12 Ways Guaranteed To Save You Money Traveling to the Caribbean
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If your dream vacation includes sunbathing on white-sand beaches, swimming in turquoise waters, snorkeling in coral reefs, and hiking in tropical forests, the Caribbean is calling your name. However, often considered a luxury travel destination, a trip to the Caribbean can be pricey. You must fork out for flights, hotels, activities, food, and drink so costs can quickly add up.
Luckily, though, heading to paradise doesn’t have to cost a fortune. There are many intelligent ways to save money traveling to stretch your budget further and spend more of it making memories. To learn more, here are 12 money-saving tips that will help you save money traveling to the Caribbean.
Choose Your Vacation Destination Wisely
Airfare is one of the biggest expenses you’ll encounter when planning a trip to the Caribbean. Therefore, you must carefully choose your destination if you want to save money before you’ve even arrived in the region.
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Some islands in the Caribbean are more accessible to reach, which often makes them cheaper to get to than other islands, too!
For example, more competition usually leads to cheaper airfares, so you’ll likely pay less for flights to islands like Jamaica, which is served by dozens of airlines, as opposed to Dominica, which is only served by one major American airline (American Airlines).
Read also: Must-Visit Beaches in the Caribbean
Travel in the Off-Season
Like most places, the Caribbean has a tourist high and low season. The high season is typically around holidays such as Christmas and Easter, and from December to April, when tourists travel to the islands to escape the cold weather. Therefore, at these times of the year, you can expect prices to be at their highest.
Meanwhile, during the off-season, the Caribbean isn’t as popular, so flight prices, accommodation, activities, food, and drink all come down in price, which means you can save a lot of money. Another advantage to traveling in the off-season is that most of the best resorts and beaches will be less crowded.
Read also: Spectacular Caribbean Virgin Islands
Stay in an All-Inclusive Resort
Staying in an all-inclusive Caribbean resort is an excellent option if you want to stick to a budget and know exactly what you’re paying upfront. Better still, plenty of resorts in the Caribbean offer fantastic deals for people on a tight budget.
As a bonus, you can even find all-inclusive packages that include your flights and transportation. Aside from offering the ability to stick to your budget, all-inclusive resorts reduce your spending when you arrive in the Caribbean. Everything is included in the package, so you don’t need to spend anything else if you don’t want to. Remember to look for all-inclusive packages in the off-season to find the lowest rates.
Read also: Incredible Hidden Beaches in the Caribbean
Book a Caribbean Cruise
A great way to island hop around the Caribbean without paying for several flights or ferry transfers is to visit on a cruise. Cruises don’t offer the most flexibility, but you’ll see some of the Caribbean’s most popular attractions without breaking the bank.
Besides, finding some excellent bargain cruise deals in the Caribbean is possible. If you’re flexible with your dates, you might even spot a last-minute cancellation or sale to sell out any remaining cabins. On a Caribbean cruise, you’ll visit several ports and countless attractions; food and drink are usually included in the price. What’s not to like?
Read also: Visa-Free Caribbean Destinations
Don’t be Afraid to Haggle
Haggling is part and parcel of island life in the Caribbean, so if you want to participate in local culture, don’t be afraid to try it. Negotiating prices in the Caribbean is a great way to engage with the locals and save money.
You’ll find plenty of outdoor markets and shops in the Caribbean where bargaining is entirely acceptable. So, if you’re not happy with the price of something and need to spend a little less, ask the locals for a better price. Our advice for doing this is to have fun with it. Simply see what the vendors say and see how much you can save. You could even have a savings competition with your friends and family.
Read also: Top Caribbean Destinations For Sightseeing
Book Your Tours Independently
One of the biggest money mistakes you can make in the Caribbean is booking tours via your all-inclusive resort or cruise. Tours booked through resorts and cruises are almost always more expensive. Not to mention, they’re usually more crowded because it’s easy to book tours this way.
