Cheapest Caribbean islands to visit

Sophie Chichester

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Mention the Caribbean and you'll likely think of swaying palms over platinum beaches beyond most people's budgets. But if you plan carefully, tactically scoping out where to go, you'll find it more affordable than you might have thought. Here, we look at the cheapest Caribbean islands to visit, because everyone deserves to dip their toes in those azure waters.

• Cheapest Caribbean islands to visit
• Holidays to the Caribbean
• Flights to the Caribbean
• How we've rated islands
• Research data sources
• Most expensive Caribbean islands

Cheapest Caribbean islands to visit

If you thought the Caribbean was unattainable, think again. We've collated the most affordable islands to visit with the Dominican Republic and Barbados coming in at the top and St Kitts & Nevis making a somewhat surprise appearance in third place.

These are destinations with the best holiday, flight, accommodation and going out options for those after a slice of paradise on a budget.

The following Caribbean islands are currently excluded from the research due to lack of available data: Haiti, Montserrat, Saba and Sint Eustatius.

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Which Caribbean island is cheapest?

Caribbean holidays serve up a fresh lime slice of paradise to globetrotters in pursuit of sea, sun and sand not to mention adventure, history, relaxation and a coconut bunch's worth of other palm-fringed getaway tick boxes.

There's always the risk that holiday prices can skyrocket, and that's before you've treated yourself to four pina coladas from that cute rum shack down the beach. Luckily, we've done the hard work for you to find out which are the cheapest Caribbean islands to visit, taking into consideration accommodation, food and drink, flights and holiday packages.

St Barts? That's going to set you back a pretty penny, thousands of them, in fact. While celeb haunts and seriously swanky hotels don't come cheap, snorkelling jollies off the coast of the Dominican Republic and wildlife encounters in Barbados are far more wallet-friendly.

Or how about a historic sugarcane train ride and hiking a dormant volcano in St Kitts & Nevis? Perhaps you'd prefer to sip mojitos and try your hips at salsa in Cuba? Maybe you fancy zip-lining in St Lucia and a dip in a rejuvenating mud bath? These four Caribbean islands are among the cheapest to visit when everything is factored in.

We've also done the leg work when it comes to flights, examining direct flights and the cheapest fares (looking at you here, Barbados) as well as package holidays (OK, Barbados, you win again). So take a look and see which island suits you and your budget best.

Oh, and there are oodles of top tips for Caribbean island holidays for you to unpack, too, from saving money to the best beaches. Thank us with a Daiquiri from that rum shack.

Caribbean all-inclusive resorts

The secret to affordable Caribbean ahh-that's-the-life bliss often lies in all-inclusive resorts that bundle everything from your morning coffee to your evening entertainment into one predictable price (so you never need to worry about cutting back on your cocktails).

The Dominican Republic leads the pack: in Puerto Plata, family-friendly resorts throw in water parks and kids' clubs, while the endless coastline of newer tourist hotspot Punta Cana hosts high-end all-inclusive options. Jamaica's Montego Bay and Ocho Rios have perfected the art of affordable all-inclusives, with many resorts offering water sports and entertainment at no extra cost (free beginner scuba diving lesson anyone?).

Even St Lucia, typically known for luxury, has several all-inclusive stars along its western coast that won't break the bank, especially if you book well in advance. Cuba's Varadero peninsula has also emerged as an all-inclusive powerhouse, where your money stretches further thanks to the island's unique economy.

Local food

The real Caribbean magic happens when you venture beyond the resort walls. In San Juan, Puerto Rico, follow your nose to the sizzling food kiosks of Piñones, where $5 can get you a feast of crispy alcapurrias and fresh empanadillas.

Over in Trinidad & Tobago, join the locals for breakfast doubles, curried chickpeas tucked into warm flatbread, a delicious steal at just a few dollars. Get your five-a-day with juicy ease in the Dominican Republic, known for its passion fruit and mangos, while food trucks along Aruba's coast serve fresh fish at sunset for a fraction of restaurant prices.

Over in St Lucia, fishing villages such as Anse La Raye host weekly fish fries where you can feast on fresh catches and local specialities like green fig and saltfish. For more fishy fun, Barbados is famous for its Friday night Oistins Fish Fry, where flying fish cutters (sandwiches to you and me) and grilled mahi-mahi pair with Insta-worthy sunset views and local entertainment.

The key to eating well on a budget in the Caribbean? Follow local routines: lunch specials often offer the best value, morning markets ply affordable (and super fresh) snacks, and street food vendors near schools and offices often serve tasty food at local prices. Don't be shy about asking residents for recommendations, either; Caribbean hospitality means they'll often point you toward hidden gems that won't strain your budget.

Best beaches

For beach bums on a budget, Cuba's 21 km-long white sand Varadero Beach offer some public access points that let you enjoy the same translucent waters and views as guests at high-end resorts. Just pack a cool bag and umbrella for an economical day out.

