There is a widespread opinion that spending a vacation in the Caribbean is expensive. Even though it can be, it doesn’t have to be overly expensive. Some Caribbean countries and territories offer fantastic recreation opportunities at decent prices. Below we discuss some of the places in the Caribbean where you don’t have to pay through the nose.
Puerto Rico
Some people will refer to Puerto Rico as the 51st state of the United States. This is not exactly correct in official terms but the territory is in association with the U.S.A. What does it mean for Americans in particular? That they don’t need a visa to enter Puerto Rico and stay there for as long as they wish. They don’t even have to bring their passports as the driving license will suffice. Besides, the island sits very close to the mainland U.S.A. and it doesn’t take too much time to get to Puerto Rico if you are flying from America. The airfare is also very reasonable.
What recreational activities can you engage in when in Puerto Rico? First, you will find endless sandy beaches there. You can choose a well-equipped beach with beach bars, lounges, umbrellas, and everything else or you can easily find a secluded beach with no people at all. The choice is yours. Besides, most beaches are of good quality. If you go to Culebra Island, you will find one of the world’s best beaches there.
In addition, the local cuisine is splendid: you can try various dishes that taste fantastic indeed. Besides, Puerto Rico is the place where rum was invented in the 1500s and the country is the largest importer of rum in the world. Some brands of rum made in Puerto Rico are extremely good!
The prices for food and accommodations are quite affordable in Puerto Rico. A McDonald combo costs 8 dollars (twice as little as it costs in the Caymans, for example) and a bottle of local beer (half-liter) costs 2 dollars and a few cents. Please bear in mind that cigarettes are expensive in Puerto Rico.
Honduras
What do people commonly think about Honduras? That it is a criminal country where drug trafficking is the key business activity and everyone carries a gun. Besides, the country is extremely poor, the buildings are dilapidated and the roads are terrible. There might have been some truth to such an image of Honduras several years ago but things change, as you know, and they have certainly changed for the better in Honduras over the last few years.
The drug trafficking route still passes through Honduras and street gangs do cause problems at times but the overall level of security is much higher in the country than it used to be. There are only two large cities in Honduras – Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula – and the murder rates are currently lower there than they are in many large cities in the US or Western Europe. Don’t show off your jewelry and don’t drive at night and you are going to be perfectly safe in Honduras. By the way, the roads are well paved and very smooth in the country, contrary to what some people believe.
What attractions can you find in Honduras? As is the case with all other Caribbean countries, you can enjoy your time at the beach. If you visit the Bay Islands, the beaches there will give you a truly unique experience. Besides, Honduras sits on the second largest barrier reef in the world (you would have to travel as far as Australia to find the largest barrier reef). This is an absolutely perfect spot for diving and snorkeling. What is important, you won’t be able to go diving at a lower price in any other country. Even the neighboring Belize (that sits on the same reef) has higher price tags.
In addition, there are numerous tourist attractions on land too. For example, you can find the ruins of a large Mayan city in Honduras. The place is a must-see for every visitor to the country. Besides, there is a hotel that is located inside a nature reserve. So you can live in a wild tropical forest while using all the amenities of a modern house.
What about the prices? Everything costs roughly twice as little in Honduras as it does in the U.S.A. It would not be an exaggeration if we were to claim that Honduras is the cheapest place to live in the Caribbean. If you chose to relocate to the country, a thousand dollars would easily see you through the month. Rent included.
Curacao
Curacao is an underappreciated gem of the Caribbean. It is a Dutch dependency and travelers from the Netherlands do frequent the island (there are daily flights to the ‘parent’ country from Curacao). People from other countries, however, seem to overlook the opportunity to visit the beautiful Caribbean island and spend a few days there without paying too much. Planes fly from Venezuela on a daily basis (Curacao sits very close) and there are regular flights from a couple of American cities too. Even though the US dollar is not the official currency in Curacao, it is in free circulation there so you will not have to exchange currency if you bring dollars.
You can find some unique opportunities in Curacao that are available in few other countries. Would you like to try some iguana, for example? It tastes pretty much like chicken but it is said to have some medicinal (and aphrodisiac) effects. You can also go on a tour around the island in a submarine! The underwater scenery is breathtaking and Curacao is often regarded as one of the best places for divers. You will also be well-advised to hike around the island. In the capital city of Willemstad, you will find Amsterdam-style architecture but the houses are painted in bright colors. You can also visit the local ostrich farm and go on a safari there.
As for the prices, Curacao is a bit more expensive than Honduras is but it is much less expensive than some other Caribbean countries such as the Caymans or Bahamas, for example.
