This guide will go through 15+ tips and tricks for how to travel on a budget, from start to finish (planning, packing, accommodation & more) without limiting the adventure!
I hear it all the time, “I’d love to travel, but it’s just too expensive!” and I’m here to tell you that it’s STILL possible to travel on a budget & have the adventure of a lifetime!
But for any of these tips to really sink in, you’ve got to have the right mindset first.
If you see travel as this impossibly expensive thing, but you’re out buying $7 coffees every day, going out to eat multiple times a week, or find yourself surfing amazon a little too often buying things you don’t really need, than yeah, you’re not going to have the funds to go on a trip.
If traveling is something you want to do, then you have to make it a priority. I love going out and getting a warm coffee on a cold day more than anyone. However, I’m very careful to not spend any extra money and to live ‘beneath my means’ so that I can afford going on trips.
There are so many ways to make travel more budget-friendly, and these are all tried and true methods that I use all the time. In fact I just put all these tips to use on my most recent trip to Puerto Rico!
Travel on a budget – Planning
#1 Set a budget
Before you start picking your destination and activities, decide how much money you are willing to spend on a vacation. International flights will typically cost more, but other countries besides the US tend to have more hostels & public transportation options that can make it cheaper than a lot of domestic places.
#2 Seek out an affordable destination
Sometimes these are the most underrated places and you can find real gems there. Look for places with low costs of living or places where foods and other goods are easily accessible. Ex: an island may have a low cost of living, but if they can’t grow what they need or make it on the island, then it has to be imported which can significantly raise the prices.
#3 Be flexible with your timing
If you’re able to choose when you travel, try not to go to a destination during its peak travel season when prices skyrocket. That means you may need to plan for off-season weather, but the flights, accommodations and activities are often so much more affordable. And as a bonus, you don’t have to deal with crowds!
#4 Purchase travel insurance
You should purchase this for any trip, as emergencies, illnesses, and theft of your valuables can happen any time of the year. However, you should especially purchase this if you plan on traveling in the off or shoulder season, when weather can be more unpredictable. It’s incredibly worth the peace of mind. I use Travel Guard for trip insurance and Lemonade renters insurance just to cover my camera (it’s like 15$ a month & you can cancel after the trip).
Travel on a budget – Packing
#1 Thrift for any new travel clothes or gear
Look for secondhand, consignment and thrift stores in your area. You’d be surprised what you can find out there. I’ve found some of my favorite cute fits thrifting! You can totally get outdoor specific clothing and gear too. If you live in a very outdoorsy place you may even have second hand stores specifically for that kind of stuff.
#2 Pack carry-on only
All US airlines now charge extra for checked bags, so you can save a considerable amount by packing less. Plus, you don’t have to stress about lost baggage, which happens all too often nowadays. This is still a challenge for me too, but I’m slowly learning new tips and getting better at it! If you need help packing light here are some of thetips I use to pack light for Colorado trips. You can also check out the Community Tips & Tricks page to see if anyone has added their fav tip for packing light!
Travel on a budget – Flights / Getting to your destination
Our first time renting a car! And in Hawaii no less!
#1 Book in advance
The sweet spot for domestic flights is 1- 4 months ahead of time, and at least 5 months out for international flights to get better prices. Spontaneity is super fun when traveling, but it’s often a lot more expensive. Luckily it’s not the only way to have an amazing vacation. Save your spontaneity for fun day to day things on your trip, rather than big purchases like flights/ accommodation/ rental cars.
#2 Let cheap flights lead the way
It’s no secret that airfare, like gas prices, have seen a rise in recent years, so instead of saying, ‘I have to go to X place this summer,’ let the flights be your guide. Plan the trip backwards and let the airfare determine where you go. Not only will you save money, but you will open up your world to travel experiences you may have never anticipated!
#3 Travel for free with points
Try to fly only one or two airlines and make an account to earn points. It takes time to build up but it’s worth it. Booking.com lets you earn points on accommodation and rental cars too!
Travel on a budget – Accommodation and Food
#1 Stay in hostels
Hostels are an excellent way to travel on a budget. And while I myself am a college-age student, trust me when I say that hostels are NOT just for college-age folks. Growing up, when my parents took us traveling, we always stayed in hostels. Nowadays, I come across plenty of families and older solo travelers using hostels as their choice in accommodation too. Most hostels are good about keeping quiet hours & enforcing cleanliness, so there’s no need to worry about that with younger-crowds either. Make sure to check reviews first, and always bring a lock for the lockers to store your bags and your birdie personal alarm just in case!
Occasionally it will be cheaper to do a shared space Airbnb. This is where you stay in your own private room within someone’s home, and share common spaces with your host. Again make sure you check reviews and still bring a lock for your stuff just in case.
