Top 20 Cheap Beach Vacations in USA for Travelers on a Budget

Many of the world’s best places to visit are beach destinations, and for good reason. Nearly twice as many people prefer relaxing vacations to active ones, according to Travelers in 17 countries surveyed by market research company GFK. To help you find the beach vacation that best suits your needs, we selected several cost-effective locales around the world known for their gorgeous scenery, budget-friendly amenities, and ample activities.

In this blog post, we’re going to be taking a look at the Top 20 Cheap Beach Vacations for Travelers on a Budget. Before we begin, make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for more awesome travel guides and hit the notification bell so that you know when we publish a new video.

So now, let’s cut to the chase:

20. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

With warm temperatures year-round, Myrtle Beach offers vacationers tons of outdoor activities such as golf, fishing, parasailing, and other water sports. Located on South Carolina‘s northern coast, Myrtle Beach is a less expensive option than other seaside spots in the state such as Hilton Head or Kiawah Island. Save some money by going to Broadway at the Beach and Barefoot Landing, which offer free live entertainment, kids’ activities, and fireworks during the summer. Some hotels, such as the Beach Cove, offer heavy discounts for customers that pay in advance online with a three-night minimum. Room rates can dip as low as around $75 per night.

19. San Diego

Affordable Pacific Beach, part of San Diego‘s Mission Bay region, is popular with young travelers. The 3-mile-long boardwalk is the place to stroll, watch surfers, ride scooters, and bike. It also features the Crystal Pier Hotel, a boutique property with historic bungalows and a fishing pier. Families will likely prefer North Pacific Beach’s calmer surf and year-round lifeguards, while more visitors can find budget-friendly accommodations throughout the year.

18. Martinique

The French island of Martinique faces the calm Caribbean Sea to the west and the more active Atlantic Ocean to the east, with sandy beaches along the southern coast. Served by both major and low-cost airlines, Martinique‘s affordability, French flair, less touristy atmosphere, and delicious Creole cuisine draw Europeans and Canadians in droves. Martinique also boasts highly regarded rum, excellent dive sites, five marinas, and a multitude of festivals. Top beaches to visit include Plage des Salines and Grande Anse d’Arlet.

17. South Padre Island, Texas

You won’t have to dish out too much dough to have tons of fun in South Padre Island. For unique outings, check out the Sea Turtle Art Trail or the Sandcastle Trail. Go on a dolphin-watching tour or visit the Coastal Studies Lab. Embark on a nature walk or learn about marine ecosystems at the South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center and Alligator Sanctuary. When it comes to lodging, the island offers a variety of affordable beach house rentals.

16. Cannon Beach, Oregon

Although Cannon Beach‘s water is too cold for most swimmers, its dog-friendly hotels and rugged Pacific Ocean shoreline attract beach strollers and dog walkers in droves. Located 80 miles northwest of Portland, this relaxing beach town features four miles of beaches, postcard-worthy Haystack Rock, and a plethora of art galleries. The oceanfront Hallmark Resort and Spa Cannon Beach is a budget-friendly property known for its great views and comfortable rooms with full kitchens.

15. Willemstad, Curacao

The capital city of Curacao boasts pastel-hued Dutch colonial architecture, canals, museums, and beautiful white-sand beaches. Airbnb’s rental villas average around $125 per night in the winter, though couples’ studios go for much less. Rent a car to explore Curacao‘s more remote cove beaches, snorkel the reefs, or hire a boat to reach Klein Curacao, an island paradise found 15 miles southeast of the main island.

14. Outer Banks, North Carolina

The Outer Banks, a 200-mile stretch of barrier islands, features more than 100 miles of beaches. Kill Devil Hills and Kitty Hawk, where the Wright brothers first flew an airplane, are home to popular surfing beaches, while Duck boasts pet-friendly sands. Groups can find multi-bedroom vacation homes, small motels, and hotels with pools that offer affordable rates.

