5 budget beach trips: these Caribbean getaways offer more to do than just lounging poolside with a margarita. The best part—each one costs $150 a night or less
Elaine GlusacThe term "Caribbean vacation" evokes images of lazing away on a gorgeous (and fairly pricey) beach with nothing more to do than worry about what time you'll eat dinner. Why limit yourself? We've found some adventure-packed islands where you can relax and work in some exercise--without spending a small fortune.
SNORKEL + SPA ESCAPE
Vieques, Puerto Rico
Just off the east coast of Puerto Rico (and only a $2 ferry ride) sits the island of Vieques, home to the largest wildlife refuge in the Caribbean: nearly 18,000 acres on a former U.S. Navy practice base.
Budget travel tip A bargain hunter's dream, the island's accommodations are largely inexpensive guesthouses. Check into a suite with kitchenette at Casa La Lanchita from $90 a night (800-774-4717, viequeslalanchita.com).
Get moving! Bring your snorkel and mask and make the short channel swim to Isla Chiva off Blue Beach to view Technicolor reef life.
Can't miss Vieques' most famous attraction appears after dark in the "Bio-Bay," so named for the sea life that glows at night. Check it out with Blue Caribe Kayaks, which leads paddling tours and night dips into the bay ($30; 787-741-2522, enchanted-isle.com/bluecaribe).
Pamper yourself The island's sole full-scale luxury resort, Martineau Bay Resort & Spa, houses a spa with outdoor massage pavilions facing the sea. The signature massage includes a super-hydrating scalp treatment (from $120; 787-741-4100, starwoodhotels.com).
For more information, go to viequesisland.com.
LUSH ECO-TRIP
St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands
Lushly carpeted in tropical forest, St. John is largely protected as a national park, making the U.S. territory an eco-lover's island. There's only one significant town, Cruz Bay, and countless inviting coves and hills to explore.
Budget travel tip At the earth-minded Maho Bay Camps canvas-roofed platform cottages (which look like glorified tents) sit right above the beach and go for $75 per night (800-392-9004, maho.org). Guests share centralized bathhouses in the complex built on hillside pillars to prevent erosion.
Get moving! Follow the do-it-yourself snorkeling "trail" with submerged signposts in Trunk Bay, a protected marine reserve (call 340-776-6201 for info).
Can't miss Park rangers lead guided hikes down the 2.5-mile Reef Bay trail deep into the forest, ending with a dip in the waters of a remote south-shore beach. The outing fills up fast, so reserve in advance ($42 for transportation; 340-776-6201, nps.gov/viis).
Pamper yourself Lodged in an isolated hilltop bungalow, the Self Centre at the upscale Caneel Bay resort offers mind-body workshops that include Breathwalk sessions, meditation and partner yoga beginning at $35 (340-776-6111, caneelbay.com/selfcentre.cfm).
For more information, go to usvitourism.vi.
WELCOME SECLUSION
Nevis
With a population of 11,000 and few developments, you'll see more island than islanders on this 36-square-mile island.
Budget travel tip Stay among the former sugar farms on Mount Nevis at Golden Rock Plantation Inn for $150 a night (869-469-3346, www.golden-rock.com).
Get moving! Lope on horseback through tiny villages and along unspoiled beaches with the Nevis Equestrian Centre ($55; 869-469-8118, ride nevis.com). If horsepower's not your speed, take a two- to three-hour fat-tire bike ride over old plantation trails with Windsurf'n' Mountain Bike Nevis ($55; 869-469-9682, mountainbikenevis.com).
Can't miss Sign up for the day-long, guided excursion to the top of Nevis Peak with Top to Bottom tours ($30; 869-469-9080, walknevis.com). The route can get muddy as it winds up and through the cloud-shrouded rain forest but rewards you with exhilarating views at the top.
Pamper yourself Get bikini-prepped with a mango sea salt glow at the Spa at the Four Seasons Resort Nevis ($110; 869-469-1111, fourseasons.com/nevis).
For more information, go to nevisisland.com.
PARK PARADISE
Dominica
Fans of this densely rain-forested island (with 365 rivers!) love that it has remained unspoiled and hotel-chain-free.
Budget travel tip For solitude and stellar meals, lodge at one of four Crescent Moon Cabins, where the chef/proprietor grows all his own organic produce ($115; 767-449-3449, crescentmooncabins.com).
Get moving! Trek through Morne Trois Piton National Park to Boiling Lake, a six- to seven-hour journey over challenging, often rainy ridges, past sulfur springs and steaming vents to the geothermally heated roiling lake. The trail is marked, but Ken's Hinterland Adventure Tours will guide you ($50 per person with a minimum of four; 866-880-0508, kenshinterlandtours.com).
Can't miss Take a guided kayak/snorkel trip to Champagne Reef, where volcanic vents under the seafloor issue steady streams of bubbles ($55; 767-449-8181, natureislanddive.com).
Pamper yourself Give your feet a rest by taking the 90-minute Rain Forest Aerial Tram ($55; 305-704-3350, rainforesttram.com). It's better than any spa treatment.
For more information, go to ndcdominica.dm.
NATURE'S HAVEN
Tobago
The shy sister to neighboring cosmopolitan island Trinidad, sleepy Tobago is 100 square miles of mountainous green. Named "bellaforma" or "beautiful form" by Christopher Columbus, Tobago is rugged and little developed.
Budget travel tip Kariwak Village Holistic Haven and Hotel grows veggies for the table and offers complimentary morning yoga and tai chi (rooms from $90 a night; 868-639-8442, kariwak.co.tt). To explore the island, rent a Jeep for about $45 per day.
Get moving! Join guide Harris McDonald for a walk through the rain forest to spot the white-tailed sabre-wings for which Tobago is famous ($45; 868-639-0513, harris-jungletours.com).
Can't miss A northbound current from the Orinoco River in Venezuela south of Tobago feeds the reefs that surround the island, resulting in healthy manta ray colonies, 44 species of coral and the world's biggest brain coral on record (12 feet high and 16 feet across). See it all with Frank's Glass Bottom Boat Tours ($20; 868-660-5438).
Pamper yourself Get a skin-smoothing and hydrating facial at the Hilton Tobago (from $35; 868-660-8500, hiltoncaribbean.com/tobago).
For more information, go to visit tnt.com.
ELAINE GLUSAC is a freelance writer in Chicago.
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