December 7, 2024, 6:51 am | Read time: 12 minutes
When it gets colder, many vacationers are drawn to the tropics. The travel guide portal “Lonely Planet” has now published a list of affordable tropical vacation destinations. TRAVELBOOK presents the list.
The first snowflakes are making their way across the country, mingling with raindrops. While some people celebrate the arrival of the little ice crystals with joy, others feel an icy shiver down their spine. Winter is here to stay for the time being. Wouldn’t it be delightful to slip away from it all right this moment? To lay your bare legs on warm sandy beaches while palm leaves wave above you and someone brings you a coconut. Such are the daydreams of those yearning for the sun’s embrace. In fact, these dreams don’t have to remain just dreams. Not only because there are many places like that in the world, but also because they are not inaccessible, as in, too expensive. The travel guide portal “Lonely Planet” recently published a list of places in the tropics where vacations are still quite affordable – or even cheap. We would like to present these here – in some cases with our own assessment of the price-performance ratio.
Overview
Prices Vary Based on Travel Habits and Timing
Let’s get one thing straight: The tropical vacation spots we’re about to dive into are, or have the potential to be, wallet-friendly when you’re on the ground. But it depends on how you travel. In other words, whether you only stay in five-star resorts on the beach or sometimes sleep in a hostel, whether you only ever eat in tourist restaurants or sometimes buy your own food at local markets and so on.
At the same time, this list is only about the destinations themselves. That means accommodation, food, activities, etc. It does not include the journey to get there. From Germany, the tropics are a long way away, i.e., not cheap to get to in the first place. Although there are exceptions here too. This list includes more distant places such as Australia and Fiji, which tend to be more expensive to get to than, for example, Thailand or India, which are also listed. However, budget trips can also be planned here. The travel period and the time of booking are decisive factors here.
But now, let’s finally set sail to the tropical havens where vacations are still (relatively) affordable.
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11 Places in the Tropics Where Vacations are Relatively Cheap
Barbados
Admittedly, when you hear the word Barbados, few people think of a cheap vacation destination. However, according to the author of “Lonely Planet”, it is “one of the most affordable all-round destinations in the Caribbean” where you can enjoy “the best tropical vacations on a budget”. For example, all the sandy beaches on the Caribbean island are public. There are also fantastic diving and snorkeling spots nearby with seahorses, turtles, rays, and more. Also, there are all kinds of opportunities for stand-up paddling, kayaking, and, on the East Coast, surfing.
Cheaper accommodation can be found in the south and east of Barbados. You can also save money by concentrating on fresh produce, such as fruit, fish, and the like, from the markets. At street stalls there are also local snacks, such as filled salt bread sandwiches, known as “cutters”, on offer. According to the travel portal, the cheapest and most beautiful months in Barbados are from mid-April to June and November to mid-December.
In a cost comparison on Numbeo, Barbados is not particularly cheap compared to Germany. For example, visits to cheaper restaurants are 26.5 percent more expensive. However, fast food is cheaper, as is beer. But even compared to other Caribbean islands, Barbados is not cheap by comparison. Life in Cuba, for example, is more than 70 percent cheaper than in Barbados. Compared to Dominica, it is 40 percent cheaper. In Jamaica, you pay on average 42 percent less than in Barbados. The island may therefore be an affordable destination in the tropics, but there are several other Caribbean islands where vacations are cheaper.
Vanua Levu, Fiji
Another tropical dreamland is Fiji, and here, as a cheap destination, especially the second-largest island, Vanua Levu. The “Lonely Planet” author raves about pristine beaches, fascinating diving sites, and waterfalls and paints an overall paradisiacal picture of the island. She advises visitors to come between November and April. It is the rainy season then, but prices are at their lowest. In general, you can save money by staying in simple thatched huts (the traditional bure) or local guesthouses. There are also cheap hotels and resorts on site.
Palawan, Philippines
The Philippines are also a tropical place of longing, with the travel portal declaring the Palawan archipelago to be one of the most affordable vacation destinations there. And not only that. The Philippine island has even been voted the most beautiful island in the world twice by “Travel and Leisure” readers. Apparently, there are all kinds of affordable accommodation options there: bamboo huts, private rooms, hostels, and budget hotels. According to “Lonely Planet”, there are also discounted offers at some resorts outside the high season between March and May. June to October is the rainy season, during which Palawan is quieter.
Please note: The German Foreign Office has issued a partial travel warning for the Philippines. Also, the risk of malaria is high on the island of Palawan, while it is minimal in the rest of the country.
Far North Queensland, Australia
Australia is not generally considered a cheap destination in the tropics, but it is one where budget travel, such as backpacking, works well. One Australian region in particular is mentioned in the “Lonely Planet” list: Far North Queensland. This is the far north of Australia’s most north-eastern state. The region around Cairns is particularly popular with backpackers. They travel here not only for excursions to the Great Barrier Reef and the dense rainforest, but also for the lively hostel scene.
