Among the things that don’t come cheap, family vacations can feel like one of them. There’s an oft-repeated joke that traveling with children isn’t really a vacation—it’s just picking up after them in a new location. Add in the often high cost of flights for the whole family, plus hotel rooms or home rentals and meals, sometimes it seems like it might be easier to just stay home. But travel, as you already know if you’re reading this, pays dividends that can’t always be quantified: There is no price that equates to that first sip of fresh coconut water from the roadside stand in Puerto Rico, or watching the delight in your children’s eyes the first time they see a giant panda in person.
But happily, you can make these memories without spending a small fortune on your vacation. In fact, many of the country’s liveliest cities, as well as hotspots in the Caribbean and Europe, are absolutely doable on a tight budget. You just have to know where to look. Below is a list of nine of our favorite family-friendly spots where you can eat, stay, and play without spending a ton. We’ve found places for every type of family trip, from sandy escapes and outdoor adventures to city spectaculars. All that’s left for you to do is to pick. Read on for the best destinations for cheap family vacations from the United States, with affordable destinations in the US and beyond and hotel recommendations below $200 a night.
Aruba
The Caribbean playground whose nickname is “one happy island” will also keep your wallet quite pleased. With plenty of affordable (and direct!) flights from the US, plus a surplus of hotels that are both inexpensive and family-friendly, there may be no better cheap warm weather destination than Aruba. Beaches here are the main draw, and those outside of the resorts are open to all (and often very easy to reach via public transportation). Eagle Beach is considered the crown jewel, known for its soft sands and family-friendly turquoise waters, plus beach huts and water sport rentals. Those looking for more active activities can head to Arikok National Park, where you’ll find the otherworldly limestone Fontein Cave and the remote and beautiful Natural Pool. Many local businesses and hotels also take part in the One Happy Family program, which offers deals specifically to those traveling with kiddos—think free accommodations for children or discounts on activities like sailing trips.
Where to stay in Aruba:
For beach time: Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort
For kids stay free: Holiday Inn Resort Aruba
For walkability: Courtyard Aruba Resort
Croatia
This Balkan nation has been steadily rising in popularity amongst European destinations, but a trip here can still be far more affordable than to Italy or France. The Dalmatian Coast is the most popular stretch of the country: It’s here you’ll find both the historic city of Dubrovnik and Split, its more relaxed counterpart. In the former, you can wander the Old City and explore the beautiful wall walk, as well as take a dip in one of the many nearby beaches (Banje, though sometimes crowded, is wonderful for families). Split, meanwhile, has a more modern feel outside of its Old Town, although some of the best-preserved Roman ruins outside of Italy can be found within its perimeters. And if the crowds of the Coast have you craving a bit more solitude, the country’s eight national parks offer some respite. UNESCO-listed Plitvice Lakes and Krka are two of the most popular; both boast plenty of waterfalls, serene hiking paths in the forest, and peaceful lakes.
Where to stay in Croatia:
In Dubrovnik: Berkeley Hotel
In Split: Hotel Corner
In Plitvice Lakes National Park: Ethno Houses
Guatemala
While its neighbor to the north, Belize, has long been a favored destination for adventure family travel, Guatemala has not always enjoyed the same level of recognition. In the last few years, though, this Central American nation has become one of the most exciting—and affordable—places to visit in the region. After all, there’s an area to entice every type of traveler: the beautiful and lively UNESCO World Heritage site of Antigua, with its Spanish Colonial architecture and bountiful hot chocolate shops for the kids; to the famed and majestic Lake Atitlán, the deepest in all of Central America; to the impressive and sprawling ruins of Tikal, a Mayan citadel which is now a national park. And if all else fails, there are always the beaches, which fly more under-the-radar here than the historic sites but are nevertheless absolutely worth a visit. Playa Dorada on the shore of Lake Izabal, and Playa Las Cristalinas at Lake Atitlán are two of the best for families.
Where to stay in Guatemala:
In Antigua: Posada del Angel
Near Tikal: La Lancha
In Lake Atitlán: Casa Palopó
Mexico City
There are few cities as saturated with affordable, kid-friendly activities as this sprawling North American capital. And, with many American cities on both coasts flying directly into Mexico City, airfare is often quite reasonable. Once on the ground, you can steer your trip in whatever direction your family is interested: big on trying local food? Explore one of the city’s many markets for cheap and unique eats on the go. Love to wander museums? Then a trip to Museo Nacional de Antropología, which has the world’s largest collection of Mexican artifacts, is a must. Toddlers just need to run off some excess energy? Head to Bosque de Chapultepec, a huge expanse of 1,700 acres that includes botanical gardens and a large lake. And finally, art lovers shouldn’t miss Coyoacán, a charming, family-friendly neighborhood that also contains the Frida Kahlo Museum, one of the city’s premier and most fascinating attractions.
