Destination dupe to avoid travel debt |

If the taste of travel is leaning towards an “all-inclusive island resort”, but you need a “overcrowded seaside motel” on your budget, there may be a midpoint.

Destination Dupet is an affordable alternative to those Instagrammable yet often overpriced locales. Many welcoming vacation spots are covered in the same scenic oversight flashy images of the same scenic oversight, flying under the radar and lined up with tourists for photos. But what if you didn’t need to knock your elbow for views? What if I didn’t need to dry my wallet for my next trip?

Bankrate’s Summer 2025 Travel Survey reports that more than three people cannot afford it for five Americans who haven’t traveled this summer (65%). Of those planning a trip, one in three (29%) said they are in debt.

It doesn’t have to be you. You can even eat it with your caviar. We asked four travel influencers and planners to visit their favorite budget-friendly destination in 2025.

Sahara Rose de Vore, Founder and CEO of Travel Coach Network

As someone who trains other travel coaches, Sahara Rose de Vore draws from the decade he spent traveling to 84 countries. To afford to travel it frequently, I had to be creative on a budget, from choosing affordable destinations and staying over to cooking my own food. Today, people come to her with questions about creating a travel lifestyle and finding a good deal. This is her destination in 2025 Dupet.

Santander in Spain

Head north to Barcelona and the bustling and expensive ones, to Santander, Spain. The small port city offers eye-catching architecture, along with deep history and natural beauty. De Vois recommends visiting the Magdalena Peninsula, where he found animals like penguins and sea lions, at his free, home to the royal palace.

Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay

“Instead of getting caught up in the bustling bust of Buenos Aires, Argentina’s busy metropolitan city of Buenos Aires, we’ll fly there, but we’ll jump on the ferry (I paid $25) and head to Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay,” says Devoir.

Uruguay is underrated and there is a lot to do, including beaches, surfing, and dining. Colorful buildings and cobblestone streets may never want to leave. But when you do that, you can take a bus and head down the coast.

Old Phuket Town, Thailand

The du in Bangkok or Patong Beach, Thailand is an old Phuket town with a simple bus ride from Phuket Airport. The colorful town features shops, restaurants and markets. De Voir suggests jumping on a tuk tuk, a commonly used rickshaw, to get back nearby beaches or to sail back. The town is also on foot, making it affordable and easy to navigate.

Shanna Miller, flight attendant and social media influencer

Shanna Miller knows flight trading thanks to her frequent private travel and experience as a flight attendant at United Airlines. She shares her latest sales, hacking and vacation packages with thousands of Tiktok followers. Here are Miller’s recommendations for must-see spots for 2025:

Bimini, Bahamas

St. Martin/Sint Martin/Sint Marchen Dupes, Bimini is known for its affordable vacation rentals, food and drinks. You can also take the ferry from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Fish, snorkel, or suck up the sun on the beach on the island below the radar.

Arizona Balloon Classic in Phoenix, Arizona

Instead of aiming to attend the Hot Air Balloon Festival in Cappadocia, Turkey, Miller says he could save around $1,500 on the flight by heading to the Balloon Festival, just outside Phoenix instead. Plus, the Arizona Balloon Classic is a free event that launches almost the same number of hot air balloons. And you’re still immersed in the impressive desert climate.

Samantha Thompson, Travel Advisor

Thanks to her experience planning trips for others, Samantha Thompson knows there’s no perfect way to travel. Everyone has different preferences, hobbies and budgets. But she says there’s something all travelers have in common – they want to feel the value of the money they spend, whether they’re on a luxurious cruise or staying in a simple hotel. This is where she sets her sights this year.

Taiwan, Taiwan

Deceived by Japan, Taipei offers much of what ambitious travelers want – ancient temples, local delicacies, and an evening market with ample greenery and plenty of Japanese-style cuisine.

“We’re keeping an eye on Taiwan,” Thompson says. It’s more crowded and reasonably priced than places like Tokyo or Kyoto. And thanks to the expanded network of international flights, it can be reached from all over the world.

