Mexico is Still a Bargain

The H1N1 flu virus has taken a bite out of Mexico’s tourism dollars, and this is making an already cheap vacation even cheaper. Forbes recently stated “you can still find cheap, safe vacations” in Mexico. Mexico has always opened its arms to American tourists. If you are looking for good destinations, stick to the tourist areas of Cabo San Lucas, Riviera Maya, Cozumel and Puerto Vallarta that are less affected by violence and corruption than the more congested, native cities. There are a number of factors that make Mexico a good option for those looking for an inexpensive alternative to a Caribbean island vacation.

Ease of Travel

Direct flights are available to many cities in Mexico from most South and Southwestern cities in the US. Because Mexico is situated in an almost direct line south of the US, there is not a large difference in time zone as there may be for some more Eastern countries in Central and South America. This means your travel time and jet lag are cut back significantly. It also means your flights are generally less expensive, easily around $400. Be wary of tickets that are too cheap, as you may be purchasing in the off season. More than just cold weather, the off season at many Mexican destinations can be rainy.

Westernized Culture

In most of the tourist destinations such as Cabo San Lucas, Riviera Maya, Cozumel and Puerto Vallarta, you will find a highly Western culture. Most vendors and wait staff will speak English, and most restaurants and bars will have American brands. This may take away slightly from the cultural influx you may be seeking, but you can still find culture on day trips to ruins or remote beaches. It is best to stay on resort or in more tourist filled areas at night. While there is some risk of petty crime, these areas tend to have higher security and be well-policed.  

Friendly to Tourists

Mexico cities rely heavily on tourist from the US. Beyond this, many Mexican natives have friends and family residing in the US. This means they are generally friendly to American tourists and welcome the influx of dollars each year. Unlike some remote communities that dislike the resorts and hotels brought by Western tourism, Mexican cities embrace this as a multi-billion dollar industry. You will find street vendors, hotel staff and local musicians welcome your family and your travel dollars. The dollar remains strong against the Peso, making this less expensive than many European options.

Protect Your Health and Safety

RE/MAX Investment Properties compiles reports on crime rates in Mexico. Recently, they found major tourist zones in Mexico are up to 26 times safer than some tourist zones in the US. Nonetheless, there are many slums in Mexico that are in close proximity to tourist areas. Always be aware of your surroundings, and always travel in groups. Carry some extra cash, but do not wear expensive jewelry or carry pricey cameras. You may opt for a disposable camera for the trip. Bringing your own toiletries and washing hands frequently can reduce the risk of infectious disease.

Tags: Cheap travel, hotel deals, mexico travel, travel safety

Cheap Disney Vacations

Once you get inside an airport or a sports stadium, prices on simple items skyrocket. Waters, sodas and bags of popcorn become high-priced goods. This is because you are in a bubble where no outside vendors are permitted. Disneyworld is the biggest “bubble” in the United States. All vendors, including hotels and transportation, are paying a premium to be located on the grounds. This means family fun comes at a very high price most times of the year. From dining to just getting around, you will be paying for the experience. There are little ways to cut fees though, making your dollars go further to get even more happiness from the happiest place on Earth.

Passes through Travel Agents

Disney offers a variety of group tickets. All of them are better deals than buying each park pass independently, but they also require you purchase tickets to a huge amount of activities. If you are looking for more flexibility, Disney travel agents may be able to supply this for you. Small World Vacations, an exclusive Disney agency, does not charge a fee for services. This agency provides custom packages, such as “Magic Your Way,” that allow you to start with the basics and add on from there. There are even options to add on for just a few of the tickets instead of the whole family. This means the adults can add a dining package, and the kids and babysitter can eat on the cheap. Taking a babysitter may allow you to enjoy many of the new additions to the family of Disney activities that are geared toward adults. Beyond the mouse ears, Disney has added many high end restaurants, night clubs, and even a Cirque de Soliel show. Ask a travel agent about enjoying these activities while your kids get the most of the children’s focus.