Where to stay in Mexico City:
For views: Hilton Mexico City Reforma
For design: Gran Hotel Ciudad de México
For kid-friendly amenities: Camino Real Polanco
The Poconos
The northeast has a plethora of plural noun destinations: The Hamptons. The Berkshires. The Catskills. But none stick the landing mixing family-friendly and affordable quite the way The Poconos does. The region—an area of northeast Pennsylvania just north of Allentown—has long been a favored vacation destination, but prices have remained accessible even so. In the summer, head to the enormous Lake Wallenpaupack: 13 miles across with six public recreation areas. In winter, ski slopes—many that are ideal for beginners and with lower rates than further north—are the biggest draw, especially Camelback Mountain. The area is also famed for its campgrounds, which offer an even more inexpensive way to explore the region via tent and RV sites, or camping cabins. And if the weather isn’t cooperating, you can always head to a waterpark for indoor fun: The Poconos has three year-round parks—Kalahari, Camelback, and Great Wolf—from which to choose.
Where to stay in The Poconos:
Best for large groups: Stroudsmoor Country Inn
Best for on-site activities: Skytop Lodge
Best for skiing: Camelback Resort
Lisbon
In the past, Lisbon often played little sister to the likes of Barcelona. Now the Portuguese capital takes her rightful place as one of Europe’s most vibrant (not the mention affordable) cultural centers. Although its hilly streets are tricky to navigate with a stroller, once you get the hang of it, you’ll be rewarded with a superb restaurant scene, lively neighborhoods filled with boutiques that will tempt shoppers of any age, and stunning vistas from the many miradouros (viewpoints) scattered around the city. Kids will love seeing the winding paths of the city via the famed No. 28 tram, as well as exploring the Moorish São Jorge Castle (don’t miss its camera obscura). And we’d be remiss if we didn’t call out Portuguese desserts, specifically: the famed egg custard tart pastel de nata, a revelatory, creamy bite no one should leave without sampling. You can also consider taking the train for a day trip to Sintra: where colorful palaces abound and are beautiful enough to inspire dreams of fairy tales in everyone, young and old.
Where to stay in Lisbon:
For design lovers: The Vintage Lisbon
For entertainment: Lumen Hotel
For sightseeing: Mama Shelter
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Few places in the Caribbean tick all the boxes the way Puerto Rico does: dozens of daily non-stop flights, a mix of beach and culture, and plenty of affordable activities and places to stay. Plus you don’t even need your passport. San Juan is the most popular home base for good reason: It’s home to the airport, and the abundance of beachfront hotels means the whole family can have their feet wiggling in the sand not long after landing. Make sure to carve out time to explore the castillos of San Felipe del Morro and San Cristóbal, as well as the charming cobblestoned streets of Old San Juan. Budding biologists will get a kick out of the island’s bioluminescent bays (there are three here), where the water glows otherworldly from the presence of dinoflagellates. Laguna Grande, in Fajardo, is the closest to San Juan.
Where to stay in San Juan:
For beach access: AC Hotel San Juan Condado
For Old San Juan: Alma San Juan
For resort vibes: Caribe Hilton
San Diego
On vacation, few things are worse than being relegated to a cramped hotel room with your whole family when the weather takes a turn. To give yourself the best possible chance of temperate climes, there is probably nowhere better to visit in the United States than San Diego. And while the sunny skies and plentiful beaches would probably be reason enough to book a trip, this southern Californian city has more to offer than good looks. Most famous is the city’s eponymous zoo, which has 100 acres and over 600 species on display—plan to spend at least half a day here. It’s nestled inside Balboa Park with its 1,200 acres of museums (some of which are free), the Old Globe Theater, and tons of restaurants. And for sea views on the cheap, grab ferry tickets for the ride to Coronado, the oozing-with-charm island just across the bay. Its main street, Orange Avenue, is especially filled with family-friendly shops and places to eat.
Where to stay in San Diego:
For access to Downtown: The Bristol Hotel
For resort-like feel: Humphreys Half Moon Inn
For beach access: Beach Haven
Steve Rosenbach/Getty Images
Washington, DC
There may be no city in the United States with more free, family-friendly activities than our nation’s capital. And we’re not just talking local playgrounds or libraries: Many of DC’s most famous attractions are completely gratis, making the city a no-brainer for an inexpensive family trip. The greatest concentration of free museums is on the National Mall: biggest hits with kids include the National Museum of American History and the National Museum of Natural History. If the latter doesn’t suffice for animal lovers, however, make a beeline for the National Zoo to see the pandas for free. Another interactive way to learn about the city is through a DC by Foot tour, which range in topics from the ghosts of Georgetown to Arlington Cemetery and has free or name-your-own-price options. And don’t leave without trying some of DC’s most famous foods, many of which are super affordable, like Ben’s Chili Bowl’s half-smokes and the stalls inside Eastern Market.
Where to stay in Washington, DC:
For sightseeing: Arlo Washington DC
For access to Capitol Hill: Kimpton George
For everything under one roof: Generator Washington DC