In addition to hostels, where Booking.com offers rooms from as little as 28 euros per night in the low season in June, there are also affordable motels and hotels. Eating and drinking doesn’t have to be expensive either. Meaning, if you stick to happy hours in bars and pubs, markets, and the like. According to “Lonely Planet”, the best times to travel to this Australian region are April to May and September to October.
Island of Providencia, Colombia
“Lonely Planet” touts the Colombian island of Providencia, nestled near Nicaragua, as one of the world’s premier tropical vacation spots. And it’s surprisingly affordable too. The secluded island promises a picture-book idyll of golden sandy beaches, coral reefs, turquoise waters, and tranquility. Incidentally, the island is particularly inexpensive as it is duty-free, which is particularly noticeable at the beach bars.
Ko Wai, Thailand
Thailand is an extremely popular travel destination in the tropics of Southeast Asia – and still one where you can enjoy a cheap vacation. Even on the classic Thai vacation islands, such as Ko Phangan, Ko Samui, Phuket, and others, it is often cheap compared to other vacation destinations in the tropics. However, the “Lonely Planet” particularly highlights Ko Wai in the Ko Chang archipelago. There, the traditional Thai feeling can still be experienced to this day. This means cheap beach huts and guesthouses, as well as turquoise blue water.
Unguja (Zanzibar Island), Zanzibar, Tanzania
Another affordable top destination in the tropics, if you believe the “Lonely Planet”, is the East African archipelago of Zanzibar, which belongs to Tanzania. The author even goes so far as to write, “Africa punches well above the rest when it comes to tropical vacations,” with Unguja (or the island of Zanzibar) at the top. Here, coral reefs and soft sandy dream beaches await those longing for the sun – as well as plenty of peace and quiet. At least that’s the promise for Pongwe on the East Coast and Jambiani in the south-east, which the author describes as “two of the most laid-back tropical places to visit in all of Africa”.
Goa, India
India’s state of Goa is not only the perfect beginner’s destination for the lively and easily completely overwhelming country. It is also a vacation destination where all wishes for sun, beach, and palm trees come true at reasonable prices. And this despite the fact that Goa is sometimes virtually flooded with tourists, depending on the location. In addition to tourist hotspots, such as Arambol, there are also a number of smaller places with clean beaches and tranquility, such as Agonda and Palolem.
There are numerous guesthouses and hotels, beach bungalows and resorts in Goa that offer affordable prices. According to “Lonely Planet”, many beachfront accommodations close during the monsoon season (May to September). The travel portal lists March to April and October to November as the best times to travel outside the high season.
Bahías de Huatulco, Mexico
In the search for inexpensive vacation destinations in the tropics, the “Lonely Planet” also takes us to Mexico. According to the travel portal, Bahías de Huatulco is “a unique and affordable place for an eco escape”. There, on the Mexican Pacific coast, vacationers can expect nine bays with emerald green water, surfing and snorkeling opportunities on white sandy beaches, waterfalls, coffee plantations, and much more. To save money, the author advises eating seafood and local specialties at simple street stalls. Cheap accommodation in this destination in the tropics is available between November and April in private houses, simple hotels, and even affordable resorts and villas. It is cheapest between May and October, i.e., during the rainy season.
Lombok and the Gili Islands, Indonesia
Bali is one of the dream destinations when it comes to a vacation in the tropics, but is no longer cheap in comparison. Right next to it lies the almost equally beautiful but far less crowded island of Lombok. Between these two larger Indonesian islands lie the three Gili Islands: Trawangan, Meno, and Air. They all promise wonderful tropical vacations that don’t have to be expensive. There are plenty of affordable accommodation options, such as bamboo huts and hostels. And the traditional warungs, small, simple eateries, serve delicious inexpensive food. The best time to travel (around Christmas and New Year) is between October and April.
Southern Mozambique, Mozambique
Rounding out “Lonely Planet’s” list of cheap vacation spots in the tropics is the southeast African gem of southern Mozambique. It is even said to be one of the cheapest tropical vacation destinations in Southern Africa. From adventurous backpackers to luxury resort guests, holidaymakers can anticipate pink sandy beaches, vibrant coral reefs, and the epitome of relaxation. In comparison with Tanzania, however, Mozambique is not exactly cheaper. The cost of living here is almost 35 percent more expensive than in its northern neighbor. Similar is the difference when it comes to restaurant prices in the southern city of Maputo compared to those in Zanzibar. Nevertheless, southern Mozambique is an affordable travel destination. And it is well worth a visit, especially in the colder months in this country—as a vacation destination with a lot more than just a little bit of sunshine.