Beautiful beaches and exotic jungles share a skyline with a commanding volcano, as do soaring churches. Fort-de-store-lined France's avenues and restaurant-filled back lanes are crowded with tourists and locals, yet a few kilometres to the north, forest cover muffles the noises of birds and hikers. Simply put: Martinique. This island does both, and does both quite well, if you want to enjoy the beach one day and get your heart racing the next. It is also one of the best cheap Caribbean Vacations.

Naturally, there is a catch. It costs a lot to enjoy the great cuisine, opulent resorts, and immaculate sand. The region is notoriously pricey for vacations, particularly in the winter. Your dollars won't go as far in Martinique because it is a French overseas territory and uses the euro as its currency. Nevertheless, there's a strong chance that your trip here will exceed your vacation budget because of the island's rich history, cosmopolitan culture with French influences, and diverse terrain that are unmatched anywhere else in the Caribbean.

May is the ideal month to travel to Martinique. The year-round average temperature is in the 80s, but there is a danger of hurricanes in the summer and fall. By scheduling your trip for late spring, you may get away before the worst storms arrive and avoid the throngs and inflated costs of the island's peak season, which runs from December to April. Maintain the fundamentals Free attractions include La Savane Park, Les Salines Beach, and the Anse Cafard Slave Memorial. Take the winter off. Seven months out of the year, Martinique is essentially deserted. Even though May or June are the ideal times to go, the spring, summer, and fall all have significantly cheaper hotel and flight prices than the winter. Exclude the cab Your transportation from the airport to your accommodation can cost you roughly $80. That hurts so much you won't be getting in a cab for the rest of your journey.

Location: in the Lesser Antilles of the West Indies in the eastern Caribbean Sea

Ranking:

• #1 in Best Cheap Caribbean Vacations
• #1 in Best Cheap Destination Wedding Locations
• #10 in Best Cheap Winter Vacations
• #11 in Best Family Vacations in the Caribbean
• #13 in Best Beach Honeymoon Destinations
  

Curaçao, the "C" in the ABC islands, offers historical towns, untamed fields, and lots of outdoor recreation. (The other islands that make up the westernmost islands of the Leeward Antilles are Aruba and Bonaire.) Willemstad, the capital and largest city of Curaçao, resembles an old-world European metropolis that has been plopped into the Caribbean. The Dutch colonial structures with vibrant colors reflect pinks, yellows, and blues into the emerald St. Anna Bay. As soon as you leave the city, the scenery changes to a desert setting with spiky aloe and mesquite growing on top of aged limestone cliffs.

The beach is Curaçao's main lure, though. Beautiful beaches and coves surround the island, their azure seas gently lapping against the pristine white sand. The reefs of Curaçao are teeming with marine life and provide fantastic diving and snorkeling destinations. The semi-arid island benefits from being protected from the worst of the Atlantic storm season. You can spend the entire year outdoors thanks to the gentle trade winds that maintain temperatures in the mid-80s.

The off-peak season, from May to November, is the ideal time to visit Curaçao. These are the most affordable travel and lodging seasons, with hotel rates frequently up to 50% less than they are during the peak season (especially during summer). Additionally, you won't have to compete with hordes of other tourists for beach chairs. Additionally, Curaçao escapes the fury of hurricane season. Even during the months when other Caribbean islands are experiencing severe rain, the weather on Curaçao typically remains sunny. Curaçao is only 12 degrees north of the equator, and it never gets below the mid-80s. Between December and April, when most tourists visit Curaçao, hotel and flight costs soar. You'll have good visibility all year long if you've come to dive or snorkel. The marine life on the island is not impacted by seasonal fluctuations because it is not within the hurricane belt.

Come during the off-season. You can save up to 50% on lodging and travel during the summer. Taking less taxis, Taxis are a convenient choice for quick trips within Willemstad, but since cab costs are high, renting a car for longer distances is more cost-effective. Settle for market fare. Willemstad's eateries frequently serve tourists with huge wallets. Look through the marketplaces for inexpensive local food.

Location: in the southern Caribbean Sea and the Dutch Caribbean region

Ranking:

• #2 in Best Cheap Caribbean Vacations
• #6 in Best Family Vacations in the Caribbean
• #6 in Best Places to Visit in August
• #7 in Best Cheap Destination Wedding Locations
• #9 in Best Places to Visit in the Caribbean
• #10 in Best Places to Visit in November
• #15 in Best Caribbean Honeymoons
• #15 in Best Cheap Summer Vacations
• #16 in Best Winter Vacations
  

Trinidad and Tobago is one of the best cheap Caribbean vacations. The larger of the two, Trinidad, is a hive of diversity and business. Trinidad, a cosmopolitan haven of Creole culture and the origin of both the steel drum and the limbo, is awash in raw materials like gas and oil. Its diversity of culture and, in certain places, astounding wealth, is almost unmatched throughout the Caribbean. Then there is Tobago, a peaceful island. This island to the northeast is abundant in natural beauty and boasts spotless white sand beaches, but it lacks the urban-sophisticated character of its other half.

