These 12 Cheap Beach Getaways Around the World Feel Like a Million Bucks

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The best cheap beach getaways in the world allow sun-seeking travelers to enjoy warm weather, pristine beaches, and crystal-clear turquoise waters without breaking the bank. However, with many excellent beach destinations to choose from, finding budget-friendly beach escapes can be time-consuming and challenging.

Luckily for you, we’re here to help. We’ve compiled a list of 12 of the world’s most affordable tropical breaks so you can enjoy a memorable vacation without exceeding your budget.

Whether you’re looking for a lazy beach holiday or fun for the entire family, we have something for you. The destinations on our list were selected because they have a low average daily travel cost.

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Which budget-friendly beach escape would you pack your flip-flops for first?

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Cheap Beach Getaways in the World Sarandë, Albania

Sarandë, Albania 1/5

Cheap Beach Getaways in the World Koh Samui, Thailand

Koh Samui, Thailand 2/5

Most Beautiful Beach Towns on the East Coast Virginia Beach, Virginia

Virginia, USA 3/5

12 Beautiful Places in the World Where You Can Live for Less Than $2,000 a Month

Bali, Indonesia 4/5

Cheap Beach Getaways in the World Langkawi, Malaysia

Langkawi, Malaysia 5/5

Results

Sarandë, Albania

3 7

Koh Samui, Thailand

7 3

Virginia, USA

4 6

Bali, Indonesia

6 4

Langkawi, Malaysia

7 3

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Langkawi, Malaysia

Malaysia’s average daily travel cost is $104, making Langkawi one of the world’s cheapest tropical beach getaways. Langkawi, also known as the Jewel of Kedah, is a breathtaking island off the coast of mainland Malaysia, best known for its scenic landscapes, tropical beaches, crystal-clear waters, and lively atmosphere.

You’ll spend most of your time in Langkawi exploring the island’s dense rainforest, visiting panoramic viewpoints, swimming in the sea, and eating your body weight in Malaysian cuisine. I stayed on the island for a week, and most of my days consisted of that. Notable attractions on the island include Seven Wells Waterfall, Langkawi Sky Bridge, Dataran Lang, and Tanjung Rhu Beach.

Virginia Beach, Virginia, United States

If you’ve always wanted to spend a beach vacation in the United States but don’t want to pay the high prices associated with California and Florida, head to Virginia Beach instead. The average daily travel cost in Virginia Beach is only $148. For context, the average daily travel cost in Los Angeles is $302.

Virginia Beach is a coastal city in southeastern Virginia best known for its long sandy beach, 3-mile (4.8-kilometer) long boardwalk, and family-friendly activities. Most people spend their time in Virginia Beach strolling along the beach, walking along the promenade, and visiting the most famous attractions. Besides the beachfront, don’t miss First Landing State Park, the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, and Atlantic Fun Park.

Sarandë, Albania

One of the cheapest beach destinations in Europe is Sarandë, a picturesque coastal city along the Albanian Riviera. Here, the average daily travel cost is less than $120. Better yet, it’s common for temperatures to hit 90°F (32°C) in the summer. Furthermore, Sarandë is still a hidden gem, so you can expect fewer crowds.

This vibrant resort offers visitors sandy beaches, turquoise water, and a wide range of fascinating attractions. Significant points of interest include Sarandë Beach, Lëkurësi Castle, and the Saranda Embankment. Along with Sarandë Beach, Mango Beach is one of the best places to sunbathe, swim, and relax. This beach also has a beach bar and restaurant, so you can easily spend the entire day here.

Koh Samui, Thailand

Despite being one of Thailand’s most popular tropical islands, Koh Samui is one of the world’s most affordable beach getaway destinations. Travelers visiting the island can easily get by on $60 a day. Koh Samui is the second largest island in Thailand. It’s well known for its postcard-perfect beaches, turquoise waters, and hot weather.

Even in November, temperatures in Koh Samui can be as high as 82°F (28°C). Beachgoers will quickly fall in love with Koh Samui. Your days will be filled with white sand, tall palm trees, tranquil waters, and authentic Thai charm. Must-visit destinations on the island include Lamai Beach, Wat Plai Laem, and Hin Lat Waterfall. Unsurprisingly, Koh Samui is a popular honeymoon destination.

Cozumel, Mexico

Generally, most travelers associate the Caribbean with expensive luxury holidays and overpriced resorts. While the Caribbean is renowned for its 5-star luxury resorts, there are plenty of places to stay without blowing your budget. Take Cozumel, for instance. The average daily travel cost in Cozumel is only $99. In comparison, the daily travel cost in Barbados is $377.

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Despite the much lower prices, Cozumel, a tropical island situated at the southeastern tip of Mexico, offers much of the same as other more famous Caribbean destinations. You can expect dazzling turquoise water, white sand beaches, sunny skies, and many things to see and do. Ensure you visit Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park, Playa Punta Morena, El Cedral, and Museo Subacuático de Arte.

Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain

Lanzarote, one of Spain’s Canary Islands, is an excellent cheap beach destination for travelers who seek more than a relaxing holiday by the sea. While Lanzarote is known worldwide for its spectacular palm tree-lined beaches, it offers much more. For example, did you know the island is home to a BBQ restaurant that cooks over heat from a volcano?

Explore the island when you’re not relaxing by the pool at your resort or walking along one of the many beaches. Alternatively, party the night away on Avenida de las Playas, the island’s main party strip. Points of interest in Lanzarote include Timanfaya National Park, Playa de Papagayo, and Jameos del Agua. Meanwhile, the average daily travel cost is $176.

Cape Town, South Africa

World Wild Schooling - https://worldwildschooling.com These 12 Cheap Beach Getaways Around the World Feel Like a Million Bucks - https://worldwildschooling.com/cheap-beach-getaways — © suzannerowcliffe / Adobe Stock

If you’re looking for a cheap beach getaway that has it all, look no further than Cape Town, one of the world’s most fascinating cities. Situated at the southern tip of South Africa, Cape Town is best known for its dramatic landscape, picturesque beaches, historic attractions, and diverse wildlife. The average daily travel cost in the city is only $135.

Popular things to do in Cape Town include going on a game safari, hiking to the top of Table Mountain, visiting Robben Island, and relaxing on the beaches. One of my favorite locations in Cape Town is Boulder’s Beach, renowned for its wild penguin population. I also enjoy watching cricket at Newlands Cricket Stadium in Cape Town.

Santander, Spain

Beaches in Spain_Santander — © Lucia Fdez / Shutterstock

If you don’t mind slightly cooler weather, one of the world’s best affordable beach getaways is Santander, a scenic coastal city in Northern Spain. Having said that, the temperature in Santander still regularly hits 73°F (23°C) in the summer, so you’ll still be lovely and warm. The average daily travel cost in Santander is $151.

Santander is an appealing beach destination for many reasons, starting with the fact that there are several golden sand beaches to enjoy. These include Playa de Mataleñas, Playa de la Magdalena, and El Sardinero. The city also offers many authentic Spanish cafes and restaurants, a museum district, and magnificent coastal walks. What more could we possibly ask for?

Chania, Crete, Greece

Chania, a historic coastal city on the northwest coast of Crete, is one of Europe’s most affordable hot destinations. Summer temperatures consistently hit 86°F (30°C), and the average daily travel cost is only $101. This breathtaking Greek city is famed for its 14th-century Venetian harbor, sparkling beaches, and historical landmarks.

As such, you’ll never struggle to find something to do. While spending most of your time on Nea Chora Beach is tempting, you should allow plenty of time to visit the city’s most iconic landmarks and get lost exploring the vibrant waterfront. Don’t miss the 16th-century lighthouse, the Nautical Museum, Küçük Hasan Pasha Mosque, and Old Chania Market. Make sure you sample local cuisine in an authentic restaurant, too.

Koh Rong, Cambodia

Most Beautiful Beaches in Southeast Asia Sihanoukville Beaches, Cambodia — © BlueOrange Studio / Adobe Stock

Couples and groups of friends searching for a cheap beach destination in Asia that offers sun, sea, sand, and a party atmosphere should consider planning a trip to Koh Rong. For those who don’t know, Koh Rong is a small tropical island in the Sihanoukville Province of Cambodia. It’s known for its pristine sandy beaches, coral reefs, and lush rainforest landscape.

It’s also a popular place to party. In Koh Rong, you need no excuse to sit on the beach with a beer, snorkel in the coral reefs, dance the night away, or simply spend your vacation sunbathing. Popular locations on the island include Sok San Beach, Koh Touch Beach, Royal Beach, and Koh Tui Village. The average daily travel cost in Koh Rong is $63.

Unawatuna, Sri Lanka

Unawatuna is one of the world’s best beach getaways for travelers who want to escape the daily grind, kick back, and relax. This beautiful coastal resort town in Southern Sri Lanka offers several golden sand beaches with crystal-clear turquoise waters, coral reefs teeming with marine life, many vacation resorts, and plenty of places to eat and drink.

Unawatuna offers all of these things for less than $60 daily. One of the most significant draws to Unawatuna is Unawatuna Beach. This tropical golden sand beach is surrounded by tall palm trees and lush rainforest. Other noteworthy beaches in Unawatuna include Jungle Beach, Dalawella Beach, and Rumassala South Beach. It’s also worth noting that you can ride the Sri Lanka beach swings in Unawatuna.

Bali, Indonesia

Another one of my favorite beach destinations is Bali, Indonesia’s most famous island. Conveniently, Bali is also one of the world’s cheapest beach getaways, offering travelers glorious white sand beaches, hot weather, and many things to see and do for less than $100 a day. Personally, I love how Bali offers something for every kind of traveler.

Beachgoers can soak up the sun and snorkel at Uluwatu Beach, Nusa Dua Beach, and Padang Padang Beach. Party animals can dance the night away in Canggu and Seminyak. Outdoor adventurers can explore Ceking Rice Terrace and the Campuhan Ridge Walk, and culture travelers can learn more about the island at Uluwatu Temple. What’s not to like?