Tips For A Caribbean Getaway On A Budget
But that's a misconception that savvy travelers can easily squash; the Caribbean isn't just for the rich and fabulous! With affordable flights to Jamaica, St. Maarten, and Puerto Rico on carriers like JetBlue, American Airlines, and AirTran, plus a wealth of low-key accommodations, simple island restaurants, and a never-ending playground of land and water-based sports, it's easy to imagine sun-tanning and soaking up the sights, tastes, and sounds of this breezy destination. Here are our suggestions for a low-fuss, low-cost Caribbean island holiday...
(P.S. Keep in mind that rates on flights and hotels dip significantly from early to mid-April through the end of May during the start of the low season, too!)
DIVING and SNORKELING
Caye Caulker, Belize
Sitting pretty at the top of the Caribbean's barrier reef — the second largest in the world — Belize is the ultimate Caribbean destination for enjoying the gifts of the water. Boasting more than 450 islets that shoulder a stunning coral reef, Caye Caulker is the placefor those looking to go easy on their wallet. Book into Caye Caulker Plaza Hotel, located in the center of town and within walking distance of the beach and the Split, a local swim hangout. Rooms start at $55 (with air conditioning!) and the hotel can take care of all your diving needs, especially a trip to the famed Blue Hole, the Caribbean's ultimate scuba dive. Cheaper still? Check out Yuma's (formerly known as Tina's) a backpacker hostel that has been renovated by new owners and tops out at around $28.50 for a private room.
Don't feel like diving? Snorkeling trips can be arranged through EZ Boy Tours, and after a long day of whatever water pleasure you choose, head to the Lazy Lizard for happy hour deals (two-for-one rum punch specials are $2.50) and a killer sunset. Finish the day with cheap eats at Syd's, an indoor/outdoor Belizean restaurant serving home-cooked food with a side of local flavor — just about $4.50 for huge plate of fried chicken and two sides.
Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
The largest of the Cayman Islands, Grand Cayman's crystalline waters are the stuff of dreams, and its Seven Mile Beach has graced the covers of countless glossy magazines. Known for its underwater coral reefs and sea walls, in addition to a number of shipwrecks, Grand Cayman is the Caribbean hot spot to log some serious time under the sea. For good rates, try Don Foster's where one-tank dives start at just $50, wreck dives can be found for $65, and two-tanks for as little as $85. In addition to favorites dive sites like the Devil's Grotto and Stingray City, don't miss the island's newest dive attraction: the USS Kittiwake wreck, sunk in January 2011. (Photo courtesy of Flickr/Food Stories)
Best bet for lodging? Sunshine Suites, just off the water on Seven Mile Beach, but half as pricey as the nearby Westin! With respect to making your dollar last when it comes to food, Grand Cayman has a long list of cheap eats. A couple of favorites include Tim-Buc-Tuu-Diner in West Bay that offers all-you-can-eat pancakes for $5 every morning from 8 a.m. to11 a.m., and heaping dinners of chicken, pork, beef, seafood for around $10. For roadside jerk chicken, it's all about Seymour's, a local shack where the BBQ pits are made from old metal drums and live chickens roam the area feasting with diners on their less fortunate counterparts.
NATURE
Puerto Rico
To bond with nature in the Caribbean, we suggest hitting Puerto Rico's El Yunque Rainforest, a recent finalist in the New Seven Wonders of the World competition. Located about 25 miles east of San Juan, El Yunque, the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System, is worth the trip. There is no entry fee to visit El Yunque, which spans 28,000 acres and reaches 3,624 feet into the sky. Though the various trails and waterfalls are easy for visitors to access on their own, park rangers offer first-come first served guided tours for $5 from the Palo Colorado Information Center
arroz con pollo.
