Spring break is one of the most popular vacation times of the year. Across the country, vacationers travel to beaches, theme parks, and other dream destinations to enjoy the weather of the warmer months. Unfortunately, these trips are often expensive for many people, from college students to big families. It’s hard to figure out how to enjoy this time on a budget.
Read on to learn how you can make the most of spring break without spending the big bucks. This guide will help you maximize your warm vacation without additional financial stress.
Pick Your Location First
The most critical part of your vacation is the location. You don’t want to let your budget affect where you choose to go. If you want a beach vacation, choose somewhere that will give you access to a beach. If you want to be a tourist, select a tourist location. If you’re going to spend money, you should go somewhere you will enjoy.
We’ll go over a few locations that tend to be more budget-friendly than other spring break locales. When you pick a location, try not to choose one that prides itself on its spring break activities. These will cost more than others.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Myrtle Beach, located on the coast of South Carolina, is an underrated spring break location on the east coast. There are many affordable hotels right on the oceanfront, and even more to do during both the day and night. Myrtle Beach is also great for large groups who want to split a home or condo instead of splitting up for the fun.
The coolest things to do in Myrtle Beach include:
- Broadway at the Beach: Myrtle Beach boasts a location known as Broadway at the beach, full of theme park attractions and restaurants of all kinds.
- Visit the sea: You can go to the beach or take a stroll along the sand during your trip.
- See a show: There are many shows that you can go to see here.
- Go to the aquarium: Myrtle Beach has an excellent aquarium that you might want to visit on your trip.
Though Myrtle Beach isn’t Florida, it’s a great alternative. You’re guaranteed to have a great time on a trip here.
Playa del Carmen, Mexico
If you’re looking for a spring break spot that’s out of the country but still affordable, this is an excellent option. Playa del Carmen is located right next to the popular Mexican city of Cancun, but it’s much cheaper and even better in a lot of ways. It’s not as crowded, it’s just as beautiful, and it’s located right on the beach.
The biggest draws to Playa del Carmen include:
- The sea: There are a vast number of ocean activities available, such as lounging, swimming with seas turtles, and even jet skiing
- Wonderful restaurants: The eateries here boast a delicious and diverse variety of food.
- Beautiful hotels: Playa del Carmen has a ton of lovely places to stay, a few of which can work for those trying to save some money on their trip.
- Fun party locations: This beach town has a ton of bars and locations to party it up in the evening or the daytime.
Selecting a trip here will give you a fun, and affordable spring break out of the country. Though it’ll be more expensive than most in-the-states trips, choosing Playa del Carmen will save you money if you want to take your trip down south. It’s sure to be an adventure that you’ll never forget.
Grand Canyon, Arizona
If you are vacationing with your family or desire a nature-based trip, the Grand Canyon is an excellent and affordable place to go. Most of the items in these beautiful locations don’t require money for access. You can see nature’s wonders without worries about running low on cash in the middle of your adventure.
Some of the best things to do at the Grand Canyon, and in the area surrounding it, include:
- The Skywalk: For a small fee, you can walk out on a horseshoe bridge that overlooks the Grand Canyon. Not for the faint of heart, this excursion is a great way to get your adrenaline pumping in this laid-back location.
- Hiking trails: There are a ton of hiking trails that you can participate in around the area. They’re free, though some of them cost a small fee. Hiking is a great way to see everything up close and get down into the valley.
- Sedona: Sedona is a two-hour drive from the Grand Canyon. The trip circles around the canyon. Once in Sedona, you can experience even more natural beauty.
- Monument Valley: Monument Valley is also around two hours away from the Grand Canyon. Here, you will find breathtaking views and natural structures that tower high above.
Arizona and the Grand Canyon area can make for an excellent road trip opportunity with children. There are many opportunities to learn and grow as you explore the natural wonders of the earth. It’s safe to say that everyone, young and old, will be impressed with this location.
New Orleans, Louisiana
Although New Orleans doesn’t have a beach, it does have an active nightlife that can provide fun in a nontraditional setting. There are plenty of things to see and do that don’t involve money so that you can pick and choose your pricey adventures without going overboard on the spending.
