There’s nothing better than a vacation. A chance to reset, spend time with loved ones, and explore. If only we had more time and more money to travel.
Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not. – Ralph Waldo Emerson
While you may not convince your boss to double your vacation time. And you probably won’t inherit $5 Million to travel indefinitely. There are ways to make the most of the time and money you do have.
The three tips below will stretch your budget and allow you to travel more often. More importantly, they’ll open you up to a whole new travel experience. You’ll be immersed in the culture and enjoy unique experiences that you will cherish for a lifetime.
3 Tips to Stretch Your Travel Budget
1- Skip the Resort
Rent a vacation home instead. The options are endless with VRBO, HomeAway and AirBnB. Vacation rentals typically cost less than a hotel room. Then there is the added benefit of being able to make your own meals and drinks, saving even more. You’ll be able to experience the local food in a way you never could in a hotel.
Last October, we rented an ocean front condo in Maui for $120 per night. The unit was newly remodeled and had a view to die for. Compare this to an ocean front room at a resort where you’ll shell out around $300 a night!
We increased our savings by preparing our own meals and dining on our ocean front lanai. We ate like royalty at a fraction of the cost of a restaurant meal. We even invented our own signature drink, passion fruit Bellinis.
2 – Just Say No to Car Rentals
How about trying public transportation? In Nicaragua, we used a combination of cabs, ferries, and buses.
The very best stories from that trip are the transportation adventures. Through those experiences, we saw the true soul of the Nicaraguan people and fell in love with the country. It’s easy, cheap and a great way to experience the culture.
3 – The Best Things in Life are Free
Forgo the tourist attractions and take advantage of free activities. Do as the locals do. Don’t take a tour bus to the “famous” waterfall that’s so full of tourists you can’t take a decent picture.
Instead, search out a lesser known waterfall that includes a short hike. Pack a lunch and make a day of it. You might find that you’re the only people there, as we did at Waimoku Falls on the Pipiwai Trail.
There is an incredible world out there for you to explore. I hope these 3 tips help you enjoy more of it.
What are some ways you stretch your travel budget?
What are some of the best experiences you’ve had with nontraditional travel?
Share with us below.
This post contains affiliate links. I only recommend products I use and stand behind.
Leave a Reply