Money Money $$

[Henz]

Just curious here, what does everyone spend on their vacations to the Abaco's. I will start...We spent roughly $6,000 for 9 nights/10 days during the off season renting on the N end. Had a boat and a cart in October of 03. Most of which I think was airfare from NYS!

[AbacoPeach]

Isn't that kind of personal?! :o

[elcahun]

How many people?

We all know what a ticket, a house, a boat, a cart and kalik cost. So before you have even stuck your toes in the water you're looking at $2-3k for two people I'd guess.

Course it's all relative. Here in So Cal if you want to rent a powerboat it's $100 per HOUR.

[Henz]

Yeah maybe personal but still an intersting question. I know millionaires who wouldnt spend as much as an average family does on a vacation. Especially in the Abaco's plus there are always posts as to what costs what and I figured that if everyone pitched in on what they have done etc it would give those people alittle more insight as to the total cost..9of course, it is well worth it for a trip to the Abacos).

[RI BLUES]

well, i have not made it there so far but it looks like 2 weeks for 4....1600 air 2400 room, 1300 boat, 400 cart , then its up in the air! i hope it is worth it. i am counting on that it is!!

[menegaux]

When you feel homesick for a place you go on vacation to....somehow the money becomes irrelevant. Not that anyone is complaining.

[AbacoKB]

There's something about Abaco, like very few places..... When you are there, it's never long enough and when you aren't there, you wanna be there and are pacified by things like this board. But no matter what, if you get the true "Abaco bug", you return as often as you can, by whatever means possible, and very few things get in the way of planning and making those trips!

-KB

[elcahun]

Funny but this did kinda come up when talking about boats a few days ago.

http://coconuttelegraph.net/forums/showpost.php?p=23165&postcount=14

[Abacoparrott]

depends on how many women you take...whoooooooaaaaaa......I'm gonna catch it now......ken

[boston kitty]

This is actually Mike from Boston. Where did Boston Kitty come from. I must be on a different computer. When you add on the 2nd airfare and a boat rental, yes the cost does go up considerably. BUT, you will find it is well worth the trip. Our 4th year in a row down this April. While you're here , make sure you go out and discover this fabulous place. If you have a flat sea, get in that boat and GO. The next day could be very windy and you won't go out. Pretend you're Chris Columbus and go. (carried away) The Abacos has some kind of mind control going on. Speaking of $ again, my daughter Ashley decided she she was jumping on board for the trip again.$$$$$ Well worth it. She loves it down here. RI Blues, you'll enjoy it. Asta Mike

[elcahun]

depends on how many women you take...whoooooooaaaaaa......I'm gonna catch it now......ken

oh i know that feeling. We were there just after Jeanne. A total of two stores were open. We must have made their week at Nippers and in TC.

"Honey...do we really need to buy a t-shirt for the mailman?"

I guess you could go to Paris for the same price...but why?

:cool:

[lynnmor]

Hi!
We just returned last Sunday from a week in TC. Stayed at Bahama Beach Club for a week ($2800), rented a car for a day to sightsee ($75) Taxi from MH to TC and return ($170). One day boat rental ($140 + $65 for gas). Pool/bar meals off and on during week at BBC---($300)---well, maybe that was $150 for meals and the rest for Kaliks :D . Average about $100 a day per couple for meals. Golf cart rental $257 for one week. Ferry trips to Hopetown and Green Turtle per couple $66.

Enjoying the friendly people, the fantastic sights, gorgeous ocean, great food, kickin' back and relaxing, laid back atmosphere, AND soul rejuvination-----PRICELESS!

Go and enjoy---it's worth every penny!:)

[elcahun]

pics and a trip report SOON lynnmor.

it's your duty!

[steamboat]

We've been down by ourselves and with larger groups so here's our breakdown. For large groups (8-10), your looking at about $1500 - $2000 per person for just about everything. Last trip we took in 2005 had 35+ people (2 extended families + friends) and the cost was a big issue for everyone going. Told them the $1500 - $2000/person and that's about where it came in. Lots of things determine the cost and economy of scale does come into effect with larger groups (boat rental split 8 ways, villa rental split 4 ways, etc.). Food and trinckets are the biggest variables but the above cost didn't scrimp on food. The biggest variables are flight cost, food cost and gas cost. Lodging, boat rental and golf cart rental should be known costs since you have to rent them early to ensure a good vacation. Be sure to include cost for ferries, taxis and departure tax since this can easily add $100+/person to the cost. We generally budget $500/person for flights and hope to get them cheaper but most of the time, the commercial flights are $500 - $600/person.

