Tag Prices

Share The Article

Summer is upon us, and if you’re planning on taking that Transatlantic flight to revel in the Old World’s ancient allure, it’s probably places like France, Italy, and Spain that first pop to mind.

Gorgeous as it may sound, that idyllic vision of Europe with twinkling Eiffel Towers and Instagrammable, pastel-hue towns doesn’t always match the reality on the ground, especially once you factor in the hordes of tourists and the wallet-straining prices.

The average cost of a one-week vacation in Paris is a whopping $4,171 for two adults, and that’s if you’re careful with your spending. Village-hopping down the Amalfi Coast could set you back an equally troubling $4,155.

And let’s face it, it’s not like you’re investing all that money in a stress-free dolce vita, anyway.

The good news is, there’s a lot more to be discovered in Europe if only you’re willing to look beyond that mainstream, glossy travel TikTok, and who knows, maybe you won’t need to burn through all your savings in the end, nor elbow your way through a crowd to take decent pictures of a particular landmark.

How about you start with these 4 (largely) unheard-of medieval gems?

Gdańsk, Poland

A vibrant port city near Poland’s Baltic Coast, Gdańsk seems to have been plucked straight from the cover of a children’s storybook: it’s colorful, filled with octagonal towers, gabled roofs, and motif-decorated facades.

Despite being mostly rebuilt following the devastation of World War II, which in fact started here, of all places, it exudes medieval charm. Walking through the ornate Green Gate, straight onto the Long Market, feels like stepping into a movie scene.

On the opposite direction, towards the waterfront, right on the banks of the Motława River, you’ll find rows of Late-Renaissance buildings and Europe’s oldest crane, built as early as 1442, as well as Rybka na Wartkiej, one of many traditional eateries serving pierogi and a killer breaded fish.

As far as prices go, Gdańsk is one of the least expensive city breaks across the pond: according to Budget Your Trip, tourists will normally spend $38 on meals, $9.14 on transportation, and $57 on hotels per day, bringing the total one-week cost to $521.

Brno, Czechia

When it comes to its spire-dotted cityscapes and astronomical clocks, we’re all familiar with Prague, but unless you’ve taken an interest in Czechia lately, chances are you’ve not been properly introduced to its less-famous sibling, Brno.

The second-largest city in the country, it has a well-preserved old center characterized by its cobbled streets and café-bordered squares—and may we add, a wide array of noteworthy historic monuments that rarely get the attention they deserve.

We’re thinking the eerie-looking, dark-stone Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul, with its twin spires that seem to pierce through to the heavens, home to beautiful Baroque altars, the 13th-century Špilberk Castle, formerly a prison, and Villa Tugendhat, one of the first modernist complexes erected in Europe.

Compared to Prague, is a relatively-affordable destination as a whole: traveling on a budget, expect to pay a daily average of $40 on meals, $2.84 on public transport, and $66 on hotels, or a grand total of $522 if you’re staying an entire week.

Pécs, Hungary

Perhaps Budapest’s closest rival in both beauty and historical relevance, Pécs is a 2,000-year-old city in southern Hungary that traces its history back to a Roman settlement, and prides itself in being among the earliest centers of Christianity in Europe:

Its 4th-century Early Christian Necropolis is a UNESCO World Heritage Site comprising an elaborate system of underground tombs richly engraved with Christian symbols.

The imposing Pécs Cathedral, a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture, was raised in 1009.

Other important attractions include the (former) Mosque of Pasha Qasim, built by the Turks upon their conquest of the city, now functioning as a church, and Széchenyi Square, with its many fountains, stately edifices, and laid-back eateries.

Wondering how much vacationing in stunning, little Pécs costs?

Based on Budget Your Trip‘s cheapest estimates, that’s roughly $22 on meals every day, $7.95 on commuting, if any at all, considering how walkable it is, and $34 per night on accommodation, totaling $317 for the week.

