After two months of braving frosty weather, gloomy skies, and awkward holiday parties, you may be dreaming of a winter escape. But if you’ve wearied your wallet on holiday presents and extravagant parties, you might balk at the idea of splurging on an expensive vacation.
Don’t worry. Sunny beaches, rustic woodland cabins and vibrant cities might only be a short, very inexpensive trip away. Winter is one of the most budget-friendly times to travel, when travel and tourism slows and you can score cheap flights, inexpensive accommodations and luxuries for less.
To set you off on your wintry retreat, we’ve compiled a guide to five of the most inexpensive travel destinations for winter 2016. Before digging out your bikini and shopping for suntan lotion, check out our recommendations:
San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua
Though neighboring country Costa Rica has long been a beloved tourist destination, Nicaragua has only recently began to catch vacationers’ eyes. But if you are willing to travel off the beaten path, you can discover Nicaragua’s pristine beaches, lush rainforests, and rustic colonial towns. Fly into Managua and take a shuttle or official taxi directly to San Juan del Sur, a sleepy surfer town rimmed by brown-sugar beaches and shaded by mango trees. Spend your days taking surfing lessons or sunning in a hammock at a beachside bar and spend your nights partying among international travelers at the town’s many vibrant nightclubs. The best part? Because the colorful country is still coming into its own, accommodation, dining, entertainment, and tours in Nicaragua remain wonderfully affordable, even for the most budget-conscious traveler.
Budget Breakdown
Flight: $208+ from Miami, FL
Accommodation: $9+/night for mid-range digs
Meals: $9+ per day
Orlando, Florida
Visit the cheerful and sunny town of Orlando from January through April, and you’ll see a lull in tourist traffic but no shortage of beautiful weather and family-friendly activities. With 80 degree days during the winter, Orlando is an ideal destination for snorkeling through coral reefs, boating past lakefront mansion, and checking out some of the globe’s most renowned amusement parks. Celebrated as the “theme park capital of the world”, Orlando is home to Disney World, LEGOLAND, and the newly opened Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando. You’ll score the best deals on theme parks and hotels in Orlando during the winter, before spring weather brings high-season prices.
Budget Breakdown
Flight: $113+ for internal U.S. flights
Accommodation: $39+/night for budget digs
Meals: $30+/day
Dominican Republic
Nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, the Dominican Republic is home to miles of pearl-white beaches, flowery jungles, and peaceful lagoons. Equally enchanting are the cities in the Dominican Republic, where you’ll can see cobble-stone streets and splendid historic monasteries. But while the DR boasts all the natural beauty of neighboring Caribbean islands, a Dominican Republic vacation typically comes with a much friendlier price tag. Book a flight to the DR in the winter, and you can find bargains on a boutique hotels to come home to after a day spent swimming and exploring. We recommend skipping the more expensive resorts in Punto Cana and Puerto Plata, and staying in one of the beachfront hotels of the less-traveled Samaná Peninsula, where you can find both lower rates and serene hidden beaches.
Budget Breakdown
Flight: $237+ for flights from Fort Lauderdale, FL
Accommodation: $33+/night for budget digs
Meals: $15+/day
New Orleans, USA
Looking for a budget-friendly destination pulsing with music and abounding with inventive eateries? Head to New Orleans after Mardi Gras, when you can score deals on flights and hotel accommodations. And don’t think you’ll miss out on a good time just because Mardi Gras festivities are over. You can count on finding a festival, party, or parade virtually every week in New Orleans. Stroll down historic streets of French Quarter, where street cars clatter past Spanish colonial architecture. Stop in Jackson Square to watch street performers and painters while munching on traditional creole eats. At night, explore the trendy nightclubs, hip jazz joints, and dark cafes of the infamous Bourbon Street.
Budget Breakdown
Flight: $68+ for internal U.S. flights
Accommodation: $36+/night for budget digs
Meals: $14+/day
Keystone, Colorado
On the snowy mountains of Keystone, kids always ski free. The tiny picturesque town is nestled at the bottom the ski area, which consists of three mountains, an acclaimed snowboard park, and 131 trails for skiers of all ages and abilities. The resort features comfortable lodging at a variety of price points, in addition to award-winning restaurants and an array of family-friendly activities. Head to the Lakeside Village area to check out the five-acre ice skating lake, the largest Zamboni-maintained outdoor rink in North America.
Budget Breakdown
Flight: $78+ for internal U.S. flights to Denver, one-way shuttle from airport $48+ per adult, $25+ for children
Accommodation: $144+/night for resort accommodation
Meals: $28+/day
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5 Budget-Friendly Vacations to Take During Winter originally appeared on usnews.com