Discounts, Discounts, Discounts

If you are clever with selecting discounts, there are many to be found. For example, Disney passes are free on your birthday. If you plan your vacation around even one family birthday, you will receive nearly $100 in discounts. Plan to stay during a week when there is more than one birthday, and the savings will continue to rise. Disney also offers free passes with a military ID. That’s right: if you are home on leave, heading to Disneyworld, or Disneyland for that matter, is a great way to reconnect with your family.

Free Sightseeing

While not many activities are free: there are some things you can enjoy without a pass. In Orlando, Disney’s boardwalk has street performers, shops, a dance hall, a dueling piano bars and many other fun sights. Downtown Disney has fountain displays, a play area with thousands of Legos, and magic demonstrations. The hotels themselves can provide hours of sightseeing for the whole family as you gape at the execution of complex themes. Finally, about 20 miles south of Orlando, the Disney Wilderness Reserve has very inexpensive tours of a wildlife reservation. These activities will not dent your pocket.

Tags: cheap disney vacations, Cheap travel, disney vacations, hotel deals

Types of Travel Insurance to Save you Money

When you are travelling on a budget, insurance becomes more important. We have talked a lot about the importance of insurance on these updates, but many spendthrifts are still shying away. Yes, it costs you more up front. You will be tacking on anywhere from $15 to $300 for a trip (hopefully closer to the $15 if you do it right). In the end, though, the point of all insurance is to save you money. Here is a brief list of the different types of insurance and what each can do for you:

Single Trip Travel Insurance

This covers you for one-trip of the basics. Those basics, generally speaking, are loss of luggage, flight delays, cancellations, loss of travel documents and other strictly “travel-related” mishaps. Anything that occurs while you are at your destination, such as theft from your hotel room, may not be covered. At the very least, you should purchase single trip insurance to save you from fees. Airlines are less willing to reimburse tickets in this recession, and you will be stuck with the bill.

Annual Travel Insurance

This will cover all of your travels for one year. This may include business and personal travel. Any time you leave a certain radius of your house, typically out of state, your travel insurance will kick in to protect you. Flat tires, unplanned hotel stays and emergency room visits may be assisted even if you are just visiting Grandma for the weekend. Weigh the costs of getting single trip coverage for an average year, then see if annual insurance would pay off for you.

Family Travel Insurance

Exactly what it sounds like, family travel insurance covers all members of your family, whether you are travelling together or separately. Kid going to Europe for a school trip? Covered. Husband heading fishing in the mountains? Covered. For a family travelling in different directions or enjoying a few trips together each year, annual family travel insurance can pay off.

Backpacker’s Insurance

Backpacker’s have unique challenges in terms of insurance. They are typically staying in hostels or outdoors, their belongings are not well protected, they are engaging in more active and risky activities, and they are generally enjoying the company of other budget travelers who may not be the most white-collar crowd. All of these risk factors are the reason why backpacker’s insurance lines have been specifically targeted for unique challenges. Before you leave to backpack, ask your insurance company about what you should protect yourself for. Then shop around the Internet for the best deals.

Sports Travel Insurance

Whether you are enjoying winter sports, such as skiing and snowboarding, or water sports, like scuba and jet skiing, there are travel insurance packages to protect you. Loss of equipment can be very expensive as are medical emergencies. With good fortune, you will not need your insurance. Insurance is a great instance of an item it is better to have and not need than need an not have.

Tags: Cheap travel, cheap travel insurance, skii insurance, watersport insurance

Luggage Fees by Airline

One of the first travel factors to sky rocket in price in the recession is luggage fees. Airlines are facing increased expenses, mostly from growing fuel costs, and bad PR from a number of recent mishaps. They have likely conducted market studies showing the cost of tickets cannot go much higher without people deciding to stop purchasing them. The solution? Across the board the solution has been increases in hidden fees. Some airlines are much more egregious offenders than others.

