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13 Budget Beaches
Beaches are my favorite holiday getaways. Unfortunately, many people prize beaches, and as such, they can be expensive to get away to. Enter Concierge, which has compiled a baker's dozen of the world's best affordable beaches. Of course, depending on where you live, some of the destinations may cost a few pennies to reach, but with accommodation prices this low, you can afford it. For example, the list mentions:
- Ko Phi Phi, Thailand -- Double rooms from $32
- Samana Peninsula, Dominican Republic -- Two-bedroom villas for four from $46
- Georgia's Sea Islands --Double rooms from $65
- Yelapa, Mexico -- Double rooms from $70
- St. John's, USVI -- Two-bedroom cottages for four from $70
- Mozambique -- One-bedroom casitas with two twin beds from $89
- Costa Rica -- Bungalows for two from $95
- Anegada, BVI -- Double rooms from $95
- Kauai, Hawaii -- Double rooms, including breakfast from $115
- St. Barths -- Double rooms, including breakfast from $115
- Cat Islands, Bahamas -- One-bedroom villas for two from $135
- Bahia Honda, Florida Keys -- Two-bedroom cabins for six, $136
- Los Roques, Venezuela -- Double rooms, including breakfast and boat trip from $160
To the list, I'll add Malawi's Njaya Lodge, offering two-person bungalows for $10. Guaranteed, you'll never want to leave.
Filed under: Hotels and Accommodations
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
ourman Apr 10th 2007 4:54PM
Are they kidding? Who put this list together. Surely Gadling knows enough about traveling in places like Thailand to know that you can find much cheaper than these.
A month or so back I spent 3 weeks in Thailand and stayed in some nice places and never paid more than $20. And, I was living in comparative luxury, there were cheaper places available.
I have just checked out Koh Phi Phi - two minutes research on the internet showed Concierge didn't know what they were talking about. You can get a reasonable room for under half of what they say is the starting amount.
In addition, there are many many cheaper and nicer places to go than Phi Phi.
Sorry, but this is travel journalism at it's worst. They're bad but I can't believe Gadling didn't call them on it.
For the record, if you want cheap and beautiful then check out Koh Tarutao. Okay camping is not for everyone but $5 a night shouldn't be sniffed at. Their rooms are $15.
Pics here:
http://tinyurl.com/27bho7
I can't speak for the other places mentioned but is $160 in Venezuela really the cheapest place they can find. Hardly budget is it?
Willy Apr 10th 2007 7:15PM
Ourman, thanks for your comments. You're right to point out that *some* of the beaches profiled on the list don't appear to be very budget-ish. However, I think it's fair to say that many of the places are, indeed, not only *reasonably priced,* but stunningly priced. For example, I'm thinking of:
* 2BR villas in the DR for four, $46
* Doubles along Georgia's barrier islands, $65
* 2BR cottages in the USVI for four, $70
* Doubles, including breakfast (!) in Hawaii (!!), $115
* 2BR cabins for six in Florida -- which I've visited, BTW, and they're HUGE -- $136
Granted, nothing on the list is a $10/2-person bungalow (save the tip I added), but I still think the list was worth mentioning.
That said, I'll try to scare up some other, even budget-ier places in the near future.
ourman Apr 11th 2007 1:04AM
Hang on though - good value for money is not the same as budget. You can get a BMW at a value-for-money price - it doesn't mean it's a budget vehicle.
It says budget beaches. That is no way true. Give me five minutes with a Lonely Planet and I could fine you ten nicer Thai beaches and a 100 better priced hotels than what they came up with for Phi Phi.
If Florida is so expensive then why are they listing it in a Budget Beaches compilation?
Nah, sorry, just bad.
Willy Apr 11th 2007 12:34PM
Point taken. Perhaps the post should've been titled "13 Value for Money Beaches." Alternatively, since some of the beaches aren't too budget-y but ARE budget-y on the global scale, perhaps we should've called it "13 Budget Baches, Relative to the Local Environs."
