It can be difficult to get excited about summer vacation when all you can think about are the expenses. Fortunately, you don’t need to break the bank to have fun in the sun this year. Carefully considering where to stay, making prompt bookings, and dining where the locals eat are ways to shave the budget in any city, but check out these destinations with exceptional free and inexpensive things to do during your seasonal getaway.
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Panama City, Panama
When it’s peak travel season and globetrotters are on the lookout for hot savings, Panama City, Panama, is a destination that delivers. Lodging and vacation rentals are reasonably priced per night, and cozy restaurants like Nomada Eatery offer quality coffee and modestly priced fare. Stroll through Casco Viejo, also called San Felipe, for a delightfully diverse eyeful of gorgeous architecture, including colonial homes, historic churches, and the Palacio de las Garzas (aka Heron’s Palace), where the coastal birds can be seen in the courtyard.
Bucharest, Romania
As one of the more inexpensive capital cities in Europe, Bucharest, Romania, is accessible to travelers looking to stay frugal this summer. Nicknamed “Little Paris of the East,” Bucharest has its own version of the Champs-Élysées. Mosey down Calea Victoriei, a well-known avenue lined with monuments, local landmarks, and museums, including the National Museum of Art of Romania, which offers free admission every first Wednesday of the month. Find generous portions of food starting at around $6, and nap in lavish lodgings for less in this easily walkable metropolis.
Ho Chi Minh City/Saigon, Vietnam
With extremely low-cost hotels and Airbnb rentals, accessible regional food prices, and near-free attraction entry fees, Ho Chi Minh City — also known as Saigon, Vietnam — is a bargain hunter’s dream. If you're in town, you’ve got to have a banh mi sandwich, which you can find for under $1 pretty much anywhere, including at the Ben Thanh Street Food Market. Without spending a dime, relax under one of the 1,000 large trees at Tao Dan Park for some respite from the summer sun.
Louisville, Kentucky
Show up to Louisville, Kentucky, ready to have a fantastic time without the tab. Take a free tour of Schimpff’s Confectionery to witness candy being made, reserve free tickets for a show at the Actors Theatre of Louisville, and visit the Museum of American Printing House for the Blind, where you're invited to touch everything but your wallet! For the best summer savings, consider booking a vacation rental over a hotel stay to save moolah.
Zanzibar City, Tanzania
Save money on a tour guide and, instead, do advanced research about the history of Zanzibar City, Tanzania, before arriving. Go on a self-guided tour of Stone Town, where wanderers can discover the aromas of fragrant spices, hear the sounds of the city, and see the former home of Queen's Freddy Mercury. Retire to one of the many breathtaking beaches, like Bwejuu Beach, where you can spread out on the sand or go for a swim and explore the reef. Grab inexpensive small bites at local eateries, like Joshi’s, a local vegetarian establishment that serves Indian food.
Washington, DC
One of the best places to binge on museum visits and cost-free activities, Washington, DC, is a haven of history for travelers sticking to a summer budget. All Smithsonian institutions are free to enter, including Smithsonian's National Zoo. Stay in lower-priced vacation rentals, use public transportation, and you’ll be able to keep costs down while enjoying the many monuments and buildings, including the Lincoln Memorial and stunning Library of Congress.