Timișoara, Romania

A most elegant city in Western Romania, strongly influenced by Austrian-Hungarian architecture, Timișoara may not have the edginess of Bucharest or the Bram Stoker-esque appeal of Brașov, but it certainly has a lot going for it.

Timișoara’s Old Town revolves around the large central square, Piața Victoriei, flanked by majestic, soft-colored Habsburg buildings with decorative facades and wrought-iron balconies.

If you think Moscow’s St. Basil’s is the queen of Eastern European churches, Timișoara offers the next best thing.

Sitting on the south bank of the fast-flowing Bega River, the Metropolitan Cathedral has 11 towers in total, a distinctive patterned-tile roof, and a vibrantly-painted interior, sure to satisfy your craving for Orthodox grandeur while Russia remains off-limits.

Last (but not least), as a traveler on a budget, you’ll feel right at home here: be it tripe soup, grilled sausages, or cabbage rolls, meals will run you $39-a-day, whereas getting around town costs as cheap as $12, between buses and Ubers, and hotels average an economical $50 per night.

Overall, the cost of a week-long stint in Timișoara comes to around $562.

Vinicius Costa

Vini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.

Ready For Your Trip? Check The Latest Entry Requirements For Your Destination Here

↓ Elevate Your Travel↓

Sign Up Now For Travel Off Path Premium! No ads, VIP Content, Personal Travel Concierge, Huge Savings, Daily Deals, Members Forum & More!

✈️Join Our Travel Off Path Community Forum: Where travelers unite, ask questions, share experiences and even find like-minded travel buddies!

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS

Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox.

This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

Share The Article

World-famous for its turquoise seas, paradisaical islands where white sands run along the ocean for miles on end, and incredible weather, the Caribbean is the number one destination for many Americans when they crave a little sunny getaway.

There are just two small ‘buts’ that you’re probably familiar with if you’ve ever vacationed in Cancun, Tulum, Punta Cana, and the like:

When you’re at a public beach packed with your fellow tourists and holidaying local families, it doesn’t exactly give deserted island vibes, and if it’s exclusivity you seek, be prepared to pay upwards of $600-a-night on a luxurious all-inclusive.

But hey, there’s always a middle ground: these 4 Caribbean islands may be unheard-of, but they boast equally beautiful scenery, smaller crowds, and on top of that, cheaper prices:

Caye Caulker, Belize

Lying off the coast of Belize, a tiny Central American country just south of Mexico, Caye Caulker is an unspoiled Eden most beach bums and Instagrammers have failed to discover.

For starters, its landmass is cut through by a winding canal called Split, and on both sides, you’ll find stretches of virgin-white sands and lush nature: the southern half is home to the only settlement, Caye Caulker Village, whereas the north is densely forested and home to diverse wildlife.

The village has brightly-painted wooden houses, colored in coral, lime, and sunshine-yellow tones, and it’s peppered with family-run eateries: for fresh ceviche and Belize’s signature barbecue mango, add Reina’s to your list.

For the water babies out there, you can swim with sharks and sting rays at the Shark Ray Alley, or if you’re an experienced diver, snorkel around the iconic Great Blue Hole.

This is a sinkhole in the middle of the ocean surrounded by the turquoise waters.

The best part is, for Caribbean standards, Caye Caulker is definitely on the cheaper end, with entire-bungalow stays for 2 adults costing $143-a-night, and takeout food averaging $3-7 (meals are slightly pricier, costing around $33 in mid-range restaurants).

Little Corn Island, Nicaragua

Nicaragua is best known for its towering volcanoes and thriving rainforest, but something most visitors fail to acknowledge is that it, too, has a coast on the Caribbean, and countless small islands yet to be ruined by the masses.

One of those is Little Corn Island, some 43.5 miles from the mainland, and a car-free community of 7,747 people offering jungle trails, pristine beaches, and bays filled with translucent waters.

For many, it is a reminiscent of the Caribbean’s undeveloped past, before the big brands and resorts cornered local communities, and though getting there is no easy feat, involving at least 2 flights, and a small boat transfer, the final destination couldn’t be more rewarding.

