Does a lake beach count as a beach? We just got back from a week in NH on Lake Winnipisaukee and a week in Vermont on Lake Champlain. Both had lovely, warm swimming beaches and lovely weather (we picked a great time to escape DC!). We also were able to intermix hiking and other adventures that typical beach towns don't have.

North Carolina.

Probably yes! Check Google flights, booking.com & Airbnb. You could probably do quite a bit with that budget, just do a bit of searching!

Not the prettiest beaches, but you could do worse than San Diego, or one of the beach towns just north. So much to do with a 7 year old, and the weather is usually spectacular in August. We're going (just like we did last August), and my rising first grader will be doing morning "ocean camp" in Encinitas.

It is hurricane season and it is warm here. I would try to rent a beach house. It is late to do that, but maybe you will luck out and there will be some cancellations.

Anonymous wrote:I would do Destin, Florida with that budget.

Lol if you spend 5K just to go to Destin you are a fool.

So you work your life away
Just to pay for a timeshare down in Destin

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes to Costa Rica - check out https://travelbyjen.com

Yes, I've used them, but we upgraded from Spirit to Jet Blue and we're a family of 4 so we got 2 rooms

These prices seem almost to good to be true.

Our family used them twice, for real. Costa Rica was FABULOUS (Jamacia all inclusive less so - wasn't up to our standards as far as food and activities). My recommendation for keeping it less $$ in Costaa Rica is to eat at Sodas rather than traditional restaurants. The Sodas are like New England diners, variety of inexpensive items on the menu (even my picky eater was happy). Not every day, every meal, but every day at least one meal. And, some of the places we stayed included breakfast!

Puerto Rico would probably be a good option.

Anonymous wrote:Yes to Costa Rica - check out https://travelbyjen.com

Yes, I've used them, but we upgraded from Spirit to Jet Blue and we're a family of 4 so we got 2 rooms

These prices seem almost to good to be true.

Costa Rica is pretty expensive. I had envisioned it as a cheaper destination but we spent a lot.

I would do Destin, Florida with that budget.

Yes to Costa Rica - check out https://travelbyjen.com

Yes, I've used them, but we upgraded from Spirit to Jet Blue and we're a family of 4 so we got 2 rooms

Actually I take that back. My neighbor just told me she was seeing cheap flights to Costa Rica in August. It’s dicey with the weather but if you’re ok with that.

A driving east coast beach vacation is my suggestion.

Or do Google flights explore feature and see where you can fly cheap.

IME travel agents leave me spending more not less than if I do it myself. But maybe I’m doing it wrong.

I have a budget of $5,000 and want to book an awesome last minute family summer vacation. Family of three, 2 adults and a 7 year old child. We love a good beach vacation. Any ideas?

Would a travel agent be able to work with that budget for Costa rica?