A warm-weather escape doesn’t always have to involve a pricey overwater bungalow. If you choose the right destinations, you can stretch your dollars and still stay under budget.
Far-flung destinations like Vietnam or India can be worth the higher-priced flights since they offer significant savings once you’re there. Some have five-star resorts that cost less than a motel in a major city in the United States.
On the other hand, you can trade some of those higher flight costs and head somewhere closer to home that is still considerably affordable if you know where to look.
Whether your dream vacation involves suntanning on the beach or exploring a historic city, you don’t need to spend a fortune at any of these seven sun-drenched escapes.
In this article
1. Loreto, Mexico
Mexico’s beach towns are popular thanks to the often short and inexpensive flights from the U.S.
Among them, Loreto on the eastern coast of Baja California Peninsula still remains under the radar and therefore cheaper than Cabo or Puerto Vallarta, as far as lodging and dining go.
Officially designated as a Pueblo Magico or “magical town,” many historical and cultural landmarks are preserved in the walkable downtown.
Loreto is surrounded by Loreto Bay National Marine Park and its five uninhabited islands. The most famous is Coronados Island, where you can snorkel or scuba dive with a colony of sea lions. Small panga boats are available for hire for a low budget, starting at around $70 an hour for a boat that fits up to eight people. A visit to one of the islands often feels like you’re on your own private beach with few others around.
The lodging options here are mostly small hotels and inns that start around $70 a night, and when it comes to dining, there are plenty of fresh mariscos and tacos with prices that would make any wallet happy.
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico isn’t the cheapest destination on the list. Some hotels are quite pricey and flight prices can really fluctuate, but it makes up for it with shorter and cheaper flights compared to other Caribbean destinations, especially if you’re coming from the East Coast.
You can still find affordable hotels if you search beyond the beachside properties, such as smaller hotels in Santurce, and there’s no shortage of inexpensive street food and kiosks where you can fill up on a budget.
Even if you select a hotel not directly facing the sand, know that Puerto Rico has over 300 beaches that are all free to the public, like the family-friendly Playa Escambron.
So are the hiking trails in El Yungue National Forest. You can also spend a whole day exploring Old San Juan with its colorful buildings, cobblestone streets, and art galleries at no added charge.
Da Nang, Vietnam
Vietnam is considered one of the cheapest travel destinations in the world, whether you choose the charming ancient town of Hoi An or the mountain town of Sapa.
But if you’re looking for a beachside city with access to other nearby destinations, the vibrant Da Nang in Central Vietnam is the place.
While a flight to Vietnam will take up a lot of your travel budget, everything is considerably cheaper once you arrive. There aren’t too many other places in the world where you can stay at a five-star beachfront resort like Bliss Hoi An Beach Resort for just under $100 a night, and plenty of four-star hotels are available for around $30, like the New Orient Hotel or Fivitel Da Nang.
Beaches aside, there are also caves and temples to explore in nearby Marble Mountains, which costs just $1.50 to enter, and like the rest of Vietnam, food is very affordable, with a bowl of pho costing just around $3.
Cartagena, Colombia
Cartagena is located on Colombia’s Caribbean coast and maintains a temperature of high 70-80 degrees year-round, making this a great city to visit any time of year if you’re looking to stay warm.
Cartagena’s beautiful Walled City is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the city also offers beaches and day trips to Rosario Islands, an archipelago known for its crystal clear waters.
Being one of the more popular cities in Colombia, Cartagena is actually one of the more expensive in the country, but it’s still affordable for U.S. travelers, especially if you stay outside of the Walled City or Boca Grande and choose the artsy Getsemaní neighborhood instead.
There’s a range of hotels here with 4-star stays starting at around $60 a night at Oz Hotel to luxury hotels like Bastion for around $200, and the many kiosks and food carts mean you can always eat patacones and arepas and keep to a budget.
Goa, India
India’s favorite beach destination, Goa is unique in that it offers a blend of Indian and Portuguese cultures, the result of 450 years of colonization. You can still see the historic Portuguese architecture in the Fontainhas neighborhood.
Sure, Goa has changed over the years and resorts have been developed all over, but many hotels still cost only around $50 a night like the ibis Styles hotel in Calangute. Another quintessential Goan experience is also an affordable one. Reserve a beach shack, which typically offers dining tables in the shade and sunbeds on the sand where you can lounge under the sun over $1 beers and fresh seafood for around $5. And if you’ve ever wanted to try your hand at adventurous activities like paragliding or jetskiing, it’s very inexpensive to do so in Goa, starting at less than $10 for a 15-minute ride.
Algarve, Portugal
Portugal is one of the cheapest countries to visit in Europe, and if you’re looking for a sunny, warm escape, then head to Algarve on the southern coast of Portugal, which boasts a Mediterranean climate.
The area is lined with stunning cliffs that you can explore from the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail, which is free to hike, of course.
Prices increase in the winter when crowds surge, but you can still stay at a 4-star beachfront resort for $80 a night, like at RR Hotel de La Rocha.
When it’s time to eat, skip the pricey beachfront restaurants that tend to be touristy in favor of a family-run tavern that usually offers a much better value. Of course, it helps that there’s no shortage of affordable Portuguese wines everywhere; expect to find nice bottles of wine for around €20 at many restaurants.
Just know that if you’re driving from Lisbon, the toll fees add up, so consider a train ride instead of renting a car.
San Antonio, Texas
As far as mainland U.S. destinations go, San Antonio is one of the most affordable options for a domestic warm-weather vacation.
Even in winter, temperatures rarely dip below the mid-60s, and you’ll find affordable, centrally-located hotels like the DoubleTree by Hilton for right around $100 a night.
San Antonio’s rich history and culture go beyond the famous Alamo, as it’s also the birthplace of Tex-Mex cuisine, and is home to the largest Mexican market in the U.S., Historic Market Square.
Plus, there are a lot of free things to do in San Antonio, from visiting The Alamo to exploring San Antonio Missions National Historical Park to strolling along the River Walk.
The Shortcut
A warm and sunny vacation is a true luxury, but it doesn’t have to be pricey.
Whether it’s a beach vacation or a city getaway these destinations around the world give the best bang for your buck.
You don’t need to fly far either; there are destinations in North America that are budget-friendly.
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