By Ashley Wali, Food Drink Life
Spring break 2025 is set to be the most expensive on record, with trip budgets up an average of 26%, according to Yahoo Finance. The beach still tops the list for most spring breakers, but sky-high prices push smart travelers to skip the sand and choose lesser-known destinations that won’t break the bank.
Over 32 million visitors will descend on Florida this spring, and yet a recent HomeToGo analysis finds eight of the top 10 trending states are landlocked. If you’re among the many Americans seeking an alternative spring break, these nine destinations bring the wow factor without the high price.
Embrace the chill
Not every spring break adventure has to involve warm weather. Coolcations are a 2025 travel trend, according to the luxury travel network Virtuoso. Budget travelers wanting to get outside can bundle up to enjoy the tail end of winter at lower prices, while most travelers have moved on to warm weather locations. Late September through April is off-season in Alaska, which is why Travel + Leisure calls it the best time to visit for lower prices.
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Catch peak Northern Lights in Alaska
The current solar maximum we are experiencing means that 2025 will be a peak year for the Northern Lights. Trek up north to Fairbanks, where Bella Bucchiotti of xoxoBella says, “The locals make you feel so welcome. Watching the Northern Lights dance across the sky is surreal, and there’s nothing like soaking in Chena Hot Springs while surrounded by snow.”
Hit the slopes with low spring prices
Skiing is still good in some places, even into April and beyond. If you want to hit the slopes instead of slathering on sunscreen, look to Arapahoe Basin, Colorado; Mammoth Lakes, California or Whistler, British Columbia, as these destinations offer reliable late spring snow. Amanda Luhn of Simply Awesome Trips shares this tip: “You avoid the frigid temperatures of January and February and often get cheaper spring prices.”
Immerse yourself in culture
Cultural tourism is expected to grow at a 14% CAGR from 2024 to 2031, reaching $11.8 billion by 2031. Spring breakers looking for more than relaxation can find experiences designed to connect them deeply with the culture they are visiting. Yahoo Finance predicted that 2025 would be the most expensive spring break season yet, but it doesn’t have to be if you go to these cities.
Take a city break in Mexico City
When most travelers flock to the beach, cities empty out, making for fewer crowds and easier visits to places like Mexico City. A quick getaway for U.S. travelers, Mexico City packs a punch as a Unesco World Heritage Site. Prices remain affordable for a major city due to abundant accommodation options and an undeserved reputation for being unsafe.
Aerial view of Lago Mayor Segunda Sección at Chapultepec Park in Mexico City, taken on April 16, 2024. (Photo by ALFREDO ESTRELLA/AFP via Getty Images)
Explore the best restaurants in Mexico City on a self-guided food tour while you soak in the ancient city’s history, charm and culture. Walk off all that amazing food with a visit to the National Museum of Anthropology and take a stroll through Chapultepec Park. Head out of town to the floating gardens of Xochimilco to see how Aztecs grew and transported food, and view the area in a new way with a hot air balloon ride over Chichén Itzá at sunrise.
Cheer on your favorite team at spring training
Nothing screams culture like America’s favorite pastime. Baseball fans have a lot of choices for spring break, cheering on their favorite team.
All 30 Major League Baseball Teams travel to the warmer climates of Arizona or Florida for spring training, where diehard fans can take in a game for much cheaper than during the regular season. For those saving money by staying closer to home, stadiums around the country celebrate the opening day of the regular season in late March or early April.
Tour ancient ruins in Central America
Don’t count out ancient ruins just because you are priced out of Chichén Itzá in Mexico. Copán in Honduras and Tikal in Guatemala are just as stunning but draw fewer crowds and provide a more affordable alternative to popular ruins locations, with prices in Honduras coming in at one-third those of Mexico. Spring temperatures are also perfect for exploring these ancient cities without the oppressive humidity you will find in summer.
Tourists visit a Mayan temple in the Tikal archaeological site at the Maya Biosphere in Peten, Guatemala, on July 24, 2024. (Photo by JOHAN ORDONEZ/AFP via Getty Images)
Small crowds also mean better photos. Book a photographer in one of these beautiful locations and finish those family photos early this year. Your holiday cards will thank you.
Escape to the outdoors
Budget travelers don’t have to avoid animal encounters, natural wonders or outdoor adventures just to save money. This year, travelers can use destination swaps and all-inclusive options as well as support recovering economies as they plan a spring break to remember.
Sail away on a Caribbean cruise
Leave the land behind and sail away on a Caribbean cruise without worrying about expenses adding up. Kristin King, writer at Dizzy Busy and Hungry, says she chose a Bahamas cruise over a beach vacation because, “Instead of paying separately for hotels, meals and entertainment, the cruise bundled everything into one price, making it easier to stick to a budget. Plus, with included dining, onboard activities and multiple destinations to explore, we got to see beautiful places, relax and have fun without breaking the bank!”
Snorkel with whale sharks in La Paz, Mexico
La Paz, north of Los Cabos, is a detour destination near a typical tourist hotspot that is less crowded and more affordable. According to an Expedia report, 63% of travelers plan to visit a detour destination on their next trip. Luckily for La Paz, it is not only a budget-friendly alternative to Los Cabos but also one of the best spots in the world to encounter whale sharks in the winter and spring months.
Kayak the bioluminescent bays of Puerto Rico
Demand remains depressed in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria in 2017 and the travel disruptions of 2020 and 2021. Savvy visitors can help the island recover while benefiting from continued low prices.
While there, don a life jacket after dark and slip into Mosquito Bay in Vieques, Puerto Rico, the brightest of only five bioluminescent bays in the world. Millions of microscopic organisms call this water home and light up a fluorescent blue when agitated. Trail your fingers through the water and see a blue streak glow behind you, or float along and make the most unique snow angel you’ll ever see.
Attend a cherry blossom festival
The Tidal Basin explodes with color in late March as hundreds of cherry trees near the Jefferson Memorial blossom in unison. It’s a spectacular sight, but also an expensive one. Skip Washington, D.C. for more budget-friendly festivals nationwide, with notable events in Macon, Georgia; Portland, Oregon; Seattle; Dallas; Nashville; Boston and more.
Get out there for less
Sky-high prices mean it’s time to rethink spring break. If you want a unique vacation without the high price tag, skip the beach and head to one of these unique destinations. Whether you are staying close to home or venturing out, there is an outdoor adventure, cultural excursion or cold-weather option for you.
Ashley Wali is a travel writer and photographer. She is the founder of Wanderlux, a luxury travel blog that provides insider tips, practical guides and stress-free family trip inspiration.
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