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The Best Budget Trips for Winter Break

The Best Budget Trips for Winter Break

Updated: November 2022

Looking to get out of dodge for winter break? For the US college crowd, school breaks can be anywhere from one to three weeks. But between rent, tuition, books, and of course, food, the real question is where can you afford to get away to?!

Here are my recommendations for the best budget winter break destinations!

Belmont Shore Long Beach Biking Dog

Beach Destinations

Forget the stress of finals while your soak up some sun! The golden sands of Southern California and Florida (specifically, my favorite area, Miami!) beckon you to their pristine shores and invite you to relax.

Winter is the low season in both destinations, which means hotels are more affordable to book than ever. Bike down the boardwalks, fill up on some delicious Mexican or Cuban food, lounge at the beaches, and enjoy some world-class nightlife!

San Diego has a ton of holiday events, including their annual Parade of Lights on the San Diego Bay, and Balboa Park is always decked out in holiday cheer. Los Angeles has so much to offer the holiday tourist as well.

Read More: 10 Day California Coast Road Trip Itinerary

The Ultimate Guide to South Beach, Miami in a Weekend

The Ultimate 4-Day Los Angeles Itinerary

las vegas gal pals girlfriend getaway

Las Vegas

Adopt the life of a high roller for a few days in Las Vegas! Though Neon City is known for its excessive spending and gambling, you can still enjoy all the Strip has to offer on a budget.

Breakfast buffets and friendly hostels are a great way to maintain your budget while savoring Vegas’s hottest casinos and nightclubs. Watch the Bellagio Fountain show which goes off every half hour, stroll down Fremont Street, and check out happy hour specials!

Read More: Bucket List for Your First Trip to Las Vegas

The Ultimate Girlfriend Getaway Guide to Las Vegas

Girls’ Trip Guide to Las Vegas on New Year’s Eve

Whistler Winter Adventure

Canada

Want a white Christmas? Head up to visit the northerly neighbors in Canada! Montreal, Whistler, or Mont Tremblant should be your first stop—both have the charm of the old world with the festive spirit of the new.  Hit the ski slopes, practice your mad snowboarding skills, or have a peaceful afternoon ice skating, which is free at certain rinks around the city in winter.

Youth hostels are a-plenty and very affordable, around $20-30 USD, if you’re traveling on a budget. Plus—good news for the sophomore—the drinking age is 18, so you can sample those classy cocktails you’ve always wanted to try!

Read Next: The Ultimate Montreal Travel Guide

Visiting Mont Tremblant, Quebec in the Winter

10 Tips for Your First Trip to Canada

Tulum Ruins Mexico

Mexico

Still looking for some sunshine? Take a week or two from your winter holidays to fly down to Mexico! Snorkel and party on the beaches, relax on Isla Holbox, explore the cenotes of the Yucatan Peninsula, or opt for the more easygoing Punta Mita or Sayulita.

For nightlife destinations, Tulum and Playa Del Carmen are very popular—complete with Caribbean pristine waters and Mayan ruins to explore.

Read Next: The Ultimate Tulum Travel Guide

10 Places to Visit in Mexico (That Aren’t Tulum)

Top Ten Things to Do in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula

puerto rico blonde girl

Puerto Rico

For my American friends, enjoy the feel of another country without a passport! Puerto Rico’s capital, San Juan, is adorable and colorful, and you can spend hours wandering through the colorful streets of the old city.

Nurture your spirit of adventure in the El Yunque Rainforest or the bioluminescent bays just off the coast. Practice your Spanish, and enjoy cheap accommodation, local flavor, and great beaches!

Read Next: The Ultimate Puerto Rico Travel Guide

The Ultimate Guide to Puerto Rico in Three Days

What are your favorite destinations to visit in the winter?

 

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    1. Kereta Sewa Shah Alam Murah

      Sounds wonderful! great sharing the tips & experiences. looking for more great stuffs here.

