Prices in the country: how much does life cost in the Caribbean?
There is an opinion that the Caribbean is a place purely for luxury travelers. In fact, the Caribbean region includes 30 countries: some of them are on the brink of survival, others have a very high standard of living. In general, local prices cannot be called low. But, for example, a trip to the Bahamas or the Dominican Republic will cost more than to Jamaica, Cuba or Haiti. In this article, Prian.ru decided to consider the cost of living in the Caribbean using the example of one of the most developed countries in the region – Saint Kitts and Nevis.
Saint Kitts and Nevis belongs to one of 13 independent states of the Caribbean region, which is located on two islands. Among the other 29 countries there are also possessions of the USA, France, Great Britain and the Netherlands. The minimum wage here is high relative to other points in the archipelago – almost $ 3 per hour, and the average salary is about $ 1,200 per month. Therefore, prices are higher than, for example, in Cuba or in the Dominican Republic.
Here you have your own currency: East Caribbean dollar (XCD), but you can also pay with more familiar US dollars. Yes, and the main language is English, so there will be no problems communicating with local residents.
Living expenses
Purchase. The cost of one-room apartments on the islands of St. Kitts and Nevis starts at $ 120,000, and a small house will cost about $ 230,000 – 250,000. For $ 350,000, you can buy an old villa with a plantation. And although for such money her condition will not be the best, but at your disposal is a large plot where you can organize your household.
The advantage of acquiring housing on these islands is the ability to obtain a second citizenship within four months after the conclusion of the transaction. Moreover, citizenship along with the owner of the property is also received by all family members and relatives.
Over the past 10 years, more than 10,000 passports of Saint Kitts and Nevis have been issued. The program involved citizens of 127 countries, but the most active investors are from Europe and Asia.
Rent. To rent a one-room apartment in Baster – the capital of Saint Kitts and Nevis – will cost $ 600 – 800, depending on the area of the city. Three-room – at $ 1,200 – 2,000. About the same prices in Antigua and Barbuda – literally $ 100 – 200 cheaper.
Renting a short-term rental will also cost a pretty penny: the cheapest room is around $ 40 – 50 per night.
Communal payments. For a spacious apartment (heating, electricity, water, garbage collection), get ready to pay monthly between $ 160 – 190. Home unlimited Internet will cost an average of $ 60 – 80.
Transport and communications
Public transport. In St. Kitts and Nevis, a network of buses and fixed-route taxis is developed. One trip will cost $ 0.5 – 2.5, depending on the type of vehicle and the distance of the route. There is a railway along the coast, in each city there are ports, the largest of which are in Baster on St. Kitts and Charlestown on Nevis. Between the islands of the state, you can easily travel by ferry.
Auto:
Renting a car costs at least $ 30 per day, depending on the make and condition of the car.
The base purchase price for a Volkswagen golf type car (1.4 liter engine) is $ 30,000. A liter of gasoline costs $ 4.
Taxis on the islands are also expensive – only an average $ 12 will be taken from you for boarding.
Communication Saint Kitts and Nevis has three mobile standards: GSM 850, GSM 900/1900 and TDMA, represented by four local operators. Payphones are everywhere installed, from which you can call abroad. Cards for payment can be purchased at almost any store or pharmacy. A minute on a mobile phone costs about $ 0.3, and unlimited mobile Internet costs $ 40. The country also has a well-developed network of Internet cafes.
Food and clothing
Supermarkets Food prices are far from the lowest, because the big question is which is more profitable: cook on your own or still visit local cafes. The average cost of products in Baster stores:
Milk (1 liter) – $ 3.5 – 4
Local cheese (1 kg) – $ 6 – 12
Fresh bread (500 grams) – $ 3 – 3.5
Eggs (12 pieces) – $ 3 – 3.3
Chicken Breast (1 kg) – $ 8
Water (1.5 liters) – $ 2.5
Wine (bottle) – $ 15 – 20
Beer – $ 2 – 4
White rice (1 kg) – $ 3
Tomatoes (1 kg) – $ 3.5 – 4
Potato (1 kg) – $ 2
Apples (1 kg) – $ 7 – 8
Oranges (1 kg) – $ 4
Salad (1 head) – $ 2
Restaurants and cafes. Dine in an inexpensive cafe – about $ 10 per person. Moreover, looking at a fast food restaurant such as McDonalds, you will save a little: a complex like McMeal will cost $ 9 – 12 here. To drink a cappuccino, make another $ 4, and a bottle of Pepsi – $ 2. A three-course dinner in a more expensive restaurant for two will cost about $ 65-70 (excluding drinks).
Traditional dishes in the Caribbean – seafood in various variations, accompanied by vegetables and rice. But also local residents willingly cook poultry, pork, lamb, peas and potatoes. Desserts are mostly fruit.
Clothing. Going to the Caribbean, remember that many countries here belong to the duty-free zone. The best islands for shopping are Barbados, Jamaica, Antigua, Aruba, Martinique, Grand Cayman.
