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Plan your vacation in
advance.
Always book in advance to get the best air fare rates.
Remember that there are a limited number of super saver rates
available. If you are planning to go away for Spring break
book your vacation right after Thanksgiving. You will find
that air fare and lodging will be cheaper at this time. If you
wait until after the first of the year you will pay substantially
more money.
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Travel off season.
If you have the option to travel after Spring break to mid-December
you will find that lodging rates can be reduced anywhere from 30 to
60 percent. Just remember that hurricane season is between
August and October.
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Travel mid week.
Weekday departures may be less expensive.
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Consider renting a house or
villa. You will not only have a kitchen. laundry
facilities and more living space you will save money. This is
especially true if you are
traveling with another family and you rent a large house and share
the cost. You can also save money by eating some meals in
rather than at a restaurant. This works especially well for
breakfast if you are traveling with children. Some of these
rentals are in communities that have swimming pools, miniature golf
and playgrounds. The one drawback is that you will need
to rent a car to get around. Remember if you need connecting
rooms it could be an extra charge.
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Hotel
Accommodations.
Consider standard
accommodations since you really won't be spending too much time in
the room. Remember that luxury accommodations can add
considerably to the cost.
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Comparison shop.
Just like everything else that you purchase it is important for
you to do your homework. Check out prices on the internet,
contact travel agents and talk to friends and relatives. You
should make a check list of what is important to you. Do you
want an all inclusive? Are you interested in a small hotel or
a large place? Is the pool and beach important? Do you
want other activities while you are there? Do you need child
care? Be sure you are comparing apples to apples and that
there are no hidden costs. In addition, be sure you consider
gratuities and tax.
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Don't rent a car.
Use the hotel limo service or taxis to get around the island.
This is usually a great way to save on the average $50 - $70 dollars
a day. Be sure to clarify the price with the taxi driver
before you enter his cab. Prices are typically based on the
number of people riding. We have in the past rented a car
through the hotel for just one day to go on a excursion. This worked
out perfectly for us and it turned out to be cheaper than taking a
guided tour to the same place.
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Enjoy the free amenities.
Visit the different beaches and enjoy boogie boarding and
snorkeling. Take hikes or bike rides and enjoy the scenery.
Check to see if there are any free ranger programs offered by the
national parks. Are there any historic sites that you
can investigate? Find out what activities and excursions are an
extra charge and budget accordingly.
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Bring essentials from home.
Make sure you have plenty of sun block, shampoo, soap, books etc..
You want to limit you purchases to souvenirs.
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Check for kids free
programs. There are some resort packages that will
include free food, stay or even airfare for kids under a certain
age.
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Keep shopping to a minimum.
If you avoid gift shops you can save a great deal of money
on vacation. Set a souvenir budget and stick to it. Try
and purchase something that will be serviceable like a tee shirt
rather than a trinket.
