9 Best Affordable Beach Vacation Spots around the World for Your first Holiday in 2021

Finding the best affordable beach vacation has become quite a challenge, after spending most of 2020 locked-up inside our homes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With summer just around the corner, this is the perfect time to hit the beach and make the most of the cool breeze without getting sunburnt from the scorching heat.

   

While most of us cannot wait to break out of our beachwear and go for a peaceful swim in the ocean, the reality is, COVID- 19 has also had a huge impact on the world economy. Where many lost their jobs and others had to take a pay cut. Therefore, splurging on a beach vacation is something that has become very difficult.

 

This is why we have handpicked some of the best affordable beach vacations for you to take in 2021. Be it a family holiday, a romantic getaway with your partner, or a solo trip to unwind after spending most of your time on the laptop this past year, this list has you covered. We have gathered up some of the most exotic, tropical, and pocket-friendly destinations for your first trip in 2021.

 

With worldwide travel restrictions and the quarantine and social distancing guidelines, the tourism industry around the world has taken a massive hit. However, as new medicines and vaccines are getting rolled out, things are starting to look good. In order to get back on their feet, many of the hotels, and businesses that are dependent on tourists and visitors, have come up with exciting offers and discounts. Many of the luxury hotels are offering up to 70% discounts in some places, to gather up their crowd and get ahead of the competition.

 

We believe this could be the perfect opportunity to explore your dream destination with the best affordable beach vacation which doesn’t compromise too much on the experience while helping out the businesses on the side.

So let’s dive into the best affordable beach vacations for you to explore in 2021!

 

1. The Maldives

 

 

The Maldives is a chain of close to 1200 small independent islands in the Indian Ocean. It has one of the clearest and calm beaches you can find. The Maldives has a reputation of being extravagant and super luxurious, due to the private island resorts and elegant cottages that sit on top of the transparent blue waters of the Indian Ocean.

However, due to the lack of tourism, hotels, and business owners have been offering up to 60% discounts on 3-star hotels and resorts, to generate more revenue. This gives you a great opportunity to grab the best affordable beach vacation, at an exotic location. To make your trip more budget-friendly, you can choose to stay has local guesthouses, or boutique hotels, which offer accommodation as low as 50$ per night. Eat at local restaurants and or better yet try to explore the local cuisine to best bang for your buck.  The most perfect time to have the cheapest and best affordable beach vacation in the Maldives is from May to September, that’s when the prices are most reasonable and you can make the most out of your holiday.

 

2. The Philippines

 

 

The Philippines have become the most visited place for thrill-seekers. Young adults and teenagers from all over the world consider it to be the perfect spot for the best affordable beach vacation. Much like the Maldives, the Philippines is an archipelago consisting of numerous stunning islands. The island of Boracay in particular is a crowd favorite owing to it being a party hotspot for people of all ages.

 

A beach vacation in the Philippines would be ideal if you are planning to run short on funds. Accommodation in local hotels to luxurious 3-star resorts ranges from $20 to 60$ per night. This is mainly due to the currency exchange rates (1 USD= 48.45 Philippine Peso). On top of that, the lack of tourism has also made it cheaper than ever before. The islands offer mouth-watering dishes at prices that would make this place your top priority of the best affordable beach vacation of your life.

 

3. Vietnam

 

 

Vietnam is one of the most underrated spots for having the best affordable beach vacation one can hope for. Vietnam is home to an enormous coastline nearly 3500km for glamorous beaches. Due to the low currency exchange rate of Vietnamese Dong to USD, travel, accommodation, and food have become quite affordable. One can even manage to spend a week in Vietnam with casual spending habits in $500 to $600. The welcoming hospitality and the deep culture make it a backpacker’s dream.

 

4. Thailand

 

 

Thailand is one of the top destinations for people looking for good food, a good climate, and some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The bustling nightlife of Thailand attracts hundreds of people from different parts of the world. On the other hand, Thailand offers plenty of other exciting activities to explore, such as snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, hiking through dense forests, and many others, which make it one of the best affordable beach vacation spots for you.

