Travel Cheap In May: Best Budget-Friendly Destinations

May is the perfect time to travel before the expensive summer season. With its pleasantly warm weather and thinned crowds, you can score some great deals on everything from attractions to resorts to airfare in otherwise pricey locales.

- Santorini, Greece

- Grand Cayman

- Costa Rica

- New Orleans, Louisiana

- Istanbul, Turkey

- Cancun, Mexico

- The Outer Banks, North Carolina

- Lisbon, Portugal

- Cairo, Egypt

- Montego Bay, Jamaica

- Rome, Italy

- Portland, Oregon

- Cartagena, Colombia

- Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

- Athens, Greece

- Singapore

The Caribbean

May is one of the best times to visit the Caribbean. The winter tourist season has ended, so travel deals are easy to find, and the rainy season hasn't yet begun, meaning you can expect tropical temperatures with clear skies.

The end of the tourist season also means that there are plenty of events to keep visitors entertained, from concerts and sailing tournaments to end-of-season Carnival parties.

• The Crop Over Festival in Barbados, which celebratessection=2> celebrates the end of the sugar-cane season with three months of festivities.
• The Grenada Chocolate Festival, a nationwide event celebrating chocolate.
• St. Maarten Carnival, the longest and latest Carnival celebration in the region.
• Batabano on the Cayman Islands, with music, street parties, and West Indian cuisine.
• Campechada in Puerto Rico, a multi-disciplinary festival showcasing local music, painting, photography, theatre, film, and more.
• Antigua Sailing Week, the biggest regatta in the region.

Where to Stay

• Krystal Grand Cancun, Mexico: 3-star hotels from $67, 3-star all-inclusive resorts from $184, 4-star hotels from $107.
• Punta Cana, Dominican Republic: 3-star hotels from $53, 3-star all-inclusive resorts from $137, 4-star hotels from $158.
• Montego Bay, Jamaica: 3-star hotels from $89, 3-star all-inclusive resorts from $197, 4-star hotels from $243.
• Puerto Vallarta, Mexico: 3-star hotels from $48, all-inclusive resorts from $183, 4-star hotels from $171.

Mexico

Accommodation

You can expect to pay around $15-25 a night for a dorm bed in a well-rated hostel, or around $60 for a private room. Airbnb is another option, with private rooms available for around $30 a night.

Transportation

Food

The local food in Mexico is delicious and cheap. You can get by on $1-2 a meal if you're on a tight budget, but if you're willing to splurge, you'll be looking at paying up to $10 per meal. Tacos are a great option for a cheap and filling meal, and you can usually pick up several for a very low cost.

Activities

The cost of activities in Mexico will depend on your interests and the region you're visiting. In the Yucatan, for example, you'll likely spend more on ruin-hopping and jungle-trekking, while the Pacific Coast offers whale-watching and surfing. Entrance fees to popular attractions vary, with prices ranging from $3 to $36.

Nightlife

Money-saving tips

• Eat at less expensive restaurants or street food stalls.
• Stay in hostels or use Couchsurfing to find free accommodation with locals.
• Take public transportation or walk instead of renting a car.
• Visit during the off-season or shoulder season to find cheaper accommodation and avoid crowds.
• Negotiate prices, especially with taxi drivers.
• Shop around for the best exchange rates when converting money.

Recommended destinations

• Mexico City: A modern city with a historic colonial center, excellent food, and nearby Aztec ruins.
• Cancun: A popular resort town with beautiful beaches, nightlife, and a wide range of resorts.
• Puerto Vallarta: A former fishing village with a historic town center, great beaches, and an authentic food and nightlife scene.
• Tulum: A resort town with upscale accommodations, unique cenotes, and impressive ruins.
• Guadalajara: A medium-sized city with a wide range of accommodation options and a vibrant cultural scene.
• Merida: A popular destination in Mexico known for its food, culture, and well-preserved colonial architecture.

Greece

Athens is a good place to start – it's the birthplace of Western civilisation, with ancient ruins, world-class museums, fantastic food, and a zest for life. The Acropolis and Parthenon temple are essential stops on any holiday to Greece. You can also visit the National Archaeological Museum to learn more about the country's history.

If you're looking for a beach holiday, you'll be spoilt for choice. The Greek islands are known for their top beaches. The south and west coasts of Mykonos offer soft, sandy stretches, while the beaches overlooking Kefalos Bay in Kos have lovely views across the rocky landscape. If you want something a little different, try Crete or Santorini. Santorini's Kokkini Beach is backed by deep red cliffs, while Crete's Elafonisi Beach has a soft pink colour thanks to the pink shells in the area.

For a quieter beach experience, head to the relatively untrodden island of Thassos, where you'll find footprint-free beaches, rustic harbour towns, olive groves, and vineyards.

New Orleans

Events and Festivals

• The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival: Also known as Jazz Fest, this festival celebrates music, crafts, food, and culture. It usually takes place during the last weekend of April through the first weekend of May.
• Mid-City Bayou Boogaloo: This festival is held in mid-May and is known for its family-friendly fun, local food and craft vendors, and live music. The proceeds from Bayou Boogaloo are reinvested in the Bayou Saint John community.
• Mother's Day: Don't forget to book your brunch reservations for Mother's Day! New Orleans has plenty of great options to treat mom to a special meal.
• Cinco de Mayo: Grab a margarita at one of the locally-owned Hispanic eateries, and enjoy the festive atmosphere.
• Greek Fest: Enjoy Greek fare and great weather on the Bayou.
• Memorial Day: Pay a visit to the National World War II Museum to commemorate Memorial Day.