Leaders in Luggage Fees
The Bureau of Transportation Statistics provides accurate information on all fees assessed by airlines over the past year. In a 2009 study, the Bureau reported the following luggage fee assessments:
1. American Airlines - $108,117,000
2. Delta Air Lines - $102,838,000
3. US Airways - $94,227,000
4. United Airlines - $59,102,000
5. Northwest Airlines - $59,786,000
6. Continental Airlines - $55,616,000
7. AirTran Airways - $30,881,000
8. JetBlue Airways - $12,603,000
9. Frontier Airlines - $12,456,000
10. Southwest Airlines - $5,982,000

Leaders in Passenger Carry
In what will come as no shock to those who have followed Southwest’s success in the industry, the airline additionally maintains the highest passenger numbers. Southwest has long been thought of as the only airline in the industry that turns a consistent profit. The Bureau reported the following in terms of numbers of passengers transported:
1. Southwest Airlines
2. American Airlines
3. Delta Air Lines
4. United Airlines
5. US Airways
6. Continental Airlines
7. Northwest Airlines
8. AirTran Airways
9. JetBlue Airways
10. SkyWest

American Airlines still maintains a greater share of the flight market than Southwest, but only by just a touch, and its profits routinely fall short of Southwest’s annual returns. The moral of the story here is that luggage fees alone will not boost your profits. To those airlines who assess hidden fees, reconsider how you can gain loyal customers who will come to you first even if the ticket price is a little higher. This is what Southwest has done, and, in fact, their ticket prices are often the lowest.

Avoiding Hidden Fees
Ideally, you will locate a Southwest flight with no hidden fees at a low rate heading directly to your destination. In the real world, though, this is not always possible. You may have to hop a flight on the dreaded American Airlines, as so many of us do, to get where you are going. Read the baggage and fees policy before flying. Often, you may check one bag for free. American charges $15 for the first checked bag, making carrying on an attractive option. If you are travelling as a family, work to negate the total number of checked bags. Wear your heaviest, bulkiest clothes and assure each member of the family has the allotted 2 carry-ons. Most importantly, invest in a luggage scale. Narrowing all of your belongings into one bag will only save you money if you are not assessed additional fees for the weight of your bag. You can get luggage scales at nearly any airport store, but we recommend purchasing a quality piece. It often comes down to mere ounces of the standard 50 pound allotment.

Tags: Cheap travel, hidden fees, luggage fees

Work for your Vacation

A penny saved is a penny earned, right? It’s time to put that adage to work. Saving money on vacation is hard work, but it is work that puts dollars back in your bank account. If you think you can simply ask your travel agent for the best deal, you are missing a big part of the picture. Spend some time planning your trip and exhaust your resources. This will help you save your resources once you get to your destination.

Consider Many Types of Transit

Most people think a flight from point A to point B is the only way to go. Have you looked into surrounding airports? Have you considered buses and trains? Dividing your trip up into legs including planes, shuttles and buses can save you a lot of money in the long run. For example, if flights to Las Vegas are high for Memorial Day, consider a flight to St. George Utah. If you save $200, this will easily cover the cost of a rental car to get to Las Vegas. You’ll save on cab fare to and from the airport. If you have $50 left over in the end, this can be spent on a dinner or drinks for the night. You can also save this money, stay at a thrifty off-the-strip hotel, and drive yourself into town each night. The money you will save on cab fares and hotel will more than compensate for the rental fees.

Play with Your Travel Dates

If you have flexible travel dates, play around to see when the best times are to travel. Often, leaving and returning mid-week is cheaper than leaving on a Friday and returning on a Sunday. You will also find seasonal deals on travel to a number of locations. Choosing to travel to Chicago during the summer when the Cubs are playing, for example, can be expensive. Opt for the fall or holiday time when the whether is not as desirable. When you are travelling during the offseason, though, make sure you know what to expect in the weather. Even Caribbean destinations have an offseason when there is too much rain to enjoy the outdoors.

Use Guidebooks

The Internet is a great tool for booking travel. When it comes to reading reviews, learning about the destinations, and getting real information about the trip, a guide book can be preferable. Browse the travel section in your local book store to find one that is small enough to pack along for the trip. You will not regret having it when you need to know a good restaurant to dine at for under $10. Guidebooks offer great money-saving tips both before and after you reach your destination.

