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Want to travel in the Caribbean independently and on a budget? Sounds like an oxymoron, doesn’t it? True, some Caribbean islands can be VERY expensive. But there are plenty of affordable islands, and you don’t have to join a cruise to island-hop around the Caribbean.
Intrigued? We share with you all you need to know about exploring the Caribbean as an independent traveller on a budget. How would we know? We island-hopped around the Caribbean with our travel packs for three months, and we can’t wait to go back and do it all again.
Looking for some inspiration first? Well, why not check out our post on the Best and Worst of the Caribbean, and then come back here to find out how to make it happen?
When best to visit the Caribbean
With the extreme destruction seen during hurricane season (Harvey, Irma and Maria will be etched into many people’s memories just like Katrina), paying attention to your time of travel might not be a bad idea.
The (Atlantic) hurricane season runs from 1 June to 30 November. You may encounter the occasional tropical storm outside of that time frame. By the same token, the greatest likelihood to encounter a hurricane in the region is between mid-August and mid-October.
Unless you are a storm chaser, we recommend avoiding those periods. We left the area in early July (to continue our travels in Central America), and we are glad we did. Though be aware that hurricanes can and do hit the Central American mainland as well, especially the Caribbean coast of Mexico and Belize.
Ideally avoid the Atlantic Hurricane Season | Image coutesty of NASA on Unsplash
Which island/s to choose
There are 30 island territories in the Caribbean (not including the continent’s Caribbean coastline), so there is plenty to choose from. Every island offers something different, and the Caribbean is home to some of the friendliest, most welcoming and most resilient people we’ve met.
To make choosing your destination/s easier, we have put together a table of the destinations we have visited so far, comparing the different destinations based on (our actual) travel costs and their respective attractions (in alphabetical order). The stars are based on our experience (4 stars meaning this is a place to experience XYZ, 2 stars meaning there is some XYZ but it may not be your first choice for it).
We also include a map to give you visual help as to where the different islands are.
| Destination (Last visit) | Travel costs (USD per person per day) | Currency | Language/s spoken | Beaches | Geothermal activity | Hiking | History | Movie locations | Music | Underwater | Waterfalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barbados (Apr 2017) | 67 | BBD | English | **** | ** | ** | |||||
| Cuba (Jul 2017) | 47 | CUC and CUP | Spanish | ** | **** | ** | **** | ** | |||
| Curacao (Mar 2017) | 62 | ANG | Various (including English, Spanish) | *** | ** | *** | *** | ||||
| Dominica (Jun 2017) | 50 | XCD | English | **** | **** | *** | *** | *** | |||
| Dominican Republic (Mar 2012) | No data | DOP | Spanish | *** | *** | ** | ** | ** | |||
| Grenada (Apr 2017) | 48 | XCD | English | *** | ** | *** | ** | ** | |||
| Jamaica (Jun 2017) | 52 | JMD | English | ** | ** | *** | **** | **** | |||
| St Lucia (May 2017) | 47 | XCD | English | ** | *** | *** | ** | ** | |||
| St Vincent and the Grenadines (May 2017) | 65 | XCD | English | **** | ** | *** | *** | *** | |||
| Trinidad and Tobago (Apr 2017) | 56 | TTD | English | ** | ** | ** | ** | ** |
2. XCD is pegged to USD: 1 USD = 2.70 XCD
Map of Accommodation, Points of Interest, Eateries and Transport
Below is a map of the recommended accommodations, points of interest, eateries, and transport terminals or stops mentioned in this article.
How to island hop (without joining a cruise)
Given we are talking about the Caribbean, you would think that there are regular ferry services between the islands. But to our surprise, ferry services are rather the exception than the norm. It seems that running a ferry service is not financially viable in many instances (partially due to the havoc wreaked by hurricanes), and many companies have tried and failed.
We used ferries wherever possible and flew when there were none. We found the Howder Family’s Caribbean Ferry Map was a good starting point to determine where ferries exist. But we would always do further research and (if in doubt) contact the actual company to make sure they were still running.
The ferry between Trinidad and Tobago
Inter-Caribbean Airways and Caribbean Airlines seem to have the largest route network within the Caribbean. To find flight deals, we generally used and would recommend Skyscanner or Skiplagged.
We used LIAT (jointly owned by Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica and St Vincent and the Grenadines) for almost all our flights. Unfortunately, the airline went into liquidation in 2020, after COVID-19 exacerbated existing financial troubles. The airline may be resurrected in the future, but for now, you’ll have to use other airlines to fly between the Caribbean islands.
Clockwise or anti-clockwise?
Most private boats travel clockwise to seek safe harbour in the Eastern Caribbean before the hurricane season hits. We travelled anti-clockwise, for no particular reason other than that we found the transfer into/out of the Caribbean and between the islands to be easiest this way:
How to save money on transportation
Transport is one of the easiest costs to control if you stay flexible. Over years of long-term travel, we've found that small decisions - when you travel, how you book, and which tools you use - matter more than the destination itself. If possible, avoid peak seasons and fixed dates. We regularly use Google Flights and Skyscanner to scan entire months and identify cheaper days to fly.
