Beach, Las Cuevas Beach, and Macqueripe Bay are some of the city’s most sought-after beaches.

If you are into cityscapes, you can spend your days relaxing in the Queen’s Park Savannah and the Royal Botanical Gardens. You could also head out for hiking and other outdoor expeditions in the Northern Range.

You will also love experiencing the world-famous Trinidad Carnival, the annual Diwali Celebrations, and The Tobago Jazz during your stay in Port of Spain.

Willemstad, Curacao

12 Beautiful Places in the Caribbean To Live for Less Than $1,500 Curacao — © fokke baarssen / Shutterstock

Willemstad, the capital of Curacao and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is known for its stunning, colorful architecture, beautiful waterways, fantastic cafe culture, and tropical scenery. Simply put, the Amsterdam spirit remains in Willemstad long after the colonial era ended.

You can enjoy all this daily while paying just $593 for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center and less outside the city center. Punda and Otrobanda, two of the main Willemstad districts, still have colorful colonial Dutch buildings reminiscent of Amsterdam’s architectural style. Living in these two districts is a dreamy experience you will appreciate.

Architecture aside, Playa Kenepa (Kenepa Beach), Cas Abao Beach, and Mambo Beach are some beaches you can explore in Willemstad. You can also spend your evening enjoying coastal views from Queen Emma Bridge and Queen Juliana Bridge.

Ambergris Caye, Belize

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Ambergris Caye, the largest of Belize’s islands, is known for having some of the most clear waters and the second-largest barrier reef in the world. The reef is a haven for divers, snorkelers, and fishermen. Depending on the location on the island, you could get an apartment for as low as $500.

Secret Beach and Boca del Rio Beach are some of the island’s most irresistible spots. With the tropical climate of Ambergris Caye, you could spend your days lounging on these beaches. If you are into exploring the underwater world, spots to check out in Ambergris Caye include the Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Bacalar Chico National Park and Marine Reserve. You could also swim with nurse sharks at Shark Ray Alley or explore Mayan civilization at the Marco Gonzalez Maya Site.

Isla Mujeres, Mexico

12 Beautiful Places in the Caribbean To Live for Less Than $1,500 Mexico — © Sven Hansche / Shutterstock

Despite being one of the most sought-after destinations in the Caribbean, the Mexican Caribbean remains reasonably priced, which makes it a great destination to relocate to. Depending on where you live, rent for a one-bedroom apartment can be as low as $500-$800.

You can spend lazy days on beaches like Dickenson Bay, Fort James Beach, and Runaway Bay, which are known for their pristine sands and tranquil beach experiences.

You could also spend your weekends exploring Nelson’s Dockyard National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its historic buildings, beautiful landscapes, and hiking trails. This island truly is a destination with many offerings.

Apart from being a beautiful island by itself, you will also like that Isa Mujeres is approximately 10 miles from Cancun, another breathtaking destination.

The Valley, Anguilla

12 Beautiful Places in the Caribbean To Live for Less Than $1,500 Anguilla — © BlueOrange Studio / Shutterstock

While Anguilla is one of the most expensive destinations in the Caribbean, you will like that the cost of living in the Valley is 10% lower than the national average. For just $800, can rent a one-bedroom apartment in the city center, and less for a studio or outside the city center.

Rendezvous Bay, Meads Bay, and Shoal Bay East are some beaches in the Valley. You can also get active with the island’s vibrant coral reef if you are a diver or snorkeler. For an active exploration day, hike up Crocus Hill, the highest point on the island, which offers fantastic views of the city and surrounding landscapes.