August, budget, Costa Rica, Thailand, anywhere else?

[Ontheup75]

I'm looking for inspiration!

1 adult, 3 teens.

We loved Sri Lanka, Borneo, Slovenia in recent years.

I'd like a cheaper destination, with budget accomodation (hostels, guest houses) and cheaper eating out.

Slovenia seemed expensive - similar to Italy - cost about the same in total as the other two, but with those we could eat out all the time instead of self catering and I could say 'yes' to (most) of the kids requests as activities were so cheap (surf lessons £10 vs £40 in north Yorkshire for example). They definitely felt more of a break for me.

Costa Rica appeals but seems like costs will add up quickly. Although flights well priced at the moment (relatively).
Thailand - too wet in August? Ko Samui ok, but where else? We like to travel around.
India? Whereabouts in August in relation to monsoon? (And too much hassle for 2 girls???)
Eastern Europe?

Thanks for any ideas!

We stayed in the Parador which I booked via Airbnb as got a cheaper rate than booking.com.

@Puravida23 looks lovely but booked, damn 🤣 thanks anyway!

@Ontheup75 where did you end up going??

@Mossiebonbon Costa Rica
It was fab!

Pura Vida 😁

Yes great place, loads to do and see but Uk/ US prices.

I’d go to Indonesia. We loved it there and we’ll set up for hostels and cheap travel.

Thank you !

@Flamesatmytoes
Can you let me know whereabouts you went in Indonesia? Was it UK summer holidays? How hot and humid?
I started this thread last year when we decided to go to Costa Rica.
I'm on the case with summer 2024 now!
Thanks!

@Ontheup75

We did a few locations and it was fantastic. August so weather hot, but for me not unbearable.

First was Tanjung Puting National park. You stay on a houseboat and visit the orangutans. It was really brilliant. Although the feeding stations are clearly set up, we also saw wild ones in a village. You get to see the organ's up close and they are so amazing. They play in the trees and the family groups gather to eat as you watch. We sat for ages watching them. They live in the wild but get fed and many are taken from people who have kept them as pets, or the parent has been killed in the palm oil fields. You can go on canoes deeper into the park, and you see loads of wildlife as you travel on the river. Loads and loads of monkeys - the proboscis monkeys are just wonderful, but crocs, fireflies, the bird life, is stunning but you can't beat a baby orangutan!

From there we went to Komodo, again on a boat and spent a few days sailing the park, saw dragons, and villages, did loads of snorkelling and visited deserted beaches. The snorkelling is world class and we loved it on the boat. It was very different to the National park. Drier, and more of a beach vibe.

Final stop Bali, and Ubud. Visited paddy fields and cycled around. Climbed Mount Batur volcano and visited hot springs. Ubud is busy but great and the food and markets, street scene is fabulous. We also visited temples and a traditional Balinese house. Again a very different vibe to the parks and wildlife.

We loved Indonesia and said we wished we had longer.

We did have to transition through Jakata, but it was just a stop and move on.

I forgot that we did a cooking experience in Bali and that was also really good fun. It was at a community project so also felt positive.

@Flamesatmytoes thank you! I'm going to do some more research on that now! Sounds amazing.

Hi there @Flamesatmytoes Hope it's ok to jump on this thread. Would love to hear more about your Indonesia itinerary. How did you travel between places? And are there any activity companies/local tour operators that you would recommend? Very grateful for anything you can share!

@ButPerfectlyFormed we flew on local airlines. Indonesia is very well served as it’s lots of islands.

This is our boat from Komodo and it was amazing https://anandacruises.com/

I’ll try and find the boat for Tanjung

Thanks so much @Flamesatmytoes ! Rather late in the day, trying to work out what to do for a special trip straight after A levels and GCSEs this summer. Weighing up Costa Rica (with a few days in NY on the way) or Indonesia. Or indeed the Panama / Colombia trip mentioned higher up on this thread.... I fear we'll find lots of accommodation and trip options will already be booked up though.

We’ve also been to Costa Rica and I think it’s also a great option. Possibly more adventure options as it’s well known for that. We did the usual ziplines, tubing, rafting, kayaking, thermal springs. It was also a great trip. We went with Families Worldwide as took parents and other family.

Thanks @Flamesatmytoes Trying to work out an itinerary for Costa Rice and will look at FWW. Re Indonesia, would love to get the details of the boat in Tanjung and any accommodation you would recommend if not too luxurious!

BTW if anyone is contemplating Nepal, I can help - we have family there and have been many times.

Not recommended for summer though - too hot and wet (unless you particularly like leeches 😂).

I’d love to go to Nepal, but timings are always off!

I think we used Borneo Eco Tours but can’t find the confirmation. Def get a boat with AC as it’s proper jungle hot.

we did rather go all out in Bali as stayed here
https://komaneka.com/rooms/two-bedroom-pool-villa/ it was rather nice!

My Indonesia trip. (London Olympics were on, probably a lot has changed now and much more expensive).

I went solo.

Flew to Jakarta, didn't even leave the (brilliant) hotel, just chilling and jet-lag overcome. 1 weekend.

Flew to Yogjakarta because I wanted to see Borubudur, the largest Buddhist temple in the world. It's amazing. Hardly any tourists either. Bliss.

Flew to Bali. Had a great time. Kuta for trips out. Tana Lot temple - beautiful. Situated on a rock in the sea near the shore, at low tide you can walk there. Ubud was amazing too. Monkey temple. Lots of trendy cafes etc. (not really my thing).

Took the boat from Bali (Padang Bai) to Gili Trawagan, amazing. You can walk around it in a day and there's reggae!! 😍
Very laid back and people from all over the world. Your kids will love it.
The 2 other Gili islands are quieter but also great I heard.

Thanks, @MariaLuna, I’ll check out the places you mention too.

Yes, that’s more than we’re wanting to spend, but does look dreamy!

We spent a few blissful days in this villa in Bali last year villasemadhibali.com it was really peaceful, right on the beach with private pool and very affordable meals made by the chef. We hired a private boat to take us to menjangan national park. The snorkelling was amazing

The nightly rate was less than the Heathrow premier inn.

I love Indonesia and keep getting drawn back time and time again