Think of Otto Beach, an idyllic patch of beach with multicolored seas, the Tarpon Channel, where you can spot hammerhead sharks, or a tranquil Cocal Beach, with the typical white sands and crystalline waters, except none of Punta Cana’s crowds.

You won’t find larger-than-life resorts here—in fact, there is a single 5-star property in the vicinity—but rather rustic guesthouses and bungalows right on the beachfront, with double rooms (with shared bathrooms) costing as cheap as $12.

Food is just as inexpensive: a full lobster meal at the budget-friendly Rosa’s Restaurant will run you up a mere $8-10, while less elaborate seafood platters are an even more economical $5.

Roatán, Honduras

Who would have known these oftentimes-overlooked Central American countries would have this much to offer?

Up next, we’re taking a look at Roatán, the trendiest and offbeat nonetheless island off the Honduras coast: at 40 miles long and 5 miles wide (at its widest point), it has no shortage of amazing sights and natural wonders.

The main town, Coxen Hole, is where most of the action is centered, and where you’ll find a plethora of hotels and street markets, but in order to truly bask in the island’s tropical charm, you need to go further out to places like West Bay Beach:

Bordering the Mesoamerican Reef, it is a highly sought-after spot for snorkeling, due to the various fish species and sea turtles that congregate there, as well as a swimming site.

If you’re taking a day trip out, it should definitely be scuba diving in the Reef, the second-largest in the world: picture shipwrecks, underwater ridges, and if you’re lucky to cross their path, whale sharks.

For a comfortable-enough stay that won’t break the bank, we recommend you look at Victoria’s Beach House:

It is set on the waterfront and equipped with an open-air bath ($45-a-night for 2 adults), and when you’re craving street food, La Placita boasts a number of food stalls serving baleadas (flour tortillas filled with beans and cheese) for around $1-2.

For casual dining in Roatán, we love the Typical Buffet (that’s what it’s called), on the aptly-named Coconut Tree Plaza, where a wide range of seafood and local delicacies are served, with prices ranging from $5-10.

Vinicius Costa

Vini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.

Ready For Your Trip? Check The Latest Entry Requirements For Your Destination Here

↓ Elevate Your Travel↓

Sign Up Now For Travel Off Path Premium! No ads, VIP Content, Personal Travel Concierge, Huge Savings, Daily Deals, Members Forum & More!

✈️Join Our Travel Off Path Community Forum: Where travelers unite, ask questions, share experiences and even find like-minded travel buddies!

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS

Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox.

This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

Share The Article

Paris may well be Europe’s most sought-after destination, home to a plethora of iconic landmarks: the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe and its adjacent Champs-Élysées, Montmartre with the buskers and cobbled lanes… 

Do we really have to go through the list again?

There are many reasons why we love Paris, from the romantic cafe culture to the elegant architecture, but there are also many reasons why it can get on our nerves at times.

Crowds, hectic traffic, beret-clad Instagrammers whose sole purpose in life seems to be to take selfies by hand be Seine, and oh, the staggeringly high prices for accommodation…

But hey, it’s not like Paris alone is fully representative of French culture.

If you’re flying all this way for the beautiful sights, the Old World allure, and delicious cuisine, you should make sure you try Lyon next:

Could Lyon Be The Next Paris?

One of the oldest cities in France, founded as early as the Roman period, and boasting cultural wealth like no other, Lyon is perhaps the best-equipped French city to rival the capital in terms of beautiful sights.

Its Old Town, locally known as Vieux Lyon, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site covering an area of 427 hectares, 4 districts, and comprising over 2,000 years of a fascinating history—it’s also one of France’s most landmark-packed downtown areas.

It is split between three main areas: the medieval quarter, or Old Lyon, proper, the Croix-Rousse, and the hilly Fourvière.

Old Lyon is where you will find all of the city’s most notable edifices from the Middle Ages, including the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Cathedral, a Gothic ensemble best known for its vaulted ceilings and astronomical clock that gives Prague’s a run for its money.