In Barbados, dramatic Crane Beach welcomes visitors with its pink-tinged sand and rolling waves, while Jamaica's Seven Mile Beach in Negril provides sunset views that millionaires would envy; all without the scary price tag. Fuel up in local restaurants dishing out inexpensive jerk chicken and cold Red Stripe.

Over in the Dominican Republic, the public beaches of Puerto Plata's Sosóa offer excellent snorkelling right off the shore; just rent gear from local shops for a sliver of resort prices. If you're staying in Punta Cana, consider a day trip to Saona Island; it starred in those famous Bounty adverts from the '80s (hunky swimmers and choccy not guaranteed).

In Antigua, with 365 beaches to choose from, head to Darkwood Beach or Pigeon Point Beach, where vendors rent chairs at reasonable rates and sell cold drinks and snacks. Elsewhere Nevis's Pinney's Beach stretches for miles with plenty of free public access points near local restaurants.

For beach-hoppers, many Caribbean islands offer local buses that run along coastal routes, letting you explore multiple beaches for just a few dollars a day. Planning ahead (and packing some sammies from the hotel buffet) can make all the difference to a simple and affordable afternoon out.

Activities

Beyond the beaches, the Caribbean's natural wonders await. In Puerto Rico, El Yunque National Forest's misty trails lead to hidden waterfalls where you can cool off gratis. The twin Pitons of St Lucia offer challenging hikes with priceless views for the cost of a guide (and we don't recommend going it without one), while Aruba's Arikok National Park combines desert landscapes with magnificent coastlines for a modest entrance fee.

For water babies, the Caribbean's most affordable diving and snorkelling spots often rival their dearer counterparts. St Vincent & the Grenadines offers woah-look-over-there coral reefs teeming with marine life, where local dive shops provide budget-friendly excursions. In Aruba, some of the best snorkelling spots are accessible right from the beach, such as Mangel Halto and Baby Beach; simply rent some gear and wade in.

Island hopping

Getting around the islands doesn't have to drain your funds either. The eastern chain, stretching from St Kitts & Nevis down to Trinidad & Tobago, offers particularly good opportunities for budget-conscious travellers. San Juan serves as an excellent hub, with regular flights from major US cities often running promotions; but check out Miami or Fort Lauderdale too.

For the more adventurous, ferry services connect many islands. St Kitts & Nevis offer two-for-one value with a 45-minute ferry between the two, and the Grenadines can be zipped between by ferry, too. Other Caribbean island double-acts can be found over in Trinidad & Tobago plus Antigua and Barbuda.

To get further afield, regional carrier LIAT offers connections and budget airlines like InterCaribbean Airways help wanderlusters get out and about. Heck, you might even manage breakfast in St Kitts and lunch in Antigua! The key is flexibility; sometimes waiting an extra day for a ferry or choosing a longer route with a stopover can cut travel costs significantly. Many islands also offer day trips to neighbouring destinations, from St Lucia to Martinique or Antigua to Montserrat, providing a taste of island hopping without committing to accommodation changes.

When to travel

Timing is everything in Caribbean travel. While the winter-weary crowds flock to these islands from December to April, consider swimming against the stream. Visit between May and November, and you'll find hotel rates slashed by up to half.

Yes, there's a chance of rain, but it often passes quickly, leaving behind empty beaches and grateful hoteliers offering their best deals. Just keep an eye on hurricane forecasts, particularly from August to October.

Best time to visit the Caribbean >>

Safety

While these Caribbean islands are generally safe, common sense goes a long way. Dominican Republic's Santo Domingo, Jamaica's Kingston and Spanish Town, and Trinidad's Port of Spain, like many cities, have their rough edges. Stick to well-lit areas at night, use registered taxis (your hotel can recommend reliable services) and keep flashy jewellery for special occasions.

Check flag warnings on beaches, as some Caribbean shores have strong undertows. When hiking in national parks like El Yunque or snorkelling in Aruba's reefs, go with companions and let your accommodation know your plans.

Barbados and Antigua & Barbuda rank among the Caribbean's safest destinations, though standard precautions apply, as does Aruba, with low crime rates and excellent tourist infrastructure.

If in doubt, locals (hotel staff, restaurant owners and legitimate tour guides) are invaluable sources of current safety information and can advise on which areas to explore or avoid on any given day.

Cheapest Caribbean holidays from the UK

Holidays are precious and no one wants to lose hours, even a day, of their break to extended travel time. Here, we share the most affordable places in the Caribbean that you can fly to direct from the UK, minimise the need for pesky transfers.

There are 11 Caribbean islands excluded from the list of holidays above due to limited or no holiday availability including some of the special municipalities of the Netherlands and overseas departments and regions of France.

