If someone were to tell me to close my eyes and picture a “fantasy getaway,” something tropical would immediately spring to mind.
Sure, bustling cities and idyllic countryside can be amazing destinations in and of themselves. Yet when it comes to a true vacation, I prioritize kicking back and winding down above all else. And what better atmosphere is there than a hot beach edged by palm trees and a salty ocean breeze to make me chill TFO?
In today’s hustle-and-bustle culture, the idea of pausing for a minute to sprawl out on a beach chair as you gaze out at a majestic sea and sky sounds like a meditation exercise in its own right.
In fact, several studies have shown that tropical environments can be one of the greatest remedies for reducing stress and anxiety while increasing feelings of calmness.
And there’s no denying how pricey these tropical destinations can be. Fortunately, we’ve rounded up a list of the most reasonably priced tropical vacation spots on the planet. So grab your striped beach towels and sunblock, and let’s dive into the most affordable tropical vacation destinations that you’re gonna want to visit ASAP.
Merida, Mexico
@grassjellyprincesss the best things to do in Merida, Yucatan🌻 1. Visit a local market! There a tons around the city, and i went to the San Benito market 2. Merida is perfect for day trips! Just one hour away from the city is Homun, a town that is known for its cenotes! The most famous cenote there is the Santa Barbara Cenote, which has admission to 3 for around $20 3. Finally, i would reccomend you to try some local Yucatan dishes such as the cochinita pebil or sopa de lima🍋 The Musuem of Yucateca Gastronomy serves many regional dishes and is famous for being part musuem and part restaurant! #merida #meridayucatanmexico #mexicotravel #yucatan #travel #solotravel ♬ Me gustas tú - Annie⭐️🤍
Picture this: Sparkling turquoise waters, palm tree-shaded plazas, and the smell of Mexican street food wafting all around you. (My mouth is watering just thinking about those fried tortilla boats!)
Merida is a terrific wind-down destination for tourists, for several reasons. It’s considered one of the most affordable spots in Mexico and it’s been crowned the safest.
The colorful pastel buildings, sun-dappled streets, and friendly locals are sure to make you fall in love with this one-of-a-kind destination. With its mouth-watering cuisine and dreamy beaches to explore, what more could you ask for in a vacation spot?
When you get the chance, be sure to stroll through the Plaza Grande. This blossom-scented square offers some of the liveliest festivals and historically rich architecture in all of Mexico. From the old-world cathedral to the contemporary art museum, you’ll never run out of inspiring activities.
Uvita, Costa Rica
@a_doseofcat Found my dream villa in Uvita ✨ #travel #costarica #uvita #sunset #views #foryou #trending #vacation ♬ original sound - DJ R-LO | The Peoples DJ
Known for its rich coffee and lush rainforests, Costa Rica is a paradise like no other. Plus, the country thrives on its “Pura Vida” lifestyle, which emphasizes peace, relaxation, and friendliness. It’s no wonder that Costa Rica is considered one of the happiest places in the world!
It’s hard not to feel serene in a place like Costa Rica, especially when we’re talking Uvita. How is it that Uvita has some of the most spectacular scenery in the country, yet is super affordable?
So be sure to check out this magical destination, where the ocean water is sparkling blue, and the tropical birds are as colorful as they come. The Tiki Rainforest Lodge & Spa is a fantastic hotel considering its five-star ratings and priceless views, be sure to book early as this is one great deal you won’t want to miss.
Pro tip: Be sure to explore the Butterfly Garden when you get the chance. With the most refreshing waterfalls, lush greenery, and countless coffee vans, you’ll get the most out of the Costa Rican experience, as you watch the wildlife and bask in the gorgeous nature.
Florida Keys
@thecapturingcouple This is your sign to visit The Florida Keys this winter ☀️🌴🐠 🎥 Follow @thecapturingcouple for more travel inspo! #floridakeys #floridatravel #floridalifestyle #islamorada #keywest #marathonflorida #floridabeaches #thecapturingcouple ♬ original sound - Nick + Madison | Travel Couple
The Florida Keys is so breathtaking it feels otherworldly. While you may think this destination loses the exotic flavor you’re seeking because you’re still in the States, the Florida Keys is closer to Havana, Cuba, than Miami. So do not let a little geography hold you back.
What’s interesting about the Keys, is they actually import their sand from the Caribbean. So if you want to feel like you’re far away from home while still in the U.S., look no further than the Keys.
This one-of-a-kind location offers some of the clearest waters in the world, so feel free to dive in, while observing the vibrant marine life. There, you can find yourself in good company amongst the corals, sea turtles, and dolphins- oh my!
Some of the Keys’ best/most affordable resorts include the Coconut Palm Inn, Lime Tree Bay Resort, Banana Bay Resort & Marina, and Parrot Key Hotel.