Don’t Pay a Penny More than You Want

If you get a quote that is too high, keep looking! Starting the hunt early gives you plenty of time to wait for the best option to come along. The hotel you want may be too expensive now, but if you wait 3 months, things may change. Sign up for emails or alerts on pricing for flights and rooms at your destinations of choice.

Tags: Alternative transit, Flexible travel dates

Protect Yourself While Traveling Cheap

Vacationing on a budget brings a host of hazards including illness, travel delays and unsafe conditions. Particularly if you are visiting a third world country, you need to consider your back-up plans for worst case scenarios. Assess the potential risks of your travel destination to appropriately prepare.

State Department Advisories

If you are planning a trip to Africa, the Middle East or South America particularly, there are some inherent risks due to political and social turmoil. You may think you are an experienced traveler and can handle the risks. You may also be traveling to a remote tourist destination far from the controversy. Do not be so sure. The US State Department issues regular travel advisories for areas at risk of problems like political coup, infectious disease or hostility toward foreigners. Check the website before you book plane tickets.

Travel Insurance

Buying insurance can bloat an already tight travel budget. This is not an expense to spare, however. Travel insurance is particularly important if you are taking cheap flights with multiple layovers; your luggage is easier to lose or damage. If you are staying in hostels, your belongings are at a greater risk of theft. Likewise, if you are staying in less expensive border towns, the security will be looser. Travel insurance can protect you in all of these scenarios.

Check Passport and Visa Rules

Traveling in Zimbabwe, you are required to keep two blank pages in your passport. Similar rules exist in a number of smaller nations. If you do not meet this requirement, you can be sent home or, in worst cases, detained. Just because you are backpacking, hiking or otherwise “roughing it” does not mean you will face less of these rules or regulations. You may meet more regulation in these less-modern hotels and motels than in fancy resorts. Arm yourself with the knowledge of your requirements and rights.

Bring Cash Reserves

There are still a lot of towns, cities and even countries that do not take credit cards and traveler’s checks. When you are traveling to inexpensive destinations, you are most likely in places where Westerners do not like to go. Once Westerners frequent the areas, they become more expensive. Without a high number of Western tourists, these areas will not have Western conveniences like credit card processors. The good news is: unlike pricey European cities where the dollar is worthless, it is a hot commodity in developing countries. You don’t need much cash to live like a king, but you do need some.

Read the News

Many of us ignore the papers while we are on vacation. We turn to a good book, a cold drink and a little conversation. Do not ignore the news outlets while on vacation. Simply turning on the television for 10 minutes or picking up a local paper once every few days is all it takes. If the political situation is changing, if a flu pandemic is hitting the country, if a tourist has been beat and mugged down the street, it will be in the paper. You want to know about these things.

Tags: Passport, State Department Advisories, Travel insurance, Travel news, Visa

How to Take France by Train

Train travel is often less costly than air travel. Once you arrive in France, you can save money and time by avoiding airports and taxis all together. Simple trains run the entire length of the French Riviera. The key is to plan ahead for this type of travel. If you treat a train trip like any other, you will be overwhelmed. Know what you are getting into.

Step 1: Pick the Right Luggage

• Durable with solid sides – When you are traveling, you will likely have to load your bad into the cargo containers on the bottom of trains and buses. Most of the time, guests will do this themselves. This means the bags will be poorly stacked, and you could end up on bottom. Pick a bag that will not tear and has some structure in the sides to protect your belongings.
• Easily carried – You can walk from the train to many locations to save money as long as you can carry your baggage. The best choices have straps like a back pack or shoulder bag.
• Well-hidden pockets – You should carry valuables on your person at all times. However, you may have a few valuables or souvenirs to hide away in your luggage. Make sure your bag has a few hidden pockets for this type of thing.
• Bag within a bag – Having a smaller bag within your suitcase will allow you to leave your luggage behind if you get to a safe hotel. Look for a small bag that can be easily folded into a pocket then brought out for day trips.