Getting lost in its uphill, narrow cobbled streets, you will find Renaissance-era villas and hidden courtyards, and the higher you go, the more stunning is the view of the terracotta roofs and church spires at your feet

Croix-Rousse is the heart of Bohemian Lyon and an equally beautiful maze-like grid of stone-paved streets, just about wide enough for cars to drive slowly by.

It lines the Saône, a river cutting through the heart of Lyon, much like the Seine in Paris, and the promenade is particularly pleasant to stroll, as you admire the ornate architecture of the riverfront buildings.

Going up Croix-Rousse, you’ll see that its pathways are lined with bars, selling Lyon’s signature Beaujolais wines, traditional French brasseries, and bakeries where you can get fresh-out-the-oven pastries from only 1 euro—for the best croissant in town, check out Boulangerie du Palais.

For the third and final historic district, you’ll want to take the funicular, which rattles up overground rails, offering scenic vistas of the picture-perfect downtown.

Fourvière is home to the famous Notre Dame Basilica, a neo-Gothic gem often compared to Paris’ Sacre-Coeur: they’re both on a hilltop, overlooking their respective urban sprawls, and they were built around the same time.

In this area, you will also find Lyon’s very own Eiffel Tower, La Tour Métallique, a prominent feature of Des Hauteurs Park, except it even predates Eiffel’s masterpiece by three years.

If you’re wondering whether there’s anything left from Roman-era Lyon, you’ll be thrilled to learn that Fourvière has an ancient theater, built in the year 15 BC, and still hosting open-air concerts in summer.

Lyon Is Way Cheaper Than Paris!

Lyon is not only just as pretty as Paris, with several uncannily-similar attractions, it can be considerably cheaper and less crowded.

Paris has become a tourism playground in recent years, particularly after the popularity of TV shows like Emily in Paris, and the start of the beret-clad, ‘hold my giant €32 stunt croissant’ Instagrammer phenomenon.

Don’t get us wrong, it is very touristy—France remains the most visited country in the world, after all—but it’s definitely not on that Paris level of fame, for its own sake.

As we pointed out before, croissants here will cost you between €1 and €1.30, while a three-course meal in a local restaurant (let’s say you get some roasted camembert for starter, aligot for main, creme brulée for dessert, and a bottle of red wine) will cost you €38-40.

If you’re only going for the main dish and a glass of wine, then that’s a much-cheaper €18-21.

When it comes to accommodation, the average overnight rate in Lyon is a reasonable €106, or roughly $115, as per Budget Your Trip estimates.

If you’re wondering how Paris compares, that’s a wallet-wiping $326 on average.

Before we leave you, in case you’re planning a trip to France soon, don’t forget to check out this other charming medieval city only an hour away from Paris—it has a monumental Notre Dame cathedral that rivals Paris’ in beauty, it has a mind-blowing history, and prices are on the cheaper end, too.

Vinicius Costa

Vini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.

Ready For Your Trip? Check The Latest Entry Requirements For Your Destination Here

↓ Elevate Your Travel↓

Sign Up Now For Travel Off Path Premium! No ads, VIP Content, Personal Travel Concierge, Huge Savings, Daily Deals, Members Forum & More!

✈️Join Our Travel Off Path Community Forum: Where travelers unite, ask questions, share experiences and even find like-minded travel buddies!

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS

Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox.

This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

Share The Article

Mexico may be particularly famous for the sun-drenched Caribbean Coast, where resorts line white-sand beaches and turquoise seas, its rich Mayan heritage, and bustling capital city, but there’s still a lot about America’s southern neighbor tourists don’t know yet.

This is, after all, one of the largest and most diverse countries in the Western Hemisphere, and you’d be a fool to think Cancun, or even Mexico City, are representative of Mexico as a whole.

To the surprise of industry experts, this year, a growing number of Americans is actively bypassing the usual tourism hotspots, and are flocking instead to this secret destination that rarely ever features on travel brochures.

