Buenos Aires, Argentina
Buenos Aires is utterly beautiful this time of year. You’ll want to spend as much time as possible wandering through the tree-lined neighborhoods and exploring the city’s famous Botanical Garden: a maze of green alleys broken up by fountains and haunting mythical statues.
To get there, it’s a cinch. Flights this spring from New York City start at approximately $800 roundtrip — a steal considering just how far south you’re actually flying. (Meanwhile, the same ticket from other cities like Chicago and Los Angeles hovers under $1,050.)
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Despite the Dominican Republic’s reputation for ultra-luxurious, all-inclusive resorts, travelers can opt to stay instead at an equally stunning guesthouse or Airbnb. In fact, many of them are located right next to the beach. So for $40 a night, you’ll have a direct path to the ocean, and all the privacy you’d expect at a regular hotel.
Getting to — and around — Punta Cana can be just as affordable. Quicken found flights this spring starting at a cool $350 round-trip from New York City, with slight increases of $100 or $150 if you’re traveling from Los Angeles or San Francisco. You don't need to bother renting a car when you’re there, either. A single taxi motorcycle costs just $2 per ride.
Ocho Rios, Jamaica
The classic Jamaican port town of Ocho Rios was once a small fishing village, but has since blossomed into the country’s most sought-after beach destination (it was even featured on several episodes of "The Bachelor").
But don’t confuse its popularity with priciness. One of the top bucket list items in town — a self-guided visit to dazzling Dunns River Falls — is only $20. And James Bond Beach, on a tiny peninsula surrounded by crystal clear water, is absolutely free to enter.
