Are you dreaming of a Panama City Beach vacation but not sure if the budget will allow? Here are 7 awesome ways to cut back on expenses without sacrificing the quality of your well-deserved getaway. So check out our tips and get packing!

Tip # 1 – Schedule your vacation out of peak season. Summer rates are typically the highest, as it’s when the kids are out of school and most people choose to vacation. Consider a ‘shoulder’ season getaway, either before school gets out or towards the end of summer. Temperatures are still warm, it’s less crowded, and almost every hotel or condo is offering some great specials and deals.

Tip # 2 – If you’re staying in a condo, or even a hotel room with a small kitchenette, consider making most of your meals ‘at home’. Enjoy breakfast on the balcony, pack a lunch to take to the beach, and eat dinner together from the comfort of your accommodation. You won’t have to deal with crowds or lines, and savings can be huge when you compare to eating out every meal. Of course Panama City Beach has some incredible and affordable restaurants, and you’ll want to try some of them. Just make the most of your kitchen facilities and you’ll be amazed at how much you can save.

Tip # 3 – Bring everyone, the more the better! Book a 3 or 4 bedroom condo and split the cost between the whole family or group. A condo is a spacious, comfortable and cost effective way to stay in Panama City Beach.  Rates actually work out to be extremely reasonable when you divvy up the cost, plus there’s plenty of room and privacy for everybody. Most units these size can sleep anywhere between 8 and 12 plus feature at minimum 2 or 3 bathrooms.

Tip # 4 – For those without kitchen facilities, or those who don’t want to cook on vacation, Panama City Beach has an ever-growing and fabulous selection of buffet restaurants. With a buffet, you can enjoy a late breakfast and an early dinner, and eat as much as you want! Buffets are usually fairly inexpensive and offer unlimited delicious items so you won’t be missing out on vacation dining. Some of our favorites include: Bishop’s Family Buffet, Capt. Jacks’ Seafood Buffet, CiCi’s Pizza Buffet and New Jin Jin Chinese Buffet.

Tip # 5 – A vacation doesn’t have to mean non-stop activities that will break the bank. Panama City Beach’s top attraction doesn’t cost a cent. Our beautiful beaches stretch for 27 miles and are some of the world’s best. Powder white sands and the emerald green waters of the Gulf of Mexico provide an idyllic setting for day after day of relaxation and adventure. Enjoy swimming, boogie boarding, catching Frisbee, volleyball, fishing, walking, building sandcastles and much more. For a change of scenery, pick a spot by the pool and read a good book or catch some rays. It’s all free and what a Panama City Beach vacation is all about.

Tip # 6 – Make your own nightlife. Bring board games that the whole family will enjoy, or pack some of your favorite movies and a bag of popcorn. Most accommodations feature a DVD player, and some even rent DVD’s at the front desk. Grab a blanket, and head for the sand to watch the sunset or gaze at the stars with some-one special. There’s no cover charge, and you get to spend that quality time together that is hard to find back home.

Tip # 7 – Panama City Beach has plenty of ways to have fun and still go easy on the wallet. Find coupon books featuring all your favorite attractions in your hotel or condo lobby, local restaurants and stores, or visit the official website of your chosen attraction for discounts and specials. You can also sometimes take advantage of better ticket prices by purchasing online. Check out Beach Bux for savings on just about everything.

You absolutely can get away to spectacular beaches without the tropical vacation price tag! With a little planning before you leave, not only is a Panama City Beach vacation an affordable option, you might even have a few dollars left over to put towards your next trip!

For more information about the author, Ellie Avery, please visit their profile page.