Travel Experts Name Six Affordable Caribbean Islands

Kayak’s comparison of airfare and lodging for the latter half of the year produced six lower-cost Caribbean choices: the Exumas, Vieques, Grand Bahama, Santo Domingo, a French overseas region, and Cozumel. Each offers a different way to keep island expenses manageable without making a high-priced resort the center of the trip.

In the Exumas, a 365-island chain known for vivid blue water, travelers can use George Town on Great Exuma as an economical base. Vieques provides a calmer, more rugged setting than San Juan and requires no passport for U.S. citizens. Grand Bahama, only 55 nautical miles from Florida, is described as both accessible and relatively inexpensive from the mainland United States. Santo Domingo offers budget travelers a culturally focused alternative to Punta Cana, with lower costs and local food such as mangu, a breakfast of mashed plantains.

The unnamed French overseas region has a butterfly-like shape and two principal islands with sharply contrasting scenery. Its attractions include marine life at the Cousteau reserve and steep, muddy volcano trails on Basse-Terre. Cozumel, near the Yucatán Peninsula, becomes quieter after cruise vessels depart at 5:00 PM. Staying overnight can mean lower prices, while its less-developed east coast has a coastal highway, roadside ceviche, few visitors and no electricity.