travelbudget

Budget-friendly beach destinations worldwide

Beach trips don't have to mean resort markups. These coastal and island cities combine genuine ocean access with mid-range daily costs in the bottom half of our index. Ranked from cheapest upward.

  1. 01
    Bali, Indonesia

    Mid-range $128/day · vibes: surf, temples, yoga.

    Tier: Very cheap · Under $130/day mid-range
    $128/day
  2. 02
    Colombo, Sri Lanka

    Mid-range $128/day · vibes: ocean, colonial, tea.

    Tier: Very cheap · Under $130/day mid-range
    $128/day
  3. 03
    Manila, Philippines

    Mid-range $151/day · vibes: food, history, islands.

    Tier: Very cheap · Under $130/day mid-range
    $151/day
  4. 04
    Lima, Peru

    Mid-range $171/day · vibes: cuisine, Pacific, colonial.

    Tier: Very cheap · Under $130/day mid-range
    $171/day
  5. 05
    Cape Town, South Africa

    Mid-range $236/day · vibes: mountain, wine, ocean.

    Tier: Cheap · $130–200/day mid-range
    $236/day
  6. 06
    Zanzibar, Tanzania

    Mid-range $236/day · vibes: beach, spice, stone town.

    Tier: Cheap · $130–200/day mid-range
    $236/day
  7. 07
    Athens, Greece

    Mid-range $257/day · vibes: ruins, tavernas, sea.

    Tier: Cheap · $130–200/day mid-range
    $257/day
  8. 08
    Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

    Mid-range $257/day · vibes: beach, samba, mountains.

    Tier: Cheap · $130–200/day mid-range
    $257/day
FAQ

Common questions

What is the cheapest beach destination in the world?
Among the destinations we track, Bali (Indonesia) and Zanzibar (Tanzania) deliver the best beach-to-cost ratio — mid-range daily costs well under $250/day with direct ocean access.
Are budget beaches actually nice?
Yes — many cheap beach cities (Lisbon, Porto, Zanzibar, Bali) are popular precisely because the local economy keeps coast access affordable. Resort-priced beaches are usually about land scarcity, not water quality.
Where can I go for a cheap two-week beach holiday?
Plan for $1,800–$3,200 mid-range, all-in (excluding flights) across Bali, Cancún, Porto, Zanzibar or Sri Lanka's coast. Pair shoulder-season dates with a long stay for the best per-day rate.
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