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- Read Up On Even more Of The Cheapest Tropical Places To Visit On A Budget
Summary
- Many of the cheapest tropical destinations around the world offer beautiful beaches, tasty food, and unique attractions. From Curaçao to Thailand, there are loads of options for travelers on a budget.
- Explore some of the best tropical vacations on a budget, including off-the-beaten-path spots like Bonaire and Colombia, home to stunning marine life and beaches. Don't forget to visit hidden waterfalls and try local delicacies.
- Mexico and the Philippines are some of the most affordable tropical destinations in the world with stunning beaches and friendly locals.
Craving some sand and sea but have limited funds? There are plenty of ways to travel for cheap and find oneself in the middle of a beautiful tropical paradise.
Not only are these spots idyllic and kind to one's wallet, but many of them are also cheap destinations all year round. While some locations, like the Caribbean islands, are relatively close to the continental United States, there are others that are further out.
Not to worry; there are plenty of ways to save on airfare tickets (including knowing when flights are cheapest and why) and find oneself halfway around the world on an untouched stretch of sand. From the balmy beaches of Thailand to the lovely, pristine, secluded beaches of Bonaire and beyond, these cheap tropical vacation destinations deliver big without costing a fortune.
UPDATE: 2024/02/04 14:10 EST BY MARIA BOU INK
Read Up On Even more Of The Cheapest Tropical Places To Visit On A Budget
Going on a budget-friendly exploration of the most affordable tropical vacations unveils a world of enchanting landscapes, from sun-kissed beaches to lush jungles and vibrant coral reefs. Therefore, this list was updated to include additional affordable tropical destinations to visit if travelers are on a budget.
Each of the following cheap tropical vacation destinations has been selected and ranked based on the overall cost to visit per day, taken from Budget Your Trip. All of these affordable tropical locations are also known for budget-friendly activities, food, accommodation, and even free attractions and experiences.
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12 Curaçao
Average cost per day: $143
Curaçao is one of the most popular summer vacation destinations, and one only needs to visit to understand why. The beaches look like something out of a postcard, and visitors will find cheery, colorful buildings, delicious food, and plenty of opportunities to explore the underwater world in the form of snorkeling and scuba diving.
Plus, for budget-conscious tourists, there's no lack of free things to do in Curacao', from taking a walking tour of Willemstad to visiting Playa Lagun and enjoying the views while crossing the Queen Emma Pontoon Bridge.
- Top Tip: Rent a car to check out all the best beaches in Curaçao
- Must-Visit Spots: Mambo Beach, Blue Bay, Playa Lagun
- Cheapest time to travel to Curaçao: May to November
11 Aruba
Average cost per day: $139
Aruba, often associated with luxury, can be an affordable destination for budget tropical vacations with strategic planning. Optimal timing in September and October offers substantial discounts due to decreased trade winds and increased temperatures. Hotels may slash prices by 50% or more, while dive boats often provide discounted packages.
June to August, though less hot, still offers savings. Vacationers with limited funds can explore cost-free attractions in Aruba's capital city of Oranjestad, including its free tourist trolley, California Dunes, and the historic Balashi ruins for a budget-friendly Aruban experience.
- Top Tip: Utilize well-equipped supermarkets to reduce dining expenses, especially at pricey beach restaurants
- Best Spots: Balashi ruins, Oranjestad, California Dunes
- Cheapest time to travel to Aruba: Fall
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10 Bonaire
Average cost per day: $108
Beautiful Bonaire is a top scuba diving destination and a fantastic Caribbean hotspot where one can save some money while seeing some of the best marine life in the Caribbean.
The most popular things to do in Bonaire are snorkeling and scuba diving; there are tons to see in these blue waters, and many of Bonaire's best dive sites are actually shore dives (this is a convenient type of dive since divers can simply walk from the beach and swim out directly to the site without needing any boat rides).
Still, although this affordable Caribbean destination is famous for its shore diving and pristine marine life, there are plenty of other things to do in Bonaire besides diving; one can spend a lovely vacation basking on the beach or enjoying the many free experiences in Bonaire, among many other tourist-friendly options.
- Top Tip: Don't leave valuables alone on the beach
- Best Spots: Te Amo Beach, Lac Bay, Bonaire National Marine Park
- Cheapest time to travel to Bonaire: January
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9 Malta
Average cost per day: $55
One can experience the beauty of the Mediterranean on the cheap, thanks to Malta. This gorgeous nation strikes the right balance between European sophistication and tropical charm, and one can find plenty of reasonable accommodations, excellent food, and a friendly atmosphere there.
Tourists on a budget can enjoy the numerous free activities in Malta, too, from touring Mdina Old City without spending a penny to enjoying Marsaxlokk Harbour and exploring the free-to-access parts of The Citadel on the island of Gozo.
- Top Tip: Bring a variety of different clothes as the weather can change quickly in Malta
- Must-Visit Spots: Comino Island, Blue Lagoon, Golden Bay
- Cheapest time to travel to Malta: Shoulder months
8 Dominican Republic
Average cost per day: $52
Check out the Dominican Republic for lovely balmy waters, sugary beaches, and gorgeous Caribbean Sea sunsets. This country is full of reasonably-priced hotels for every taste and style, backpacker-style hostels and accommodations.
