How to Get that Tropical Vacation for Less

The Caribbean is hardly known for being a low-cost winter vacation spot. Rooms can start around $700 a night and in some places easily reach four figures. Travel to these hot spots is no different, with flights approaching $1000 per person.

But that doesn't mean there are no bargains to be found. In fact with a little research and planning you can take this trip without breaking the bank or maxing out your credit card. New airlines like JetBlue have entered this market and are offering flights for around half the cost of other airlines (around $258 per person). JetBlue now offers flights to the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic, the Bahamas, Cancun, Mexico and Aruba. Spirit Airlines entered the market this year with flights from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida to 12 Caribbean destinations as well as seasonal nonstop from La Guardia to the Bahamas (around $158 per person).

The new traffic hasn't gone without notice by the larger airlines that have begun lowering their flight costs. Following is an itinerary that will show you how you can bask in the sun without paying the bill long after your tan fades.

St. John and Eleuthera

St. John is known as one the most pristine Virgin Islands but that doesn't mean you need to spend $350 a night to sleep there. On the north coast you can find Cinnamon Bay Campgrounds, where you can rent a tent for $86 a night or bring your own for only $27 a night. If you don't like the idea of a tent on the sand you can get a cottage for $119 a night. The campgrounds Lizard Tree restaurant offers cheap meals ranging from $5-50 per meal. Flights online range from $400 to $500 if you are flying out of NY.

Eleuthera, although it may not be the first island to spring to mind, it offers a few cheap opportunities. They offer cottages at Surfer's Haven starting at only $25 a night. Cambridge restaurants offer meals ranging from $5-15.

Aruba and Celubra

In Aruba, MVC Eagle Beach offers a hotel room for $119 a night and that includes breakfast. It is much less congested then Palm Beach and their restaurant offers dishes for under $15. Flights on JetBlue from NY run between $400 and $500 and the island offers bus service for only $2 per trip.

Celubra, is a quiet island off the Puerto Rican coast that is not as heavily traveled as some of the more popular islands. The island's main town, Dewey, offers hotels for around $119 a night and is full of restaurants ranging from $15-25.

Remember, when you are looking at these vacations, you don't have to sleep in the fanciest hotels, or fly the most expensive airlines to enjoy yourself. Don't forget to bargain shop with bundled hotel and airfare packages but be careful when shopping bargain websites so as not to spend your holiday on layover instead of on the beach. Book your flight and hotel rooms ahead of time, to save money and try to go on non-commercial weekends. Late February and early March seem to be the best time to look into going on vacation as its not yet into spring break season.