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Last Updated 2 days ago

What is Texas like? It depends on who you ask. In all likelihood, you won’t find many people raving about their beaches.

There’s an exception to every rule, though, as the ‘Cancun of Texas‘ is one of the Lone Star State’s best coastal escapes.

But anything beats Galveston, right?

Well, what if I told you Texas’ image as a land of rootin’ tootin’ cowboy-shootin’ is largely hogwash?

In reality, Texas offers a diverse range of experiences, including tranquil waterfront escapes with access to both gleaming lakes and the sprawling Gulf of Mexico…err, America?

In fact, when it comes to idyllic shores, this state is big enough for both of ’em – nostalgic lake towns and underrated beach retreats.

Not only is Texas home to its own ‘Cancun’, but also its own ‘Maldives‘ tucked away outside of Austin.

With an assist from Southern Living, here are 3 sunny Texas lake towns for relaxing resorts and nostalgic vibes:

Conroe: Houston’s Close-By Lake Hideaway

Since Houston is experiencing record numbers of tourists, locals may find themselves escaping the crowds to Conroe, a quiet, old-timey lake town ‘down yonder’.

While not everyone finds their inner Zen in fishing, that’s largely Conroe’s claim to fame, but there’s a lot more to experience here than reeling in Largemouth bass.

But enough about my ex.

Wandering downtown is a must for an afternoon of shopping and indulging in Southern comfort foods.

Conroe is a small, vibrant town oozing charm and character along the main strip of Mom & Pop eateries like top-rated Honor Cafe, numerous antique shops, and locals’ favorite watering hole, Red Brick Tavern.

For the ultimate hidden gem, though, you gotta visit Southern Star Brewing Company, set on 13 secluded acres.

Truth be told, you don’t have to leave the handful of lakeside resorts to unwind as delightful as downtown Conroe may be.

Lake Conroe is home to multiple relaxing stays, including a name we all know and love for waterfront vacations.

Margaritaville Lake Resort Lake Conroe anchors the region with fun activities for the whole fam, but obviously more so for adults with a signature cocktail in hand.

Following Margaritaville’s lead, there’s also:

• Holiday Inn Club Vacations Piney Shores Resort at Lake Conroe
• The Landing At Seven Coves
• Villas On The Lake

Horseshoe Bay: The South’s Most Underrated Lake Town

Ever heard of Horseshoe Bay? Perhaps you have, but it’s not the stunning vivid waters of Bermuda’s version that comes to mind.

Horseshoe Bay, Texas lies on the edge of Lake Lyndon B. Johnson, although a name change might be due once the JFK Files are released – yikes!

For now, Horseshoe Bay is a peaceful retreat home to a lavish 4-star resort overlooking Lake LBJ, the perfect setting for a kayaking, paddleboarding, and capping off the day with a sunset cruise.

Horseshoe Bay Resort holds thousands of rave reviews from guests, where one recently claimed, “My stay was wonderful from check in to check out. Every single employee I encountered was lovely and willing to help. The food at J’s Restaurant was great including the breakfast buffet”.

For nostalgic vibes, visit the next notable town, Marble Falls. 

Their claim to fame is that there’s so much to see that you’ll enjoy a walkable weekend without a need for a car.

Canyon Lake: Welcome To The “Maldives Of Texas”

Did you know New Braunfels was crowned the best destination in Texas?

While it’s become a destination city in its own right home to charming streets, trendy wine bars, the vibrant blue Guadalupe River, and the most popular gas station on Earth, it’s nearby Canyon Lake that’s been hyped as the “Maldives of Texas“.

Before diving in to Canyon Lake’s Maldives-esque beauty, one place you have to visit is Gruene, the historic district within New Braunfels but feels like it’s own town.

Pronounced “Green”, this itsy bitsy blip on the map is a snapshot of Old Texas. From general stores to riverside eats, it’s a must-visit before hitting up the crystal clear waters of Canyon Lake, which went viral on social media for its surprising pristine conditions smack dab in the middle of Texas.

While not the actual Maldives, the beaches are remarkable for a lake for sunbathing, picnicking, and even stargazing at night.

