Week long trip for $2,500
Posted by sem021@reddit | Shoestring | View on Reddit | 38 comments
My husband and I are looking to travel for 6-7 days with a budget of about $2,500. We’d like to go out of the country and would be flying from LAX. We’ve looked into Cancun but wondering if there are other suggestions. Maybe Central America? Thanks!
xalalalalalalalala@reddit
This is not shoestring lol. Current trip i've spent $700 in a month, in relative luxury
Oftenwrongs@reddit
2 people flying away from west coast usa, so nonsensical statement. You aren't doing it for 700 including flight from west coast. "Lol"
ksgif2@reddit
I like small town Mexico. Somewhere you can walk to the beach or a restaurant without the craziness of Cancun. Barra de Navidad, La Manzanilla, Calleta de Compos, Zihua, etc.
ksgif2@reddit
I guess you could go to sayulita. Have they fixed the sewage problem?
Patriette2024@reddit
Sayulita
lj67luke@reddit
Your money will go extremely far in Guatemala. Ive been to every country in Central America and it’s by far the best. You can visit the colonial city of Antigua, then go hike the active volcano, then visit Lake Atitlan, one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. $2500 will last you way more than 6-7 days!
conimathegreat@reddit
This!! Antigua is so beautiful and charming and if you like hiking you can find an overnight to Acatenango and Volcan Fuego from Antingua. This was a highlight of our trip in Guatemala!
There are dangerous areas of Guatemala but not in Antigua. People are motivated to keep tourists safe and Guatemalans are just genuine and kind people. Don't mind the state department's warnings- they're often dramatized.
harolds49@reddit
is it not dangerous for jus a couple to go do this in Guatemala? My SO and i were thinking the same thing and someone pointed out Australia’s travel advisory for Guatemala. I’d love to do this trip but since then figured it should be a group destination for safety reasons. Am I mistaken and overreacting?
https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/americas/guatemala
pabloismydoggo@reddit
Yes you are over reacting. We just got back from 14 days in Guatemala. At no point whatsoever did I feel unsafe. Not going just because of the advisory would be a huge mistake.
harolds49@reddit
cool, good know. anyone else want to share their experience? i really want to go there and am looking for convincing from strangers
TheFullyLoadedNachos@reddit
Second this, my partner and I have been twice in the last 3 years and plan to make it back this year. Antigua,Atitlan,El Paredón, and Tikal all felt very safe. Just take a Tuk-Tuk if it's nighttime and you gotta go through less walked areas.
One time in a hike I 'think' we almost got robbed at machete point but fortunately another large group came around the corner and he turned around, so I guess I would maybe also recommend finding a group in town if you are hiking but worst case we probably would have lost our phones and wallets, not a lot of actual violence
Hot_Mushroom3907@reddit
Was just coming here to comment this! Guatemala is perfect for OP
Mercredee@reddit
Seconding this.
Revolutionary_Big701@reddit
Don’t forget about visiting Tikal.
CyrilOkdar@reddit
Just got back this evening from a week in Nicaragua, which my family of 3 did for $2500. That included flights, car rental, a gorgeous villa steps from the beach, surfing lessons all week, great inexpensive local food, and incidentals. Super safe, laid back, extremely friendly locals.
We were in Playa Guasacate. Would have loved to explore more (volcanoes, hiking, historic cities like Granada), but chill beach vibes were best for us with a toddler.
indianasall@reddit
Peru and Ecuador are also very reasonably priced and beautiful
PotentiallyPickle@reddit
Mexico City
amandara99@reddit
Yep, I just did three weeks in Mexico City and Oaxaca with my brother for around $3,000 each including the $500 flight. We stayed in hostels and didn’t do anything too fancy, but this was 21 days and they just want to do 7.
4londa@reddit
If you are able to drive to San Diego, you can fly super cheap from the Tijuana airport using the bridge. https://www.crossborderxpress.com We are flying to Cancun for like $150 a person
Kindly-Librarian1645@reddit
Punta Cana or curaçao
xkikue@reddit
I've done Belize on that.
But Colombia was easier. My partner and I stayed in hostels in Cartegena, with private rooms, for $40/night. Took a trip to the Rosario Islands (also stayed in a hostel), for better beaches. It was a relaxed vacation - Much chiller than I would preferred. If that's the style you're looking for, dm me for recs!
If not, I also have recs on desert camping trips you can drive to from where you're at. The cheap touristy Mexico destinations look less appeasing to me these days!
Leonardo-DaBinchi@reddit
Would love to hear about Belize, what was challenging? Where did you go? It's on my bucket list for the reefs & the vibe of places like placencia seems like exactly the kind of travel destination that appeals to me. But I know when I've explored the logistics it was more difficult than some other countries to visit. But would love to hear your thoughts
Independent-Cloud822@reddit
Merida, Mexico
Winter_Ad_3805@reddit
Merida is a great recommendation! The architecture is beautiful and Airbnbs are reasonable. Great city to explore plus you can take trips to the beach, ruins, and most importantly cenotes. Much more authentic experience than Cancun. Merida and surroundings are very safe. You can add on a couple nights in Mexico City too.
I would avoid Cancun like the plague unless you're just looking to stay in a resort area with a spring break like atmosphere. If that's what you're looking for, Cabo might be a better option from LAX.
travelgal13@reddit
Yes to Merida!! One of my favorite cities.
Dapper_Hyena_1064@reddit
Had a wonderful trip to Cabo last fall. Check it v out!
ActionHoliday8961@reddit
Avoid Mexico
Slight-Standard-734@reddit
Why?
ActionHoliday8961@reddit
Cartel violence
Quirky-Choice5815@reddit
Playa del Carmen. You can stay on 5th Ave. For $30-$40 a night. The beach is two blocks away. If you want to stay at a place on the beach you can get a room for about $100 a night. You can take the collectivos up and down the highway. You have Mayan Ruins, beaches, cenotes, great food, plenty of live music and nightlife. If the train is running, you can get all over the peninsula. This is mine and my wife's go to place. The flight and ride from the airport will be your biggest expense. If you can, take the ADO bus. The taxis from the airport will gouge you.
thaisweetheart@reddit
You can get to Rome for as cheap as 400 dollars RT PP and then use your other 1500 for accommodations and travel in Italy for a week. Or similar with Tokyo with a little more expensive trip. Or even Honolulu. You’d just have to adjust the budget based on where you choose to go, Ie go to guatemala for better accommodations or do a budget trip to japan
Loose-Thought-1707@reddit
Cost from Washington too Iowa 250$ gas 200 for hotels 1800 miles
ConsistentMove357@reddit
2500 is a lot you can go to eastern Europe with that budget. Use Google flights
Solid_Bee_8206@reddit
What are you looking for in your destination? If beaches, there is cheaper locations than cancun. If just a destination, bolivia is cheap and safe. Peru is slightly expensive and have very cool ruins.
MobileLocal@reddit
Aren’t flights to Bolivia crazy expensive? I tried to go years ago and it was cost prohibitive for sure.
Mercredee@reddit
Let is just to find cheap flights. Most spots in Latin America will be cheap enough for that if you don’t ball out. Peru and Colombia are cool too if you get a nice flight deal.
Dreboomboom@reddit
Not sure what kind of trip you're seeking, but if all you want to do is sunbathe, have sand between your toes with a little umbrella in your drink, then consider San Andres Island.
coralov3@reddit
nassau bahamas is beautiful , i also loved the dominican republic, aruba is on the pricier side but i’ve heard nothing but amazing things about there.