Though it’s hardly your typical vacation, the offbeat San Luis Potosí offers both low prices and a fascinating culture, and it’s seeing a significant increase in arrivals:

San Luis Potosí Is Rising Fast In Popularity With Americans

According to Claudia Lorena Peralta Antiga, the head of the City Council’s Tourism Directorate, visitors from the United States lead in numbers of foreign entrants to San Luis Potosí, followed by Colombians and Canadians.

This can easily be attributed to the city’s rising appeal among culture-hungry Americans, who are no longer drawn to the all-inclusive vacation model and are in search of more authentic experiences in non-touristy areas.

Additionally, Mrs Antiga pointed to the recent expansion of air connectivity at San Luis Potosí International Airport (SLP): it is now connected to Houston (IAH) and Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) in Texas, as well as Atlanta (ATL) and San Antonio (SAT).

On top of that, negotiations are being held right now with four airlines interested in the San Luis Potosí-McAllen-McAllen route, though further information has not been divulged at this point.

Why Do Americans Love San Luis Potosí So Much?

A major city in central Mexico, with a population just shy of hitting the 1 million mark, San Luis Potosí (or SLP) is a hugely important financial and trade hub, due to its strategic location halfway between Mexico City and the U.S. border.

Contrary to Monterrey, however, that’s largely known for its manufacturing industries, SLP has an understated elegance, and historical charm you won’t find in most New World cities.

For starters, it is home to a well-preserved UNESCO World Heritage Site of a historic center, dotted with colonial landmarks built as far back as the 17th century:

The most famous monument in town, the cathedral has been compared to Mexico City’s and Guadalajara’s in beauty: it has a distinct pink-quarry facade, and its richly-decorated interiors will leave you awestruck.

Nearby, the verdant Jardín de San Francisco is a green oasis centered around a beautiful fountain and bordered by palatial Spanish-era structures, including three Baroque churches and the regional Positano Museum, housed in what was once a Franciscan monastery.

A short 3-minute walk from the gardens, the historically significant Caja Real is a surviving remnant of the now-defunct Viceroyalty of New Spain. It’s where merchants would line up to pay their taxes to the Spanish Crown in gold and silver.

There are numerous other beautiful buildings to be admired in the compact, walkable center, from a Neoclassical Teatro de la Paz, to the picture-perfect low houses lining Universidad Street, distinguished by their bright hues and ornate window frames.

How Actually Cheap Is San Luis Potosí?

If you were looking for an affordable Mexico getaway that won’t break the bank, then you’ve definitely come to the right place.

In general, meals in a locally-run restaurant will cost you $8.78, based on Numbeo estimates, while 3-course presentations in an upscale downtown eatery for two people are likely to set them back $39.

The price range is reasonable as it is, but even if you’re on a super-strict budget, you don’t need to look beyond the Old Town to stretch those dollars further:

An 8-minute stroll from the zócalo, Café Corta’o is a no-frills coffee shop housed in a colonial, vividly jaune edifice serving hearty breakfast menus and natural juices for around $7.

For quesadillas, gorditas, and chilaquiles paired with homemade sauce, El Mesón de San Pascual is popular for its variety of dishes and accessible prices, with main dishes from as cheap as $5, or the equivalent in pesos.

From 8 AM to 8 PM every day, you can also pay the vibrant Mercado Hidalgo a visit, sitting on the namesake street, and criss-crossed with rows of street food, and fresh produce stalls––don’t leave without trying the local machitos tacos!

They’re made from orange juice and vinegar-marinated sheep (or goat) offal, and they’re absolutely delicious.

How About Hotels?

As for accommodation, MarinaCristina is a 3-star accommodation provider billing guests $60-a-night for a single room right in the center of town.

The even-cheaper Patio Zaragoza costs $51 to book as a single traveler, and we’re talking a double bed only meters away from the cathedral, and with breakfast included.

If you’re a faithful Marriott customer, you’ll be glad to know the City Centro by Marriott has spacious King Rooms from only $100––as well as rooftop pool with amazing views of the Old Town.

