Everyone likes a bargain, but when it comes to vacations, it sometimes seems that bargains are hard to come by. However, by taking control of certain aspects of your vacation planning, you can put together a discount vacation on your own terms. In this post we’ll go over some of the ways you can lower the costs of your upcoming holiday.
Track Flight Prices
A big chunk of the cost of your Roatan vacation will be the airfare. For that reason, it makes sense to keep track of airfare costs long before you plan on flying. This will give you an idea of the range of prices you might expect to pay for a flight. There are many online tools that can help you track flight prices automatically, so sign up for a couple of them and wait for the alerts to roll into your inbox.
Pick the Right Dates to Fly
Different days of the week have different prices for flights, so choose accordingly. Being flexible when it comes to your flight dates can easily save you one hundred dollars or more. Flying on weekends is typically more expensive, but your actual cost will depend on a variety of factors. An online tool such as Google Flights will provide a list of airfares over the range of dates you’re considering. Getting the cheapest rate is simply a matter of choosing the dates with the lowest prices.
Consider Multiple Stopovers
It’s not always the case, but quite often, the more stops your flight makes, the lower the cost. If time is on your side, consider indirect flights that have multiple stopovers. It’s not always easy to get a direct flight to Roatan anyway, so an additional stopover may save you a few more dollars that can be better spent elsewhere. Of course, if the stop over involves an overnight, the savings may be used in the overnight.
Pick a Cheaper Season
Costs of a Roatan vacation will always be more during the high season. For Honduras, this is typically during the winter months including Christmas and New Year’s and running into February as North Americans flee their cold weather. May and June usually sees a combination of good weather and lowered prices. The low season which runs from September through November will provide the cheapest prices for accommodations but may feature more rain and inclement weather. September and October are typically low season months, yet the weather is often ideal, not so hot and there may be a few showers to cool things. The average high temp for Oct is 88 ºF and the average high temp for Nov is 85 ºF.
Try a Vacation Rental
Renting a private home, like L’Alize for your Roatan vacation will result in better value for your money when compared to staying in a hotel. Having access to kitchen facilities can drastically reduce your food bills by allowing you to make some meals yourself rather than eating out at a restaurant three times a day. Plus, our on-site staff can provide the same level of service that you would expect at a resort or hotel.
Rent Direct from the Business Website
Many wonderful vacation homes and hotels are available on listing sites, but did you know these listing platforms often tack on hidden charges to both the traveler and the owners. This can cost owners and travelers between 5-20%?
After you find the places you like on these listing sites, look for these accommodations through their own websites and rent direct. The prices on their own sites are often better and if you tell them you looked them up on their site to get a better rate, the vast majority will give you a better rate.
Ask Your Host if they Can Offer a Better Rate During The Slow Season
Hotels may not have the flexibility to offer a discount that is not listed on their site, but Roatan vacation rentals often offer better rates, under certain circumstances, if you ask. If your group can extend their days beyond a week, your host may be able to offer a better rate. Additionally, the host may be able to add perks or added value to your rental, some examples might include: free cleaning, or discounted food preparation, or discounted rates for additional guests. Most vacation rentals would rather give a discounted rate or an added benefit in their slow season, than remain un-booked. To get these better deals, it helps if you are dealing with a vacation rental that is managed by the owner.
Rent a Car Instead of Paying For Taxis
If you have a larger group to move around the island, a car rental may be right for you. On the island of Roatan, Taxis charge by the person. Averaging $6- $10/person but it may be more for longer distances. This can add up if you use a taxi each day. Drivers and vans can be purchased from tour operators for daily Excursions to explore the island of Roatan, but if you already have a rental car, you can save this excursion cost, and explore the island on your own. Some vacation rentals have cars available for the guests to use, some may even offer a driver, to help you navigate on island roads. Either way, this added benefit may save you considerable dollars, over the week.
Bring Vacation Necessities
Like most places that depend on tourism, an island like Roatan can hike-up the prices on vacation necessities such as sunscreen, bug spray or over the counter medications. Avoid having to pay exorbitant prices for such items by making sure to bring them with you. Certain items such as sunscreen and bug spray may even be discounted back home during the winter months which can increase your savings.
A little bit of upfront planning can help you find an affordable vacation option. Any bit saved on airfare or other items is much better spent enjoying the wonderful activities that Roatan has to offer and exploring our unique, Caribbean paradise.