{"id":76372,"date":"2023-04-11T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-04-11T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.www.smartertravel.com\/2010\/01\/12\/six-tropical-escapes-under-500\/"},"modified":"2023-04-11T10:09:41","modified_gmt":"2023-04-11T14:09:41","slug":"all-inclusive-vacations-under-500","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.smartertravel.com\/all-inclusive-vacations-under-500\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Tropical Vacations Under $500, Including Airfare and Hotel"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

These days, it\u2019s almost impossible to find a vacation to a tropical destination that includes airfare and lodging for less than $500 per person. Almost. Those who know where and how to look, however, can easily end up on a sunny beach, or sipping mai tais at the bar of an all-inclusive resort, without having handed over five Benjamin Franklins for the whole experience. Need a bit of guidance getting there? Below are seven tropical vacations with airfare under $500 per person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Editor\u2019s Note: The airfares, hotel rates, and vacation package prices in this story are sample prices only, and may vary depending on your specific travel dates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Destination<\/strong><\/th>\nHotel (Per Person\/Night)<\/strong><\/th>\nFlight<\/strong><\/th>\nTotal<\/strong><\/th>\nDuration of Stay<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr><\/thead>\n
Dominican Republic<\/td>\n$54<\/td>\n$250<\/td>\n$466<\/td>\n4 Nights<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Jamaica<\/td>\n$90<\/td>\n$200<\/td>\n$470<\/td>\n3 Nights<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Puerto Rico<\/td>\n$67<\/td>\n$200<\/td>\n$468<\/td>\n4 Nights<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Oahu<\/td>\n$50<\/td>\n$300<\/td>\n$500<\/td>\n4 Nights<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Bahamas<\/td>\n$411<\/td>\nn\/a<\/td>\n$411<\/td>\n8 Night Cruise from Baltimore<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
U.S. Virgin Islands<\/td>\n$70<\/td>\n$200<\/td>\n$480<\/td>\n4 Nights<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Florida<\/td>\n$40<\/td>\n$100<\/td>\n$380<\/td>\n7 Nights<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Dominican Republic<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Beach
Maciej Czekajewski | Adobe Stock<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The beaches of the Dominican Republic are as beautiful\u2014and as safe\u2014as any in the Caribbean, and round-trip flights to the island can cost as little as $250 from New York or Miami.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Choice Hotels\u2019 Ascend collection<\/a> includes two all-inclusive resorts in the Dominican Republic with incredibly low nightly rates: Travel during the off seasons\u2014spring and fall\u2014and you can nab a stay at Emotions by Hodelpa Juan Dolio<\/a> for as little as $65 per person per night, or at Emotions by Hodelpa Puerto Plata<\/a> from $54 per person per night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both are beachfront properties with a variety of all-you-can-eat restaurants, as well as outdoor pools, in-room fridges, microwaves, an on-site fitness center, and a location that\u2019s within easy distance from the airport and major attractions. Members of the Choice Privileges Rewards Program<\/a> also earn points by staying at either resort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pick the right dates, book a few nights, and do the math, and you\u2019ll have gotten yourself a Caribbean vacation that includes airfare, hotel, food, and beverages (yes, even the alcoholic kind) for under $500.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n

Related:<\/h3>\n

The Best All-Inclusive Resorts in the United States<\/a><\/p><\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Jamaica<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Beach
lucky-photo | Adobe Stock<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Round-trip flights from Florida to Montego Bay can cost as little as $200, and room rates at the beachfront Royal Decameron<\/a>, an all-inclusive property on Montego Bay\u2019s lively strip, can dip as low as $90 per night per person for travelers willing to travel in the off-season, between mid-April and mid-December.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Royal Decameron is within easy walking distance of the city\u2019s best hot spots, shops, and restaurants, though all your food is already taken care of on-site. To stick to your budget, you can also stick to admission-free attractions in Jamaica\u2014including Negril<\/a> Cliffs<\/a> and Castleton Gardens<\/a>\u2014and use local buses and taxis instead of renting a car.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Puerto Rico<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"La
dbvirago | Adobe Stock<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

