Traveling to the Caribbean is one of the dreams many people have. Today this post will help you actualize your dream of taking a trip to this exotic destination. There are plenty of things to consider when making a trip there, depending on your location desires.
Choose your spot
There are many great spots in the famed islands. However, each of them has a different feel to them. They all, of course, come with beaches but each one has various qualities and things to do while on the trip.
Bonaire is a lesser-known island. However, it has a spectacular beach, which is ranked fourth in the whole world for its beauty. The diving and windsurfing scene is lovely, with the clear calm waters and a small tourist population.
The Cayman Islands are known as a tax haven for business, but it has all the traditional elements of the Caribbean. On the other flip side, Jamaica or Trinidad are great places to choose if you are interested in a cultural experience.
Each of the islands has unique touristic options. Take some time to explore all the options available in the area to ensure the best possible experience.
Save that money
The Islands can be an expensive place. Food is mostly imported from outside, resulting in costly vacations. Beyond that, tourism has a significant impact on keeping the prices as high as possible.
Consider using Airbnb or Couchsurfing to save money on accommodations and food. As long as you have your kitchen, despite the expense of food, it will still be significantly cheaper than eating out, which can easily cost $20 per person.
However, if you wish to stay in a hotel or resort, there are plenty of great options. Cayman Island rentals state. “If you want to save money on a hotel, come with a group and take up a villa.”
Other than that, there are often full-ride deals which can save you a lot of money. Also, look for discounts around where you want to go to find the perfect arrangement for you.
Traveling
Island hopping isn’t that difficult, but it can be expensive. There are always boats and airplanes willing to take your hard-earned cash to transport you wherever you want to go.
If you do want to travel, airplanes are probably not your cheapest bet. They are generally quite expensive, starting around 200 dollars for most flights inter-islands for one-way tickets.
Not to mention, these airlines are usually quite unreliable. Delays are common when taking a flight. One last thing to consider is the difficulty in finding the right trip for you.
Boats may very well be a cheaper and more scenic option. Not only will you get to be out amidst the beautiful waters of the Caribbean, but you will also be able to save money.
Ferries run between some of the various islands even though there aren’t many of them, most of them that do exist run their prices from 20 to 100 USD, which is pretty good compared to the flight.
Sometimes, if you are savvy, you might be able to hitch a ride along with someone using their boat to visit another island. Otherwise, if money isn’t so much an issue, renting a boat could also work.
Consider the safety
The Caribbean is like all areas in the world, there are some safe locations, and there are unsafe places. Be very conscientious about your money when traveling to the Islands.
For example, places like Jamaica and Curacao have high violence rates. When heading to one of these islands, take a few precautions to guarantee your safety. Don’t wander off into the lesser-known areas.
For smaller islands like Bonaire, or more developed countries like the Cayman Islands, security isn’t too much of a risk. However, don’t leave your things unattended on the beach. There is always someone trying to take advantage of tourists.
Bonus tips
When headed to the islands, keep an eye out for the mosquitoes. They are indeed everywhere and rather insidious. Also, remember to stay hydrated, because the heat can get you much quicker than you might anticipate.
One last note, alcohol can be rather expensive as many other things in the Caribbean. However, believe it or not, Rum, the drink of the pirates, is generally the cheapest drink you can get. So party all night long like a pirate!
Enjoy the Trip of a Lifetime!
Overall, traveling to the Caribbean can be a fun experience. If you are wise and plan a bit, saving money is quite possible, and you won’t have any bad experiences from mishaps.
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