5 Cost-Efficient Tropical Getaways to Escape the Cold

Winter is great, but sometimes you just want a little sunshine on your face and sand between your toes. The good news is there are a few cost-efficient destinations perfect for a winter getaway to escape the cold.

San Juan, Puerto Rico

The best part of visiting Puerto Rico? Feeling as if you’ve just hopped a plane to a different country—without needing a passport! This U.S. territory is home to beautiful beaches, a ton of culture and an old-world feel.

*Cost: You can find flights to San Juan for about $400-500 per person and JetBlue flies there direct from New York for about $250. You could consider renting a one-bedroom beach villa from $170 to $300 a night (depending on amenities) or find a budget-friendly hotel for around $80 per night.

Don’t Miss: Strolling the streets of Old Town San Juan for amazing architecture and a cultural experience while shopping or eating.  

Arizona

If you’re looking to escape the cold, Arizona makes an excellent cost-efficient destination to soak up some rays. Like San Juan, there’s no passport required. From there, you can enjoy a multitude of activities. Arizona is also a great desert alternative to the snowbird crowds that flock to Florida in the winter.

*Cost: You can score a round trip flight to Phoenix from the east coast for around $250 to $350, depending on where you depart. You can find budget hotel or AirBNB options from $100 or save some money and camp instead.

Don’t Miss: Rent a car and visit famous destinations like Grand Canyon National Park and Horseshoe Bend. And if you want to stay closer to the city, hit the links at one of Arizona’s famed golf courses.

Southern California

The winter months are a quieter tourist time for San Diego and Los Angeles, so you’ll find huge deals on hotels. You can enjoy warm weather, whale watching and a little celeb spotting, without the hefty price tag.

*Cost: From the east coast (New York), you can find flights to LA for under $300 round trip. Typically, budget-friendly hotels will range from $70 and up per night during the slow season. Your main expense will be eating out, so plan your eating budget and stock up on snacks for throughout the day.

Don’t Miss: Winter is whale-watching season in San Diego, so don’t miss the opportunity to catch some giant water mammals up close and personal on a whale watching tour.

Costa Rica

Surf’s up in this island haven! Your winter getaway can include majestic beaches, tropical rainforests and volcanoes all in one place. And the best part is the price tag.

*Cost: Flights come in at around $450 to $650. Midrange family-run hotels and hostels in Costa Rica range from $80 to $130 a night and are some of the best options for wallet-conscious visitors. You can find budget hotel rooms and hostels from $15 to $50. Costa Rican street food is delicious (more ceviche, please) and inexpensive when procured off the beaten track.

Don’t Miss: The incredible canopy zip line tour through the Monteverde Cloud Forest. Watch the ground whizz by as you fly over and under the treetops for under $80.

Tulum, Mexico

This quiet alternative destination to Mexico’s spring break crowds is becoming increasingly popular during the winter months, though travelers can still scout out attractive deals on flights and hotels in February and March.

*Cost: Accommodations range from around $20 for a decent thatched-roof beach cabana to upwards of $200 a night for swankier hotel digs. Budget-hunters can score flights for around $300 (average from New York), but they’ve been known to climb to around $600 on busy weekends. Local food is relatively cheap and you can enjoy a lavish dinner for two for under $100.

Don’t Miss: A visit to the ancient Mayan Ruins of Tulum and a dip in the Cenotes Dos Ojos cave pools. Entrance fee is $8.

*Costs are approximate. All flight costs calculated from Skyscanner.com, and calculated from New York. Hotels calculated using Orbitz, Trip Advisor and Kayak.