If you want to save money and enjoy tours with smaller crowds, book your tours on your own. You can book tours in the Caribbean through local and online tour companies. To ensure you make bigger savings, shop around for tours before committing to gauge how much they cost. Oh, and don’t be afraid to negotiate the prices!
Read also: Spectacular Hiking Trails in the Caribbean
Eat Where the Locals Eat
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Eating at restaurants surrounding popular tourist attractions is a surefire way to spend a big bite of your budget. These restaurants are much more expensive than local restaurants a few blocks away because they sit in a popular tourist area. To avoid this tourist trap, eat where the locals eat instead.
If you’re at the main tourist beach and want something to eat, don’t eat at the waterfront. Walk five or ten minutes until you’re three or four streets back. Then, you’ll be surrounded by smaller local restaurants serving more affordable food and drink. Aside from saving you money, eating at local restaurants gives you a more authentic Caribbean experience.
Read also: Insta-worthy Spots in the Caribbean
Use the Local ATMs
Generally speaking, most money exchanges are expensive. They tend to offer unfavorable exchange rates that are costly to tourists. With that in mind, save your money by using a local ATM instead. While some ATMs charge a withdrawal fee, you’ll still save more than if you were to withdraw cash at an exchange.
When using a local ATM, we recommend looking for one affiliated with a large bank in a well-lit, well-populated area. Before you travel to the Caribbean, it’s also worth letting your bank know your travel plans. That way, they won’t block your card when you try to withdraw cash.
Read also: Amazing Sunset Viewing Spots in the Caribbean
Don’t Overtip
One of the easiest ways to spend money unnecessarily in the Caribbean is by accidentally overtipping restaurants. Before leaving a tip, ensure you understand the tipping practices on the island you find yourself, and carefully check your bill.
Some restaurants automatically include a service charge on your bill, so you don’t need to leave an additional tip. Some hotels even include a service charge on your bill to cover staff members’ tips. The amount you should tip if a service charge isn’t included on your bill varies across the Caribbean.
Anything from 5% to 20% can be deemed acceptable. While some islands, like the US, are accustomed to tips of 20%, a tip of 10% or less is customary on others, so check in advance.
Read also: Hidden Gems in the Caribbean
Make the Most of Public Transport
Most Caribbean islands have a public service system for transporting locals and tourists. This service usually includes vibrant minibusses, vans, and large buses. These bus services usually serve significant routes, towns, and villages across the islands, and fares can be inexpensive.
So, to save a lot of money in the Caribbean, use local bus services instead of taxis, private buses, and tour buses. The only downside to using public transport in the Caribbean is that it can take longer to get from A to B, and because they serve locals, most buses don’t visit remote tourist attractions.
Read also: Family Vacation Destinations in the Caribbean
Go Camping
If you’re traveling to the Caribbean on a shoestring budget, you can save a ton of cash on accommodation by camping. Camping isn’t the most luxurious form of travel in the Caribbean and isn’t available everywhere, but it’s the most affordable way to stay on the islands.
Besides, camping is a great way to meet new people, experience the great outdoors, and enjoy the best views. However, don’t travel to the Caribbean during the hurricane season (June to November) unless you want your tent to blow away. Caribbean islands that offer excellent camping opportunities include the U.S. Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico.
Read also: Amazing Romantic Getaways in the Caribbean
Pack Light
Unfortunately, airlines love to add additional fees wherever they can, so it’s not uncommon for an affordable flight to cost hundreds of dollars more than expected. However, there are ways to avoid the extra costs and save money on your flights.
The easiest way to save money on flights is by packing light. Not only will you avoid any added fees for breaking the weight limit, but you’ll also save more by carrying fewer bags. If your airline charges for every bag you take onboard, learn to pack less so you don’t have to pay for another bag. If you can travel without checked luggage, that would be even better. Checked-in luggage can be pricey, while carry-on luggage is often included in your flight.
Read also: Exciting Adventure Islands in the Caribbean
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