Plus, those on a budget can take advantage of the most affordable all-inclusive resorts in the Dominican Republic, ideal for enjoying the perks of a fancy resort without breaking the bank.
Although the island is known for its sandy shores and tropical waters, there are tons to explore beyond the beach. The Damajagua hidden waterfalls are particularly lovely.
- Top Tip: Visit the beaches but don't miss the interior waterfalls
- Best Spots: Bavaro Beach, Punta Cana, Damajagua
- Cheapest time to travel to the Dominican Republic: May to September
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7 Mexico
Average cost per day: $46
From bustling, beautiful Playa del Carmen to lesser-known tropical spots like Zihuatanejo, Mexico is an incredible place to visit if one is looking to save some money. Plus, it's super easy to get to, especially from the US and Canada.
There's some amazing scuba diving and snorkeling, miles of white beaches, and accommodations fit for every taste and style. Plus, the food is great, the people are friendly, and there are tons of things to check out on a vacation, from beaches to amazing ancient ruins in Mexico, especially those in Tulum and Cancun.
Moreover, tourists on a budget can stretch their funds further by staying in any of the lesser-known, under-the-radar beach towns in Mexico, which are typically overlooked in favor of fancier, more famous Mexican beach destinations.
- Top Tip: Don't drink the tap water
- Best Spots: Puerto Vallarta, Playa del Carmen, Los Cabos
- Cheapest time to travel to Mexico: September
6 Tanzania
Average cost per day: $37
Tanzania offers more than just luxury safaris, boasting a stunning coastal region that rivals top tropical destinations. Zanzibar, part of an archipelago with Unguja, Pemba, and Mafia islands, stands out for its budget-friendly appeal. Known for white sandy beaches, turquoise waters, vibrant coral reefs, and the historic Zanzibar Town, it is accessible by taxi or mini-bus.
Despite its luxury image, Zanzibar provides affordable accommodation, especially in backpacker-friendly areas like Stone Town, Kendra, and Nungwi, offering inexpensive restaurants and a plethora of day and night activities. Overall, Zanzibar is one of the world's cheap tropical places to travel to on vacation.
- Top Tip: Don't hesitate to negotiate prices, especially in markets and with local vendors.
- Best Spots: Zanzibar, Unguja, Pemba, and Mafia islands
- Cheapest time to travel to Tanzania: November to May
5 Thailand
Average cost per day: $30
The tropical haven of Thailand is yet another one of the cheapest tropical destinations to visit on vacation. It has its fair share of islands on the Gulf and Andaman coasts, lots of lovely little towns, and no lack of bustling cities like Pattaya and Bangkok, with plenty of great things to see and do without going broke since it's very possible to explore Thailand on a budget.
No matter where one goes, there's never a beautiful beach with some crystal clear water too far away. Plus, the country is famously inexpensive; tourists don't need to spend a lot of money per day in Thailand to have a good time. Heck, even $100 in Thailand goes quite far.
- Top Tip: Visit night markets for some of the cheapest yet most authentic Thai food
- Must-Visit Spots: Phuket, Ko Samui, Ko Chang, Koh Tao, Koh Lanta
- Cheapest time to travel to Thailand: May to October
Some parts of Thailand are significantly more expensive than others; Koh Phi Phi, for instance, is pretty pricey compared to backpacker spots like Koh Tao and Koh Samui.
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4 Malaysia
Average cost per day: $30
While it's not one of the cheapest tropical places to travel from the US in terms of airfare since tourists will have to hop on a longer flight to find Malaysia's sun-kissed shores, it's worth the trip.
Once, there Malaysia is among the cheapest tropical vacations to go on, and there are hundreds of islands, a rich history, and plenty of beaches to stroll on or simply work on a base tan.
Plus, Malaysian people are famously friendly, the food is excellent, and one can find beautiful accommodation for cheap, especially in backpacker spots like colonial Georgetown in Penang. Some of the most affordable islands in Malaysia are Pulau Redang, Pulau Kapas, Pulau Tioman, and Pulau Langkawi.
- Top Tip: Dress beachy for the beach, but more modestly in the towns and cities
- Must-Visit Spots: Rawa Island, Sipadan Island, Batu Ferringhi, Pangkor Island, Georgetown
- Cheapest time to travel to Malaysia: Fall
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3 The Philippines
Average cost per day: $26
For friendly people, stunning beaches, and delicious food, it's got to be the Philippines, one of the cheapest tropical destinations in the world to visit on a vacation.
This Southeast Asian nation has over 7,000 islands, endless miles of coastline, secluded jungle waterfalls, and extraordinary marine life (it's actually home to some of the best dive sites in the world, from Monad Shoal, which is among the top shark diving spots on Earth, famous for thresher sharks, to Tubbataha Reef, one of the planet's best places to see whale sharks).
Cebu is one of the best areas to visit, thanks to its beach proximity, incredible scuba and snorkeling sites, and a bevy of lush internal waterfalls.
- Top Tip: Bring cash, as some places don't accept cards
- Must-Visit Spots: Cebu, El Nido, Bantawan Island, Bohol, Panglao, Negros Island, Palawan, Siargao Island
- Cheapest time to travel to the Philippines: September