(PressMediaWire) - Washington, DC - July 23, 2009 - Budget-minded travelers looking for the perfect summer escape won't have to search far, as Away.com reveals its choice for the top ten cheap beach vacation destinations for 2009.*

Given the current economic climate, far-flung, luxury beach vacations may not be in many travelers' immediate future. And because airfare is often the biggest expense in a traveler's budget, beaches in your own back yard are great places to lay back on the sand and forget about the bank statement. But there are also some amazing finds a little farther afoot, if you know where to look.

Our top ten cheap beach vacation destination recommendations for 2009 are:

1. Cannon Beach, Oregon
2. Tulum, Mexico
3. Placencia, Belize
4. Morro de Sao Paulo, Brazil
5. Negril, Jamaica
6. Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica
7. Cape Ann, Massachusetts
8. Huntington Beach, California
9. Outer Banks, North Carolina
10. Destin, Florida

Cannon Beach, Oregon, Away.com's number one choice for a cheap beach vacation, gives cost-conscious beachgoers a variety of free activities. Check out iconic Haystack Rock, drive to nearby EcolaState Park, or head to Bay City for fresh seafood. In Manzanita, rooms go for as low as $70 a night during high season.

For a cheap beach vacation a little farther away from home, Tulum, Mexico, has the same beachfront views as Playa del Carmen at budget prices. Visit the nearby Mayan ruins, or stay near the beach, where ocean-view properties have offered rooms for $60 a night, and airfare from the States can be had for less than it'd cost to fly to Florida or California.

In Negril, Jamaica, daily happy hours, electric sunsets, and Acapulco-style cliff divers keep costs low and spirits high. Beachfront hotels can start at $74 a night in high season.

"In these tough times, people tend to forget that it is possible to take a beach vacation without spending your life savings," says Eric Brodnax, general manager of Away.com. "But it's easy, and it all begins with picking a destination a bit off the beaten path."

Away.com's top ten lists profile these inexpensive outside-the-box vacations, as well as some well-known destinations, from around the world. Discover the top ten isolated Caribbean beaches, the top ten places to snorkel, and more. For additional seasonal vacation inspiration on a budget, visit Away.com's Travel by Month Guides.

About Away.com
Away.com, a part of The Away Network, is the leading online destination for travelers planning their next vacation. Trip planners will find over two million pages of travel inspiration, trip ideas, and travel planning tools and content for over 35,000 destinations. Based in Washington, DC, and founded in 1999, Away.com provides a distinctive blend of expert and consumer advice. The Away Network also includes Trip.com, GORP.com, GORPtravel.com, and Outside Online.

Media Contact - Alexis Anderson, alexis.anderson@away.com, 202/654-8011

*These destinations were selected based on both the author's and The Away Network's editorial guidelines and industry expertise. They do not necessarily reflect quantitative measures such as frequency of visitation or number or price of travel bookings.

Back to the Press Center »»

Network Sites and Company Information:

Away.com: The Web's best travel and vacation-planning resource. Great expert reviews and trip ideas for your travel interests and all the flights, hotels, and attraction information to get you there.

GORP.com: Comprehensive resource for adventure travel, outdoor sports and gear, national parks, and more.

OutsideOnline: America's leading active-lifestyle and adventure-travel magazine dedicated to covering the world outside, with great features, gear reviews, online exclusives, and more.

AdventureFinder.com: AdventureFinder.com (formerly GORPtravel) is an online travel directory of active vacations, tour outfitters, and adventure lodges, providing travelers with a one-stop shop to research and plan their next adventure.

Trip.com: Free travel search site designed to help travelers like you find the cheapest flights, cheapest hotels, cheapest car rentals, and cheapest vacation packages across all of your favorite travel websites with one easy click.