Although Trinidad has many beaches, Tobago's coastline is more well-known for its variety and beauty. Almost every side of the island is lined with immaculate beaches, which range from packing to desolate, fun to romantic. The primary attraction of Trinidad is its diverse flora and fauna, especially its scarlet ibises, which are blood-orange flamingos that live in the island's jungles. But beginning in late February, the island completely changes as it throws one of the best Carnival celebrations in the entire Caribbean, dousing itself in glitter and turning up the music.

The best months to visit Trinidad and Tobago are January through May since the skies are clear during this time. Even though the islands are outside of the storm belt, there are daily afternoon showers from June to December. In order to compensate for the rainy season, hotels reduce their rates. At least the weather is comfortable all year long. Since there is little humidity and average temperatures often stay in the low 80s.

While some beaches have an entrance fee, others, like Store Bay in Tobago, don't. Try your luck during the late wet season. Hotel and flight costs will drop from September to December in an effort to entice tourists. Just be sure to bring rain gear in case of midday showers. Avoid exchanging money in public. You can exchange currency outside from unscrupulous money changers, but inside the banks, you'll get a far better rate.

Location: in the southernmost island country in the Caribbean

Ranking:

• #3 in Best Cheap Caribbean Vacations
• #9 in Best Cheap Destination Wedding Locations
• #13 in Best Family Vacations in the Caribbean
  

Jamaica is often considered the center of the Caribbean, and is one of the best cheap Caribbean vacations. Jamaica, the origin of reggae music, the Rastafari movement, and all-inclusive resorts, stands in for many of the most cherished and, maybe, most misunderstood characteristics of the area. A straightforward solution to the confusion? Come and establish your own opinions in the home of limestone, coffee, and sugar cane. Your fresh thoughts will undoubtedly be surrounded by foaming waterfalls, rocky blue mountains, and cream-colored beaches.

The majority of visitors stay in the comforts of their all-inclusive resort, and those that do usually stay close to home. Jamaica is difficult to visit in one trip because it is the third-largest island in the Caribbean. Instead, it's preferable to decide on your vacation's top activities before booking a hotel. Of the island's three main tourist hubs, Negril in the west is well known for its beaches and upscale accommodations; Montego Bay in the northwest is popular with golfers, and Ocho Rios in the northeast is most popular with daring types who might be interested in scaling waterfalls like Dunn's River. Some (but not many) tourists prefer Port Antonio's eastern region to experience Boston Beach's world-class surfing, Blue Mountains trekking, and Rio Grande river rafting. Join one of the top tours in Jamaica if you want to see parts of the island that aren't frequently visited by tourists.

November through mid-December is the ideal time to visit Jamaica. It's also the best time to discover hotel and travel deals because the island's year-round nice weather, which ranges from the mid-70s to the upper 80s, is at its most pleasant at that time. While rates are also low in the summer, you run the chance of being hit by a storm. The island's busiest travel period is from January to March when hotel rates can rise to more than $700 per night.

Learn how to barter In many souvenir stores, haggling for a lower price is both expected and encouraged. Never accept the initial price that is given to you when you are visiting the craft dealers or calling a cab. Immediately cover all costs The hub of the all-inclusive is Jamaica. Many resorts provide packages that go beyond just food and drinks. Ignore spring break. Due to a surge of spring break visitors, resort costs in the area spike during March and the beginning of April.

Location: in an island country situated in the Caribbean Sea

Ranking:

• #1 in Best Destination Wedding Spots in the Caribbean
• #3 in Best Cheap Destination Wedding Locations
• #4 in Best Cheap Caribbean Vacations
• #5 in Best Spring Break Destinations
• #10 in Best Places to Visit in the Caribbean
• #10 in Best Places to Visit in March
• #11 in Best Caribbean Beaches
  

You won't remember your vacation to Grenada for the price of the plane ticket or the standard of the hotel. St. George's port, possibly the most picturesque in the Caribbean, is known for its kaleidoscope of reds, yellows, and greens, which are mirrored in the cerulean water. Long after the sun sets, you can still hear the sound of the waves lapping against the smooth beaches of Grand Anse. Market Square and the island's spice plantations are filled with the scent of nutmeg and vanilla. It's the warm sensation you experience after sipping 150-proof rum from the River Antoine Distillery on your tongue and in your stomach. Grenada is a destination that should be enjoyed, not merely seen.

