This Is Florida’s Most Affordable Vacation Destination

Here’s the best part about a vacation in Florida: it doesn’t have to break the bank. Yes, really, we promise. But you don’t have to just take our word for it. In August, vacation rental marketplace FloridaRentals.com released its analysis of the most and least expensive spots in the state for a vacation, highlighting a few spectacular destinations where your dollar can stretch a bit further.

To find which Floridian spots are the most economical, the team reviewed 25 of the most popular tourist destinations in the state. It looked at the average cost of a double-occupancy accommodation for all budgets (via data from Kayak), along with the average price of local transport for a day (including taxis, buses, and subways), and dug deep into the average spend on meals (calculated based on all budget restaurants for breakfasts, lunches, and dinners). The team also calculated the average cost of alcoholic drinks bought in a day and then calculated the total cost for each destination and ranked from the cheapest to the most expensive.

The No. 1 spot where you can vacation for less, according to the findings, is Tallahassee.

“Tallahassee is the largest city in the Florida Big Bend and Florida Panhandle region and is also the cheapest Florida vacation destination, with a one-night trip costing a total of $275 per person,” the findings revealed. “The city has the cheapest entertainment at $12, with many of Tallahassee’s biggest attractions, like the Florida State Capitol, being free to visit.” 

Indeed, it’s an ultra-affordable spot. However, that doesn’t mean it skimps on fun, and even a few luxury touches for less. Travelers can book hotels like the four-star Hotel Duval, Autograph Collection for under $160 per night, which comes with plush rooms and suites, several on-site restaurants offering spectacular views, and even a billiards room. Then there’s the Aloft Tallahassee Downtown, offering many of the same amenities but with a more modern touch. And while you’re there, you can experience all those fantastic attractions, including visiting the Challenger Learning Center, which is excellent with kids, or get in some refined entertainment at the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra. 

Joining Tallahassee on the list of the most affordable spots is Everglades National Park, with the cost of a one-night stay totaling $287 per person, followed by Cocoa Beach, with a one-night break costing a total of $465 per person. And rounding out the top five is Cape Canaveral, with a one-night stay costing a total of $295 per person, and, perhaps surprisingly, Miami in fifth, with a one-night stay costing a total of $296 per person. 

“With the cost of living having risen dramatically over recent years for many countries, many will still want a holiday abroad but will be looking to spend less than they usually would,” a spokesperson for FloridaRentals.com noted. “Many of the most affordable destinations offer free activities and fun in the form of beaches or historic attractions. Even expensive attractions such as the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral offer free entertainment, with rocket launches being free to watch from public viewing spaces.”