(Jackie is a guest blogger from The Budget-Minded Traveler.)
It’s already February, and Spring Break will be here before we know it. There’s no better excuse to travel than taking advantage of holidays from school and work, so if you haven’t made your winter escape plans yet, now is the time to get on that. To help your cause, I’ve come up with three affordable, easily accessible, sunny destination ideas for your upcoming spring getaway:
Kailua Bay, Oahu © Jackie Nourse
No, I’m not kidding. Oahu can certainly be done on a budget while still experiencing plenty of adventure and beauty. There are many places to hike, opportunities to learn how to surf, rent stand up paddle boards, go kayaking, or even go on a zip lining adventure without breaking the bank. If you haven't already, do check out Groupon and plan your trip ahead of time so you can buy vouchers for discounted activities (that can save you up to 70% off or more). Alternatively, if you prefer to do nothing on your vacation (and no one will judge you for this), the countless, sun-drenched, palm tree-lined beaches are waiting for you. Mango smoothie, anyone?
US citizens don’t need a passport
Tropical paradise at your fingertips
No foreign transaction fees or currency
Great flight deals from the west coast
Hostels (check out the North Shore)
Boutique hotels or Airbnb
Shrimp trucks (trust me on this one)
Adventure activities for all budgets
Pelican Eyes Resort, San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua © Jackie Nourse
While the masses travel next door to Costa Rica, take advantage of less crowded and more affordable Nicaragua. If you’re looking for beach, San Juan del Sur is your place. Here you can enjoy fresh natural juices, catch-of-the-day seafood, night life, sailing trips, beach days, and your choice of budget to luxury accommodations. There are several beaches to explore nearby, and the more adventurous could consider a trip to Ometepe Island to hike a volcano or two. For a full 7-day itinerary, click here.
Short flight to Managua from southern US
US dollar is widely accepted, making it easy to bring the cash you’ll need
Tropical adventure at your fingertips
Great flight deals from southern US
Low cost of living means the US dollar goes far
Adventure activities for all budgets
Lunch stop on Isla Espiritu Santo, La Paz, Baja California Sur © Jackie Nourse
Cabo may be in the spotlight, but my favorite (and very underrated) destination in Baja California Sur is La Paz, just a couple hours north of Cabo on the Sea of Cortez. La Paz offers travelers a taste of real Mexico, rather than just a taste of the overpriced, over-crowded American resort bubble of Cabo.
Accommodations and restaurants are plenty, and don’t miss the food carts and taco trucks. There are tour companies on every corner offering opportunities to swim with whale sharks, go whale watching, spot manta rays, snorkel with sea lions, kayak to Isla Espiritu Santo, and more. You could also simply rent a car and explore the beautiful beaches of the peninsula yourself, renting kayaks or stand up paddle boards along the way, or, of course, parking yourself in the sand with a margarita.
Why It’s Easy & Affordable:
Cheap flights to Cabo from many destinations across the US
Two hour flight from LA
Baja is especially used to catering to American tourists
Great destination for a shorter trip since it is so close
Adventure activities for all budgets
Baja California Sur is considered the safest region in Mexico
Do these destination sound good to you? We hope they do! Spring Break is right around the corner and two useful sites we can always vouch for is Groupon and Hotels.com when it comes to frugally planning our way to a productive and happy vacation. Alternately, you can also try Airbnb where available but either way, with careful researching and planning, you're well on your way to a sun-filled break. Enjoy!
Always check the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) to stay on top of the latest health and travel alerts before booking trips.
