CARIBBEAN TRAVEL GUIDE
The Caribbean is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world. It’s made up of over 5,000 islands, reefs, and cays, each with its own unique attractions and price ranges. Especially popular with North Americans fleeing the winter, the Caribbean is perfect for beach bums, honeymooners, and anyone looking to soak up the sun and enjoy the outdoors.
Unfortunately, there is a misconception that a vacation to the Caribbean is an expensive affair and that only luxury travelers and honeymooners can visit.
But that couldn’t be further from the truth. After all, this is a huge and diverse region and every island has something unique to offer. Sure, you can splash out here if you want. But you can also visit the Caribbean on a budget. It won’t be dirt cheap, but it doesn’t have to break the bank either.
With so many places to choose from in the Caribbean, you can definitely find an island that suits your interests and budget. Trust me. I’ve been to a lot of the countries in this part of the world (I love a good beach!).
This Caribbean travel guide can help you plan your trip, save money, and make the most of your time in these stunning tropical paradises!
Top Things to See and Do in the Caribbean
1. Sample rum at the Mount Gay Rum Distillery in Barbados
Barbados is the birthplace of rum and Mount Gay is the oldest continuously running rum distillery in the world (they’ve been doing it for over 300 years). For $20 USD you can learn about the history and home of Mount Gay and taste a selection of their finest rums. You get huge discounts on their rum at the end too!
2. Learn about Reggae’s roots in Jamaica
Jamaica is home to reggae music, and there’s little chance of you going anywhere in Jamaica without hearing Bob Marley blaring in the background. Make the pilgrimage to his museum, the large house on Hope Road in Kingston, where he lived and worked between 1975-1981. You can learn more about the iconic Rastafarian’s life, with glimpses into his recording studio and bedroom. Admission is $25 USD.
3. Splash around Dunn’s River Falls in Jamaica
This is the most popular visitor attraction in Jamaica. Located in Ocho Rios, these falls cascading over plateaus are 600 feet high and are absolutely stunning to see up close. For those who are adventurous, you can climb up them (it’s a bit slippery but not hard). If not, you can simply walk up the regular trail. Bring your bathing suit so you can swim in one of the many azure pools at the base of the falls. Entry $24 USD. You can also zipline nearby if you’re an adrenaline junkie (prices start at $25 USD).
4. Go snorkeling or diving
Divers and even snorkelers can visit shipwrecks and coral reefs in the waters surrounding the islands. In the Bahamas, the Tongue of the Ocean is an oceanic trench that runs along the entire length of the Andros Island coast. The wall of the trench leads to an almost 6,000-foot drop to the seabed where divers can get up close and personal with reef sharks as they swarm in to feed. Two-tank drives start from $120 USD. St. Lucia is another great place to explore the ocean for its clear waters and a vast array of sea creatures, including parrotfish, trumpet fish, and needlefish (especially in the Anse Chastanet Reef). Diving here costs start around $110 USD for a two-tank dive and snorkeling costs around $60 USD.
5. Go zip-lining in St. Lucia
If you’re looking for an adventurous break from sun-tanning, try ziplining through the rain forest canopy. Adventure Tours St. Lucia has a total of 12 lines, including the highest, longest, and fastest line on the island. There are also five net bridges and lots of opportunities to catch some gorgeous views over St. Lucia. A full day of ziplining is $90 USD.
6. Relax on Antigua
Antigua is one of the largest Caribbean islands, with over 365 pink and white beaches (including Dickenson Bay and Pigeon Point Beach). If you’re into sailing, sign up to be a deckhand or observe Sailing Week at the end of April, the world-renowned regatta featuring 150-200 yachts and more than 1,500 participants.
7. See the world’s “wickedest” city in Jamaica
Most travelers don’t venture into Jamaica’s eastern parish of Portland — it’s an area off the tourist trail and a nice alternative to the crowds on the coast. But if you do come here, the reward is quiet beaches, endless natural beauty, and friendly locals who aren’t afraid to chat you up. While you’re here, visit the Blue Lagoon, see Somerset Falls, and eat your weight in tasty jerk chicken in the town of Boston.
8. Kayak around the islands
One of the best ways to explore these islands is by water. One of the best kayaking experiences is with Clear Kayak in Aruba. Their clear-bottomed kayaks let you see the reefs and coral beneath you as you explore. Prices vary by island (and sometimes your hotel may have some rent them out), but you can expect to pay around $100 USD for a full-day tour.
9. Pretend you’re a pirate in Bahamas
If you’re looking for more pirate culture, check out the Pirates of Nassau Museum in the Bahamas. The Golden Age of Piracy lasted for around thirty years, from 1690 to 1720, and much of that was centered around the Bahamas (specifically Nassau). You can walk around replica pirate ships, visit the dungeon, and learn through interactive exhibits about how pirates like Blackbeard set up base here between 1690 and 1720. Admission is $13.50 USD.