Make sure you feel comfortable with the host before booking. It’s better to spend a little more on a nice hostel or hotel than to put yourself in an uncomfortable, potentially unsafe situation. Generally though, Europe and Asia have excellent hostels almost everywhere that are likely to be cheaper than a shared airbnb.
#2 Use sites like World-packer and WOOF
These sites allow travelers to trade volunteer work for a place to stay (and occasionally for meals as well). Once again, read all the reviews, make sure you feel comfortable with your hosts, and know exactly what will be expected of you before you commit.
If you stay with a host that has a large stay/takes in lots of volunteers at a time, this can be a great way to meet other people. These options are especially good for those new to traveling solo, as you have a home-base to explore from and guidance from your hosts on places to go or even help getting there.
#3 Call hotels/motels to book directly.
Often you can call a hotel or motel to ask about the price for a room, and they will offer a lower price than you see available online. This is more likely to be true at the last minute, as they want to fill up empty rooms. (This won’t always be the case, but hey, it’s worth the effort to try right?)
#4 Cook your own food
If you’re staying at a place with a kitchen, try to cook your own meals as often as you can. When you do eat out, eat like the locals, opt for street food, food halls or local markets. There are some exceptions in certain countries where most restaurants are really cheap, or where grocery stores are really pricey, but most places will be cheaper to cook your own meals.
*Important – Triple check that your hostels and airbnbs have an actual full kitchen. They are allowed to call it a kitchen even if there’s just a microwave and some dishes! This doesn’t happen often, especially in hostels, but I did learn the hard way recently when I came across it for the first time in Puerto Rico*
Travel on a budget – Transportation
Our first time renting a car! And in Hawaii no less!
#1 Driving vs Flying
If your destination is close enough to drive to, price out driving vs flying to see which option is actually cheaper. Don’t just think about gas money and tolls, but also how you’ll get around once you get to your destination. If you’re driving to a place that doesn’t have good public transport, the price of renting a car may make driving cheaper than flying. Especially if you are under 25 or going alone, which makes renting a car really expensive.
#2 Use public transport
Most places outside the US have great public transport available that can get you almost anywhere for a fraction of the price. If you’ve got a specific place/hike in mind that public transport doesn’t reach, just rent a car for the day. Or socialize at the hostel and mooch off someone else’s rental car. Speaking as a solo traveler whose given rides to others, most solo travelers won’t mind & may even love the company!
*Using public transport is also a great way to travel more responsibly and sustainably. If public transport is available where you’re heading, definitely opt for this option!
#3 Get Triple A
If you book a car through triple A (and have a membership) you don’t get charged the underaged driver fee! This is huge! A triple A membership costs about $70 a year. Some rental car young driver fees can be up to $50 dollars a day!Two days of renting a car and you’ve already made that membership worth it! Plus Triple A offers lots of other benefits too. Additionally, you can call triple A on your trip if get a flat or get locked out of your vehicle!
Travel on a budget – Activities
#1 Figure out your must dos or must sees first
Once you’ve landed on your final destination, figure out what the can’t miss attraction, restaurant or town that you would pay a little extra to see is. Then work your budget around this (to an extent). Ex: If there’s a pricey restaurant you’re dying to go to, cook the rest of your meals yourself.
#2 Find all the free activities
Research all the free activities available in your destination. This often means embracing the outdoors and museums. It’s a great way to engage with the local history, culture and natural environment. I spend the majority of my time traveling out in nature or exploring the history behind a location. This is one of those travel on a budget tips that applies literally anywhere. Even if you’re in a city, go walk around and enjoy the sites of the city for free!
I’d love to hear what places or adventures are on your bucket list, and if you decide to put these tips to use to make that dream a reality! It is entirely possible to travel on a budget, friends!
I dive into #11 things to know before heading to Puerto Rico, various Puerto Rico travel tips and tricks that will make your trip a breeze!
So you’re thinking about heading to Puerto Rico to escape the winter chill and enjoy some time lounging on the beach. Maybe you’ve already bought your tickets. But now it’s time to start planning and you’ve got no idea where to begin. A lot of people have misconceptions about Puerto Rico, and I can totally understand that. Before I went, I didn’t really know what to expect either.
Luckily for you, I’ve gathered all the essential Puerto Rico travel tips right here to help you out! Let’s get into it!
#1 Do I need a passport and visa for Puerto Rico?
Good news for all you U.S citizens! Puerto Rico is an unincorporated territory of the US, so US citizens don’t need a passport or visa. Residents of all other countries will need a passport, some will require visas and some will get a 90-day entry. Check out the Visa Program for more info.
#2 Is Puerto Rico solo travel friendly?
I found Puerto Rico to be pretty solo travel friendly. The only downside is needing to rent a car, which can get pricey if you don’t have someone to split the cost with. Renting a car can sometimes make it a bit harder to meet others as well.
