Best Budget-Friendly Beach Getaways

Beach bliss on the cheap? Yes, it's possible.

Best Budget-Friendly Beach Getaways

Corfu, Greece offers paradise at surprisingly affordable rates.

Close your eyes and conjure up an image of your dream vacation destination. Are you picturing palm trees weighed down with ripening coconuts swaying gently in the wind? Brilliant blue ocean water rising up to meet a cloudless sky?

How about a nagging sense of anxiety that you can’t shake, regardless of the number of cocktails you toss back, because you know that your bank account balance is creeping closer and closer to zero every minute?

If the idea of an exotic beach getaway fills you with financial dread, you're not alone. Most Americans spend over $1,000 on their vacations, and around three quarters of U.S. citizens admit that they’ve gone into debt to pay for a trip.

The thing is, there’s no reason to go into the red just to pay for a vacation. There are actually plenty of budget-friendly beach destinations located in the states and abroad.

You just need to know where to look.

Corfu, Greece

For thousands of years, travelers have been sailing what Homer so poetically called the “wine dark seas” of Greece. And while reaching the country can be expensive — whether you’re chartering a ship or flying coach — once you’re there, you’ll find it more affordable than most of the rest of Europe, especially if you avoid touristy Athens or Santorini.

The island of Corfu, located just west of the mainland, has as much charm as either of those hot spots, without the steep costs. And it’s studded with beautiful beaches to boot.

Deals and steals:

Many hotel rooms are available for stunningly low prices; a mere $50 a night is typical.

If you want to stretch your dollar even further, eschew fine-dining establishments in favor of street food. You can pick up a hearty, filling gyro for about $3. (And trust us: You’ll be glad you did.)

Manzanillo, Mexico

Tulum has seen a surge in tourism since airlines began offering nonstop flights to the city. And Cancun has been a perennial favorite of the spring-break set. But if you set your sights on Mexico’s less-trafficked western coast, you’ll find that the towns there are as charming as the ones in the Yucatán Peninsula, and often less expensive.

In Manzanillo, for example, you’ll find a lovely waterfront promenade, excellent golf and plenty of space to lay out and tan. If you stay long enough, you may even get a chance to see a green flash — an optical phenomenon common in the area that causes the sky around the sun to suddenly appear a brilliant green — during a picture-perfect sunset.

Deals and steals:

A well-reviewed boutique hotel in Manzanillo often runs $30 or $40 a night.

Want to dine like King Triton on peon prices? Hit up one of many beachside seafood restaurants popular with locals, where seafood tacos often cost about a dollar.

Miami, Florida

Say what you will about Florida — it lives up to its “Sunshine State” nickname. Miami sees about 248 sunny days a year. (The U.S. average? 205.)

And because its airport is a hub for many carriers, it’s often easy to score cheap flights into the city, especially if you’re willing to book through a no-frills airline like Frontier.

Better yet, Miami’s many beaches and boardwalks are scot-free and open to the public.

Deals and steals:

There are thousands of hotels to choose from in Miami, including plenty of budget properties where you can book a bare-bones but perfectly clean room for under $75.

Want to avoid ponying up for Uber or a car rental? Take advantage of the city's extensive Citi Bike system. Rent a bike for the day to zip between beaches for only $24.

Cartagena, Colombia

Many people still associate Colombia with drug cartels (thanks, “Narcos,” for perpetuating that stereotype). But in recent decades the South American nation has done much to improve its reputation, and the U.S. State Department now considers its city of Cartagena, located along the Caribbean coastline, safe for travelers.

The colonial town offers visitors all the charm of nearby Aruba or Curaçao at a fraction of the cost (at least for now, while the destination remains something of a hidden gem).

Deals and steals:

Rooms in four-star hotels located close to Cartagena’s best beaches, like the lively Castillogrande and the less touristy, mangrove-lined Boquilla, can still be found for around $50.

You can also enjoy “plato del dia” meal specials at many local restaurants. These typically include a meat option, rice, beans, fried plantain, a small salad and soup, for just 5 bucks.

Cape May, New Jersey

Unfortunately the Jersey Shore is now better known for its reality television stars than its beautiful beaches. But Cape May — which became a popular summertime destination for wealthy Philadelphians in the mid-1700s and is widely considered the country’s oldest seaside resort — has so much more going for it than tanning salons and nightclubs.

