C.R.E.A.M. How to vacation with $500 or less…

If you are like me, then you are always thinking about your next vacation. Sometimes you just need to escape your routine habits and go away for a weekend. However, it may not be in the budget. Nevertheless, a quick getaway to the beach may be more attainable and budget-friendly than you think.

I am going to show you how to plan a beach vacation for under $500 total if you are going solo.  If you go with a group of four then it will be less than $155! The more people you bring, the cheaper it is because you can split the cost of lodging, rental car, and parking/Uber.

Our 2^nd wedding anniversary was approaching and we knew we wanted to go somewhere to celebrate; however, we are currently trying to save money. Therefore, an extravagant trip was out of the question, but that did not mean we could not scratch that travel itch.

The chart below shows exactly how cheap a trip from Atlanta, Georgia to Clearwater Beach, Florida can be:

Flight

Spirit Airlines typically has affordable flights from Atlanta to Tampa. With such a short turnaround, I prefer to fly so I can spend as much time having fun rather than 14 hours (7 each way) in a car. Let me be clear, I am not a fan of Spirit Airlines for long-haul trips, but for flights under two hours, it suffices, especially when I am on a budget. There are no frills, but they get you to the destination for cheap!

We flew round trip for $64 (checked bag not included) per person! We ended up checking a bag because we stayed longer than three days. For a weekend trip, I would have packed everything in my (free) personal bag.

AirBnB

The home we stayed in was newly renovated with brand new furniture and we were the couple’s first guests. For $64 a night plus fees it comes to $168.04 total for a weekend. The house sleeps 4 comfortably and ends up being $42.01 per person for a group of 4. You can check it out here.

Cory, the host, was very responsive and we were welcomed with wine in the fridge for our anniversary. It was in Clearwater, less than 20 minutes from the airport, and a straight shot to the beach. We love AirBnB because you can stay in nice homes with full kitchens for much less than a decent hotel. We usually read reviews to make sure the place is clean, safe, matches the pictures, and notes about the host.

Parking/Uber

To park at the beach public parking lots it costs about $25 for a full day. To Uber round trip from the AirBnB it costs $25 – $30. Obviously, you only need to Uber if you plan to drink or you did not rent a car. If you go to the beach two days with a group of four, the cost to park or Uber is $12.50 per person.

Food

You can save money on this vacation by grocery shopping and cooking some meals instead of eating out multiple times a day. Go to Frenchies Rockaway to get some good seafood and drinks right on the beach. If you go in the evening, you can catch a beautiful sunset on the water. For fine dining, I highly suggest Sea-Guini. They make fresh pasta and it is delicious (pictured below).

Excursions

Other than parking, the beach is freeskie. If you want, grab a cooler and pack some food and drinks for the day. Don’t forget your beach towel! I have always wanted to see dolphins in their natural habitat so we did Encounters with Dolphins. It was a nice, relaxing, and informative boat ride. The guide showed us some celebrity houses and we stopped at a tiny private beach to collect seashells and snorkel. The dolphins were shy that day, but a few made appearances! It costs $20 per person. For an exciting dolphin tour, check out Sea Screamer. The dolphins come out to play with the wakes from the speedboat. 

Rental Car

We rented a car from the airport, Fox Rent A Car, because they are super cheap ranging from $8 – $15 (sometimes less) per day depending on the car type. You’re looking at maximum $60 (fees included) for a weekend rental (excluding holidays). That is only $15 per person for your group of four. Note: They will place a reversible $150 hold on your credit card until you return the car.

I highly suggest Clearwater Beach if you are looking for your next vacation, but do not want to break the bank. If you know of other affordable destinations please let me know in the comments below!

Posted By: Erika Sharrise · In: Budgeting, Travel, Vacation