[unitex]

I was wondering what would be the cheapest Caribbean vacation package if I am flying from New York. When is the cheapest time to travel and which island is the cheapest? Please give price range and speak from experience. I have already been to yahoo travel, orbitz, expedia, etc.

[diver]

I usually do my research on the web and then check with my local travel agency. Most times they will match what I find on the web and often they are cheaper. They have the contacts with the resorts and airlines. Liberty Travel (gogo tours) have great travel packages.

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic have great all-inclusive resorts, beautiful beaches, decent food and a fun place.

I also like the Riviera Maya area in Mexico for all-inclusive resorts. The Palace or the Riu Resorts are very nice.

The most economic time to travel is right now. But it's also hurricane season. September being the most active month for tropical storms.

There are deals out there the first 2 weeks in December. You have to search. Mid January (right after New Years) for about 2 weeks. High season starts Dec 15th to about April 15th. Prices will drop after that (spring sales) Hurricane season June 1 to Nov 30th prices drop some more. This is what I have found and I live in the New York area.

I just booked airfare to St Maarten for $350.00 round trip for November. That's a great price. However, we are flying non-stop mid-week. (cheaper rates mid week)

Good Luck, I hope this answer helps

[Dimma]

You will definitely get a good vacation but not a cheap one if you are looking for an all-inclusive. If you choose that, whether or not you eat in the hotel it is already paid for (everything is included).

If you want a more reasonable one it is best to just chose a more reasonable hotel or guest house/inn and buy the food outside.

If you still prefer an all-inclusive then Barbados is the right place for you. You can choose one of the more famous Almond Resorts.

[DANDI]

November is typically the cheapest month in most of the Caribbean because it's hurricane season. If you take your trip before Thanksgiving, you'll be able to get the best hotel rates. The cheapest island in the Caribbean is typically the Dominican Republic, but you'd almost certainly have to stay in an all-inclusive if you were on a budget. You do miss out on the "island" experience, but that's not really why people go to the DR. You might also look for a hotel room with a kitchen or a small inn, but in most cases you have to rent a car if you stay in a B&B, and that would certainly affect your budget. Carringtons in St. Croix is nice and inexpensive but far from the beach.

Jamaica can be cheap; there are some inexpensive places in Negril, and if you eat more local food, you can keep within a decent budget.

Puerto Rico can also be reasonly cheap outside of San Juan. I'd suggest you look at the Rincon area.

If you can get to Grand Turk (it would require a flight on a small airline that wouldn't accept miles), it's a pretty cheap and beautiful island with lovely beaches.

[AdventurousMel]

Have you checked out the British Virgin Islands? There are a lot of places on Cane Garden that you can get for under $100. Some are hotels with kitchenettes or 1 bedroom villas. Elm Beach Suites, Agape Cottages, Mongoose Apartments and Ole Work Inn are all doable (you can google any of them). You can make your own breakfast and lunch in the room and then hit the restaurant/bars (about 7 of them) on Cane Garden Bay. Over on Jost Van Dyke island there is Sandcastle. If you really want to get away from everything, check out Neptune's Treasure on Anegada. But, the ferry to Anegada only runs on MWF, so you'll need to factor that in (maybe a one night stay on Tortola). Fly into St Thomas and ferry over (about $40 round trip), generally cheaper. If your miles are with American, book a flight all the way to Tortola (EIS airport code).

I picked BVI for similar reasons as you. Did not want to spend a lot of money, but wanted to enjoy the "ilons" more than you get at an AI.