Bali, Indonesia
@aureandysee Our BALI TRAVEL GUIDE is out ! 🌞🐚🌊🌴 This country is one of our favourites, and we really fell in love with it ❤️ Although it’s a touristic destination, it has so much to offer 🫶🏻 In this guide you’ll find everything you need to know about Bali 🌿 : -Practical information about the island (currency, visa, languages, sim card...) 📞💵 -Suggested itineraries depending on how long you stay in the island (like the one in the reel) 🛤️ -All transports between each city 🚖 -Must-do activities and their prices 🏝️ -Our recommendations for hotels to suit all budgets 🏨 -Our recommendations for our favourite restaurants 🍽️ -All the contacts and sites to book your excursions 📱 -Link to all our Google Maps points 📍 LINK IN OUR BIO 🫶🏻 Bali is waiting for you 🌿✨ - 🇫🇷 Ce pays a été l’un de nos favoris et nous en sommes vraiment tombés amoureux ❤️ Bien qu’il soit touristique, il a tellement de choses à offrir 🫶🏻 Dans ce guide vous trouverez tout ce qu’il faut savoir sur Bali 🌿 : •Les informations pratiques de l’île (monnaie, visa, langues,carte sim…) 📞💵 •Des propositions d’itinéraires en fonction du temps que vous restez sur l’île (comme celui dans ce réel) 🛤️ •Les moyens de déplacements entre chaque ville 🚖 •Les activités incontournables et leurs prix 🏝️ •Nos recommandations d’hôtels pour tous les budgets 🏨 •Nos recommandations des restaurants qu’on a préféré 🍽️ •Tous les contacts et sites pour réserver vos excursions📱 •Lien de tous nos points Google Maps 📍 LIEN DANS NOTRE BIO 🫶🏻 Bali n’attend plus que vous 🌿✨ #bali #balivibes #balitravel #explorebali #indonesia #travelguide #traveltips #travelblogger #exploretheworld #asia #paradise #balitrip #travelbucketlist #vacation #island #bucketlist ♬ son original - aureandysee
Bali is one of the most inexpensive places to visit in the world, despite its wealth of culture and scenery.
Famous for its cafe culture, brilliant artistry, and turquoise waters, Bali is also known for its deep values of peace and harmony (just like Costa Rica). The motto in Bali is “Bali Shanti, Shanti, Shanti,” with Shanti meaning “peace.”
In this tropical paradise, you’ll never run out of things to do. Whether it’s snorkeling at the beaches, taking up surf lessons, or joining in the bustling art scene, it’s guaranteed here that you’ll never get bored.
Reasonably priced hotels include the Bali Jungle Resort, the Anvaya Beach Resort, and Grand Hyatt Bali, just to name a few.
Oahu, Hawaii
@honeymoons.com 📍 Oahu, Hawaii #travel #honeymoon ♬ original sound - Honeymoons.com
Contrary to popular belief, not all trips to Hawaii need be ridiculously expensive. During the off-seasons, locations like Oahu are quite reasonably priced — especially when you factor in the astonishing scenery.
Catch the unbelievable sunsets on Waikiki beach while slurping down your second — or third — Kiwi Daiquiri. Try a night swim under the twinkling starlight with marine life to keep you company. Bite into delicious garlic shrimp at one of the many food carts.
The best time to go for affordability is in November as well as March since there are fewer visitors around this time. With a shortage of tourists, flight ticket prices decrease. When you consider that many of Oahu’s beaches and tours are free, it’s super simple to budget a trip to one of the most tropical paradises in the world.
Philippines
@megmitchell123 Save for visiting Balabac, Philippines 🇵🇭 Balabac is a series of 31 islands at the south tip of Palawan. They sit at the very remote edge of the Philippines, almost touching Borneo. The islands are idyllic, with white sand beaches and cascading palms. These islands are considered some of the most beautiful in the world and are called the Maldives of Asia. Due to some past instability and the remoteness in this area, Balabac has to be visited by tour. You can either book a 3D2N or 4D3N island hopping tour. The prices range from 250-450usd, depending on the style of the tour and accommodation. The tours start in Puerto Princesa and are typically all inclusive. The simple tour we used was $250. To get to Balabac you have to drive 6 hours from Puerto Princessa followed by a 2 hour speedboat to your base camp island. Most accomm in this area is very rustic, but it is part of the charm. You will usually find yourself sleeping in a tent or a wooden hut on the beach and you will have access to a bucket style shower. During the tour you will base yourself on one island but you will island hop to the surrounding islands and sand bars. The itineraries will change based on the weather, tides, and tour you choose to go with. There is no service in Balabac, so it is a perfect place to unwind! #folkmagazine #artofvisuals #earthfocus #discoverearth #stayandwander #discoverglobe #liveoutdoors #bestvacations #allaboutadventures #nakedplanet #pinterestvibes #eclectic_shotz #theoutbound #wildernessculture #travelstoke #awesome_earthpix #beautifuldestinations #wonderful_places #awakethesoul #bucketlistdestinations #welivetoexplore #takemoreadventures #balabac #explorephilippines #philippines #onukisland #southeastasia #backpacking #philippinestravel #islandhopping
♬ original sound - megmitchell123 - megmitchelll
The Philippines is quite affordable to visit, but it’s also home to some of the most jaw droppingly beautiful beaches in the world. It’s rather hot all year round, so the best times to visit this island country are in the colder months — aim for December through February.
Must-visit tropical beaches in the Philippines include White Beach (named for its snow-white sand), Long Beach (hello, breathtaking sunsets!), and Cloud Nine (the name speaks for itself).
Bolivia
@fromabolivian Exploring witch street in La Paz Bolivia #southamerica #bolivia #calledelasbrujaslapaz🇧🇴 #travel #traveltiktok #travellife #travelguide #latinamerica #bolivian #traveldiaries #dayinmylife #discoverbolivia #boliviatiktok #culture #travelvlog ♬ Souvenir De Paris - Martin Taylor
Ever dream of getting lost in the depths of the jungle? If you want a tropical paradise with an extra side of adventure, be sure to check out Bolivia’s La Paz. This tropical getaway is brimming with stunning scenery and thriving nightlife.
Here in La Paz, you can dance the night away with locals at the hopping Pub & Disco Malegria Night Club. Then, you can nurse your hangover the following morning on the exquisite shores of Balandra Beach.
Considering the beauty of La Paz, you’ll never believe that it’s listed in the top 10% Ranking of the most affordable places in the world. Not a bad deal, eh?
So, there you have it, folks! Which paradise will you be visiting next?