It’s that time of year again when winter is dragging on and most of the country isn’t quite warm enough to fully embrace outdoor adventures. After watching air and hotel prices and sales, I’ve come up with 10 affordable spring destinations in the U.S. and around the world for 2017. These prices won’t last, so get to it if you want to take advantage of big spring savings.
The Most Affordable Spring Destinations for 2017
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Springtime is actually fall in Argentina, and the shoulder season from April to June is a great time to explore the country. You'll find pleasant temperatures and fewer crowds so you can enjoy all that vibrant Buenos Aires has to offer.
Why It's a Steal: The U.S. dollar is currently strong against the Argentine Peso, making food, drinks, and transportation affordable once you're there. Price of Travel also ranks Argentina in the top 10 cheapest South and Central American destinations for this year, with its backpacker index at $40 per day.
Recent boosts in air service to South America is driving fares down; Airfarewatchdog shows fare deals around $900 roundtrip from popular North American cities like Austin, Los Angeles, and Newark. Fares are even as low as $500 roundtrip from Miami in April, May, and June.
Many hotels, like Hilton Buenos Aires and the boutique Palo Santo are offering tax-free bookings (a 21 percent refund) for non-Argentinean residents. Three-star hotels average around $51 per night and five-star accommodations average around $159 per night.
Don't Miss: Explore the city's famous tango spots, cafes, plus neighborhoods like La Boca. In April, the city hosts a 10-day film festival, the Buenos Aires International Festival of Independent Cinema. And, don't miss out on the city's cuisine—cheap domestic wine and delicious beef are local staples.
Springtime is actually fall in Argentina, and the shoulder season from April to June is a great time to explore the country. You'll find pleasant temperatures and fewer crowds so you can enjoy all that vibrant Buenos Aires has to offer.
Why It's a Steal: The U.S. dollar is currently strong against the Argentine Peso, making food, drinks, and transportation affordable once you're there. Price of Travel also ranks Argentina in the top 10 cheapest South and Central American destinations for this year, with its backpacker index at $40 per day.
Recent boosts in air service to South America is driving fares down; Airfarewatchdog shows fare deals around $900 roundtrip from popular North American cities like Austin, Los Angeles, and Newark. Fares are even as low as $500 roundtrip from Miami in April, May, and June.
Many hotels, like Hilton Buenos Aires and the boutique Palo Santo are offering tax-free bookings (a 21 percent refund) for non-Argentinean residents. Three-star hotels average around $51 per night and five-star accommodations average around $159 per night.
Don't Miss: Explore the city's famous tango spots, cafes, plus neighborhoods like La Boca. In April, the city hosts a 10-day film festival, the Buenos Aires International Festival of Independent Cinema. And, don't miss out on the city's cuisine—cheap domestic wine and delicious beef are local staples.
If you're looking for a cheap domestic weekend break this spring with the family, Indy should be your spot. Inexpensive flight and hotel options as well as mild weather make it the perfect time to explore this Midwestern metropolis.
Why It's a Steal: Flights are under $100 roundtrip in April from Ft. Myers, Denver, Orlando, and New Orleans, and well under $200 from most major U.S. airports.
For hotels, Hilton Indianapolis is the perfect spot for pampering. The hotel is home to a resident barber shop and beauty salon, Gent Spa, and an indoor pool and whirlpool. Nightly rates start under $200 per night and the hotel is offering packages with admission to the Indianapolis Zoo and Children's Museum.
Don't Miss: Enjoy (usually) mild spring weather at the White River State Park, which has paths along the Central Canal. Check out cultural staples like the zoo, State Museum, NCAA Hall of Champions, and Eiteljorg Museum. Also be sure to hit the Indianapolis Museum of Art, home to a new beer garden and 250,000 flower bulbs in full bloom. And of course, the 101st Indy 500 is in May if you're looking for a big event to plan your trip around.
Spring travelers should time Belize trips for April to catch the end of the country’s dry season. Belize’s barrier reef draws in scuba and snorkeling enthusiasts from around the world and spring is the perfect time to enjoy water activities and the cultural flair of San Pedro. The best part about heading to Belize from the U.S. is that it’s only a two-hour flight from Houston or Miami.
Why It's a Steal: Roundtrip flights from Houston to Belize in late April and early May start at just $309. And, the average roundtrip flight from major U.S. airports is $426 for April—if you book sooner rather than later. For hotels, look at Banyan Bay Suites with prices around $200 per night for a two-bedroom villa in April.
The Price of Travel index lists three-star hotels at an average of $73 per night, and $134 for four-star properties.