On average, tourists will spend between $55 and $103 per night on accommodation, according to Budget Your Trip.

Vinicius Costa

Vini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.

↓ Elevate Your Travel↓

Sign Up Now For Travel Off Path Premium! No ads, VIP Content, Personal Travel Concierge, Huge Savings, Daily Deals, Members Forum & More!

✈️Join Our Travel Off Path Community Forum: Where travelers unite, ask questions, share experiences and even find like-minded travel buddies!

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS

Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox.

This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

Share The Article

If you’re a digital nomad currently country-hopping around the globe, looking for the next safe haven to set up base temporarily and where you can enjoy both low living costs and a high quality of life, you’ve come to the right place.

Between Mexico City’s rising prices, Buenos Aires’ volatile currency, and even former offbeat spot Tbilisi’s housing crisis, we wouldn’t blame you for thinking all of our favorite nomad destinations globally are no longer viable options.

It’s definitely a trickier world to navigate, especially if you’re on a tighter budget, and that’s why you should keep these 4 laid-back hidden gems in mind for 2025:

Vitoria, Brazil

The mid-size capital to Brazil’s coastal state of Espírito Santo, home to roughly 323,000 inhabitants, Vitoria is a fast-growing city that’s yet to reach Rio’s level of disorderly growth, but that’s far from being dullsville:

It is best known for its wide, long sandy beaches, most notably Praia do Cambria, 16th century Penha Convent, perched on a rocky protuberance overlooking the Atlantic, and slower-paced living, boasting lower levels of petty crime and violence.

As a nomad, you’re expected to budget $1,640 per month living in Vitoria, as per Nomads estimates: rent prices are around 34.6% lower than in Sao Paulo, Brazil’s most expensive metropolis, averaging $504 for a downtown apartment, and a restaurant meal will set you back by around $6.

Alanya, Turkey

Antalya‘s less-famous sister, Alanya lies to the east of the world-famous resort, and it’s a smaller, less chaotic, fortified port town centered around a picture-perfect historic center with colorful Ottoman-era houses, and narrow streets covered in cobbles.

Cleopatra Beach is said to have been visited by, you guessed it, Cleopatra herself. The ancient Alanya Castle dates back to the period of Seljuk rule, and there’s even an octagonal Red Tower overlooking a turquoise Mediterranean: in sum, it exudes Old World charm.

Better even, it’s not the kind of balmy, off-season European getaway to break the bank––we’re talking $10 bucks for a simple meal in an inexpensive restaurant, $515-734 in rent (look up Numbeo), and $1,342 in monthly expenses overall.

Agadir, Morocco

A resort city straddling Morocco’s Atlantic Coast, backed by the jaw-dropping Anti-Atlas mountain range, Agadir is an up-and-coming leisure destination Europeans have been flocking to this winter for their sunny break.

Digital nomads, on the other hand, keep sleeping on it despite the fact it boasts pleasant off-season temps, with lows of 56 and highs of 71 degrees, a high concentration of laptop-friendly eateries, where lunch averages $4, and a beautiful hilltop casbah (citadel) overlooking the ocean.

Agadir is also much safer than your average Moroccan conurbation, with low levels of crime and offering residents a higher quality of life without blowing the budget: in fact, you can live comfortably in a waterfront condo, eating out most nights for under $1,713 a month.

San Miguel de Allende

A beautiful colonial-era town in the hinterland of Mexico, San Miguel de Allende is best known for its Instagrammable corners, with cobbled streets and charming plazas flanked by colorful houses, and a pink-washed, twin-towered cathedral.

Something most nomads themselves don’t know, however, is that it can be a great alternative to a bustling Mexico City or an overpriced Playa Del Carmen, with its many laptop-friendly cafes (check out Geek & Coffee), green areas and low criminality.

On top of being historically significant and considerably more peaceful than larger cities, San Miguel is sure to appeal to budget-conscious travelers, who would prioritize keeping their monthly expenses under $2,300 a month (more specifically, $2,332).