[Henz]

hey, great reports and insight on hidden costs..Yes, those departure costs are definately overlooked. I remember haveing to go to an ATM in Marsh while leaving my wife at the airport to get money for the two $20 departure costs! Oops!
There definately is an economy of scale..I am thinking that two couples would be perfect since you still could get away with one cart and one boat and then split the lodging..Of course the airfare would remain the same and any meals out..But we usually cook at the house the majority of the meals. Gas for the boat would also be able to be split.

[floridacargocat]

Henz, where is the @20 departure costs coming from? I thought it was $15 per person.

[AbacoPeach]

It is... Also, the last few times we have flown Continental, it was included in the ticket price.

[Henz]

I am pretty sure that I paid $20/ea on 03...Maybe it was 15 though..

[Motuiti]

I cannot be in the Abacos with out a boat. When I fy over I rent one.
So figuring two people for 10 nights here are my approx numbers

Hotel with taxes 270
Bar hopping /dinner out 200
Boat rental (weekly rate) & Gas 150
Misc 50
Amortize Air (10 nights) 80

total $750 x 10 nights = $7,500

The price you pay for love

[Henz]

motuiti you must have meant 2700 for hotel...

[AbacoDave]

We've been coming down almost every year since about 1990... ouch. We love it more every time we come. We bring our boat just about every other year from South Carolina so I won't include those extra costs in the total. 4 people.

Airfare: $1600 (drive to Daytona and fly from there)
One week house rental: $2500
One night in a hotel: $150
Restaurants: $500
Groceries: $500
Rental Boat: $350
2 cases of Kalik: $100
gifts and such: $250
Bar tab:$350
The little extras: $500
Running a boat five hours a day at 5 gallons an hour: $300
$7100

Being in Abaco...

PRICELESS

[beachbum]

ok this is how I look at it...
Family of four..two kids.. two parents.. 4 days at Disney/epcot/universal...
overpriced food.. stressed out parents.. over stimulated kids.. 4 trips to the mega disney store..ect.. easy 4K.... and mom needing a vacation from the so called vacation upon arival home!

OR

10 days in abaco... beach/sun/ calmness/nippers/fishing/boating/SLEEP/and
completely calm and relaxed kids.. whos biggest thrill of the week was turning an old banana box into hermit crab hidout.(holding at least 50 guest .. all to be set free on day ten at one time down on the beach).....PRICELESS!!

mom trying to figure out how fast she can liqudate and how much Milo would be willing to sell his fruit stand business for..

Just my 2 cents! (or 5K)

[Henz]

that is a pretty cheap boat rental..how many days is that?

[elcahun]

Think Sandy is saying per day...

One possible way to cut costs this year is to buy a SGCR raffle ticket...

[Henz]

Ahh, you would be correct! I like the analogy of Disney...Its so true.

[JRH]

We are spitting a house with two other couples. Great beach front with a pool. Only 1200 per couple for the week. Air is 480 pp. Boat for three days, and again we are splitting the expense so it will be (with insurance) approximately $150 per couple. Two golf cart for three days, again split, so about $80 if I remember correctly. So that's $2390 so far. I use my brother's method from there and plan on spending that amount while there. That would come to a little under $350 per day. And I think that's enough to cover food, gas, and kalik. So my total would be $5,000. Last time we stayed in Mmarsh Harbour and it was close to that total for that trip also.

[Scott Burchard]

Good averages for the last 10 years annually, not including boat rental or lodging (time-share), for two people, for a week, staying in MH:

As little as $500 and as much as $850 per person for R/T airfare (Buffalo, NY to MH) including Departure Tax, and $100-plus for airport-area-parking

$200-$250 for groceries (including charcoal & mixers)
$150-$250 for Rum / Kalik / Baileys
$300-$400 for meals/drinks out (1-2 dinners, 2-3 late lunches, 1 takeout from Mother Merle’s – dinner only)
$60-$120 for ferry transportation
$100-$300 for Dive / Snorkel Trip(s) (weather permitting)
$15-$30 for Conch Salads
$50-$100 for souvenirs/gifts
$100-$200 for bring-from-home “stuff”; meals, coffee, sunscreen, DEET, etc.

