How to Save Money (and How Not to Save) in the Virgin Islands in 2026

Budget travel is like a puzzle to me. I travel the world putting the pieces together, trying to turn the world’s most expensive destinations into budget-friendly destinations.

I’ve been able to make them inexpensively in Iceland, Japan, Sweden and even Norway.

Of course, sometimes we fail. Like when I went to Bermuda, it was a country where the power of luxury travel was so great that I couldn’t beat it.

Unfortunately, we failed again when we came to the US and British Virgin Islands.

There are ways to make these islands somewhat affordable, but my visits made me realize that these islands will never be a true budget destination. There are too many rich people, tax havens and yachts, and the focus is primarily on mid-budget and luxury travelers.

But that doesn’t mean every Hope is gone.

there is portion How to keep costs down and avoid spending hundreds of dollars a day — which is what most people do here!

By following a few guidelines, you can have fun on the island and still stay within budget. Here’s everything you need to know to save money in the Virgin Islands.

How much did the island cost?

After sailing for 22 days, I spent a total of $2,255.75 USD. This averages out to approximately $102 USD per day. That’s pretty bad compared to my goal of $50 per day. I was surprised when I saw the math.

Sure, I splurged a bit as my itinerary included a few hotels and fine dining, but considering I also received several free nights, I didn’t realize how much extra I had. Here’s how the money was analyzed (in USD):

• activity: $140
• lodging: $714.50
• drink: $216
• transit: $228
• taxi: $260.50
• food: $635.75
• Others (visa, sunscreen): $61

Why did I spend so much money?

Although we were able to board the boat and stay for free, the lack of accommodation to fit our budget actually drove up our housing costs. Even with hotel costs shared, some nights we ended up paying US$60. A flight to St. Thomas with a last minute change of plans and baggage fees cost me an extra $80 USD.

And while I did a little cooking, I ate as much delicious food as I could on Thanksgiving, ate a lot of seafood (too much lobster!), and bought drinks for my Couchsurfing hosts (a rum here and there adds up quickly).

Looking at the numbers, they could have done a little better with the food and drinks (but not by much).

So how can you do it cheaper?

I may have failed to go over budget, but I don’t have to. A trip to the Virgin Islands will never be the cheapest or backpacker-friendly, but with a little planning, it doesn’t have to be a “luxury” vacation.

From delicious fish, endless happy hours, and snorkeling to white sand beaches and sailing, $100 USD per day was comfortable. But if you learn from my mistakes, you can do it cheaper (about $75-85 USD per day). Here are some ways to save money while in the BVI.

lodging

This will be the biggest obstacle to overcome. There are few Couchsurfing hosts, no hostels, and Airbnb (or similar services) have a limited but growing number of hosts.

The situation is not good, as hotel prices run into hundreds of dollars per night. Here’s how to attack the problem:

Couchsurf– If you check early you can find hosts in the USVI and hosts in Tortola, BVI. Considering most hosts tend to work from boats, their schedules will be irregular and response rates will be low, so be sure to ask in advance (especially since couchsurfing has also declined in recent years). The flip side of that is that when they do respond, they almost always say yes.

But always have a plan B.

camp – There are several campgrounds on the island that can keep costs down: Cinnamon Bay (St. John), Ivan’s White Bay (Jost Van Dyke), and Mt. Victory Camp (St. Croix). Cabins cost an average of $75 USD per night, or $25-40 USD if you want to pitch your own tent. It’s not fancy, but it’s cheap if you already have your own equipment.

Airbnb – Try Airbnb as an alternative to hotels. If you book early, rooms start at around $65-75 USD per night. This is your best choice for budget accommodation. However, this is only possible if you book early.

If you can’t find a cheap Airbnb and don’t have a tent for camping, sleeping on a boat is the next best option.

If you are on a tight budget, I would not recommend visiting the island alone. It is much better to go with a friend as you can split the cost of accommodation.

The good thing is that everyone on the island is friendly and welcoming. Locals will often invite travelers into their homes, give you rides, connect you with friends on other islands, and make you part of their family. For example, while couchsurfing one night, the host called his friend Hamish and asked him to give him a ride home because the host was at work. We stopped along the way so Hamish could treat us to dinner.

