Few islands left on my list in the Caribbean. It took some planning to combine all of them in one trip over 11 days I had available (company mandatory vacation days plus 2 holidays). So on my list were the Bahamas (not part of the Caribbean), Haiti, Dominican republic and Jamaica. I was over optimistic and missed one flight. I got a layover in Miami for 8 hours and big increase in expenses.
As always, below you will find a list of daily reviews with a link to details of events each day. Below you will find a summary of the trip by category, such as transport, accommodation, …
Table of Contents
Daily Review
- Day 1 – Ljubljana-London
- Day 2 – London-Nassau
- Day 3 – Nassau
- Day 4 – Nassau-Cap Haitien
- Day 5 – Cap Haitien-Santo Domingo
- Day 6 – Santo Domingo
- Day 7 – Santo Domingo-Punta Cana
- Day 8 – Punta Cana
- Day 9 – Punta Cana-Miami
- Day 10 – Miami-Kingston
- Day 11 – Kingston
- Day 12 – London-Ljubljana
People
I had great interactions with people on this trip. Only Haiti was intense. I regret I don’t speak Spanish or French, which would help with communication.
London/UK – I was here multiple times. I didn’t have any problems here. I met Gary in a pub, and we had a nice chat. All people I asked for directions were happy to help, from kids to police officers. Most had a good vibe, even the bus driver at 6 a.m.
Nassau/Bahams – here as well, people were helpful, from the bus driver not leaving me on the wrong side, a lady pointing me in the right direction, barber letting me cut line at the barber shop, random person driving me to the liquor shop, entering wrong taxi and stil got to airport. Also, good night out with people at the hostel.
Haiti – Augusnel and other guides were good company. Cap-Haitin didn’t have a good vibe, people were intense, some guy was bumping on the hood of our car, guards with guns at the hotel, other stuff uninterested. Fort Liberte had a much nicer atmosphere.
Dominican Republic – at Dejanbon guid paid 1$ I was missing for a bus ticket. In Santo Domingo, someone bought me a bottle of water. In Punta Cana, personnel helped me find my phone, I played volleyball with a Romanian couple, crazy night with Canadians.
Miami/USA – I met some people late at night at Miami Beach, all of them were expats working there, an interesting crowd.
Kingston/Jamaica – people helped me find a bus station, I had great hosts that helped with money exchange, transportation, food, … The guide at the Marley museum was fun, and other visitors there were singing a lot, also met some interesting people during a night out.
Transport
Transport was big part of my time and budget on this trip as it is now standard for me. So this time I spent on different means of transportation almost 3.000€ (2383 flying, 5€ train, 21€ bus, 455€ car, 111€boat), but this included tours with guid, food, water, …
Flight
Initiali flights were 1643€ (Ljubljana-London-Nassau and Kingston-London-Ljubljana was 1227€ with British Airways; Nassau to Cap Haitien with BahamasAir was 274€; Punta Cana to Kingston I missed Arajet for 142€) but with missed flight I needed detour (Punta Cana – Miami – Kingston for 740€ with AmericanAirlines). So costs went up to 2383€. Best sevice was on British Airways (good service, nice seat on both long flights), next was American Airlines (basic servise, I got row for myself) and last BahamsAir (short flight, no need for anything extra).
As for airports: London-Heathrow I visited multiple times and I just realized now how big it is (4 terminals, passangers 85MIO/yr, not cheap connection to city, bus 10€ and train 25€), but I didn’t like it. Miami airport has 55MIO/yr, nice metro connection to city (2€). London-Gatwick is still medium airport (40MIO/yr) and same transport prices (bus 10€ and train 25€). Nassau airport has 4MIO/yr (crowd at arrival card, no bus at terminal, outside for 2€). Nice Kingston airport had long procedure with forms, where you need vaccination card (2MIO/yr, bus less then 1€). Ljubljana-Brnik is small cozy place (new smoking terrace, 1.5 MIO/yr, bus 12€). Cap Haitien was smallest airport, you walk from an airplane to terminal, at terminal crowd and confusing procedures.