Some of the greatest things to take part in New Orleans include:
- Bourbon Street: This is the heart of New Orleans. If you want to experience music, dancing, and extravagant nightlife, Bourbon Street is the place to be.
- Churches: There are many beautiful churches that you can visit in New Orleans, though not on Sundays. Most are free of charge and worth a look around.
- The Garden District: The Garden District is home to some of the city’s most beautiful homes. If you love architecture, you can spend days admiring the structures.
- Museums and aquariums: New Orleans has many museums and aquariums stationed around the city. They range from traditional to wacky, great for any visitor to enjoy and explore.
New Orleans is a city where walking is your best friend. You won’t need to spend a lot of money on transport because most everything is within walking distance of wherever you are staying. For a vacation full of excitement and surprises, head to the city of New Orleans.
Locate a Place to Stay
When looking to save money, the next step is to find a place to stay that will be both comfortable and affordable. This can be tricky, as many spring break accommodations are expensive and hard to find.
Two main options differ from the traditional hotel setting. These tend to be better for the pocket without sacrificing luxury. Both are safe and cheaper, so long as you do your research before booking any place.
Shared Home Systems
Shared-home systems, such as Airbnb or VRBO, offer large spaces for cheaper prices than a standard hotel. If you want a nice space for a lower price, look on these sites to book a spot that will not destroy the budget you’ve planned.
Some factors that can make this type of renting cheaper are:
- Sharing the space with a large group of people
- Choosing a location that isn’t bigger than what you need
- Doing your research so that you don’t overpay
Sometimes these can be more expensive than hotels if done without research. Explore your options to see what will better fit your budget.
All-Inclusive Resorts
Though all-inclusive resorts may appear to cost more at first glance, they can be great for anyone on a budget. This is especially true if you intend to dine out frequently or order specialty drinks. You can order as many as you would like, and the bill will stay the same.
The items most often offered within all-inclusive resorts include:
- Drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic
- Meals at restaurants within the resort
- Pools
- Spas and other relaxing amenities
- Special access areas
All-inclusive resorts also work well in saving money if you’d rather spend a large amount of time at the hotel. Some prefer to relax within the walls of the resort, and this is a good way to have a cheap vacation. By keeping your meals and drinks with your package, you will avoid excess costs.
A Note on All-Inclusive Packages
Though most all-inclusive hotels mean that they offer everything within their walls to guests, it’s important to keep an eye out for those that don’t. If you don’t do your research, you could find yourself paying extra for items that you thought were included within the package you purchased. This can make your trip more, not less, expensive than you intended.
All-inclusive resorts also might cause you to lose the ability to tour the area you’re in. If you’re budgeting, you’ll likely eat at the resort and miss out on local food options. This might need to happen, however, based on the spending limit you have allotted for yourself.
Book Your Location Early
The earlier you book your location, the cheaper it will be. If you wait until the last minute, the rates will be much higher. Hotels and Airbnb’s anticipate an influx of vacationers booking the closer that spring break comes. Planning and booking a way out are guaranteed ways to spare a few dollars before you even pack your bags and board the airplane.
Buying tickets ahead of the time of your trip will help you save money because:
- Supply and demand: As the vacation time nears, there will be more of a demand for the tickets and rooms. Prices will increase as time goes on.
- There is a high risk: Tickets are often cheaper because there is a risk of cancellation for vacation-goers. If you are certain of your trip, book early. If you’re not, you might waste money on cancellation fees in the future.
If you are certain that your trip is going to happen, book early. This doesn’t mean buying tickets two years ahead of time, as life can change fast. A few months to a year before is a perfect amount of time to get your vacation in action.
Use Discounts If Applicable
For many age groups, some discounts can be applied to everything from hotels to activities. Even if you don’t think that you apply for any, it doesn’t hurt to check. Discounts can be beneficial no matter how small or large they are.
There are a few discounts that tend to be standard wherever you go. If any of these apply to you, make sure that you maximize your spending and make the most of them wherever you are able.
Military Discounts
Military discounts are unfortunately not as common as they used to be, but many locations still offer them. These only apply to American locations. Check on any website that you visit to see if a military discount applies to where you are going.
