Have a Beautiful, Inexpensive Miami Getaway

If there is one thing that everyone wants, it is to have a relaxing vacation sprawled out on a beach in front of crystal clear blue water without a responsibility or care in the world. There are a few problems with this, however - for one thing, with the economy in the state that it is in, it isn't the easiest time to be jetting off to a tropical paradise. Secondly, there's a downside to a vacation like this: Paradise is expensive.

However, even in the recession there are alternatives to flying to a remote tropical island and paying a fortune to do so. For those of us in the states, a little piece of paradise exists right here at home, in America's panhandle.

When people think of Miami, Florida, they typically think of a party city for college age students who like to go clubbing, have loud parties and drive flashy cars. While the part about the cars is true (I have never seen so many Ferraris, Aston Martins and Porches in one place in my life), Miami has something for everybody, not just the club hounds.

I have outlined some ways that a few friends traveling together can have a great time in Miami without spending a fortune.

1. Visit off-season; don't go in the middle of the summer, but rather visit around the months of May-June, or August-October. Not only is it less expensive, but the weather is much kinder. During these months, the weather in Miami is typically much less humid than it is at peak traveling times and rain showers are more sporadic and brief - much less likely to put a damper on any outdoor plans you may have! A roundtrip plane ticket from New Jersey to Miami and back cost me $209. This was quite a bargain for the 3-hour flight!

2. Opt for a hotel that is not directly on the beach, but within walking distance. Hotels located on the beach are much pricier than hotels located even a block away. This may be something a lot of people would consider a "downside" of a vacation, but when you spend the majority of your time out of the hotel room anyway, does a beach view really matter? Not at all. Located along the beach in Miami are resort style hotels that usually include packages that seem like a great deal, but are much more expensive than they are worth. Places such as the Hotel Chelsea and the Indian Creek Hotel are just a few examples of places that won't break your bank that are still beautiful accommodations. However, be sure to check out reviews of the hotel of your choice. Do your research and be sure that the hotel has the things that you and your party personally want (for example, for some people it is a deciding factor is a hotel has a pool or not, offers continental breakfast, etc. ).

3. Stick to 2 meals + snacks each day rather than 3 full meals. Not only does it cut down on the cost of food, but it also cuts down on the amount of time spent waiting in restaurants and figuring out where to eat - which, if you have ever been in vacation with friends, you know this takes a few hours out of the day. Stick to grabbing breakfast either from your hotel or a restaurant, and then dinner. For a snack, try visiting one of the small grocery stores/bakeries that Miami is filled with. Some ideas for inexpensive snack items you can pick up: a loaf of freshly baked bread, some fruit, crackers and cheese, peanut-butter, a can of nuts, or a bag of rice cakes. These snacks, if you buy enough for your entire party, shouldn't cost you all more than $10 split amongst yourself and your friends!

4. Lastly, and most importantly:If you prefer to stay away from a lot of hustle and bustle and prefer to shy away from the nightlife scene, make your hotel arrangements closer to, or even in North Beach. South Beach can be a lot of fun and is full of great restaurants and stores, so it is helpful to stay someplace that is close enough to walk or take a cab into South Beach. However, if you want to avoid the bar scene and its inhabitants, try to make your hotel accommodations closer to North Beach.

Remember, you don't have to travel far or spend a lot to visit paradise. Miami is a beautiful vacation spot and is a wealth of beauty and fun. If you are looking to get away for a week with your friends and spend $600 or less, take some of these tips into consideration, be sure to do your research and most importantly, enjoy yourself-Bon voyage!