11 Cheap Islands To Visit For Your Bucketlist

Updated: January 30, 2020 | Bucketlist

Cheap has a different meaning for everyone.

Especially since costs will vary depending on how far away you are from each destination.

So, when we say cheap islands to visit, we’re talking about the average hotel price per night for each island.

How did we rank each island?

Now that you know our approach, let’s get to the good part…

Here are 11 surprisingly cheap islands to visit, ranked from most expensive to least expensive. 

11. Aruba

Cheapest MonthsApril-Dec.
best cheap islands to visit
nilaya / DepositPhotos

Located off the northern coast of Venezuela, you’ll find Aruba.

It’s a constituent country of the Netherlands and is well-known for its stunning Caribbean beaches. Along with its white-sandy beaches, Aruba has incredible desert landscapes and unique wreck diving.

You’ll find resorts and other accommodation types in Aruba, making it the perfect destination for families, couples, and groups of all sizes. 

10. Puerto Rico

Cheapest MonthsJuly-Sept.
beautiful islands to visit for cheap
ArenaCreative / DepositPhotos

Puerto Rico is an island located in the Caribbean Sea.

It’s an unincorporated U.S. territory, known for its mountains, beaches, waterfalls, and tropical rainforests. Puerto Rico is a great country to visit if you’re looking for a rich culture. It has San Juan, the El Yunque tropical rainforest, and tons of beaches along the coasts.

Additionally, you can learn a lot about colonial times through Old San Juan’s Spanish colonial architecture and fortresses. A tropical vacation, history, and culture – what more could you ask for?

9. Roatan, Honduras

Cheapest MonthsSept-Dec.
best islands to visit for cheap
p0temkin / DepositPhotos

If white-sand beaches, stunning coral reefs, and diving sound great to you, book your ticket to Roatan, Honduras.

Roatan is an island located off the eastern coast of Honduras. Originally a British colony, Roatan has both English and Spanish speaking natives living there, making for a unique cultural blend.

While Utila, Honduras is more popular for diving, Roatan is a great place to dive and see all of the wildlife that comes with its coral reef (one of the largest in the world). It’s also a great place to relax, as it is known for its calm, peaceful vibes. 

8. Curacao

Cheapest MonthsMay-Nov.
islands to visit for cheap
Maria Michelle / Flickr

Neighboring Aruba is Curacao, a Caribbean island located off the northern coast of Venezuela, also a constituent country of the Netherlands. It’s a small island, with only around 150,000 residents.

Known as the most colorful place in the Caribbean, with brightly colored houses and buildings lining the streets. Curacao is popular for its beaches and amazingly blue Caribbean waters. Pristine, clean, and stunningly white, Curacao has a variety of beaches that are great for a tropical vacation.

7. Jamaica

Cheapest MonthsMay-Nov.
best cheap caribbean islands to visit
mbrand85 / DepositPhotos

Another popular Caribbean island destination is Jamaica. Whether from Bob Marley’s reggae music or its beautiful tropical offerings, you’ve likely already heard of Jamaica. Along with beaches lined with coral reefs, Jamaica has a fun urban culture in its capital, Kingston, mountainous landscapes, and tropical rainforest.

It’s also a popular cruise and resort destination, especially if you’re in Montego Bay. Regardless of where you choose to go, Jamaica is a great, affordable vacation destination. 

6. Trinidad & Tobago

Cheapest MonthsJune-Nov.
phb.cz / DepositPhotos

One of the closest islands to Venezuela is Trinidad and Tobago, a Caribbean island consisting of one big island and many smaller ones.

Trinidad and Tobago is a great tropical vacation destination because of its diversity. If you’re looking for an upbeat, fast-paced vacation, head to Trinidad. If you want peace, seclusion, and tranquility, Tobago is the place for you.

The options don’t stop there, as the smaller islands offer visitors diversity too, from rainforests to mountains and beaches to mangroves, the choices are endless. 

5. Boracay

Cheapest MonthsJuly-Oct.
cheap islands to visit
javarman / DepositPhotos

In the center of the Philippines is Boracay, a small island near Malay.

Boracay is well known for its resorts and beaches. In Boracay, you’ll encounter pristine white sand beaches and turquoise blue water. Additionally, Boracay is a hub for water sports, including both snorkeling and diving. Its coral reefs and shipwrecks make it a unique place to snorkel, so don’t miss out if you visit. 

4. Dominican Republic

Cheapest MonthsMay-Nov.
valio84sl / DepositPhotos

Well known for Punta Cana, the Dominican Republic is a Caribbean island that shares a coast with Haiti.

The Dominican Republic is a country filled with country, where you’ll hear Spanish and see incredible beaches. Though the Dominican Republic is known for spring break and parties, it also offers visitors a tranquil vacation style, especially if you visit some of the other cities on the coast.

Additionally, it’s a very diverse island, with beaches, savannah, rainforest, and highlands. 

3. Palawan, Philippines

Cheapest MonthsJune-Sept.
saiko3p / DepositPhotos

Palawan is the largest island in the Province of Palawan, a cluster of islands in the Philippines.

As Palawan is also the fifth-largest island in the Philippines, it’s a great place to start your island-hopping adventure. Or, you can stay on Palawan and explore all that it has to offer.

In Palawan, spend your time sunbathing on the beautiful beaches, playing water sports, swimming in the clear waters, exploring the biodiversity or visiting its unique underground river. 

2. Phuket, Thailand

Cheapest MonthsMay-Oct.
netfalls / DepositPhotos

Much like Palawan, Phuket is the largest island in the Province of Phuket, a group of islands in Thailand.

Phuket is Thailand’s largest island, so it’s a great place to take your beach vacation or use it as a starting point for a longer vacation.

Located in the Andaman Sea, Phuket is not only known for its beaches, nightlife, and food, but also for its rainforests and mountains. It’s a perfect mix of culture and beach for those of you who like activities as much as you like to relax. 

1. Bali, Indonesia

Cheapest MonthsMarch-May
Alec Favale / Unsplash

It’s no surprise that Bali, Indonesia is first on this list.

Bali is a very popular vacation destination in Indonesia, attracting millions of tourists each year.

This is an island that truly has it all – if you’re looking for yoga and meditation, Bali has it.

Want beaches, nature, and water sports? Go to Bali.

Maybe you’re more interested in Indonesian culture, food, and nightlife – Bali is one of the best places to explore. You get the picture.

As you can see, going on an island vacation doesn’t have to be expensive. These 11 options are all cheap islands to visit.

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