13. North Shore, Oahu, Hawaii

Located about 27 miles northwest of Honolulu, the North Shore‘s small towns fill with surfers from October to March. In fact, many compete in the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing every November and December. Even then, deals are available at Hawaiian accommodations. The town boasts proximity to the famous Banzai Pipeline at Ehukai Beach Park, as well as food trucks in Haleiwa Beach Park and Sunset Beach, which both offer superb surfing waves and picnic areas.

12. Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama

Located on Alabama‘s Gulf Coast, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are prime spots for bird-watching, hiking along nature trails, searching for seashells, and kayaking on the coastal Alabama Back Bay Blueway. For free entertainment, cruise around Gulf State Park on a complimentary bike available through the park’s bike share program. Learn about the history of the area at the Gulf Shores Museum or get a better understanding of the local flora and fauna at the Gulf State Park’s Nature Center. Surprise the kids with a ride on the Ferris wheel at the Wharf in Orange Beach or a round of mini-golf, both of which are well-priced. Travelers can often find special promotions to save money on lodging.

11. Cancun, Isla Mujeres, and Playa del Carmen, Mexico

With reasonably priced flights and scores of all-inclusive resorts, Cancun, Isla Mujeres, and Playa del Carmen boast some of the cheapest tropical beaches near the U.S., plus a rich culture that includes Mayan archaeological sites like Chichen Itza and El Rey ruins. Spring breakers and travelers on tight budgets can avoid downtown dives and eye-catching timeshare deals by staying at newer, highly regarded properties in Cancun‘s hotel zone. For small seafront inns, tacos, and nightlife in a walkable town, head roughly 40 miles southwest to Playa del Carmen or take the ferry from Cancun to Isla Mujeres to spend a day at Playa Norte. Just note adults-only resorts tend to be more expensive.

10. Port Aransas, Texas

Port Aransas, which sits on Mustang Island approximately 40 miles east of Corpus Christi, is a laid-back beach city where visitors can enjoy everything from shelling, fishing, and kayaking to barbecues and pirate-themed cruises. Smaller and less developed than more well-known Gulf beach destinations like South Padre Island and Galveston, Port Aransas features quaint motels with discounted rates.

9. Old Orchard Beach, Maine

While wealthy New Englanders vacation in Kennebunkport, budget-conscious families head to kid-friendly Old Orchard Beach to camp or stay in more affordable hotels. In this East Coast destination, about 15 miles southwest of Portland, the town offers a 7-mile stretch of sand where visitors can stroll, sunbathe, or explore the historic fishing pier that was built in 1898. The water is often too cold for swimming between May and October, but that’s no problem since there are various nearby shops and restaurants to occupy your time, plus New England’s only beachfront amusement park, Palace Playland.

8. Puerto Plata and Cabarete, Dominican Republic

A bustling historic port on the windy northern coast of the Dominican Republic, Puerto Plata is a hot spot for windsurfing and kite surfing. There are many guest houses and Airbnb properties in Puerto Plata with rates as low as $50 per night, plus an array of all-inclusive resorts along Playa Dorada for every type of budget. In nearby Cabarete, backpackers will find top-notch kite surfing conditions at Kite Beach as well as a lively nightlife scene. Lifestyle Holidays Vacation Resorts’ Puerto Plata and Cabarete properties, which sit less than 20 miles away from the World War II-era Jewish settlement at Sosua, are some top affordable accommodation options with ample on-site amenities.

7. The Florida Panhandle

Sunny days in the mid-50s on average boost the winter appeal of Florida Panhandle beaches. Excellent conditions in the spring, summer, and fall make this area a great beach destination. Vacations in this area are often affordable, but they are generally cheapest from November to February. Choose Panama City Beach’s 27-mile beach for its budget-friendly hotels, restaurants, and clubs. Head to Pensacola to see a Blue Angels air show and tour the National Naval Aviation Museum, or split the cost of a vacation rental with friends in Rosemary Beach, a scenic enclave with a beautiful beach, shops, and eateries. Or, go to Grayton Beach, a sleepier community that overlooks the Gulf of Mexico.

