Value Budget Vacation

I know the big thing about vacations is to ball out….Just do whatever you want…splurge a little…to treat yourself….
This can also be the biggest barrier to not going on vacation or deciding not to take the time off cause ‘what are you going to do’ or not having enough money to take time off. 

It’s ok to have a budget on vacation 

Going on vacation does not have to be a multi- thousand dollar adventure. There are so many other ways to enjoy some time away from the hustle and bustle AND still treat yourself.

Here are some areas to consider for budgets.

Accommodation: Places to stay  

Hotels are great - they are very comfortable, chic and just plain pretty to look at. However they can be the biggest expense on your vacation for only being a place that you sleep! 

Look into alternative accommodations like Airbnb - this platform offers so many different options and locations that can work with many budgets. 

Where you go: Planes, Trains, + Automobiles

Does a vacation mean you have to take a plane? This can be another portion of a trip that can cost quite a bit of funds there are some savvy ways to get around this. 

Planes:

Check out lower cost times to travel to your destination of interest by using travel tools like Google flights. Start with your point of origin and check out the places you’re interested in traveling to. You can track your flights over time and gain some insight like a more economical time of year to travel to this area.

Don’t be deterred just because it’s low season - there are still lots of options available to you. In fact, you may not have to deal with as many vacationers or hot weather that tends to be during peak season - also sometimes vendors may lower their prices during the off season as well! You get an opportunity to enjoy the area more slow travel style.

TIP: Use the holiday calendar to your advantage. It can also save you some of that vacation time since you won’t have to work in travel days.  There are some days in the year that employers are mandated to have off. Try to take off days around that time so you’re not using as much actual vacation time - be sure to do this well in advance! 

Trains:  

Trains are an underrated and less advertised form of travel that actually provides a great experience! They often have stations that bring you right into the middle of major cities. Amtrak for example is nation wide in the US and is a great travel alternative. For example take a trip from CT to Maine to explore the Maine Beer Trail for a weekend - you don’t have to drive or worry about gas - enjoy a relaxing ride, stream a movie, and take in the scenery along the way with amenities like comfortable, reclining seats, charging ports, snack cars (or bring your own food) all without having to worry about traffic! Oh, and pets are welcomed! 

Buses 

Another low cost way to travel to many destinations are bus services. In effort to lower cost on travel expenses to spend you budget elsewhere - buses like Greyhound and Peter Pan are a great options just to name a few. Buses often provide quick and easy transportation to popular places at a lower cost due to its no frills nature. But there are some bus companies that do provide more comfortable rides with amenities depending on the area. Like the ADO bus in Mexico or redBus in Southeast Asia.

Cars:

Whatever happened to a good ol’fashioned road trip!? Take the time to explore your home state, province, country, etc. a little more in depth. Go a little wild and go cross country! You can always rent a bigger vehicle to have a more comfortable ride, or pack up your trunk with some camping gear with stops planned along your route. Go solo or with a caravan of friends - all I’m saying is this is a valid vacation adventure option!

Munchies: What to eat  

Going to popular and well rated restaurants on vacation is a whole vibe. However I must also admit that some of the best food that I have experienced while traveling has been from nondescript shop or food cart the street. I source this information often from checking travel and backpacker blogs, getting recommendations from a local or checking out places with long lines. Anytime I go to Huatulco - the best place for breakfast is a woman who sets up a table under the () tree and sells tacos. She’s pleasant to talk to, her food is always quality and her prices are budget friendly.

I’m able to have a delicious, locally sourced meal, save money on breakfast and lunch - then get fancy on dinner - whatever fits my budget. 

So much to do: What do you do? 

Everyone vacations differently. Some want to party, see the sites, go on adventures, or just relax. Whatever your speed it can have a budget. 

Party scene. Look for the parties that offer all day passes so you get the most value. 

Sightseeing and adventures
Travel and backpacking blogs are key here again as where there is one there are many. For example visiting Chichén Itzá in Mexico. It’s a beautiful + historical sight to see that is also very popular and comes with the price tag. Meanwhile there are quite a few other pyramids in the area that are just as vast to be explored like Uxmal or Sayil. What’ s great about these other sites is that you can go at your pace, it’s not as crowded and there’s plenty of other attractions along the way that won’t appear on a standard tourist guide. 

There are also local guides that you may find in local publications, like magazines that can give some great recommendations as well!

Relaxing 

Maybe a vacation is a beach day! There are popular beaches which may be crowded - try to find local recommendations for some off the beaten path. Grab a cooler and fill it up with drinks and snacks to satisfy throughout the day(budget) or eat at the local places to keep unencumbered. It’s whatever satisfies your need. 

Don’t underestimate the power of relaxation - even if it’s only a weekend away. 

Overall the point is it doesn’t have to be IG glamorous to be a vacation. Take a few of these slow methods to save a few dollars and create value with the precious time we have to treat ourselves.