FrugalMonkey Discount Travel News

Tag: spring break

  • Tips for Not Breaking The Bank on Spring Break

    March is here, which means students and educators everywhere are anxiously eying the calendar, counting down the days until a much deserved week break.

    By this time, most people have booked their spring break travel plans, either close to home or in a far, far off land with sun and sea. No matter what you do over break, here are some tips for not “breaking the bank” and having to take on a part-time job to pay down your credit card bill from one week of revelry. With a little vigilance, you can have a great time while not spending excessively. 1)   Cook some meals at your rental to save money. If you’re staying somewhere that has a full or partial kitchen, it’s fun and easy to make at least some of your meals there. This will save quite a bit of money over eating out, since food and alcohol costs will be lower and you won’t have to tip servers. If you’re renting a place with several other people, an easy way to do this is to assign each person (or you can work in pairs) to a night when they do the grocery shopping and cook. Making coffee and eating a simple breakfast “at home” in the morning will save you quite a bit of dough as well. 2)   Make wise choices when dining out. If you eat in a restaurant several times, consider spitting appetizers, entrées or desserts to save money. Keep in mind that it is typically less expensive to split a bottle of wine than to order individual glasses. Also, do a bit of research on various restaurants/bars in the area before deciding where to eat/drink. Nothing’s worse than throwing away your hard-earned cash on bad or even mediocre food and drink. [caption id="attachment_5339" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Following some basic guidelines will help you avoid spending excessive amounts of money during your spring break vacation."]spring break photo[/caption] 3)   Take public transportation as frequently as possible. Before you leave, do a bit of research on public transportation options in the city you’ll be visiting. Knowing what the options are will help you avoid giving in to spending a lot of money on cab fare. If you do need to take a cab, make sure you share it with at least one other person (preferably someone you know), so that you can split the fare. 4)   Work your student (or faculty) discount. That’s right, you should bring your student (or faculty) ID with you on vacation. Many international museums, transportation companies and restaurants offer discounts on entrance fees for students and teachers (especially over spring break). Some people I know carry an international student ID, which can easily be acquired at http://www.istc.org/. 5)   Take a moment to think before making a purchase. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve purchased something (or several things) on vacation simply because I was on vacation. I lived to regret these purchases because a) they were overpriced and b) I never used them again after my vacation was over. Avoid buying souvenirs, clothes, jewelry, etc. “in the heat of the moment,” and definitely exercise caution when shopping under the influence! Before making a purchase, now I always ask myself 3 questions “Would I buy this if I weren’t on vacation?” “Is the price reasonable?” “Is this really something special that I will use and enjoy in the future?” If the answer to any of these is no, I keep on walking. Note on VAT: If you are traveling in Europe and purchase something expensive (over 100 euros), it’s worth it to have the VAT (value-added tax) refunded. European VAT rates hover around 20% and foreigners do not have to pay it. It’s not worth getting reimbursed for small purchases, but getting the VAT back on “big ticket” items definitely pays off. Ask the vendor for an itemized receipt and a VAT form (they’ll know what you’re talking about). VAT can be recuperated at the airport or via mail after you return (though it’s easier to do it at the airport before you leave). 6)   Enjoy the people you’re traveling with and the experiences you are having. If I’m truly having a good time with the people I’m traveling with and experiencing wonderful things, I end up spending less money. Why? Because I’m living fully in the moment and enjoying the experience instead of searching for ways to enhance it through purchases.

  • Five Affordable Spring Break Destinations

    We’re already well into February already and those of us who live in chilly winter climates (or even those who don’t) are craving a spring break getaway.

