How To Budget For A Beach Vacation
If backpacking in Brazil is not part of your budget for the year, then there are still ways for you to enjoy an amazing vacation experience. Let’s take a look at how to budget for a vacation before you plan it so that you don’t find yourself rushed with decisions at the last second, trying to cut costs and make changes to your plans. The holiday beach or pool side is full of fun and relaxing moments along with a lot of expenses. How to budget for the beach has the following phases:
For a lot of us, the summer months mean it’s time to go on vacation. Whether you’re taking a trip to the local beach or going somewhere international, there are several important factors to consider when planning a vacation. From flight costs, to how much money you’ll need for food and drink expenses — these are some things you should look out for.
It’s time to start thinking about your vacations for this summer. With the kids out of school, now is the perfect time to escape for a few days or even take a longer trip. I bet you’re probably planning to go someplace tropical and white-sand beaches. Am I right? Looking for a great summer getaway to recharge, relax, and have fun? Maybe you want some time on the sand or by the sea; but how much will this cost?
How To Budget For A Beach Vacation
6 Tips to Plan a Beach Vacation on a Budget
Enjoy the ocean breeze without breezing through your savings.
When choosing a beach, find one off the beaten path to avoid the crowds and inflated hotel costs.(WOLFGANG AMRI/ISTOCKPHOTO)
Dipping your toes into the warm sand with an umbrella drink in hand does not have to cost a fortune. Fun in the sun can be enjoyed on a budget. Here are a few ways to take in that ocean breeze without breaking the bank this summer:
Budget now. There is still plenty of time to plan and budget for a summer trip. When planning a vacation, make sure to take into account all transportation expenses, including airfare or train tickets, gas for your car or rental car fees, and public transportation costs once you get to your destination. Don’t forget about those miscellaneous items such as shopping at seaside boutiques, dining out or entrance fees at boardwalk attractions. If you lead an active lifestyle, consider rental fees associated with surfboards or bicycles, or the cost of acquiring car equipment (roof racks or tows for boats and Jet Skis) if you’re bringing your own gear.
Have a “staycation” beach vacation. You don’t have to travel far to enjoy a great beach vacation. There are a number of family-friendly and affordable beaches throughout the United States just waiting to be enjoyed. Pack a picnic lunch, curl up on a beach towel under the stars or take a day trip with the family. You’ll save on travel expenses while enjoying the beauty of nature in your own backyard. And if you don’t live near a beach, look for fun ways to bring the beach to you this summer! Host a tropical pool party potluck with all the summer treats such as watermelon, barbecued hot dogs and hamburgers, and ice cream. Complete the party with beach balls, surf music and plenty of lounge chairs.
Avoid peak times. Major holidays and weekends are busy times for beach communities. Hotels charge peak season rates between Memorial Day and Labor Day. If possible, consider a weekday beach getaway, or plan a trip in September when rates are lower and many schools are back in session. Affordable prices aren’t the only upside. Depending on what coast you’re visiting, the weather and water are both still pleasantly warm, and the crowds are more manageable.
Choose a beach off the beaten path. Location is everything when it comes to a beach vacation, but that doesn’t mean you need to choose one with a national reputation. While Miami Beach, Myrtle Beach and Santa Monica are renowned for their luxurious stretches of sand, their popularity with summer travelers means they’re often significantly more expensive to visit than neighboring beach towns that are lesser known. Make sure you do your research, and see if a cheaper alternative adjacent to your dream beach exists – often it does!
Consider renting a condo or vacation home. A hotel isn’t the only option when traveling. In fact, it’s often not the best option when it comes to your budget or sanity. Vacation homes are typically more affordable when you rent them for the entire week, especially if you have a big family or large group. They also have the added benefit of a kitchen, so you can easily prepare meals without dining out. When renting vacation homes, consider finding one from a site with a large network of users like Airbnb or VRBO. Look for properties that are located near restaurants, activities and the beach so you’ll enjoy the convenience without having to rent a car.
Plan ahead for your activities. When choosing affordable beach vacations for families or large groups, think about what everyone wants to do, and factor that into your budget. Young families will likely want to head to beaches that have lifeguards, convenient restrooms and calm waters. Teenagers will most likely want a little adventure like snorkeling or surfing. Ask ahead if there are any discounts on lessons or activities. Bring beach toys and inflatable rafts and plenty of sunscreen instead of buying the marked-up products at the gift shop.
