Boujee Budget Travel

Travel doesn’t have to mean flights, packed itineraries, or blowing your savings. This past summer, I focused on budget-friendly staycations in New Mexico and a couple of low-cost road trips, proving you can celebrate birthdays, bachelorettes, concerts, and cons without ever opening a passport. Here’s how it all added up.

🌲 Bernalillo KOA — Memorial Day Weekend Camping (2 Nights)

Total spent: ~$226

This trip was all about simple fun and low costs. We celebrated a friend’s birthday with a laid-back camping weekend at the Bernalillo KOA.

Budget breakdown

Camping fees: $92.22

Gelly Ball (paintball’s gentler cousin): $35

Restaurants: $93.60

Groceries: $5.47

Why it worked

Camping kept lodging costs minimal, and the KOA amenities did the rest. We swam at the pool, played games at the campsite, tried Gelly Ball (highly recommend if you want action without bruises), and capped the nights with a visit to a local brewery featuring live music. Affordable, social, and zero-pressure—this was budget travel at its best.

Budget tip: KOAs are great for group trips because entertainment is built in.

🎰 Sandia Casino — One-Night Birthday Blowout (June, 1 Night)

Total spent: ~$861

This was the most expensive staycation of the summer—but still cheaper than flying for a concert weekend.

Budget breakdown

Casino hotel: $413.18

Ludacris concert tickets (2): $436.17

Pool drinks: $12

Why it worked

We saved money by pregaming in the room with friends and bringing our own snacks and drinks to the pool the next day. A complimentary late checkout meant we lounged in bed, recovered from the concert, and squeezed every minute out of that one-night stay.

Budget tip: If you’re splurging, do it intentionally—short stays + built-in entertainment keep costs contained.

💍 Santa Fe — Bachelorette Weekend (May, 2 Nights)

Total spent: ~$755

Santa Fe can get pricey, but splitting costs made it manageable—and still indulgent.

Budget breakdown

Airbnb (my share): $312.32

Restaurants: $133.75

Groceries: $128.50

Ojo Caliente (day pass + massage for the bride): $179.94

Why it worked

We balanced one fancy Italian dinner with meals at the rental and grocery-store snacks. The highlight was Ojo Caliente hot springs—relaxing, memorable, and worth prioritizing over extra nights out.

Budget tip: Choose one “luxury” experience and build the rest of the trip around low-cost bonding time.

🚗 Flagstaff, Arizona — Cozy Road Trip (May, 2 Nights)

Total spent: ~$622

Flagstaff is proof that cute mountain towns don’t require big-city budgets.

Budget breakdown

Gas (my share): $91.34

Restaurants: $175.37

Music Studio casita: $355

Why it worked

We walked downtown, hiked, and splurged on one unforgettable dinner at Tinderbox Kitchen. We also stopped at Plotz Plot on the drive—a free roadside attraction that packs a lot of emotion and sparks conversation. Look into it for yourself to discover the background and door code- trust me it’s worth it! Flagstaff is charming, walkable, and perfect for a short escape.

Budget tip: Short drives + unique lodging = memorable trips without airfare.

🎉 Denver, Colorado — Fan Expo Road Trip (July, 5 Nights)

Total spent: ~$461

Five nights for under $500? This was the biggest budget win of the summer.

Budget breakdown

Parking: $284.35

Restaurants: $76.78

Entertainment: $100

Accommodations: free to me since my partner covered the hotel and I covered parking

Why it worked

We leaned hard into free and low-cost activities: hotel pool days, hiking in Boulder, walking downtown, and attending Fan Expo on a free buddy pass. Add in a drag brunch and a social club night, and it felt full without feeling expensive.

Budget tip: Free passes, outdoor activities, and sharing transportation costs make longer trips affordable. Also, we packed no prep meals and snacks for most of the meals.

Final Thoughts: Budget Travel Is About Balance

This summer proved that budget travel isn’t about skipping fun—it’s about choosing it wisely. Camping weekends, one-night splurges, shared Airbnbs, and road trips packed with free activities added up to a full summer of memories without financial regret.

If you’re looking to travel more while spending less, start close to home. Sometimes the best trips are just a tank of gas away.