I love traveling, but I am NOT a millionaire. So, since I’ve learned a few things during my exploration, I wanted to share with my fellow wanderlust enthusiastic a few tips and tricks so you can still cash in on the adventure you’ve always dreamed of! So sit back, relax, read, and then go get your travel on with a little extra cash for those must-have souvenirs.
1. Use KAYAK Explore to map out a travel destination
I Love KAYAK Explore! This tool shows you where to fly on your budget and lets YOU be the judge of how much you want to spend. You can select different airports, times, dates, and plan everything out with the price that makes you happy! KAYAK’s interactive map is what gave me the idea to travel to Costa Rica when I did and found the option that suited me best.
2. Plan to travel in the off-season
Traveling during peak months (June-August) or seasonal times like Spring Break, Christmas, or New Year is a huge no-no! You want to avoid these high traffic times and travel when the costs are much lower. Airlines and hotels raise prices during the peak times of the year so you will save almost half of your travel costs when you travel on weekdays or off-season months. Another factor to keep in mind, the location you are traveling to and their climate. Certain areas have different peak travel seasons due to their climate changes which can drastically alter your costs.
When I traveled to Costa Rica, I choose to go during the month of May (which is considered a low tourist month due to heavier rain) we saved almost half on our flights and hotel booking. We also didn’t have to wait for nearly anything during our scheduled tours or during our meals since there were limited tourists. (We also lucked out on the weather #TravelWin)
3. Use a travel guide or secondary service
When I travel, booking through a travel agent is an absolute must. Why? Because YOU ARE NOT AN EXPERT! Most of them charge a small fee, but it’s worth it especially if you are traveling internationally. If you are looking for the cheapest combo too (flight+hotel+excursions) then using a travel agent or secondary booking service will ensure you get the best deal possible.
For our trip to Costa Rica, we used Pacific Trade Winds which was an amazing service! They were able to combine our hotel and excursions including white water rafting, repelling, transportation, zip lining, hanging bridges, and night tours all at an affordable price. It would have been way more expensive if we purchased them all separately, which is what some people don’t realize with travel agents. Bonus Tip: Remember travel agencies have partnerships with various companies which give you a better deal!
With Love,
Lex Paige
