Cheap Vacations to Top Destinations - Las Vegas, Disney, Hawaii, Mexico

Traveling to Las Vegas, Disney, Hawaii or Mexico on the cheap? It might sound like a pipe dream, especially if you're bringing the whole family along, but it's surprisingly possible if you plan ahead. Read on for our tips on taking a cheap vacation to Las Vegas, Disney, Hawaii and Mexico!

Taking a Cheap Las Vegas Vacation

With its sky-high penthouse suites, Las Vegas caters to the richest of the rich – but you don't have to be a celebrity or a high roller to have a good time. When you buy your plane tickets or plan to drive into town, make sure you avoid visiting during weekends if you can. This is hard when you're trying to bring the kids, especially since everybody else will be taking holidays at the same time, but keep it in mind in case the opportunity comes up.

A cheap Las Vegas vacation starts with finding affordable accommodation. Staying on the Strip itself will guarantee you high rates – not to mention 24-hour noise from revelers coming around at all hours! Spare your wallet and your sleep schedule and rent a Las Vegas vacation home away from the Strip. You'll still be close enough to take advantage of free or cheap family-friendly Las Vegas shows and not-so-free casinos.

Make sure you set a budget for yourself and also for your kids, since many Las Vegas casinos offer competitive games where kids can win prizes and kids may not understand when to stop. In Vegas, of all places, you want to make sure to put your foot down if your kids ask for more spending money, or you might find yourself throwing it into a black hole. When it comes time to eat, opt for one of Las Vegas' many buffets – they're everywhere! Las Vegas rentals usually come with full kitchens, too, meaning you can keep it a cheap Las Vegas vacation by cooking your own food and saving money.

Learn more about Las Vegas with our detailed Las Vegas travel guide.

Secrets to a Cheap Disney Vacation

By now, Disney has mastered the art of taking your money with a smile – but resist the call of the House of Mouse and keep your wallet to yourself. Resorts and theme parks are notorious for overpricing everything, from the accommodation to souvenirs to food. Some of these problems, like saving money on food and drinks, are easier to address than others. One absolute must for a cheap Disney vacation is bringing a water bottle to the park instead of buying sodas. Not only will you keep yourself and your kids better hydrated in the Orlando heat, you'll save a heap of cash! Also, while you're not allowed to bring in a cooler, you can usually bring a few small snacks from outside the park (or cook a big breakfast or plan a big dinner using your Disney vacation rental home's full kitchen). If this still isn't enough for you, try substituting a very late breakfast/brunch as a cheap alternative to full lunch prices, or use a late lunch in place of dinner, then snack in the evening!

For the inevitable park entrance fee, start planning as early as possible so you have plenty of time to shop around for the best deals and packages. And last but certainly not least, avoid the cost of resort hotels and rent a Disney area vacation rental. You may not be quite as conveniently in the middle of the action, but you can still stay awfully close to the park and be close to other nearby activities, too, not to mention the peace and quiet of having your own home to stretch out in. With a little careful planning and the help of Disney vacation rentals, a cheap Disney vacation can be a comfortable and relaxing vacation, too!

Become a pro before you go with our Disney area Florida travel guide.

The Perfect Cheap Hawaii Vacation

Traveling to Hawaii doesn't have to be an unreachable dream. A cheap Hawaii vacation is not just possible, it's easy to accomplish if you're just willing to think outside the typical resort-vacation box. The plane ticket will probably be one of the most expensive parts of your stay, and it's the one part you can't opt out of. Plan as early as possible to get the best deals, don't travel on a weekend (either coming or going!), and consider November or February, the two least popular months.

To take a cheap Hawaii vacation, take advantage of free entertainment as much as you can. Hawaii is full of amazing beauty, and the landscape is one of the biggest draws that keeps visitors coming year after year. Rather than paying for an expensive show, fancy restaurant, or pricey guided tour, take the time to enjoy scenic views on a free hike, or take a tour across the islands from the comfort of your rental car. Pack a picnic lunch and go visit the volcanoes. Swim at the beaches, but bring your own snorkeling gear so you don't have to rent it. As you can probably tell, the free or cheap Hawaii vacation activities are endless, and they're sure to give you unforgettable memories.

Also, save money by buying your own food (fruits at the farmer's market are a great way to take advantage of Hawaii's incredible produce) and cooking it in the kitchen of your Hawaii vacation rental – which is your best bet for affordable Hawaii accommodation, too.

How to Take a Cheap Mexico Vacation

The trick to a genuinely cheap Mexico vacation is straying from the beaten path. Fancy resorts and popular tourist traps are going to be more expensive no matter how you look at them. Fly into one of Mexico's larger cities, then catch a bus to a more remote town where you can relax and enjoy the local flavor. Avoid the peak season, which means traveling in November and June, months with good weather but slower tourist travel. Out here, you can save money by viewing the scenery and having fun without spending a lot of cash: swimming at free beaches, spelunking through freshwater caves, or hiking through the mountains. If you're interested in checking out Mexico's magnificent ruins, you'll be glad to know that entrance to all national monuments are free on Sundays.

If you do want to visit one of the prime tourist destinations in Mexico, you can still take a cheap Mexico vacation, but you'll have to be more careful about sticking to your budget. Buy your own food from local grocery stores (and enjoy the fresh produce) rather than eating out, and only visit restaurants for the occasional special treat. Try shopping and eating where the locals go; they'll know where you can find the best deals and the best quality, and you'll have a more authentic experience. In the countryside or in the city, cook your own meals and save on the price of accommodation by staying in a Mexico vacation rental. Whether you're in a Mexico villa rental or a Mexico City vacation condo, you'll find that vacation rentals make the perfect cheap Mexico vacation.