Martinique

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