10. Go nude at Salomon’s Beach in St. John
Once a secluded nude beach, authorities have been cracking down in recent years on anyone caught not wearing clothing (fines are around $100 USD). Nevertheless, many people push their luck anyway and hit the sand in nothing but their birthday suit. There are usually just half a dozen people here at a time, though it’s often deserted too. Are you bold enough to risk getting fined?
11. Lose yourself in the clouds in Jamaica
Holywell National Park is Jamaica’s only national park. It lies in the Blue Mountain region and offers several short treks that take you up into a cloud forest brimming with colorful birds (like hummingbirds!) and screeching monkeys. The hike to the summit is challenging and takes around seven hours (and costs $20 USD). There are also coffee plantations and farm tours available here too (costing around $25 USD). A short drive from Kingston, this tropical park can easily be visited in one afternoon. Park entrance is $10 USD. You can also book a night in one of the many cabins in the park for around $85 USD per night.
12. Celebrate Carnival in St. John
St. John’s Carnival takes place in late June and traditionally culminates with a 4th of July parade, as Islanders also celebrate the United States’ Independence Day. It features mocko jumbies, calypso music, the crowning of Ms. St. John, and the Carnival King. Spectacular fireworks are shot into the air at the festival. It’s a huge party and the island fills up so be sure to book your accommodation in advance.
13. Explore the Hato Caves in Curaçao
These caves were once hiding spots for escaped slaves who would hide in them for weeks or even months at a time. Before the arrival of Europeans and the slave trade, the indigenous used the caves and left petroglyphs. You can take a guided tour and see the stalagmites, stalactites, and cave drawings, which date back over 1,500 years. Admission is $9 USD, including the tour.
14. Visit the Baths in the British Virgin Islands
The Baths are a beach area on Virgin Gorda. After crawling through a tiny opening, you’ll be surrounded by gigantic granite boulders nestled on each other with streams of water flowing all around them. After wading through, enjoy the calm and beauty of Dead Man’s Beach.
Caribbean Travel Costs
Accommodation – There aren’t many hostels or campgrounds to be found in the Caribbean as most islands don’t cater to budget travelers. For the ones that exist, a bed in a dorm with 4-6 beds costs about $30 USD per night. A dorm with eight beds or more costs from $20 USD per night. Private rooms start at about $40 USD per night. Expect basic amenities like free Wi-Fi and self-catering facilities.
Budget hotels with private bathrooms start at about $80 USD in St. Lucia, $40 USD in Jamaica and $110 USD in Curaçao. Most affordable hotel rooms on St. John start from $230 USD per night. Free Wi-Fi is standard and some hotels also include free breakfast.
Airbnb is widely available all over the Caribbean. In Aruba, private rooms cost around $45 USD per night on Aruba and $60 USD in the Bahamas, while on St. John they start from about $110 USD. A full apartment on Curaçao starts at about $250 USD per night. Aruba averages about $110 USD per night for an entire apartment, while it’s as high as $200 USD per night in the Virgin Islands. As you can see, prices vary drastically!
Food – Food in the Caribbean varies depending on the island, though some staples are common across the region, including rice and beans, plantains, sweet potatoes, coconut, chicken, and fish. Seafood, naturally, plays a huge role. Influences from Africa and Europe abound, so expect an amalgam of fresh produce, seafood, meat stews, grilled meats, dumplings, and dried fish.
Many hotels and resorts around the Caribbean include free breakfast for guests. In Aruba, a sandwich at a café starts from about $3.50 USD, while you can grab a ham-and-cheese sandwich at Superfoods around the same. In the BVIs, the cheapest meal I saw around the islands was a small sandwich that cost $10-15 USD. However, you can find fresh fruit and fruit juices at food stalls all over the place for $1-2 USD.
A fast-food combo meal (think McDonald’s) costs $8-10 USD. In general, $10-15 USD gets you a fish or chicken plate or a burger, and a meal of conch fritters or a large plate of peas and rice costs from $7 USD.
For main courses, steak, fish, or seafood, you’re looking at $20 USD or more. At a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay between $35-50 USD for a fish or steak main course, and a glass of wine to wash it down is about $10 USD. A beer starts from $2 USD at most restaurants.
Avoid restaurants near cruise ports and resorts as prices will be much, much higher.
If you plan to cook your own meals, basic groceries for the week cost around $60-80 USD. This gets you basic staples like rice, beans, seasonal produce, and some meat or fish.
Activities – Even if you’re on a really tight budget, the Caribbean has plenty of free things to see and do – especially if you just want to hang out on the beaches. Hiking is usually free and some accommodation has free snorkeling gear you can use. Museum visits or distillery tours don’t cost more than $30 USD. Snorkeling tours start from $50 USD, while two-tank dives start from $85 USD (but can be as much as $150 USD). A day sail with lunch included costs from $80 USD, but can be as high as $130 USD in the Virgin Islands. ATV or off-roading tours start at about $130 USD per day. If you want to do some Caribbean island hopping, you can expect inclusive tours to start at about $175 USD per day.