Summer's so close we can almost feel it — but it's not quite here yet. And our productivity levels are at an all-time low as we dream about warmer climes, white sands, and no-shoes-required destinations. We need the beach, and we need it now. But we also need it to be affordable.
Ahead, find a gallery full of sandy stretches, azure waters, clear skies, and tropical lodgings. Fear not, it ain’t just mesmerizingly beautiful clickbait; all these places are actually inexpensive. Click on through to see the eight beach breaks that you — yes, you — can actually take. And, if you need help saving for your dream vacation, we've got that covered, too.
Pedasi, Panama
If the touristy scenes of Mexico and the Caribbean don't do it for you, consider hightailing it to Panama. Everything about the coastal town of Pedasi is tranquilo. Here, you'll find idyllic mountain views, immaculate beaches, a bustling downtown area, and activities galore: horseback riding, snorkeling, surfing, fishing, diving, and more.
Cost Of Getting There: Flights from major U.S. hubs to Panama City are available for around $300. From there, it's a short $70 flight to Pedasi.
Where To Stay:El Sitio Playa Venao offers 14 rooms of varying size and amenities. Perch yourself on a comfy hammock and spend the afternoon just watching the waves. If you get bored, all the activities mentioned above are close at hand. Standard rooms can be found for as little as $90 a night.
Photo: Courtesy of El Sitio Playa Venao.
Playa Del Carmen, Mexico
With incredible snorkeling reefs, white beaches, cool stores and cafes, and arty boutique hotels, Playa Del Carmen is a hub for hipsters with wanderlust. Popularized by backpackers who sought spotless sands, it's a chilled-out beach town with a slightly hippie-esque atmosphere. Better yet, it's a short drive from Cancun — a major city with plenty of direct flights — but has none of the spring break-style cheesiness.
Cost Of Getting There: Roundtrip flights from major U.S. cities to Cancun start at around $315.
Where To Stay: Booking.com has some seriously good deals, if you're flexible with your dates. Try Hotel Kinbe, a stylish outpost just feet from the beach with minimalist rooms, a pool with a waterfall, and nightly rates as cheap as $57.
Photo: Courtesy of PlayaDelCarmen.com.
Costa Rica
For a tropical retreat, try Costa Rica, which, despite its growing popularity and uptick in development, remains largely undisturbed, natural, and affordable. Book ahead and get a cheap and cheerful B & B; there’s no point in splashing your cash for a room when you’re going to be spending all of your time out exploring. And here, we guarantee that’s exactly what you’ll be doing.
Cost Of Getting There: Roundtrip flights from major U.S. cities to San Jose start at around $350.
Where To Stay: Located in Montezuma (on the southern tip of Costa Rica), Amor de Mar is an 11-room guesthouse surrounded by tropical greenery and only five minutes from the beach. Doubles are available from around $55 per night.
Photo: Cultura/REX USA.
Saint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
The most easterly point in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Saint Croix is a teeny, tiny island that offers everything you could possibly want from a tropical beach break: sun-kissed seas, talc-like sands, blue skies, palm trees, and quality piña coladas.
Cost Of Getting There: Roundtrip flights from major U.S. cities are available for around $360; depending on your departure city, you may have to change planes in Miami or Saint Thomas.
Where To Stay:Hotel Caravelle in the historic town of Christiansted is a great and affordable option, with nightly rates from $119 and rooms with harbor views.
Photo: Courtesy of The U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism.
Kona, Hawaii
There’s no doubt Hawaii can be seriously expensive, but tucked away between pricey resorts and five-star hotels is Kona, a sleepy village on the Kohala Coast, where you can eat local, stay cheap, stroll along black-lava beaches, and appreciate great surf and snorkeling — in other words, have an authentic trip to Hawaii for a fraction of the price you’d expect.
Cost Of Getting There: Roundtrip flights from LAX start at around $550.
Where To Stay: Use a site like Booking.com to find a cheap deal at Kona Guest House. With four rooms (some with ocean views), tropical surroundings, a "micro spa" where massages are available, and rates from around $76 a night, it’s a steal.
Photo: Courtesy of Wikimedia.
Culebra, Puerto Rico
On the eastern side of the island, Culebra is a sleepy coastal town with a vibrant local culture and a beautiful tropical setting. Walk for miles along undisturbed white sands and paddle in warm, clear water with tropical fish nipping at your ankles. (Culebra is an especially great spot for snorkeling and diving, with all its reefs and shallow water.) In the evenings, soak up Culebra culture, eat seafood with locals, dance to gentle guitar music, and take a moonlit dip.
Cost Of Getting There: Roundtrip flights from New York to San Juan hover around $245; from there, take a short flight to Culebra for $105 (roundtrip). You can also drive 90 minutes from San Juan and take an inexpensive ferry to the island. (More info can be found here.)
Where To Stay: Mamacita’s is a warm and friendly 10-room guesthouse with clean rooms, a tropical bar, and cheap nightly rates. Call for pricing.
Photo: Courtesy of See Puerto Rico.
Ocho Rios, Jamaica
The island of Jamaica is beautiful, easily accessible, and relatively affordable. Eat cheap at roadside shacks serving the best jerk chicken and pork you've ever had in your life, discover natural wonders like the magnificent Blue Hole, spend your days paddling in the ocean, and dance the night away between hefty sips of Jamaican rum.
Cost Of Getting There: Roundtrip flights to Montego Bay from major U.S. cities start at around $400.
Where To Stay: Located on the beach, the 74-room Fisherman's Point Resort offers one-bedroom suites for as little as $85 per night, plus all the standard hotel amenities, a freshwater pool, and an on-site restaurant and bar.
Photo: Justine Goodman.
Placencia, Belize
Placencia has all the workings of a perfect tropical beach break, but without the sky-high price tag. Crystal waters, tropical reefs, and luscious rainforest canopies are omnipresent, wrapped around bright and beautiful budget beachfront resorts which you can reserve for under $120 a night. What’s there to do? Swim and soak up the sun, of course.
Cost Of Getting There: Roundtrip flights to Belize City from major U.S. hubs start at around $300.
Where To Stay: The aptly named Maya Beach Hotel is right on the beach, so you can roll out of bed and straight into the sea. Air-conditioned rooms with queen-size beds start at $149 per night.
Photo: Courtesy of the Belize Tourism Board.
Saint John, Virgin Islands
Saint John is an island of two tales: There are the world-class resorts, where guests arrive by private jet, and then there are more modest, wallet-friendly options that are perfect for the rest of us. Take Maho Bay, a calm stretch on the North Shore of the island, where the beaches are long and the water's calm, and there are ample opportunities to snorkel, and eco-friendly accommodations for the earth-lover on a budget.
Cost Of Getting There: Pick your dates right and you can find roundtrip flights for under $300 — try American Airlines for the best prices.
Where To Stay:Concordia Eco Resort has a variety of eco tents (which are like tree-houses on the hillside), with all of the basic facilities you need. They sleep up to five people and cost around $135 per night.
Photo: Courtesy of the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism.Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
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