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 colourful 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.
Great information for travelers…
Very useful and helpful.
Have not seen doctor of this specific field
Would be interesting to know what any of these “budget” trips actually cost. For those who are actually on a budget, cost is important
Yeah me too. It’s confusing when they advertise great trips and an awesome budget, but no DOLLAR amounts.
Sounds great
Please send more information on Cartagena
Single accupancy where can you fit me in?
Price for one Cartagena all-inclusive feb4 2020
Costa Rica seems to be perfect for me. I am single looking for a fun place.
i sur could one of these trips.
wow! What a great ideas to go for rest. It is a great opportunity to combine the rest and aknowledge something new.
Thank you for ideas!
Need a getaway for winter. I live in Winnipeg. Soooo cold. I would love. Cartagena
Vietnam certainly looks like a lovely place to visit, I will certainly keep that in mind when we next decide a vacation.
Sounds good. Thanks for the info.
YES I WOULD LIKE TO LUCKY TO WIN TRIP
How do we get more info and prices?
Your description of different areas in Barbados is a little confused…..the fancy resorts ie Sandy Lane are on the West Coast (sometimes referred to as the Gold or Platinum coast ) not the South. Simon Cowell, Rihanna, and Holetown are all on the West Coast but not the Oistin’s Fish Fry which is on the South. Yes there is somewhat more affordable “range of options” accommodation on the South Coast.but hardly for every budget. I love that you are promoting Barbados ,…but keep it realistic.
all the above countries are amazing yesterday i heard vietnam was amazing a great friend of mine went
Vietnam looks like a wonderful place to visit. Since my health is on the decline, I would love to experience another culture and people. For me this opportunity to break bread and enjoy their smiles and learn how another culture lives from day to day would be a trip of a life time.
This would be a drean come true
I agree! Haha
Cartagena
I would love to winn a winter travel trip. Never been on one in my life. With my boyfriend and dog. I would LOVE TO WINN ?????????.
What are the costs and departure dates and places?
This would be the ultimate relaxation getaway
Tulum for sure, also the Bay Islands of Honduras, especially Utila.
I would think twice about travelling anywhere in Mexico, or Cartagena (Colombia) as there are known safety risks. Of course one must always take care and be aware when travelling, but Mexico and Colombia have higher risks than other places. They may be beautiful, but unless you travel with a large group, I would NEVER go off exploring in these places.
Just an FYI to anyone who might be thinking of going to Mexico, I was there this past February (2020) before all travel restrictions (due to the Coronavirus) had come out, it was not my first choice for a winter vacation but my sister talked me into it….. we stayed at SIRENAS spa and resort and not once did I feel we were in any sort of danger, we went off the resort to go shopping and our driver comes back to pick you up at the specific time you have arranged, you don’t even pay the driver until you are back at your hotel safe and sound. I can honestly say if you don’t do anything stupid (like leaving the complex at night), you will be as safe and sound as anywhere else these days….. ELAINE
I’ll so happy, to good to be true, only a dream, never travail in my life, it would be so great to have to chance. ??
I wish I never have time to get away.
I would be so grateful. Have never taken a trip ? Good luck everyone ?
I would love to visit any of that countries ?
Thanks for the great ideas… Currently looking to book a getaway for this winter so will be looking into some of your recommendations…
Thailand and similar area (Cambodia etc) are high on the list for next year. Especially a multi location trip over a few months. Biggest hurdle is finding fun, safe places to tour and comfy places to stay. Looking forward to it all.
A long awaited vacation
All of these places are wonderful. However, what kind of budget are you speaking of?
Barbados – rates for 2 weeks in older bldg at Rostrevor, St. Lawrence Gap
Wish I could afford to go some place
I would really love to get away this winter but I have ms and have not been able to work for the past 20 years so I could never afford it
These are amazing destinations! I would love to getaway this winter!
Cartagena seems instresting how much from Edmonton, for a week just before Christmas
Mexico is were it at
A holiday, What’s that? Please
Would love to travel somewhere warm to shorten winter! Doubt I could afford to travel at my age!
Just can’t afford much with 4 people it gets expensive but it sound so good ?
I give so much of my time to kids as a music teacher and a holiday somewhere warm would be a great reward
Would love a vacation, haven’t been away in years, Always
Working
Now that my 4 children have grown up its time to start saving for a honeymoon that we never took as we just bought a house. Its our time now
Depending on the budget of course, any of those places would be a wonderful to visit.
Are these destinations safe? Tourist casualties are climbing and safety is now the one of the biggest considerations when traveling to another country.
I would love to go to the Caribbean or Panama but I still have lack of funding.
There are only 4 destinations, where is the 5th one?
I am originally from colombia and have been to Cartagena a few times, not “white sand beaches and stunning coral reefs to explore” there, at least not close by
Good catch! Thanks.
I wish I could on vacation too
OMG I would love this dream o come true!
Great information. Thank you
Be nice to get away from this very cold weather from up northern Yukon and go somewhere warm in the middle of Feb. like one of these great destinations and enjoy my life in a tshirt
I don’t really care for this type of survey
won’t do this kind again
way way too long