You don’t have to fly to Fiji to experience the tropical vacation of your dreams. Sunny getaways are more affordable than ever in warm-weather locales like Hawaii, Mexico, and the Caribbean islands. Here are 3 tropical destinations that are a lot cheaper than you think.
You’ll get a lot of bang for your buck with these beachy destinations without sacrificing that island ambiance.
Belize
Yes, the words “Belize” and “budget” can go together. Belize is one of the fastest growing countries for American travelers this year, and vacation cost are down by close to 9 percent compared to last year due to this surge. Many tour companies are offering affordable trips that showcase the country’s culture, and new airline routes are driving fares down due to competition.
Formally known as British Honduras, Belize is located in Central America. The tiny country is just below Mexico, east of Guatemala, and north of Honduras on the western edge of the Caribbean Sea, boasts an impressive array of jewels. Pristine shorelines and dense jungle, to a massive barrier reef all while dotting hundreds of low-lying islands called cayes. This country is rich in marine life. Belize’s jungle areas are also home to Mayan ruins such as Caracol.
Look at the areas of Cayne Caulker, Placencia, Peninsula, and Dangriga for lower hotel prices and food in comparison to San Pedro. And of course all-inclusive is also an option for Belize as well.
Cancun
Mexico has always been fairly economical, but these days some of the deals out there are nothing short of incredible. Although there are a few things that Cancun is not. It is not the place to visit if you are looking to impress your friends. Or if you want to commune with the locals (the Mexican accent you hear at the front desk may be the only way you know you are in Mexico.) Not the place if you want to get off the beaten path. If you want to have a beach to yourself. If you actually want to feel like you are in a foreign country. However, it does have plenty of perks and Cancun is definitely Mexico’s showcase resort.
The original developers and the Mexican government can be proud of what they have accomplished here. Built in a location that was named by the Mayan people, long ago, for the large number of snakes in the area, Cancun has been carefully groomed into one of the most polished resorts anywhere.
Long gone are the snakes and most of the mosquitoes that might have enjoyed the numerous lagoons. Few resorts in the world have the infrastructure and amenities that were built into Cancun from the beginning. Everything just seems to flow together effortlessly in Cancun. This is one of the reasons that Cancun is Mexico’s most popular resort, the other reason being…Location, location, location.
With a myriad of all-inclusive resorts in Cancun to accommodate all budgets, the perfect vacation is well within your reach. And if you do venture off resort property, the currency exchange rate in Mexico is excellent right now.
Jamaica
Jamaica was a British colony until 1962. After World War II, it developed a reputation not just for peace and warmth but also as a place to escape the sexual and artistic uptightness of England and North American—a bit of Tangier in the Caribbean. It drew a heady mix of the first-generation jet set: Graham Greene, Truman Capote, Lucian Freud, Peter O’Toole, Sophia Loren, and Audrey Hepburn among them.
Today some of that Old Hollywood glamour has faded and more people may think of Usain Bolt rather than Sophia Loren but Jamaica still retains its’ call to the celeb although more musically inclined today as compared to the past. Rihanna, Katy Perry, John Legend, Alicia Keys, Dave Stewart have all indulged in the rich Jamaican culture, relaxed vibe and stellar South Asian restaurants.
Jamaica boasts several all-inclusive resorts, but in addition to beautiful beaches, the Caribbean island also offers a whole host of activities for outdoor enthusiasts, including hiking, zip lining, and even cliff diving, if you date.