Best Budget Beaches for Winter
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Craving a beach getaway that's as affordable as it is fun? If so, you're in luck. We've dug deep in America's sands to find the ten most spectacular (and spectacularly cheap) beach resorts from the East Coast to Hawaii. Each of the hotels on the following pages can be booked for less than $200 per night (some for as little as $99 per night) and boasts prime beach access. Some even offer extras like free breakfasts and activities such as horseback riding.
Here are our prime picks in order of best bang for your beach-going buck:
Here are our prime picks in order of best bang for your beach-going buck:
Sugar Beach, Kihei, Maui
Aston Maui Lu
Why go: Aptly named for its light brown, sugary sand, this quiet strand on the sunny south shore of Maui leads all the way to the busier beaches in North Kihei, but who wants to fight the crowds there, when you can relax in peace here?
The bargain: Maui's average resort rate runs nearly $300 a night, so the Aston Maui Lu , located front and center of the Pacific Ocean, with a nice slice of beach to boot, is a steal with rates starting at $125 per night (Ask for the "Summer Rates" special). The beachfront hotel is undergoing an extensive remodel set to be completed in October, but for now rooms are clean and outfitted with mini-fridges to make up for the slightly dated décor. Tired of sunning? There are plenty of other activities to keep you busy on the 28-acre property, from tennis to walking trails threaded throughout the on-site coconut grove.
For more information visit: AstonHotels.com
The bargain: Maui's average resort rate runs nearly $300 a night, so the Aston Maui Lu , located front and center of the Pacific Ocean, with a nice slice of beach to boot, is a steal with rates starting at $125 per night (Ask for the "Summer Rates" special). The beachfront hotel is undergoing an extensive remodel set to be completed in October, but for now rooms are clean and outfitted with mini-fridges to make up for the slightly dated décor. Tired of sunning? There are plenty of other activities to keep you busy on the 28-acre property, from tennis to walking trails threaded throughout the on-site coconut grove.
For more information visit: AstonHotels.com
St. Pete Beach, Florida
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Why go: Four heart-stopping miles of public, white sandy beaches overlooking the baby-blue Gulf of Mexico can double for the Caribbean, minus the long flights and pumped up prices. Watersports junkies can do all the Jet Skiing, windsurfing, and parasailing their hearts desire. Showers and changing rooms are available for day trippers.
The bargain: The Alden Beach Resort & Suites has an unbelievable $119 per night summer-long rate. Every room is a suite with fully equipped kitchenette and separate living room. The outside barbecue deck is free for family grill-fests and everyone gets their game on at the tennis, basketball and volleyball courts. Relax at the hotel bar's popular happy hour after a day of play.
For more information visit: AldenBeachResort.com
The bargain: The Alden Beach Resort & Suites has an unbelievable $119 per night summer-long rate. Every room is a suite with fully equipped kitchenette and separate living room. The outside barbecue deck is free for family grill-fests and everyone gets their game on at the tennis, basketball and volleyball courts. Relax at the hotel bar's popular happy hour after a day of play.
For more information visit: AldenBeachResort.com
Huntington Beach, California
Shorebreak Hotel
Why go: For the gnarly waves, of course! This is Surf City, U.S.A. where it's all about the surfboard and keeping it casual, mellow yellow-style. This area is also home to Dog Beach, so feel free to bring Fido along for the ride.
The bargain: The new Shorebreak Hotel is modern—flat screen TVs, iPod docking stations and Italian linens round out the airy, ocean front rooms. The $139 per night rate is already a steal, but those living within 100 miles of the hotel should check out Shorebreak's Facebook and Twitter page every week when they release rates starting at just $100 a night.
For more information visit: ShorebreakHotel.com
The bargain: The new Shorebreak Hotel is modern—flat screen TVs, iPod docking stations and Italian linens round out the airy, ocean front rooms. The $139 per night rate is already a steal, but those living within 100 miles of the hotel should check out Shorebreak's Facebook and Twitter page every week when they release rates starting at just $100 a night.
For more information visit: ShorebreakHotel.com
5) South Padre Island, Texas
Mary Ellen Botter, Dallas Morning News / MCT
Why go: This barrier island along the Texas Gulf coast is popular with Spring Breakers, but after those raucous crowds have gone, families settle in for calm, 90-degree summer vacations filled with watersports, horseback riding and side trips to the nearby Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark.
