The Caribbean Sea is made up of over 7,000 islands, reefs, and cays. But only about 100 are inhabited.
Living on one of these islands is the ultimate dream for many. Who doesn’t want a home steps from the soft sand…sundowner cocktails as the waves lap at your feet…your own little piece of paradise…
We tend to associate this Caribbean lifestyle with the mega-wealthy—tech billionaires, Hollywood superstars, Richard Branson and his luxury Necker Island resort…
In other words, we assume that it’s beyond the means of most regular folk.
But that’s not actually the case.
The Caribbean is a vast sea…with many attractive islands. As you’ll see with the properties my team found below, living on a Caribbean island isn’t reserved for the wealthy.
In fact, there are lots of far more affordable islands that offer the same dream-inducing qualities of the more famous and expensive locations that we’re all familiar with, like St. Barts or the Bahamas, but at a fraction of the cost.
Take a look…
Cupecoy, St. Maarten
St. Maarten is diverse, vibrant, and has everything you’d want for the perfect Caribbean lifestyle.
Located in the southwest of the Caribbean, St. Maartan (you’ll also see it spelled Sint Maarten) belongs to the Netherlands. It occupies a third of the island of Saint Martin—the other two-thirds of the island is an overseas territory of France.
St. Maarten covers an area of just 13 square miles but it boasts those quintessential sugar-white beaches and sparking Caribbean waters. As well as lounging on the beautiful beaches, many visitors come here for the shopping…the country’s duty-free status means you can get savings of up to 30% compared to the U.S.
The island’s culinary scene is diverse, to say the least, with around 114 nationalities living here. For outdoor enthusiasts, there are hiking trails inland with incredible views, as well as ziplining and sailing,
On the west of the island, we found this one-bed apartment in the Aventura Residences community. It’s newly renovated, has an open-plan kitchen/living area, and it comes fully furnished. The building has a rooftop terrace with a barbecue area and offers hill and ocean views. There’s also a shared pool within the community. It’s on the market for $190,000. You can see the listing here.
The popular beach of Cupecoy is less than a 10-minute walk away and you’re just six minutes from the French border. Nearby you’ll also find restaurants, cafés, supermarkets, and lots of entertainment options.
Willemstad, Curacao
Listing price: €205,000 ($221,400)
Willemstad on the island of Curacao brings a taste of Europe to the Caribbean.
Curacao is another Caribbean island that belongs to the Dutch. Famous for its beaches, tucked into little coves, and expansive coral reefs, it’s located about 37 miles north of the coast of Venezuela.
When you think “Caribbean” what you’re envisioning is probably Curacao…pearly-white beaches, swaying palm trees, a clear turquoise sea, and a laidback atmosphere. Curacao has it all.
It’s popular with diving and snorkeling enthusiasts due to the varied and colorful marine life that inhabits the waters around the island. And the pristine beaches, hemmed in by dramatic limestone and coral stone cliffs, draw in the beach-lovers in their thousands each year.
The capital Willemstad is often to referred to as the “Amsterdam of the Caribbean” due to the colorful 18th-century canal-side mansions that are reminiscent of the Dutch capital. You’ll also find plenty of culture here with museums, art galleries, and music venues that offer a taste of Europe in the Caribbean.
Walking distance from Willemstad’s historic center, in a quiet resort-style community, is this one-bed, one-bath apartment. It also features a full kitchen and a south-facing terrace with views over the city. The community has its own restaurant, mini-market, and launderette, and multiple pools. The list price is €205,000 ($221,400) and the full listing is here.
St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
Down through the years, St. Croix has been controlled by seven different countries, but today it’s a U.S. territory.
St. Croix is the largest of the three U.S. Virgin Islands in the Caribbean. It was once one of the wealthiest islands in the West Indies, mostly due to its sugar and rum industries—it was known as the “Garden of the Antilles” for its sugarcane prowess.
Today it’s a mix of sugar plantations, old forts, and rainforest. St. Croix was bought by the U.S. in 1917 from the Dutch. Today, it’s an unincorporated U.S. territory and the people of the island are U.S. citizens, meaning buying real estate here will be a familiar process if you’re from the States.
As with all of these Caribbean islands, it has those stunning glittering-white sand beaches and is another popular destination for snorkeling. The island is home to the Buck Island Reef National Monument, one of only three underwater national monuments in the U.S. You can also golf here, explore the colonial towns, or take a horseback ride to an 18th-century sugar mill.
On the north coast, an eight-minute drive from the town of Christiansted, is a two-bed condo in a community with plenty of amenities. It has two bathrooms and an open-plan kitchen/dining room. You’re steps from the beach and the community’s pool overlooks the sea. There are also tennis courts, a restaurant, and shared laundry facilities onsite. This condo is listed at $225,000 and you can view the full listing here.