Beating the heat and enjoying the sand this summer doesn’t have to come with a giant price tag. A little due diligence before you don the swimsuits can go a long way to making your beach vacation an affordable getaway.
The term “cheap beach vacations” might make you a little nervous. When “cheap” and “vacation” are in the same sentence, it can lead you down some dark paths. Let’s face it: We’ve all had a cheap vacation that went horribly wrong. Maybe you have some not-so-fond memories of your parents taking out the seats in the van to camp on the beach. Hey, points for being adventurous, right?
Adventure or not, you don’t want to confuse a cheap beach vacation with a crappy beach vacation. That’s right, I want you to have the best vacation that’s in your budget.
Best Beaches in the U.S. (That Won’t Break the Bank)
Some people are mountain people. Some people are beach people. My mother-in-law is definitely a beach person. She must see the ocean from the balcony—that’s a nonnegotiable. If she can’t see the sand and the water, she’s not going. And if you’re anything like my mother-in-law (don’t read into that too much), then you’re going to have to book further out to get those coveted beachfront views.
Start budgeting with EveryDollar today!
But just because you’re going on a beach vacation, doesn’t mean you have to spend an arm and a leg to do it. You might just have to make some trade-offs to get it to fit in your budget. More on that later.
For now, here’s a list of beaches across the United States to help you plan your next cheap beach vacation.
Southern Beaches
1. Gulf Shores, Alabama
First up is none other than Gulf Shores, Alabama. This beach is known for its pristine white beaches, hiking trails (if you’re into that sort of thing), and more activities to do than you have time for. Gulf Shores is a favorite for many beach-loving families who want to spend quality time oceanside without sacrificing on fun. I’ve personally been a handful of times, and it might be the best bang for your buck if you want those beautiful Gulf of Mexico vibes. And if you love beach hopping, Orange Beach is just a short distance away.
After you’ve burnt yourself to a crisp on the beach, you’ll want to snag a ride on the local dolphin cruise. If you’re a giant reptile fan, check out Alligator Alley for some up-close-and-personal time with the alligators. And if you really want some thrills, Waterville USA is the place to go for water slides and roller coasters galore.1 See? Fun for the whole family.
2. St. Petersburg/Clearwater, Florida
This area made Travel + Leisure’s 46th out of 50 places to visit in the world in 2022.2 Yup—number 46 in the world. If that’s not enough to start packing your suitcases, I don’t know what is.
While St. Pete and Clearwater are two different cities, they share the same county. Vacationing here means you get all the benefits both cities have to offer, like museums, local breweries and tons of great restaurants.
Clearwater and St. Pete beaches are great for collecting seashells (who doesn’t love a good seashell?). And if your online dating profile boasts you like “long walks on the beach,” you’ve come to the right place. These beaches are known for their miles of white sand, clear water and calm waves. What’s not to love? Plus, if you get bored at one beach, just hop on State Road 699—there are tons of beaches just waiting to be explored.
3. Galveston, Texas
Whether you’re a local Texan wanting to trade in your cowboy boots for flip-flops, or you’re just looking for an excuse to travel south . . . look no further than Galveston. Not only does it have 32 miles of Gulf beaches to explore, but it’s also the perfect vacation spot that won’t hurt your wallet.3 You want waterfront? You got it—and it won’t cost you your firstborn.
Sure, the water may not be crystal clear like some other beaches I’ve mentioned, but it’s still a great beach nonetheless. Plus, there’s a handful of beaches to explore alongside the Galveston Seawall: East Beach, Stewart Beach, Sunny Beach, Porretto Beach . . . just to name a few. If you’re a nature lover, you’re going to love Galveston Island State Park. And if you don’t mind the two-hour drive, also check out Matagorda Bay Nature Park. Don’t forget your fishing poles! Just be sure to look up admission fees, parking rates and hours of operation before you go.
4. Tybee Island, Georgia
If you want to head south, but don’t want to go to your usual spots, take a hard left to Tybee Island, Georgia. This little island is off the coast of Georgia and only 25 short minutes from the sweet Southern town of Savannah. It’s the perfect mix of moss-covered oaks and coconut-laden palm trees—which coincidentally sounds like a great Bath & Body Works candle name: Mossy Coconut.