 

But the most impressive thing about going for a beach vacation in Thailand is how budget-friendly the place can be. You can easily find accommodation in beach bungalows for as low as 10 bucks a night and a variety of local Thai food to die for at some of the best prices you have ever seen. All these qualities make Thailand our preferred destination for the best affordable beach vacation with your friends.

 

5. Bali, Indonesia

 

 

Bali is a beautiful island situated in Indonesia, which is filled with cultural diversity and the most welcoming hospitality. The lush green trees and the calming climate make Bali the perfect destination for a romantic getaway with your partner or the best affordable beach vacation with your family. Bali has only recently shot to fame since its accurate portrayal in ‘Eat, Pray, Love’.  Another great quality of the island of Bali is that it is usually not so crowded and allows you to enjoy the calm and tranquil beaches all to yourself without any disturbance. Bali will allow you to explore the food, temples, culture, beaches, and a variety of adventure activities you choose from, at very cheap and affordable prices.

 

6. Morocco

 

 

Morocco is situated in Northern Africa sharing its coastline with the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. It is one of the most stunning places to have the best affordable beach vacation with your family and friends. The stunning architecture and culture attract people from different parts of the world, including filmmakers. Some of the most popular Hollywood productions choose Morocco as their preferred place for a picturesque background. Movies like The Mummy (1999), Lawrence of Arabia (1962), Gladiator (2000), and some parts of Game of Thrones have also been shot in Morocco.

 

Morocco is famous for two things, its diverse culture and budget-friendly travel options. Morocco offers a variety of cuisines for you to try out, including Arabic, French, Turkish, and some influence from Spanish and Italian Cuisine as well. Accommodation in Morocco is quite cheap ranging from $5 to $30 per night. Food is also quite cheap for the quality and taste, which makes Morocco an essential destination for your bucket list.

 

7. The Dominican Republic

 

 

The Dominican Republic is full of surprises both cultural and geographic, in addition to that, it is quite cheap which makes it perfect for the best affordable beach vacation with your family and friends. The Dominican Republic is a perfect place to enjoy wide-open beaches with many of which are tucked away in remote locations and make you hike through tropical forests to enjoy its charm. It receives a pleasant climate all year round and the welcoming locals make it much more enjoyable. 

 

Dominican Republic is a perfect getaway destination for people living in the US as it is not as crowded as its other expensive places like Aruba or the Bahamas. Travelers can enjoy great Cuban food, and a wide variety of beers and alcohol, at cheap prices. Accommodation in the Dominican Republic is also quite affordable with decent private rooms starting from$20 per night.

 

8. Portugal

 

 

Portugal has a rich culture with influences from Spain, Brazil, and France. It has beautiful architecture and is home to some of the most stunning beaches. In addition to the beaches Portugal also takes you through some beautiful rocky cliffs and valleys which would enrich your plans for having the best affordable beach vacation. Portugal is not as cheap as some other options that we have explored earlier, but for the experience it offers, you won’t mind sparing a few extra cents. The Algarve beach is one of the best beaches the country has to offer with clear sandy coastlines and impressive hotels and resorts to stay at. Apart from Algarve, The Madeira Island is another crowd favorite due to its secluded and beautiful beaches. It is somewhat harder to reach as you would have to work up your climbing and hiking muscles to reach there but the reward is definitely worth it. 

 

9. Greece

 

 

When trying to find the most perfect spot for the best affordable beach vacation, we doubt that you would consider Greece as a possible option to explore. This is mainly because of the lavish and extravagant spots such as the Mykonos and Santorini, which offer one of the most stunning views and architecture but at a hefty price. 

You can, however, still enjoy the amazing weather and the delicious Greek food, at some of the lesser-known attractions such as Corfu, Halkidiki, Thassos, and Zakynthos. These spots offer equally beautiful beaches and a lot of fun activities to choose from while allowing you to travel on a budget. Accommodation in these destinations starts from a little as $15 per night, and the same Greek cuisine to die for, which makes Greece a perfect place to enjoy the best affordable beach vacation with your family and friends.

 

And there you have it, these are our top picks for the best affordable beach vacation when traveling on a budget. You can always try to save a few extra bucks by traveling in the economy, using public transport, and trying out authentic food from local spots. This will also allow you to enjoy the culture and the real beauty of the place you are visiting!