The bargain: The 12-room Casa de Siesta has an intimate Southwestern feel with Mexican antique and clay-tile accented rooms. The tropical plant and fountain filled courtyard is the place catch up on your summer reading. In the morning, enjoy your complimentary continental breakfast (a bonus with the $99 per night rate) before heading to the beach, a half block away.
For more information visit: CasadeSiesta.com
The bargain: The 12-room Casa de Siesta has an intimate Southwestern feel with Mexican antique and clay-tile accented rooms. The tropical plant and fountain filled courtyard is the place catch up on your summer reading. In the morning, enjoy your complimentary continental breakfast (a bonus with the $99 per night rate) before heading to the beach, a half block away.
For more information visit: CasadeSiesta.com
Seven-Mile Beach, Negril, Jamaica
Why go: If watching the sun set on golden sands with your toes dipped in warm, crystal-clear waters sounds like your perfect escape, Seven-Mile Beach is just for you. It's the largest continuous stretch of white, powdery sand in Jamaica, with a lighthouse at the end of the shore.
The Bargain: In Jamaica, you can find deals that run the gamut from budget to luxury. Those looking for some seclusion should try Kuyuba, a small property offering wodden, rustic cottages on the beachfront old Negril for only $70 per night in the winter. Steps away from the beach, all rooms have porches and A/C. Get a room with a kitchenette for just 7 extra dollars, or go all out and book the honeymoon suite--a "treehouse" bungalow with a TV, king-sized bed, and large balcony--for just $106 per night.
For more information visit: Kuyaba.com
The Bargain: In Jamaica, you can find deals that run the gamut from budget to luxury. Those looking for some seclusion should try Kuyuba, a small property offering wodden, rustic cottages on the beachfront old Negril for only $70 per night in the winter. Steps away from the beach, all rooms have porches and A/C. Get a room with a kitchenette for just 7 extra dollars, or go all out and book the honeymoon suite--a "treehouse" bungalow with a TV, king-sized bed, and large balcony--for just $106 per night.
For more information visit: Kuyaba.com
Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica
Courtesy Beijaflor Hotel and Resort
Why go: From surfers to eco-tourists, it's no wonder why Costa Rica is at the top of many travelers bucket lists. And those who have already visited keep coming back to explore the country's dense rainforests and sun themselves on tropical beaches. In laid-back Puerto Viejo, coconut palms dot the beaches and bikes and pedestrians dominate the coastal roads.
The Bargain: For as little as $90 a night, you can get a deluxe room featuring an open-sky shower and hammock at Beijaflor Resort. For nominal fees, the resort also offers horseback riding on the beach, car rentals to nearby waterfalls, and even surf lessons. If you're looking for some seclusion, travel 3 miles into the jungle and stay at Hotel Kasha for $50 per person, per nightand if you book 4 nights, get a 5th for free!
For more information visit: BeijaFlorResort.com
The Bargain: For as little as $90 a night, you can get a deluxe room featuring an open-sky shower and hammock at Beijaflor Resort. For nominal fees, the resort also offers horseback riding on the beach, car rentals to nearby waterfalls, and even surf lessons. If you're looking for some seclusion, travel 3 miles into the jungle and stay at Hotel Kasha for $50 per person, per nightand if you book 4 nights, get a 5th for free!
For more information visit: BeijaFlorResort.com
Junkanoo Beach, Nassau, Bahamas
Courtesy Nassau Bahamas Hotel
Why go: With an average of 80 degrees year-round, the Bahamas are always inviting. Enjoy the pearly white sands and swaying palm trees of Junkanoo Beach and Nassau Straw Market by day, and then gamble the night away at a Casino while you puff on a Cuban cigar. Add to that some duty free shopping, and paradise island is also a shopper's paradise!
The Bargain: If you're looking in the market for a Bahamian bargain, the Nassau Bahamas Hotel is offering a "Bed/Breakfast & Dinner Package" that includes lodging, daily continental breakfast, and a buffet dinner for just $131 per night for two. The property overlooks the island and sits just across the street from the beach. The coral-colored hotel also features a harbor-front pool deck with two pools and a whirlpool. To guarantee you have a room with a view, upgrade to a suite with a balcony for just 20 more dollars.