Istria, Croatia

Istria is primarily a European peninsula in the country of Croatia, but it was also divided into Slovenia and Italy. Not fooled by the crowded and expensive Tuscany, but with vineyards, olive trees and gentle hills of medieval hill towns, you’ll feel like you’re in central Italy. Truffles, olive oil and wine are comparable to the Tuscan food scene.

Catalina Island, California

Instead of spurting onto the Amalfi coast, why not check out Santa Catalina Island in your American backyard? You can ride a ferry from California’s port cities to discover Mediterranean-like charm. The island does not allow cars, so only pedestrians and golf carts are displayed. Enjoy a luxury seafood dining, swim in the Pacific Ocean or jump on a sunset cruise.

Linda Thein Fire, cffeus, Points and Miles Travelers

Linda Ta Yonemoto is a certified financial education instructor and self-proclaimed Points and Miles traveler. She is a professional travelling on a budget, helping people manage their money in a way that matches their values. If you have your heart in place, she raises the question: Why do you want to go there? Want to sit on the beach and take a specific photo? What are your thoughts on an ideal vacation? Here are some of her favorite swaps.

Dana, Vietnam

An alternative to the Vietnamese cities of Hanoi and Saigon, Da Nang is a small coastal city known for its calm beaches, delicious street food and religious icons. Popular among digital nomads, American travelers can jump on flights from the East or West Coast. Plus, Yonemoto says you can’t miss the coffee shop scene.

Las Vegas, Nevada

“There’s everything you can think of,” Yonemoto says lovingly about her hometown of Las Vegas. It combines the finest cities like San Diego and Chicago with diverse cuisine, spectacular entertainment and picturesque state parks. You can also take photos in front of the imitation Eiffel Tower, the Statue of Liberty, or the Egyptian pyramids.

How to beautiful your budget as much as your travel photos

If you’re ready to cross a trip from your 2025 bucket list but don’t want to blow your budget, start by choosing a more affordable destination (or dupet) than what you’ll see on social media. Do your research and ask your friends and family for the best secrets. Additionally, tools like Google Flights, Hopper, and Southwest low fare calendars can help you search for locations based on price rather than other methods.

You can also try travel during the off-season. “We don’t have ideal weather, but we don’t get high prices or huge crowds either,” Thompson says.

And if you can choose more affordable options for some of your trips, you don’t value that much. For example, you might prioritize meals with local cuisine, but instead skip the hostel resort. Or you can cook budget-friendly meals in the Airbnb kitchen you splurge on.

De Voir says that when traveling on a budget, she was often with friends or slept at the airport if there was an early flight. She also “shops at local markets to buy food for myself at my accommodation, walks frequently on ground transport like buses and trains, walks (to edit), and travels to countries where more tourists are usually more tourists to save money at tourist prices,” she explains.

Take advantage of travel credit card benefits

The best travel reward card allows you to earn points and miles on your trips and daily spending to cover your next trip. Yonemoto says he saved more than $10,000 using travel rewards. If you already have a travel card, maximize your revenue potential by swiping through cards in the appropriate category.

If you’re in the market for new travel cards, check out the welcome bonus. The stash of that point or miles can be purchased on the following international flights: Some card issuers offer seasonally boosted boost offers, so check out the latest welcome offers for cards you’re seeing and spend time on the application accordingly.

Also, note that moving your reward to your partner airline or hotel will be even more valuable. Learn how to maximize your transfer bonus based on your issuer.

Reward cards can be a great tool for your travel kit, but I would not suggest taking out debts for holidays. If you still can’t afford that trip, set up a sinking fund that adds money each month until you reach your travel budget goals.

Conclusion

There are so many beautiful nooks and cracks in the world waiting to be discovered, and the above ideas are just the beginning. Instead, skip expensive itineraries and scatter them on sub-radar experiences. Before you go, learn how to travel around the world with credit card points.