Cheap Flights from Miami to the Caribbean Islands

Miami International is American Airlines' main gateway to the Caribbean and Latin America, and it connects to dozens of islands with short flights, often under three hours. Fort Lauderdale, 30 miles north, adds more routes, particularly on JetBlue, Southwest and other budget airlines.

With that much choice, fares are often lower than people expect, but they vary hugely between islands and between weeks. Checking several islands and both South Florida airports for the same dates is the best way to find a bargain.

Close and quick: Nassau and Freeport in the Bahamas take under an hour, Grand Cayman and Montego Bay in Jamaica about an hour and three-quarters, and Turks and Caicos about two hours.

Mid-range: Punta Cana and Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic take around two and a half hours, San Juan, Puerto Rico about two hours and forty minutes, and Aruba and Curacao around three and a half.

Further out: Barbados, St. Lucia and Antigua take four to five hours, and some need a connection. Times are approximate and vary with the route and the winds.

Grand Cayman, Turks and Caicos and the Leeward and Windward Islands cost more, and part of the reason is that the best beaches and the finest resorts are there. Seven Mile Beach, Grace Bay and the beaches of St. Lucia and Antigua are among the best in the region, and the water is often clearer and calmer than in cheaper places.

If the beach is the priority, paying a bit more for the right island can be worth it. If you want a cheap and cheerful week of sun, the Bahamas, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic offer far more for the money, particularly with all-inclusive packages.

American is the biggest, with a huge network from Miami. JetBlue and Southwest fly many routes from Fort Lauderdale, Delta and others serve some islands, and regional carriers connect the smaller ones. Caribbean carriers such as Bahamasair and Caribbean Airlines also fly from Miami.

Budget airlines often have low base fares, but charge for bags and seats. Compare the total. Our guide to budget airlines versus legacy carriers explains how, and the page on American Airlines covers its Caribbean network.

For a couple flying from the Northeast to Nassau or Montego Bay, a week can easily cost several thousand dollars at peak times, with flights, an all-inclusive room and a few excursions. The same trip in September can cost a third less, and an off-peak week in Punta Cana can be cheaper still.

Add the small extras, such as resort fees, airport transfers and tips, since they can add a few hundred dollars. If you set a total budget first, you can see quickly whether a pricier island or a cheaper week suits you better.

Miami and Port Everglades are among the world's busiest cruise ports, and a cruise lets you see several islands for one price. A resort gives you more time in one place, often at a lower cost per day outside peak weeks.

If you fly to a resort, compare an all-inclusive package, which includes meals and drinks, with a room-only rate. Our all-inclusive resorts service and beach hotels service can compare options.

If you want to visit more than one island, flights between islands are often routed through hubs such as Miami, San Juan, Nassau or Santo Domingo, and can be slow and costly. Regional carriers connect some nearby islands directly, and ferries link others.

An open-jaw ticket, flying into one island and out of another, is usually cheaper than a return plus an inter-island flight. Our guide to multi-city versus round-trip tickets explains how to compare.

Families do well in the Caribbean, with calm beaches and kid-friendly resorts, and groups can find villas and weddings packages. Shorter flights from Miami make it easier with children.

Book seats together early, and check the airline's policy on strollers and car seats. Our family vacations service and group travel service can help with the arrangements.

Miami has some of the largest Caribbean communities in the US, and a large share of travelers on these routes are visiting relatives, especially at Christmas, Easter and summer. Fares and baggage needs differ from tourist travel.

If you carry gifts or goods, check baggage rules and customs allowances, and plan early for holidays. Some island governments restrict the import of certain foods and goods, so check before you pack.

Since the early 2010s, large amounts of sargassum seaweed have washed ashore on some Caribbean beaches, mostly in spring and summer. It varies by island, beach and year, and resorts clean up daily.

If swimming is the priority, check recent reports before you book, and choose beaches on the western or sheltered sides of islands. Some islands, such as parts of the Bahamas and the Caymans, are less affected.

US dollars are widely accepted on many islands, including the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, Cayman and the US territories. Elsewhere, you may get a better rate paying in local currency, and cards are accepted at most hotels and restaurants.

Tipping is customary, usually 10 to 15 percent, though some restaurants add a service charge. Resorts with all-inclusive packages often include gratuities, but small tips for staff are still appreciated.

Send us your dates, budget and what kind of trip you want, and a specialist can compare islands, airports and airlines, and find the best fare. We can also help with resorts, transfers and cruises.

Try the live search below with two or three alternative dates and see which is cheapest. Before you pay for anything, ring us and we will go through the baggage allowance and the fare rules with you.