Military discounts are often applied in attractions such as:
- Amusement Parks
- Movie Theaters
- Zoos
- Aquariums
- Restaurants
Take advantage of this discount if you can use it. Many locations will accept military identification as validation for this discount.
Student Discounts
Student discounts apply to those who are in college. In spring break locations, college discounts are widespread, so you want to make sure that you don’t forget that form of identification.
Student discounts can be used in so many places. Often, these include:
- Theater productions
- Movie theaters
- Museums
- Bars
- Restaurants
Take advantage of all the money you’re paying for school if that’s your situation. Your student identification can help you save a lot of money on your spring break excursion.
Senior Discounts
If you are over the age of 65, some locations will offer you tickets at a discounted price. Most of these are family-friendly attractions, which can be fun if you are on the hunt for a trip that is low-key and relaxed.
Most of the time, senior discounts work at the same locations that child and military discounts do. This can include:
- Museums
- Aquariums
- Zoos
- Restaurants
Senior discounts appear scattered throughout businesses across the country. In popular locations that are used for spring breaks, they exist almost everywhere you go. If you’re a senior, make use of the privileged discount that comes with your age.
Child Discounts
One of the perks of bringing younger children on a vacation is that they often cost a third of what the typical adult does. Many places will charge a lower fee or even allow them to access attractions for free. You should search online ahead of time to locate the places that allow this.
Some genres of places that often have child discounts include:
- Museums
- Movie theaters
- Theme parks
- Zoos
- Restaurants
Pretty much anywhere that’s family-friendly will also have prices that will make the family happy. Keep an eye out and budget accordingly based on the number of kids that you have in your family.
Eat-In
As tempting as it can be, eating out is a big reason that spring break can cost a lot of money. By choosing your locations sparingly, you will simultaneously save money and enjoy the restaurants you do pick even more.
To avoid spending a ton of money eating out, you can:
- Visit a grocery store and cook some of your meals in
- Pack meals ahead of time
- Keep most of your eating at an all-inclusive resort
- Select cheaper options on the menu, or share dishes
The more you limit the amount of eating out you do, the more money you’ll save. This can be used on your budgeted items back home, or you can even put it towards a spring break the next year.
Investing in a Space to Cook
If you’re going on a long trip, investing in accommodations that give you a way to cook is a must. The little more you spend on a kitchen will save you a ton of money on eating out. You can plan your meals ahead of time and create financial goals for the times that you do go out to eat.
Some classic meals that will assist your minimal spending include:
- Spaghetti
- Casserole
- Anything involving chicken, rice, and frozen veggies
- Tacos
- Grilled cheese, BLTs, and any other kind of sandwich that can be easily put together
Though it’s not the same as a fancy restaurant, cooking in will make all the difference by the end of your trip. It can also allow for some well-deserved time of relaxation if your group is out and about all day long.
Avoid Buying Souvenirs
Souvenirs are always a waste of money. There’s simply no way around it. Besides being overpriced, they are often poorly made and can be purchased at your local dollar store for a more affordable price. Avoid these at all costs.
Some of the worst souvenirs that you can buy include:
- T-shirts: These can be purchased online and created quickly. They’re not worth the money that you’ll spend on them. If you buy clothes, buy handmade or ones that you will wear more than once.
- Random knick-knacks: Every souvenir store has a random collection of tiny items that seem like good keepsakes. They’re often overpriced and will end up in the bottom of your junk drawer in a matter of weeks.
- Seashells: If you’re at a beach location, seashells will be in one of the tourist shops. Don’t invest in these, no matter how beautiful you may find them. They’re often ordered abroad for a cheap price and up charged for susceptible tourists and vacationers. Plus, you can often find your own at the beach.
- Snow globes: So many people invest in snow globes. These expensive pieces can break, leak, and fall apart before you even get them on the plane. Not to mention that gathering them will become a hassle at home.
If you’re going to spend money on a souvenir, make sure it’s quality and will last years from now. If you’re going to forget why it mattered in five years, it’s probably not worth the money that you’re spending on it. Souvenirs should be useful, not small items that your eyes glance over.
