10 spring break home rentals for under $100 a night

It may be hard to believe, but spring break is almost here. It's time to book a flight, find a bathing suit and figure out where in the world you hid that sunblock at the end of last summer.

But between the costs of travel, food and activities, the price tag of a spring break getaway can make your vacation more stressful and less enjoyable.

Timing flight purchases to get the best price is often the first way travelers try to trim expenses, spurring dozens of studies trying to find the best window. Discount travel site CheapAir, in a 2016 study, found the "Prime Booking Window" is anywhere from three weeks to 3.5 months before your intended travel dates.

Kayak narrows that window further, suggesting you book between four and six weeks before you plan to fly, meaning now is the time to book for your March or April vacations.

Home sharing is another great way to cut vacation costs without cutting fun. Renting a house or condo for your trip can be less expensive than staying in a beachfront hotel and also offers additional perks, such as a full-size kitchen where you can cook your meals instead of going out, community pools that may be less crowded than those at hotels and additional space and privacy not offered by traditional hotel rooms.

Click ahead for home rentals under $100 a night in 10 popular spring break destinations.

Panama City Beach, Florida

Long one of the hottest spring break destinations for students, Panama City Beach has miles of sandy beaches that draw thousands of spring breakers each year. You can also swim with dolphins at Gulf World Marine Park, explore the history of diving at the Man in the Sea Museum or feed tigers at ZooWorld.

Panama City Beach, Florida

This one-bedroom, one bathroom condo near the beach is available for rent on HomeAway for an average of $97 per night. The condo has a queen bed and a sleeper sofa, a washer and dryer, Wi-Fi, cable TV and a balcony overlooking one of two community pools. Reviewers write that it's a two-minute walk from the beach.

South Padre Island, Texas

South Padre Island is another popular spring break destination on the Gulf of Mexico. It hosts annual Beach Bash and Ultimate Music Experience (UME) festivals in March for the college spring break crowd. Not up for a party? Other attractions include the South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center and Gravity Park amusement park.

South Padre Island, Texas

This one-bedroom, one-bathroom condo is located about 300 yards from the beach and is available on HomeAway for an average of $90 per night. It has a king bed and a pull-out twin bed and is close to the community's swimming pool.

Cancun, Mexico

This resort town on the southeastern gulf coast of Mexico is a spring break standby with white sand beaches, luxury resorts and vibrant nightlife. Take a break from the beach to soak up some history with a visit to the Mayan ruins of Las Ruinas del Rey or El Meco.

Cancun, Mexico

This beachfront studio condo with one bathroom sleeps up to four people and is available on HomeAway for an average of $82 per night. It has two queen beds, a balcony and a communal pool.

St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands

If you're looking for less partying and more relaxing, consider the Caribbean island of St. Thomas. In addition to the beaches, local attractions include Blackbeard's Castle, the Buck Island National Wildlife Refuge and Coral World Ocean Park.

St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands

This studio cottage with one bathroom sleeps two people and is available on HomeAway for an average of $81 per night. It has a balcony overlooking the ocean, a full kitchen and internet access.

Ocho Rios, Jamaica

If beaches are boring, take a dive from a waterfall or bobsled down a mountain in the rainforest near Ocho Rios, Jamaica.

Ocho Rios, Jamaica

This one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment can sleep up to four people and is available on HomeAway for an average of $83 per night. It has a king bed, two day beds, a balcony with an ocean view, a community swimming pool and 24-hour security.

Noord, Aruba

The Caribbean island of Aruba is a water-lover's paradise, with a variety of available snorkeling and scuba diving tours. More adventurous visitors can make the trek to the remote Natural Pool, a popular swimming destination ringed by volcanic rock on the island's east coast.

Noord, Aruba

This studio with one bathroom sleeps two people and is available on HomeAway for an average of $90 per night. It has a queen bed, refrigerator, coffee maker and access to a community swimming pool and hot tub. It's a five-minute drive from the beach.

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

On the other side of Mexico, Cabo San Lucas is another beach destination on the tip of the Baja California peninsula. The area is known for its unique stone formations along the coast and offers nightlife, swimming, boating and whale watching.

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

This two-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment in downtown Cabo San Lucas sleeps up to four people and is available on HomeAway for an average of $86 per night. It has a rooftop terrace and access to a pool and beach.

Las Vegas, Nevada

If you'd rather hit casinos and nightclubs than the beach, Las Vegas may be a more appropriate spring break destination.

Las Vegas, Nevada

This one-bedroom, one-bathroom condo is a five-minute drive from the Strip and sleeps up to four people on a queen bed and a queen sleeper sofa. It also has a balcony and a community pool and hot tub.

New Orleans, Louisiana

Trade the thumping bass of spring break nightclub parties for the smooth swing of jazz with a vacation in the Big Easy. Explore the city's unique history and cuisine, and check out its spookier side on one of its many ghost tours.

New Orleans, Louisiana

This studio with one bathroom sleeps up to four people and is available on HomeAway for an average of $97 per night. The historic property was built in 1866 and has a queen bed, pull-out sofa, a gas fireplace, a private patio and free laundry services.

Miami Beach, Florida

While Miami Beach is known, well...for its beaches, there are plenty of other things to do. Check out the area's architecture with an art deco tour or visit the nearly 900-year-old Monastery of St. Bernard de Clairvaux, which was disassembled, shipped to Florida from Spain and rebuilt in 1925.

Miami Beach, Florida

This studio apartment with one-bathroom in South Beach sleeps up to two people and is available for an average of $79 per night. It has a queen bed, full kitchen and two beach chairs you can carry across the street to the beach.