The 15 Cheapest Islands to Visit Right Now

Island dreams do not have to drain a savings account. Right now there are dozens of sun soaked escapes where clean rooms start under 40 a night and street food dinners rarely top 10. Low cost flights and short ferries make these spots easy to reach, and longer stays often unlock even better weekly rates. Travel in the shoulder months to score calm beaches, warm water, and friendly prices without the peak season crowds. Scooters, buses, and simple guesthouses keep daily costs low while leaving room for splurges like a snorkeling trip or a cable car ride. This list pulls together the islands that deliver the most value today, with clear tips on when to go, what to budget, and how to make every dollar work harder.

Langkawi, Malaysia

Langkawi pairs calm beaches with Malaysia’s wallet friendly prices. Fly into Langkawi International from Kuala Lumpur and you are on Pantai Cenang in minutes. Simple guesthouses and homestays often start in the low 30s per night, and midrange beachfront stays commonly land between 60 and 90. Street food dinners come in under 5 per person if you order roti, laksa, and iced tea. Rent a scooter for a few dollars a day and ride to Temurun Waterfall or the mangroves at Kilim Geoforest Park. The best deals land from May to early July and again in September when crowds thin and rates drop.

Phu Quoc, Vietnam

Phu Quoc is an easy add on from Ho Chi Minh City with multiple daily flights. The island has miles of beaches where you can still book clean rooms in the 25 to 45 range. Beachfront boutique hotels frequently run off season promos that dip below 80 including breakfast. A bowl of bun quay or a seafood plate at the night market rarely breaks 6 to 10. Take the cable car to Hon Thom for the views, then hunt for sunset on Ong Lang Beach. Aim for October to December or late March to May for fewer crowds and better prices.

Koh Lanta, Thailand

Koh Lanta stays relaxed while other Thai islands go full party. From Krabi Airport, a van and short ferry will get you there without stress. Basic bungalows near Long Beach still hover around 20 to 40 per night, and stylish small resorts often fall in the 60 to 100 band outside peak holidays. Pad thai, grilled fish, and mango sticky rice at roadside spots keep dinners under 8. Spend free days snorkeling at Koh Rok or exploring Mu Ko Lanta National Park. November through early December and late April bring great weather with softer rates.

Siargao, Philippines

Siargao blends surf culture with friendly prices. Fly via Cebu or Manila into Sayak Airport and base yourself near General Luna. Fan rooms and hostels often start in the low 20s, and modern studios usually sit between 45 and 75. A solid meal of chicken inasal, pancit, and a fruit shake usually runs 4 to 7. Rent a scooter to reach Magpupungko Rock Pools at low tide and take a cheap island hopping tour to Naked, Daku, and Guyam. Visit from March to May or October to mid December for warm water and value deals.

Lombok, Indonesia

Lombok gives you volcanic scenery and white sand beaches for far less than you expect. Land at Zainuddin Abdul Madjid International and head to Kuta or Senggigi. Simple rooms are still found in the 18 to 35 bracket and stylish boutique hotels often sit between 50 and 90 with breakfast. Nasi campur lunches are 2 to 4 and fresh grilled seafood dinners are 6 to 10. Hike to Tiu Kelep and Sendang Gile waterfalls, and take a boat to the budget friendly Gili islands for a day of snorkeling. The best prices hit in May to June and September to early November.

Nusa Penida, Indonesia

Nusa Penida is a short boat ride from Bali but feels a world away. Guesthouses near Toya Pakeh and Crystal Bay often list for 22 to 40 per night. Newer boutique stays with pools usually land between 60 and 100 and still feel like a deal. Warungs plate up mie goreng, satay, and fresh juice for under 6. Hire a scooter or driver to see Kelingking, Broken Beach, and Atuh, then snorkel with manta rays at Manta Point. Travel in shoulder months like May and October for smooth seas and low rates.

Penang, Malaysia

Penang is technically an island and a perfect budget choice if you love food and heritage. Fly into Penang International or ride the train to Butterworth and hop the ferry. Heritage hotels in George Town sometimes dip to 45 to 80 in the off season and hostels are widely available in the teens. Hawker center feasts of char kway teow, nasi kandar, and cendol come in at 2 to 5 per dish. Most murals and temples are free or very cheap to visit, and Rapid Penang buses keep transport costs low. Go from April to early June or September to November for lighter crowds.

