The Caribbean’s most budget-friendly destinations
Although the Caribbean is the preferred paradise of the wealthy, having fun in the Caribbean sun doesn’t have to blow any traveller’s budget. Fortunately, the Caribbean also offers financially friendly flights and hotels, perfect for people short on savings who wish to escape stress and snow.
The Caribbean is a place of colourful contrasts, appealing to every traveller in some way, from the beach bound to the cultural connoisseur. Visit the Caribbean’s mecca of marvels and cultural complexity, where French, Dutch, Spanish and American influences interact and mix with ethnic island customs.
Top tour operators offer reasonable rates on all inclusive packages. Early birds booking all inclusives score significant savings, but penny pinchers can also purchase last minute sell offs, allowing even those low on dough to sip margaritas while basking on the beach.
Some of the Caribbean’s most stunning and startlingly affordable destinations cater to the truly cash conservative.
JAMAICA
An island of beach bliss, where patties and Patois, reggae and relaxation, and the steel drum and renowned rum unite to form the perfect tropical holiday. At night, go berserk for Jerk and dine and whine at one of Jamaica’s nifty nightspots, as this land of laxity truly offers enlivening yet inexpensive entertainment.
The majority of Jamaica’s paradise proprieties reside in Ocho Rios, Negril and Montego Bay. Scheduled and charter air carriers offer service to at least one of Jamaica’s three airports in Kingston, Montego Bay and Ocho Rios, so flight selection is ample and fares are competitive and often cheap.
Beaches in Negril
Staying at the DECAMERON MONTEGO BEACH, in Montego Bay is a delightful decision for sun worshipers wanting to jam in Jamaica for next to nothing. The Decameron hotel chain in the Caribbean offers economical but excellent service to charm travellers with genuine island hospitality.
Situated on a small, white sand beach and a short five minute drive from the airport, the Decameron offers lots of activities and amenities including tennis, non-motorized water sports, swimming pools, games, nightly entertainment, bicycles, select spa services, a buffet and yummy a la carte Creole restaurant and beach grill.
All 138 rooms offer at least partial ocean view, balcony, double bed and in-room safe. An all inclusive rate buys you limitless fun for a mere $218.00 per room per night, or $109.00 per person. Price may be higher, depending on availability and season. Reduce the rate even more by buying an all inclusive package, that combines flight and fun at the DECAMERON MONTEGO BEACH.
www.decameron.com
When Columbus docked at the Dominican Republic in 1492, he declared that it was one of the most beautiful lands he had ever seen. Since then, the sunny Spanish settlement has been a vacationer’s favourite for years. Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic’s north coast, has become an affordable destination for travellers to enjoy glorious golden sand and balmy breezes on a budget.
A popular place to hit, both scheduled and charter airlines operate to Puerto Plata, and leisure tour operators continue to cheaply combine air and accommodation packages to Puerto Plata, offering choice and competition to consumers.
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Veg out at the PUERTO PLATA VILLAGE RESORT AND SPA, on pristine Playa Dorada, with Victorian villas and manicured greens. This beachfront mini-village offers all non-motorized water sports, tennis, sailing, pools, kid’s club, pool bars and spa services. Appeal to your appetite at one of four restaurants which feature Italian, Tex-Mex, thematic Caribbean, and buffet dishes.
Spacious rooms include balconies, ironing boards, and in-room safes. All inclusive rates average between $140.00-$200.00 per room per night, or $70.00-$100.00 per person. To save even more, purchase this property as a package with airfare.
www.sunvillagebeachres ort.com
PUERTO RICO
As the name implies, Puerto Rico is a port of rich rain forests, captivating coastlines, bewildering biodiversity and exotic endangered species. Enjoying Puerto Rico’s natural richness is not exclusively reserved for the rich, however, as Puerto Rico is replete with affordable accommodations. Furthermore, Puerto Rico’s political status as a U.S commonwealth makes it a Caribbean country accommodating to Americans tourists.
Scheduled service and charters operate in and out of San Juan, and hotels in the San Juan area range from luxury complexes to bed and breakfasts to modest inns. All inclusive deals are also available for those seeking the richness of Rico in a hassle free holiday package.
Puerto Rico
In San Juan, stay at the privately owned and captivatingly affordable vacation rental chain Caribe Villas, with beautiful beaches, historic Old San Juan, rain forest trails, Latin nightlife, and casinos nearby. The chain also coordinates sailing, scuba, snorkeling, or kayaking or day trips to the Caribbean National Forest or Camuy Caves.
Each of the Coqui villas includes air conditioning, romantic hide-away with covered terrace and jungle views. Accommodation prices range from $100.00 to $195.00 per room, per night, or $50.00 to $98.00.00 per person. Reduce the rate by hunting for Puerto Rico all inclusive package deals that combine airfare.
ST THOMAS, ST CROIX, ST JOHN (U.S. Virgin Islands)
Although not really budget destinations, those seeking the sunny serenity of St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix, with a bit of planning, can enjoy a modestly priced holiday. Private vacation villas, accommodating all budget types, are widespread throughout the island. Vacationing groups willing to divide costs can take advantage of modestly priced villas as alternatives to expensively priced hotels.
St John beach
American car rentals, like Budget and Alamo, are available all over the islands at reasonable rates, making outings and excursions easy and affordable. Cheap eats and American treats are available alongside more expensive Caribbean and Creole cuisine. With no retail sales tax, the U.S. Virgin Islands are famous for duty-free shopping and the exemption limit for travellers is a staggering $1200.00, meaning enormous shopping savings for bargain hunters.
www.usvi.net
