How to Enjoy Your Vacation Meals on a Budget

There are reasons why eating every meal out while vacationing is not wise; your budget may not allow for it, and, even with a generous budget, food will start to eat its way into other fun you have planned, both time-wise and money-wise.

Waiting in line, for instance, every time you want to eat can get tiresome. And, at the best vacation destinations, all the favourite restaurants will have long waiting times.

But, eating on a budget doesn’t have to be boring. No, you don’t have to have a cooler full of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. You can find inexpensive, delicious alternatives with a bit of pre-planning and some imagination.

Below are tips on how to enjoy your vacation meals on a Budget.

Do Your Homework

When you decide on a destination, do the research to find the restaurants and food choices that appeal to you.

Sites like LonelyPlanet.com, CitySearch.com, UrbanSpoon.com, and ChowHound.com will give you an idea of affordable, and tasty places to eat in various cities.

Search the name of the city you’re visiting to find reviews and blogs that offer more information as well as special offers.

Choose an All-Inclusive Vacation Package

The cost of an all-inclusive package may be worth it. If your family considers refreshing beverages and three meals a day, as well as snacks, an important part of a vacation experience, then you want to consider this option.

However, be aware that sometimes alcoholic drinks may not be included. Even so, being able to help yourself to all the cooling drinks and food you want can be a big bonus, especially when you have a lot of hearty eaters.

When considering all-inclusive vacations, don’t limit your thinking. Cruises are a great value. They normally include a lot of amenities.

Not only can you eat just about anything you want, just about any time day or night, but most cruises include free activities for kids of all ages, free entertainment for adults, and transportation to exciting ports of call.

You’ll also receive, free of charge, wonderful guides to help you choose your excursions, big or small.

Lunch with the Locals

Want a huge, money-saving tip as well as a recommendation for tasty food? Ask the locals where they eat. Usually, you’ll find tasty food, good atmosphere, and great prices.

Every region has its favourite cuisine, and most cities and towns have a few quaint family restaurants, catering to locals who enjoy a good meal for a good price, no gimmicks, no hype. Follow the locals to these locales and you can’t lose.

Attend Citywide Food Events

A lot of the big cities such as Dubai, New York City, Boston, Toronto, Dallas, Philadelphia and Atlanta have weeks where they celebrate what is considered Restaurant Weeks or Food Festivals.

This is where, with an entry fee, you can experience excellent meals at a fraction of the cost. There are also competitions to consider, like cook-offs and awards to chefs, restaurants, and even street vendors.

Search your vacation destination for these special events for some real good deals, and great cuisine.

Stay at Home-Style Lodgings for Home-Style Meals

A bed-and-breakfast or similar lodging where a meal is included in the price may be a great option for your vacation stay. Having a nice breakfast can set you up for a good day of sightseeing, and you won’t waste time, or money, stopping for something to eat right in the middle of your fun.

Another option is to stay in a place with a kitchenette. You can save money and time by stocking the refrigerator and pantry with breakfast items, sandwich makings, beverages, and lots of snacks.

Another bonus is you can save any leftovers from meals you have at restaurants. The difference between the cost of lodging without a kitchenette and one with a kitchenette can easily be made up in a few days when you consider meals out could cost you hundreds of dollars for the length of your stay.

Quick Bits about Budget Bites

• order from the kids menus
• eat out at lunch instead of dinner
• order from the ‘bar’ menu
• opt for big glasses of ice water instead of soft drinks or spirits
• buy food from street vendors

When you are on vacation you want to enjoy not only the sights and events, but the area cuisine, too. Planning ahead and budgeting for meals will help you enjoy a few special restaurants, rather than rushing through a lot of ordinary food places just because you’re hungry.

Make the restaurants you visit a memorable part of your vacation, not a necessary, and expensive, bother.