Though big-name hotels line PR-3, Puerto Rico's main drag connecting eastern cities, the Yunque Mar Beach Hotel is a great alternative. Located just outside Luquillo on a gorgeous stretch of isolated beachfront property, this no-frills joint gives you easy access to the rainforest, as well as Luquillo's other treasure: the Luquillo kioskos. Numbering around 60, the kioskos are a popular foodie destination selling everything from pastelillos, or Puerto Rican empanadas, to fresh seafood and grilled lobsters. Best bets? The stuffed burgers and loaded fries at El Jefe (number 12), Spanish-style small plates at Tapas 13 (number 13), Peruvian-style ceviches at Ceviche Hut (number 38), and New York-style deli sandwiches at the recently opened FoodSpace (number 37). (Photo courtesy of Marie Elena Martinez)
MUSIC
Jamaica
Reggae and rum at rock bottom prices — who can beat that? Jamaica is the perfect Caribbean island for an escape backed by soaring cliffs, hidden caves, and a continuous soundtrack of island music. Off the cliffs and beachesin eco-friendly Ocho Rios, a different kind of musical experience awaits — a tour of the birthplace and final resting place of Jamaica's icon, Bob Marley. For $18, visitors can gather around the crypts of Mama Marley, Bob's brother, and Bob himself. A must for every music lover, this is one of those experiences you just have to see for yourself.
In casual Negril, it's all about relaxing on the beach, or heading over to Rick's Café (pictured) for some live tunes and live adventure — cliff diving off the rocks at Rick's has made it one of the most famous bars in the world. While professional cliff divers offer the best entertainment, the brave everyman can join the action, too. It doesn't cost anything; all you have to do is... jump! (Photo courtesy of Flickr/Gaz (Yeat!))
In Negril's West End, One Love Drive (another Marley nod), is ground zero for grub. Hit Serious Chicken for fresh-caught fish salad and, of course, chicken. Try Jacko and Jenny's for local Jamaican fare. (Tip: Be sure to grab The Passport to Wining & Dining – One Love Style, a magazine featuring all of One Love Drive's eateries. It offers 10 percent off meals at all restaurants.)When you've had enough music and mayhem for one day, book a villa at White Sands in Negril for $57. Yeah, mon.
CULTURE and ISLAND HOPPING
St. Maarten/St. Martin
One island, two sides. St. Maarten (owned by the hard-partying Dutch) and St. Martin (owned by the more traditional French) offers a two-for-the-price-of-one experience with respect to the cultural learning curve. The Dutch side is home to some of the Caribbean's best duty-free shopping and great values in terms of food and lodging. The most budget-friendly options are usually found in Simpson Bay, and The Horny Toad Guesthouse— often the scene for spontaneous group barbecues — ranks high on the list. On the French side, Les Balcons D'Oyster-Pond delivers exquisite French service and a bit more serenity overlooking busy Oyster Pond for around $85 for couples.
With more than thirty gorgeous beaches, the small island is an easy place to while away the hours on the sand. St. Martin's Friar's Bay is a popular swim spot surrounded by a string of beach bars and full-moon parties at night. Looking for a calm place to take in some rays? Head to Happy Bay, a deserted stretch of beach reached by a dirt path — ask any local to point you in the right direction. The bonus of visiting St. Maarten/St. Martin? When you've had enough, you can hop over to luxurious Anguilla on a mere $15, 45-minute ferry trip.
Though the French side's pricey Grand Case, a Restaurant Row-type hub for gourmands, might entice, try the lolos, instead. These Creole roadside shacks clustered by the waterfront are way more authentic... and cheap, at less than $15 for a full meal at dinnertime. Two of the most popularlolos are Talk of the Town and Sky's the Limit, but go early; grabbing a picnic table for dinner usually requires a bit of a wait. If you happen to find yourself on the Dutch side for sustenance, Hilma's Windsor Castle is the lolo of St. Maarten choice.Before you depart, make sure to leave extra time for a last meal at Sunset Beach Bar. Located just below the airport runway in St. Maarten, guests eat and drink merrily then run to the sand to pose for photos underneath the arriving jets that zoom past, practically grazing the heads of posing travelers. Taxis to the airport run around $6 from Sunset Beach. (Photo courtesy of Flickr/billandcathy)