Step 2: Pack Wisely

• Consider the weather – You will be covering a lot of distance from the north of France to the Mediterranean. Check the weather in each location you will be visiting. If you are traveling in spring or fall, the weather can be unpredictable.
• Layer your clothes – The key to dressing for all temperatures is to pack layers. Bring clothes than can be easily folded away or tied around your waist. A good windbreaker is an essential in some towns.
• Simplify cosmetics and toiletries – You are on vacation, give the hair dryer a break. The more you can cut down on your beauty routine, the easier your trip will be.

Step 3: Travel in Small Groups

• Break up for day trips – Even if you are traveling as a family, breaking into small groups can make your traveling easier. You will be visiting a lot of cities that could be explored for weeks. It may be necessary to take separate day trips order to make sure everyone sees what they want to see.
• Small groups are best for museums – Traveling through crowded sites like the Louvre, Versailles or historical ruins can be cumbersome for large groups. It can also lead to a chance of one person getting lost. Take on museums in teams of 2-4. Visit different exhibits at your own pace.

Tags: France, Train tickets

Housing Swap: Just the Facts

In an effort to conserve resources on summer vacations, the popularity of housing swaps has grown tremendously. Families and couples have been using Craigslist and eBay to list their homes available during certain portions of the year. The concept is not entirely new. Timeshares are a tested and popular way to enjoy vacationing. In timeshare properties, individuals split ownership in properties. These properties are generally part of a greater network. The owners place their home up for “lease” the weeks they technically own it, and they have the option of trading with another family in the network. Housing swaps are different on a few levels, however. The biggest difference is you are offering your primary residence to another group.

You Must Live in a Desirable Place

Housing swaps typically occur between two groups who each live in a desirable location. For example, one group may live in New York City, one in downtown Chicago. Both of these are vacation spots; you do not need to live near the beach. If you live close to a major attraction, such as Disney World or the Super Bowl Destination, you may also consider a swap. In fact, families come from all over the world to attend these attractions. To swap your coastal home, you will need to consider which times of year are attractive based on weather where you live.

You Need a Contract

Protect yourself legally while you are staying in another person’s home and visa versa. You should have written proof you were given permission to reside there. The contract should also explain any damages already present in the residence you will inhabit. Likewise, document the condition of your home. Should you need to recover damages from your tenant in the future, you will need evidence they caused the damage. You will also protect yourself by naming an exact time the tenant must vacate by.

You Should Consider Insurance

Your homeowners insurance may not cover any damages that occur when tenants are staying in your home. Ask your insurance company what will occur if, say, a fire starts in your home while you are not there. If the fire is the fault of the tenant, it may not be covered. Similarly, you will want to make sure the tenants are responsible for any liability suits that may be caused by their actions on your property. If they leave a garden hose out and a neighbor trips on it, for example, you do not want to be sued.

It Takes a Certain Type

Not everyone will be happy with a housing swap. You may have a difficult time if you are particular about your belongings and personal space. You can set rules as to which rooms and closets the tenants are allowed in. For example, a rental property usually has an “owners closet” where valuables are locked away. However, the tenant will still be sleeping in your bed, cooking in your kitchen, parking in your garage and using your bathroom. If the thought of this bothers you, you are probably not a good candidate for a housing swap.

Tags: Housing swap, Vacation home rental

4 No-Hassle Budget Vacation Tips

The popularity of “staycations,” a term for staying home during a vacation, shows just how much people are cutting back luxury spending. If you are one of the hundreds of thousand couples or families cutting back this summer, you can still take a vacation. Implement simple, budget-conscious strategies to make your trip enjoyable but inexpensive. The simple rule to follow: spend when you want to, save when you can. When you are following this rule, you will save money on the day-to-day essentials while still splurging on the fun memories. Try these simple strategies:

1. Shop Around Online

If you are planning on calling a hotel or airline to ask for best rates, you shouldn’t expect to truly get the best rates. Many websites offer market comparables to help you find the truly best deal. Try checking back regularly. If a hotel is not booked leading up to the weekend you are looking to stay there, prices may go down. Remember: renting someone else’s time share is also a great option. Check sites like Craigslist to see what may be available.