Shop Outside of Tourist Areas
If you do shop, try to avoid the shops that are targeting tourists. Learn where safe and affordable places are so that you can invest in products not intended to scam customers. You can usually tell if a store is targeting tourists if:
- It is full of merchandise that has the location on it in some manner
- It is in an area where many tourists visit or stay, such as Times Square
- Has souvenirs that you would see in a tourist shop
In stores like this, everything costs more than it would elsewhere. Avoid these locations to save money and get more bang for your buck.
Bring Your Water
The smallest things can mean the most when you’re trying to save money. One of the easiest techniques to keep cash in your pocket is by avoiding buying water. In many places, these necessary bottles are priced at almost five dollars a bottle. This won’t do, especially because you will inevitably need water at some point in your day.
Instead of buying water from a vendor, you could:
- Buy alternatives: You can purchase cheaper waters ahead of time from a gas station or grocery store. If you keep them in your hotel room, you can bring a few whenever you end up going out.
- Bring a reusable version: A trusty metal water bottle will serve you well on your trip. If you have one that has a filter attached, it’s even better because it will protect you from germs in your location.
- Visit restaurants: Many restaurants will offer you free water. All you need to do is ask. If there’s a fast-food location in your area, you can ask them. Take caution, however, if you’re spring breaking in a different country. Some viruses may make tap water bad for your health and ruin your trip before it’s begun.
- Buy a souvenir bottle: If you’re out of options, you can buy a tacky souvenir water bottle and use it on your vacation. One expense is going to be cheaper than if you were to continue putting your money on bottles.
This singular action can keep a large chunk of money in your pocket, helping you stay on budget and keep your savings in the bank. This works in vacations and visits outside of the spring break holiday season as well.
Walk Wherever You Are Able
By walking, you can avoid spending money on fees that are involved with drive services like Uber and Lyft. You also won’t need to rent a car and deal with the insurance and gas costs that come with it, which can be a pain to deal with no matter where you are.
When thinking about walking, you should plan the place where you stay accordingly. The money you’ve saved on a hotel won’t matter if you spend it all on transportation. Walking also helps you burn calories, meaning you’re more likely to keep that vacation weight off. It’s a win-win for your pocket and you.
Dismiss Tourist Traps
Tourist traps are rarely worth it. They’re overpriced, unimpressive, and hold the most crowds in the location where you’re visiting. It’s best to avoid these and make the most out of unexpected places to relax.
These places exist all over the country. Some examples of expensive tourist traps include:
- The Empire State Building: This location costs a lot more than it’s worth. If New York is your spring break destination, don’t waste your time by going up. You can get more by viewing it from other spots in the city.
- San Diego Zoo: Though an incredible zoo, this place costs nearly $80 a ticket. If you’re headed to California, many free or cheaper options will work better with your budget.
- Four Corners: It’s something to see for sure, and it’s also free. However, it can be a mess of people and run your gas down. It’s also just a plaque. Due to the crowds during the spring, you could waste much of your day waiting to see lines on the ground.
- Ball of Paint: This is often what people think of when they imagine a tourist trap. If you happen to be in Indiana, don’t waste your time on the world’s largest ball of paint. It’s exactly like you’d imagine. Anything with “largest” or “smallest” in its name will be a waste of your money.
Tourist traps can be fun to visit, but they’re certainly not the ideal way to spend your limited vacation budget. If you’re going to spend money on an attraction, it should be worth your time. Make sure that you do extensive research on the places that you’re going to ensure that your money is well-spent. There’s nothing worse than an expensive waste of time.
Conclusion
There are so many ways that you can enjoy spring break on a budget. From unnecessary purchases to choosing an affordable location, small things will save you money in ways that will add up by the end. If you take notice of these, it will be much easier to stay on your budget, no matter what it is.
No matter where you choose for your vacation, there are ways for you to budget and still have fun. The best getaways in the world don’t have to be the most expensive. Then, you can have cash left over for your next big trip.
Sources:
https://learn.org/articles/Save_Money_This_Spring_Break_10_Staycation_Ideas_for_Students.html
https://www.beaconcu.org/money-saving-tips-for-your-spring-break-vacation/
https://www.iowastudentloan.org/articles/college/10-budget-tips-for-spring-break-infographic.aspx