While I readily admit I have a preference for international travel, there’s nothing stopping me nor anyone else from experiencing a rewarding vacation right in their own backyard.

Staycations are a great option for travelers who may be short on time, have limited finances, or when there’s a global pandemic that forces a country to ban its citizens from traveling internationally as I’m currently facing.

While a staycation may not seem as exciting as holidaying in a far flung exotic destination, there are a number of benefits from holidaying at home. So why not consider staying within your own locale and take advantage of what your own city or town can offer.

There’s never been a better time to embrace staycations. The current pandemic has seen many countries close their borders to tourists and many of us have taken a financial hit due to ongoing lockdowns and restrictions.

Whether you simply don’t have the means to travel internationally right now or don’t feel motivated to deal with the many Covid-related travel regulations and restrictions that have been imposed around the globe, consider planning a staycation and realize for yourself why it may be a rather enticing idea.

The Benefits of Going on a Local Staycation

Maximizes Short Breaks

The one major drawback of traveling internationally is the time it takes to reach your final destination. It takes me at least a full 24 hours of flying and sitting in airports to reach most of Europe from Australia.

I then have to endure it all again when I return home. That is roughly 48 hours of my holiday spent doing not much of anything, not to mention hailing taxis from the airport and it taking at least a day or so to get my bearings in a new destination.

Staycations require very little “traveling”, thereby maximizing actual relaxation or enjoyment.

Not everyone has the luxury of being blessed with ample vacation leave time from work either, another area where staycations can prove beneficial. You can plan an extended weekend or simply a weekend staycation trip and still feel like you enjoyed a decent period of time off.

Makes for an Easier and More Effective Wellness Holiday

Wellness tourism has exploded recently, with seemingly everyone in my Instagram feed heading off to a Balinese villa for a yoga retreat or visiting with a shaman in a rainforest village for a bit of detox, meditation,  and self-exploration.

Thankfully, you don’t need to travel far to focus on your health and wellbeing.

Whether you live in Florida and want to sign yourself up to a drug rehab Miami residents swear by, or live in Arizona and want to drive to Sedona’s famous “vortexes” which are said to offer almost magical physical and mental healing energies, you can find a wellness holiday right in your own backyard.

Not all holidays have to be about sipping margaritas on the beach or relaxing in an infinity pool overlooking the ocean. Sometimes taking your time off to focus on your health can prove more rewarding and give you optimism and excitement for your future.

Ability to Explore Your Home City or Town

It’s easy to get lost in your daily routine and lose sight of the many attractions that are on offer in your home city and surrounds. Often, only when we are entertaining visitors such and visiting family and friends do we take time to visit the sights and attractions in our home town.

Staycations also give you the opportunity to check out that new local restaurant you haven’t gotten around to dining at or staying in a fancy hotel that may be just up the street.

Despite being just a short distance away, a stay at a hotel just up the street can still seem like a world away.

It’s often more about simply breaking out of your normal routine that is exciting and not necessarily where exactly you are taking your getaway.

The one extra benefit of really checking out your own neighborhood is that if you do happen to discover a great new restaurant, museum, or hiking trail, it doesn’t have to be a once-off since you can take advantage of these new found gems whenever you find the time.

Reduces Travel Stress

There’s no denying that international travel is stressful. While exotic adventures may be worth the extra stress we endure, sometimes it may be more enticing and easier to simply take a much less stressful holiday.

International travel involves arranging visas, making sure your passport is up to date, waiting hours in customs and immigration lines, arranging local transport, and more.

Add in dealing with a foreign language, and things become even more difficult. While you can overcome all this to still enjoy a holiday abroad, it is nice sometimes to not have to go through all this stress.

Planning a staycation means you don’t have to plan much at all and packing too becomes much less stressful since forgetting to pack an essential item can be quickly and easily remedied.

Staycations allow you to be impulsive and take a much needed holiday on a whim with little to no notice. They’re also a much less stressful way for families with small children to take a holiday or when you believe an imminent event such as a death or sickness could force you to be back home without warning,

Saves Money

Of course one of the biggest advantages of taking a staycation is that it is cheaper than international travel. This makes it a perfect option if you’re struggling financially but are still in dire need of a break.

Staycations free up a lot of money that would otherwise be spent on long haul flights and other transport. This allows you to avoid going into debt, simply save money, or allocate those extra travel dollars to experiences, food, and activities whether it be a day at the spa or arranging special behind the scenes zoo visits for your kids.

Decreases the Need for a Lot of Planning

I’ve already mentioned that fact that staycations can be had on a whim. There is often very little planning that is needed to enjoy a holiday in your own backyard. Because you know your local area, there is little research that needs to be done.

You may not have to look up directions, don’t need to exchange currency, won’t have to book flights and arrange transport to and from the airport, and definitely don’t need to worry about visas, passports, travel insurance, and possible required vaccinations.

The other added benefit of planning a holiday in your own home town is the fact you know when the best time is to book hotels, restaurants, and attractions to get the best rate and avoid the crowds.

You can be as spontaneous as you wish and still manage to pull off a successful holiday. Even if things do go horribly wrong, you’ll be just a short distance from home if you’re required to cut your trip short.

Supports Your Local Economy

Another advantage of a staycation is that you can help support your own local businesses and individuals in your community. Knowing your holiday money is getting pumped back into your local economy and into the hands of people that may in turn be keeping you in a job by spending money locally is rewarding.

You also know the best ways to support your local economy and which businesses are worth supporting. You can stay in Airbnbs you know are locally owned, dine at family-owned restaurants, and stay at independently-owned hotels.

Supporting your local economy can only benefit you in the long run. Knowing you played a part in seeing your home city or town grow and prosper is definitely a good feeling.