Five weeks in the Caribbean… sounds like a dream, right?
Unless you’re the one footing the bill – and wondering if paradise comes with a side of debt.
When I started trying to figure out how much a trip like this might cost, I found a whole lot of Instagram sunsets and very little actual maths. Whether that’s because not many people do it, or they just don’t like talking numbers – who knows. But here’s what I do know: the Caribbean has a reputation for luxury. And sure, you can explore it at that level (hello infinity pools and cocktails with flowers in them). But we usually live in a van, so… luxury for us is a shower that isn’t coin-operated.
Why we chose Saint Lucia (over other Caribbean islands)
The first question we kept getting was: Why Saint Lucia? And why for so long?
Well, it boils down to one word: Brexit. (That, and the fact that UK winters are a damp, grey test of emotional endurance.)
We usually travel in our trusty campervan, Frank. But with the best will in the world, van life in January in the UK is less cosy Pinterest dream and more why are my socks always wet?
Since we’d already burned through our 90 Schengen days gallivanting around France and Spain at the end of 2024, we were in a bit of a travel pickle. Mr. Rick had a big birthday coming up, and we did consider the classic all-inclusive resort splurge… but dropping several grand for two weeks in a fancy hotel felt like a hard pass — especially when we’re used to cooking pasta out of a van sink.
So we went back to basics.
- Where was hot?
- Where could we rent an apartment and live self-sufficiently?
- And where had enough to keep two adults and a busy toddler entertained for five weeks?
After a lot of research (and probably too many Google Sheets), Saint Lucia came out on top.
Breaking down our Saint Lucia expenses
We knew five weeks in the Caribbean wasn’t going to be a “budget backpacker” experience – but we also weren’t about to splash out on resort life just because it was sunny. Once we decided on Saint Lucia, the next big question was: Can we actually afford this?
Spoiler: yes, but with some planning, spreadsheets, and a few reality checks (looking at you, £11 strawberries 😬). We tracked every expense – groceries, car hire, toddler snacks, and the occasional indulgent meal – so we could share a real, honest look at what this kind of trip actually costs.
Here’s what two adults + one toddler spent living semi-comfortably in paradise for 5 weeks:
Accommodation – £1,395.18
We stayed in a self-catering Airbnb apartment. Booking a longer stay helped us get a weekly/monthly discount, and we purposely went for a place with a kitchen, WiFi, and toddler-safe layouts (no cliffs, no infinity pools… sob).
Groceries & meals out – £1,284.32
- Groceries: £426.44
- Meals/treats out: £857.88
We cooked a lot (our Airbnb frying pan was practically family by the end), but we also made room for fresh seafood, roti’s on the beach, and the occasional “we’re too tired to cook” dinner. Grocery prices were surprisingly steep. A bag of granola cost five times the amount in the UK and came with a free existential crisis!
Transport – £1,541.27
- Car Hire: £1,209.16
- Fuel: £103.22
- Taxis/transfers: £228.89
Car hire isn’t cheap in Saint Lucia – but having wheels gave us the freedom to explore hidden beaches, chase sunsets, and avoid carrying five bags of groceries up steep roads in tropical heat. Worth. Every. Penny. We balanced it with some local taxis when we weren’t driving, and these costs also include our airport transfers.
Entertainment – £722.86
This covered everything from volcano mud baths to boat rides, nature trails, and a few treat-yourself moments. Some activities were free, but we wanted to do stuff, not just exist in a ‘Netflix and nap’ routine.
Shopping & extras – £43.90
- Shopping extras: £8.12
- Miscellaneous: £35.78
Mostly small bits – think bug spray, homemade anklets from street vendors, random bits from the supermarket that don’t fit anywhere else but somehow ended up in the trolley.
Laundry & utilities – £0.00
Shoutout to the washing machine filter on Airbnb searches. This was one thing we weren’t prepared to scrimp on and it paid off. Utilities were included in the rent (zero spend there!), and we didn’t overpack – miracles do happen.
Flights – £1,695.34
We flew from the UK to Saint Lucia (return) for just under £1.7k total for two adults + one toddler (read our post about whether you should take a car seat on the plane here). Booked 4 months ahead via British Airways. Not the cheapest, but direct and toddler-tolerable.
Grand total
- Total (in-country spend only): £4,987.53
- Total (including flights): £6,682.87
Here’s a visual breakdown of our spending to give you a quick overview:
Was it worth it? Our honest verdict
What do you think – more than you expected or less? With 14 nights at an all-inclusive resort ranging anywhere from £4,696 to a jaw-dropping £17,339 for two adults and a toddler, we think we did okay. Especially when you consider that those prices usually don’t include excursions, entertainment, or car hire. We got five weeks of sunshine, exploration, and family time – without needing to sell a kidney or two!
So, was it worth it? Every penny we spent in Saint Lucia bought us more than sunshine and sandy toes. It bought slow mornings with coffee on the balcony, wild toddler giggles in the surf, and the kind of family memories you can’t budget for. Sure, van life might be our usual groove, but five weeks on island time reminded us that travel doesn’t have to be all or nothing – it can be creative, intentional, and still wildly rewarding. And if you’re wondering whether the Caribbean can be done without the luxury price tag? The answer is yes – with spreadsheets, a little planning, and a toddler who thinks coconuts are treasure, it absolutely can.
Do you think a trip to the Caribbean is affordable for families? Share your own travel experiences or let me know if you have any questions — I’m here to chat!
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