10 Ways to save money and have a blast in Florida!

Love a fun vacation adventure?  Have you ever considered the beautiful shores of Gulf County Florida?  Gulf County is a great place to vacation, kayak, hike, bike, fish and play.  And best of all, it isn’t as crowded and is a much less expensive option for the true Florida experience.

I’ve put together a list for you of 10 ways to save money and have a blast in Florida– featuring the awesomeness of Gulf County and GCFL Adventure Guide.

And you have a chance to win a $100 Gift Certificate to Sierra Trading Post!  (check out the bottom of this post for details!)

10 Ways to Save Money and have a Blast in Florida!

1. Plan your trip for off season

Florida is the busiest during the summer and the winter seasons.  That is when most families travel due to school breaks.  And of course there is the influx of snowbirds in the winter.  That means that the best bargains for a Florida vacation can be found in April and May, and September and October.

2. Head to a lesser known area

Consider stepping off of the beaten path.  Gulf County Florida is located on the beautiful panhandle of the state.  It boasts beautiful pristine white beaches, and easy access to water of all kinds. Gulf County was formed organically at a “balanced” pace to preserve nature and culture.

The Gulf of Mexico, the pristine, saltwater St. Joseph Bay, Indian Pass Lagoon, the Gulf County Canal, the Intracoastal Waterway, the Apalachicola Bay and river basin (a brackish mix of both) and the freshwater of the Dead Lakes and Chipola River are all connected and connect people to nature.

3. Rent a vacation home or condo

Rental homes can sleep more people, so that you might share the costs with your friends or family.  Gulf County offers places like the Serenity Beach Rentals as great options for stay.  They also come with a full kitchen- a great way to save a bit of money by cooking at home.  If you choose to buy or bring groceries and prepare meals in your rental, you can save hundreds of dollars in restaurant bills over the course of a week.

4. Eat as the locals do

To save money on food in Florida, drive away from the beachfront property and ask the locals where they eat. You just might discover a treasure.

5. Pick up restaurant and attraction discounts on line

You can find Florida motel discounts, restaurant coupons, discount tickets from the comfort of your home.  An online search for the attraction name followed by “coupons” might yield some great discounts!

6. Make souvenir shopping affordable

Did you know that T-shirts, postcards and other Florida souvenirs can be found in places like Walmart, Target and most local drug stores?  These mass market retailers often will offer local souvenirs at discount pricing.

7. Go camping!

Of course I have to mention camping!  There are many campgrounds on or near the coast of Florida, and it can be one of your cheapest options.  Did you know that wildlife and adventure both feed off the water?

Enjoy the outdoors in Gulf County where you have access to kayaking, all types of fishing, hiking, biking, bird watching, snorkeling, diving, paddleboarding, ecotouring, and boating; all located no more than 15 minutes away from any given point in the area.  Local places like Daly’s Watersports are great options for adventure!

8.  Remember to check for age, student and membership discounts

Many attractions like theme parks, museums, restaurants and campgrounds have discounts for senior, children or students. If you are traveling, remember to take your ID and membership cards with you.

9. Fly into secondary airports

Several smaller airlines have moved into the Florida market by calling some secondary airports home. Flying into the smaller airports will save you lots of dollars!

10. Use the “Free Days” 

Did you know that there is such a thing as free days?  Before you go to any attraction or museum, make sure you look on their website to find out if they offer free visiting hours or discounts.

Adventure Guide Scavenger Hunt!

If you are considering visiting Gulf County Florida, the GCFL Adventure Guides takes hospitality one step further. They welcome you and want to share their passion with you. They tell you great stories and share tons of insider tips.

New guides are highlighted every month on the GCFL Adventure Guide.

Want a chance to win a $100 Gift Certificate to Sierra Trading Post?

Answer the Scavenger Hunt question below using the search tool in the  GCFL Adventure Guide.  And leave a comment below with your answer!   I will choose one lucky winner at midnight EST on Wednesday, April 27, 2016.