Train
I was on metro and cable car in Santo Domingo, clean not to crowded (for both 15+20 pesos or around 0.5€). In Miami I used metro to get from/to airport, 2.25$ less then 2€ for one ride. Almost 5€.
Bus
In London 3x bus (Heathrow-London-Heathrow and Gatwick-Heathrow, €30). In Nassau I got to city from airport on minibus (2.5$, but paid 5$ or 4.3€ because he didn’t left me on wrong station). I took bus from Dajabon to Santo Domingo (600pesos or 9€, AC on max) and from Santo Domingo to Punta Cana (500pesos or 7.5€, got off at a roundabout). Together 21€.
Car/Motorbike
Sister drove to and from airport in Ljubljana. Somebody drove me in Nassau to liquer store. In Haiti I had guide with car for two days (350$ first day and second day 180$). Together 530$ or 455€, expensive but no alternatives. On motorbike dangerous ride in Haiti as part of that tour and short ride in Dejabon.
Taxi/Uber
I took taxi in Nassau to airport at 5am (40$ or 34€). In Santo Domingo I used Uber once (4.5€). In Punta Cana taxi to airport was 36€ (10€). In Miami I used Uber twice (13€ and 14€) and in Kingston 3 times (10€, 4€ and 10€, it is not completly legal there). Together almost 100€.
Boat
I was on boat trip in Nassau, 4 hours, 111€.
Horse
Last km to Citadelle I was on horse. On return I walked down, beacuse back problems. It was paid as part of tour.
Walk
I walked 124 km in 12 days (average 10km/daily, min 6,5km, max 18,5km). I walked around cities, not just daily visit of attraction, but also long walk outside turistic area, some during the night.
Accommodation
On my first night in London, I didn’t sleep at all, and the next morning I slept a bit on the plane. In the Bahamas, I was 2 nights in a HumesHouse hostel (39€ per night). In Haiti I was in hotel Habitation des Lauries (39€). First night in Santo Domingo I slept in cheap hotel Renacer (10€), next night I rented fancy apartment (88€). In Punta Cana I was at Grand Bavaro Princess restort, paying for all inclusive 136€. In Miami I wasn’t sleeping again. In Kingston I paid for stay at BnB 35€. Last night I slept on airplane.
I spent on accommodation 522€ for 12 say and 11 nights. On average it was less then 50€ per night, but I expereienced diffrent options, like 0€ aka no sleep 3 nights, cheap hotel, average priced options in hostel and BnB and luxury with apartment and resort.
Food and drinks
I started with 3 homemade sandwiches, dinner and breakfast next morning. On flight to Nassau I had 3 meals (snack, breackfast and lunch). I Nassau I ate at Wendy’s (wrap for 9€) and on boat trip (chicken and rice). In Haiti I got lunch (chicken and rice) as part of tour. In dominican republic I ate at McDonald’s (6.8€), chinese restaurant (18€), all you can eat in resort, Burger king (13.2€) in Miami, in Kingston jerk chicken (13€), fries and breakfast. Again on long flight back to Europe 3 meals. people eat mostly chicken and rice or some kind of fast food. In the end food didn’t cost much (60€) as I ate twice a day and mostly it was included in flight, stay, tour …
Water I tried to get for free in airport, hostel. Few times I had to buy it, 2l were around 1.25€. In Santo Domingo somebody bought me a bottle of water? On a boat tour I got free water and cocktail. On tour in Haiti I got water. In resort it was all-inclusive; water, juice, coke, beer, gin tonic. Also I had Coke as part of meal in fast food (in Miami I could refill it, probable had more than lite rof cherry cola). Last drink was at Gatwick, coke for 3€. Interesting drink was soursop juice in Kingston at BnB. So that amounts to aroun 5€
But for sure most time I tried local beer. In London prices were from 6.5€ to 11€. In Nassau 3$ at store 9$ in bar. In Haiti 3$ at hotel. In Dominican republic 3$ at shop, 6$ at bar, free in resort. In Miami I paid from 6$ to 15$. In Kingston 3$ to 9$. Probably around 200€.
Other expenses included cigarettes (from 3,5€ in Haiti to 15.5 in Nassau or 1 cigarette more then 1€ in Kingston). Also souveniers where quite expensive I paid for few things around 40€. That would sum to 100€
Sights
Again mostly part of tour, I paid for church and lighthouse in Santo domingo and Bob Marley musem (expensive). Together less then 30€.