6. Huntington Beach, California

Self-proclaimed Surf City USA features an 8.5-mile stretch of sand that’s more affordable and less crowded than nearby Santa Monica or Los Angeles. At Huntington Beach, you can rent a wetsuit and sign up for surfing lessons, play volleyball, or seat yourself near a bonfire and watch the sunset. Snap pictures of the 42-foot-long board at the Huntington Beach International Surfing Museum or see the handprints and footprints of surfing legends at the Surfers’ Hall of Fame. Consider booking a vacation rental to save money, and keep in mind the old adage “May Gray, June Gloom” when timing your visit.

5. San Juan, Puerto Rico

Airfares to Puerto Rico are generally cheaper than those to other Caribbean islands, and Americans don’t need a passport to visit. Enjoy a stylish San Juan condo for as little as $125 per night during the peak winter season. Many Condado Beach properties, such as the family-friendly Embassy Suites by Hilton Dorado del Mar Beach Resort and the historic Condado Vanderbilt Hotel, feature recently renovated accommodations and amenities like pools, casinos, numerous eateries, and more. Plus, there are now seven Blue Flag-designated beaches, including Carolina Beach, a traveler favorite.

4. Beaufort, South Carolina

The antebellum town of Beaufort, founded by British colonists in 1711, is an ideal base for families who want to admire waterfront plantation homes, learn more about Gullah art, play golf, and try local seafood. Hunting Island State Park, which is located 18 miles southeast of central Beaufort, is a favorite nearby beach with a lodge and cabins, plus rustic campsites are available from about $45 per night with a two-night minimum. Visitors can also use the free Green Book of South Carolina app to explore more than 300 regional African-American landmarks.

3. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Sheltered from the Pacific Ocean by Banderas Bay, the coarse gold sand and rocky palisades of Puerto Vallarta are ideal for water sports and eco-adventures. Lodging, dining, and prices here are generally lower than what you’ll find at high-end Cancun resorts, thanks to competition between all-inclusive resorts and boutique hotels. Las Caletas is a gorgeous private beach by day and an entertainment hub with a fun all-ages dinner show by night. In town, visit art galleries, museums, restaurants, nightlife venues, and more around the seafront Malecon promenade and in the LGBTQ+ friendly Zona Romantica neighborhood.

2. Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Cheap beach vacations can be hard to come by, but the tropical turquoise water and palm-fringed beaches of Punta Cana are often less expensive to visit than other Caribbean favorites. With low-season deals and kids-stay-free summer offers at numerous all-inclusive resorts, great values abound even in winter. Several all-inclusive properties advertise room rates that are less than $300 per night for two people. Consider booking a garden-view room at a large resort complex like the Grand Palladium Bavaro Suites Resort and Spa or Grand Bahia Principe Punta Cana for additional savings. You may also have to shuttle to the beach, but you’ll enjoy access to all kinds of top-notch facilities, activities, and restaurants.

1. Clearwater Beach, Florida

An incredibly popular shoreline among locals and visitors alike, Clearwater Beach overlooks the Gulf of Mexico and Clearwater Bay from a barrier island located about 25 miles west of Tampa. Its variety of bayfront motels and luxury resorts helps make it a more affordable beach vacation than other top Florida destinations like Miami and Sanibel Island. Transportation on the Clearwater Jolly Trolley and the Clearwater Ferry doubles as sightseeing tours, plus families can check out Pier 60’s free nightly sunset parties after lounging on the beach’s quartz sand. To save some more coin, purchase a Tampa Bay CityPASS; it covers entry to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium and several other nearby attractions.

And there you have the Top 20 Cheap Beach Vacations for Travelers on a Budget! Did you like what you saw? Let us know in the comments down below, share this blog post with your beach-loving friends, and don’t forget to subscribe to our channel for more fantastic travel guides. See you next time!