Ambergris Caye, Belize
Although Ambergris Caye is Belize’s most popular island, it’s still possible to find affordable real estate here, like this two-bed condo for under $240,000
Even setting aside the obvious allure of its white-sand beaches and turquoise water, Belize is a magnetic place…one of the few unspoiled destinations left on Earth.
Hundreds of pristine Caribbean islands dot its 240-mile coastline. And its rich marine life is complimented by the lush, wild jungles of the Maya Mountains, with tumbling rivers, mysterious Maya ruins, and awe-inspiring rainforests.
Easily Belize’s most popular island is Ambergris Caye.
Ambergris Caye offers quintessential Caribbean-island living, but without high price tag. There’s everything from trendy beach bars to some of the world’s best snorkeling and diving to powder white-sand beaches to keep you entertained. And the only mode of transport here is the golf buggy.
Ambergris was first put on the map for the excellent scuba diving just offshore along a prime section of the Mesoamerican Reef (it’s the world’s second largest). Since tourism first started here in the 1970s, it has grown rapidly in terms of population, visitor numbers, and development. Limited land (much of the island is protected) has pushed up real estate prices, but there are still good value options to be found.
Seven miles north of San Pedro town (the island’s main town), this two-bed, two-bath condo is in a private waterfront community, it comes fully furnished and has a private balcony that offers views of the sunrise and the Caribbean Sea. There’s also a spacious kitchen/living area and the main bedroom has a small balcony that overlooks the community’s pool area. It’s on the market for $239,000 (listing here).
Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
Historic Puerto Plata on the Dominican Republic’s north coast has a charming old town as well as plenty of white-sand beaches.
The Dominican Republic has seen a huge surge of visitors post-pandemic, thanks in no small part to its easy access from the U.S. Visitors come for year-round warm weather, azure Caribbean waters, white-sand beaches, and an island vibe with a Latin flair.
Those same attributes have also attracted a sizeable contingent of expats and second-home owners from North America and Europe. They came on a vacation, fell in love with the country, and decided to stay or buy their own getaway.
On the north coast, with its more than 78 miles of golden-sand beaches, Puerto Plata is one of two centers of tourism in the island (Punta Cana is the other). Known for its vibrant nightlife, rich history and culture, Puerto Plata looks Spanish colonial but has a very laidback Caribbean vibe. The beaches here attract wind and kite surfers and you’ll find the typical white-sand beaches along with lots of hidden coves.
About a two-minute walk from Cofresi Beach, in a luxury community, there’s a two-story penthouse for sale. It has three bedrooms, each with a private balcony and en-suite bathroom, a kitchen, living/dining room, all in 2,238 square feet of living space. It’s listed at $299,00 and you’ll find the full listing here.
Ronan McMahon, Founder, Overseas Dream Home & Real Estate Trend Alert
P.S. I haven’t visited these properties in person or done any due diligence on them. If you’re interested in any of these listings you should hire an attorney and do your own due diligence.
P.P.S. If you’re interested in the Caribbean, you’ll want to stay tuned…
I’m closing in on a deal for members of my Real Estate Trend Alert group in a stunning master-planned community in the Dominican’ Republic’s most desirable location. This community is called Cap Cana and it’s where well-heeled visitors (the Dominican Republic welcomed over 10 million travelers in 2023) want to stay.
Cap Cana is the epitome of Caribbean luxury. I’m talking about top-tier golf courses, a pristine marina, sports fishing, shopping complexes, upmarket restaurants, a hospital, and a bilingual school. Then there’s the stunning beaches. Brilliant and arresting, with bright Caribbean waters against vast expanses of white sand.
The deal I’m closing in on will allow RETA members to own near stunning, postcard-perfect white-sand Caribbean beaches. And it will allow them to tap into the incredible growth potential of the Dominican Republic. Last year, it welcomed 14% more international visitors than it did in 2019—marking its best tourism year on record.
This is going to something truly special. More details coming soon… (This deal will be exclusively for RETA members. Learn how you can join here.)
Cap Cana boasts out-of-this-world luxury in an awe-inspiring Caribbean setting. The upcoming RETA members-only deal here will be mind-blowing. (Not a RETA member? Join here now.)
This is going to something truly special. More details coming soon… (This deal will be exclusively for RETA members.)
Your Daily Dream Home
Caucaia, Cumbuco, Brazil
This top-floor two-bedroom apartment features two bathrooms, with one bedroom boasting an ensuite. The apartment is fully air-conditioned and includes a kitchen, living room, and dining area. Its east-facing veranda offers views over the fishing village of Cumbuco.
The property is situated just 165 feet from the beachfront and an equal distance from the village center, where you’ll find an array of shops and restaurants.
Cumbuco is a picturesque fishing village located on the northeast coast of Brazil. Known for its stunning beaches and consistent wind conditions, Cumbuco has become a popular destination for kitesurfing and windsurfing enthusiasts from around the world.
Despite its growing popularity, Cumbuco has managed to maintain much of its original charm, with local fishermen still plying their trade alongside the tourist activities.