You can often find round-trip flights from Miami to San Juan for around $100, and flights from other parts of the east coast are usually under $200 thanks to budget airlines like Spirit that fly there.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vacation rentals are the most affordable route as far as accommodations go, and you can find several cheap options that are right on the beach \u2013 like this studio in the\u00a0 Condado Lagoon Villas<\/a> that costs just $67 per person a night. Companies like CampoMar Van<\/a> let you rent a camper to explore more of the island, at about $90 per person per night- giving you not only the accommodations for your stay but transportation as well. Park it near the beach for a beachfront property!\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

\n

Related:<\/h3>\n

5 Vacation Rental Scam Red Flags to Watch Out For<\/a><\/p><\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Oahu, Hawaii<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Sunrise
Ryan | Adobe Stock<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Budget airlines like Southwest and Alaskan have made trips to Hawaii affordable. Several times a year, these airlines have sales that bring flights to Hawaii down to less than $300.\u00a0 (Airfare sites such as Airfarewatchdog<\/a>, SmarterTravel\u2019s sister site, will alert you when fares drop.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re lucky enough to snag one of these low fares to Honolulu<\/a>\u2014or if you\u2019re the lucky owner of a Southwest Companion Pass<\/a>, which is actually fairly easy to get if you keep an eye out for associated credit card offers\u2014Oahu has worthwhile low-budget lodgings that could help keep your tropical vacation total under $500, including the Coconut Waikiki Hotel<\/a>, where rates start from just over $50 per person per night. Another option is the Shoreline Hotel Waikiki<\/a>, where rates start around $65 per person per night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once you\u2019re there, Honolulu doesn\u2019t have to be expensive, since the city has plenty of cheap street food and affordable restaurants\u2014Moose McGillycuddy\u2019s is a favorite for low-cost breakfasts\u2014and bus transportation is easy and much less expensive than renting a car. Plus, many of Oahu\u2019s most worthwhile attractions are free, including hiking up Diamond Head, paying tribute at Pearl Harbor\u2019s USS Arizona, and sunbathing on Waikiki Beach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Bahamas<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Aerial
yujie | Adobe Stock<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s always a good time to cruise to the Bahamas. And if you\u2019re setting sail from Florida, you can, without too much effort, find a four-night cruise for about the cost of a single hotel night in any major American city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A quick Expedia search<\/a> brings up plenty of three- and four-night sailings from Florida that start under $300 per person, while Cruises.com offers a similar list<\/a>. Cruise prices typically include all the food you can eat, live entertainment, and calls at ports such as Nassau, Freeport, and, often, private islands belonging to that cruise line. We even found an 8-day cruise departing from Baltimore, Maryland going to the Bahamas for $411 per person!\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

US Virgin Islands<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Aerial
Jacob | Adobe Stock<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Believe it or not, the US Virgin Islands can be affordable! Thanks to budget airline Spirit, you can fly to St. Thomas for under $200 from Fort Lauderdale.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With about $300 left in your budget, you\u2019ll be able to stay at Lindbergh Bay Hotel and Villas<\/a> for about four nights with rates averaging about $70 per person each night. The hotel is right on the water and features a pool and restaurant.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you can\u2019t leave from Florida, a quick search on Expedia\u2019s vacation packages search<\/a> shows packages including airfare and hotel for under $500 from New York City<\/a>, Atlanta<\/a>, and more.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

