Cheapest Beach Vacations: Budget-Friendly Destinations [2026]

Picking the right destination saves you hundreds on your trip. Based on my own bookings, the cheapest beach vacations consistently pop up in Mexico’s Riviera Maya, Dominican Republic’s Punta Cana, and Thailand’s Phuket. For instance, Catalonia Riviera Maya in Puerto Aventuras regularly posts $79/night rates for double occupancy, including all meals, drinks, and non-motorized water sports. You’ll find wide, soft sand and calm turquoise water, plus it’s just a 65-minute drive from Cancun airport. The three-star ClubHotel Riu Bambu in Punta Cana often runs specials at $88/night, and that covers buffet meals, unlimited cocktails, and a nightly kids’ show. The beach here is long, clean, and lined with palm trees, perfect for families and couples alike.

If you’re looking for a super-budget option, the Grand Park Royal Cozumel has basic all-inclusive rooms from $67/night in September, including four restaurants and three pools. The sand is coarser than Cancun, but the offshore snorkeling is some of the best in Mexico. Over in Southeast Asia, Phuket’s Kata Beach Resort often drops to $52/night in low season, and you get breakfast included. Eastern Europe’s Sunny Beach, Bulgaria, isn’t on many American radars, but you can land a beachfront studio at Hotel Riu Helios Bay for $61/night in May, with half-board (breakfast and dinner) and a huge pool. The boardwalk has $3 beers and $12 seafood platters, cheaper than most US grocery runs.

Central America also punches above its weight for budget beach destinations. San Juan del Sur in Nicaragua offers stays at Surf Ranch Hotel & Resort from $49/night, and you can walk to the sand in less than 10 minutes. The vibe is laid back, and you’ll find cheap ceviche and $1 beers downtown. If you’re dreaming about Greek islands but can’t stomach Mykonos prices, Naxos is a sleeper pick. Studios along Agios Prokopios Beach, like Naxos Resort Beach Hotel, run $84/night in June, with breakfast and a pool. The sand is powdery, and you’re a 15-minute bus ride from the main town.

For Americans who want to stay closer to home, check South Padre Island, Texas. Isla Grand Beach Resort routinely advertises $119/night in April, and the Gulf temps hit 78°F. You’ll get a clean pool, direct beach access, and live music at the Quarterdeck Lounge. If you want to splurge under $140/night, look at Royal Decameron Cornwall Beach in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Here, rates often fall to $122/night per person in September, covering all food, drinks, and non-motorized water sports. The sand is white and soft, and the water is always warm.

All-inclusive doesn’t always mean everything, so it pays to read the fine print. Standard packages at Caribbean and Mexico beach resorts include buffet and à la carte meals, domestic beer and spirits, soft drinks, and most on-site activities like kayaks, snorkeling, and nightly shows. At Catalonia Riviera Maya, your $79/night covers all meals, drinks, pool access, gym use, and even intro scuba lessons. At Bulgaria’s Riu Helios Bay, the half-board plan means you’ll get breakfast and dinner, but lunch and drinks are extra, which is typical outside the Caribbean.

Airport transfers are often included at higher-end resorts or if you book through specific tour operators. For instance, booking Bahia Principe Grand Jamaica through Travorio includes shuttle transfers from Montego Bay Airport and a welcome cocktail. Kid’s clubs, beach volleyball, and nightly entertainment are standard at family-friendly resorts like Riu Bambu. Most all-inclusives in Southeast Asia cover breakfast only, but you’ll find lunch and dinner for under $8 at local spots nearby, so you’re still saving compared to US meal prices.

What’s not included? Premium alcohol (think Grey Goose or Patron), spa treatments, private dinners, and off-site excursions almost always cost extra. Some resorts charge for Wi-Fi in your room (but offer it free in the lobby). Tips are technically included at most all-inclusives in Mexico and the Caribbean, but a few extra dollars to bartenders or housekeepers goes a long way, $1-2 per day is plenty. I always budget $20 for extras per week, just in case I want a fancier cocktail or a massage. Double-check your package details before booking, especially for things like room service or specialty restaurant surcharges.

Paying for your resort is easier than ever with flexible plans on Travorio. Sezzle lets you split your total into four interest-free payments, so your $800 all-inclusive stay becomes four $200 installments due every two weeks. That’s a game changer if you want to book early and pay over time, and approval is instant for most US and Canadian travelers. You’ll see the Sezzle option at checkout, and there’s no hard credit check. If you’re into crypto, you can pay with over 100 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin, directly on the site.

PayPal Pay Later is another way to break up your costs, with the added security of PayPal’s buyer protection. I’ve used it for an $1100 resort stay in Cancun, splitting the total over three months with no extra fees. Travorio also supports major credit cards and Apple Pay, so you can stack points or cash back. When you’re ready to book, check out pay later hotels, or lock in flights with flexible payment on flights as well.

Cancellation policies vary, but many resorts now offer free cancellation up to a week before arrival, especially if you pay a slightly higher nightly rate. Be sure to read the payment and refund terms before confirming. If you use Sezzle or PayPal Pay Later and need to cancel, refunds are processed through your original payment method, usually in 7-14 business days. The flexibility makes it much easier to book early without stressing about last-minute surprises.