CAYE CAULKER, BELIZEÂ
Caye Caulker is a small Caribbean island off the coast of Belize that is easy to fly to from the U.S. With it’s dense mangroves, diverse birdlife and sandy beaches, this village feels like a hidden gem. This locale is relatively inexpensive but still has great local charm. You can scuba dive or sit and have some rum punch with the locals, either way you can’t go wrong when surrounded by such clear blue Caribbean waters.
ROATAN ISLAND, HONDURAS Â
Roatan is one of Honduras’s Caribbean Bay Islands. This is another locale that is not highly publicized in the media, but it is known for its beaches, diving, coral reefs and beautiful marine life. This island has some very budget friendly options, even with the amenities of waterfront balconies.
NEGRIL, JAMAICAÂ
Negril is a town located on the western part of Jamaica that is known for its miles of sandy beaches on shallow bays with calm, turquoise waters. The food and entertainment is very reasonable along the Seven Mile Beach that is lined with bars, restaurants and resorts as most of them are all-inclusive. It is also reasonably priced departing from the U.S.
PUERTO VIEJO, COSTA RICA
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is a town in southeast Costa Rica, located on the Caribbean coast. It’s known for their surf and beaches, rainforest, wetlands and mangroves. This quiet town makes for a reasonably priced and relaxing vacation.
SAN JUAN DEL SUR, NICARAGUA Â
San Juan del Sur is a town on the southwest coast of Nicaragua that is known for a string of beaches that house strong breaking waves as well as quieter, more relaxing swimming. You can go horseback riding, hit up some expat bars or go surfing without breaking the bank. It also has some of the most deserted beaches of which you can hang out and enjoy the sunset.