Florida Keys on a Budget - can we really save??

[billwendy]

Hi - we are headed to the florida keys for 4-5 days in a few weeks. Found a motel in Islamorada for $39/night - they promise to be clean and simple - which sounds good. Now, the trick is meals...we will have a fridge in our room, and access to charcoal grills.......so, what are your suggestions for meals??? Mainly dinners, we can do cereal and sandwiches for breakfast and lunch. We will make a stop at the superwalmart as we head into Largo - maybe hit a dollar store for paper products? Is there one around there (we will be coming from Miami - Baptist hospital)....

Thanks so much!!!!

Wendy

 

[tuckerkeys]

No, I don't think there are any dollar stores in the area....It's not like regular places. Lots of houses, motels and bars......

If the weather is excellent, as I'm sure it will be, you won't be in the motel for long most days! Please keep in mind that these motels are very " keesey " and by this I mean, very basic. You'll have a good time regardless! Pick up some items from winn dixie or publix. They aren't too bad.....Maybe you can hit a dollar store in Miami before you go down?

 

[billwendy]

Thats what I thought - very keesey!!! lol!!!

 

[bebelle]

Make sure you get to Bahia Honda State Park and the Dolphin Research Center----FREE!

 

[rapmarks]

there are two grocery chains in Marathon, about 30 miles away, but you would pass them if going to see some sites like Bahia Honda State Park or Dolphin Research Center. Publix fried chicken is very delicous and their key lime pies are the best. we always pick those up our first night in a timeshare for an easy dinner.
When we traveled (twice) with two young kids for 30 day trips I had a small set of plastic dishware carried in a small basin. Breakfast and lunch always out of cooler and dinner out. Food prices are higher in the Keys, at least in the restaurants, not necessarily in the stores.

 

[girli565]

There's a SuperWalmart in Florida City, exit 1 off the turnpike and make a right, you can't miss it. They have wonderful prices and there's a gas station that has pretty cheap prices.

Then once you're done you just hop back on US1 south to get to the Keys.

There's also a $1 store on 147th Ave and kendall drive, west of Baptist hospital, that's enormous. They even have groceries!! It's worth the 10-15 minute drive. It's next to a Ross

 

[kathrna]

OP mentioned the Super Walmart in Florida City right before you head to the Keys. There is also a $ Store in that shopping center. It's in the strip mall before getting back to the Wal Mart. It's next to Radio Shack, Pay Less Shoes and a couple of eateries.

In Islamorada check out Boardwalk Pizza.

Have fun!

 

[mamalle]

I believe there is a winn dixie in tavernier but the publix is in marathon. we normally hit publix since we stay in duck key which is just south of islamorada. Bahia Honda is about a 30' drive south. there is a cute little park right in Islamorada if Im not mistaken. we went to a festival there a few years back and the kids were in the water the whole time. Wide World Of Sports in there also with a outdoor restaurant in Islmorada. I would stock up also prior to getting into the keys- we always bring noodles, snorkel sets, sand toys and rafts.. Have a great time. You should get some nice weather this time of year..

 

[keyswoman2000]

Your best bet is to hit the superwalmart in Homestead. In Key Largo there is a Winn-Dixie (at MM105, bayside), a Publix (at MM 102 - oceanside), a dollar store (at MM 99.5 - by office depot - bayside). Closer to Islamorada there is another Winn-Dixie (MM 92). There's another dollar store in that plaza, too (Tavernier Towne). Hope this helps.

 

[keyswoman2000]

I just replied (above). I noticed that you are from PA. I was born and raised in PA (Jim THorpe) but moved down here to the keys 8 years ago. Have fun on your trip.

 

[billwendy]

I just replied (above). I noticed that you are from PA. I was born and raised in PA (Jim THorpe) but moved down here to the keys 8 years ago. Have fun on your trip.

Oh Wow, thats awesome!!! I can't even imagine living down there - is it as awesome as it sounds?

Any more tips to make our trip fun? We LOVE to snorkel - is there someone you would recommend? I think we are going to stay at the Key Lantern Blue Finn Inn????? Its 39/night....do you know anything about it?

THanks!!

 

[keyswoman2000]

I don't know anything about that particular place. I'll ask around at work tomorrow to see what I can find out.

 

[billwendy]

I don't know anything about that particular place. I'll ask around at work tomorrow to see what I can find out.

That would be totally awesome!! Or, if you know of any other place that is pretty cheap - we were even thinking of camping, but dont want to have to fly down with a tent and air mattresses!! lol!!!

We'd be happy staying anyplace in the keys - would love to be a little more south than Islamorada to be more centrally located.....any tips for snorkeling?

Thanks so much!!!

 

[keyswoman2000]

Hi again,

My husband says that the Key Lantern/Blue Fin is decent & clean. It is right next to the Lorelei, which is a cool restaurant & beach bar. Also, I have an entertainment book (which we don't really use) that has a coupon for a free half-day snorkeling trip with the purchase of one at the FL keys dive center (MM 90.5), if you would like it. It expires on Nov. 1, though.

 

[billwendy]

Hi again,

My husband says that the Key Lantern/Blue Fin is decent & clean. It is right next to the Lorelei, which is a cool restaurant & beach bar. Also, I have an entertainment book (which we don't really use) that has a coupon for a free half-day snorkeling trip with the purchase of one at the FL keys dive center (MM 90.5), if you would like it. It expires on Nov. 1, though.

Thats great about the motel - thats all we need - simple!! hmmmm I'd love the coupon, but we leave on friday...not sure how I would get it unless you mailed it to the motel????? we are to arrive there on sunday (but we dont have ressies, we are just going to get a room when we get there).......any ideas????????

THanks so much for your advice and help!!!
Wendy

 

[Kathi OD]

FYI, there is a Family Dollar Store on the Overseas Highway in Tavernier, about 3 or 4 miles north of Islamorada.

 

[keyswoman2000]

I can have my husband take it to work with him for you to pick up - he works at the Tavernier Winn-Dixie (MM 91). He usually has off on Sundays, but he can leave it there. I'll put it in an envelope with your name on it. Hope this helps.

 

[billwendy]

THAT WOULD BE AWESOME!!!Is the Winn Dixie hard to find?
where in the store would I go to ask for the envelope?

Thanks so much for the in fo about the dollar store!!! We hope to do a lot of charcoal grilling since grills are at our hotel for free....so maybe we can get some spices and tinfoil and stuff there!!

Thanks everyone!!

 

[Jaycey'smom]

We also are planning a "budget" trip to "The Keys" soon and had not looked into this motel. I just checked Tripadvisor and it is next to a trailer park and has no pool. But most on that site says it is clean. We live in Fla and just want a budget trip to the keys but we have to have a pool. If that is not important to you I think it would be great.

 

[billwendy]

We also are planning a "budget" trip to "The Keys" soon and had not looked into this motel. I just checked Tripadvisor and it is next to a trailer park and has no pool. But most on that site says it is clean. We live in Fla and just want a budget trip to the keys but we have to have a pool. If that is not important to you I think it would be great.

We go back and forth about a pool - we really love the beach, and figure we will be travelling around and going to parks and such - but they do have a sister hotel just down the road - i think its pretty cheap too....55/night sun-thurs - they do have a pool......

im really hoping its clean!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!