Weather

The weather in New Orleans in May is typically warm and pleasant. It's a great time to dress comfortably in light and airy outfits as you explore the city. May can bring unexpected rain, so it's a good idea to bring an umbrella or light rain gear.

Food

• Red Beans & Rice: This Louisiana cuisine is a perfect blend of beans, vegetables, and spices, typically served on Mondays in many restaurants throughout the city.
• Crawfish: May marks the end of the peak season for boiled crawfish, so be sure to indulge in this tasty treat while you can!
• Sno-balls: These sweet treats are perfect for cooling off in the warm May weather.
• NOLA Food Fight: If you want to sample a variety of cuisines, check out the NOLA Food Fight, where top chefs and mixologists compete in various categories, including Top Traditional Dish, Top Creative Dish, and Top Creative Cocktail.

Accommodation

When it comes to accommodation in New Orleans, there are plenty of good hotels in the downtown area. If you plan to party on Bourbon Street, consider staying within walking distance. The public transportation system is efficient, so you can also opt to stay a bit away from the center to save on costs.

Getting There

To get to New Orleans, you can fly into Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY), which offers direct flights from major US cities and some international destinations like Toronto and London.

Costs

According to Price of Travel, here are some estimated costs for accommodation and transportation in New Orleans:

• 3-star hotels: from $83 per night for two people
• 4-star hotels: from $156 per night for two people
• Public transportation: The public transportation system is good, so you can save on costs by using buses and trains instead of driving or taking taxis.

So, there you have it! New Orleans in May offers a delightful mix of warm weather, vibrant festivals, delicious food, and affordable accommodation. It's the perfect destination for those seeking a balance of culture, cuisine, and cost-effectiveness.

Istanbul

Things to do in Istanbul

• Hagia Sophia
• Blue Mosque
• Grand Bazaar
• Topkapi Palace
• Dolmabahce Palace
• Taksim Square
• Galata Tower
• Whirling Dervishes show
• Bosphorus sunset cruise

Where to stay in Istanbul

Most of the famous Istanbul attractions are located in the Sultanahmet neighbourhood, so it's most convenient to book something there if possible. The Beyoğlu neighbourhood around Taksim Square can be a good choice for modern hotels and shopping centres.

Cost of accommodation in Istanbul

• Budget traveller: 650 TRY / person / day. For 36 USD per person per day (or 252 USD per week), you can see Istanbul on a shoestring budget. Set aside 300 TRY/night for a bed in a hostel, leaving 350 TRY/day for expenses: Public transport, an easy street food breakfast, lunch and dinner at local restaurants (including a few draught beers), a trip to the public baths, and as many free activities as you fancy plus entrance to one ticketed attraction.
• Mid-range traveller: 1500 TRY / person / day. A spend of 83 USD per person per day (or 580 USD/week) is ideal for mid-range travellers. This gives you 1000 TRY/night for a mid-range hotel (twin share) plus 500 TRY for your daily spending: Public transport and the occasional taxi ride, a traditional Turkish breakfast, street food snacks and dinner at a local restaurant with a bottle of wine, entrance to a few museums, and a special experience such as a street food tour or a Whirling Dervishes show.
• High-end traveller: 5000 TRY / person / day. A generous budget of 276 USD per person per day (or 1932 USD/week) is more than enough for Istanbul. A boutique hotel costs around 2500 TRY/night (twin share), which leaves you with spending money of 2500 TRY/day: Use it for taxis, a fancy Turkish breakfast and other meals at higher-end or international restaurants, a private guided tour and fun experience such as a cooking class, a luxury hammam treatment, and a sunset cruise on the Bosphorus.

Cost of food and drinks in Istanbul

• Cup of Turkish coffee: 14 TRY
• Latte / iced Americano at a fancy cafe: five times the price of a Turkish coffee
• Traditional Turkish breakfast: 90-150 TRY
• Meal for two in a mid-range Turkish restaurant: 200-360 TRY
• Meal for two in an international cafe/restaurant: 350-500 TRY
• Piece of Turkish baklava: 14 TRY
• Small bottle of fresh orange juice: 15 TRY
• Small bottle of water: 5 TRY
• Glass of local draught beer: 50 TRY

Cost of transport in Istanbul

• IstanbulKart transport card: 50 TRY
• Single metro / bus / ferry fare: 7.67 TRY one-way
• Taxi: 30-80 TRY
• Car rental: from 365 TRY / 20 USD

Cost of activities and entertainment in Istanbul

• Istanbul E-Pass: 2-7 days validity, skip-the-line access to more than 40 cultural institutions and popular attractions
• Entrance to Galata Tower: 130 TRY
• Ticket to see the Whirling Dervishes: 100 TRY
• Luxe hammam treatment (private bath): 700-800 TRY
• Hammam & peeling scrub (public bath): 100 TRY
• Sunset cruise on the Bosphorus: from 200 TRY

Other costs and money-saving tips

• Visa: 50-60 USD for US, Canadian and Australian citizens
• Airport shuttle to Taksim Square: 52.50 TRY
• Private airport transfer: from 490 TRY / 27 USD
• SIM card: 20GB of data, call and text credit, and unlimited use of Whatsapp, with 60 days validity: 60 TRY
• Tipping: 10% for restaurant and bar staff, round up to the nearest lira for taxi drivers

Frequently asked questions