3 Effective Ways to Enjoy the Caribbean on a Budget

A tropical vacation does not have to be prohibitively expensive, even if you choose to stay at one of the fabulous boutique Caribbean hotels. It is often a matter of making small, informed decisions on a day-to-day basis – it can mean a great deal to your budget in the long run. Here are the three best tips in this regard.

Lesser-known Destinations Are Less Expensive

There are literally dozens of islands in the region, each with its own slew of boutique Caribbean hotels, and like everything, they are also at the mercy of the law of supply and demand. It’s another way of saying the lesser known and visited an island is, the more it attempts to attract visitors by lowering their prices and offering attractive budget-friendly deals. Visiting or exploring the lesser known destinations may take you off the beaten track, but doing so does not mean you’ll enjoy your vacation any less. You can still make savings even in the more high profile destinations, by carefully choosing where your accommodation is located: those by the beach are more expensive than those located a block away, and those located in smaller towns or villages charge less per night than those in the big cities.

Always Visit the Visitors Centre

Even if you’ve somewhat splurged by choosing to stay in one of the more upmarket boutique Caribbean hotels, that does not mean you have to burn a large hole in your pocket throughout your stay. Even small decisions can matter in the long run, such as choosing what attractions to visit. For example, regardless of which island you choose in the region, you should ask the hotel concierge for tips and helpful information—they are usually very well connected and will be more than happy to help out. Moreover, visiting the local visitors centre can open up a treasure trove of choices that allows you to make budget-friendly decisions. For example, a visitors centre will know which museums offer free days and when, where to go for free parking, where to find dining specials and happy hours, and other special rates and discount information.

Dining Options

A truism in the restaurant industry is this: lunch rates are usually very much lower than dinner – this is the case whether in one of the in house restaurants in the boutique Caribbean hotels or any of other fabulous dining places around the island. That’s why eating a big lunch and a relatively light dinner is not just good for your pocket, but also for the rest of your plans for the night: a light dinner gives you more time and energy for some of the local night-time festivities, parties or just going for a romantic stroll on the beach. The less expensive lunches also mean you can afford to enjoy more courses at much reduced prices.

Helen C. Edwards works for the Essential Hotel Collection. For a stay in romantic boutique Caribbean hotels, we have a handpicked portfolio of privately owned hotels offering superb accommodation. We have an intimate knowledge of every property and can provide the perfect accommodation to make your island dreams a reality.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.