14 Best Cheap Places to Travel in July
July is a great month to travel. School is out, work is slow, and there are a ton of bargains to be had. If you're setting your sights on a cheap tropical destination (hello, the Caribbean and The Bahamas), you'll find a steal when it comes to airfare and hotel stays.
With uber-hot and often stormy conditions in these destinations at this time, resorts are almost begging people to stay. Other popular places to visit like New Orleans and Phoenix are also worth a trip, although be prepared for intense heat.
That said, what's a little heat when you'll be saving oodles? With all that extra cash on hand, you may even be able to book another holiday. So pack extra sunscreen and drink more water; you'll be happy you booked a trip in July.
Find the top places to visit with our list of the best cheap places to travel in July.
Niagara Falls, Canada
Summer is among the most popular times to visit Niagara Falls, one of Ontario's most popular attractions. It's warm, the grass is a vibrant green, and colorful blooms dot the already spectacular scenery. Despite these pluses, a visit to Niagara Falls in July is one of the most affordable trips you can take to a world-famous site, especially if you live within driving distance.
Not close enough for a road trip? No worries. You can also find savings on airfare at this time of year since there are numerous flights available to accommodate the influx of tourists. The catch for the savings is that you have to plan ahead, especially if you are traveling with a family. Hotels are plentiful at Niagara Falls but it's best to book in advance.
You get double benefits by traveling to Niagara Falls in July — bundled rates and the best weather. While the dead of summer is hot, you will enjoy the refreshing mist coming from the falls and the breeze from the elevation. This is the top waterfall in Canada, and one of the best in the world, so expect crowds no matter when you visit.
While you can find steeper discounts for hotels during winter, the weather limits what you can see and do at that time. In July, visitors can take advantage of the full spectacle of the Maid of the Mist, discount passes to the Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens, and the free hop-on hop-off Discover Niagara shuttle that travels to 17 top Niagara attractions.
Phuket, Thailand
It's easy to see why Phuket is one of the most popular destinations in Thailand. It is lined with glorious beaches; packed with food so delicious, you'll struggle to stop eating; and it's relatively cheap when compared with other tropical and exotic destinations. Another bonus: visiting in July will leave you with wads of extra cash due to the great deals on hotels and airfare.
This verdant isle is only an hour flight from the famous attractions of Bangkok, and its beaches have a lot of notoriety, especially after recovering from the devastating 2004 tsunami, which destroyed the island's infrastructure, tourism, and thousands of lives. Phuket has bounced back and remains a stunning and memorable vacation spot.
This pretty isle is also packed with enough tourist attractions to keep families and couples of all ages happily entertained.
No good deal goes unpunished, so you should expect some rain when traveling in July. The weather can be unpredictable at this time of year; it's the heart of monsoon season. Despite the iffy weather, you can still plan boat tours, spa experiences, visits to temples, and walks along the white sands of Nai Harn Beach and Kata Noi Beach.
Phoenix, Arizona
This southwest US city is one of the most stunning places to visit in the United States. And if triple-digit heat doesn't bother you, visiting in July will garner savings so attractive, you won't care that your T-shirt sticks to your body the moment you step outside.
There are many golf courses, luxury resorts, and world-class spas in Phoenix that normally charge outstanding fees to their typically elite clientele. July is not the most desirable time to visit because of the sweltering temperatures, so it is the best time to snag the discounts and perks that these places have to offer.
Since the Phoenix heat is draining, you will want to limit your time outdoors if you plan to hike to Camelback Mountain or visit the Phoenix Zoo. That said, there are so many fabulous hiking trails in the area, that you'll be tempted to brave the heat anyway.
If you visit in July, you can take advantage of the city's top tourist attractions, including indoor museums like the Musical Instrument Museum, Phoenix Art Museum, or the Historical Heard Museum.
Phoenix also has an abundance of indoor shopping opportunities nearby. You may also want to consider doing some day trips to nearby destinations like Sedona, Prescott, or Flagstaff, which boast a little cooler climate.
Montego Bay, Jamaica
Everything's better in Jamaica. Soft, sandy beaches massage tired feet; turquoise waters help visitors float away stress; and life slows enough to allow travelers to completely relax. No wonder so many people flock to Montego Bay for a holiday.
While the price of a visit in winter can be high, traveling to Montego Bay in July will do wonders for your bank account. Due to the excessive heat and propensity for rain (and a possible hurricane) at this time, huge savings can be had on everything from hotels to airfare.
