Planning a vacation to the carribean?

Question

Hey, basically I'm trying to plan a little trip for me and a friend of mine. A lil information...We're both young and never been to the carribean..this trip will be on a budget, i was thinking under a thousand dollars in total that includes hotel/ resort and flight..for three or four days..is it possible? and which island would be cheapest..I was thinking Nassau, Bermuda or Aruba? Also link would be appreciated.

Answer 1

There are some good answers here before mine, especially as relates to cost. Cross Bermuda off your list, unless you do a cruise which you can sometimes be cheap and will include all of your food and a place to sleep, but not drinks. look at these web sites/pages: http://www.carnivalcruiselines.com/Itinerary.aspx?embkCode=NYC&groupInd=&itinCode=BR2&shipCode=MI&durDays=6&subRegionCode=BM

http://www.ncl.com/nclweb/destination/itineraries.html?shipCode=&destinationCode=BERMUDA&subDestinationCode=BERMUDA&duration=6

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findacruise/cruiseDetails/itineraryAndPricing.do;jsessionid=0000jqj_mSswD2CsaYRSjktVA9f:12hbiocak?packageCode=EX05B002&date=&selectedCurrencyCode=&promoType=1



Since you must fly to all of the island locations you will spend most of your $1K on air, unless you go no further than the Bahamas. R/T air to the Bahamas you can probably reach if you live near the East coast.

http://www.islandsguide.co.uk/index.html

http://www.bermuda.com/

http://www.bahamas.com/bahamas/island/introduction.aspx?island=nass


Another option would be to consider and investigate going to Key West, Fl. You get the same great beaches as some islands but do not have to leave the US. Also, remember that you will need a passport for all air travel (to get back into the US), and starting Jan 1, 2008 you need a passport for all trips outside the US. A passport will cost you about $90.

Answer 2

I have traveled extensively all over the Carribean and adore it. Aruba was may favorite and we spent a week and a half there a while back. Our entire trip, flight, food, and adventures came to around 2k for 2 people with an ocean front condo style room. Apple Vacations offers good deals. Depending on where you are leaving from will dictate the prices. Of course you can do a 3-4 day trip for around a grand. You might consider a weekend in Cancun, Mexico for fun. I suggest CocoBongo, The Rainforest Cafe and Senior Froggy's. I loved it. I have been several times and generally do it for under a grand for a five days. Once again have a look at Apple Vacations!

Answer 3

$1000 or less for 2 with flt and hotel/food for 4 days is rather unrealistic, even on a students budget. Flights themselves are usually at the least $300-$400 (and thats from places like FL) pp.

The cheapest flight/accommodations are to the most trafficked islands and cities- usually ones which also get a high degree of cruise ship traffic (which is an economic blessing, but a massive annoyance for true tourists). These are:

1. Nassau or Freeport in the Bahamas. These two cities can be a little dirty and crime-ridden, but if you don't mind that, its the most budget destination. (Bermuda is not really the Caribbean- its in the middle of the Atlantic).

The Bahamas has a good number of hostel-style accommodations, with access to inexpensive food (Im warning you now- Bahamian food is absolutely awful- usually weird bits and pieces of chicken in tasteless sauces. Dont confuse this with Jamaican food, which is far more flavorful). Check with their travel bureau.

2. Jamaica or Puerto Rico. Jamaica is pretty cheap accommodations around the bigger cities like Kingston (but can be pretty nasty). Puerto Rico is a decent bet for ppl who still want to operate on the US dollar with US-style infrastructure, but experience the Caribbean weather and local flavor.

3. Belize. This places is beautiful, but also getting overrun with tourists. Plan carefully

Answer 4

I like keni's answer primarily because I spent a lot of time years ago in Grenada and the Grenadines. They are fantastic! Taking a boat over to Carriacou would be a huighlight. I remember sitting on huge rum kegs in Carriacou drinking jackiron. Two drinks and the most hardened drinker was well on his way. as far as cost, my suggestion would be Sosua in the DR. Fly into Puerto Plata and ten minutes after clearing customs you could be enjoying a Presidente at a small, inexpensive hotel. Many find our Yahoo Sosua group a big help. It's non-commercial and full of info. The caribbeaninfoclub is a new Yahoo group looking for members to help build it.