Nevertheless, whatever the title SHOULD've been, I still think the article was worthwhile. Living in Florida, I would consider the Bahia Honda tip a budget tip when friends want to go to stay in the Keys with us. Bahia Honda is routinely ranked among America's best beaches, and to have room for 6 for $136/night is an absolute deal.
Further, I don't think you're going to find a better budget experience in the Cat Islands: $130 is a steal, and I'll keep that tip in mind when my wife and I head over the next time.
Admittedly, the Thailand tip may have been misguided, but for non-camping $16 is still modestly-priced and certinaly budget-friendly.
BTW, Lonely Planet loves the plug you just gave them.
ourman Apr 11th 2007 5:51PM
Fair enough. There's a good piece in there somewhere. But if anything the sloppy Budget Beach headline killed it.
But putting aside the hotels for a second, budget beaches are a whole different deal. Here, in Nicaragua, somewhere like San Juan Del Sur is an incredible and value for money beach.
The Lonely Planet are welcome. I once took 60 former streetkids on a holiday of a life time thanks to their charitable foundation's generosity.
And if they only produced a dedicated Nicaragua book then I'd still be using their guides now ;O)
Kathleen Apr 16th 2007 7:24PM
I just want to know where this is?????
St. John's, USVI -- Two-bedroom cottages for four from $70.
The first time I was there was all expense paid company thing first class accomodations all the way ... I want to go back as a person with a budget. First class accomodations aren't the objective ... as far as I'm concerned the island (flora, fawna, beaches, people) are already beyound first class!
PJ Apr 15th 2007 8:52AM
While I appreciate a true travel bargain, I am afraid all facts should be double checked. The Njaya Lodge in Malawi sounds sublime. However, when you check the CDC page for East Africa and Malawi, it specifically mentions Lake Malawi. "Schistosomiasis, a parasitic infection, is found in fresh water in the region, including Lake Malawi". I think I'll stick closer to home and not have to worry.
Willy Apr 15th 2007 8:56AM
PJ, I've spent significant time (months, total) in Lake Malawi and never had a problem with Schisto. That said, I have had friends who contracted it. It's simple to cure -- a pill clears it up in three days or so.
It's important to bear in mind that there will be certain "risks" associated with traveling to any destination at all.
Sherrie Apr 15th 2007 9:42AM
OMG...fantastic list IF you can afford to travel to most any of those places. Guess I'll have to stick with the boring, and expensive, beaches on the east coast. At least I can afford the gas.
Rich Brach Apr 15th 2007 10:13AM
The beaches are one thing, but the airfare will kill ya'!!!!!!
Kat Apr 15th 2007 11:41AM
What site are you guys booking your trips from? I am looking to take vacation in July.
joe Apr 15th 2007 11:46AM
Just came back from Phi Phi and other islands in Thailand. Much better deals than this can be had. Safe and Friendly. Costa Rica is becoming very dangerous, after 10 winters in CR I am qualified to give this opinion..."Crime is out of hand and getting worse" Sad but true.
kat Apr 15th 2007 11:43AM
What site are you booking your vacations from? I am looking to take a trip in July and I don't want to break the bank.
Jaki Gray Apr 15th 2007 12:00PM
I would like to add an affordable beach getaway to your list... The Tower Circle Motel in Buxton , NC on the beautiful Outer Banks is worth noting. Rooms start at $58.00 for two and 2-bedroom apartments are $125.00 a night that sleep six. Our beaches are clean and uncluttered. This unknown small family motel is truly a gem in hiding!
marie mckenna Apr 15th 2007 12:50PM
i want to go a trip to the alantik city to see
thersa fallon ther to see a show she has a tiktets
for me to go with her i want to go ther my sief to
make theresa happey to ok by by for now ,
Bill Apr 15th 2007 1:20PM
Couldn't find a double room for $65 a night on the Sea Islands. Maybe $65 an hour. But I couldn't find a bargain.