The feel of the sand on your feet, the refreshing water washing your worries away as you swim freely in the deep waters — these are gifts of the sea you are always itching to return to. Do not allow budget concerns keep you from spending time in the one place that washes your stresses away. This travel guide will give you all the tips you need for budget traveling to the beaches. Now you can indulge the beach lover in you more frequently without breaking the bank!

Prepare a budget

The only way you can ensure you do not overspend is by planning a budget and sticking to it. When planning a budget vacation, consider all transportation expenses. More than just the plane tickets, you must take into account the bus, van, tricycle, jeep or boat rides when factoring in the costs. Take note of the car or motorcycle rental fees you may incur while out traveling. Don’t forget the miscellaneous items you will be spending on, like entrance fees and dining. If you are the active type, budget a little extra as you are bound to spend more on things like surfboards, bicycles, kayaks, jet skis, and other such equipment.

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Plan ahead for your activities

There are countless activities you can do while at the beach. Learn beforehand what is available where you’re going so you do not end up chasing after every shiny object, as this could easily have you going over budget. Different destinations also entail different ways to pinch pennies. While in Boracay and Palawan, taking part in “joiners” island hopping can help you save money as you get to share the rental fees for the boats and the payment for the guides with other people. This lets you enjoy group activities on the cheap even if you are traveling alone. In some beach destinations, you do not need to hire a guide or take part in joiners even if you are traveling alone. Just renting a bike or taking cheaper transportation methods is enough to save you money. You should also be on the lookout for discounts on beach activities and entrance fees. You can find such deals on coupon sites like Metrodeal or on the websites of travel agents. Make sure you are subscribed to relevant sites so you’re always updated.

Avoid peak times

Weekends and major holidays are busy times for beaches. People arrive in beach destinations in crowds, causing a relative shortage of available resources. This effectively causes prices to shoot up. If your schedule would allow it, it would be best to travel to the beach during off-peak season. This falls between mid-July to the end of October.

Off-peak travel has grown increasingly popular among tourists and backpackers. Not only is it a cheaper way to travel, crowd volume is more manageable too. You could almost have the islands or long stretches of beaches to yourself. It is just much easier to bask in the beauty of your surrounding when you do not have to compete with a huge crowd.

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Go to an accessible beach

Oftentimes, what makes a vacation expensive is the transportation costs. You can avoid this by frequenting beaches that you can travel to without shelling out too much money for transpo. If you are based in Manila, you will have many options to choose from. You can head over to the nearby Laiya Beach in San Juan, Batangas. This easy-to-reach tropical paradise has been a favorite among urban weekenders. The Burot Beach in Calatagan, Batangas, with its semi-fine, cream-colored sands, is also ideal for a weekend getaway. The Dampalitan and Borawan Beaches in Padre Burgos, Quezon are two beaches that are accessible from Manila, but are ones that you must not take for granted. The beaches’ huge rock boulders and high limestone walls almost put them at par with the world-famous Palawan beaches. Now if you are seeking a white sand beach that is not too far away from the city, Kwebang Lampas in Pagbilao, Quezon is the beach to be.

If rich biodiversity is what you are after, then the Verde Island in Batangas is your ideal destination. The “center of the center of marine biodiversity in the world”, it boasts clear water and underwater wonders. The Anilao Beach in Mabini, Batangas is also remarkable for its underwater ecosystem. If you are a surfing enthusiast, Liw-Liwa Beach in San Felipe, Zambales is for you. If you want a more developed beach, you will find Cagbalete Island in Quezon a more ideal option. The towering stone wall on the cove at the Boracay de Cavite in Ternate, Cavite will give you many Instagrammable moments. The world-renowned Boracay itself is more accessible than you think. You do not have to spend on a plane ticket to get there. Your Php1,000 can already take you from Cubao to Batangas through a bus ride, plus a ferry ride from Batangas to Boracay. This is the cheapest way to go to Boracay.

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Consider renting a vacation home or condo

If you are planning to get away for a week or so, renting a vacation home or condo may be your best option. Hostels and hotels are not your only options, and they are not always advisable when it comes to your budget and well-being. While hostels can be cheap, they would not give you the restful vacation you went to the beach for. The hotels, on the other hand, can be costly, especially considering its limited amenities. You can opt for a condotel like the Alta Vista de Boracay, which offers the comforts and privacy of a hotel but with the amenities of a condo. With its in-house amenities, you would not have to pay more for outside services. Plus, you can cook your own food in your temporary home, so you would not have to splurge too much on dining out.

Join the gig economy

One of the best ways you can make sure you have enough money for the beach is to earn a little extra. And you can do this by taking part in the gig economy. More and more companies are now relying on independent contractors and freelancers to get things done. Be ready to cash in on this trend by offering your own services. A side gig will help you fund your travel and beach adventures. The gig economy is especially ideal for those who can write, design or develop websites, design graphics, and the like. Jobs are also available for simpler skills that you can learn quickly, like data entry, virtual assistance, and English tutorial.

These budget tips for a beach trip will let you constantly go on vacations that will energize you. Such a way of life can do wonders for your health and the way you carry out your job. Keep following your heart’s desire and head over to the beach as often as you can!

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