5 winter travel destinations on a budget


As wintertime approaches, it’s understandable we all dream of escaping to sunny and warm destinations this time of year. If you’re on a budget you may think making that dream a reality is impossible but the fact is there are a range amazing getaways to explore that won’t impact your pocketbook (much).

Here are some of our top budget-friendly winter vacation hotspots:

Panama: Mexico and even Costa Rica get a lot of the attention from North American travelers, but Central America’s southernmost country is a fantastic warm weather option to consider. Flights can be a bit pricier but accommodations are usually cheaper and it’s less overrun by tourists. Check out Panama City’s charming Spanish colonial architecture and Bocas del Toro in the north for fantastic surfing and scuba diving.

Tulum: South of Cancun and Playa del Carmen on the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico, Tulum offers stunning Caribbean beaches, pre-Columbian Mayan ruins to explore and giant turtles. More established resorts may be pricey but search for affordable hotels and Airbnb options as well.

Barbados: At the Caribbean’s southern edge, this English-speaking island paradise offers it all – fancy resorts on its south coast as well as a range of options for every budget along its west coast. In particular, explore the area around Holetown – including the fish fry at Oistins Bay Gardens and Sandy Lane Beach where Rihanna and Simon Cowell can sometimes be spotted near their winter homes.

Cartagena: This 500-year-old colorful walled city on the northern coast of Colombia, facing the Caribbean, offers visitors great food, charming and scenic walks, white sand beaches and stunning coral reefs to explore. It’s also one of the most affordable places to visit in the Caribbean.

What other budget-friendly winter destinations have you discovered? Please share your experiences and suggestions in the Shop Talk blog community forum. We’d love to hear from you!

Did you know? Vietnam offers another breathtaking option

If you’re open to more far-flung options, consider Vietnam. The southeast Asian nation offers the bustling Ho Chi Minh City to explore, as well as the Mekong Delta and Ha Long Bay for unforgettable sites.

32 thoughts on “5 winter travel destinations on a budget

  1. I think a radical “getaway” might be:consider “visiting your own neighborhood”. I pretend I’ve just moved into my new neighborhood. I visit all the shops, places of worship, entertainment places, restaurants and bars, parks and nature “scenes”, etcetera. Then, I explore my downtown area – from these things I do learn and experience much more than you’d think you might experience.
    VERY budget-friendly and the possibility of meeting lots of groovy people are limit-less:)

  2. If you have never been to Barbados, you are missing out. We were there many years ago for only one day on an excursion from a cruise ship and we still talk about how friendly the people were and safe we felt there. We definitely want to go back but haven’t had the opportunity. The island is just beautiful! We rented a car and drove the whole day! We even got lost and stop for directions and had a flat tire and everyone was so helpful.

  3. Got a free sample of Seventh Generation baby wipes. The travel pack is excellent to pack in your carry on and use on vacation.

  4. I enjoy shopping at several different places that way I am saving more money and able to buy a few more items with the money I saved Walmart and especially Kmart sense they are closing 50 to 75% off

  5. Enjoy shopping at Giant eagle, the staff is friendly and knowledgeable check out is convenient

    1. Barbados is hardly a budget location. Why do you people always have to mention which celebrities are there or have homes there? Are you 12 years old?? It is nauseating!a,

    2. Beautiful picture and the places look so warm and amazing wish i was at one of them. Just cant afford anything. But hope everyone that goes enjoy.

  6. Since I love to scuba dive I would consider going to Panama since we just got our first snow for Halloween. All these others offer things I like to do and see so another for the bucket list.

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