Top 10 Most Affordable Caribbean Destinations

Travelers have their pick of several inviting Caribbean destinations this winter as many have reopened with enhanced health and safety protocols and testing requirements in place. However, travelers will have equal if not more opportunities to experience this coveted region for a bargain in 2021. Beyond getting tested, wearing your face mask and practicing social distancing and frequent hand washing, tools like Google Flights as well as the various travel deals currently available make it easy to travel to the Caribbean safely and for relatively cheap. Here are some of the most affordable places visitors to the Caribbean should consider.

Travelers can find a plethora of cheap flights to Nassau from the East Coast and even save big on accommodations with Sandals and Beaches Resorts offering discounted rates for guests who book three or more nights. Baha Mar is also offering a fourth night free special for guests staying at least three nights. Currently, visitors to the Bahamas are required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken no more than five days prior to arrival, and travelers must also apply for a Bahamas Travel Health Visa at travel.gov.bs and opt-in to COVID-19 health insurance, which covers them for the duration of their stay and the cost of which is included in the application fee. It might sound like a lot, but the islands of the Bahamas continue to be among the most accessible and affordable for a laid-back international getaway.

The Dominican Republic is a particularly appealing Caribbean destination for Americans as it offers an affordable escape without COVID-19 testing requirements. Instead, officials are administering rapid breath tests to between three percent and 15 percent of arriving passengers as well as to anyone who displays symptoms upon arrival. Visitors to the DR will need to complete a Traveler's Health Affidavit, however. In addition to wallet-friendly airfares, travelers can take advantage of exceptional hotel and resort deals, including Playa Hotels & Resorts' 2021 Kickoff Sale, which includes massive discounts on standard rates, hundreds of dollars in resort perks and free 24-hour cancellation at properties in awesome destinations like Cap Cana and La Romana.

Americans don't need a passport to experience Puerto Rico. What's more, travelers to this U.S. territory are excluded from the CDC's COVID-19 testing requirement upon their return to the mainland U.S. However, visitors are required to complete a Travel Declaration Form and show proof of a negative COVID-19 molecular test taken no more than 72 hours prior to arrival in Puerto Rico to avoid quarantine. Still, getting to this budget-friendly Caribbean hotspot is incredibly cheap right now, with travelers likely to find nonstop flights between South Florida and San Juan on budget carriers like Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines for under $100 roundtrip, based on Google Flights data.

Like Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands is not only one of the most affordable Caribbean destinations but one of the most convenient for Americans who won't need a passport or a negative COVID-19 test result in order to return home after their trip. To experience the beautiful islands of St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix, travelers five years or older will need to apply for entry through the USVI Travel Screening Portal and provide proof of a negative COVID-19 molecular or antigen test result taken within five days of travel or a positive COVID-19 antibody finger stick or blood draw test taken within four months of travel. Right now, visitors can find flight deals from South Florida to Charlotte Amalie for March travel for under $200 roundtrip and can use those savings to splurge on luxe accommodations or pick up some local artwork and other souvenirs before they return home.

Late-spring, summer and early-fall have typically been some of the cheapest seasons to visit Curacao, and the ABC Islands are oftentimes less impacted by the Atlantic hurricane season (June-November). In addition to savings on accommodations in Willemstad and other parts of this flat island, travelers can also reduce their travel costs by opting for a flight with more stops. Travelers from high-risk countries such as the U.S. currently need to complete a digital immigration card online before departure at dicardcuracao.com, fill out the Passenger Locator Card within 48 hours of departure and carry a printed document for proof and show a negative COVID-19 PCR test result taken within 72 hours of departure.

The combination of affordable flights from the U.S. and a plethora of all-inclusive resorts have long made Jamaica a premier destination in the Caribbean. The island was also one of the first international destinations to reopen to Americans last year. Currently, U.S. travelers 12 years and older need to present a negative COVID-19 PCR or antigen test result taken within 10 days of their trip in order to obtain travel authorization. The country's successful implementation of resilient corridors also means that visitors will have access to a vast majority of the island's top tourist attractions.

Another popular stop among celebrities in 2020, the inviting islands of Turks and Caicos has reopened to Americans and can be accessed via remarkably cheap flights from the East Coast this winter and spring, including cities like New York for under $350 roundtrip on major carriers like American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines. To visit, travelers age 10 and over need to obtain travel pre-authorization via the TCI Assured Portal, which requires a negative COVID-19 PCR test result taken within five days of travel. Vacationers will also need to complete an online health screening questionnaire as well as provide proof of insurance covering COVID-19 medical costs and full hospitalization, doctors' visits, prescriptions and air ambulance.

During Southwest Airlines' February flight sale, travelers can score April flights from Baltimore to Cancun for as little as $131 one-way or Houston to Cancun from $111 one-way. Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula is easily one of the most overlooked regions of the Caribbean and has something to offer everyone, including rich culture, history, cuisine and the soft sand and turquoise waters travelers to this part of the world have come to expect. Mexico is open to air travel right now, and Americans won't have to worry about securing a negative COVID-19 test result in advance to gain entry. Cancun has been recognized by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) for implementing elevated health and safety protocols related to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, and there's no shortage of budget-friendly all-inclusive resorts to choose from. What's more, visitors will be nearby to coveted hotspots like the island of Cozumel and Playa del Carmen.

Barbados reopened to international tourism in July and quickly began attracting travelers from all over, including celebrities like hitmaker and pop culture icon Drake. The island currently requires travelers to complete an online immigration and customs form at travelform.gov.bb and provide proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test result taken within three days of travel. While this country was typically at its priciest during the winter months pre-pandemic, travelers eyeing an escape before the start of Atlantic hurricane season can find awesome flight deals for April travel, including New York to Bridgetown for under $450 roundtrip on American Airlines with a stop in Charlotte or Miami.

The "Spice Isle" can be a wallet-friendly paradise, especially for those stretching their budget farther by staying at the five-star all-inclusive and adults-only Sandals Grenada on beautiful Pink Gin Beach in St. George's. Flights to the capital (St. George's) can be found for under $630 roundtrip on American Airlines for late-March and early-April. In order to visit Grenada, travelers will need to secure a Pure Safe Travel Authorization Certificate, which requires registering online and uploading a booking confirmation for at least seven nights. The island's entry requirements are quite detailed, however, so travelers will want to familiarize themselves in advance.