12 best destinations for a cheap tropical vacation

13.02.2024 - 14:53 / lonelyplanet.com

Sun-soaked beaches and colorful coral reefs – even the cheapest tropical vacations seem to have it all. Here's where to go.

 It doesn't matter what kind of getaway you can dream up – from catching waves and trying out water sports to hiking through the rainforest to crystal-clear waterfalls – cheap tropical vacation spots can offer it all and more.

Between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, 36% of the earth's landmass has a tropical climate, providing a multitude of enticing destinations as diverse as Australia and Bali, Thailand and Colombia, and many parts of Africa. For the best affordable tropical destinations, plan where and when you want to visit and you can reap huge savings – and not just on last-minute deals. 

From white-sand shorelines in Southeast Asia to scuba diving in Central America, here are eight cheap tropical destinations that get you access to paradise (without ever hurting your pocket).

With 7641 islands in total, the Philippines is among the most affordable places for a tropical escape. Palawan, in the nation's southwest, has 1780 islands in its archipelago alone. The region teems with thundering waterfalls, huge caves, phenomenal snorkeling at WWII wrecks and coral reefs, swimming with whale sharks in turquoise waters, and some of the cheapest scuba diving anywhere in the world. Idyllic El Nido is the jumping-off point for island hopping aboard a bangka (motorized outrigger) to translucent lagoons and hidden beaches framed by karst limestone cliffs.

The pure waters provide a natural bounty of prawns, crab and other crustaceans and fish; look out for danggit lamayo (dried rabbitfish marinated in vinegar, crushed garlic and peppercorn). Staying in a bahay kubo (thatched bamboo shack with woven rattan walls), homestay, hostel or budget hotel are all low-cost options; you can also get good deals on resorts outside peak season (March to May), though some activities close during the June to October wet season.

Think budget travel and India will often come to mind, and Goa is a tropical potpourri of Indian and Portuguese cultures. India's smallest state's least crowded, most pristine beaches, such as Palolem and secluded Butterfly Beach, are in the south, with glowing topaz-hued sunsets over the Arabian Sea. Water activities include kayaking, parasailing, and dolphin-spotting trips.

In the dense jungle, wildlife sanctuaries such as Cotigao are home to civets, gaurs, pangolins, leopards, monkeys and giant Indian squirrels, and plantations grow cashews and spices like turmeric, pepper, vanilla, nutmeg and cinnamon. Colorful markets sell these and other local specialties such as the cashew-based feni spirit, as well as dishes such as seafood thalis (with rice, fish curries, fried