Answer 5

If your budget is so low I would make the recommendation of a cruise instead of a hotel. With a cruise you can see a few ports in the Carribean for that budget. If you would like more information on cruises or if you would like to increase your budget and get a hotel you can message me and I would be happy to help you look at all the options.
IM or email phowe1976

Answer 6

Trinidad & Tobago ,There is no place in the world quite like this tiny twin island republic of 1.3 million ethnically diverse people. Bursting with spirit and a heady mix of cultural activities, beautiful people, eco adventure and culinary delights, Trinidad and Tobago has something for everyone. Located just off the tip of Venezuela, Trinidad, the larger and livelier of the islands, is an industrial giant boasting exciting nightlife, a robust energy sector and growing manufacturing industry

http://www.visittnt.com

Answer 7

You could try Barbados!

That country is paradise! Also, has so much to offer. You can take a tour bus to tour the whole island!

So much to do, so much to see! The nightlife is GREAT! Check Harbour Lights (http://www.harbourlightsbarbados.com/ ), Boatyard (http://www.theboatyard.com/ ) and St. Lawrence Gap (http://www.thegapbarbados.com/ ),(http://www.barbados.org/stlaw.htm ).

St. Lawrence Gap has not only clubs, but restaurants, hotels, etc.. Such as The Ship Inn (http://www.shipinnbarbados.com/ ), Reggae Lounge, etc.!
Bridgetown, its capital, is known for duty-free shopping ranging from shoes to clothes to jewellery to books.

The beaches are fabulous, try Accra (known as Rockley Beach), Maxwell, Miami/Enterprise.

The people are friendly, some food are different (if you always want to try something different, you can try Fridays in Oistins (a town known for its fish market).

If interested, you can check out The Barbados Museum (http://www.barbmuse.org.bb/ ). Like I said, there's so much to see in this whole island. You can try some cruises such as Jolly Roger (http://www.tallshipscruises.com/ ).

You can also check out Atlantis Adventures (http://www.atlantisadventures.com/barbados.cfm ), Harrison's Cave (http://www.harrisonscave.com/ ), among other places, if this have sparked your interest, you can check out for more information below:

http://www.barbados.org/
http://www.visitbarbados.org/
http://www.funbarbados.com/
http://www.totallybarbados.com/

If you are in need of cheapest accommodation out there and not care about luxury but at least clean, then I suggest Pegwell Inn Guest House, it's close to amenities (across the street is Southern Plaza), public transportation (right at the road) - a big bus to go into Bridgetown or Speightstown, maybe a minibus but for sure, a route taxi (route 11) that goes into the capital and all costs $1.50 BDS) - you could even take a taxi but it's expensive), beaches, and within walking distance, internet cafe (if it's still there), laundromat, post office, restaurants, pharmacy.

For an all-inclusive, try http://barbados.org/allinclusive_vacations.php and you could check for reviews if needed - http://www.tripadvisor.com/

Hope this helps.

Answer 8

Grenada. Unspoilt, genuine people.
Stay at the small, friendly Tropicana hotel by the Yacht harbour.

If your budget runs to it, take the Osprey boat to Carriacou for a day. Carriacou is the real thing, have a beer at Bill Paterson's bar overlooking the beach.

Answer 9

Check out these sites. I don't know where you are flying from. Could be the biggest expense

http://www.applevacations.com
http://www.funjet.com
http://www.travelocity.com
http://www.libertytravel.com

Bermuda will be expensive. Bahamas or Dominican Republic. Many beautiful resorts all-inclusive in DR.(Best Bet for 1,000 dollar budget)

Good Luck

Answer 10

Why does it have to be an island? You can enjoy the Caribbean by visiting Central America -- e.g. Honduras, Belize, Costa Rica, where your dollar will go much further than on the Caribbean islands.