There are a decent amount of hostels throughout Puerto Rico, though not as many as a lot of European countries. This also means they are a bit on the pricier side. I paid around $40 a night for all my hostels. I did meet a friend (who I still chat with and may go on some future adventures with) through a shared airbnb situation, so hostels aren’t the only way to make friends!
In general, meeting people while traveling solo really is more about the effort you put into it than opportunity alone. Overall I’d rate Puerto Rico a 7.5/10 for solo travel friendliness.
Paseo de Princesa in Old San Juan
#3 Is Puerto Rico safe?
Puerto Rico has a lower crime rate than most states in the U.S. Most crime is gang-related and extremely unlikely to affect tourists. Some of the more touristy areas may have slightly higher pickpocketing, so practice normal tourist precautions and use common sense. I’m not a trusting person, but I rarely felt like me or my valuables were at risk of harm. Old San Juan in particular was probably one of the safest cities I’ve traveled to.
I was always careful to keep my belongings locked at all times. I kept this lock on my day bag at all times to avoid pickpocketing and to protect my expensive camera. It only adds *max* 15 seconds to open your bag and it’s well worth avoiding the frustration and pain of dealing with losing your valuables. I also kept my birdie personal alarm with me and in reach at all times in case I needed help or felt unsafe.
A ‘Puerto Rico travel tips’ bonus for you: To avoid the risk of hurricanes and earthquakes, try not to travel in the off season. However, advanced technology can provide hurricane warnings weeks in advance now. So as long as you have travel insurance, there’s no need to worry! Check out the best time to visit Puerto Rico for more on planning your trip around the weather.
#4 What language is spoken in Puerto Rico?
Spanish and English are the official languages of Puerto Rico, though Spanish is far more common. If you don’t speak any Spanish you’ll be able to get around just fine. However, to really understand the culture, I’d recommend learning some basic Spanish before you go.
#5 How is the cell phone coverage in Puerto Rico?
Any US mobile phone will work in Puerto Rico. Some carriers might experience a bit more signal issues towards the center of the island (in the mountains/rainforest).
#6 Do I need to rent a car in Puerto Rico?
Unless you’re making a quick one-day stop from a cruise, or plan on only staying in San Juan your whole trip (not recommended), then you’ll NEED to rent a car. Public transport is very limited and very unreliable, and Ubers are really only available in San Juan. If you plan on exploring the rest of the island, you will need to rent a car.
I met a few travelers that didn’t do careful research before their trip and opted not to rent a car. Almost all of them regretted this decision quite a bit. They felt isolated to the hostel’s vicinity and limited to excursions unless they found someone they could carpool with.
Another ‘Puerto Rico travel tips’ bonus for you: Drive with caution up into the mountains of PR. The roads are narrow, steep and winding. If you can’t see around a corner, it’s advised to honk your horn before the turn so other cars know you’re coming. Also, most drivers in Puerto Rico don’t use turn signals. It definitely took a few days to adjust to driving here!
View of Banco Popular in Old San Juan
#7 What weather can I expect in Puerto Rico?
Puerto Rico has a tropical climate with two distinct seasons, the rainy season occurs in Summer and Fall, and the dry season in Winter and Spring. For the majority of the island, temps hover between 75-90 degrees F, (with summer humidity making things feel hotter). Closer inland, particularly up in the mountains, temps can get down into the 60s and occasionally high 50’s, depending on storms and time of year. (Once again, my post on when to visit Puerto Rico will provide a more detailed look at the weather year round)
#8 What is the currency in Puerto Rico?
Puerto Rico’s currency is the US dollar (since it’s a US territory). While living costs in Puerto Rico may be cheaper than most US mainland areas, general prices for food, activities and accommodation are about the same as US prices. click here for conversion rate from US dollars to your currency.
#9 Will I need Cash or do they accept cards?
You will want to carry some cash with you, as there are a few places that won’t accept cards, though overall I found I could use my card a lot more than I was expecting. Only a few places required cash and some were simply because their card readers weren’t working that day. There are lots of ATMs available in every town. Puerto Rico accepts all major credit cards, though some international travelers may have associated fees so check with your credit card carrier beforehand. And make sure you notify your bank that you will be traveling so your card doesn’t get locked!
The iconic flag wall in Old San Juan
#10 Do I need to tip in Puerto Rico?
Like the rest of the US, tipping is customary & an essential part of service industries. They don’t make full wages like they do in other places & their income relies on tips. It’s customary to tip between 15% to 20% of your bill at restaurants and anywhere from $2 to $10 for hotel staff and taxi drivers.
#11 What’s the emergency number?