• Bonaire
• British Virgin Islands
• Guadeloupe
• Haiti
• Martinique
• Montserrat
• Saba
• Sint Eustatius
• Sint Maarten
• St Martin
• US Virgin Islands

Holiday prices are per person based on two adults sharing for a seven-night stay and were extracted from the following holiday providers:

• Blue Bay Travel
• British Airways
• Expedia
• First Choice
• Kenwood Travel
• Love Holidays
• On the Beach
• Sandals
• TUI
• Thomas Cook
• Travelbag

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Cheapest flights to the Caribbean

Everyone holidays differently and if, for you, it's about finding the cheapest flights, we're here to help. Read on to see which airlines offer the most affordable fares on both direct and indirect flights to destinations across the Caribbean from the UK.

No flight information could be found for Dominica and Montserrat from the UK.

Cheapest airlines flying to the Caribbean

There are three airlines operating direct flights to the Caribbean from the UK. These are Virgin Atlantic, British Airways and TUI; these tend to offer the cheapest flights.

There are also indirect flights from continental Europe with KLM, Air France and Iberia and via the USA with American Airlines (and its IAG partner airlines) or multiple airline combinations.

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How we've rated the Caribbean islands

We've identified the top 26 cheapest islands in the Caribbean to visit in 2025/2026 by comparing the costs for different elements to give us an overall rating: accommodation, food and drink, flights and complete holiday packages.

Find out more about each element and how the ratings are calculated. We have made some assumptions to allow us to compare Caribbean islands.

• Overall rating
• Holiday prices
• Flight prices
• Hotel accommodation
• Food & drink

Overall rating

The overall rating for each island indicates the combined costs of visiting for a seven-night stay. The rating is on a scale from 1 (the cheapest) to 6 (most expensive).

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Holiday prices

One of the cheapest ways to visit the Caribbean is by booking a package holiday which typically includes flights and accommodation (and in some cases hotel transfers too). If you choose all-inclusive holidays, then almost all your costs are included in the price.

Our holiday rating is based on real holiday prices extracted from popular holiday providers, online travel agents and tour operators including TUI, Virgin Holidays and Sandals. We've ranked each destination for each provider to give an overall score and the cheapest holiday price for a seven-night stay.

Note: other accommodation types are available on islands including resorts, villas and private rentals, however, for the purpose of the research we have focused on hotel accommodation.

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Flight prices

If you prefer to book separate flights and accommodation, you'll be interested in the cheapest flights to Caribbean islands from the UK.

We've researched the lowest fares available from airlines flying direct to the Caribbean from the UK including Virgin Atlantic, British Airways and TUI plus selected airlines offering indirect flights to the Caribbean via continental Europe and the USA including KLM, Air France and Iberia.

In addition, we checked Skyscanner and Kayak for alternative flight options. We've rated the Caribbean islands based on the cheapest flight prices we've found.

† - No flight information was found for Dominica and Montserrat. There are limited flight options for Cuba.

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Hotel accommodation

Where you are staying can be one of the most expensive parts of a holiday to the Caribbean. If you're not booking a combined flights+hotel holiday, you'll be interested to check the cheapest hotel accommodation for each Caribbean island.

Our accommodation rating is based on real hotel prices extracted from Booking.com^* based on the typical cheapest hotel accommodation (4* or higher) on the island for a seven-night stay for two adults in the middle of the month (over the next 12 months).

Note: other accommodation types are available on islands including resorts, villas and private rentals, however, for the purpose of the research we have focused on hotel accommodation.

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Food & drink

Eating out is a major part of the experience when enjoying a holiday in the Caribbean. Soaking up the local cuisine, bars and nightlife are what drive many of us to travel to the islands.

We've included two elements in our ratings: food and drink. Travellers will have their own requirements, however, our ratings take into account the different options available on each island to allow us to compare.

Our food and drink ratings are based on a mix of three-course meals, inexpensive meals and cheaper food options and a mix of hot drinks, soft drinks and alcoholic drinks for two adults for a seven-night stay on the Caribbean island.

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Data sources

Our cheapest places are rated based on multiple data sources and calculations to find comparable costs of visiting each island for a seven-night stay.

Flight prices were extracted from airline websites and flight comparison engines in November 2024 to find the lowest available fares from the UK to each Caribbean destination.

• Virgin Atlantic
• British Airways
• TUI
• KLM
• Air France
• Iberia
• Skyscanner
• Kayak

Holiday prices were extracted for each Caribbean island from 12 popular UK holiday providers, online travel agents and tour operators in November 2024 for Caribbean holidays from the UK over the next 12 months.

• Blue Bay Travel
• British Airways
• Expedia
• First Choice
• Kenwood Travel
• Love Holidays
• On the Beach
• Sandals
• TUI
• Thomas Cook
• Travelbag
• Virgin Holidays

Hotel accommodation prices were extracted from Booking.com^* in November 2024 for stays over the next 12 months.

Costs for food and drink were extracted from Numbeo.com in November 2024.

The following Caribbean islands are currently excluded from the research due to lack of available data: Haiti, Montserrat, Saba and Sint Eustatius.

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Found your dream island? Don't miss our complete collection of deals on holidays, flights, accommodation and so much more to destinations across the Caribbean.

Sophie Chichester

Posted on Thursday 16th January 2025

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