Dare to Dream

• The white sands of Anguilla in the Caribbean
  
  Many people dream about a Caribbean vacation, looking forward to the white sand, blue water, and long lazy days with nothing to do but relax. However, in these tight times, the luxury of a Caribbean escape can seem very out of reach. With a little creativity and a healthy dose of patience, though, even the most cash-strapped can find a fabulous deal on airfare to the islands.
  
  

Get Creative

• Juluca's breathtaking scenery
  
  There are hundreds of Websites designed to do all the deal-scrounging for you, and best of all, they don't cost a penny. Some of the biggest and best-known travel booking Websites are Hotwire.com, Orbitz.com, Expedia.com and Travelocity.com, and they often have very good deals that are not advertised elsewhere. To maximize your search, try Kayak.com, a Website that will simultaneously search the other travel Websites for you and give you a comparison. Vacationstogo.com and Applevacations.com are two lesser-known sites that are trustworthy and sometimes have surprisingly good deals. And don't underestimate the value you can find in contacting airlines directly -- the tough economy means that folks are traveling less, and as a result, airfare prices have dropped. If you are a frequent flier of a particular airline or simply prefer one company over another, check their Website or give them a call. They may have prices that are equal or better to what you find searching on a Website like Hotwire.com.
  
  

Get Specific

• Sun-kissed sand on Sandy Island in Anguilla
  
  The online travel market has become so saturated that there are now several websites working exclusively with potential Caribbean vacationers. Airgorilla.com and CheapCaribbean.com are two such Websites.
  
  

Be Flexible

• The cost of airfare is directly related to its demand. For this reason, if you want to save money on a Caribbean vacation, be flexible. The busiest season for Caribbean vacations is during the Christmas and New Year period, and the second busiest is the weeks leading up to and following Easter. To save cash, travel at an off-time. Mid-fall to early winter is hurricane season in the Caribbean, which means tourists tend to stay away. For those who enjoy a little risk-taking, the benefits of traveling at this time of year are really great. From September to November, the hotels and beaches empty out, and in addition to rock bottom fares on the way there, a vacationer can enjoy quiet beaches and practically personal service.
  
  

Be Creative

• Tourists love visiting Trinidad and Tobago, and it's easy to see why
  
  Purchasing airfare and a few nights at a hotel is not the only way to take a vacation, and savvy travelers can save a lot of money by opting for a different sort of vacation. All-inclusive resorts, for example, often advertise their prices to include airfare, and the savings (which include all food and often all alcoholic beverages, as well) are generally spectacular. All the major travel Websites feature options for all-inclusive travel, and you can also check out Allinclusiveoutlet.com for some rock-bottom deals. Another great option is to take a cruise. If you live near a port city, cruising is a fabulous option because not only do you forgo the need to purchase airfare, but cruising rates are generally lower per day than the cost of an average hotel and they include all meals and activities.
  
  

Get Searching

• If you are willing to spend some time and think outside of the box a little bit, a cheap Caribbean vacation can easily turn from a dream to a reality. So get searching, and don't forget to pack your sunscreen!