14 Budget-Friendly Family Vacations You Can't Afford to Miss
Fiji
The island nation of Fiji is a sun and sand playground for all ages. There is plenty to keep children entertained here, with jungles, caves and waterfalls enticing you out for day trips.
Then there is the warm local culture; Fiji is a wonderful place to travel with kids because of the gentle and open nature of Fijian people. They have a great fondness for children and will happily invite them (and you) to join in various activities and games, allowing you to forge connections that will make your vacation unforgettable.
There are an abundance of resorts in Fiji, many of them tailored toward families. Kids’ clubs are common, as are child-friendly pools and play areas.
Resorts that welcome children usually also offer babysitting, so you can enjoy an evening out with your significant other, indulging in local restaurants and bars. To top everything off, Fiji is an affordable family vacation destination — you will be able to enjoy the lush Pacific Island paradise without breaking the bank.
Bozeman, MT
This Southern Montana city has much to offer the family traveler, and without the high price tag that comes with some of the more flashy resort cities in the Western U.S. If you are looking to disconnect from the hustle and bustle and spend time together as a family, Bozeman is where it’s at. Here, your kids will be able to run free and enjoy a variety of experiences in the mountains, all while everyone is soaking in the beautiful views on every side.
Your days will be full of hiking, camping, mountain biking, rafting and fly fishing in the mountains around Bozeman. You’ll be just 80 miles north of Yellowstone National Park, so you’ll likely want to spend at least a day or two exploring the park during your visit.
However, just because you are enjoying nature all day long doesn’t mean you’ll have to leave behind all creature comforts. As Bozeman’s popularity as a tourist destination has grown, more and more great hotels and restaurants have come to town. There are several hotels that have pools the kids will enjoy at the end of the day. Check out the Best Western, Holiday Inn, Hilton Garden Inn or other big name chain hotels in Bozeman if a pool is important to your group.
Hitchhiking is a controversial topic with lots of questions surrounding it. Is hitchhiking illegal? Is it possible to do so safely? Those answers and more!
Croatia
The length of the Croatian Coast inspires cheap family vacation ideas. White-walled and red-roofed towns line pebbly beaches, thrumming with a sunshine-fueled buzz. The warm weather and unique culture of Croatia make this an inviting destination for family holidays.
Croatia is a friendly country and easy to travel with the tribe. There is a great bus network and English is widely spoken in tourist areas.
It’s also a relatively small country, so it’s a good idea to base yourself in one spot and explore from there. Zadar is a great place to set up camp while you venture further afield. It’s slightly smaller and quieter than Dubrovnik or Split, but still has lots to keep you busy.
You can visit nearby islands, eat fresh cherries from the market or visit Plitvice National Park, a surreal locale and one of the best places to swim in Croatia. The kids will be enthralled with the Sea Organ and disco lights of the Sun Salutation that light up at sunset.
While you’re watching the sun go down, you might even get lucky and spot dolphins.