There was also Oggie who offered us a place on his boat when we needed a place to crash. Kirby, who drove us around for the day; And Dan, who took us on the boat for the voyage.

It’s a small community on the island, and once you “get in” with a few people, they’ll do their best to connect you with friends on other islands and find you a place to stay. I was impressed and surprised by how welcoming they were to strangers.

transit

Here’s everything you need to know about how to travel to the Virgin Islands on a budget.

hitchhike – Government regulated taxi prices are exorbitant. If you’re not careful, you can easily spend $30-50 USD or more per day just walking around.

The alternative is to just hitch it. It is the preferred mode of transportation for both locals and tourists. Taxis and cars are expensive, so many locals share cars or hitchhike. Do the same. It is safe and drivers travel in groups. Check out Hitchwiki for up-to-date information and advice on hitchhiking.

rent a car – Tortola or St. If you’re planning to visit many places on the bigger islands like Thomas, it may be difficult to catch a taxi in some of the more remote areas (taxis tend to stay in more crowded places). Renting a car gives you more flexibility and is cheaper than a taxi if you share the cost with a friend. My friend and I figured out the math by the end of the trip and were kicking ourselves for not thinking about it sooner.

Expect to pay $50-70 USD per day for a small car. For the best rental car prices, use Discover Cars.

Ask to get off – Are you planning to head to the next island after sailing for a day? If the island is nearby, most tour operators can drop you off at no additional cost. It’s like a free ferry!

Hitchhiking on a boat – Do you want to go from island to island? Hitchhike on a boat and save thousands of dollars. In reality, it’s easier than you think. Here’s how:

Take a shared taxi – On larger islands such as St. Thomas, St. John, Virgin Gorda and Tortola, there are shared taxi services that locals can use for a few dollars each way. They travel between major cities and, although rare, can save you money if you can get them.

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Here’s everything you need to know to save money on food and drinks while exploring the island.

cook a meal – The cheapest meal I saw around the island was a small sandwich for $9. Typically, you can get a fish, chicken, or burger for US$10-20. Expect to pay upwards of $20 USD for a main course, steak, fish, or seafood.

Groceries tend to be quite expensive because they have to be imported, but there are cheaper options. The cost of food for five days was around US$65 and included pasta, chicken, some fruits and vegetables, eggs, and bread. If you have a kitchen, it can be cheaper to cook your own meals.

Have a happy hour – Even if you pour too much, a drink will cost you $8-10 USD (rum duty free!). Happy hour specials are half that price, and many bars in Saint John offer dollar specials. If you want to get the sauce, do it early.

Stick to local venues – The island is full of food trucks and small roadside restaurants that cater to locals rather than tourists. This roadside stand serves up a hearty, filling meal for around $10 USD. Be sure to look for the chickens in St. Thomas’ main square. delicious!

activity

Activities and travel can really destroy your budget here. Here are some tips to keep costs low:

Buy your own snorkeling equipment – Snorkeling rentals cost approximately $10 USD per day. Bring your own equipment to save money while taking advantage of offshore snorkeling opportunities. Prices here are inflated, so it will be cheaper to buy equipment at home than on the island.

travel during shoulder season – In October-November and May-June, prices for hotels, activities and boat rentals are more than 50% cheaper than during peak season. The price is cheap and you can avoid crowded places.

Use points and miles – Cash in your points for cheap flights or free hotel stays. Doing either will save you a ton of money on your trip and allow you to enjoy the water without breaking the bank. If you’re new to the topic, you can learn more about points and miles here.

While on the island, we weren’t able to keep our budget as low as we wanted. But that doesn’t mean you have to make the same mistakes. With a little planning, visiting with a friend and following the advice above, you can get by on $75-85 USD per day.

While visiting the Virgin Islands is by no means a budget paradise, you can still see and enjoy the same things as those who book an expensive vacation through Expedia and spend hundreds of dollars a day for a fraction of the price. You just have to be smart about it and plan ahead.

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