Spring Break is just around the corner. Wanna get out of Dodge for a few days without breaking the bank? If so, we compiled a list of 5 great strike trips you can do for $1,500 or less. If not, well, we probably have a partner location near you, anyway!
Assumptions
+ 5-day trip
+RT airfare from regional hub
+Accommodation in a place with clean sheets
+Awayco from our local partners
+You eat 3 meals a day, but aren’t fancy AF
SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO
Fly into: Cabo San Lucas International Airport (SJD), $400 roundtrip from San Francisco or Los Angeles.
Exchange rate: $1 USD = $18 Mexican Peso
Where to stay: Plenty of great 3 and 4-star hotel options for $50/night. Going with friends? Check out the houses on the East Cape via Airbnb.
Local food: There’s a lot of low-cost, high-quality food here. Plan for $200 for the trip. If you want to splurge a bit, we highly recommend Flora Farms.
Getting around: Rent a car. If you want to chase swell, get something sturdy as the roads can be bumpy. Budget $300.
Where to find waves: The East Cape (9 Palms, Shipwrecks) and San Jose (Zippers, Old Mans and The Rock) on south swells, while the Todos Santos area gets N and W energy.
Boards: Sanjos Shop is absolutely holding, no matter the wave size or skill level. Use this responsive CI Fever when it’s firing ($105 for five days). Otherwise, this Retro Fish looks delightful. They also do custom tours if you want some guidance on all the best nooks and crannies.
PUERTO RICO
Fly into: Aguadilla (BQN), $300 from JFK, $450 from San Francisco or Los Angeles.
Where to stay: WSSM Surf House in Aguadilla is $360 for you and a buddy/partner. One mile from the beach.
Getting around: Local taxis are good in town, but if you want to get those hard-to-reach spots, it’s best to rent a 4×4 car, which will be roughly $200+ for your stay.
Local food: Get your fix of local mofongo and arroz con gandules for $150-200 for your stay.
Where to find waves: Aguadilla is on the northwest coast of the island and features multiple spots including Wilderness, Crashboat and Surfers Beach. For larger surf, Rincón is a 30-minute drive south and has some of the best waves on the island.
Boards: Surf Zone Puerto Rico has Haydenshapes Miscs from 5’5 to 5’11. This high-performance twin-fin costs just $95 for five days.
BALI, INDONESIA
Fly into: Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) from Sydney for $525
Exchange Rate: $1 USD = 13,674 Indonesian Rupiah
Where to stay: You can sleep all over this beautiful island for $10 and up. The Koming Guest House in Canggu is a great option for around $38. Koming and his wife will help you book excursions and tell you where the best surf is. If you want the surf camp vibe, check out Kima Camps, which also have Awayco boards on property.
Local grub: A little goes a long way in Bali. Be sure to tip (10% is fine), it’s Hindu culture and karma is king. Fair warning, Bali Belly is a real waterborne illness, so best to avoid tap water and ice from restaurants. Call it $125 for the trip plus Bintangs.
Getting around: It’s worth your safety and sanity to just hire a driver. Your local hotel can arrange one. And once you know your way around you can rent a motorbike with a surfboard rack and helmet for $8/day. Bikago can get you sorted.
Where to find waves: If the trades are blowing early, head to the Bukit Peninsula and surf everything from Dreamland (beginner) to Uluwatu (advanced) to Bingin (expert). If not, you can cross the Bukit to Sanur or Keramas and find surf. The stretch of beach/reefs along Canggu also has a ton of waves.
Boards: Depends where you’re surfing, but we’ve got boards all over this island! In the Seminyak / Canggu / Berawa zone there’s Boardriders Echo Beach, Dylan Shapes, Kima Canggu, Kima Seminyak Chilli Surfboards Canggu, Chilli Sunset Road. On the Bukit there’s Rapture Surf Camp and S Resort Hidden Valley. In Sanur we have Rip Curl School of Surf. Budget $105 for the 5 days.
HAKUBA, JAPAN
Fly into: Haneda Airport (Tokyo) $540 roundtrip on Korean Air from SYD
Exchange Rate: $1 USD = ¥109 Yen
Getting around: The trains are top-notch in Japan, rarely late and super smooth. In the city, you’re probably better off using a taxi over Uber. Train from Tokyo to Hakuba is $145 RT, and takes about 4 hours each way.
Where to stay: This spot is $287 for 5 nights and has a shuttle, breakfast and WiFi. What else do you need?
Local food: $175 will get you all the noodles and sushi you can manage.
Where to score: Hakuba has 10 resorts that are all accessible off one lift ticket. Get a three-day pass for $148 and start exploring!
Boards and Skis: Experience gear you’ve always wanted to try at The Boarding Co and Skibum Shokai. Give yourself $150.
BEND, OREGON
Fly into: Redmond Municipal Airport (RDM) $300 RT on United from LAX
Where to stay: Bend has tons of good Airbnb options near the center of town. Depending on your travel party and budget, you can stay in anything from $165 or $300 for the trip.
Local food: Between the breweries and comfort food, you’re looking at $175. Spork is a local favorite. No sales tax is nice.
Where to score: Mount Bachelor is a fantastic resort just 30 mins from town. A 3-day pass will set you back $254. Want to save your money and earn your turns? Hike Mt. Tumalo just across the highway from Bachelor.
Getting around: It’s about $300 to rent a RAV4, which can fit multiple skis and boards.
Awayco recommends: Crow’s Feet: A Mountain Collective has skis, splitboards and fat tire bikes for you. It’s $170 for a pair of DPS Alchemist Wailer skis for four days.
Also consider: Travel insurance. It never hurts to have a backup plan in case things go south when you’re on a strike mission. Companies like GeoBlue offer coverage and helpful information.
Headed somewhere else for your break? There’s a good chance we’re set up there, too! Travel well
