Cheap but warm destinations for me and college senior grad gift?
Posted by Competitive_Tap_4334@reddit | Shoestring | View on Reddit | 28 comments
My daughter is graduating college and I want to get a trip planned during December break. I dont have alot of cash but I want it to be somewhere we can both use our passports for the first time! I've seen creators who find good deals but have no idea where to start. Thank you! #travel #cheap #tropical
livemusicisbest@reddit
Ideas:
Two nights in Old San Juan, then a beach hotel on Vieques or even prettier, Culebra. Both are a short ferry ride from mainland Puerto Rico.
Look into Puerto Escondido, Mexico. Stay in La Punta (surfer area). Sunsets on the beach. Beach time at Playa Carizalillo.
See where two Mexican discount airlines fry from Chicago: VivaAerobus and Volaris. Zihuatanejo might appeal. Cheap beach vacations can be had with lots of planning and research. Check rates at Las Brisas Ixtapa. Private beach and lots of shopping at markets and stores in Zihuatanejo.
mahrog123@reddit
Zihuatanejo is wonderful, but between flights and lodging, cheap isn’t a word I would use to describe it. Ixtapa costs less to stay, flights are the same as Zihua obviously, and if you go to Zihua while staying in Ixtapa, you’ll wish you were staying in Zihua.
Empty_Divide153@reddit
Great suggestions, and a passport for Puerto Rico isn’t needed.
Quirky-Choice5815@reddit
Playa del Carmen. Mexico
seamallowance@reddit
Santa Marta, Colombia
atlsdoberman@reddit
Yes! Santa Marta and Tanganga
seamallowance@reddit
I really liked Tanganga!
atlsdoberman@reddit
It's a great spot for a new college grad, that's when I went as well, and a beach lover.
-just-be-nice-@reddit
Cuba is nice and cheap, but depends on where you live and how easy it is to book a trip.
mabellanyx@reddit
Keep in mind that Cuba is basically CASH ONLY. No American based bank card accepted.
mrt1416@reddit
Costco travel
uhtred_the_putrid1@reddit
Dominican Republic
sirena_22@reddit
Cruises are good option to try out different islands and it kind of breaks even if you fly and book a hotel somewhere.
Dominican Republic - Punta Cana Cancun Puerto Rico I really like Curaçao Cartagena Colombia is soooo cheap but you need to Spanish to get by.
Typically_Basically@reddit
Playa del Carmen, hands down!!! You’ll love it and it’s a quick flight- on the beach by lunch time.
AlsoMaHulz@reddit
Go to Brazil. 5k ca make you wonders in BRL. If you want a tourist friendly environment, go to Rio, if you want to a less crowded place, go to northeast Brazil (Porto de Galinhas, Pipa, Fortaleza is a specially interesting on my opinion). Northeast is way cheaper, but less people speak English, due to a lot of factors. I am Brazilian, from São Paulo, but lived 14 years in Recife. DM if you're interested, can give you a lot of tips (won't sell you nothing)
Amberillo_Beyond@reddit
Punta Cana. Look at Apple Vacations with airfare included.
ANC2PVR@reddit
Puerto Vallarta or Zihutanejo are our favorite places to visit. Though if you also want to see ruins, Playa del Carmen is the way to go. If you can forego beaches, Mexico City is incredible. Maybe a week at the beach and a week in CDMX?
ParisFood@reddit
Mexico!
Cezzium@reddit
Cozumel, Costa Rica or Puerto Vallarta Mexico
I would say Puerto Rico, but you want to use your passports.
MudHouse@reddit
Playa del Carmen, MX You can fly into either Cancun, Cozumel, or Tulum.
ThinkWeather@reddit
Bali, Indonesia. Visa on arrival for US passport holders. Indonesia has like 17000 islands and cheap. $700 RT per person, rooms could be as low as $20 per night. Food can be as cheap as dirt or can also go a bit upscale, they have it all. Rent a scooter, go to the monkey forest, drive around the island. Can also take a boat to visit other islands. Most people speak English.
gorillaboy75@reddit
Go to cheap Caribbean dot com. Screaming deals.
Competitive_Tap_4334@reddit (OP)
Departing from Chicago, she's more of a shopping coffee shop. Restaurant beach person more than nature person if that helps!
ShelGurlz@reddit
Tucson, Key West, Destin?
DonFrio@reddit
Op asked for international.
ShelGurlz@reddit
Oops! 🙃
a-pair-of-2s@reddit
well it depends where you’re departing from
BidGroundbreaking474@reddit
I loved Isla Mujeres, Mexico. There are non-resort small hotels where you can save money and then Diy your food and activities. Public beach, markets, golf cart rentals to get around. Getting there was the biggest expense, but it was a pretty easy transfer from Cancun airport. Shuttle and ferry to the island.