11 places around the world for an inexpensive tropical vacation

It doesn’t have to cost the earth to soak in some sun this winter.

Whether you want to catch some waves, try out water sports, hike through the rainforest or just lie out in the sun, you can find numerous tropical destinations that appeal to budget travelers. And with some careful advance planning, you can reap huge savings on a dream getaway – no last-minute deals required.

From white-sand shorelines in Southeast Asia to scuba diving in Central America and beyond, here are 11 tropical destinations that will give you a taste of paradise – without breaking the bank.

1. Barbados

When it comes to the best tropical vacations on a budget, Barbados is one of the most affordable all-around destinations in the Caribbean. All of its sugar-sand beaches are public – even along the flashy Platinum Coast in the west. Strolling distance from its architectural treasure of a capital, Bridgetown, you can snorkel with seahorses, turtles and rays from Brownes Beach, or paddle out on an SUP or kayak.

Surfing is epic off Bathsheba on the wild Atlantic-facing east coast; Freights Bay, in the south, has gentler waves. The south and east are typically the most economical places to base yourself. Save money by picking up fresh produce at markets and seeking out cheap bites like cutters (filled salt-bread sandwiches) from roadside stalls and rum shops.

Reggae bands play free gigs all over the island. Next to the fish market, diving into mountains of grilled fish and sides accompanied by ice-cold beers and DJ tunes at Oistins Fish Fry is an unmissable island experience. Barbados’ location outside the hurricane belt gives you a bigger window to visit: mid-April to June and November to mid-December hit the sweet spot for great weather outside the peak Christmas-to-Easter period.

2. Vanua Levu, Fiji

Fiji's second-largest island, Vanua Levu is a postcard-worthy paradise of pristine beaches, coconut palms and fragrant frangipanis. Underwater, dive sites such as Rainbow Reef and Namena Marine Reserve have kaleidoscopic corals that attract all manner of marine creatures, including hawksbill and green sea turtles. Vanua Levu’s rugged interior contains waterfalls, swimming holes and highland villages.

You can feast cheaply on dishes like kokoda (raw fish marinated in coconut cream, tomato and lime, accompanied by rice) and banana-leaf-wrapped fish, meat and vegetables cooked in a lovo (underground oven). It doesn’t cost a fortune to experience Fijian hospitality in a traditional bure (thatched hut), local guesthouse, hotel or budget resort. Prices are lowest during the warm November-to-April wet season.

3. Palawan, the Philippines

With 7641 islands in total, the Philippines offers countless options for a reasonably priced tropical escape. And the archipelagic province of Palawan has 1780 islands alone. The region teems with thundering waterfalls, huge caves and sunken WWII-era wrecks ideal for snorkeling. Want even more? Go swimming with whale sharks in turquoise waters, and enjoy some of the cheapest scuba diving anywhere in the world. Idyllic El Nido is the jumping-off point for island hopping aboard a bangka (motorized outrigger) to translucent lagoons and hidden beaches framed by karst limestone cliffs.

The crystalline waters offer up a natural bounty of prawns, crab and other seafood; danggit lamayo (dried rabbitfish marinated in vinegar, crushed garlic and peppercorn) is a particularly tasty regional specialty. Staying in a bahay kubo (thatched bamboo shack with woven rattan walls), homestay, hostel or budget hotel are all low-cost options; you can also get good deals on resorts outside peak season (March to May), though some activities close during the June-to-October wet season.

4. Far North Queensland, Australia

World Heritage rainforest meets the Great Barrier Reef in Far North Queensland. Its gateway city, Cairns, is the launching pad for reef trips, such as to coral cay Green Island, and hinterland excursions including nearby village Kuranda, where you’ll find artsy, hippie markets beneath the rainforest canopy.

Cairns makes a great, budget-friendly base for an Australia trip. Travelers will find a lively hostel scene, family-friendly motels and resorts, and bargain drinking and dining options – including tropical-fruit-filled market Rusty’s and high-spirited happy hours at Cairns’ bars and pubs. For a beachside stay, try Trinity Beach and Clifton Beach, both just north of the city. April to May and September to October, either side of the peak dry season, are ideal times for an affordable tropical holiday.

5. Providencia Island and Playa Blanca, Colombia

 Closer to Nicaragua than mainland Colombia, Providencia Island isn’t easy to get to (you’ll need to hop on a tiny 20-seater plane or take a 3-hour catamaran journey to get to this remote Caribbean island; both cost around US$100). But it is one of the best tropical vacation spots in the world.

Its remoteness means that its golden curls of sand are mostly footprint-free. The palms here lean over like the limbs of yoga enthusiasts. The waters are both turquoise-blue and gin-clear. Most people are here to snorkel or dive the coral reefs – or just sunbathe for days. Being a duty-free island makes Providencia even cheaper still, especially at the beach bars.

If you want paradise to be a little more accessible, mainland Colombia has options, too. Try Playa Blanca, close to Cartagena, which offers beach huts, bars and hammocks for staying overnight along its sugary, white beach.

6. Ko Wai and Bang Saphan Yai, Thailand

For decades, a vacation in Thailand involved remote, little-visited beaches with basic waterfront bamboo bungalows on fluffy, white sands – and little else. Then, in 2004, a catastrophic tsunami hit, sweeping away swathes of Thailand’s southwestern coasts. Hotels replaced bungalows. Travelers poured in.

