9 Cheap, Warm-Weather Destinations for Winter
Inexpensive hotels and short-term rentals let you escape the deep freeze without breaking your travel budget.
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Contributing Editor Spending time in a warm destination this winter doesn’t have to take all of your cold, hard cash.
Hotel and short-term rental deals in warm-weather spots in the U.S., the Caribbean and Mexico are available for those who need a break from winter’s deep freeze.
“Hotels.com data shows travelers can still find warm-weather stays for under $150 a night,” says Melanie Fish, travel expert for Hotels.com and Vrbo. “For those craving the Caribbean, Barbados and Bonaire offer rentals under $220 a night, and trending destinations like St. Vincent and the Grenadines are seeing a huge surge in interest thanks to new nonstop flights,” she adds.
In addition to low prices, you can save money by redeeming credit card miles or points for some parts of your trip, including flights, hotels or even activities.
If you’re ready with your cash, miles and points, check out these travel options for a warm getaway this winter.
Domestic warm weather vacation destinations
We looked at Hotels.com's average price for a hotel or short-term rental stay the night of Feb. 21-22 to find some of the cheapest places to go. The following nine destinations offer fun in the sun for relatively low prices, but they’re just a snapshot of what you can find.
Also, keep in mind they may not be available for long and they might not be waterfront properties.
1. St. Petersburg, Florida
With Allegiant Airlines dominating flights at its local airport, it can be easy to find great deals from many cities around the country. Allegiant sells flight-only deals and vacation packages.
Of course, the beach is the star of the show with fishing excursions, boat rides or building sandcastles. But St. Pete is also home to the Dalí Museum and The St. Pete Pier for dining and shopping.
Hotel stays in St. Petersburg, Florida, average $415 for the night of Feb. 21.
2. Orlando, Florida
Away from Florida’s beaches, Orlando can offer great deals outside of the busy Spring Break and summer travel seasons.
Disney World visits and Universal Studios trips (even in just one day) are popular, of course. NerdWallet rounded up some of the top options near Disney's theme parks.
But if the amusement parks aren’t your thing, many of the resorts in the area have epic swimming pools and spas. You can use hotel points for a redemption to save on costs or pay for a hotel and then use points for spa and dining redemptions at many brands, including World of Hyatt properties.
A hotel night in Orlando, Florida, averages $285 per night on Feb. 21.
3. South Padre Island, Texas
This family favorite in southern Texas sees temperature in the 70s during February. Its position on a barrier island gives it beautiful beaches and educational activities like a visit to the South Padre Island Birding, Nature Center & Alligator Sanctuary and dolphin watching tours.
A hotel night on South Padre Island, Texas, averages $150 per night on Feb. 21.
4. Scottsdale, Arizona
This desert paradise attracts flocks of snowbirds from around North America who spend the season there, but it also draws a lot of vacationers for a shorter visit. What you’ll find is a bevy of resorts where you can earn or redeem points for a stay or book a pool pass. There are also numerous outdoor activities like hiking, horseback riding and hot air ballooning, or simply relaxing in the constant sun.
A Vrbo rental night in Scottsdale, Arizona, averages $165 per night on Feb. 21.
5. San Juan, Puerto Rico
You won’t need a passport to visit this sunny island. From El Yunque National Forest for adventure activities to beautiful seaside resorts, there is a lot to do in Puerto Rico. Perhaps the best part for many people is the international flair you can experience with local cuisine and culture. There are hotels and resorts of all price points.
A hotel night in San Juan averages $435 a night on Feb. 21.
International warm weather vacation destinations
If you want to grab your passport and head farther afield, these popular spots have plenty of vacation-themed fun on hand. You can find a hotel or Vrbo rental for under $220.
6. Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
On the west coast of Mexico and the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula, Cabo has stunning sunsets, beautiful resorts, lots of great restaurants and outdoor activities like deep-sea fishing and water sport rentals. Don’t miss taking a boat excursion or paddling out to El Arco, a landmark for this famous beach region.
A hotel night in Cabo San Lucas averages $100 a night on Feb. 21.
7. Antigua, Guatemala
Ringed by volcanoes and famous hot spring resorts, Antigua is packed with cultural delights, especially when wandering through its colonial old town. For those that are not looking for just a beach resort, this city delivers an educational trip along with affordable dining and outdoor activities. Hike your way up to Cerro de la Cruz for one of the best vantage points of the colonial town and surrounding scenery.
A hotel night in Antigua averages $135 a night on Feb. 21.
8. St. Kitts and Nevis
This dual-island nation has beautiful beaches where travelers can go jet skiing, sailing, swimming and snorkeling. A popular activity is taking the ferry between the two islands where more natural beauty awaits. The adventurous can go zip-lining or fly boarding on Reggae Beach. Don’t miss the colorful food stands along Cockleshell & Turtle Beach, where you can meet some of the locals.
A hotel night on St. Kitts and Nevis runs $155 a night on Feb. 21.
9. Barbados
In the Lesser Antilles of the West Indies, this island paradise has beautiful surroundings, ideal for swimming, rum tasting and snorkeling. The winter months are actually the busiest time to visit because they are outside the rainy season, but there are still deals to be had. Still, the island is sunny year-round most of the time. If you’re up for an adventure, rent one of the popular “mini mokes” to drive around the island for a self-guided tour.
A Vrbo rental in Barbados runs you $215 a night on Feb. 21.
How to maximize your rewards
You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2026:
- Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- No annual fee: Wells Fargo Autograph® Card
- Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Luxury perks: American Express Platinum Card®
- Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
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