Vinicius Costa

Vini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.

↓ Elevate Your Travel↓

Sign Up Now For Travel Off Path Premium! No ads, VIP Content, Personal Travel Concierge, Huge Savings, Daily Deals, Members Forum & More!

✈️Join Our Travel Off Path Community Forum: Where travelers unite, ask questions, share experiences and even find like-minded travel buddies!

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS

Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox.

This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

Share The Article

Last Updated 1 year ago

Demand for cruise travel is at a record high right now — but unfortunately, so are prices.

Cruise travel is back with a vengeance, and as a result, the average cost of a cruise is up as much as 22.5% compared to 2019 prices.

When restriction-free cruising finally returned in the midst of 2022, there were some great deals to be found on cruises as things slowly got back to normal.

However, those deals have now disappeared, and cruise fares are higher than ever before.

Here are some tips for how you can still save money on your next cruise:

1. Travel During The Off-Season

If you can be flexible with your travel dates, one of the best ways to save money on cruises is to travel during the off-season or “shoulder season” for a destination.

For example, Alaska cruises are most popular (and most expensive) in June, July, and August. If you can book one of the first cruises in May or one of the last cruises in September, you are likely to save money.

Similarly, avoid traveling on school breaks. Thanksgiving break, Christmas break, and spring break are all some of the busiest and most expensive times to take a cruise.

2. Use CruiseSheet

One of the best ways to save money on a cruise is by tracking deals that do appear. Even though the average cruise fare has increased, there are still good deals to be found.

CruiseSheet is a free tool you can use to get notified of the best deals in real-time. Just indicate which port you will be traveling out of and set a filter for dates you’re interested in, and you’ll be notified immediately when deals appear.

Again, if you can be more flexible in your travel dates, this is one of the best things to do to save money.

3. Skip The Pricy Add-Ons

What if you can’t necessarily be flexible with your travel dates? Luckily, there are still other ways to save money on your cruise!

One of the biggest ways to save money is by skipping pricy add-ons.

These are things like unlimited drink packages, onboard WiFi, and shore excursions that will end up costing you a ton of money.

Do the math on an unlimited drink package before buying — most people will come out ahead simply paying for drinks individually, and this helps limit your alcohol consumption.

For WiFi, just skip this and opt to use free WiFi or cellphone data on the days when you’re in port. Internet while at sea is notoriously expensive.

And for shore excursions, you often don’t need to book through your cruise ship. You can DIY the same excursion for a cheaper price by booking directly with a local operator or just do a free activity like exploring the town or hitting up a local beach on your own.

4. Take A Repositioning Cruise

A lesser-known strategy for saving money on a cruise is booking a repositioning cruise.

These cruises are different from your average cruise, but they are by far one of the most affordable ways to travel.

What exactly is a repositioning cruise? Basically, this is when a cruise ship needs to move home ports at the beginning or end of a season. As a result, it’s a long route (think a two-week trans-Atlantic cruise from Barcelona to Miami) with many days at sea.

But you’ll get the chance to stop at some exotic and far-flung ports along the way (like the Canary Islands, the Azores, or Bermuda) before reaching your final destination, and you can get deals for as little as $50 a day.

5. Be Flexible On Your Stateroom

Finally, you can save money on your cruises by being flexible on your stateroom assignment.

Choosing a specific stateroom often carries a higher cost as opposed to selecting a “guaranteed” stateroom. This means you are guaranteed a stateroom in your chosen class (interior, exterior, balcony, or suite), but you won’t be able to choose the exact location.

If you’re okay with this, it’s a great way to save some extra money.

↓ Elevate Your Travel↓

Sign Up Now For Travel Off Path Premium! No ads, VIP Content, Personal Travel Concierge, Huge Savings, Daily Deals, Members Forum & More!

✈️Join Our Travel Off Path Community Forum: Where travelers unite, ask questions, share experiences and even find like-minded travel buddies!

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS

Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox.

This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.