For ground transport, we start with Busbud to compare routes and prices - it's often the quickest way to understand what's actually available. In Asia and beyond, 12Go is useful for combining bus, train, and ferry travel with transfers in one place. For European train travel, Rail Europe can help, although coverage varies by country. If ferries are involved, both Direct Ferries and Ferryhopper are worth checking, as routes and prices can differ.
If we don't know how to get from A to B, we use Rome2Rio to map out options across different modes of transport, then cross-check prices directly. For rental cars, we compare options using Booking.com, which consistently surfaces a wide range of suppliers in one place.
Our approach is simple: compare first, then book the option that fits the route, timing, and overall trip cost - not just the cheapest ticket. This is how we keep our average travel costs low over time while staying flexible.
Air Travel
Ideally, research in your browser's incognito mode, as cookies can signal to booking sites how interested you are in a particular trip, which may affect the price quoted. That applies to all online travel agents (OTAS), not just airlines. If you find a good deal, book it there and then, as prices change constantly:
- The best fares usually go first, so planning is essential for air transportation.
- The same applies to air points or miles, as only a limited number of seats are available on each flight.
If you plan to travel across multiple continents, you may want to compare passes that bundle multiple destinations, such as round-the-world (RTW) fares offered by OneWorld or Star Alliance members. If you travel during peak season, these multi-destination packages may be a better deal than booking each leg individually. You can do overland sections on RTW tickets, too, which means you could supplement your RTW ticket with bus and train rides or cheap flights between destinations.
Vehicle Rental (including Relocations)
Unless your trip takes you across oceans, another way to save on transportation is to look for vehicle or motorhome relocations. Websites in many countries offer massively discounted one-way rates (often including fuel and/or insurance) to those driving a vehicle or motorhome from A to B within a specific period. These deals are relatively last-minute, and A and B are usually more significant transport hubs. However, if that's an option, consider searching for vehicle or motorhome relocation services at your destination.
Speaking of vehicles, if you plan to hire a car at your destination, it's also a good idea to shop around. We often use aggregator websites that let us search across multiple car rental companies at once.
Hitchhiking
A final option to save on transport costs is… to hitch a ride. While Paul and I did it safely in Dominica on a public holiday (when there was no other option) and have taken plenty of people along in our campervan in New Zealand, there are many countries where we wouldn't feel safe hitchhiking. Judge for yourself where and when you can and can't do it.
You don't need to resort to hitchhiking to save money on transportation | Photo by Dmitry Shulga on Unsplash
How to get around on the islands
While you can hire a vehicle almost anywhere in the Caribbean, using local transport is a way more affordable option, and a fun and safe one (in most instances).
Cuba and Jamaica
These two neighbours have excellent intercity bus services:
- Cuba: Viazul
- Jamaica: Knutsford Express
Both use comfortable, air-conditioned buses. Viazul’s air-conditioning, however, is usually freezing, so make sure you have access to a jumper. While Viazul’s online booking facility seems to have improved, we always buy tickets in person at the Viazul Bus Terminals (usually on the day we arrive for our next destination).
Likewise, as to be expected with bigger cities, Havana in Cuba and Kingston in Jamaica have a good public bus service:
- Havana: Metro Bus Route Map
- Kingston: Jamaica Urban Transit Company Bus Services are integrated with Google Maps. So if you use Google Maps for directions from A to B, it will also offer you bus connections.
Around the world in 80+ travel movies
Looking for travel inspiration? Why not turn to the big screen? Movies can transport us to different places, spark our wanderlust and make us dream of new adventures. And with 80+ films to choose from, covering classics and hidden gems worldwide, you will be planning your next adventure in no time.
Outside the Knutsford Express Stop in Port Antonio, Jamaica
Barbados and Curacao
Barbados and Curacao have very efficient, scheduled (mini)bus services. These services may not be as frequent as you may be used to at home (especially if you’re European) but they do get you to most corners of the islands.
Barbados: Bus routes / Timetables
Curacao: Bus routes / Timetables.
Most buses in Curacao start in Willemstad at one of two bus stations:
- Buses servicing the west of the island start at Otrobanda bus station (look for the ABC Bus Info Center on Google Maps) – including bus line 4B to/from the airport.
- Buses to the east of the island start from the bus station in Punda (next to the Ronde Market) – including bus lines 2A/C to/from the airport.
It’s an easy 15-minute walk between the two bus stations via the Queen Emma Bridge. Bus line 1B is the only bus connection between both bus stations: it circumnavigates the Schottegat (the inland harbour around which Willemstad is built).
How to find the best deals on rental cars
While we use public transport wherever possible, occasionally hiring a car or scooter makes it easier or gets us to places we couldn't reach otherwise. Whenever we do hire a vehicle, our first point of call is local providers. A quick Google Maps search shows who's near us. We then check the reviews and only contact those other travellers who had good experiences with. If we can't find anyone we're comfortable with, we search for car rental deals on Booking.com. They partner with trusted brands like Hertz, Avis, Budget or Europcar (and, in some locations, local providers, too).