Grenada (pronounced gre-NAY-da) has long been disregarded by Americans in favor of islands with more extravagant resorts. But Americans, take it from the British, who have spent numerous winters in this location: Grenada is worth a trip. It's true that this region of the Windward Islands lacks the expansive all-inclusive resorts and posh nightclubs of Barbados or St. Lucia; in fact, it could be difficult to find an American here. But that's what makes Grenada so endearing.

Grenada is at its most beautiful in December. The finest time of year to score both sunshine and sales is during this one month, which is situated between the end of the rainy season and the start of the winter throng. When the weather in the U.S. and the U.K. is at its gloomiest, from January through April, Grenada sees a spike in tourists similar to the rest of the Caribbean. During this high season, expect both airfare and hotel prices to increase. The seasons of summer and fall bring frequent downpours and a heightened possibility of hurricanes, but if you're prepared to take a chance on some poor weather, you can find hotel rates reduced by up to 40%.

Come during the delicious shoulder season. Late fall is the ideal time of year because winter and spring are too crowded and summer is too wet. Plan your trip to Grenada during late October or early November for the greatest weather and the most affordable prices. Keep to Grand Anse If you stay near Grand Anse Beach, you can significantly reduce your transportation costs. The hotels in this neighborhood are close to the ocean, and minibusses run between this area and St. George's. Additionally, these well-liked rooms are discounted by up to 40% if you travel off-peak. Enjoy the local cuisine Because so many items are grown locally, sticking to regional cuisine won't do too much financial harm. Keep room for "oil down," a flavorful stew made with meat or seafood, vegetables, spices, and coconut milk.

Location: an island country in the West Indies in the Caribbean Sea at the southern end of the Grenadines island chain.

Ranking:

• #5 in Best Cheap Caribbean Vacations
• #5 in Best Caribbean Honeymoons
• #10 in Best Caribbean Beaches
• #12 in Best Family Vacations in the Caribbean
• #13 in Best Places to Visit in the Caribbean
  

Almost everywhere in the Caribbean has a white-sand beach, a large golf course, or a duty-free shopping center, but Barbados offers visitors the chance to sample the bittersweet Mount Gay Rum, dance to the rhythm of a calypso song, or watch a polo or cricket match. That is one of the best cheap Caribbean vacations you can visit. Even if you could spend your whole vacation on the beaches, there are lots of other things to do in this Caribbean paradise. This opulent island is filled to the brim with stunning architecture, an intense sports culture, and a party-loving mentality.

Barbados, the easternmost Caribbean island, juggles two contrasting cultures to produce a distinctively Bajan personality. This island maintains its adherence to British customs including afternoon tea, cricket, and horse races, even after obtaining independence from Great Britain in 1966. However, the island's sugar cane fields, rum distilleries, and lush vistas still bear the hallmarks of the Caribbean and West Africa. The numerous beaches are another factor. While every beach in Barbados has beautiful views and a peaceful ocean breeze, Dover Beach, Bathsheba Beach, and the sands that overlook Carlisle Bay are some of the must-see locations.

The months of July through November are the ideal times to visit Barbados. Even though the Caribbean hurricane season includes these months, storms seldom make landfall on the island. If you travel during this time of year, you may be able to participate in one of the exciting Crop Over Festival events. There is minimal need to travel during the peak season, which lasts from late December to mid-April, because temperatures consistently range from the mid-70s to the mid-80s.

Come during the off-season. Even though there's a chance of a hurricane, traveling between May and November will result in significant airfare and lodging savings. Choose an all-inclusive package. Consider booking a stay at an all-inclusive resort on the island to save money on additional food, drink, and activity costs.

Location: in an island country in the Lesser Antilles of the West Indies, in the Caribbean region of the Americas, and the most easterly of the Caribbean Islands.

Ranking:

• #6 in Best Cheap Caribbean Vacations
• #6 in Best Caribbean Beaches
• #6 in Best Places to Visit in the Caribbean
• #10 in Best Family Vacations in the Caribbean
• #10 in Best Caribbean Honeymoons
• #10 in Best Destination Wedding Spots in the Caribbean
• #11 in Best Places to Visit in June
  

"America's Caribbean Paradise" is the U.S. Virgin Islands, where visitors may observe stilt walkers performing during Carnival parades, listen to Creole language spoken by locals, and smell saltfish pate being prepared (all without losing cell phone reception). You can travel to St. Thomas, St. John, or St. Croix, or even better, spend some time on each island separately. In this manner, you can pack a holiday full of pampering, pristine nature, and historic history.

