Traveling to the Caribbean on a budget can feel intimidating when we see expensive resorts and fancy dinners all over social media, however, there’s plenty of ways to do it on a budget!
I’m all about a good deal. I’ve found amazing good deals for the Caribbean—whether on a cruise, all-inclusive, or just heading to an island. There are so many incredible spots in the Caribbean on a budget you can visit! Here’s my tips and suggestions for traveling to the Caribbean for less.
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Saving on Flights, Packages, and Cruises
1. Be Flexible
Flexibility is one of my top tips for saving on travel in general, but when it comes to traveling to the Caribbean it can be extra helpful!
Check different websites for the best deal and don’t be committed to a specific island. Instead, stay flexible and choose the type of vacation you want. Think about whether you’d like to be at a resort and relax the whole time, maybe you really want a nice beach, or plenty of activities you can walk to. Whever is most important to you, keep that in mind and look for deals.
Flexibility is key for flights, but also cruises and packages in general. We were able to get a one week cruise for $460 each by not being worried about which cabin we would have and choosing the cruise with any port.
I’ve booked through Cheap Caribbean—they offer good deals for cruises, all-inclusive resorts, and travel packages. Travelzoo also has a lot of good deals and offers on cruises (I like Travelzoo). Cruise critic can also help you find a good deal and give more tips on cruises.
2. Wait for a sale
There are always big sales for Black Friday (like an all-inclusive for $100 a night I booked once!) and right after New Year’s (everyone’s New Year’s resolution is to travel). Fall and spring are good times to look for a sale as well since they are considered shoulder season and cruises can often be less full. As mentioned, I’d recommend signing up for Travelzoo and Cheap Caribbean for great deals.
Signing up for sites like Scott’s Cheap Flights, Dollar Fly Club, Jacks Flight Club, and Hopper can also alert you when a deal drops.
3. Book Early
Often, the best deals are available several months in advance. Look out for promotions and discounts that are offered for early bookings.
Typically these packages will also give you time to pay them off so booking early gives you more time to save for the trip.
4. Compare Prices:
Use hotel comparison websites and apps like Expedia, Booking.com, or Trivago to compare rates across different platforms. I use a vacation cost calculator (subscribe to download for free!) to help me compare and keep track of how much I’m spending.
5. Avoid extra charges and fees
Cruises and packages often have extra charges for specialty dining, excursions, and activities. Plan your budget to include some of these costs, but avoid overspending on non-essential extras.
Be aware of additional costs like gratuities, port fees, and taxes that can add up. Sometimes these are included in the initial price, but not always.
5. Drive instead of flying to your cruise port
While flying can save a lot of time, if you are within a day of your cruise port, driving can be really cheap. Parking near the cruise port can be as low as $6 a day (in Miami at least!), and this makes it wayyy cheaper than flying. Always check for flight deals, though, because saving time is also awesome.
6. Check frequently on different sites for a cheap flight
I have my own method for finding cheap flights, and it truly works. I will always check more than one site, though, before I buy anything. You can often find cheaper deals by looking at a few different websites.
7. If you drive, park in a lot outside the cruise port
Just like airports, cruises will charge you more to park. There are usually cheaper places to park close to the port. We paid $6 a day to park in Miami in a lot not too far from the port. They were charging $15 a day at the cruise port.
Saving Money on Hotels and All-Inclusives
The tips above apply to hotels (booking in advance, comparing prices, staying flexible, checking for fees) but there’s a few other tips that are important to call out that apply specifically to hotels and all-inclusives.
1. Choose the Right Time
Prices can vary based on the season. Traveling during the off-peak season or shoulder seasons (times between peak and off-peak) can be cheaper. Avoid holidays and school vacation periods if possible.
December to April is high season, June to August is low season because it does get very hot that time of year.
Keep in mind that prices are often cheapest in September and October, but this is also hurricane season in the Caribbean. Book with caution during this time and choose a refundable option!
2. Check for price matching
Many hotel chains and booking websites offer price matching which means that you can get a better price, but still book through the platform you are loyal to. I often do this for Hilton because we like to get the points, and by calling Hilton, we can get the same price offered on Booking.com for example.
3. Use Loyalty Programs
Join hotel loyalty programs or memberships. These often provide discounts, perks, or rewards points that can be used for free stays or upgrades. Hotels.com, Expedia, VRBO, and more are all part of the same rewards program for example and offer “One Key Cash” when booking things to help you save.
Specific hotel chains have excellent loyalty programs and when combined with a co-branded travel credit card, can mean traveling with just points (aka for free). We’ve been able to use our points for places like Mexico and Saint Martin to stay at five star resorts for nothing thanks to loyalty programs and points!
4. Look for Promo Codes
Search for online promo codes or special offers before booking. Websites like RetailMeNot or Honey often list discount codes that can be applied at checkout.
Many hotels offer these promo codes or even special pricing (like a 4th night free) when you book direct with them. After price matching and booking direct, you can save a lot!
5. Consider Alternative Accommodations
Look into alternatives like vacation rentals (Airbnb, Vrbo), hostels, or budget chains. These can sometimes offer lower rates and additional amenities like kitchens so you can cook during your trip and save on food too.
Always read reviews and check for extra fees to make sure the savings are worth it!
Saving Money During your Caribbean trip
1. Book tours independently of the cruise or resort
Don’t book tours through the cruise or all-inclusive resort. They are more expensive and usually very crowded because a lot of people book this way because it’s fairly hassle-free. If you want to save, book on your own!
2. Book a highly-rated group tour/excursion, not private
I always look for small group tours that have high ratings on websites like Trip Advisor and Viator, I choose one that’s having a sale, or the cheapest in the 4 – 5-star range with lots of reviews. This usually guarantees a good time, but you don’t have to spend too much.
My favorite tour I booked for our whole cruise through the Caribbean was this day tour around St. Martin that was only $35 a person. It ended up being Elizabeth’s favorite, too. We visited so many cool places and two beautiful beaches. Cheap and wonderful.
3. Choose where to eat strategically!
Most food will be included on a cruise or at an all-inclusive. Consider eating most of your meals on the ship. However, a trip is no fun if you don’t get to experience the amazing local food as well.
When outside your resort, ask locals the best place to find the best food. Avoid eating in really touristy areas as these places will be higher prices.
You could also, for example, eat on the cruise then split a plate of conch fritters and conch salad at a local restaurant during the day to try something local, too!
4. Don’t be afraid to barter
We bartered down the price of souvenirs, massages on the beach from $50 to $30, and rental beach chairs from $40 to $20 (the rule of thumb is to at least start at half the price). Can save you lots and keep from inflating prices for others.
5. Research beaches in national parks
There are many national parks in the Caribbean that offer cheap entrance fees to access gorgeous beaches as well as cheap snorkel rentals. I went snorkeling at a beach in Nassau that was in a national park for just $20 (including snorkel rental).
There were beach chairs, four beaches, and great snorkeling all right there in the park and because it was a national park, it was well taken care of and practically empty.
6. Go where the locals go
There are great beaches, restaurants, and events that are cheap. Research before you go so you can find cheap and fun things to do!
Puerto Rico, Cuba, St. Maarten, and USVI are some of my all-time favorites and no matter the island you choose, these money-saving tips will help you visit the Caribbean on a budget.
Visiting the Caribbean on a budget doesn’t have to be hard! Enjoy your vacation with these tips.
