Singapore is developing new resorts for affordable family beach vacations along its coast. The airlines flying to Europe have already become more expensive so might as well head south as the east European cruises on offer are dirt cheap. It is deceptively easy to think a family beach vacation is too expensive. The reality is family-friendly attractions and activities abound at reasonable prices if you know where to go and when to plan it.
Best Value Beach Vacations for Your Family
Sometimes the savings for such a trip is in the chosen destination. For the less known places, it’s best to plan them during the ‘shoulder season’ meaning just before or even after the peak crowd times.
Here are some places in the US that are known as the most affordable family beach vacations places:
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina:
It is considered by many year after year as their favorite holiday destination. It has over 50 kilometers of public beaches for free along with numerous affordable attractions such as the famous boardwalk amusement park, arcade, mini-golf facilities, and many free events.
Virginia Beach, Virginia:
It has the best of both Europe and the East Coast. Virginia offers a blend of a quaint town feel to the beach along with reasonable prices for places to spend the night and stuff to do making it very family friendly.
Daytona Beach, Florida:
Famous for the long stretches of sandy beach filled with charming beach-side activities. Daytona beach is ’free to enter’ and offers lots of affordable entertainment options further in at the boardwalk and pier.
Destin, Florida:
Center of Activities Stationed around fishing and watersports, Destin offers a range of affordable lodgings from condos to hotels. The stunning emerald waters and sugar white beaches add to the perception of Destin as a stunning tourism destination.
Gulf Shores, Alabama:
This underlooked place features quiet, serene beaches along with varied parks and trails for outdoor recreation for entire families.
Outer Banks, North Carolina:
Apart from the open sea beaches, the historical sites around the area serve as perfect allure for a memorable yet affordable family trip.
Cape May, New Jersey:
The early sea beach resort offers a stunning beach experience while affordable when compared to other east coast counterparts of Cape May.
Pismo Beach, California:
Undoubtedly the best location for family vacations. Relatively affordable in comparison to the other places, Pismo beach grants stunning views of the ocean from the piers alongside the Monarch Butterfly Grove.
Want to expand your horizon? Some international locations offer unmatched value:
Portugal: Algarve Region
Portugal is undoubtedly one of the most affordable regions in Midwest Europe. Algarve is famous for being home to stunning beaches along with affordable exchange rates of currencies.
Turkey: Turquoise Coast:
Dalaman, along with Antalya, are home to some resorts that are cheap along with affordable food destinations so bring your family along.
Puerto Rico:
This U.S. territory is very accessible to American travelers looking for picturesque beaches and offers a Caribbean experience without the need of a passport, often resulting in cheaper flights.
Bulgaria (Black Sea Coast):
Vlora serves as an ideal location for budget travelers looking to enjoy the clear water and sun as it sits near the famous Albanian Bay.
Smart Strategies for Saving Money
Defining your place of interest is one step, now let’s work on making the family fun affordable with these tips:
Travel During the Off or Shoulder Season:
Traveling on peak season period which includes summer and other major holidays means you’ll incur higher costs and will have to deal with a greater number of travelers. The shoulder season (spring and fall) is a good time to travel as flights and accommodation costs are cheaper during this period along with favorable weather.
Book Accommodations with Kitchenettes:
To avoid overspending on meals, stronger consideration should be put to fully equipped hotels. This will allow you to prepare breakfast, lunch and some dinners which can save hundreds during a long stay.
Pack Smart and Plan Meals:
Preparing a detailed meal and grocery plan in advance is essential. Cooler packing gives you the chance of tossing in beverages and snacks to enjoy picnics instead of expensive meals from restaurants on the seaside.
Look For Fun And Soothing To Pocket Opportunities:
The beach itself is often the best free entertainment! Fun activities include swimming, beachcombing, constructing sand castles, or playing a game. It is prudent that you look up places like local parks, museums, community events and even hiking trails. A lot of destinations also provide free concerts and fireworks at specific times in the year.
Be Flexible With The Trip Dates; Booking Early Is Important:
There is more flexibility when it comes to the dates you’re boarding. This may make it easier for you to get cheaper flights and also accommodations. This level of flexibility also helps when it comes to booking early, where one to three months is ideal for flights and even more popular places for rentals. Apart from that, don’t forget to use flight comparison websites that monitor prices for you.
Put Consideration For Long Distance Traveling By Road:
If your chosen destination is within driving distance, a road trip can save significantly on airfare, especially for larger families. Families that need to travel together greatly benefit from road trips, as it helps save money that would otherwise be used on plane tickets. While at it, pack your trunk with essentials as well as your favorite snacks.
Make Use Of Walking and Public Transport:
Covering the distance from and to your destination using walking or public transport helps save on expenses like renting a car, paying for gas and even parking.
Establish A Realistic Family Budget:
Leaving the house with no budget in mind for accommodation, travel, meals, activities, and even goodies is the perfect way to blow your funds. Even so, strive to set a budget that you can easily stick to. Use children’s allowances to their advantage by allowing them to budget and pick out some inexpensive souvenirs or snacks, showing them the beauty of budgeting.
Seek Military or Multi Week Rental Discounts:
Search for discounts on military and multi-week rentals, consider using direct booking for accommodation, or check other available online booking sites to avoid third-party fees.
One of the family vacations on the beach doesn’t need to create financial strain. Financially budgeting for smarter saving strategies allows families to have the opportunity to enjoy the most affordable family beach vacations in sizzling summers and build cherished memories that last a lifetime.
Smarter budgeting changes the narrative that beach vacations are expensive. The use of smarter budget strategies, coupled with choosing affordable destinations and less busy travel times, translates to unforgettable memories by the beach.
