Can I take a ferry from Mexico to Cuba?

No. There are currently no regular passenger ferry services between Mexico and Cuba. You must fly.

Are Caribbean islands expensive?

They can be. Avoid resort areas. Eat where the locals eat—look for 'plate of the day' specials and shop at municipal produce markets.

What is the best way to get around once I'm on an island?

Use local 'route taxis' or public buses. They cost about $1–$3 per ride, compared to $40+ for a private taxi.

How to Island Hop from Mexico to the Caribbean on a Budget

The cheapest way to travel from Mexico to the Caribbean is by flying budget airlines like Volaris or Arajet from Cancun (CUN) to major hubs like Santo Domingo or San Juan. Avoid direct flights to smaller islands, as they are almost always overpriced; fly to a major hub first, then take local ferries or regional prop planes.

Use Cancun as your launchpad. Cancun International Airport (CUN) is your only realistic budget gateway. Do not waste time trying to travel via land to Belize or Guatemala to catch a boat, as the infrastructure does not exist for budget island hopping.
Book via flight aggregators. Use Google Flights to track routes from CUN to SDQ (Dominican Republic) or SJU (Puerto Rico). Set alerts for these two specific cities; they are the primary low-cost entry points into the Caribbean region from Mexico.
Navigate the 'Hub and Spoke' model. Once in a hub like Santo Domingo, use the ferry system (like Ferries del Caribe) to reach Puerto Rico, or use low-cost regional airlines like InterCaribbean or Silver Airways to jump to smaller neighboring islands.
Skip the 'island hopping' myth. Don't try to visit five islands in two weeks. Every flight between islands adds $150–$300 in taxes and fees. Pick one sub-region, like the Greater Antilles, and stick to it to save on inter-island transit costs.

Can I take a ferry from Mexico to Cuba?: No. There are currently no regular passenger ferry services between Mexico and Cuba. You must fly.
Are Caribbean islands expensive?: They can be. Avoid resort areas. Eat where the locals eat—look for 'plate of the day' specials and shop at municipal produce markets.
What is the best way to get around once I'm on an island?: Use local 'route taxis' or public buses. They cost about $1–$3 per ride, compared to $40+ for a private taxi.