Beach trip on a budget?
 

Hi,

My girlfriend and I were looking to get away this summer, probably for about a week, to somewhere warm where we can relax, enjoy some beach fun, and spend some time together. We both are college students, and therefore don't have much money to spend. We live in Boston, and I was wondering if anyone had any ideas of cheap, fun vacations in June and July. I found some cheap rates on Southwest to Florida, and also there have been deals to Jamaica, but the people on this board really know their stuff, so I was wondering if people had any ideas. Thanks alot!

How much are you looking to spend? The problem with beach vacations in the US are that the resorts will gouge you for every cocktail. I spent more in 3 days at Hilton Sandestin Florida than I did for 8 days on the beach of Rio de Janeiro. Since you are young you may want to look into Cancun as well.

You're within driving distance of great beaches: the Cape, Ogunquit, Hampton Beach. Further afield; Ocean Beach MD, Myrtle Beach, Virginia Beach.

When I was a student, I wanted a Spring Break atmosphere (lots of other students, night time activities, the opportunity to meet others of the opposite sex, low cost lodging with high tolerance of shenanigans). Assuming you do too, why not Myrtle Beach, Clearwater Beach, South Padre Island, Panama Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Miami Beach.

If I was on a budget, I'd keep transportation costs at a minimum and spend my money on beer and suntan lotion.

If you insist on flying, look into ATA, Southwest and Air Tran (not sure who flies from Logan, but remember that you can save money by driving to another airport like Providence or Manchester). You are looking far enough in advance to get decent airfare.

And, June will be cheaper and less crowded than July when the younger kids are out of school and more families are on vacation.

You might look at the prices on www.site59.com It is last minute travel but some of the offers are awsome.

As BamaVol said, you're already in Boston. Why fly when you can drive to the beaches already mentioned? You could take the boat to Ptown too? Do you dislike the New England coastline?

There are a lot of places around New England where you can get beach and good weather. These cute little cottages in Truro right on the bay beach are just right for two http://www.capecodrental.com/SearchR...asp?Town=TRURO

or you can go to Maine. It is a lot easier and may be cheaper than the Cape.

Just getting on a plane may be nice, but know that if you get a low price to Florida for airfare, and then factor in a very low price hotel, you will still need a rental car and here is the ugly part: Florida is very hot and humid in the summer. You may not want to be outside too much.

Also agree that June will be less exspensive than July. Since most colleges get out in April, try for June to save money while the grammar school kids are still in school (which they might be until July 4 this year because of all the snow.)

As a resident of South Florida, it is very hot here in summer. If you choose to visit florida beaches, I would suggest the panhandle - Panama City or Fort Walton Beach. Nice beaches, cooler temps.
The problem with the panhandle is it is typically expensive to fly into.

I would second the Cancun or Cozumel idea.
Skip the Bahamas, the price of food and drinks would kill you.

Myrtle Beach is fun in a campy Daytona Beach sort of way. And I hate to suggest it, but what about "the Shoooore" as the local Jersey folks call it. I found some of the beach towns entertaining. Though the fact that they charge to go on the beach was strange.

It's usually pretty cheap to visit the Florida Beaches on a budget because of the competition with the airlines.

Just try the usual FLL,MIA,MCO, ect.

Agree, 100%.

Once you GET here, if you stay out of Destin and Sandestin, it's quite reasonable, even cheap. I would examine airfares to not only VPS(Valparaiso/Niceville/Ft. Walton Beach), which do tend to be high because of all the military, business, and tourist travel, but also PNS (Pensacola) and PFN (Panama City).

Keep in mind that if you stay out of the tourist areas, it's only a 15-20 minute drive to the touristy beach areas. In Niceville, we have the Hampton Inn and the (I think) Comfort Inn which is only a 15 minute drive to the Destin beaches via the mid-bay bridge which has a $1.50 toll charge..and so on.

I would say, though, stay away from late May through early Spetember, the beach traffic is a nightmare...go somewheres else in this time frame.