How do I store (and not save) money in the Virgin Islands
That was until I came to the US and British Virgin Islands, where I failed once again at $ 50 a day for travel. While there are ways to make these islands semi-affordable, my visit taught me that they never had a real budget target. There are too many rich people, tax havens and yachts, and too much focus on mid-budget and luxury travelers.
But this does not mean all is lost. There are some ways to reduce and avoid hundreds of dollars per day, as do most people spend their money. By following a few guidelines, you can have a wonderful time on the islands and still receive a budget.
How much cost the islands myself?
Having for an average of about $ 102 per day. 22 days around sailing, I spent $ 2,255.75 in total, This is bad. I was really shocked that I spent so much when I saw the math. Sure, I splurged a little - there are a few hotels and fancy meals in my itinerary were - but I did not know how much. Here's how the money breaks:
Activities: $ 140
Accommodation: $ 714.50
Beverages : $ 216
transport: $ 228
taxis : $ 260.50
Food : $ 635.75
Other (Visa, sunscreen) : $ 61
Why did I spend so much money?
While I really could get free accommodation on a boat to the lack of budget accommodation, drove my housing costs upwards. Also share in the cost of hotels, some nights, which meant I paid $ 60. A last minute change in plans and a flight to St. Thomas with bag charges an additional $ 80. And while I cooked a little, I splurged on a few nice meals during Thanksgiving, ate a lot of seafood (as many lobsters!), And bought drinks for my CouchSurfing host (a rum drink here and there adds up quickly).
look at the numbers, I know I could have done better, especially with food and drinks.
So how do you make it cheap?
While I might have missed it, not to have. the Virgin Islands Travel is Backpacking never to be rock-bottom cheap or friendly, but with a little planning, it does not have a "luxury only" vacation. My $ 100 per day was comfortable - from tasty fish and never-ending happy hours, snorkeling, white sandy beaches and sailing. However, you can do it cheaper (about $ 70-80 per day), if you learn from my mistakes:
property
This is of his to overcome biggest obstacle. There are few hosts CouchSurfing total no hostels, and in the BVI, hardly any hosts on Airbnb or similar services. With Hotels hundreds of dollars a night costs, it's not a good situation. Here is how the problem addressed:
Couchsurfing - see many hosts in the USVIs and a few on Tortola in the BVI. Since most hosts are usually work on ships, their schedules are unpredictable, and you will have a low response rate, so check well in advance. The downside to this is that if they respond to do, they almost always say yes
But always have a plan B.
Camp -. There are a few campsites on the islands, can reduce costs: Cinnamon Bay (St. John); Ivan (Jost Van Dyke); Reggae Camping (Virgin Gorda); and Anegada Beach Club (a place that you can get a tent). They cost an average of $ 60 per night for a cabin or $ 30-40, if you want your own tent open
Airbnb -. In the USVIs use Airbnb as an alternative to the hotel. Rooms start at around $ 50 per night and are the best choice. Tripping.com is a good alternative for apartments when Airbnb does not work. There are not many apartments in the BVI though, so camping or sleeping is a better option on a boat.
Because the property is so expensive I would not recommend to these islands, go alone . If you do, your expenses will skyrocket. There is a lot going better with a friend so you can split the cost.
On the positive side, each on the islands is friendly and welcoming. The locals' hospitality is incredible: they invite you into their homes, give tours, contact to make friends on other islands, and part of a their family One night, while couchsurfing, our host got his friend Hamish to give us a ride. . back home because our host worked the end we stop on the way, so Hamish could treat us to dinner there was also Oggie who offered us on his boat a point, if we have a place to crash required;. Kirby which we drove around for a day;. and Dan, who took us on his boat for a sail
There is a small community in these islands, and if you are "in" with a few people, they will do what they can connect to their friends on other islands and find places to stay. I was impressed and amazed how hospitable they were strangers
transport
hitchhike -. Taxi prices regulated by the government, are exorbitant ($ 30.10 each way). If you are not careful, you can easily upwards of $ 30 per day to spend in order to get. An alternative is only smoothly. It is the preferred mode of transportation for locals and tourists alike. Since taxis and cars are expensive, share many locals only cars or hitchhike. Doing the same. It is safe and rider groups take
Rent a Car . - If you are going to hit a lot of spots on the larger islands such as Tortola or St. Thomas, you're going hard to get taxis in some of the remote places to find it (they are usually more crowded places to stay). It is better to rent a car in these islands, even at $ 60-80 per day. It will give you more flexibility and if you're splitting costs with friends together, will be cheaper than taxis. My friend and I thought the math at the end of our trip and did not appear to us previously thought
be discontinued Ask -. A day sail, but plan on heading to the next island to? Most tour companies will drop you off at no extra charge, if the island is nearby. There is a free ferry
hitchhike on boats - Do you want to go from island to island? save hitchhiking on boats and thousands of dollars. It is actually easy to do. Here's how
take taxis -. The larger islands such as St. Thomas, St. John, Virgin Gorda and Tortola, have shared taxi services locals use for $ 02.01 each way. They run between major cities and, while rare, are a money-saver if you can get one.
Food & Drink
you cook your meals - The cheapest meal I looked around the islands, was a small sandwich that cost $ 8. Usually $ 12 You get a fish or chicken plate or a burger. For entrees, steaks, fish or seafood, you are looking at $ 20 or more. While food quite expensive usually because they have to be imported, there are some cheap options. Five days worth of food cost me $ 56 and include pasta, chicken, some fruits and vegetables, eggs and bread
Hit Happy Hour -. add $ 8 drinks, although the beds are super hard (tax-free rum!). The happy hour specials are half the size, with many on St. John dollar sale. If you want to join sauced, do it early
to the local venues Stick -. The islands are trucks and small mom-and-pop restaurants on the side of the road filled with foods that take care of locals, not tourists. This street stalls offer great, filling meals for about $ 10. Be sure that the chicken guy to find on the main square in St. Thomas. ! Delicious
activities
Purchase your own snorkeling gear - Snorkel rental costs about $ 10 per day. Bring your own equipment to save money (buy passage to the islands will put you back $ 50 more!) While you are the benefits of offshore snorkeling under
travel in the low season , - October-November and May June prices for hotels, activities and boats are upwards of 50% less than they are in the high season. You get low prices and get the masses to avoid.
The Virgin Islands will never be a $ 50-a-day target, but they must not only remain for cruisers, honeymooners, and the rich, either. I was not able to keep my budget so low as I wanted on the islands to stay, but you could by on $ 70-80 per day, if you pressed it. There is no budget paradise, but you can manage to see all the same things as people and do book the expensive vacation through Expedia and spend hundreds per day, for a fraction of the price.
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