Should you find yourself in need of any emergency help or assistance, just dial #911, same as the rest of the US! 911 operators will dispatch whatever service you are in need of, whether that’s fire services, an ambulance, or police.
Let me know which of these Puerto Rico travel tips was the most helpful for you, or if there are any remaining essential Puerto Rico travel tips you’d like to see added!
Beyond The Shire posts mentioned in Puerto Rico Travel Tips:
This article will go through when the best time to visit puerto rico is, according to your unique travel desires. Whether that’s smaller crowds, best weather, best surfing, and more.
When is the best time to visit Puerto Rico?
For smaller crowds: April-May & September-November
Best weather: January – February
Nicest beach days:January – March
Best surfing: November – February
For the Bioluminescent Bays – December – February
Best Overall: February
Let’s get one thing straight…when it comes to Puerto Rico, there’s no bad time to visit the island, but there are better times that depend on what kind of trip you want, so let’s dive into it!
There are so many wonderful reasons people travel to Puerto Rico. Maybe you want to see the historic landmarks, the pristine beaches or the only tropical rainforest in the United States. Perhaps you want to go surfing and catch some world-renowned waves. Maybe you want to experience the colorful and lively culture and cuisine. Puerto Rico has it all, and for U.S residents who don’t need to worry about passports or visas to get in, it’s the ultimate island destination!
For the least amount of tourists (and cheapest): September-November
Each year Puerto Rico sees about five million tourists. Over half of them arrive during the winter season (December – March) to escape the cold temperatures further north. April brings many spring breakers, and summer months see a rise in tourists as school gets out throughout the U.S.
For this reason, book your trip to Puerto Rico during the shoulder months of September-November to avoid the crowds. This way you’ll have a quiet trip where you can roam the streets without constantly bumping into others. Keep in mind that the weather will be a bit more unpredictable & rainy as this is hurricane season.
Because these months are peak hurricane season, they also tend to be the cheapest months to visit. If this is a key reason for booking your trip in these months, ensure you get good travel insurance. This prevents potential financial loss should the weather take a particularly bad turn.
Best time to visit Puerto Rico for beaches: January – March
For those looking for the best time to hit the beach, you can’t beat winter, particularly January – March. This time of year you’ll find consistent sunshine, blue skies, and warm (but not overly humid) temperatures. Perfect weather to lay out with a good book, stroll barefoot along the coast, and swim in some incredibly blue waters.
At the same time, some might prefer to hit the beach when the sun is blaring down in June & July. Keep in mind, the beaches will be much more crowded as school is out for all of the U.S. There will also not be as many dry and sunny days. I found my beach days in February to be plenty hot, and I often needed to dip into the water to cool off. Make sure to bring some reef-safe, all natural sunscreen! (Use code: BEYONDTHESHIRE11 for 10% off!)
For the best weather: January- February
In the deep of winter, while the northern U.S hunkers down for a cold, snowy winter, those in Puerto Rico continue to enjoy swimsuit weather. Daily highs remain in the 70s to low 80s F with lows occasionally hitting the mid-60s (this is generally only at night or further up in the mountains). In addition, this is also the driest period of Puerto Rico weather, making it the perfect time to go hit the beach.
Best time to visit Puerto Rico for surfing: November – February
Generally when talking about the best surfing in the US, most people jump to Hawaii. But Puerto Rico actually boasts some of the top surfing spots and holds many high-profile surfing comps. There’s a big surf community in Puerto Rico, specifically on the west coast, and there are plenty of surf rentals, lessons, hotels and more made for those looking to catch some waves in Puerto Rico.
The best time to surf these waves for more experienced surfers is going to be late fall through early winter (November-February). Low pressure systems of the Eastern Seaboard bring strong currents and big waves to the Caribbean, giving surfers some impressive swells and fast barrels.
If you’re a beginner looking to hit the waves, opt for spring and early summer, as the waves will be a bit more gentle and beginner-friendly.
Best time for bioluminescent bay viewing: December – February
In order to see the brightest bioluminescence, you want a dry, moonless night, hence the winter months being the best to visit. Dry weather helps the glowing algae sit undisturbed, making it easier to see when moved by your hand or paddle. The glowing moon will make it harder to see, so book your trip for the new moon if you can!
Best time to visit Puerto Rico overall: February
Personally, I feel like February hits the sweet spot for almost everyone. You’ll just miss the summer vacationers from countries whose school break falls Dec-Jan, as well as the spring breakers that tend to start mid-march. Skies will be sunny and blue, beaches will be the perfect temperature to lay out all day, and the waves will be peak quality for surfers. Plus, the bioluminescent bays will still be glowing at their brightest!
Puerto Rico is a beautiful island full of rich culture and history. I hope this article has helped you discover what the best time to visit Puerto Rico is for you. Whatever time of the year you decide to go, it’s sure to be a magical experience!
