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What Are the Cheapest Tropical Vacations in 2023?
In 2023, the average American plans to spend $2,830 on their summer vacation. This is likely due in part to an increase in travel demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic and hefty inflation costs. Rising prices are making it difficult to find the best vacation spots.
82% of vacationers have stipulated a need to budget their vacation expenses much more closely. For many travel-ready vacationers, it is becoming more necessary to seek out the cheapest tropical vacations to get the most trip for their money.
So where can you find the most amazing vacation destinations that will give you the most bang for your buck? Keep reading below to discover more all about the best and cheapest tropic trips to take this year.
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico continues to be one of the top cheapest tropical vacations around. Tourism to Puerto Rico has rebounded significantly since the travel bans of 2020 have finally been lifted. In 2022, Puerto Rico saw more than 5.1 million tourists arrive at its Luis Munoz Marin International Airport in San Juan, representing a 6.5% increase from 2021 numbers.
Located in the Caribbean, Puerto Rico offers a rich culture and a vibrant history amidst a backdrop of lush natural landscapes. Most notably, Rincon Beach is one of the premier surfing vacation destinations featuring world-class waves.
You’ll be able to find delicious cuisine, as well as inexpensive hotels, all-inclusive resorts, and vacation rental properties across the island. And best of all, you can experience the beauty of a tropical island without needing a passport, as long as you are a U.S. citizen.
Ubatuba, Brazil
Ubatuba is located in Brazil smack dab in the middle of its more famous cities Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. There are more than a hundred beaches lining the cost. And because it’s off the beaten path, you can find hotels for around $100 or less, making it one of the cheapest tropical vacations.
Explore rainforests and hike nature trails to view wildlife and see breathtaking waterfalls. Or enjoy a variety of water activities like surfing, paddleboarding, kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving, and sunset boat cruises.
You’ll still get all of the best attributes of a South American tropical island vacation without the hefty price tag attached with staying in one of the more major cities.
Orlando, Florida
While technically not a fully tropical locale, Orlando, Florida is still one of the top vacation spots the world over. Orlando, Florida, located in Central Florida is considered to be a humid subtropical climate. This means it mimics the temperatures of tropical islands with its hot and humid summers and mild winters.
There are over 14 different theme parks to choose from in Orlando including SeaWorld, Epcot, Disneyworld, Universal Studios Florida, Legoland, and Universal’s Islands of Adventure. If you buy special vacation packages, you can save on theme park ticket costs and receive discounted dining. While visiting Orlando, you can stay in style at Westgate Palace Resort and receive valuable discounts on their all-suites hotel rates.
Montego Bay, Jamaica
Montego Bay, Jamaica is another tropical island vacation host to white sandy beaches, sparkling blue water, and warm climates. Doctor’s Cave Beach is one of note. You can also take a guided tour of a plantation house, snorkel or scuba dive, and embark on a river rafting tour on a bamboo raft.
Jamaica’s Blue Mountains are famed for Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee, cultivated here since 1728. The Montego Bay Marine Park is a nearly 16 square kilometer mixed-use marine protection area. It offers a bird-watching tour, glass-bottom boat tour, or sunset lagoon tour options along with public education programs on marine life.
Shop around for the best airfare, hotel, and dining packages to maximize your money. It is best to visit from mid-April to mid-December as this will help you secure the lowest rates for the cheapest tropical vacations. Buying round-trip tickets and flying in mid-week will also help you save money.
Palawan, Philippines
The Philippines may not always be considered one of the prime vacation spots. But the truth is, your dollar will go much further here than in some other vacation spots. Discover the El Nido Marine Reserve Park or the Tubbataha Reef National Park to explore marine and local wildlife.
You’ll also be able to take advantage of miles of pristine beaches and crystal blue waters along the archipelago’s coast. If you’re okay with a no-frills hotel, then you can get a beach bungalow for dirt cheap.
This is ideal if you’re planning on spending most of your time exploring and going to the beach. You’ll save a lot of money since hotel accommodations can eat up as much as 15% of your vacation budget.
Cozumel, Mexico
Cozumel, Mexico is known for its crystal clear waters and public white sand beaches. It is home to the second biggest coral reef in the world located in Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park and has affordable scuba diving and snorkeling. It can also be one of the cheapest tropical vacations if you know how to plan your trip right.
Cozumel is actually more expensive between December and March. There is also a storm season from July through October. So the sweet spot is right between these times from late March/early April through early June with more discounted rates.
Zakynthos, Greece
Zakynthos, Greece is a hidden gem among the multitude of Greek islands with picturesque tall cliffs, blue waters, and white sandy beaches. It’s small enough to easily navigate via rental car. But it certainly isn’t short on things to do or sights to see.
Navagio Beach, also called Shipwreck Cove, is aptly named since it does feature a real shipwreck. Visit the ruins of the Venetian Castle and lounge on dozens of beaches in coves, or book a private boat tour. You can even swim, snorkel, or scuba dive alongside real sea turtles.
The food and drink are also plentiful and cheap here. This means with careful budgeting you can ensure you get the most bang for your vacation buck and snag one of the cheapest tropical vacations.
Curaçao
Curaçao is widely regarded as one of the most affordable vacation destinations in the Caribbean. This means that snagging one of the cheapest tropical vacations is easily within reach.
