There is only one thing better than the feeling of putting your feet into the warm sand of a beautiful beach, sun on your face, with the ebb and flow of the tide before your eyes. And that thing is doing all of that on the cheap. Tropical vacations are the most desired type of trips for most people, but many view them as something that is forever out of their reach due to high costs.

While trips to luxury resorts in the Caribbean and Hawaii will typically be expensive, there are tropical destinations throughout the world in the most unlikely places that offer plenty of exciting experiences for people who want a fun trip without breaking the bank.

The following destinations are our picks for the best tropical vacations for people on a budget, places that people might not necessarily associate with the tropics but that nonetheless allow guests to enjoy a range of fun, summery experiences.

Palawan, Philippines

Tropical adventures abound in beautiful Palawan, an archipelagic province in the southwest quadrant of the Philippines. Encompassing 1,780 islands, Palawan offers a variety of activities for visitors. While many guests of Palawan are happy to just sit on its white sandy beaches, more adventurous visitors rent boats and go island-hoping to discover some of the archipelago’s hidden secrets.

Among Palawan’s most exciting hidden gems are pristine beaches surrounded by limestone cliffs that are only accessible by water. Scuba divers will also find a plethora of locations for great dives, including beautiful coral reefs teeming with colorful marine life and the wrecks of many World War II battleships. Guests hoping to save money on their trip should also consider visiting Palawan during the months of June through August. While technically the wet season, hotels offer deep discounts during these months and storms are often confined to brief showers during the afternoon.

Far North Queensland, Australia

Far North Queensland is one of the most picturesque regions in the Land Down Under. Bordered by the Great Barrier Reef on one side and tropical rainforests on the other, Far North Queensland presents a diverse range of activities for visitors looking to enjoy a tropical excursion. Visitors on a budget should stay in Cairns, the region’s largest city. While Cairns does not sit on the water, it provides easy access to both Far North Queensland’s beaches to the east and the region’s amazing rainforests and national parks to the west.

By far the most popular activity for tourists in Far North Queensland is tours of the Great Barrier Reef, which is best enjoyed while snorkeling or scuba diving. Daintree National Park also tops visitors’ lists of best places to visit in the region. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Daintree National Park is known for its beautiful flora and fauna, including several species of rare birds.

Sarandë, Albania

Nestled on the Albanian Riviera is Sarandë, one of Europe’s most pleasant and easygoing tropical towns. With hotels stays at deep discounts and a favorable exchange rate, Sarandë is also one of the most budget-friendly locations in Europe. And like most top tourist destinations in Europe, Sarandë is a mix of the old and the new.

Families with kids will enjoy frolicking in the turquoise waters of the Ionian Sea by day and taking a seat at one of the city’s world-class restaurants with the approach of evening. Sarandë is also home to several of Albania’s archeological treasures, including Forty Saints Monastery and Lekursi Castle. Awe-inspiring for their architectural beauty and importance in Albanian history, both locations also afford panoramic views of the city and surrounding landscape.

Marmaris, Turkey

Located at the confluence of the Aegean and Mediterranean seas is Marmaris, a grand escape on the Turkish Riviera. With hotel rates of less than $100 a night, Marmaris offers tourists on a budget a great chance to take in the beauty of one of the oldest nations in the world. Boat tours of the region, which is also known as the Turquoise Coast, are particularly popular with tourists. Tours of the waters around Marmaris place the spotlight on the region’s marine life, which include dolphins and whales.

Tours of the area also include stops at some of the area’s top historical sites, including ruins from Turkey’s ancient past and even modern shipwrecks. Along with tours of the coast, visitors to Marmaris can spend their down time in a variety of ways. Whether you want to scuba dive, visit a castle designed by Suleiman the Magnificent, or just hang out on the beach with a book in hand, Marmaris has something for every visitor.

Gulf Shores, Alabama, USA

Vibrant Gulf Shores, Alabama offers plenty of opportunities for fun in the sun with a unique blend of Americana. While Alabama does not often conjure up images of the tropics, Gulf Shores’ location on the Gulf of Mexico provides excellent tropical vibes for visitors hoping to avoid pricey international destinations.

Along with pristine beautiful beaches, Gulf Shores has taken special efforts to preserve the local ecology for residents and visitors alike. The result is a number of different ways to enjoy the local fauna. Whether you want to take a boat ride to check out dolphins or spy on pelicans and herons on trails that run parallel to the beach, Gulf Shores has much to entice nature enthusiasts. Meanwhile, Waterville USA is one of the greatest waterparks in the United States and is sure to put a smile on the face of the young and the young at heart.

Djerba, Tunisia

Sitting a mere four miles off the Tunisian coast is Djerba, an island steeped in culture and history. One of the most popular ways guests of Djerba enjoy the island’s pristine beaches is through camel rides. Camelback tours of Djerba’s beaches take visitors of the island to numerous villages where guests can experience traditional Tunisian and Berber culture alongside fresh fish and oysters caught by local fishermen.

Another favorite destination for tourists is Ras Rmel, a preserved lagoon that sports great views of several species of migratory bird, notably flamingos. When not on the beach or enjoying the island’s great natural beauty, guests of Djerba can learn about the island’s storied past. The neighborhood of Houmt Souk is the oldest part of Djerba and is home to countless buildings adorned in the traditional, white-washed frames that one associates with the region. Now a thriving market district, Houmt Souk is also favored by tourists because several centuries-old places of worship are also located in the area.

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Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India

At the meeting place of the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea are the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a chain of 572 islands. Thanks to the remarkable exchange rate, guests of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands have a variety of choices for what they want to do on their vacation. Along with traditional beach activities like swimming and snorkeling, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands also offer several distinctive experiences for visitors to the region.

One of the most magical adventures in the island chain is bioluminescent kayaking. On moonless nights, the phytoplankton around Havelock Island glow, illuminating the water and turning the ocean into a sea of stars. Visitors who want to experience the joys of scuba diving without much physical exertion can also go on sea walks, underwater strolls along the sea bottom — complete with diving bell and breathing apparatus — that bring travelers face to face with a variety of colorful fish and other marine life. Sea walks also allow guests to explore the coral reefs that make up the major part of the island chain’s underwater ecosystem.

Do you have a favorite tropical — but cheap — destination that you’d like to share? Tell us about it in the comments below!