Budget/Backpacker Travel Guide: Marshallislands

Accommodation

$25-60 per night

Basic guesthouses, local family-run lodging, shared facilities, simple rooms with fans

Food & Dining

$15-35 per day

Local markets, small family restaurants, traditional Marshallese meals, simple prepared foods

Transportation

$5-20 per day

Local buses, shared taxis, walking, occasional inter-atoll boats for essential transport

Activities

$10-40 per day

Beach access, snorkeling with own gear, cultural sites, free walking areas, occasional paid attractions

Shop at local markets instead of hotel shops for 60-80% savings on snacks and basic supplies

Use shared transportation and local buses rather than private taxis to save 70-85% on transport costs

Eat at family-run local restaurants instead of resort dining to reduce food costs by 50-70%

Book accommodation directly with guesthouses to avoid booking fees and potentially negotiate better rates

Bring your own snorkeling gear to avoid daily rental fees of $15-30 per day

Plan longer stays to negotiate weekly rates at guesthouses, typically 15-25% cheaper than daily rates

Travel during shoulder seasons to save 20-40% on accommodation and activity costs

Relying entirely on resort dining instead of exploring local food options, which typically costs 100-200% more

Not planning for high import costs - many items cost 150-300% more than mainland US prices

Booking last-minute accommodation during peak seasons when limited options drive prices up 40-60%

Underestimating inter-atoll transportation costs, which can easily add $100-300 per trip to your budget