I was already in London few times and it has a lot to offer. This time I was there over night and I wanted to experience nightlife there. I went to pub, club an casino. Not bad but I expected to be more ahppening. Maybe because it was Wednesday. It was nice to see Buckingham palance without any tourists in front. I passed Piccadily circus. Early in the morning I saw fox in middle of the street. During day here you have meny museums, galleries and parks you can enjoy for free.
Bahamas are know for sea activities. In Nassauthere are few interesting spots like a Parliament, Straw market, Queen stairs, … Besides nightlife there I went on boat trip (111€) where we were snorkeling, spotting sea turtles, rested on private beach with swiming pigs. You can visit more islands (some with pink sand), resorts for thousuands of dollars, but I think it wouldn’t enhance my experience.
Haiti is not country to visit at this moment because they have caothic state there. Best option is to go to north side, to Cap-Haitien. Main attraction areCitadelle Laferrier and Palace built by the king. It is a bit of demanding to visit it (car, motor and horse). I didn’t have luck so bad weathe lot of rain (close citadelle and palace). I paid for this tour 350$. It was ridicuilusly overpriced, but there are no alternatives and I wouldn’t feel safe on my own.We drove around Cap Haitien, roads in bad shape, floods, grbage. We passed through old town, sam colonial buildings again in bad shape. From hotel there is great view of city. Next morning we wento Fort Liberte (ruins of fort, and church with park in town). Here things are more relaxed. I hope this country will soon find stability and prosperity.
Santo Domingo as capital of Dominican republic has lot of things to offer. Main attraction is old town (Colonial Zone) with first Americas cathedral (1€), panteon, ruins of monastery, cobbled streets … Outside center you can find Faro de Colombo (mausoleum of Christofer Columbus in shape of cross and with strong beam lights, 3€). Cable car is good option to see city from above or to explore suburbs in the north (0.5€). Punta cana is justh resort area where you enjoy sea, beach and free meals/drinks.
Miami is again by the sea. So Maimi Beach is one of spotts to be, from art deco hotel on Ocean drive to great beaches.In city itself you can find some night life. There are some interesting buildings like Freedom tower, One Thousand museum by Hadid, bull statue. Interesting, there are many chicken wandering around city center.
I was in Jamaica shorted then expected. So beside nightlifr and walk in city only visited thing was Bob Marley museum (25$, expensive bud guide tak it time and in 1.5h he explains many things.
Budget
For budget I will write planned amount I spent 2865€ (2235€ flights, 400€ accommodation, 60€ food, 40€ misc, 30€ sights, 100 ESTA/ETA and eSIM) and amount that was in the end with missed flight and connected costs to around 4000€ (2975€ transport, 522€ accommodation, 60€ food, 200€ drinks, 100€ misc, 30€ sights, 100 ESTA/ETA and eSIM). For my drinking and not being organized I paid more then 1000€.
Weather and packing
In London was cold over night at around 7 degrees Celsius. Otherwise it was 25+ degrees. During the day there could be some showers (worst in Haiti) but you would find cover for few minutes before continuing.
So again I packed minimum, small backpack, 5kg. I had few sets of T-shirt, underware and socks, towel, bathing, suit, flip-flops, toiletries, electronics, documents. I was wearing breadable long trousers, hoodie, sneakers and that was it. Once I had to wash my clothes.
Visas and telecommunication
I live in Slovenia so as citizen of EU I didn’t need visa anywhere. But I needed ETA(app, 20€) for GB, ESTA for USA (36€) and surprisingly for Jamaica proof that I was vaccinated for polio, measles and rubella!!! I didn’t have it but it worked out as I was there one instead of 3 days. I was vaccinated for those things almost 50 years ago. It would be hard to get that paper, but I could get vaccinated again. For most of countries you need to fill arrival form, some have it online, some you get on flight, some you fill on terminal.
For communications I use internet (Viber, Whatsapp, …). For that you need eSIM, I used Airalo (Carribean 27€, Dominican republik 4€, USA 4€).