For more information visit: Nassau-Hotel.com
The Bargain: If you're looking in the market for a Bahamian bargain, the Nassau Bahamas Hotel is offering a "Bed/Breakfast & Dinner Package" that includes lodging, daily continental breakfast, and a buffet dinner for just $131 per night for two. The property overlooks the island and sits just across the street from the beach. The coral-colored hotel also features a harbor-front pool deck with two pools and a whirlpool. To guarantee you have a room with a view, upgrade to a suite with a balcony for just 20 more dollars.
For more information visit: Nassau-Hotel.com
Isla Verde Beach, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Courtesy Courtyard by Marriott
Why go: Beach bums are crazy for Puerto Rico, and San Juan is the perfect place for those in need of some rest and relaxation. Of course, the city has a whole lot more to offer than just sand and surf: the city's nightlife and museums are just a few reasons why it is the Caribbean's busiest embarkation point.
The Bargain: Courtyard by Marriott Isla Verde Beach Resort offers a "Weekend Getaway" package for just $189 that includes a Deluxe Ocean View Room, a $25 Casino Match Bet Coupon, Complimentary Breakfast Buffet and welcome rum drinks for two adults. Each room comes with its own private balcony, a 37" LCD TV, mini fridge, and complimentary internet access—but we think you'll be spending most of your time at the beach or at the pool that features a swim-up bar.
For more information visit: SJCourtyard.com
The Bargain: Courtyard by Marriott Isla Verde Beach Resort offers a "Weekend Getaway" package for just $189 that includes a Deluxe Ocean View Room, a $25 Casino Match Bet Coupon, Complimentary Breakfast Buffet and welcome rum drinks for two adults. Each room comes with its own private balcony, a 37" LCD TV, mini fridge, and complimentary internet access—but we think you'll be spending most of your time at the beach or at the pool that features a swim-up bar.
For more information visit: SJCourtyard.com
Eagle Beach, Oranjestad, Aruba
Courtesy Manchebo Beach Resort & Spa
Why go: Aruba's cool winds and almost implausibly constant year-long temperature of 81 degrees makes it the perfect locale for beachgoers. The island might not have any rivers, but it is well-known for its sugary white beaches. The country is also outside the hurricane belt, so you can enjoy sunbathing, swimming, and scuba diving without a care in the world.
The Bargain: Get a Garden View room at Manchebo Beach Resort and Spa for as little as $169 a night. The small property has only 71 rooms, plus 45 beach shade huts, a French Steakhouse, library, and fresh water pool. Newly renovated rooms feature 32" LCD flat screen TVs, fridges, and A/C.
For more information visit: Manchebo.com
The Bargain: Get a Garden View room at Manchebo Beach Resort and Spa for as little as $169 a night. The small property has only 71 rooms, plus 45 beach shade huts, a French Steakhouse, library, and fresh water pool. Newly renovated rooms feature 32" LCD flat screen TVs, fridges, and A/C.
For more information visit: Manchebo.com
North Playa del Carmen Beach, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Why go: "Playa"—as it's known by the locals—sits about 45 minutes south of Cancun on the Yucatan Peninsula. Scuba dive in the offshore Mesoamerican Barrier Reef—the second largest coral reef system in the world—or take it easy and rent a canopy bed on the beach so you can alternate catching rays and taking lazy, afternoon catnaps. Quinta Avenida, or 5th Avenue, is the pedestrian friendly city's main drag: spanning around 20 blocks, you'll find plenty to see and do.
The Bargain: Since 1984, the Blue Parrot has been a favorite beachfront safe haven in Playa del Carmen. For as low as $110 a night you can book a room at this beautiful beachfront property that sits around 50 yards from the Mexican Caribbean. Don't miss the nightly Fire Show put on by the resort, where flame-throwing acrobatic performers defy death.
For more information visit: BlueParrot.com
The Bargain: Since 1984, the Blue Parrot has been a favorite beachfront safe haven in Playa del Carmen. For as low as $110 a night you can book a room at this beautiful beachfront property that sits around 50 yards from the Mexican Caribbean. Don't miss the nightly Fire Show put on by the resort, where flame-throwing acrobatic performers defy death.
For more information visit: BlueParrot.com
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