Optional: $200-$350 for car rental/fuel (about half of our trips). Some of the above and below are transportation contingent.

It isn’t about the money…

Breathtaking sunrises (& wanting to be awake for them) – free
Snorkeling from shore – free
Reading a good book, outdoors, with a drink – free
Playing backgammon for hours, outdoors, with a drink – free
Having any number of beaches completely to ourselves – free
Touring the foundry or watching a casting at Little Harbour – free
Doing Nothing (it can be an art-form) – free
No TV, No paper, No phone, No pace, No “normal” – free

[Abacogroupie]

My husband and I have been visiting TC since 1984. My former boss had a condo there and always let us use it for free...even after his retirement! Then he sold the place in 1999 and we haven't been back there since -- we didn't think we could afford a place to stay! This year we decided we couldn't stay away any longer, so I started poking around at different rental options. I was surprised at how many places you can rent for $1000 a week! Not the luxury condo we were used to...but who needs luxury in TC? I'm happy to say that in 14 days, we'll be back at TC with two other couples...enjoying the peace and tranquility we've missed for the past 6 years. How much is this costing us? WHO CARES???? Like many of you have said...it's P R I C E L E S S!

[Henz]

Yeah I agree who cares if you can afford to go every year but for me, it takes about 5 years of saving to go for a week.

[DenizShim]

My girlfriend and I will be visiting Green Turtle Cay in a couple of weeks for 1 week, so we don't have all the costs settled, but this is what we think we'll spend. It's our first time in the Abacos, so we are really looking forward to it!

Airfare $360/person NY->NAS->Marsh Harbor and back
Taxi to GTC ferry ~$160 (round trip)
Charted Ferry $65 (to GTC)
(since we are getting to Abacos in the evening)
return Ferry $20
House Rental $750/per week
Bed and Breakfast in NAS $220 (1 night)
3 day snorkel package with Brendel: $280/person

Boat Rental? ???
Cart Rental ???
Groceries ???
Food ???

So cost without Cart, Groceries, Food, it's $2500 for both of us. With tax and other costs that I can't think of, it'll cost about $3500 for both of us.
Not sure if boat rental is necessary, and we've signed up for the snorkel package.. but we'll definitely need to eat and get around the island. ;)

Since this is our first time, I was thinking that maybe we should have just stayed in treasure cay or around marsh harbour.. but well it's all decided now.
Dennis

[Henz]

I was robbed out of $10 I think!!!!!!! I am positive that they asked for $20 each person via AirSunshine when I flew them..! Boo-Hoo!

[elcahun]

Rent the boat.

I also don't see two cases of Kalik or other drinks on that list. Thats a couple hundred right there...

;)

[floridacargocat]

Air Sunshine? If they charged you @20 pp, then it was $15 for Bahamas Deaprture Tax and $5 as security fees (for making the mandatory electronic passenger manifest). Did you really fly on an Air Sunshine aircraft?

[riss]

just got back from 2 1/2 weeks at the in-laws home on Scotland Cay

FYI - we don't rent a boat, and due to the location we eat out maybe twice

airfair (YVR - MHH) 2 x $1000 (includes departure tax) $2000
taxi both ways + 1 hour waiting on arrival $55
ferry (including charter home on sunday) $190.00
groceries and beverage $400.00
Dive Guana x 2 trips $200.00
spending money (travel there, back, lunch and mics stuff) $300

$3300 approx (thank god we don't have to pay for a house)

[TurtleDreams]

[QUOTE=DenizShim So cost without Cart, Groceries, Food, it's $2500 for both of us. With tax and other costs that I can't think of, it'll cost about $3500 for both of us.
Not sure if boat rental is necessary, and we've signed up for the snorkel package.. but we'll definitely need to eat and get around the island. ;)

Since this is our first time, I was thinking that maybe we should have just stayed in treasure cay or around marsh harbour.. but well it's all decided now.
Dennis[/QUOTE]
Dennis, I know there are heavy boaters here, but with Brendal to get you out on the water you will have a great time without one for your first trip. Green Turtle has a huge amount to offer the landbased; New Plymouth is a wonderful town, the beaches all around the island are fabulous. Neither TC or Marsh can match it for all around great fun and variety.
Susan

[elcahun]

RENT A BOAT

The #1 reason I even started to look at going to the Abacos was the ability to get a boat. It's the reason to go...to be free to explore.