Don't Miss: Relax on the coast and enjoy Belize cuisine on your Caribbean getaway. Spring is also the best time to see whale sharks as it's the annual migration for feeding and breeding season. It's also a great time for bird watching, as neo-tropical bird migration lasts until May.
Atlanta has a big city feel but doesn't break the bank. With perfect temperatures and lots of outdoor dining, concerts, shopping, museums, and nightlife, it's an ideal closer-to-home spring getaway. Head to this Southern hotspot before temperatures (and prices) rise in summer.
Why It's a Steal: JetBlue is returning to Atlanta with its latest route—a direct flight to Atlanta from Boston, driving up competition (and reducing prices) with five daily roundtrip routes. The airline has also expressed interest in adding other routes to Atlanta from New York, Ft. Lauderdale, and Orlando. Roundtrip flights from hubs like New York are currently under $200 for spring travel.
For affordable hotels in a great location, check out the Holiday Inn Express in Downtown, with nightly rates under $150; and the Residence Inn Downtown by Marriott, with nightly rates under $200. If nature and relaxation are more your thing, the "Worry Free Weekend" package by Barnsley Resort, located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, is a great value.
Don't Miss: Atlanta nightlife includes bars as well as old theaters with nightly musicals and plays. Atlanta is considered "the new Hollywood," and is a great place to spot landmark locations for films and TV shows like the Walking Dead.
Spring is host to events like the prestigious Atlanta Film Festival, Dogwood Festival, Sweetwater 420 Fest, and Atlanta Food & Wine Festival.
For the best weather and prices, visit Morocco in the spring. Morocco has a rich cultural history with a blend of Arab, French, Spanish, and African influence, making it a great cultural destination.
Why It's a Steal: Travelers can find roundtrip prices to Morocco in April and May as low as $835 roundtrip. A search for roundtrip flights from New York to Morocco on Liligo yielded airfares as low as $797 (between April 25 and May 1), compared to summer ticket prices which typically start at around $900.
The exchange rate for U.S. citizens is favorable right now, and nightly hotel rates, food, and tours, all are inexpensive. Price of Travel lists the backpacker index for Marrakech and Fes at $27 per day. For affordable luxury, book a daily spa or pool pass at a five-star property like Selman Marrakech.
Don't Miss: The best way to see the most of the country is on a group tour, like the 11-day Essential Morocco tour from Geckos Adventures (with prices starting at $760 for May departures). If you're going, look at tours that make stops in Fes, Meknes, Moulay Idriss, Casablanca, Merzouga/Sahara, Ait Benhaddou, and Marrakech.
Note: Ramadan will take place between May 27 and June 25 for 2017, which may cause some disturbance for travel schedules. Some regular services may not be available or open during the daytime, such as restaurants and tourist sights.
August to November is peak season in Napa, making summer and fall the most expensive time of the year for flights, hotels, meals, and tours. Spring, however, is the perfect time to go to experience Napa Valley charm with a more personalized experience and significantly smaller crowds.
Why It's a Steal: Napa's location allows you to fly into San Francisco or Oakland, and right now you can snag roundtrip airfare for travel between April 25 and May 1 for under $274, according to searches on Liligo. Airfarewatchdog also has fares listed under $300 roundtrip from Newark, Chicago, St. Louis, and Austin into Oakland.
Hotel nightly rates are well under $200 per night; check out the 3 Palms at $101 per night, Hampton Inn & Suites Napa at $157, and McClelland-Priest B&B Inn at $165.
Don't Miss: The vineyards are in full bloom, creating a gorgeous backdrop for tours and tastings. Take advantage of fewer crowds and tour wineries like Cakebread Cellars, where guests can tour the vineyard by appointment only, and at the end purchase award-winning wines under $50.
The Canary Islands, located off the coast of Morocco, are relatively unknown to Americans. But the Spanish archipelago is home to warm spring weather, Teide National Park, and 43 miles of beaches. European tourists flock here during the summer months, making spring the perfect time to go to avoid crowds. Tenerife has two airports with flights to over 150 cities, so it's a great add-on to any European vacation via hubs like London or Madrid.
Why It's a Steal: Flight prices during peak season are typically upwards of $1,500, but if you’re looking to head to the Canary Islands in the next couple of months, flights can be half that price. Liligo found a roundtrip itinerary from New York between April 25 and May 2 for only $464.
Accommodations on Tenerife vary from hostels to five-star hotels, so you can usually find a decent nightly rate on any budget. Price of Travel lists the backpacker index for Tenerife at $46. Currently the euro is almost equal to the dollar, so food, drink, and tour activities will be modest compared to other years.