Obviously, this isn't the best time to visit Montego Bay, or Jamaica in general, for weather, but the savings make traveling at this time more than worthwhile.
While you're here, be sure to take full advantage of Montego Bay's top tourist attractions — head out rafting on the Martha Brae River, lounge on Doctor's Cave Beach, and visit the Rose Hall Great House.
The Bahamas
It is not much of a surprise that a Bahamas vacation is cheap in the summer, given that it is mostly popular over the winter months, when tourists in the Northern Hemisphere want to escape cold weather.
It is possible to find good Bahamas vacation discounts throughout the year due to resort competition on the island, but July is a great month to snag even steeper discounts. You can also find great flight deals to the Bahamas in July, as the airlines are trying to fill seats during this less popular time of the year.
The capital of Nassau is packed with fun attractions and has many all-inclusive resorts that offer discounted packages during the hottest months in hopes of luring vacationers looking for a deal. You can save at Nassau's best resorts at this time, and find additional deals with free nights, resort credits, and discounts to attractions that are often added incentives for travel.
Take your pick from more than 700 islands in the Bahamas and enjoy the beaches, parks, snorkeling, boat trips, or the area's top attractions like Atlantis on Paradise Island.
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Fewer travelers make their way to Punta Cana in July. A popular place to visit for winter revelers, this lovely Dominican Republic spot averages highs in the upper 80s to mid-90s and experiences rain nearly 24 days of the month.
That said, this shoulder season month is a great time to visit if you're looking for a deal. Plus, the rain usually comes hard and fast towards the end of the day, clearing up soon after it begins. For those traveling with kids, that's a welcome time to take a rest in one of the area's best family resorts, which will offer great deals.
In July, travelers can visit Punta Cana's best beaches, some of which are among the top beaches in the Dominican Republic, without having to rub elbows with guests in the next beach chair. They can save loads on rooms at top beach resorts and even more on their airfare to get here. With all that extra cash, it's easy to splurge on fun things to do like eat good food, head out on a guided tour, or play a few rounds of golf.
Mazatlan, Mexico
If you are looking for a cheap summer vacation in Mexico, the once-celebrity playground of Mazatlan is one of the best deals in July. Mazatlan is not as popular is its Mexican counterparts in Puerto Vallarta, Cancun, or Cabo San Lucas, which makes it a nice and cheaper alternative.
If visiting in July, you can get some rooms for as little as 40 USD a night, maybe a bit more than that at some of the city's top resorts. The downside is that summer in Mazatlan is in the middle of the rainy season, so you have more likelihood of rainstorms.
One of the best spots to visit (rain or shine) is Old Mazatlan, one of the city's landmark attractions, which has historic relics like the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception church, small eateries, and beautiful architecture. Of course, you will spend a lot of time on the beaches at Playa Olas Altas or the less crowded beaches at Isla de la Piedra.
Mazatlan has many walkable areas, which will help your budget by saving on transportation costs around the city.
New Orleans, Louisiana
It is not a surprise that midsummer offers up big discounts in the Big Easy. This is actually the worst time to visit New Orleans. In July, the city is hot, humid, and rainy, but if none of that bothers you then you can enjoy a cheap and fun summer vacation to the city to check out the famous jazz clubs, the historic French Quarter, great museums, and outstanding Cajun cuisine.
A July stay in one of the top resorts can be about 50 percent less than the same room during the high tourist season that runs from February through May when many of the big festivals are happening.
While there is no shortage of things to do or attractions to visit in New Orleans, a July vacation means fewer crowds, so you can enjoy some of the most famous stops, like Frenchman Street and a walking tour in the Garden District. You can also take advantage of better access to some of the cemetery tours and the New Orleans Swamp Tours, which can be tough to do in the high season.
Belize
A discount vacation in Belize requires some careful timing. July is a good time to go if you are looking for discounts because it comes after the high tourist season in April and the sweltering temperatures and humidity in the spring. While this isn't the best time to visit Belize for the weather, it is the cheapest time to schedule a trip.
Since July also comes before the rainiest months of August through October, you can get great rates at hotels and on excursion packages. The island of Ambergris Caye is the most popular destination in Belize, but you can research other locations, like San Ignacio, for vacation discounts as well.
The caution for traveling to Belize in July is that it is in the hurricane season, and you are likely to see some rainfall during your trip. It is also important to research the tourist attractions and things you want to do ahead of time since some of them close during the low tourist season.
Otherwise, planning ahead can net you great savings in Belize, so you can see the famous Great Blue Hole and the Hol Chan Marine Reserve near the barrier reef. Be sure to make time to enjoy the gorgeous beaches between rain showers.