Once you’re on the island, grab yourself a sweet tea and head to one of Tybee’s five beaches: North, Mid, South, Back River and Little Tybee.4 North Beach is on the fancier side, while South Beach boasts the hustle and bustle of island town life. Visit Tybrisa Street near South Beach for unique eats, shopping and more. And if you’re up for adventure, Little Tybee Island is the place to go. You can only get there by boat (or another watercraft like a Jet Ski, kayak or canoe), but once you’re there, there’s endless amounts of exploring to do. Plus, you can camp right on the island . . . just don’t forget your bug spray. And snacks. Lots of snacks.
East Coast Beaches
5. Virginia Beach, Virginia
They say Virginia is for lovers, and I’m willing to bet it’s because of Virginia Beach. This beach holds the Guinness World Record for being the largest pleasure beach.5 It’s the longest continuous beach at 28 miles.
Virginia Beach gives you endless amounts of entertainment, including the Virginia Beach Boardwalk, Cape Henry Lighthouse, the ViBe Creative District and more history than you’ll know what to do with. If you’re looking for a day away from the crowds, take a drive to Sandbridge Beach to soak in the quiet, play on the sand dunes, and relax.
6. Nags Head, North Carolina
I can’t talk about East Coast beaches without mentioning the Outer Banks, specifically Nags Head. This beach town is just one along the beautiful coast of the OBX (what the locals call it), but it’s a great one to consider for your next trip east.
Nags Head is filled with tons of places to stay: motels, hotels, bed and breakfasts. And you’ll definitely want to budget for seafood. If you’re a fisherman (or fisherwoman), take a trip to the Outer Banks Fishing Pier. When you’ve done everything there is to do in Nags Head, continue south and explore the other Outer Banks beach towns like Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills and Southern Shores.
7. Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina
This beach town is just outside of Wilmington, North Carolina, where One Tree Hill and Dawson’s Creek were filmed (that “doo doo, doo doo” theme song is now stuck in your head). And if you haven’t heard of those shows, you’ve probably heard of Weekend at Bernie’s, right?
Wrightsville Beach is known as North Carolina’s birthplace of surfing.6 And that’s not all (all you Shark Week addicts out there will love this): It’s one of the few places in the world you can find megalodon teeth.7 (Got to love a good prehistoric tooth.) Pretty cool!
West Coast Beaches
8. Cannon Beach, Oregon
Cannon Beach is known as one of the best beaches in Oregon. Not only is it beautiful, but it’s also full of wildlife. I have to mention too that the movies Twilight and The Goonies were filmed here. (While you may not get to see the Shuffle Truffle from an original Goonie, you could probably ask your kids to reenact it for you.) Goonies aside, Cannon Beach is known for its beauty. If you visit, you’ll get to see Haystack Rock, along with all the cute puffins that call it home.
While Cannon Beach isn’t your typical swimming beach (unless you’re into ice baths), you can still enjoy everything the beach has to offer. Just make sure to pack a sweatshirt or three.
9. Mission Beach, California
Ah, good ol’ San Diego. When you think of San Diego, you might think of Legoland or the art scene. But there’s even more to explore, namely Mission Beach. It’s got something for everyone in the family.
Hit up the beach for a day, and you’ll find a two-mile boardwalk with an amusement park (Belmont Park) and even playgrounds nearby. Mission Beach is also a favorite night spot for the 20-something crowd, so if you’re vacationing with small kids, you might want to avoid the boardwalk at night. Venture across the bay, and you’ll find Mission Bay and Sea World! The kids will love it. And let’s be real, so will you.
10. San Clemente, California
If you love the idea of sleeping on the ground, perfuming yourself in bug spray, and cooking your food over an open fire, you’ll love San Clemente State Beach. They say this is a great place to camp out under the stars and let the crash of the waves lull you to sleep.
San Clemente has a trail that connects you to each of its many beaches, like San Clemente State Beach, San Clemente Pier City Beach, T-Street Beach, Riviera Beach, North Beach and many more. Let’s just say you won’t get bored exploring each one by way of the San Clemente Pedestrian Beach Trail. (Say that five times fast.)