Don't Miss: Explore the island's hiking trails and geological diversity—there's everything from desert to mountains. Other outdoor activities you can enjoy during spring include golf, biking, running, tennis, adventure sports, and relaxing at the beach. Don't miss the national park and UNESCO World Heritage site, Teide National Park, or the city of San Cristobal de La Laguna.
New Orleans is a top U.S. destination and spring is the best season to go for its moderate temperatures, outdoor concerts, restaurants, and nightlife. The city's historical landmarks and thriving nightlife make it a great weekend destination for fun and culture.
Why It's a Steal: Roundtrip travel between April 25th and May 2nd from New York will cost $274 according to Liligo; and Airfarewatchdog lists fares under $100 roundtrip from Orlando, Houston, Atlanta, and Detroit, or under $200 from Boston, D.C., Dallas, and Denver for spring dates.
For hotels, CheapTickets.com found lead hotel pricing for three-star hotels from $68 and four-star hotels from $129. Check out The Whitney Hotel, Blake Hotel New Orleans, and Hilton New Orleans/St. Charles Ave. for rates under $130 a night, depending on your dates.
Don't Miss: New Orleans offers free and inexpensive activities like a NOLA Brewery Tour, the New Orleans Museum of Art Sculpture Garden, a historic streetcar ride ($1.25 each way), walking or biking in City Park, a ride on Algiers Ferry ($2 round-trip), and the Frenchman Art Market.
And don't miss the famous outdoor festival, Jazz Fest, coming April 28th to May 7th this year, featuring Maroon 5, Stevie Wonder, Usher & The Roots, and more. Other seasonal festivals include the French Quarter Festival (April) and the New Orleans Wine and Food Experience (May).
Canada is celebrating the country's 150th anniversary and offering free admission to its national parks for all of 2017 with the Parks Canada Discovery Pass (which must be ordered in advance of your trip). And spring is the perfect time to explore the outdoors in Nova Scotia, whether it’s by visiting the national parks, going whale watching, or exploring beach fossil sites.
Why It's a Steal: Airfare deals are easy to find into Halifax. Airfarewatchdog has fares around $250 roundtrip from New York, Atlanta, Montreal, Tampa, Detroit, and Boston for spring dates—and many of these are direct flights.
Hotels in the Nova Scotia and Halifax area average around $150 per night on Reservations.com. Check out Delta Hotels by Marriott Barrington with nightly rates starting at $126 and the Prince George Hotel for $141 per night.
Don't Miss: Nova Scotia has two national parks with free admission, Kejimkujik and Cape Breton Highlands, which both offer outdoor activities like camping, hiking, fishing, wildlife sightseeing, and kayaking. Whale watching season is also in full swing in spring—check out a variety of tour options available to catch a glimpse of these amazing creatures.
Baltimore has been a destination on the rise for a few years, thanks to one of the largest millennial booms in the U.S. From new food halls and distilleries to family-friendly attractions, warm spring weather makes Baltimore a great domestic weekend getaway.
Why It's a Steal: Located in the middle of the East Coast, Baltimore is easy to get to via train, car, or bus from most major East Coast cities. But, if you're looking to fly, roundtrip flights on Airfarewatchdog are as low as under $100 from Cincinnati, Detroit, Boston, Atlanta, and Providence.
For hotels, the newly opened Delta Hotel by Marriott has last minute weekend deals starting at $132 per night. Or check out boutique hotel brand, Hotel Indigo Baltimore Downtown has rates starting as low as $125 per night.
Don't Miss: Enjoy the city's up-and-coming neighborhoods and restaurants—the city was named the second-best food city in the U.S. by Zagat in 2015—as well as food halls, breweries, and distilleries like Sagamore Spirit.
This spring Baltimore is host to tons of outdoor events, like the festival Light City Baltimore, which hosts art installations, concerts, and interactive activities. Check special travel deals by Visit Baltimore for up-to-date travel offers on local events and hotels.
More from SmarterTravel:
- 10 Dream Trips You Can Actually Afford in 2017
- 10 Countries Where Your Dollar Goes Further in 2017
- 8 Places You Didn’t Know You Could Afford in 2017
Editor’s note: Prices were valid at the time of publication.
Data and commentary for these affordable spring destinations was provided by our sister site Airfarewatchdog; Hilton Hotels; CheapTickets.com; Mahesh Chaddah from Reservations.com; Mario Gavira from liligo.com; and Sanjay Hathiramani from CheapOair.
Ashley Rossi loves bringing you news about affordable spring destinations. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram for travel tips, destination ideas, and off-the-beaten path spots year-round. Send her an email if you have an off-season or secretly inexpensive destination you love visiting in the summer for next season’s round-up of affordable destinations.
We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.
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