Tips to Travelling Thrifty in the Costly Caribbean

If you want to do an “All-Inclusive” vacation to one of the popular Caribbean islands with a flight and hotel, food and beverages, and transpiration costs all together in a package, chances are you’ll go to Cuba, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, or Jamaica. Of course, there are other Caribbean islands with “All-Inclusive” options, but they’re usually very pricey. Some islands, such as where I used to live, the British Virgin Islands (BVI), don’t even believe in this option.

You may be the type to purchase an “All-Inclusive” deal, departing from a local location on a non-stop flight, but end up losing money because you don’t eat or drink as much as the average person this caters to. It’s the convenience of paying one price that is attractive.

The moment we need to pull out our wallets, we become aware of what we are spending, the cost per meal and fancy drink, and the stinginess may put a damper on the situation.

As a budget traveller, islands like Grand Cayman, the BVI, Turks & Caicos, or anywhere which caters to a more affluent market of visitors may seem unreasonable destinations at this time in our lives.

From visiting Grand Cayman twice, and spending a year living in the BVI, I’ve come up with some crafty tips for living or visiting on a budget which can help you enjoy your time, and experience more of the local culture in doing so.

Couch-surf

You don’t need to sign up for couchsurfuing.com or be worried about bunking up with a stranger who will host you for your stay. If you pay for a couple of nights at a reasonably priced motel (or if you can find a hostel), talk to the employees who may be from the same country as you are, and get to know them and their hang outs. Once you meet some nice locals or expats, you may find you have a place to stay for a few extra nights or a trip further down the road. Meeting people is a great place to get accommodations from all over the world. Be sure to show your appreciation by buying a few drinks, a meal, or offer to cook for your hosts.

2. Learn the local bus routes

As tempting as it is to just take Ubers nowadays, taking public transit is a lot cheaper and a fun way to get to know the place you’re visiting. Plus, Ubers aren’t exactly everywhere, and your phone may not be working in the place you are. Before you go to a country, look up the bus routes on a laptop (much easier to see than on your phone) and make a note of a few major stops, lines, and destinations you plan to encounter when you travel.

If you don’t have data on your phone, you can screen shot maps when you’re in Wifi. If you’re totally lost, you can ask a local. And if all else fails and you give up, then hail down an old-fashioned taxi. It’s all part of the adventure.

Renting a bike is also a cost-efficient way to do you own exploring. Check out http://www.westbayloop.com/ for Grand Cayman bike rentals.

3. Stock up on the free airplane snacks

Yeah this sounds like one of the stingiest things you can do, but trust me, when you want a snack and you’re surrounded by tourist traps offering $10.00 for a mouthful of something, or a single patty burger you could get on a value menu back home, you’ll wish you’d asked for one of each when the airline offers you a choice of cookies, pretzels, or peanuts. Oh and on that note, before getting on a flight, fill up on a hearty meal to avoid buying food at the airport, and bring along a meal-replacement protein bar for your layover.

4. Milk + cereal

Okay, not everyone’s go-to is milk and cereal, but if you can find a cheap food you can make lot’s of at a low cost, you’ll save a whopping amount on meals out. I personally like to buy a family size box of Cornflakes and a jug of milk to keep at the place where I’m staying. You can do the same with Mr. Noodles or get a loaf of bread and some accoutrements to make sandwiches. My girls and I made Mr. Noodles in our coffee-maker and ice bucket during our stay in Montreal. As much as I’d love to be healthy, it’s easier to cut down on portion size than eat veggies on vacation .

[If you can’t find where to buy a box of cereal, find yourself a local Ryan Gosling to snack on]

5. Liquor up before you hit the town

Drinks are pricey, that’s nothing new. Buying a bottle to pre-drink saves a lot, and you can pour some in a water bottle to drink as you adventure to your destination. Limit the amount of cash you bring and DO NOT pull out your credit card. Stick to a couple of drinks out, unless you run into ‘that person’ who lives to flaunt their money and buy the bar around of shots. If you don’t meet that person, trust me, it’s better not to drink in excess when you’re in an unfamiliar place.

[This is a pic taken from The Pink Palace Booze Cruise. Read my blog Types of Travellers You Meet at a Party Hostel]

6. Find a local tour guide

Again, this may require slipping outside your comfort zone and getting social. If you don’t know anyone in the place you are visiting, go off the beaten path a bit and visit a bar where the locals hang out. Depending on where you are of course, and that country or town’s sense of hospitality, you can usually find a nice person who doesn’t mind offering some knowledge of where to go… and maybe they’ll even take you there!

7. Plan an Instagram Scavenger Hunt

Use the local bus routes, your own two legs, and the kindness of others to create a scavenger hunt for photo-ops around your destination. It’s a way to spend a day, cover a lot of sight-seeing, and not spend a penny (other than bus fares) as you’re not really doing an attraction, but just taking a photo and showing you were there. Instead of spending time browsing one area, cover as many sites as possible in the time you are there, even if you only get to pose outside the door. You can always “Check In” on social media.

8. Cover the sights, but avoid the attractions

Tourist hot spots thrive on selling tourists tours and excursions to specific spots in the city. Unless you really want to swim with the dolphins or zip line through a bush, I recommend choosing one attraction that covers multiple things, for example a tour bus which allows you to hop on and off, or a boat tour which allows you to experience multiple activities in one.

9. Party with the locals

When I lived in the British Virgin Islands, my roommate and I would be happy to host people to party at our house across from the beach. Obviously use your best judgement, and don’t go with anyone, but find a house party or pre-drink before the bars. You may also be able to take advantage of your new pal’s local discount at the bar!

10. Hit up the hole-in-the-walls, food stalls and “Chicken Vans”

Depending of where you’re going, “Chicken Vans” may not be present- they sell jerk chicken and various meats out of a van. In the Caribbean, families will often set up food stalls as a business to sell to locals, or tourists who are intrigued enough to buy there dishes. Don’t be surprised if these small businesses don’t comply with North American or Western European standards for food and safety regulations. But you can be sure to save yourself a chunk of money you can use towards more important things…like a checked bag or airport margaritas.

11. Ditch the class

The best way to travel thrifty, is to ditch the entire idea of luxury travel. Hostels are the original way for backpackers to find low-budget accommodation, but don’t expect chocolate mints on your pillow. The first and only time I ever stayed in a hostel, I first stayed in the nicer, semi-private rooms, but when I moved to the staff dorms, I was pretty shocked at the conditions which I would be forced to live in for the summer. Bunkbeds falling apart and a single outlet weren’t exactly the accommodations I’d have chosen, but I made that little dorm room my home by keeping it clean and keeping out the drunk people at the end of the night. Classy, no. Homey, sure, why not.