These days, most of us do not have the money to drop 3 or 5000 dollars on something like a vacation. Still, we need to get away from time to time and what better place than the beach. If you are looking forward to a great sandy vacation but do not want to spend a lot of money, keep reading.
Plan a Dream Beach Vacation on a Small Budget
There are so many ways to have a great time on the beach without breaking the bank. Whether you are looking to save money or just want to be more creative with your budget, these tips will help you plan your dream beach vacation on a small budget.
1) Stay in an Airbnb.
Airbnb is one of the most popular ways for people to travel because it is usually much cheaper than hotels and often times provides better amenities. Airbnb is a great way to stay in an affordable location near the water that has all of the amenities you need for your trip.
2) Pack light.
Packing light can save you a lot of money when traveling, especially if you are flying. You don’t want to pay extra baggage fees because they can really add up. Even just a few bags can cost you 200 dollars or more on a round trip flight.
3) Go on a day trip or an excursion that takes place in the area.
This is a great way to save money and stay active during your vacation. There are plenty of things to do in the area and a lot of them are free. For example, if you wanted to go hiking, there are generally many beautiful beach trails that you can take while on location.
What You Should Consider With An Inexpensive Beach Vacation
If you’re looking for an affordable, budget-friendly beach vacation, there are a few things to consider that will make your experience more enjoyable.
The first is to find a beach that is less expensive than some of the most popular ones. For example, in the Caribbean, you could stay in Aruba or Curacao instead of Jamaica or St. Thomas. In the US and Canada, you could stay in Florida instead of California or Hawaii.
Another option is to go with a less expensive lodging option on the beach. You can choose to stay at a resort with fewer amenities if it means paying significantly less for your accommodations. Keeping in mind that the beach is the main attraction, you really do not need much more than a place to sleep with your hotel.
As we just discussed above, an Airbnb is also a viable alternative to a hotel. On an extended stay, they can save you hundreds of dollars, especially when you consider the cost savings associated with having a full kitchen.
Planning Your Low-cost Beach Vacation in 5 Steps
Now that you can see how easy it is to vacation on the beach for cheap, let’s have a look at planning your excursion.
1. Find a destination:
It’s important to consider the type of environment you want to be in when you travel. If you want to relax on the beach, then your best bet is somewhere warm, like the Caribbean. Try to stay off the beaten path and look for lesser known beaches that will be considerably cheaper.
2. Book your flight:
The cheapest flights are usually those that are booked well in advance, so if you know that you want to go on vacation soon, then start looking for tickets now! Once planes start booking up, rates will increase.
3. Book your hotel:
If you’re not into camping and prefer a bed and some amenities after a long day of sunbathing and swimming, then book yourself into a hotel room as soon as possible! Just like with flights, the longer you wait, the more you will pay.
4. Pack light:
You don’t need much when it comes to packing for an affordable. Especially if flying, packing light means less expense from checked bags. How much stuff do you really need for the beach anyway?
General Tips for Traveling On A Budget
There are some tips that apply to any vacation no matter what your destination. In this case it is a beach, but you can really use the following tips anywhere.
Save on airfare:
-Fly during off-peak hours.
-Book in advance for the cheapest fare.
-Use miles and points to get free or discounted flights.
Save on lodging:
-Stay at a hostel or rent a room from locals via Airbnb.
-Stay at motels, hotels, bed and breakfast inns, or vacation rentals -Take advantage of low season rates during the winter (November to April).
-Save on food: Eat out less often and pack your own meals when you do eat out. This will save money and time. -Find restaurants that serve food for less than $10 per person. They are out there.
Final Tips to Planning the Perfect Inexpensive Beach Vacation
If you are looking for a budget-friendly, yet still enjoyable beach vacation, there are a few things to keep in mind.
First of all, you need to plan ahead. If you wait until the last minute to book your flight and hotel accommodations, it will be difficult to find an affordable option. Secondly, it is important that you find a hotel that is close enough to the beach so that you don’t have to spend your entire vacation traveling back and forth.That being said, being right on the water is not necessary either as it will cost you dearly.
Thirdly, if money is tight, consider spending your vacation at a campground instead of an expensive resort.
Fourth, remember that it’s always better to stay at home than to book accommodations. If a beach staycation is possible, consider it.
