Best Vacation Destinations For A College Budget

While you may learn a lot in college, one of the best ways to learn more about yourself and have a fun time while doing it is by taking vacations.  Going to different destinations may sound expensive, but there is actually a multitude of vacation destinations that are affordable for college students.  We are going to go over some popular destinations that you can enjoy yourself without breaking the bank!

Daytona, Florida

Daytona is one of the more popular destinations for college students, particularly during spring break.  During spring break there are sure to be college students partying, and enjoying the perfect 80 degrees weather.  However, if you are someone who doesn’t enjoy loud and rowdy social gatherings, then Daytona is still an excellent option for a time other than spring break.

With white sand beaches and beautiful turquoise water, it is no wonder how this location is a popular destination for traveling college students.  What’s even more beautiful is the price.  If you choose to book your hotels through Kayak, they periodically offer hotels in Daytona starting at only forty dollars a night!  With such cheap living costs, you can definitely travel here on a college budget.

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South Padre Island, Texas

South Padre Island is another incredibly popular vacation destination to go to for spring break partying.  But just like Daytona, you can avoid the large crowds by going before or after spring break.  The island is perfect for college students because they host multiple low cost or free events throughout the course of the year.  So when planning your trip here, make sure to check what events are going on during your stay.  If you’re over 21, then there is also an excellent nightlife scene on this island.

If you’re the type of traveler who wants to escape and just relax, South Padre Island is also an excellent vacation destination for relaxation.  There are spas all across the island where you can sit back and enjoy yourself.  And of course, there are tons of amazing beaches you can relax on.

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Ecuador

If you want to add some more stamps to your passport and go international, then Ecuador is an awesome vacation destination.  This country is famous for excellent beaches, and classic colonial Spanish architecture.  Ecuador has a very old history, so there are many places to go sightsee.  The primary language spoken here is Spanish, so make sure to study up before going!

Ecuador is famous for the Galapagos Islands as well.  So if you can, you should definitely book a tour to explore the islands.  Or you can hike to see massive volcanoes like the Cotopaxi volcano.  And definitely make sure to take some photos with the cute llamas, because Ecuador is filled with them!

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Some things to be wary of before going to Ecuador are pickpocketing and tourist-targeted crime.  But as long as you are responsible and keep your things close to you, then you should be fine!

Albania

If you thought traveling to Europe was impossible as a broke college student, then think again.  While Europe is notoriously expensive for tourists, Albania is the vacation destination which is the exception.  The living and general cost of items in Albania are significantly less expensive than that of the more popular European destinations like France or the United Kingdom.

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Not only is Albania in Europe, but it is also a Mediterranean country as well.  That means that there are some amazing beaches which you can relax at while looking upon the Mediterranean sea.  Or you can venture to Albania’s other beautiful and natural landscapes like Lake Komani.  Here you can boat along the lake and look in awe at the natural beauty that surrounds you.

Many travelers also note that the traditional cuisine of Albania is simply amazing.  So if you’re looking for somewhere that has a rich history and cuisine, then Albania is an amazing choice which not many people think of. 

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Niagara Falls, New York/Canada

Going to Niagara Falls is a great vacation destination if you’re looking for a low key and affordable place with natural beauty. Obviously, you need to make sure you look at the massive Niagara Falls which make this place famous while you’re here.  If you want to experience some of the nightlife here, then you can drive (and even walk) across the border into Canada and have a great time on the Canadian side.

The best time to plan on going to Niagara Falls would be any time aside from the summer.  The summer is the busy season for this vacation destination, so make sure to plan accordingly. However, if you don’t mind the crowd then you can always go in summer too.  Hotels in the Buffalo region are easily affordable during the offseason, making it an affordable vacation destination.

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New Orleans, Louisiana

If you want to experience a huge and city-wide party then look no further than New Orleans.  For events and holidays like Mardi Gras, Halloween, and New Year’s Eve, the city of New Orleans really goes hard.  While traveling to New Orleans during these busy periods will obviously be busier, you can still find cheap plane tickets.  And if you really want to stick to your budget, then there are student-friendly hostels within the city.

Enjoy the busy nightlife culture of New Orleans, and enjoy the famous cajun cuisine.  There are many famous and family-owned restaurants that serve Cajun food which is to die for.  The affordability of New Orleans with hostels and cheaper plane tickets (depending on the season), makes it an amazing budget vacation destination.

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Traveling while in college is part of what makes this period in our lives so formative and important.  I hope that all of your travel to one of these places, and enjoy yourselves.  Have you been to any of these places?  Or do you have any other vacation destinations that are perfect for a college budget?  If so, make sure to share it in the comments section below!

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