Zanzibar, Tanzania

Zanzibar offers turquoise water and budget stays if you plan well. Fly into Abeid Amani Karume International from Nairobi, Doha, or Dar es Salaam, then base in Jambiani or Paje for better rates. Guesthouses often sit in the 30 to 60 window and comfortable beachfront lodges are common around 80 to 120 with breakfast. Swahili curries, grilled octopus, and fresh fruit juices in local restaurants are usually 5 to 10. Spend slow days on the beach, tour Jozani Forest to see red colobus monkeys, and wander historic Stone Town. The sweet spot for prices and weather is June and again from September to November.

Djerba, Tunisia

Djerba blends North African culture with easy beach days on a budget. Arrive via Djerba Zarzis International or ferry from the mainland. Family run hotels and apartments often list for 25 to 50 per night, while resorts in the Zone Touristique run frequent specials between 70 and 110. Plates of brik, couscous, and mint tea rarely exceed 6 to 9. Explore the El Ghriba Synagogue, ride out to Houmt Souk’s markets, and relax on Sidi Mahres Beach. Visit in April to early June or late September to October for mellow temperatures and strong deals.

Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain

Tenerife can be surprisingly affordable if you target local style stays. Low cost carriers fly into both TFS and TFN, and buses are reliable and cheap. Self catering apartments in Los Cristianos, Puerto de la Cruz, or La Laguna frequently range from 40 to 80 outside holidays. Menu del día lunches can be 10 to 14 and guachinche restaurants serve generous plates for less than tourist areas. Hike parts of Teide National Park for free views and swim at natural lava pools along the north coast. Prices drop in May to June and in late September before winter season begins.

Crete, Greece

Crete is Greece’s largest island and stretches your budget if you avoid peak August. Fly into Heraklion or Chania where buses connect easily to beach towns. Pensions and small hotels often sit between 35 and 70 in shoulder season, and family run apartments with kitchenettes are common. Gyros, dakos salad, and local wines keep dinners in the 10 to 18 range per person. Spend your days hiking the Samaria or Imbros gorges and visiting Elafonissi or Balos without paying resort prices. The best value arrives in May to early June and late September to October.

Sal, Cape Verde

Sal delivers simple beach fun with low package and on island prices. Flights from Lisbon and select European hubs arrive at Amílcar Cabral International. Guesthouses and apart hotels in Santa Maria commonly sit in the 40 to 75 band and all inclusive deals can be competitive out of season. Grilled catch of the day, cachupa, and local beer often come in under 12 for a full meal. Walk everywhere in Santa Maria, take a budget taxi to Kite Beach, and float in the salt pools at Pedra de Lume. Visit November to December or March to June for steady sun and friendly rates.

Utila, Honduras

Utila is a Central American favorite for divers on a budget. Reach it by ferry from La Ceiba or by small plane, then base in Utila Town. Dorms start in the teens and private rooms often land between 30 and 60, with many dive shops offering discounted lodging when you book courses. Baleadas and baleada supreme keep meals in the 3 to 6 range, and happy hour sunsets are practically free. Snorkel off Chepes Beach and look for whale sharks in season. The best combination of visibility and prices arrives from March to May and again in September.

San Andrés, Colombia

San Andrés mixes Caribbean water with Colombian prices. Fly from Bogotá, Medellín, or Panama City and consider staying in guesthouses away from the main strip. Expect 35 to 70 for clean rooms and 80 to 120 for comfortable boutique hotels with breakfast. A plate of coconut rice, fried fish, and patacones usually runs 8 to 12. Rent a golf cart to lap the island, swim at Rocky Cay, and take a cheap boat to Johnny Cay for the day. Travel in late April to June or September to early November for value and manageable weather.

Ometepe, Nicaragua

Ometepe sits in Lake Nicaragua and might be the best bargain on this list for nature lovers. From Managua, reach Rivas, then ferry across to Moyogalpa or San José del Sur. Hostels and homestays commonly run 10 to 25, and comfortable eco lodges often sit between 40 and 80 with breakfast. Gallo pinto, grilled chicken, and fresh juices keep meals in the 3 to 7 range. Rent a scooter to circle the twin volcanoes, swim at Ojo de Agua, and hike to San Ramón waterfall. Dry season from December to April is easiest, while May and June bring lush landscapes and soft prices.

This article was written by Hunter and edited with AI Assistance