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.

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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.