Every island has something unique to offer. St. Thomas is recognized for luxury, from the megayachts docked in the port to the high-end storefronts along Main Street. It is nicknamed "Rock City" due to its steep, craggy horizon. A short ferry ride to the east, St. John is popular with honeymooners and anyone who enjoys the outdoors because of its more than 7,000 acres of parkland and immaculate beaches. Visitors can discover the history of slavery and the colonial heritage of the Caribbean island of St. Croix at a number of different forts and plantations. Additionally, you may discover the Cruzan Rum Distillery on this island. It's possible that a trip to the islands today will differ slightly from one made a few years ago. Homes and hotels on the islands were badly destroyed or rendered uninhabitable as a result of Hurricanes Maria and Irma. But since 2017, the area has made enormous progress toward recovery and is now gladly accepting tourists once more. So don't wait to make travel plans if you require a beach holiday.

The U.S. Virgin Islands are at their best from April through June, when you can anticipate pleasant temperatures and little rain. From December to March, when the USVI is at its busiest, temperatures range from the mid-70s to the upper 80s, with windy evenings. The region's hurricane season runs from July to October when temperatures typically reach the upper 80s.

Reserve early In the height of the season, you may be able to find a decent price at one of the four-star hotels on the USVI, but you need to start looking for accommodations at least a year in advance. Come in the spring The cost of hotels is lower in April and May, and you may travel to the Caribbean before the humid, scorching summer. Take a cruise to the Eastern Caribbean. One of the busiest ports in the Caribbean is St. Thomas, where the longest cruises can dock for up to eight hours. You'll have time to visit Rock City or maybe board a ferry to St. John during that period.

Location: on the border the North Atlantic Ocean to the north and the Caribbean Sea to the south, and St. Croix in the south.

Ranking:

• #1 in Best Family Vacations in the Caribbean
• #2 in Best Caribbean Beaches
• #4 in Best Places to Visit in the Caribbean
• #6 in Best Family Winter Vacations
• #7 in Best Cheap Caribbean Vacations
• #7 in Best Caribbean Honeymoons
• #11 in Best Family Summer Vacations
• #11 in Best Beaches in the World
• #14 in Best Winter Vacations
  

The Turks & Caicos Islands are the ideal antidote to your hectic lifestyle, offering nearly deserted beaches, blindingly white sand, vibrant coral reefs, crunchy conch fritters, and a relaxed, carefree atmosphere. That is one of the best cheap Caribbean vacations. Although the island was affected by the devastating hurricanes of 2017, most of the damage has been fixed, and its beaches are still breathtaking. Turks & Caicos is proud of its standing as a hidden and private vacation destination. Regular visitors to these narrow stretches of alabaster sand will confirm that they would not have it any other way.

The three main personalities of this network of about 100 islands and cays are as follows. There is glitzy Providenciales, or "Provo," which is home to a plethora of opulent hotels. The Turks & Caicos National Museum or the beachfront of Cockburn Town, where Christopher Columbus made his first port of call in the Western Hemisphere, are the ideal places to explore Grand Turk's historic and cultural center (as well as the cruise liner hub). The best dives may be found at tiny, flat Salt Cay, where you can travel to one of the world's largest reef systems.

Turks and Caicos are best visited between April and May when costs are lower and there are fewer tourists around. The islands have excellent weather all year round, with average highs in the 80s, although there is a rainy season and a hurricane threat from June to November. According to statistics, the calm on the island is most likely to be disturbed between mid-August and September by hurricanes. Turks & Caicos has a similar peak travel season to other Caribbean locations, which runs from December to March. fodors.com, stay Budget-friendly lodging options include the inns and guesthouses on Grand Turk and Salt Cay as opposed to the boutique resorts on Providenciales, Pine, or Parrot Cays. Reserve early if you do plan to travel during the busy season. Making your reservations a year in advance can result in significant hotel cost reductions.

Location: in the southeast of Mayaguana in the Bahamas island chain and north of the island of Hispaniola (Haiti and the Dominican Republic).

Ranking:

• #1 in Best Caribbean Beaches
• #1 in Best Places to Visit in the Caribbean
• #2 in Best Caribbean Honeymoons
• #2 in Best Destination Wedding Spots in the Caribbean
• #4 in Best Winter Vacations
• #8 in Best Cheap Caribbean Vacations
  

The southern Caribbean's lesser-known yet opulent twin islands are beautiful. Travelers seeking a blend of resort tranquility and stunning scenery with a dash of adventure and history are drawn to St. Kitts and Nevis. The outgoing sister, St. Kitts, has the most restaurants, pubs, and hotels to choose from. Nevis, a shy and lush island, displays the grandeur that has come to characterize this area.