Immerse yourself in the colorful Dutch-inspired architecture and the Caribbean climates. Take a catamaran tour, swim with dolphins and sea turtles, and relax and unwind in your own personal slice of paradise.
Like most tropical vacation spots, Curaçao is no stranger to sparkling blue water and gorgeous white sandy beaches giving way to snorkeling and scuba diving activities. If you opt for a cozier lodging selection away from the pricey resorts, you can find one for around $100 or less per night.
Kauai, Hawaii
Hawaii can be a bit on the pricey side because of its massive tourist appeal. However, the beauty of the Hawaiian Islands is that there are several smaller islands to choose from. Not only do you still get to experience the beauty and majesty of a Hawaiian vacation, but you’ll also be in less touristy areas.
It is recommended that you plan your tropical island vacation for the off-season. This would be April and May and September and October. This will allow you to make your trip one of the cheapest tropical vacations.
There are still plenty of amazing sites to see and activities to take part in like snorkeling and hiking. There are also dinner cruises, shopping, dining, and cultural events like Luaus.
Belize
Belize is located on the northeastern coast of South America. It features lush tropical rainforests and a rich Mayan cultural heritage. It’s one of the cheapest tropical vacations to take because the American dollar will go much further here and flights to Belize are often cheaper than other tropical island vacation spots.
Must-see attractions and activities of note include Lamanai, a real Mayan architectural site, and kayaking Glover’s Reef Atoll. But the most spectacular site is the Great Blue Hole which can be viewed from above by a helicopter. You can also scuba dive or snorkel there.
There are several quaint hotel lodging options that are beach adjacent like the Blue Wave Guesthouse for $100 or less per night.
Thailand
Thailand is a unique blend of modernity mixed with ancient traditions that also makes for one of the cheapest tropical vacations. You’ll find a variety of different areas to explore to suit your travel tastes. For example, in the modern city of Bangkok, you can view the magnificent Grand Palace and the Buddhist temples Wat Arun and Wat Pho as well as the BTS Skytrain transit system.
The countryside of Thailand is home to elephants, tigers, Clouded Leopards, and a plethora of green iguanas. Visit the Chatuchak Weekend Market in Bangkok for shopping galore with 15,000 different stalls spanning over 26 sections featuring local delicacies, antiques, handmade items, clothing, and more. It’s a must-do for tourists.
Punta Cana
Punta Cana is actually referred to as one of the cheapest Caribbean islands. This is good news for travelers searching for the cheapest tropical vacations. Food and hotel accommodations are especially reasonable with many hotels averaging under $100 per night.
Punta Cana has dozens of white sand beaches surrounded by crystal blue waters for lounging or partaking in water activities. You can go horseback riding on the beach, and see a variety of colorful birds, monkeys, and iguanas. There’s even a natural amusement park called Scape Park featuring ziplining, hidden alcoves, and water-based obstacle courses over 247 acres.
Visit the vibrant nightclub Coco Bongo with 10 Vegas-level shows each night. Dine, surf, shop, and relax in luxury while paying a fraction of the cost.
Aruba
Aruba is another tropical island of note. It’s one of the cheapest tropical vacations behind Punta Cana. There’s a wide selection of activities available for everyone.
Visit the Donkey Sanctuary, Phillip’s Animal Garden, The Butterfly Farm, or the Ostrich Farm to get up close and personal with some wildlife. If you’re feeling more adventurous, take a UTV or ATV ride off-roading to secret cave pools and cliff-jumping expeditions.
Baby Beach is a calm experience for kids and adults looking to unwind because it is less crowded than other beaches and has shallow waters. There’s no shortage of activities, great food, vibrant fauna, and beautiful sights to see in sunny Aruba.
Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago enjoy a strong economy due to their oil and manufacturing industries. This allows them to offer visitors reduced rates for areas like hotel accommodations. Hotels are the main travel factor that most other vacation spots would jack up the rates to make an income off of tourism.
The Asa Wright Nature Center in Trinidad has great birdwatching opportunities as well as lush rainforest trails to hike. If you’re a history buff, visit Fort King George and the National Museum and Art Gallery. There’s also The Magnificent Seven, which is a collection of colonial-era mansions.
Visiting Trinidad and Tobago is ideal for those seeking the cheapest tropical vacations. For the best rates, you should avoid Carnival season. This is generally the Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday when food, drink, and accommodation rates skyrocket.
Cambodia
Cambodia, located in Southeast Asia, also has a rich cultural history including the UNESCO World Heritage Site Angkor Archaeological Park. There are numerous ancient temples and ruins to explore and traditional dance performances and local festivals that immerse tourists in its culture.
Another area of note is Tonle Sap Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia. It is not only a visually stunning sight to see, but it also offers a vibrant ecosystem amid floating villages.
The people of Cambodia are friendly to their visitors and will share their genuine hospitality as well as their traditions, customs, and stories with tourists. So, you’re not only getting one of the cheapest tropical vacations but also one of the most welcoming.
Discover More About the Cheapest Tropical Vacations On Our Website
You don’t have to be a millionaire to enjoy the good life. With the cheapest tropical vacations of 2023, your dream vacation is close within reach than ever. You can explore magnificent vacation destinations around the world on the cheap while keeping more green in your wallet.
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