2. Go in the Off-Season

Price discrimination is a common practice for both hotels and airlines. If you are not flexible with your travel dates, you can expect to pay more. Instead of heading to Washington DC for the Fourth of July, try going on a fall weekend. Most vacation spots have off seasons. Check the rates over a six-month time period to get a feel for which dates are less popular. One warning: if you are travelling for good weather, check the weather in the off season. For example, many Caribbean locations are cheap in the off season because it is hurricane season.

3. Avoid Expensive Hotels

If you aren’t afraid of the outdoors, consider camping. You can rent a camper, RV, or tent at a camp site for relatively little. There are some campgrounds which will charge you very high rates each evening. Instead, seek out local, state or national parks where camping is permitted. Crystal Cove State Park in Orange County, California, for example, offers a great mix of beach, mountain terrain, the luxury of Laguna Beach and the busy nightlife of nearby Newport Beach. There are just over 30 campsites. Rather than staying in a luxury hotel in the area, and there are plenty, choose the campgrounds to save money.

4. Make Your Own Breakfast and Lunch

Eating out is one of the pleasures of vacation. Avoiding dish duty, grocery shopping and the hassles of planning what to eat each night is very relaxing. You don’t have to give up this experience all together to save money. Try eating out for dinner but making your own breakfast and lunch – including coffee. By drinking coffee in your room and eating in two meals a day, a couple can save on average $50 a day. That $50 can be used to buy the nice bottle of wine over dinner, rent the jet ski or simply have a little left over when the vacation is over.

Tags: hotel deals, off-season travel

Los Angeles on a Budget

If you are looking for good weather, lots of culture, diverse food and lots of day-trips, then heading to Los Angeles is a great option without leaving the country. Los Angeles sits in between the mountains and the ocean, providing for a unique landscape that is very conducive to outdoor activities. Combine this location with its Mediterranean climate, a very rare combination of moderate temperatures and very little rain, and the city makes for a charming summer destination. But be careful: Los Angeles is not cheap. You have to select activities wisely to truly save money by staying in the country. Some suggestions:

Tour Venice Beach

Many tourists flock to Santa Monica beach’s pier for daytime activities. This pier is among the most expensive and crowded in Los Angeles. Try renting a bike at the pier for approximately $15 to ride the “Strand.” This will take you through Venice Beach, a virtual carnival lined with vendors, performers and sidewalk cafes. A bite to eat here will save you versus eating on the Santa Monica Pier.

Walk Crystal Cove State Park

If you can get to the Corona Del Mar area for a day, take the chance. Touring Newport Beach, the stately Balboa Island and the surrounding neighborhoods brings a fairytale charm to the day. Go early with a cup of coffee and walk through the miles of Crystal Cove State Park. You will find houses preserved in time since the early beach town of the 1940s. If you are lucky, you will see a lot of wildlife in this abundant natural habitat.

Hike to the Hollywood Sign

Don’t be embarrassed to take this iconic trip – thousands of Angelenos do it every year. The hike is five miles round-trip. Start with a tour of Griffith Park, a scenic location and planetarium near Hollywood. Take the Brush Canyon Trail through the natural landscape. You will enjoy the natural streams, trees and bushes that cover the trail. The trail dead-ends about 20 feet behind the sign. You cannot actually touch the sign for risk of citation. However, you will be afforded an excellent photo opportunity of the city from a unique viewpoint.

Aquarium of the Pacific

Long Beach is one of the best kept secrets in Los Angeles. Heading down to Long Beach for the day allows visitors the opportunity to see the Queen Mary where it is permanently docked. Driving across the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach is a breath-taking view of the shipping containers and cranes bringing in goods from Asia. While you are there, splurge on the $7-$15 to see the Aquarium of the Pacific. The exhibits are very interactive. The aquarium boasts unique exhibits such as the river otters and shark tank.

Visit the Getty Museum

It is hard to believe that such a beautiful day can be spent at the Getty free of charge. The museum is managed by an endowment that keeps the grounds impeccably clean while allowing visitors to browse the gardens and exhibits totally free. The tram ride will show a unique view of the city, and the architecture is well situated in the hills for viewing sweeping skylines.

Tags: aquarium of the pacific, crystal cove state park, getty museum, hollywood, venice beach