Ibiza may seem like an expensive place to the inexperienced eye and it's easy to see why. Club ticket prices are not exactly inexpensive. Many hotels cost more than the average monthly mortgage repayment. Thinking of buying a round of drinks in a super-club? Think again.
But don't despair. Although this magical island seems too far of a stretch for your budget, it can be done on the cheap. Take it from us, champions of the breadline with wallets drier than your mouth at DC10 after refusing to break into a twenty for a beer.
Here are some top tips on how not only to survive an Ibiza holiday on a budget but also to thrive. Move over money saving expert Martin Lewis. Here goes.
Clubbing
Without a doubt, the biggest cost on Ibiza is for club entry. Ranging from a modest €15 to a let-me-pull-your-pants-back-up €80, just sampling a couple of the island's world-class clubbing options can eat through your entire budget.
But for most of us, that's why we're here. You won't find better line-ups, production or characters in any other part of the globe. So you can either suck it up or get smart.
Combo deals are a great way to bring the cost down and add structure to your holiday.
Check out the boat parties, as often you can bolt-on entry to not just one super-club but sometimes two.
One of our favourites is Lost In Ibiza, which now sails every Wednesday from Playa d'en Bossa after many years in San Antonio. Want to party with Jamie Jones at Paradise? Of course you do. Want to do it cheaper than the going rate? Erm, YES. Then buy the combo ticket with Lost In Ibiza and you save €€ whilst getting two great clubbing experiences day and night.
On the flip side, San Antonio boat party Pukka Up offers a similar savvy-saver deal with club nights Outset Ibiza and ABODE, both at Eden.
Plus, of course, don't forget the actual boat party itself, many of which include drinks and have their own pre-party included.
Not all partying has to cost a small fortune. There are plenty of intimate venues with reasonable prices. Akasha at Las Dalias in San Carlos and Underground in San Rafael are popular options off the beaten track for residents and those in the know.
That translates to 1) more affordable entry and 2) banging music.
For daytime dancing, Ibiza Rocks and O Beach lead the way in hosting wild open-air parties from afternoon to early evening in San Antonio without leaving a dent in your wallet.
If the super-clubs and hot party spots are what you want, though, then look out for savings if you buy earlier. For example, Pacha has a dynamic pricing system, whereby the earlier you purchase the better price you pay - each price tier has a set allocation.
Also, you can look out for early entry tickets. For example, Ibiza Rocks sells discounted tickets that stipulate an arrival by a certain time - usually 16:00. Arriving early can be a good way to discover a DJ not currently on your radar as well as saving you €10 or more.
Plus, of course, you have the several free pre-party delights that the island has to offer. These parties often have the same DJs of the super-clubs getting the night started early.
In San Antonio alone, there are Ibiza Rocks Bar, Itaca, Café Mambo, Café del Mar and a number of other establishments along the Sunset Strip.
If you like to plan ahead, keep tabs on early bird tickets from January to April - often offering considerable savings on the general admission price (and certainly off the price on the door, which is higher still - oft!). Keep that in mind for your Ibiza planning.
There is plenty out there so make sure you check out our party calendar for the full low-down on prices and line-ups. Still need an incentive?
How about this: we don't like to brag, but Ibiza Spotlight probably has the most consumer-friendly ticketing terms on the planet! That's a big statement, but tell us where else you can cancel your tickets up to 24 hours before, for any reason, and get a full refund? Nowhere.
That means you can buy at the cheaper rate and always cancel later if needs be, knowing that your money is protected. How good is that? Ibiza Spotlight has your back.
Eating
Think of your body as a well-oiled party engine. It needs fuel. But eating out on Ibiza can be expensive, which means that Ferrari motor will soon be moving like a rundown Fiat 500 if you don't keep on top of maintenance.
Take advantage of the island's many menú del días, where calories and cost don't go hand-in-hand. Just take a short walk away from the tourist feeding spots and sample a host of cafés, restaurants and bars.
You'll be surprised at how reasonably priced yet delicious the food can be. Click budget restaurants for our recommendations on cheap eats.
The local supermarkets are also great options to provide solid sustenance at a slashed price in comparison to the beachfront shops. Grab fresh bread, jamon and queso and put together some beach-day sandwiches.
Also worth noting is that you can find very drinkable decent wine for around €2 in the supermarkets, but that doesn't mean we recommend getting wasted on the beach.
Sleeping
The best idea for those on a budget is not necessarily to choose the cheapest accommodation, but the one that works for you.
Personally, a bed and a shower are enough (the Ibiza Spotlight club team are low maintenance!). By the same token, if your place is a dive, then you're more likely to go out and spend. Scientific fact.
Book in advance or search last-minute deals. Also, look out for the hotels with a nice pool area so you don't have to seek holiday solace elsewhere and actually pay through your nose for a drink to be there.
If your place has its own kitchenette, huge bonus. The money saved by cooking could earn you a cocktail on the sunset strip. Totally worth it.
The word hostel rings alarm bells to many, but on Ibiza there are plenty of reasonably priced places with top-notch facilities. It can also be a good place to meet like-minded budgeters and workers who can offer their wisdom.
Activities
If you could put a price on Ibiza's natural beauty, nobody could afford to be here. Whether it's watching the sunset on the rocks of San Antonio or hiking down to Atlantis, there's plenty to explore on the White Isle.
To get around, Ibiza's bus service offers a low-cost and environmentally friendly way to travel to most corners of the island.
In Ibiza Town, there's Dalt Vila, our UNESCO heritage site with a rich history. Walk up the cobbled steps all the way to the summit and breathe in a view of the beautiful town below. All for free. Just make sure you bring your own food as eating there can get pretty costly.
Later on, wave the sun goodbye and begin your evening at one of several stunning sunset spots on Ibiza's west coast.
Grab a €2 box of sangria and meet new friends on San Antonio's Sunset Strip, or head to the mystical rock of Es Vedrà, one of the most enchanting places on the island. Spiritual experiences don't come much bigger.
top Tips
- Load up on cheap booze and invite new-found-friends to a pre-drinking session
- Use the disco bus - it is a saviour
- Befriend workers and leech off their discounts at food places and bars
- Check out the free parties - always a blast
- Grab a taxi after 7:00 am for the cheapest tariff, making partying for longer even more worthwhile
- Buy tickets online and in advance so that you can plan your budget more easily
- Visit in May to June or September to October when prices are lower yet packed full of great opening and closing parties
One day you may be lucky enough to indulge in the richer fruits of Ibiza, but if today is not that day, it's all an experience. No matter how much or how little money you have to spend on your stay on the island, you'll be guaranteed an abundance of fun.
HEADER IMAGE | by David Holderbach