[abacopotcake]

I'm sure glad it doesn't cost that much per week to LIVE here!!!!:D

(seriously! we know it can be pricey to have a vacation with us. We are pleased that everyone keeps coming back to enjoy our island and cays! Thanks for choosing Abaco!)

[Local Knowledge]

I would echo what potcate says, just keep on comming. I remember all too well the aftermath of hurricane Floyd but what a difference it made having our freinds & repeat visitors come back & spend some of their hard earned dollars to help us get back on our feet. Tourism is our # 1 product here in Abaco & we strive to continue to provide you all with a beautiful place to visit. Just do us all a big favour...please do not tell too many people about Abaco only a few of your best friends!! Thanks in advance.


LK

[lynnmor]

Elcahun---glad to supply some wonderful pics----tell me how!

lynnmor

[elcahun]

Here ya go!

http://coconuttelegraph.net/forums/showthread.php?t=100

[Cathy Arizona]

You will be glad you stayed on GTC. It's great. We've been going to Abaco for 12 years and only rented a boat a few times. Mainly because we don't know much about boating.(We usually rent one when one of our son-in-laws comes with us.) But we always have a fun time and keep going back. You can always book a day trip like we do and you will still have a great time.
You don't have to be a boater to love these islands!


[QUOTE=DenizShim So cost without Cart, Groceries, Food, it's $2500 for both of us. With tax and other costs that I can't think of, it'll cost about $3500 for both of us.
Not sure if boat rental is necessary, and we've signed up for the snorkel package.. but we'll definitely need to eat and get around the island. ;)

Since this is our first time, I was thinking that maybe we should have just stayed in treasure cay or around marsh harbour.. but well it's all decided now.
Dennis
Dennis, I know there are heavy boaters here, but with Brendal to get you out on the water you will have a great time without one for your first trip. Green Turtle has a huge amount to offer the landbased; New Plymouth is a wonderful town, the beaches all around the island are fabulous. Neither TC or Marsh can match it for all around great fun and variety.
Susan[/QUOTE]

[watertoots]

Well so far we are into it for $2,800.00 consisting of airfare, cottage w/boat dodges cruising guide. It was helpful to see what others spend and I will use somewhat as a guide to budget the rest of our trip with.
I do know that when we travel anywhere else we charter a fishing boat for a day, depending on where we are traveling that can run from $500.00 to $1,000.00 per day so we are only able to fish once on our trip and this has to be planned in advance and weather may not be good!:(

Here we can fish or not , as much as we want whenever we feel like it!:D
That alone makes this trip priceless to us.

I started packing today............25 more days!

[P2Pooz]

I started packing today as well, and it is 25 days for us too.:D
It is snowing like crazy here in CO right now, and I was pulling our snorkeling equipment out of storage with a BIG smile on my face.
Can't wait!
You are going to have a great time... The water color, beaches and the overall Abaco experience will not leave your thoughts anytime soon after you leave.
Patti

[watertoots]

Believe it or not we have snow here in San Jose too!
Took the dog for hike this morning and all of our surrounding hills are covered with this white stuff????? I actually wore coat gloves and scarf. For a minute there I thought I was in Nevada...lol. Lived here for 44 years and have never seen this much snow in the hills and never and I repeat never in March!
Oh well there goes all my tropical plants! Will have to do a lot of replanting this year......after Abaco.
It just makes dreaming of the gin clear waters and beautiful beaches all the better! ;)

[Indiana]

Airfare from Indiana for 2 = $1000
House split 3 ways = $800 per couple
Boat split 3 ways = +/-$500 per couple
Golf cart split 3 ways = $120 per couple

$2420 for two to get to Abaco, a house, a boat, and a golf cart for 1 week.

Then
$100 /3 2 cases of Kalik
$100 /3 Rum/ Baileys/ tequila
$200 /3 for Groceries
$100 for steaks, shrimp, scalops we provide

$300 for bar bills and lunches as we island hop
$100 - $200 for gifts and stuff for the house.

$3200 for the time of your life!

This beats Disney or any cruise boat easily. Plus, my visits to my shrink go way down for a good two months or so after Abaco!

Just 20 days to go.

[Henz]

Well, I can tell from the posts that everyone is under the 5k mark that is good. Typically around the $3k mark for a week..I like the analogy of the Abacos to Disney, and I agree!