      April 18, 2016 at 8:58 pm · Reply
    2. Does it matter?

      Is it possible to backpack across Europe during the winter break and on a budget? I don’t see many posts about students backpacking during Christmas.

      December 19, 2016 at 9:03 am · Reply
      • Kiersten Rich

        Definitely! Most budget travelers will travel in the winter because flights and accommodations are often cheaper in the off-season. The same tips apply, just dress much warmer 😉

        December 20, 2016 at 3:36 pm · Reply

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    This was truly such a luxurious end to our trip, I wish we could have extended it just so we could enjoy more time at this fantastic property.

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    The most luxurious family-friendly stay at Four Seasons Boston @fsboston 🏢 •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• If you’ve been following along, you know we recently took a trip through New England for leaf-peeing and sightseeing amidst the crisp, Autumn foliage. We concluded our 10-day roadtrip at the amazing Four Seasons property in the historic city of Boston, Massachusetts. Four Seasons is known for their luxury and incredible service, but they really kick things up a notch for families here: 🧸 The Mystery Toy Closet: As part of the VIK experience (aka Very Important Kid Experience), guests are given a large golden key that grants access to an AMAZING toy closet behind the front desk. Filled with trinkets like rubber ducks, slinkys, coloring books, and–Ollie’s favorite–wiggly frogs, this was SUCH an amazing and one-of-a-kind treat to experience. 🍭 The Vault: One of the newer features to the Four Seasons Boston: a small room on each guest floor filled with complimentary snacks, candy, and beverages to grab-and-go! 🛎️ Amenities: Once again, Four Seasons has outdone itself with its amazing service. This city retreat offers a complimentary coffee bar for guests (and hot chocolate for the little ones), 24-hour gym, a pool with a fantastic view, a world-class spa, and even a morning run club to get your Boston marathon fix in! 🦞 The Food: Whether it’s in-room dining you’re after, quaint tea service in-between sight-seeing, or you want to experience New England’s famous seafood, Four Seasons treats your tastebuds with exquisite table-side service at their restaurant, Coterie. This was truly such a luxurious end to our trip, I wish we could have extended it just so we could enjoy more time at this fantastic property. A huge thank you to @fsboston for hosting us on our dream trip to New England and concluding our stay with memories that will last a LIFETIME! •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• #fourseasons #boston #familytravel #newengland

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    ✨ Escape to luxury without the overnight price tag! ✨ Did you know you can enjoy five-star resort amenities without staying the night? Thanks to @ResortPass, I booked a dreamy daycation at a local luxury hotel in San Diego. From poolside lounging to world-class spa facilities (hello, dry sauna and cold plunge 🧖‍♀️), I had a self-care day to remember—for a fraction of the price. Whether you’re upgrading a layover, planning a day out on your next trip, or just treating yourself, ResortPass makes it easy to get more vacation for less starting at just $10/person. Use my code RPKIKI50 for $50 off $200+ before 12/3! #ad

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    BLACK FRIDAY DEAL! You can save 30% or MORE on select hotels—read below! #ExpediaAmbassador 🚨 •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• @Expedia is having a crazy Black Friday sale you HAVE to jump on! If you sign up for One Key, you can save 30% or MORE on select hotels when you book from November 22nd to December 4, 2024 (so long as you travel before December 15, 2025).” You know I LOVE a good hotel and have been using Expedia for years to get great deals on some of the best luxury stays around the world. New Year’s is just around the corner, and it’s the perfect time to start planning your dream trip — Expedia’s black Friday sale includes hotels all over the world. For some of my favorite properties, check out the link in my bio for a collection of my bucket list luxury properties that are currently on sale! •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• If you’re planning an epic trip in 2025, do not walk, FLY to this Black Friday Sale. Disclaimer: Book by 12/4/24 11:59pm in hotel property local time. Stay between 11/21-12/15/25. Prices are available to Expedia app users and One Key members. Limited availability, blackout periods may apply.
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