Like, for instance, white-sand beaches, cultural festivals, Victorian-era architecture and bang-for-the-buck amenities.

Deals and steals:

Many of the B&Bs located in colorful houses charge well over $250 a night, but if you’re willing to forego the vintage charm of a Victorian homestead, you can find rooms at budget hotels for less than $150 a night. And you can still gawk at all the “gingerbread” homes while strolling through town.

The Cape is also a great destination for wallet-friendly wildlife-watching. Over 400 species of birds have been identified in the area, and the Cape May Bird Observatory offers guided walks of the surrounding area for $10. Plus, because the observatory is located right on the water, there’s always a chance you’ll be able to spot whales or dolphins there as well.

San Juan, Puerto Rico

It’s been nearly two years since Hurricane Maria tore through Puerto Rico’s historic capital. And while the city has mostly recovered from the destruction, some travelers still seem hesitant to visit.

They’re missing out — especially since many hoteliers are offering steep discounts on rooms to entice tourists to come back. Plus, because Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, Americans can visit without buying a passport. And, in part because it’s a focus city for JetBlue, flights to Puerto Rico are often less expensive than those to other Caribbean islands.

You can also feel good about spending money here (make sure to purchase plenty of piña coladas, the island’s national drink), because all that cash will go in the pockets of locals who could sorely use it.

Deals and steals:

Not only is San Juan offering lots of deals post-Maria, but its off-season hotel rates in general are very reasonable. Between the months of May and November, you can generally book a two- or three-star hotel room for less than $100 a night.

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Only about 30,000 people live in Myrtle Beach year-round, but it receives more than 14 million visitors annually. In other words, tourism is the engine that drives its economy, and you can find pretty much whatever vacation-time activity you’re looking for along its palm tree-lined streets.

Shopping? It’s the largest retail destination in the state. Golf? There are about 100 courses surrounding the city. Water sports? You could jetski to dinner every night if you wanted to.

But the city’s main draw is its 60-mile stretch of coastline, and the hundreds of hotels that rise above it.

Deals and steals:

Because there are so many places to stay in the area, bargains abound. It’s possible to book a two- or three-star hotel room for less than $75 a night, especially if you’re open to staying somewhere without direct beach access.

Bali, Indonesia

If you want to visit Bali, a tropical paradise located where the Indian and Pacific Oceans meet, you’ll likely have to shell out some serious clams for airfare. But once you’ve reached its sun-soaked shores, you’ll find it easy to stick to a budget.

And it’s hard to imagine better bang for your buck. Bali is part of the Coral Triangle, the area of the world with the highest biodiversity of marine species. You could easily spend the bulk of your vacation snorkeling along its reefs, communing with a different species of fish, ray or shark (the small, non-scary kind) each day.

Deals and steals:

In Bali, every part of your stay will be affordable. Lodging can be found for less than $30 a night; one-hour massages at its popular day spas cost around $10; and a fresh, filling meal will set you back a dollar or two.

Gulf Shores, Alabama

Alabama rarely rises to the top of anyone’s list of idyllic beach retreats. That’s a shame, because one of the nicest and most budget-friendly resort towns in the United States can be found along its Atlantic coastline.

The temperature in the semi-tropical city of Gulf Shores rarely dips below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, even in the dead of winter, and highs extend into the 70s and 80s most of the year. The area is home to two of the top-rated golf courses in the state, a zoo and a water park. And you won’t have to spend much to enjoy all of it.

Deals and steals:

If you book far enough in advance, you can find rooms at a posh property with beach access and a pool for under $150 a night, or a two-star hotel less than a mile from the beach for under $100.

Plus, many of the top attractions in the area are free, like the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail and Big Beach Brewing Company’s Saturday concert series.

Split, Croatia

A decade ago, Croatia was considered something of a hidden gem. It definitely isn’t hidden anymore — it’s now one of the top 25 most-visited countries in the world, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization. (Blame the wild popularity of “Game of Thrones,” which is filmed there.)

But even if it’s no longer a hidden gem, Croatia still a gem. And as long as you can resist the urge to charter one of the many private ships that clog its harbors, you can enjoy the charms of its ancient Adriatic towns and beaches without spending a fortune.

