Once upon a time, Tulum was a sleepy (and cheap) little Mexican town, but now it's hit the big time and is unaffordable for many travellers. Nagle advises reverse engineering your trip by listing the amenities you want then picking a destination. "Establish the criteria that matter most — like gorgeous beaches — then research destinations that are on the rise," he says. "Up-and-coming locations are always cheaper than popular destinations, and the feeling of being in-the-know (and avoiding crowds) is its own luxury!"
According to booking data from Airbnb, Monterrey, Mexico, Santos, Brazil, Dapa, Philippines, and the US Virgins Islands are surging, so branch out beyond the usual hotspots.