Choose your island wisely. Airfare is one of the key expenses of any Caribbean trip, and some islands are much easier — and cheaper — to get to than others. For the lowest fares from the U.S., look for destinations served by low-cost carriers such as Jet Blue Montego Bay and Barbados and Spirit Aruba. Keep in mind that more competition usually leads to lower fares; you’ll pay less to fly to Jamaica, which is served by dozens of airlines, than you will to fly to an island like Dominica, which only has a handful of connecting flights on a few airlines.

Check the cost of living. Don’t just look at the cost of airfare; dig deeper to see which islands are less expensive once you’re there. The Dominican     Republic. has some of the region’s lowest hotel and resort rates, while a place like St. Barth’s, known for upscale tourism, will be harder on your wallet. Keep in mind that some less developed islands that are a little harder to get to may make up for the higher airfare with lower costs for lodging and food.

3. Evaluate the exchange rate. The exchange rate can also play a role in how much you pay for your Caribbean vacation. For U.S. travelers, choosing an island where the local currency is pegged to the U.S. dollar at a fixed rate (rather than an island that uses a variable currency such as the euro) can help you better estimate your costs and avoid being penalized when the U.S. dollar weakens against other world c

4. Consider a cruise. If you’re interested in visiting more than one island, a cruise can offer excellent bang for your buck by bundling accommodations, transportation, and meals into one affordable rate. These days you can find Caribbean cruise fares for less than $100 per person, per night. If you live on the East Coast, you may even be able to drive to a nearby home-port, such as Baltimore, New York, Miami, or Charleston, and cruise all the way down to the Caribbean without even having to fly. Visit www.irietropicalbuzz.com .