If you are searching for a cost-effective spring break, there are two rules of thumb. Avoiding the hot spots like Miami, the Caribbean and popular European cities is crucial, and going all in with all-inclusive packages, a travel holy grail for families in search of getaways that don’t break the bank.

We spoke to several experts to weigh in on money-saving tips and less obvious but equally compelling destinations.

Fly South

For many families in winter, escaping the cold is top of mind. Gary Leff, whose blog View From The Wing focuses on travel deals and maximizing frequent flier miles, encourages people to travel farther afield — whether it’s Mexico, Central America or elsewhere in Latin America. His reasoning? It’s cheaper to be on the ground there, so airfare gets amortized across several nights, and offset by savings on hotel, meals and activities. He notes that Costa Rica and Belize can be reached with United Airlines miles, flying on their partners Avianca (via Bogotá) and Copa (via Panama City). Delta’s new partnership with LATAM Airlines creates opportunities for connecting to Uruguay.

Jack Ezon, the founder of Embark Beyond, is a fan of the white sand beaches and bountiful activities in Punta del Este in Uruguay.