Still, even with new all-inclusive resorts on some islands, Thailand is one of the cheapest tropical places to travel. To find that Thailand vibe of old, head for Ko Wai, a tiny fleck of white in the Ko Chang archipelago that still has dirt-cheap beach huts, budget guesthouses and pure turquoise waters. Alternatively, Bang Saphan Yai on the upper gulf mainland has a halo of golden beaches, traditional bamboo huts and sublime sunsets. The quietest months to visit are April to June: so if you fancy an early summer vacation, you might have your reasonable accommodations and coral reefs all to yourself.

7. Unguja (Zanzibar Island), Zanzibar

Africa punches well above the rest when it comes to tropical vacations – but few will knock your sunglasses off quite like Zanzibar Island (officially Unguja). Cinematic coral reefs surround Tanzania’s Indian Ocean crown jewel, as colorful nudibranchs, leaf fish and flutters of seahorses pack the waters just off the shoreline.

Zanzibar’s beaches are some of the world’s best, with sand as soft as quilts, swaying coconut palms, beaming sunshine and very little else. Swimmable Kendwa, the widest beach on the island, is the main draw. Yet for crowd-free coastlines and sublime shades of turquoise, seek out Pongwe on the east coast, or sweltering Jambiani to the southeast – two of the most laid-back tropical places to visit in all of Africa.

8. Goa, India

Think budget travel, and India will often come to mind. And the continent-sized country’s smallest state, Goa is a delicious blend of Indian and Portuguese cultures, and great values. Seek out its less crowded and cleanest beaches in the south, such as Palolem and secluded Butterfly Beach. Water activities include kayaking, parasailing and dolphin-spotting trips.

In the dense interior jungle, wildlife sanctuaries such as Cotigao are home to civets, gaurs, pangolins, leopards, monkeys and giant Indian squirrels, while cashews and spices like turmeric, pepper, vanilla, nutmeg and cinnamon grow at plantations. Colorful markets sell these and other local specialties such as the cashew-based feni spirit, as well as dishes such as seafood thali (with rice, fish curries, fried fish, pickles and flatbread) and garlicky, vinegary, fiery pork vindaloo.

Guesthouses, hostels, beachside bungalows and resorts all offer affordable rates. Much of Goa’s beachside accommodation closes completely between May to September during the monsoon; March to April and October to November are prime times to avoid peak-season prices and crowds.

9. Bahías de Huatulco, Mexico

Forget Cabo San Lucas or Playa del Carmen: in southeastern Oaxaca on Mexico’s Pacific coast, Bahías de Huatulco is a unique and affordable place for an eco escape. Its nine bays are home to 36 glorious beaches. Santa Cruz’ emerald-green waters are just south of commercial hub La Crucecita, where you can arrange sailing and scuba excursions, and rent equipment including Jet Skis and kayaks. La Bocana is renowned for surfing and pre-Hispanic mud baths. Maguey has gorgeous white sand and snorkeling amid coral, rays and turtles. It’s part of the Parque Nacional Huatulco, where you can go hiking, biking and horse riding, and observe abundant wildlife including black iguanas, armadillos and dwarf porcupines. Up in the mountains, you can visit waterfalls and coffee plantations.

Minimize costs by dining on super-fresh seafood and local specialties like tlayudas (corn tortillas topped with black beans, pork fat and cheese) from rustic comedores (food stalls or basic dining rooms). For accommodations, stay in rooms in private homes, simple hotels, or low-rise resorts and villas in the November-to-April dry season (outside the peak-season holidays of Christmas, New Year and around Easter, that is). Prices drop to their lowest in the wet season (May to October), though some places close in September and October.

10. Lombok and the Gili Islands, Indonesia

Ringed by pearl-white, coral-pink and black volcanic-sand beaches, Lombok is a fantastic place for an active tropical vacation. In the south, reefs, inlets and bays such as Pantai Mawi provide world-class surf breaks. Climbing through the jungle to sacred Gunung Rinjani, Indonesia’s second-highest volcano, is a multiday adventure; easier treks include spectacular waterfalls such as Air Terjun Sindang Gila. Between Lombok and its famous (and pricier) neighbor Bali, the Gili Islands – Gili Trawangan (“Gili T”), a backpacker favorite for its moonlight parties; traditional Gili Meno; and laid-back Gili Air – are blissfully free from motorized transport.

On both Lombok and the Gilis, you can eat cheaply and deliciously at warungs (small, simple eateries) that serve up sizzling skewered-meat satays and fish grilled over coconut-shell charcoal. Beach huts, hostels and bungalows all offer affordable accommodations. The wet season, from October to April, is the cheapest time to go, especially if you skip the busy Christmas holidays.

11. Southern Mozambique, Mozambique

Ribbons of pink-blushed sand weave around the forested edges of southern Mozambique, one of the least expensive tropical vacations in Southern Africa. Visitors have appreciated this tropical paradise for centuries – from the early spice traders and pirates to backpackers and now high-end tourists who chill on resort sun loungers along the Bazaruto Archipelago.

Between Tofo and Barra, Mozambique has some of the most startling stretches of pillowy-soft sand on the entire continent. With snorkeling safaris around coral reefs, cheap fishing charters and affordable day boat rentals that glide through the iridescent Indian Ocean, this is a country that slows the heart rate and helps the worries of life subside – which is all you want from a tropical vacation, isn’t it?