14 Budget-Friendly Family Vacations You Can't Afford to Miss
Moab, Utah
For those budding outdoorsmen and adventuresses in your family, you’ll want to take note of this one. A trip to Moab puts you right in the middle of some of the most inspiring and enchanting natural sites in the United States.
Within seven hours of Moab you’ll find six U.S. National Parks — Zion, Arches, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reed, Mesa Verde and Canyonlands — so your options for exploring are nearly endless. Purchase an America the Beautiful National Parks Pass for $80 and your family will have a year of access to all of the parks in the U.S. National Parks system. The pass is free to active military members and fourth graders, so if that applies to someone in your family, you are looking at an even cheaper family vacation!
With your park pass in hand, you can set off to explore the wilderness that characterizes these parks. Hiking trails, mountain biking, rafting, horseback riding, camping and much more await.
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Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is a beautiful tropical destination in the Caribbean with a unique Spanish-Colonial culture and is an ideal destination for families traveling on a budget. The island is easily reachable by plane from several hub cities in the United States and there are limited hassles for U.S. citizens as the island is a U.S. commonwealth.
Puerto Rico’s capital, San Juan, is one of the first cities to have been founded in the Caribbean. Here you’ll have a chance to learn about the history of Puerto Rico and the region through sites such as Fort San Cristobol and El Morro. The capital also has numerous examples of colonial architecture and restored ancient buildings along its cobblestone streets.
The natural surroundings won’t disappoint either. El Yunque National Forest is a tropical rainforest in the Luquillo Mountains. Easily accessible from San Juan, the stunning national park is a nice day-trip destination.
No one visits Puerto Rico without spending at least some time on the beach. Most of the beaches around San Juan are open to the public. Some of the top picks for family travelers include the beaches of Isla Verde and Luquillo. Of course, spending time playing in the sand and relaxing in the sun are completely free — a nice way for the whole family to spend the day when traveling on a budget.
