Photo credit: Kate Ter Haar, Creative Commons
Itching to hit the road (or the skies), but worried your bank account won’t make the trip? Traveling on a dime is easy with these 7 tips. You’ll be packing your bags in no time!
1. Visit Caribbean islands in the off-season.
From around mid-April to mid-December, most hotels, condos, and inns discount their winter rates from 20% to 50%.
2. Be a flexible flyer.
Give yourself some wiggle room on your departure date to capture the best deals on flights. Here are a few booking engines that make it easier: Airfarewatchdog – they keep track of deals on flights and will alert you of price drops. Skyscanner – they provide instant comparison of flight prices for over 670,000 routes Kayak – they compare hundreds of travel booking sites at once.
3. Check out free stuff where you’re going (museums and local attractions).
Scour their websites to see if they offer free days, free visiting hours, or other discounts.
4. Rent an apartment or a villa.
This is ideal for larger groups or families who want to spread out. Plus, you’ll save money on food because you can make use of that handy kitchen. AirBnB is immensely popular. It’s an online community marketplace that connects hosts looking to rent their homes with people who need accommodations. More than 192 countries are represented. For Caribbean travel, check out WhereToStay.com. Here, you’ll find a good variety of villas and hotels that have been checked out personally by WhereToStay staff.
5. Get around like a local.
Cab fare and personal drivers can quickly diminish your travel budget. Using local transportation is a great way to spend less. In addition, you’ll gain knowledge from the locals and enjoy a more authentic travel experience. Walking everywhere is another great option!
6. Eat local.
Sampling local cuisine is my favorite part of every trip. Area restaurants and vendors often use locally sourced produce – making it cheaper and tastier!
7. Skip the souvenirs.
It’s really just one more thing to dust, right? Photos, journal entries, and memories of your experiences are perfect souvenirs that don’t take up much bookshelf space.
Interested in more travel posts? Check these out:
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