Even when planning a trip to Belize in the off-season, you will want to secure hotel rooms and look for deep discounts for summer far in advance.
Cairo, Egypt
Few travelers feel that saving money is worth visiting Cairo in the midst of crazy Egyptian heat. But for those who do care about scoring a great deal, July can be one of the cheapest times to visit Cairo. The July rates at hotels drop significantly, which makes it more affordable to stay in some of Egypt's top resorts.
The heat, combined with very little rain, can make walking the streets and winding alleys of Cairo a little uncomfortable, but you can plan your itinerary so that you have a mix of indoor and outdoor activities.
Book excursions to the city's top tourist attractions, like the Pyramids of Giza, or visit the Great Sphinx, on half-day treks instead of spending a full day under the scorching sun. You can also look into vacationing in the coastal city of Sharm el-Sheikh, which will have cheap July rates, too.
- Read More: Top Tourist Attractions in Egypt
Bali, Indonesia
The best time to visit Bali is between April and November, when the country is at its driest and least humid. Yes, this is considered high season for this Indonesian paradise, but Bali is an affordable destination to visit at any time of year, especially when compared with other enticing Asian and European destinations.
Take advantage of the great weather to enjoy some of Bali's most popular (and free) things to do — soak up some rays on the island's elysian beaches, watch the sunset at Pura Tanah Lot, or climb Mount Batur. Then relax in a plush resort set in the jungle or on the beach.
The Ubud Monkey Forest is worthy of a visit, and it won't set you back too much coin. Also known as the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, it's one of Bali's most lush and captivating attractions.
Miami, Florida
Miami, Florida is a city that never sleeps, and while it is a hot destination to visit at almost any time of the year, you can find some of the lowest hotel rates (and highest temperatures) in the summer.
The heat and humidity of Miami in the midsummer months, not to mention the potential for hurricanes, push away many tourists, so the city's top resorts are often scrambling to fill rooms. If you plan for some pool time to cool off, the deal might just be worth it.
Since Miami has a major international airport, you should also be able to score great rates and an abundance of availability for flights into the city.
Whether you want to fill your vacation with hours spent sitting on the sands of the city's most beautiful and vibrant beaches (hello, Miami Beach), hit the most popular tourist attractions like the Miami Zoo or Everglades National Park, stroll through cultural neighborhoods like Little Havana, or visit the many museums in town, there are enough fun things to do to fill your itinerary no matter what the weather.
Nha Trang, Vietnam
Pretty much anywhere you want to go in Asia in July will have cheap prices on airfare, hotels, and resorts since it is in the rainy season, but if you want to improve your odds for a drier getaway, Nha Trang is one of your best options.
This city in Vietnam has its own weather patterns that do not produce as much rain during the rainy season, which often waterlogs the rest of the country. You can find cheap prices at hotels close to the beach, and the cost of things like food and services are also cheap, which will add to the savings.
Nha Trang is a coastal city and one of the best places to visit in Vietnam. There are plenty of beautiful beaches to enjoy, and excursions that can take you on the water for a leisurely boat trip, snorkeling, or diving. The city's tourist attractions are also worthy of a visit at this time.
Temperatures are hot in July, so you can mix up the outdoor adventures to temples, the Vinpearl Amusement Park, and the Hon Khoi Salt Fields with indoor visits to the National Oceanographic Museum of Vietnam and other local museums. Due to the low tourist season, you might also be able to negotiate discounted prices with local tour operators.
Sydney, Australia
Wintertime in Sydney means steep discounts on things like flights and hotels when the tourists have gone home for the season. This small summer window between June and August is a great opportunity to save about 40 percent on lodging compared to peak-season rates.
Besides saving money by traveling to Australia in July, you will also get a break on the heat and the tourist crowds at major attractions like the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney's beautiful beaches.
Even during the Sydney winter, you can still enjoy the stunning Sydney Opera House, Royal Botanic Garden, and the Australian National Maritime Museum. You will have more flexibility and opportunities to visit these attractions in the off-season before the major tourist crowds start arriving again in December.
Map of Cheap Places to Travel in July
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More Summer Travel Ideas: If you are looking for more summer vacation ideas, you can check out the best places to visit in Europe, like Croatia and Iceland. If you are looking specifically at US vacation spots, you can consider New York or a Grand Canyon vacation. Other getaway ideas include US vacations for couples, outdoor adventures in West Virginia, or just exploring the quaint small towns in Wisconsin.
