South Africa
Take your pick of places to visit in South Africa. With hotel rates being down 8 percent across the country, you can absolutely save money. South Africa might not come to mind right away when scoping out places to head to, but it is well worth the mention. Put wildlife at the top of your agenda, whether you’re looking to see the big five on a safari or just want to hang out with the free-roaming penguins on Boulders Beach in Cape Town. Who doesn’t love a bit of wildlife you can’t get anywhere else? If you love the beach, head to Cape Town at the intersection of the Atlantic and Indian oceans. Go Atlantic (the western side) for sunbathing and watercolor sunsets; hit the Indian (the eastern side) for swimming and surfing. Cape Town is a blast for anyone, so make sure to check it out. The food in South Africa is unlike anything you will have anywhere else, so take advantage of it. You also might not think of South Africa as a party destination, but tell that to the people of Johannesburg and watch them laugh in your face. Rage on!
Dominican Republic
Growing more popular by the day, the DR is a go-to beach destination if you’ve been priced out of vacation spots like Cabo or aren’t up for sharing sand with smashed tourist crowds like Cancun. Punta Cana is surprisingly affordable, and is the spot to be in the Dominican, as this is where the big time nightlife throws down. To get your nature fix, pay a visit to Los Haitises National Park, a protected forest informally known as Caño Hondo. Rent a kayak and soak up the sun while nursing your hangover. Not to mention the Dominican food is unbelievable, with flavors that explode in your mouth.
Buenos Aires
Known as the “Paris of South America,” Buenos Aires is heavy on historical sites, and nightlife, which makes for a full day, and busy partying night. Hotel rates are 8 percent lower than they were in 2013, which means a fatter wallet for you. In the evening, stop by Corrientes Avenue for everything from a slice at an all-night pizzeria to the clubs that will inevitably lead you the aforementioned pizza. The weather is beautiful here, and that typically includes less clothing. This IS South America after all. Check out Santa Fe Avenue to arrive at the richer Recoleta neighborhood which is known for its high-end shopping. To have even more of a blast during the day while you recover from the previous night’s antics, the Río de la Plata is ideal for sailing, motorboating, and waterskiing.
Orlando
If you’ve been planning to hit Orlando and its theme parks eventually but haven’t booked your tickets yet, do it now: Hotel rates are down 7 percent. Who doesn’t want sunny Florida weather with beautiful people lounging around? To entice you more, the “big three” theme parks all have brand-new elements, including Universal Studios’ Transformers: The Ride 3D; the ever-expanding Fantasyland at Disney World, including the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, scheduled to open in 2014; and Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin, SeaWorld’s biggest attraction to date, which drops temps to 30 degrees—colder than it ever gets in Florida. If eating well and filling your gut turns you on, hit up downtown Orlando. This is where the good eats are. Not to mention the nightlife in Orlando is great too, and cheap. This way you can get everything in your trip done, on a budget.
