Take the Heat off Your Wallet: 5 Budget-Friendly Summer Vacation Destinations
Summer Fun Doesn’t Have to be Pricy
Looking for somewhere to travel this summer that won’t break the bank? After working hard all winter, you deserve to take a vacation in the sunshine and enjoy yourself. But if you are on a tight budget, you’ll be searching for a spot where the hotel and restaurant prices aren’t ridiculous and you can have a good time for a reasonable amount of money.
The key is to look for cheap summer vacation spots that are a little smaller, not as well known and somewhat off the beaten track. These places are often just as beautiful as the more popular destinations, but they will offer much more affordable prices.
Here are some beautiful destinations perfect for frugal getaways.
Boquete, Panama
This lovely little mountain town in Panama is a small and quiet place surrounded by lush jungles and beautiful rivers. You can spend your days there hiking on the many trails, visiting local coffee plantations or just relaxing in the sunshine.
The local trails are well mapped and there are so many to explore. If you are feeling really adventurous, you can hike to the top of the dormant volcano, Volcan Baru. Activities and accommodation are very affordable here; for example, a typical coffee plantation tour costs around $25 USD and you can get a decent hotel room for around $25-$50 per night.
Loreto, Mexico
Located on the Baja California Peninsula, Loreto is a beautiful, sun-soaked Mexican town offering sandy beaches with turquoise water, centuries-old churches and delicious authentic cuisine. You can even take a day trip to see the prehistoric cave paintings at the Sierra de la Giganta mountain range.
Nature lovers will enjoy exploring Bahia de Loreto National Park, where you might spot dolphins, pelicans and whales frolicking in the waters off the coast. It’s possible to find 3-star hotels in Loreto for around $50-$70 USD per night, so this spot has all the makings of a cheap summer vacation.
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Porto, Portugal
Porto has all of the beautiful historic architecture, delicious food and glorious sunshine of Lisbon — but without the crowds and the expensive prices. It’s one of the most underrated cities in Europe and a fantastic place to enjoy a great value summer vacation.
Be sure to take some time to wander through the streets of the Ribeira district, where you’ll find many cool bars and cafes to try. You can also visit the beautiful Serralves Museum & Villa, which was built between 1925 and 1944, and is surrounded by sumptuous gardens.
Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
Can you imagine yourself relaxing in a hammock overlooking an immense lake that shimmers in the sunlight, surrounded by blooming tropical flowers with volcanoes and mountains on the horizon? If this sounds good to you, you’ll love Lake Atitlan — a stunning destination in Guatemala.
Even one of the fancier hotels in Lake Atitlan won’t cost you more than $100 USD per night, so you can visit this naturally beautiful spot even if you are on a tight budget.
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Saranda, Albania
If you are dreaming of Mediterranean sunshine but you don’t wait to pay the high prices of Greece or Italy, one of the best cheap summer vacation ideas is to travel to Albania. The Albanian coast is stunning, with turquoise water and golden sand; yet, it is still one of the cheapest countries in Europe and is totally off the main tourist track.
Saranda is a lovely coastal town on a gulf in the Ionian Sea, in the central Mediterranean. Nearby you can also visit the remains of the ancient city of Butrint, which is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can also explore Lekuresi Castle, which dates back to early Ottoman times and was once a citadel that enclosed an entire village. All that remains now are a few portions of the walls and a crumbling tower that overlooks the bay.
