List of 10 Low-Cost Beach Vacations for Travelers on a Budget

Choose one of these beautiful stretches of sand as a cheap vacation spot.

There is a good reason why many of the best places to visit in the world are beaches. Researchers from the market research company GfK polled travelers in 17 countries and found that almost twice as many people would rather take a relaxing holiday than an active one. We chose a few cheap beach vacation spots around the world that are known for their beautiful scenery, low-cost services, and lots of things to do. This will help you find the perfect beach vacation for you. Note: Prices for rooms and activities may change based on the time of year and other factors.

1. Clearwater Beach, Florida

Clearwater Beach is a very famous spot for both locals and tourists. It is on a barrier island about 25 miles west of Tampa that has views of the Gulf of Mexico and Clearwater Bay. Because it has both cheap hotels on the water and high-end resorts, it’s a better place to go on vacation than popular Florida beaches like Miami and Sanibel Island. The Clearwater Jolley Trolley and the Clearwater Ferry can both be used for transportation and trips to the area. Plus, kids can enjoy the beach’s quartz sand and then go to Pier 60’s free sunset parties every night. Get a Tampa Bay CityPASS to save even more money. It lets you into the Clearwater Marine Aquarium and some other nearby sites.

2. Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

It’s not always easy to find cheap beach holidays, but Punta Cana’s turquoise water and palm-lined beaches are often less expensive than other popular Caribbean spots. A lot of all-inclusive locations have deals during the off-season and during the summer where kids stay free. A lot of all-inclusive resorts offer rooms for less than $300 per night for two people, even in the winter. To save even more money, book a room with a view of the garden at a big resort complex, such as the Grand Palladium Bávaro Suites Resort & Spa or the Grand Bahia Principe Punta Cana. You may have to take a bus to get to the beach, but once you get there, you’ll have access to many great facilities, activities, and restaurants.

3. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

4. Beaufort, South Carolina

5. San Juan, Puerto Rico

Getting to Puerto Rico by plane is usually cheaper than going to other Caribbean islands, and Americans can go there without a visa. During the busy winter months, you can stay in a stylish house in San Juan for as little as $125 per night. A lot of the hotels in Condado Beach, like the Embassy Suites by Hilton Dorado del Mar Beach Resort, which is great for families, and the historic Condado Vanderbilt Hotel, have newly remodeled rooms and great amenities like pools, casinos, lots of restaurants, and more. Also, there are now seven beaches with the Blue Flag, one of which is Carolina Beach, which is a favorite among tourists.

6. Huntington Beach, California

“Surf City USA” has an 8.5-mile stretch of beach that is cheaper and less crowded than Santa Monica or Los Angeles, which are close by. You can rent a wetsuit and take surfing lessons at Huntington Beach. You can also play volleyball or stand by a bonfire and watch the sun go down. At the Huntington Beach International Surfing Museum, you can take pictures of a 42-foot longboard. At the Surfers’ Hall of Fame, you can see the handprints and feet of famous surfers. Use the old proverb “Maybe gray, June be gloom” to help you decide when to visit and save money by renting a vacation home.

7. The Florida Panhandle

Florida Panhandle beaches are more appealing in the winter when the weather is sunny and in the mid-50s. In the spring, summer, and fall, they are also great for going to the beach. This area is a good place for cheap vacations, but the best times to go are usually from November to February. The 27-mile beach in Panama City Beach has hotels, bars, and clubs that won’t break the bank. Visit Pensacola to see the National Naval Aviation Museum and the Blue Angels Air Show. You could also rent a holiday home with friends and split the cost. Rosemary Beach is a scenic area with a beautiful beach, shops, and restaurants. Grayton Beach is a quieter area with a view of the Gulf of Mexico.

8. Old Orchard Beach, Maine

Rich people from New England go on vacation to Kennebunkport, but families on a budget go to Old Orchard Beach, which is kid-friendly, to camp or stay in cheaper hotels in this East Coast location. The town is about 15 miles southwest of Portland. It has a 7-mile stretch of beach where people can walk, lay out in the sun, or check out the famous 1898 fishing pier. Between May and October, the water is usually too cold for swimming. But that’s okay, because there are lots of shops, restaurants, and Palace Playland, New England’s only seaside amusement park, nearby to keep you busy.

9. Port Aransas, Texas

Port Aransas is a laid-back beach city on Mustang Island, about 40 miles east of Corpus Christi. Visitors can enjoy everything from fishing, kayaking, and shelling to barbecues and pirate-themed tours. South Padre Island and Galveston are better-known Gulf beach spots, but Port Aransas is smaller and less developed. It has cute motels with lower prices.

10. North Shore, Oahu, Hawaii

The North Shore is about 27 miles northwest of Honolulu. From October to March, the small towns on the North Shore are full of surfers. In fact, a lot of them participate in the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing every November and December. Even then, there are deals to be had at Haleiwa’s hotels. It’s easy to get to the famous Banzai Pipeline at ‘Ehukai Beach Park, as well as Kahuku’s food trucks, Ali’i Beach Park, and Sunset Beach, which both have great spots for picnics and surfing.

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