Grenada and St Lucia
Grenada (including Carriacou) and St Lucia are serviced by shared minibuses. These services are not scheduled but leave from their respective endpoint when they are full. The minibuses, however, have fixed routes (with numbers displayed on the vehicle), and prices are regulated. Nevertheless, we found that especially in Grenada drivers tried to charge a higher price.
Other islands
Shared minibus services also exist on all other islands we visited. In Tobago, minibuses are replaced by sedans, and in Jamaica, you will find both minibuses and sedans. Prices are generally regulated, but drivers often try to overcharge. We found the worst offenders in Tobago. Ask your host what charge is reasonable, make sure you have roughly that amount on you (no big bills), confirm the charge and negotiate (hard if need be) before you jump in.
A few more tips
- Never let a private taxi driver know that you are unfamiliar with the island. We experienced a few times the tactics used to check out whether we were an easy target to scam off a higher price.
- Be aware that a shared service generally means you share the vehicle with as many people as can fit into the vehicle (figuratively rather than legally). If you are travelling with luggage you may need to ‘buy an extra seat’ for your luggage.
- We hitchhiked in Dominica on a public holiday as there are generally no minibuses on those days. While we felt safe and met some very cool people, we wouldn’t recommend it on all Caribbean islands.
- Always keep your luggage within reach (for example, on your lap) or at least in sight, and never travel at dusk or during darkness. Be extra vigilant in crowded places. For more travel safety tips check out our Essential Travel Safety Tips for the Independent Traveler.
One of our accommodations: A Tiny House in Trafalgar, Dominica
How to save money on accommodation
As with any other travel expense, it's worth shopping around to find the best deal. We look across several booking platforms to find the best value-for-money option. Nightly rates are generally cheaper outside of peak season. If you can only travel during peak season, consider accommodation options that are a little further away from the main tourist attractions but offer good public transport connections.
Wherever you book, read the fine print to compare apples with apples. For example, your stay may incur extra charges (like local tourist taxes or cleaning fees). Some booking platforms include them, while in other cases, you may have to pay your host for them upon arrival.
A yummy and healthy Kalinago Breakfast - One of the many meals we enjoyed during a home stay in Dominica
What to expect in terms of food
One of the great advantages of travelling around the Caribbean is the abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables on offer. We always went to local markets to stock up on fruit for our breakfasts and snacks, and on veggies for our cooked meals.
More tricky to come by (and more expensive) were the typical groceries we are used to in Western countries: cereal, milk, yoghurt, bread, peanut butter, cheese, (cold) meats… you name it. Given the climate, fresh milk is pretty much uncommon. This means swapping over to long-life milk (or milk powder on some of the smaller islands). Ever-present bananas plus surprisingly common muesli bars and salty crackers became great energy boosters on hikes.
Similar to many countries in Central and South America, we often had lunch at small local eateries serving yummy, hardy, inexpensive meals with local ingredients. The portions were usually big enough for the two of us to share one. Our costs for dining and groceries averaged USD15 per person per day.
How to save money on experiences
Look for free and low-cost experiences
Many activities (and some of our most treasured experiences) have been free or cost little. On our journeys, we have
- Visited many museums free of charge (including the Colosseum and Forum in Rome, which are free on the first Sunday of the month);
- Attended free guided walking tours around the world (you tip at the end based on your budget and how much you liked the tour);
- Did countless self-guided walks and used public transport to get to know a city;
- Hiked in the Andes in Ecuador and climbed volcanoes in the Caribbean;
- Swam and snorkelled at countless beaches, using tree shade rather than paying for parasols and
- Attended free street performances and danced with locals in Argentina, Cuba and the Dominican Republic.
Search for free activities at your destination; chances are someone has already made a nice list.
Be selective about paid experiences
Paying for activities and attractions can add up quickly. Therefore, look out for special offers and discount coupons. If you travel in a group, you can also book a private tour and share the cost. And finally, shop around - here are some of the OTAs we use and can recommend:
How to save money on dining and groceries
One of the reasons we travel is to experience the local cuisine, but dining out all the time can quickly get expensive. We therefore always try to book accommodation with access to a kitchen - either a private kitchenette or our host's kitchen. That way, we can store food in the fridge and make meals. Paul and I eat out only once a day (sometimes only once a week), usually at lunchtime. This allows us to sample local dishes while taking advantage of great lunch deals. It also means we don't have to roam around unknown parts of town every night in search of a restaurant.
Portion sizes in many parts of the world are usually substantial, so we frequently share a three-course meal. The same applies if you go out for dinner: Order a starter or salad and a main, and that's usually enough for two people. An added benefit is that there is less food waste.
Every country has both more expensive and less expensive supermarkets for groceries. Ask your host about the more affordable options (for example, Aldi or Lidl in many European countries) and try to avoid convenience stores as much as possible.
If you have visited the Caribbean recently, what was your experience like? What other tips can you share?
I wrote this Caribbean article based on my personal experience. If you have explored various Caribbean countries and have something to add, please contact me.
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