Caribbean deal: Airfare + four nights in Bahamas for less than $1,000

Here’s a passel of spring packages for the Caribbean that pair round-trip airfare from Los Angeles with hotels on 10 islands in the Bahamas. And prices start at less than $1,000 per person, based on double occupancy.

This deal allows you to choose from a variety of hotels and resorts for each island -- whether you plan to stick to a budget or splurge a little.

The deal: Free Companion Airfare packages featured by the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism include round-trip airfare and a minimum stay of at least four nights at a participating hotel. Options include more than 40 resorts on Nassau/Paradise, Grand Bahama, Andros, Bimini, Abacos and other islands.

When: Good for stays through June 30, except for the month of April. Packages for Nassau/Paradise Island and Grand Bahama Island must be reserved by Feb. 28; packages to other islands must be booked by Wednesday.

Tested: I checked Naussau/Paradise Island packages at Bahamas.com and found availability from March 24 to 29 for $847 per person,plus tax. That price included four nights at the Best Western Plus Bay View Suites in Nassau and round-trip airfare from Los Angeles.

Total cost with taxes and fees: $1,773 for two. As a rough comparison for the options I selected, I priced airfares and hotel rates for the same dates and found they totaled nearly $2,100. So the package saved more than $300.

Package prices vary widely depending on which airline and hotel you select.

Contact: Bahamas.com