Dubrovnik, deservedly, gets most of the love. But Split is also well worth a visit. The tiny town along the Dalmation Coast sprung up in the 5th century AD, when the Roman Emperor Diocletian decided to build a sprawling summer home there.

Deals and steals:

About half of Split is located within its well-preserved walls, but even centrally located hotels often rent out rooms for under $100 a night.

Meanwhile, a bottle of local wine will only set you back about $5-10, while tours of Diocletian’s Palace can be purchased for less than $20.

Sleeping Bear Dunes, Michigan

Not every beautiful beach is attached to a tropical island. Or even an ocean.

The white sand dunes that give this national lakeshore its name rise 450 feet, at an almost 45-degree angle, from the steely blue water of Lake Michigan, and anyone who climbs to the summit can see for miles in nearly every direction. Maybe that’s why “Good Morning America” viewers voted the shore the most beautiful place in America in 2011.

Because the water is cold most of the year, and the site is far from any major airports, Sleeping Bear remains underrated and undervalued.

Deals and steals:

It only costs $20 to $50 to camp along the lakeshore. And even three-star hotel rooms in nearby Traverse City, the self-proclaimed “cherry capital of the world,” can be booked for less than $100 a night.

Porto, Portugal

Portugal can receive more than 3,000 hours of annual sunshine, and it’s one of the warmest nations in western Europe. It’s also one of the beachiest.

Most visitors set their sights on its bustling capital city, Lisbon, or its idyllic answer to the French Riviera, the Algarve. But better deals can be found in Porto, a city near the country’s northern border.

Even better? Porto is the birthplace of port, the sweet dessert wine. Don’t leave town without a bottle. Or two, or three.

Deals and steals:

Cozy hotel rooms in Porto cost around $75 a night. And cafes that cluster along its beaches and esplanades are surprisingly affordable, serving up fresh seafood for around $10 a plate.

Plus, many budget airlines, like easyJet and RyanAir, have set up bases there, ensuring affordable flights.

Huntington Beach, California

Forget the name printed on the maps and the highway exit signs. This sunny SoCal town has been considered “Surf City USA” since it was immortalized in the Beach Boys’ 1962 hit “Surfin’ Safari.” And locals take the nickname seriously. For nearly 50 years, Huntington Beach has hosted the world’s largest surfing competition, an event that draws around 500,000 people the last week of July and the first of August.

The thing is, the beach is just as inviting, and the waves are just as epic the rest of the year. And especially compared to other parts of Southern California, Huntington Beach isn’t a budget-buster.

Deals and steals:

Budget-minded travelers ought to consider booking a room in the area in the weeks before or after the big surfing competition, when a three-star hotel a mile or two east of the beach might rent for under $100 a night.

Like many destinations in SoCal, Huntington Beach is also filled with food trucks, which serve traditional and fusion cuisine in the few-bucks price range.

Koh Phayam, Thailand

Thailand has long been one of the most popular tourist destinations in Asia. And for good reason. The weather is welcoming year-round, the food is delicious, and some of the world’s best beaches are always within reach.

But surprisingly, and happily, all that popularity hasn’t diminished the country’s overall affordability.

Plus, the island is one of the safest in the country, and a great spot for solo female travelers looking to unwind without attracting a lot of unwanted male attention.

Deals and steals:

Islands like Koh Phayam, just a 45-minute boat ride from the port town of Ranong, are still lined with thatch-roofed beachside bungalows that visitors can rent out for as little as $10 a night.

There’s also a surprisingly robust (and affordable) vegetarian food scene there, with lots of organic and vegan options too.

Olympic National Park, Washington

One of the most picturesque national parks in the United States, Olympic is famed for its towering mountains and temperate rainforests. But its rugged beaches are just as praise-worthy.

And though the water that surrounds the Pacific Northwest is more often frigid than refreshing, you can spend your days wandering around the park’s popular tidepools — snapping photos of starfish and sea anemones — and your nights relaxing by a campfire further inland.

Deals and steals:

Camping in the park doesn’t cost much more than a pound of fresh-ground beans from one of nearby Seattle’s many coffee shops (nightly rates range from $15-20).

Even if you don’t want to completely rough it, you can find good deals at low-key lodges that dot the park grounds. Rooms at the historic Lake Quinault Lodge start around $160, and bunks at the Log Cabin rent out for less than $100.