A travel company’s Beach Price Index compared the cost of a day at the beach around the world using the same basket of items. Doing the same for the places you are considering is a quick way to compare holiday costs – prices range from a few dollars in Southeast Asia to well over $100 on some Mediterranean beaches.
How to use the Beach Price Index Calculator
- Sunscreen (200 mL, SPF 30)
- Bottle of water (500 mL)
- Drink (beer or soft drink)
- Ice cream
- Lunch with drink and dessert
- Entry, lounger and umbrella
- People
- Beach days
Results update as you type, and every field accepts the units shown in its menu.
How it works
Enter local prices for each item, the number of people and days.
Tips
- Results are estimates meant for planning and fun – adjust the inputs to match your situation.
- Everything runs in your browser, so you can try as many variations as you like.
- Share the result link with friends so everyone sees the same numbers.
- For safety-related hobbies (hammocks, balloons, tents), follow the manufacturer’s limits.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using default values when you know your own figures.
- Treating rough rules of thumb as exact.
- Forgetting to add breaks, travel or setup time.
Inputs explained
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Sunscreen (200 mL, SPF 30) | Amount in your currency |
| Bottle of water (500 mL) | Amount in your currency |
| Drink (beer or soft drink) | Amount in your currency |
| Ice cream | Amount in your currency |
| Lunch with drink and dessert | Amount in your currency |
| Entry, lounger and umbrella | Amount in your currency |
| People | A number |
| Beach days | A number |
What each result means
- Beach price index (per person per day) = [Sunscreen (200 mL, SPF 30)] + [Bottle of water (500 mL)] + [Drink (beer or soft drink)] + [Ice cream] + [Lunch with drink and dessert] + [Entry, lounger and umbrella]
- Group cost per day = [Beach price index (per person per day)]×[People] – [Sunscreen (200 mL, SPF 30)]×([People] – 1)
- Total for the trip = ([Beach price index (per person per day)] – [Sunscreen (200 mL, SPF 30)])×[People]×[Beach days] + [Sunscreen (200 mL, SPF 30)]×ceil([People]×[Beach days]÷6)
Example values
How the main result changes when Sunscreen changes and everything else stays at the example values above:
| Sunscreen (200 mL, SPF 30) | Beach price index (per person per day) |
|---|---|
| 6 | 63.5 |
| 9 | 66.5 |
| 12 | 69.5 |
| 15 | 72.5 |
| 18 | 75.5 |
| 24 | 81.5 |
Formula
Index per person = sunscreen + water + drink + ice cream + lunch + facility feeGroup cost = index × people × daysWorked example
Inputs — Sunscreen (200 mL, SPF 30): $12; Bottle of water (500 mL): $2; Drink (beer or soft drink): $5; Ice cream: $3.5; Lunch with drink and dessert: $22; Entry, lounger and umbrella: $25; People: 2; Beach days: 5.
Results — Beach price index (per person per day) = $69.50; Group cost per day = $127.00; Total for the trip = $599.00.
Frequently asked questions
Which beaches are cheapest?
In the original index, beaches in Southeast Asia and North Africa were cheapest and those in the Caribbean, France and Monaco the most expensive.
How can I save at the beach?
Bring your own water, snacks and sunscreen, and find free public beach areas instead of beach clubs.
Why is sunscreen counted once for a group?
One 200 mL bottle lasts several people a few days; the trip total spreads it out.
What formula does the Beach Price Index Calculator use?
Index per person = sunscreen + water + drink + ice cream + lunch + facility fee.