How Many Beaches to Visit: I advise
four to six beaches for a week. That gives you one or two from each coast, enough to compare calm Caribbean water, dark volcanic sand and the Atlantic wilds without turning the trip into a driving marathon. Time is your biggest cost here, since each beach needs a half day once you count parking and the slow roads.
Which Kind for Your Style: Budget travelers get the most from
southern public beaches, where entry is free, lolo lunches cost about €8 to 15 and you can walk between coves. Hikers and surfers should add an
Atlantic beach, which costs only a bit more in fuel but brings rougher conditions and fewer facilities. The
dark-sand north suits snorkelers and divers, though dive outings cost roughly €45 to 70.
Budget: Expect
€40 to 75 a day including a dorm …
read more 👉 How Many Beaches to Visit: I advise four to six beaches for a week. That gives you one or two from each coast, enough to compare calm Caribbean water, dark volcanic sand and the Atlantic wilds without turning the trip into a driving marathon. Time is your biggest cost here, since each beach needs a half day once you count parking and the slow roads.Which Kind for Your Style: Budget travelers get the most from southern public beaches, where entry is free, lolo lunches cost about €8 to 15 and you can walk between coves. Hikers and surfers should add an Atlantic beach, which costs only a bit more in fuel but brings rougher conditions and fewer facilities. The dark-sand north suits snorkelers and divers, though dive outings cost roughly €45 to 70.Budget: Expect €40 to 75 a day including a dorm or basic guesthouse, food from bakeries and lolos, and local buses. A rental car adds around €35 to 60 a day, and it is the most useful splurge if you want several coasts. Sun lounger rentals run about €10 to 20, and paid parking at popular spots is a few euros. Free shade is scarce, so bring a hat and an umbrella.Safety and Local Etiquette: Swim only where there are flags or calm bays, and skip the Atlantic side for swimming unless locals are in the water. Sea urchins are common on rocky entries, so reef shoes help. Do not leave bags in a parked car, as break-ins happen at busy lots. Topless sunbathing is accepted at many southern beaches, though locals dress modestly off the sand. Greet people with “bonjour”, which counts for a lot. Sunscreen should be reef-safe, and never touch coral.