Photo by Chor Tsang on Unsplash
They say the cure for most issues in life is salt water. For those whose chief issues are having the budget to get to the ocean, don’t let funds hold you back from feeding your soul that salty, seaside goodness. We’ve found four affordable beautiful beach destinations that won’t break the bank. Let’s dive in!
These Beautiful Beaches Will Not Break Your Bank Account
Myrtle Beach
If you’re coming from the Midwest or East coast, a drive to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is an affordable way to get your beach vacay. Stretching 60 miles along the Atlantic coastline, Myrtle Beach offers inexpensive resort-style stays, budget hotels, rental condos, and beach houses that are all available for $199 a night or less. And don’t worry about paying to play in the water all day! You can access Myrtle Beach at no charge from several public access points that host free parking and entry. Consider the 40th Avenue North surf area, 65th Avenue North surf area, Nash Street, and Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and Promenade as a few options offering you free beach access points.
Long Beach
Another affordable beach option brings us out West, where the sunsets are best. Just south of Los Angeles sits Long Beach, one of California’s many hidden gems. The sand meets the sea here in Southern California, where you’ll experience all the beach vibes for not a lot of money. With free or minimally priced street parking and free beach access, you can enjoy calm swimming waters and soft sand at the area’s most popular spots; Alamitos Beach, Junipero Beach, Peninsula Beach, and Long Beach City Beach. If you’ve got a furry travel buddy, don’t miss Rosie’s Dog Beach, which is also free. To round out your affordable, So-Cal beach stay, chow down on street tacos and other treats from Long Beach’s vendor row and visit Kayak or Expedia for motel and hotel rates of less than $100 a night.
Cancun
Passport holders—get ready to exercise your freedom to travel internationally to exotic beach destinations that won’t break the bank, either! Reasonable fares are always available for short flights to Mexico, where you’ll find countless affordable beach options. On the coast of the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, resorts and hotel properties boast beautiful beaches that shore up to crystal water. You’ll find the most affordable time of year to visit an area like Cancun is September through November. During your visit, beaches like Playa Tortugas, a small stretch of sand north of the hotel zone, provide free entry and calm waters for you to enjoy. Other publicly accessible beach options are within walking distance of the hotel zone. These include the not-so-crowded Chac Mool Beach, the surfing favorite called Playa Delfines, and the picturesque Caribbean beach, Playa Marlin.
Lakawon Island
If you’re up for a real adventure on a budget, our last recommendation takes some of you around the world before you arrive at Lakawon Island in Negros Occidental. After an international flight to Bacolod-Silay Airport in the Philippines, you’ll grab local transportation to the main boat port, where you’ll pay about $3 USD for a 20-minute boat ride across the water to Lakawon Island. Known for its white-sand beaches, clear turquoise waters, and relaxing atmosphere, Lakawon Island is one of the most affordable beach resort stays you’ll find. For about $25 USD a day, you’ll enjoy your own villa at night after relaxing in bamboo chairs on the beach with local food and tasty beverages just a few sandy steps away offered by Lakawon’s super-chill, open-air restaurant.
Is it time to take the plunge and let the sea cure your soul? Keep in mind that there are many more beaches flanking the world’s 372,000 miles of coastline. These are just a handful of affordable options to get you to a place where you can soak up the sun and salty sea faster. Before hitting the road or taking to the sky, it’s always a good idea to check out some of the internet’s most reliable travel sources like Expedia, Orbitz, and Kayak, where you might find even more affordable beach vacations that, like these recommendations, won’t break the bank.
Bio: M. Kelani is a wife, mom, nature lover, online shopper, and professional writer who is passionate about the power of the written word to help make the world a more beautiful place. Her published works focus on travel, consumer interests, women’s empowerment, and international development.