March and April are historically dangerous months for your travel budget. Airlines and hotels, anticipating the rush, artificially inflate prices in hotspots like Orlando, Cancun and Phoenix. If you follow the herds, you pay a premium to stand in line behind college students on spring break.
The smart financial move is to pivot— shifting your gaze just a few degrees away from the primary tourist hubs to other gems. These destinations are currently in their “shoulder season,” offering the same weather and culture as their more expensive neighbors but with significantly lower price tags and a more sophisticated atmosphere.
Here are five destinations where luxury is currently selling at a discount.
1. Savannah, Georgia
An alternative to: Charleston, South Carolina.
Charleston is undeniably beautiful, but its popularity has driven hotel rates into the stratosphere. Savannah offers a nearly identical Southern Gothic charm — Spanish moss, cobblestones and open-container historic districts — but at a much friendlier price point. Data consistently shows the cost of living and visiting Savannah is lower than Charleston, and the difference widens during peak travel windows.
- Why it’s a deal: You avoid the sheer volume of tourists that clog King Street in Charleston. Hotel rates in Savannah’s Historic District often dip significantly mid-week in March and April.
- The perk: The blooming azaleas in March are spectacular. Take a quiet walking tour of the historic squares and live oaks or visit the SCAD Museum of Art, which offers world-class exhibitions without the massive crowds.
2. San Antonio, Texas
An alternative to: Austin, Texas.
Austin in March is financially treacherous due to South by Southwest (SXSW), a massive festival that causes hotel prices to triple or quadruple. Just 80 miles south, San Antonio remains affordable and relatively calm. While Austin deals with gridlock, San Antonio offers a walkable, European-style city center centered around the famous River Walk and the UNESCO World Heritage missions.
- Why it’s a deal: You completely sidestep the “festival tax” that hits the rest of the region. Luxury hotels near the Pearl District often run hundreds of dollars less per night than comparable properties in Austin during festival season.
- The perk: The Pearl District. This former brewery complex has been transformed into a high-end culinary destination with a Hotel Emma anchor, incredible steakhouses, and a complete absence of rowdy nightlife.
3. Tucson, Arizona
An alternative to: Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona.
Phoenix and Scottsdale are spring training hubs for Major League Baseball, which means hotel inventory is tight and prices are at their annual peak. Tucson, just under two hours south, offers the same Sonoran Desert beauty and 80-degree days but operates at a much slower, more affordable pace.
- Why it’s a deal: You aren’t competing with thousands of baseball fans for a room. Tucson is generally considered safer and more affordable than many high-density tourist zones, often offering staycation rates in the spring that are unattainable in Scottsdale.
- The perk: Saguaro National Park. It is one of the few national parks that is genuinely pleasant to visit in early spring before the summer heat becomes dangerous. The vibe here is wellness and hiking, not pool parties and clubbing.
4. Asheville, North Carolina
An alternative to: Gatlinburg and Nashville, Tennessee.
While Nashville has become a premier bachelorette destination and Gatlinburg caters to family tourism, Asheville retains an artsy, mountain-town dignity. March is technically the tail end of winter/early spring here, which keeps prices low before the summer hiking rush begins.
- Why it’s a deal: It is classic shoulder season economics. The weather is cool (think light jackets), which scares away the summer crowds, but the city remains fully open. You can secure reservations at James Beard-nominated restaurants that are usually booked solid months in advance.
- The perk: The Appalachian region attracts people seeking distinct seasons without brutal winters. The Biltmore Estate creates a stunning spring display with thousands of tulips and orchids. It is an immense, quiet property where you can spend an entire day exploring gardens and wineries without feeling rushed.
5. Rincón, Puerto Rico
An alternative to: San Juan or Cancun, Mexico.
If you crave the Caribbean but want to avoid the passport control lines and the chaotic Spring Break energy of Cancun, head to the west coast of Puerto Rico. Rincón is a surf town with a relaxed, expatriate vibe that feels completely distinct from the cruise-ship congestion of San Juan.
- Why it’s a deal: Flights into Aguadilla can sometimes be cheaper and less hectic than flying into the major hubs. Because it is a domestic flight for U.S. citizens, you avoid international taxes and fees.
- The perk: The sunsets. Rincón is famous for them. You won’t find mega-clubs here; you will find boutique guesthouses, fresh ceviche, and a culture that shuts down to watch the sun dip below the horizon every evening.