Kayaking is very popular as well, and there are numerous resorts and condos for rent offering sweeping views, but none better than Canyon Lakeview Resort.

Sam Sears

Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 30 countries and written over 400 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.

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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.

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Last Updated 1 month ago

So much for the Mayan calendar, huh? Well, you may question if yours is right too.

As many of us feel forced to sip pumpkin concoctions, throw on a dusty flannel from the back of the closet, and hit the back roads for incredible vibrant scenery this time of year, some places simply didn’t get the memo that the seasons have changed.

September 22nd may have marked 2024’s official start to fall, but summer vibes galore away from the endless amounts of autumn ‘leaf peepers’.

According to MySA, a local news publication in San Antonio, the marvelous beach town of South Padre Island is the place to be where summer has yet to end.

With perfect afternoon temps around hovering 80 degrees, the Gulf feels like bath water.

All the fall splendor can await back home; you’ll be mesmerized by your newfound island life of palm trees, white sand, and affordable beachfront resorts in this slice of Texas paradise.

34 Miles Of White Sand Beaches

There’s no shame in South Padre’s game; their tourism board proudly boasts their claim to fame front and center as a 34-mile-long barrier island with ‘white sand and clear emerald water’.

Now, even the colorblind can tell you Padre white is not Maldives white, so let’s temper expectations here.

And before carrying on, a little message for Crayola – Padre White is my original idea so I better not see my niece coloring with a new shade of crayon!

As a born-and-raised Texan, I can attest that anything, and I mean anything, is an upgrade from Galveston, another coastal town locals escape to for sun, sand, and definitely not white sand and emerald waters.

To sum up Galveston for you – last time I was there I stepped on a soiled diaper. ‘Nuff said?

South Padre may share the Gulf with Galveston, but they are apples and oranges in comparison.

Padre is a tried and true paradisal beach town hugging Mexico in a part of Texas that far too often flies under the radar, especially for the deals you can score in the off-season!

You may want to avoid the crowds of Spring Breakers here, but fall is pure bliss and ultimate savings for a nice vacation.

Tip: Isla Blanca is rated #1 on TripAdvisor out of South Padre’s beaches

Book A Beach Resort Under $100 Per Night This Fall

You can’t get much closer to Mexico than South Padre Island.

Many vacationers overlook this Texas escape for a sexier Mexican vacation with the likes of Cancun, Los Cabos, and Puerto Vallarta across the border.

In doing so, travelers typically fork over their whole paycheck to stay there. If only they had known about Padre…

Beach resorts here are very affordable right now. In fact, if you were to book a last-minute vacation for September, you would be shocked!

For example, the Margaritaville Beach Resort is only $88 on select dates beginning September 30th, and even as low as $75 mid-October.

Better yet, there are many others to choose from in case the Parrothead vibes are a little too much to handle.

Here are 3 more outstanding resort deals this fall: (in order of lowest rate found on Google Travel)

• Sand Rose Beach Resort – $60
• Holiday Inn Resort at South Padre Island – $84
• Peninsula Island Resort & Spa – $93

What To Do And How To Get Here

Despite MySA rejecting my job application for a Reporter role, they did pick the right Texas beach to showcase as a tourist destination since it’s so well-suited for all ages and interests.

MySA mentions wildlife is plentiful where Laguna Madre Nature Trail and Sea Turtle Inc. are excellent options for tourists to see the region’s vast array of animals, the ladder being an up-close-and-personal

Beyond lounging in the sun with the tide at your feet, there are many fun water activities to consider.

For the more adventurous, parasailing and jet skiing are always top choices, while those looking to relax can choose from snorkeling on their own or the numerous fishing or dolphin-spotting excursions like top-rated Captain Murphy’s Deep Sea Fishing.

Remember, this is a popular Spring Break getaway for a reason, so there are still lively bars to choose from in fall too, like Clayton’s, the ‘Biggest Beach Bar in Texas‘ or more casual digs, such as Tequila Sunset Bar & Grill.

I don’t know about you, but they had me at ‘Tequila’ and ‘Sunset’.

Reaching South Padre is easy peasy since they share an airport (BRO) with nearby Brownsville where United and American offer flights year-round.

Sam Sears

Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 30 countries and written over 400 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.

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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.