February Break: 5 Affordable Destinations

The school year may have just begun, but it is time to start planning your travels for February break! I usually prefer to plan my vacations at least six months in advance to score the best deals, but if you are like me and running behind on your vacation planning, then this article is for you!

February break can be one of the most expensive times to travel, but with a little bit of creativity and determination, you can plan an amazing trip that doesn’t break the bank. Here are my top picks:

1) Montego Bay, Jamaica

Jamaica is my favorite destination in the Caribbean for an affordable, relaxing, all-inclusive resort vacation. The Caribbean is an incredibly popular destination during February break because of it’s perfect weather this time of year and it’s short flights from the United States. However, because of this, most Caribbean destinations are pretty pricey during President’s Week (both because of teachers traveling, and families traveling with their kids who are off from school). However, I have found Jamaica to be one of the most affordable destinations in the Caribbean to travel to during this week (an all-inclusive five night vacation can be as low as $1100 per person, including flights).

Note: My two favorite budget resorts in Jamaica are the Holiday Inn Resort and the Riu Resort.

Check out my Jamaica blog post here.

2) Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is the perfect place for a winter getaway filled with sun, food, culture, and natural beauty. Flights to Puerto Rico during President’s Week are generally less than $500 round trip, and can be as low as $250 round trip if you book far enough in advance and/or track flights carefully for deals. Unlike Jamaica, there are not all-inclusive resorts in Puerto Rico, so you will most likely be paying for hotels, restaurants, and excursions separately. All of these prices can add up quickly, so be sure to plan carefully if you are on a tight budget. However, if you diligent with your planning, you can easily have a luxurious vacation in Puerto Rico without breaking the bank.

Wondering where to stay in Puerto Rico? There are a ton of great hotels and airbnb’s in different neighborhoods. I stayed at the San Juan Water Beach Club and LOVED it for it’s beach access and rooftop views.

3) Europe

This year I will be traveling to Europe during President’s week because I saw so many flights for less than $300 round trip, and I just couldn’t resist booking one! While I generally prefer to travel somewhere warm during winter breaks, I am super excited to experience Europe outside of it’s peak summer months. Some highlights from my trip will include sipping mulled wine, seeing small European towns covered in snow, and going skiing in the Alps! In addition to there often being cheap flights, there are plenty of ways to find cheap accommodation in Europe.

4) New Orleans

I visited New Orleans for the first time in 2018, and I cannot wait to return! Despite being located in the United States, stepping into New Orleans feels like being transported to a different country because of it’s French, Spanish, and Caribbean influences. Some must-do’s in New Orleans are: going to a jazz show at Preservation Hall, eating a beignet at Cafe du Monde, and learning about it’s spooky history (with a cocktail in hand thanks to open container laws!) on a haunted ghost tour. To top it off, if you go to New Orleans in February you will be able to catch some Mardi Gras festivities!

Check out my New Orleans blog post here.

5) Thailand

If you are feeling super adventurous and don’t mind spending a good portion of your vacation time on an airplane, then Thailand might be the place for you! I almost did not add Thailand to this list because the flights to get there are SO LONG, and if your break is only one week long, the travel time might not be worth it for you. In addition, the jet lag involving an 10+ hour time difference is REALLY tough. However, going to Thailand during February Break of 2016 was one of the best vacations that I have ever taken, so I had to include it on this list! If you are able to add on a personal day or two at the beginning or end of your vacation, it is especially worth it!

When I went to Thailand I visited my friend who was teaching abroad in Chang Mai. We had the time of our lives feeding elephants, taking cooking classes, getting massages, and climbing waterfalls. On my next trip to Thailand, I plan to explore Bangkok and the gorgeous beaches near Phuket. Here are some tips for visiting Phuket on a budget. As an alternative to visiting Phuket, you could visit the lesser-known island of Koh Yao Yai.

Note: Flights to Thailand can be pricey, but restaurants, hotels, and excursions are extremely affordable. Because of this, Thailand can still be a very affordable vacation despite hefty flight prices.