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The Caribbean is a paradise region on earth, located on Caribbean Sea, consisting about 30 main islands, divided into 3 major groups – the Bahamas, the Greater Antilles, and the Lesser Antilles. The Caribbean islands are so many and so diverse, raising the same question for each visitor – Which island to visit?
In this blog post, I’m introducing you to six popular Caribbean islands, comparing them based on distance from New York City, lowest airfare, minimum daily budget, and best activities. The flight price is calculated based on flying out of New York’s JFK and using Google Flights search engine for finding the lowest airfares. The suggested daily budget is calculated assuming you’ll be staying at AirBnb accommodation, doing grocery and preparing your own meals, bringing alcohol purchased from a duty free store, and using local transportation. You should add additional amounts to your daily budget, if you are planning on car rental, tours, restaurants and bars. For travel gear tips, read my other post Traveling with Less: Travel Gear Guide
For more info and video on each destination, click on the island name.
Barbados
Distance from NYC: 4 hours and 40 minutes
Lowest RT Airfare: JFK-BGI $280
Daily Budget: $50
Best Activities: Swimming with turtles, Spending a day at Crane Beach, Dinner at Mo’s Grill, Watching sunset at the beach bar of Tropical Sunset Beach Apartment Hotel in Holetown
ARUBA
Distance from NYC: 4 hours and 20 minutes
Lowest RT Airfare: JFK-AUA $330
Daily Budget: $60
Best Activities: Watching pink flamingos, iguanas and pelicans at Renaissance Island, Snorkeling at Boca Catalina, Dinner on sunset at Zeerovers in Savaneta, Kukoo Kunuku Party Bus
JAMAICA
Distance from NYC: 3 hours and 45 minutes
Lowest RT Airfare: JFK-KIN $365
Daily Budget: $50
Best Activities: Bob Marley Museum tour in Kingston, Lunch in Hellshire Beach at Screechie’s Seafood and Bar, Hiking up through waterfalls at Reach Falls in Port Antonio, Rio Grande River Rafting, Rafting Tour of Blue Lagoon and Monkey Island
THE BAHAMAS
Distance from NYC: 2 hours and 55 minutes
Lowest RT Airfare: JFK-NAS $330
Daily Budget: $80
Best Activities: A day tour from Paradise Island in Nassau to Exuma with Powerboat Adventures
CAYMAN ISLANDS
Distance from NYC: 3 hours and 50 minutes
Lowest RT Airfare: JFK-GCM $320
Daily Budget: $80
Best Activities: Kissing a stingray in Stingray City, Watching starfish at Starfish Point, Snorkeling at Seven Mile Beach
TURKS AND CAICOS
Distance from NYC: 3 hours and 25 minutes
Lowest RT Airfare: JFK-PLS $260
Daily Budget: $100
Best Activities: Pontoon Boat Tour of Chalk Sound National Park out of Las Brisas Restaurant, Snorkeling at Coral Gardens in Grace Bay, Conch Dinner at Ricky’s Flamingo and Bugaloos