Travel guide for backpacking the Caribbean on a budget
Backpacking the Caribbean is the best way to explore the islands.
If you're headed to your
first ever backpacking trip to the Caribbean, planning it beforehand
is a good idea. That's because the island can
be pricey if you don't have any prior
experience. But with good research and a couple of recommendations,
you can surely stay within your budget.
You'll see that a lot of money can be saved on accommodation and food
by getting in touch with local people. You have the option of
pitching a tent or couchsurfing, which is usually how tourists like
to save their money when backpacking the
Caribbean. So, read on if you're interested
to learn about staying on budget while backpacking the beautiful
islands.
Meet the local people
There's no better way of
maximizing your Caribbean travel on a budget than connecting
with the locals. You have the option of doing
some minor work in exchange for a discount on your accommodation or
food. The locals can give you something to do in the field or ask you
to house-sit. Your help will be awarded with a cheaper
stay and, more importantly, new friendships.
The locals like to interact with each other and with tourists as
well, so there's no better way of backpacking the Caribbean than
meeting people. So, there's a wonderful opportunity to learn
something new about their culture and
lifestyle. They will give you some tips and
make your whole trip more interesting and fun.
Connect with the locals for a true Caribbean experience.
Once you've made a couple
of friends, you can also try to navigate on
the islands their style. You can choose to
hitchhike or catch local buses.
Since buses don't have any specific timetables, you'll need to raise
your hand to stop them. Don't be surprised by buses full of people
and no place to sit. Moreover, always check
the ticket price before hopping in and avoid
being overcharged. There are a lot of cases with tourists paying way
more than the actual price. Or, if you're not into traveling by a
bus, hiring a car is also an option. It may be more expensive than a
bus but it's also a much cheaper alternative to taking a taxi cab.
Enjoy the local food
There's nothing more
delicious than the local tropical fruits like fresh
coconuts. Make sure to take the opportunity
and try some new delicious foods by picking your own or checking the
local food shacks. Restaurants can be pricey,
especially those located within major tourist zones. You won't need
to pay that much if you choose to go to local markets and shop there.
If you're unsure about wandering the streets of the Caribbean islands
alone, check what safest
Caribbean islands are before you choose the location. You can
learn a lot from people's experience and it pays just to stay aware
of the possible dangers.
Enjoy some of Caribbean's fresh exotic fruit like coconuts.
You can support the locals
who sell fruits and vegetables on the street by buying their produce.
Indulge on what's in season at the moment. If you're into seafood,
avoid ordering the endangered fish and choose the common Lionfish
instead. These are invasive and destroy the plants and animals in the
area. Apart from enjoying a tasty meal, you'll be helping the
environment at the same time. Other popular meals include 'Farine', a
nutritious meal made from the cassava root. It is a perfect breakfast
choice, and you can add some fruit to top it off.
Pitch a tent or
couchsurf
If you want to save on
accommodation, you have the option of renting a tent or pitching your
own. Since the weather is great for camping, you won't have to worry
about being cold outside. The best place to pitch your tent is at the
beach. Some hotels have the place for tents and you can choose to
stay there as well. Go on a hitchhike to one of Caribbean's
volcanic mountains, and get comfortable in a tent afterwards. You
have a lot of beautiful things to see and hitchhiking is a great
activity to partake in when you're here.
Choose a tent over a pricey stay at a hotel.
Another accommodation
option is couchsurfing. You can get in touch with people who offer
housing and lodging for backpackers. This is a cheaper alternative to
a stay at a hotel and you get to make some new local friends as
well.
If you're really in love
with the Caribbean, consider moving there. When
relocating to a distant place, it is important to make sure to
find reliable movers.
Save by going
off-season
The best time of the year
for a vacation in the Caribbean is fall or summer. That is when all
the hotel prices are 20 to 50% lower and you'll get a chance to
haggle for a better deal. Just have in mind that the summer season
comes with a lot of heat, especially during the midafternoon. This is
an important thing to remember especially when you're backpacking the
Caribbean. You'll be spending a lot of time out and about so keep the
weather in mind.
Another
perk of going off-season are smaller crowds, so you can enjoy a
quieter and more peaceful surrounding. If you're travelling with
someone, team up and save on accommodation which is cheaper for more
than one person. In addition, you'll have someone to do things with
and explore the beautiful nature. If you are thinking about moving
there for good, contact professionals from triple7movers.com.
Find a companion to travel and explore the islands with.
Take a cruise
If you're really into
exploring and discovering
everything there is in the Caribbean, think of ways to save some
money. Usually, the best low-cost option
that will allow you to see a lot of islands is cruising. Apart from
transportation, you'll have accommodation and food, too, and if you
book in advance, more
discounts will follow. So, don't miss the chance for an amazing
experience on the sea. There are plenty of
activities on the ship for everyone to enjoy. Water parks, miniature
golf, relaxing spas and rock-climbing walls are just some of the
activities you can partake in if you go cruising. You'll undoubtedly
be entertained with everything these cruises have to offer and the
ways they add excitement to the whole trip.
Published May 7, 2019
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