\n

Related:<\/h3>\n

The 13 Best Vacation Rental Booking Sites<\/a><\/p><\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Florida<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Aerial
Thenhan | Adobe Stock<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Americans looking to keep their tropical vacations under $500 don\u2019t actually have to leave the contiguous part of their continent to laze on the beach while shaded by palm trees. Orbitz\u2019s list of vacation package deals under $499<\/a> usually offers some worthwhile all-inclusive deals to Orlando. Likewise, Travelocity has a dedicated Flight + Hotel Deals Under $400 page<\/a> that includes various packages to Miami and Orlando, with stays at properties like the Hilton Orlando<\/a> and the Westgate South Beach Oceanfront Resort<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019d rather book airfare and lodging separately, check out Expedia\u2019s round-trip fares to Orlando<\/a> for less than $100. Couple that with affordable lodgings, like the family-friendly Grove Resort Orlando<\/a>\u2014around $160 per night for a four-person suite\u2014and you\u2019ve got yourself a memorable tropical trip with the kids that won\u2019t break the bank.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Budget travelers could also opt for a Panama City Beach vacation, to enjoy that destination\u2019s perpetual sunshine, Southern charm, and 27 miles of white sand beaches. Average round-trip airfare into Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport from Atlanta costs $218 per person. And rates at the condo-style Origin at Seahaven<\/a>, across the street from the beach, can drop as low as $99 per night, making a two-night getaway here cost less than $500.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tips for Finding All-Inclusive Vacations with Airfare Under $500<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Wherever you choose to book your affordable tropical vacation, one key strategy to keeping it under $500 is to understand what average prices look like for where you want to go\u2014and to be ready to buy the minute you see fares that are listed well below that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf you\u2019ve been watching for a good fare and you find one, don\u2019t hesitate,\u201d says Jeff Klee, the CEO of CheapAir<\/a>. \u201cWhen you go away for a few days or hours to consult with friends, or just continue to shop around, you may be surprised to find that the fare has disappeared while you mulled it over.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One other tip for keeping vacations under $500, from Klee: \u201cFlexibility is your friend. Unless your trip is for an event tied to a specific set of dates, often just shifting your search dates by a few days can offer big savings. Remember that mid-week flights\u2014Tuesdays and Wednesdays\u2014are usually a much better value than those on the weekend.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Escape the frigid days of winter by visiting the Caribbean, Hawaii, or Mexico. The savings will make you warm all over!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":125,"featured_media":448629,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"stpt_category":3727,"stpt_post_tag":0,"stpt_st_article_types":3721,"stpt_st_travel_types":0,"stpt_st_campaign":0,"stpt_st_providers":0,"ep_exclude_from_search":false,"apple_news_api_created_at":"2019-03-14T15:48:25Z","apple_news_api_id":"2de75b62-75b4-41a6-8458-1c88a1d7b254","apple_news_api_modified_at":"2020-08-03T20:13:58Z","apple_news_api_revision":"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEg==","apple_news_api_share_url":"https:\/\/apple.news\/ALedbYnW0QaaEWByIodeyVA","apple_news_coverimage":0,"apple_news_coverimage_caption":"","apple_news_is_hidden":false,"apple_news_is_paid":false,"apple_news_is_preview":false,"apple_news_is_sponsored":false,"apple_news_maturity_rating":"","apple_news_metadata":"\"\"","apple_news_pullquote":"","apple_news_pullquote_position":"middle","apple_news_slug":"","apple_news_sections":"[\"https:\\\/\\\/news-api.apple.com\\\/sections\\\/ef387a4f-36f7-4c29-8f80-3dad3afa70f7\",\"https:\\\/\\\/news-api.apple.com\\\/sections\\\/bf876bff-4e0d-4692-8f7e-b346ff586531\"]","apple_news_suppress_video_url":false,"apple_news_use_image_component":false},"categories":[2189,2206,3727,2190],"tags":[],"smartertravel_exclude_from":[],"st_article_types":[3721],"st_travel_types":[2183,2194,2316],"st_providers":[],"audience-tags":[],"destination":[],"departure":[],"all_publish_dates":["2010-01-12","2019-03-14","2023-04-11"],"apple_news_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.smartertravel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Palm-trees-on-beach-at-sunet.jpg","yoast_head":"\n7 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Her stories have been among the 10 most emailed or viewed on the Los Angeles Times, Outside, Sierra, and SmarterTravel websites, and have also appeared in USA Today, HuffPost, Apple News, Business Insider, and many other nationwide outlets. Her travel book, sold at bookstores and on Amazon, is in its fourth edition, and her journalism gets national media attention, including from The New York Times, The Atlantic, Time, NPR, and MTV. She's currently working on her first children's book. Follow her on Twitter @avitalb. The Handy Item I Always Pack: My laptop\\u2014the lightweight and stylish HP Spectre x360\\u2014since I'm almost always on deadline. Ultimate Bucket List Experience: A round-the-world cruise that makes stops to experience Aurora Borealis, the Olympics opening ceremony, Borneo, Madagascar, the Jerusalem Festival of Light, the Bolivian salt flats, Kenya's Giraffe Manor, the Galapagos, the Maldives, Bora Bora, the Seychelles, and every Disney park. 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