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Since many Americans are now in the depths of winter, seeking out vitamin D becomes a lot more appealing than simply reaching into the refrigerator for a sip of Sunny D.
The search for vacation destinations is in full swing, many of which are likely focused on Florida, America’s ever-sunny paradise on Gulf and Caribbean waters.
Deciding to book a beach vacation in Florida is one thing, but choosing the exact spot is another.
There are so many beautiful coastlines to escape the winter, ranging from iconic cities to hidden gems on the rise.
If there is one common denominator in Florida, it is affordability. Unless you’re visiting luxury beach resorts like Palm Beach, chances are you’re not tied to checking your bank account.
According to GoBanking Ratesthis white-sand beach town is one of Florida’s most affordable winter destinations, and it’s probably not where you think.
Cocoa Beach: a winter paradise without an audience
Cocoa Beach may not be a household name, but it does see its fair share of crowds in the summer.
Winter is one of the best times of year to enjoy stretches of white-sand beaches along clear, vibrant waters without fighting for elbow room, and moving away from unsightly retiree swimwear becomes much more navigable.
No offense, Gam Gam.
Cocoa Beach offers year-round sunshine, apart from the annual fear of hurricane threats, which are now over for the time being.
Right now, vacationers can expect consistent sunny days in the 70s through April, with occasional days reaching the 80s.
Seasonal events are coming to an end, but Cocoa Beach still offers a range of activities for classic fun in the sun, including surfing, fishing and even whale watching excursionsone of the city’s most popular attractions during the winter season.
But if you’d rather spend the day on the beach, by all means make plans for an epic sunset cruise on the scenic Banana River.
An hour from Orlando: day trip or primary residence?
Orlando is one of the few Florida destinations more than half an hour from a beach, demonstrating Disney World’s worldwide popularity.
Otherwise, Orlando wouldn’t be nearly as popular, which also means locals are getting tired of spending 365 days a year in a city anchored in a curated fairyland instead of heading to Cocoa Beach every summer .
It is said that most tourists spend 6-7 days at Disney World, but that is certainly not a requirement. Unless you’re on a road trip, flying into Orlando is the easiest way to reach Cocoa Beach.
There’s some debate as to whether you should make Cocoa Beach your base or rest your head overnight in Orlando and take a day trip or weekend getaway to the beautiful shores of the Atlantic Ocean.
What you probably don’t want to do is drive back and forth every day, especially if there are children in tow. Don’t you already hear: “Are we there yet?”
Unless you just want to dive into the world of Disney for a day or two, staying in Orlando is probably best.
But if Disney World is at the top of your list, Cocoa Beach is best suited for a day trip, just like the locals do, or you can skip the ‘happiest place on earth’ and find your own oceanside bliss as your mainstay.
One of Florida’s most affordable vacation destinations
Research from GoBankingRate shows that vacationers in Cocoa Beach spend an average of just $1 $176 per day, listings of hotels can be found less than $90 per night with the opportunity to score even better deals on vacation rentals on platforms like Airbnb and HomeAway.
Going back to deciding what type of trip to take, Disney resorts will at least double these prices.
However, Vero Beach has its own loophole with a lesser-known Disney resort.
However, Cocoa Beach is one of Florida’s most affordable beach getaways with fun activities in nearby Orlando or along what’s known as the ‘Space Coast’ where you can see one of the state’s most unique attractions, the Kennedy Space Centerjust half an hour’s drive away.
Restaurants in the area are not expensive; of course, many specialize in coastal cuisine. Although, those with a sweet tooth should check out the TripAdvisor recommended ones The Florida Key Lime Pie Company.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
