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Ever been to South Beach?

It’s not cheap. Miami oozes excess, and that’s part of the draw for many who live there and plenty who vacation there too.

With vibrant streets lined with luxury hotels, valeted Ferraris, and catchy signs luring you in for bottle service, tackling Miami on a tight budget isn’t exactly a walk in the park.

Sandwiched between Fort Lauderdale and Pompano Beach, like Miami’s perfectly pressed Cubanos, lies perhaps the region’s best-kept secret for an affordable getaway with fewer crowds and less in-your-face flash.

Fort Lauderdale is a name you likely know, whether as a vacation destination in its own right, famously dubbed Florida’s “Venice,” or as your gateway into Miami via a secondary airport option.

Either way, there’s another ‘Lauderdale’ that often goes overlooked. Southern Living just named Lauderdale-by-the-Sea one of Florida’s cheapest beach destinations, and we’re here to back it up.

Instead of chasing reservations and dress codes, travelers here can swim out to nearshore reefs, wander Anglin’s Square, and enjoy the kind of “Old Florida” beach day most of Miami forgot how to do.

No matter where your next trip takes you, be sure to check the latest Travel Alerts & Entry Requirements before your trip.

So Long, South Beach Prices

Flying into Miami may be surprisingly cheap from time to time, especially if you fly into Fort Lauderdale, since it’s a major Spirit Airlines hub.

Of course, they may be bankrupt by the time this article is published, but you get the point…

There’s just not much that’s truly cheap in Miami. Even a cup of coffee in what used to be authentic Little Havana now mirrors Starbucks’ menu.

But along the same coastline of both Fort Lauderdale and Miami, as well as many other sprinkled gems in between, awaits hyphen-happy and budget-friendly Lauderdale-by-the-Sea.

You won’t break the bank here.

While you won’t find name-brand luxury hotels, you will find worthwhile boutique stays along the gorgeous oceanfront of this map-dot paradise.

Here are Travel Off Path’s 3 favorites with double-digit nightly rates (in late spring and summer):

• Ocean Mile Hotel & Suites – as low as $59
• Ocean Reef Hotel – as low as $70
• Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort Hotel & Suites – as low as $92

You can book any of these 3 by clicking here.

Here’s our top 3 picks for wallet-friendly restaurants too:

• – a bread bowl of “Famous New England Clam Chowder is $9 (sign me up!)
• – a Philly Cheese Steak is only $14
• – a Blackened Mahi Sandwich is $16

For what it’s worth, Southern Living touts Aruba Beach Cafe as a must with sensational items like Caribbean Conch Chowder and Coconut Fried Shrimp.

A Pint-Sized Paradise

Lauderdale-by-the-Sea is a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it town along State Road A1A.

It’s so small, in fact, that there is only a 2.5-mile stretch of coastline actually annexed by the city.

Otherwise, you’ll find yourself in Pompano Beach to the north or more recognizable Fort Lauderdale to the south.

But what you get within those 2.5 miles are spectacular. Even in the throes of summer heat when many Florida vacationers flock anywhere they can to hold court under a canopy with their toes in the sand and barely an inch of elbow room, it’s almost as if Lauderdale-by-the-Sea didn’t get the memo.

We’re not saying it’s crowd-free, but it’s certainly not Destin, Panama City, or any Miami hotspot.

What makes this tiny town’s coastline even more special is its status as Florida’s “Beach Diving Capital”.

With its gin-clear waters, it’s a prime snorkeling spot known for its nearshore coral reefs as part of the Anglin’s Pier Reef Snorkel Trail.

Picture vivid blue waves, warm Atlantic waters, and a reef you can actually reach from your towel; you’re getting the kind of beach day most of Florida has already priced out or overbuilt.

Is It Safe To Bring The Whole Fam?

As you know, spring and summer are common for family vacations.

Places like Miami can be off-putting to bring the kiddos along, given the nightlife scene and notorious pastime lore of criminals running rampant.

I mean, have you heard of Miami Vice?

Fortunately, when you visit Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, the only thing you have to worry about are rip currents and the pier being closed due to safety concerns after being severely damaged in past storms.

As for Miami, our Safety Index tool shows a mixed bag of results with multiple reports of theft and civil unrest, and the final score currently hitting 77/100.

Sam Sears

Sam, our Senior Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 44 countries and written over 1500 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.