What Is The Average Cost Of A Vacation To The Caribbean?
No more travel restrictions! It’s time to hit the beach. What is the average cost of a vacation to the Caribbean? It is more affordable than you might think. You may be seeing people posting their luxurious vacation photos all over social media and feeling a little left out. The truth is that a vacation to the Caribbean doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. Whether you are a solo traveler, taking a trip with your significant other, or traveling with the entire family, a fun Caribbean vacation can be done with any budget.
Get ready to be wowed by the Caribbean’s elite escapes! In my latest article, I unveil the 5 Most Expensive Caribbean Islands that offer the epitome of luxury and extravagance. Step into a world of sumptuous island living and prepare to be inspired!
How much should I plan to spend on my Caribbean vacation?
The average cost of a vacation to the Caribbean is $700 for 3 nights in a hotel. Families could stay for up to a week for less than $2,000 total, depending on the number of kids. A solo trip costs an average of $120 a day on the more affordable islands or $280 a day on the luxury islands.
There can be a wide range in the cost of a vacation to the Caribbean. The average cost of a trip depends on the destination, the season, and where travelers are staying.
All-inclusive resorts can offer a lower overall cost than staying in a hotel and paying for food, activities, and flights separately. The average cost of a Caribbean vacation will also be higher for families than it will be for solo travelers, especially if the family has to pay for child care on the trip.
Sources include The Travel, Nomadic Matt, The Family Vacation Guide, and Fodor’s Travel.
What is the Average Cost of a Caribbean Vacation By Destination?
The Caribbean is just as diverse as the United States. In the same way that a trip to Iowa will probably be far cheaper than a trip to Los Angeles, the average cost of a vacation will depend on the island you are visiting.
The most expensive island in the Caribbean to visit is Barbados. It has become a bustling luxury tourist destination, so prices for travel, hotels, food, and activities are marked up far more than on less luxurious islands. Vacationing in Barbados costs an average of $300 a day for each adult.
If you don’t want to break the bank to visit Barbados, then Antigua, Barbuda, The British Virgin Islands, the Turks and Caicos Islands, and Aruba can give you the same relaxing beach experience at a lower cost. To vacation on these islands costs between $250 and $280 a day.
There are several vacation destinations that cost between $100 and $200 per day. Saint Lucia, where the famous Pitons are located, costs $170 a day on average, which includes the cost of airfare and food. The U.S. Virgin Islands are a more affordable alternative to the British Virgin Islands; a trip costs around $160 a day.
If you are looking for a good deal, the Dominican Republic is both affordable and beautiful. It costs just under $120 per day for tourists and Americans can often get affordable direct flights.
Because the Dominican Republic is one of the largest countries in the Caribbean, there are many affordable things to do. You can see the historic district and the museums in Santo Domingo, enjoy the beach in Punta Cana, or go fishing in Bayahibe.
The cheapest tourist destination in the Caribbean is Jamaica, which can cost as little as $100 per day.
Because Jamaica is not as big of a tourist hub as Barbados or the Virgin Islands, it is easy for visitors to find a private and affordable place to stay while they lounge on the beach or hike the rain forests.
How Much Does a Week at an All-Inclusive Resort Cost?
The cost for a week at a Caribbean resort varies by the location of the resort. For example, a luxury resort in Saint Lucia can cost up to $10,000 for the week.
In general, the average cost for a week-long vacation at most luxury resorts is between $3,000 and $4,000. Staying at a mid-range resort will cost between $1,500 and $2,500 for the week. If you decide to stay at a budget resort, it will normally cost less than $1,200.
There are some cities, like Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, that have very inexpensive resorts. Some are as low as $500 for the whole week.
If you are planning a shorter vacation, the cost per night at a resort is around $200 on average.
For some travelers, an all-inclusive resort is the most affordable way to plan a Caribbean vacation. The resort cost usually covers airfare both ways. Resorts and travel agents usually make a deal with the airlines to secure cheaper flights than what you would get if you price shopping on your own.
When you stay at a resort, you get access to three delicious meals a day as well as an open bar. This can be a big money saver if you enjoy beach-side drinks.
Another benefit of resorts is that there is so much to do in and around the resort itself. You will have access to the beach, multiple pools, hot tubs, saunas, and a gym at no extra cost. Some resort packages also include free scuba diving, tours, watersports, a nightclub experience, and child-friendly activities.
If your family chooses an all-inclusive resort, you could be able to have a safe and exciting vacation for less than $2,000 total.
What Are the Individual Costs of a Week in the Caribbean?
All-inclusive resorts are not for everyone. For some travelers, it may be cheaper to book everything individually. When you plan a week-long vacation in the Caribbean, there are 3 costs that you will need to budget for.
1. A Place to Stay
It is not very common for travelers to camp when visiting the Caribbean, so there are not many campgrounds. The cheapest accommodations in the Caribbean will be hostels, where a bed costs between $20 and $30 on average depending on the number of people in each room.
If you stay for a week, the total bill for accommodations will be around $150. You may be able to get a private room at the hostel for $40 to $50, which will cost you a total of $270 for the entire trip.
Because hostels are not suitable for children, this affordable option is only available to solo travelers and adults traveling together. If you are taking the entire family on vacation, it will be best to book a hotel room.
Budget hotels range from $40 to $110 a night. If you pick a budget hotel, the total cost will be between $240 and $660 for the week.
A mid-level hotel normally costs around $200 a night, which amounts to $1,200 for a 7-day, 6-night vacation. There are also available Airbnbs all over the Caribbean, which normally cost about the same as a hotel room.
2. Activities
If you stay in a hotel, you may have access to a small pool, but other activities will not be included in your accommodation costs. There are a few fun activities that you can do for free in the Caribbean:
- Going for a hike
- Bird watching
- Walking through markets
- Visiting the historical district
- Spending time at the beach
Activities like brewery tours, historical tours, and group snorkeling on the beach are the most affordable activities in the Caribbean. Tours don’t cost more than $30, even in high-cost countries. Group snorkeling ranges from $80 to $150 and will cost less if you don’t need to be taken to the snorkeling destination on a small boat.
Day sailing, backpacking with a horse or rented gear, and ATVing cost $80 to $130. Activities will always have a lower price if you go with a group, rather than booking a private adventure.
In Belize, there are unique and exciting activities like zipline tours, which start at $83 per person. All-day zipline and kayaking tours start at $110 per person.
Most snorkeling, sailing, kayaking, and zipline tour fees include the cost of gear rental, transportation, drinks, lunch, photos, and guidance from a local expert. In addition to the activity fee, you should also plan on a small tip for your tour guide to thank them for their hard work.
3. Meals
Food prices in the Caribbean are fairly similar to prices in the United States and, in some areas, a little cheaper
If you decide to stay in a hostel or hotel, they might provide a universal breakfast each morning. If you go on a tour during the trip, you may be provided with lunch.
Local fruit sellers and cart vendors sell fruit, sandwiches, plantains, and kabobs for less than $5. Lunch at a local restaurant costs $5 to $15 per meal. Main dinner courses are incomplete without seafood, steak, or another form of meat.
Similar to prices in the United States, a dinner in the Caribbean should cost an average of $38 per plate. A glass of wine costs an extra $7 to $10 on top of the entree cost and you can get a beer with your meal for an additional $2.