Are you tired of the frigid cold weather conditions? Gloomy grey skies got you down? Well keep reading because I’ve got the perfect cure for your winter blues. Get Siri on the line or tell Alexa to get with Google and help you plan a solo vacay or baecation to one of these colorful destinations next month. Most of these destinations are a quick flight or car ride from Dallas, Texas which makes them perfect options for a short getaway this winter. They are also super budget friendly destinations which is awesome since those credit and debit cards tend to get an intense workout over the holidays.
Destination #1: Cartagena, Columbia
This South American destination has become increasingly popular over the years. The city is known for it’s beautiful scenery, friendly people, and delicious food. Skyscanner projects that flights from Dallas to Cartagena are at the lowest in February (~$250). Mid-week is the best time to travel. Hotel rates are also reasonably priced starting at $70 USD for a 3.5 star accommodations. Average weather in Feb is in the high 80s so you can trade the blistering cold weather for tropical sunshine in a matter of hours.
Destination #2: San Juan, Puerto Rico
Old San Juan is known for brightly colored Spanish style architecture, rich history, and the beautiful oceanside. There are so many things to do in this US territory. Popular attractions include a tour the Castillo de San Cristobal or Castillo San Felipe del Morro. You can also take a stroll down the umbrella lined Fortaleza St and explore art museums galore. The beautiful beaches are a major draw for travelers. Raise your hand if you’d be willing to trade sand and sun for sleet and snow.
Although there have been earthquakes in the area recently, Puerto Rico’s metro area is relatively unscathed and still open for tourism. It is vitally important that we still visit Puerto Rico to help strengthen the local economy. Every hotel room booked, meal purchased, and attraction visited could be seen as a contribution to the local communities that have been affected by natural disasters over the years. Helping a community rebuild seems like an excellent excuse to put in that PTO request and visit this destination. Flights from DFW to SJU are as low as $159-$199 RT with Spirit traveling Saturday-Tuesday in February (cheapest dates Feb 22-Feb 25). Round trip travel from Houston is the same cost. American has flights as low as $312 RT without the hassle of a layover. Hotel rooms start at $150s and 2 bedroom AirBnbs are as cheap as $100 nightly.
Destination #3: New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is always a good idea! I have visited this destination on numerous occasions and have never had a bad experience. February is Mardi Gras season and you can expect the French Quarter to be electric. There are so many celebrations happening in the city during this month from parades, to a King Cake Festival, to carnival balls. If partying is not your thing, you could definitely just visit for the food. I personally think New Orleans has some of the best food on the planet but don’t just take my word for it. Plan a visit and take one of the many culinary tours the city offers.
There are a variety of ways to travel to New Orleans on a budget since NOLA is such a short distance from Dallas. You could road trip with your favorite travel partner by car. You could take the FlixBus for an extra bit of adventure. Tickets are as cheap as $6 RT on FlixBus. Go ahead and splurge $6 to reserve your seats. If you rather get there quickly flights from DFW are cheapest Tues-Fri or Wed-Sat at $165 RT for a 1 hr flight. AirBnb and hotel accommodations are surprisingly reasonable during this celebratory season as well.
Which colorful destination would you choose to visit Cartagena, San Juan, or New Orleans?
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