    However, many spring break trips quickly add up, leaving our savings accounts depleted (or our credit card balances unreasonably high) for the rest of the spring and summer. But that doesn’t mean you should abstain from your well-deserved escape, it just means you need to think creatively (and frugally). To get you started, here are some ideas for spring break trips that won’t break the bank. South Padre Island, Texas No passports required! This long, skinny island is located just five miles (by water) from Mexico. There are a variety of water-related activities (surfing, jet-skiing, etc.) for the sports-minded. For those who prefer to relax on a beach, South Padre has many to choose from. The island is very tourist-oriented, so there are several affordable, large all-inclusive resorts. However, to make your stay even more affordable, check out some cheap condo rentals and other affordable housing options on the island. Panama City, Florida Even more proof that you don’t need to leave the U.s. to have a great time over spring break is Panama City Beach (Florida), a 27-mile strip along the Gulf of Mexico. If you book a trip here, you’d better be ready to party. Think beach parties with thousands of people, large fruity cocktails and thumping music. During the day, you can lounge on the beach, swim with the dolphins at Gulf World Marine Park, do a little deep-sea fishing, or kayak on Shell Island (a beautiful state-run nature preserve). Panama City’s restaurants feature some of the freshest seafood you can get anywhere (as well as plenty of strong cocktails to was it down with. Puerto Rico [caption id="attachment_4372" align="alignright" width="300" caption="View from a Vacation Rental in San Juan, Puerto Rico."][/caption] A fast 3-hour flight from Miami, Puerto Rico is an affordable and easy spring break destination. Since it’s part of the U.S., you won’t need a passport to enter. San Juan doesn’t have the same “party ‘til you pass out” spring break reputation that many sunny spots do, which is why I prefer it. There’s no shortage of history and culture, and loads of public beaches (even those associated with the hotels along the waterfront are relatively “public”). There are also plenty of excellent restaurants in which to feast on traditional Puerto Rican cuisine or cutting edge culinary creations.  The nightlife scene, especially in the Condado and Old San Juan, is incredibly lively, and there are a variety of bars/nightclubs to choose from. Puerto Rico offers a variety of lodging options in various price points, from 4-star casino hotels to 1-star hostels. Plus, flights (especially for those living on the East Coast) are incredibly affordable. Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic For some reason, the Dominican Republic is often over-looked in favor of more “traditional” spring break destinations like Cabo, Cancun or Jamaica. Lucky for you, this means that the DR is still relatively cheap. Puerto Plata in particular has only recently become more tourist-oriented.  This history-packed city is now home to a variety of cutting-edge bars, clubs and restaurants just waiting to be filled with spring break revelers. There are also many types of accommodations, including lots of affordable all-inclusive options. You will need to bring your passport on this trip. Ocean City, Maryland Another no passports required option! Though at first blush it may not sound as appealing as an island destination, there are plenty of reasons to consider Maryland’s coastal Ocean City: miles of shoreline, plenty of opportunities for water sports, some of the best seafood in world and inexpensive accommodations, to name a few. An especially frugal option, especially if you live in the East Coast.

  • Spring Break Is Coming Up!

    With Spring Break just around the corner, now is the perfect time to book your vacation. Students have the excellent advantage of being privy to amazing travel discounts. If you’re a student, check out sites such as STA travel and other discount vendors that offer discounts to students. You can save hundreds of dollars on flights and hotel accommodations by just flashing your student or college ID. Spring Break doesn’t have to be expensive either. You can find amazing ski trip vacations or spring break beach vacations at very reasonable prices. Cruises are offering excellent discounts right now, making a cruise trip an excellent spring break possibility. It’s not too late to book your spring break vacation, so start looking for deals now!


  • Ski Trips For Spring Break

    If you want to take a different approach to spring break, then consider heading to the mountains as opposed to the beach during your spring break. Beach trips to Cabo San Lucas can be pretty steep on a college budget. You have to pay for expensive airfare and lodging, plus all the expenses that go along with international travel. But, ski seasons are still running strong in many of the country’s premier ski resorts and on smaller mountains. For many, the high season has just ended which means you can travel on a ski trip for spring break at lower costs. Lift ticket discounts, cheaper accommodations and less people on the mountain means you can have a worry-free spring break!


  • Cheap Flights Into Mexico

    Now is an excellent time to fly into Mexico and the Caribbean from the States. Right now through Travelocity you can find one-way tickets into Mexico and the Caribbean for as low as $99 each way. Most major airline carriers that access US cities such as NY, Boston, San Diego, Los Angeles, Kansas City, Detroit, Miami and more are all eligible for the deal. This means you have to book your flight now for your Mexico trip for it to be as affordable as you can make it. Never before have there been so many flight deals through travel auction sites and major airlines carriers. Now is the perfect time to be booking vacations into the Caribbean, Mexico, Europe, Australia, South Africa and South America. With flights coming in at such low prices, you can spend the money you save on other aspects of your spring break, Mexican vacation. Check it out!