Nevis doesn't have a single streetlight, so seclusion may be the main attraction, but there are plenty of other attractions as well. For instance, consider the Royal St. Kitts Golf Club's sloping greens. You desire culture. Just take a look at the St. Kitts Carnival in the winter or the music festival held in June to see what these islands are capable of. History buffs will also find enough of it: Alexander Hamilton was born on Nevis, the majestic Brimstone Hill Fortress on St. Kitts was once dubbed "Gibraltar of the West Indies," and the St. Kitts Scenic Railway informs visitors about the region's history as a center for sugar cane cultivation. In the meantime, there are several white-sand retreats where visitors who are only there for the beach can unwind with a nice book.

The best months to travel to St. Kitts and Nevis are May and June when hotel rates are reduced to entice visitors and the winter crowds have thinned out. Carnival, a celebration that may be worth navigating the throngs of tourists, is only held during the peak season, which runs from December to April. In the summer, when the islands experience the Atlantic hurricane season, the throngs thin out once more. Also keep in mind that St. Kitts and Nevis's year-round average high temperature is roughly 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

If you intend to play golf, you should not only have your clubs delivered to your hotel but also ensure that the resort you choose has a golf course on site. Green fees at the resort are often free for visitors, while club rentals can cost more than $50. Visitors who want to save money on hotels should avoid going between December and April. During this prime season, prices are exorbitant. The islands' historical attractions don't fully justify the cost of admittance. Spend the money on a few drinks for the beach instead to save yourself the change.

Location: in the Leeward Islands chain of the Lesser Antilles

Ranking:

• #4 in Best Caribbean Honeymoons
• #7 in Best Family Vacations in the Caribbean
• #8 in Best Destination Wedding Spots in the Caribbean
• #9 in Best Cheap Caribbean Vacations
• #11 in Best Places to Visit in the Caribbean
• #13 in Best Caribbean Beaches
  

Knowing Puerto Rico's charm is obvious. This island is a U.S. territory and is only a three-hour flight from Miami (in case your high school history class didn't tell you that). Therefore, you can use American currency to buy souvenirs in San Juan, the nation's capital. Don't let the name fool you, though: this isn't quite a home away from home. Both 20-foot surfable waves and quiet, pristine seas are available in Puerto Rico for families. It is both a trip through time (El Morro) and a detailed examination of the present (Calle del Cristo). A thrilling variety of scenery can be found here, from the sparkling beaches of Condado and Crash Boat to the venomous El Yunque jungle. Additionally, if you want to completely escape civilization, you may take a ferry across to the remote islands of Vieques and Culebra, which are also breathtakingly beautiful.

Unfortunately, the island has recently taken a lot of hits. Hurricane Maria, a Category 4 storm that devastated Puerto Rico in 2017, left much of the island still struggling two years later. It claimed thousands of lives. The southwest of the island was then repeatedly hit by earthquakes in December 2019 and January 2020, momentarily knocking out power and destroying homes, natural wonders, and tourist sites. Puerto Rico is safe to visit, and tourism will aid the island's rebuilding efforts. In order to explore a wild world of natural enchantment, delectable cuisine, and historical adventures, book your journey right away.

Mid-April to June, immediately following the busy winter season and just before the rainy summer, are the finest months to visit Puerto Rico. In the spring, temperatures seldom rise above the mid-eighties on most days. The island experiences its greatest weather in the winter, which contributes to the fact that this is the busiest and most expensive period to travel there. However, with careful planning, you may be able to find a reasonably decent deal even during those months. Another option is to schedule a pleasurable and cost-effective trip for the fall, when lodging can be had for as little as $80 per night. Keep in mind, though, that traveling in the fall exposes you to the ravages of the Atlantic hurricane season.

A few days should be spent exploring Puerto Rico. However, if you're pressed for time, a cruise shore excursion will satisfy your needs. Booking early doesn't always result in lower flight costs for Puerto Rico. You may enjoy some of the island's best cuisine by seeking out restaurants outside of the touristic, busy areas of town (or eating somewhere other than your resort). This will not only help you keep your meal expenditure low.

Location: in the northeastern Caribbean Sea.

Ranking:

• #4 in Best Destination Wedding Spots in the Caribbean
• #9 in Best Cheap Romantic Getaways
• #10 in Best Cheap Caribbean Vacations
• #15 in Best Family Summer Vacations