Sometimes it’s nice to indulge in an expensive vacation, whether you fancy treating yourself to a 5-star getaway or paying an extortionate price for a fortnight in Disney. But what about when the money is tight and you still have the travel bug?
There are plenty of vacation destinations that won’t break the bank, so if you’re saving for something special or just tightening the purse strings, you don’t have to abandon travel altogether. Check out these 30 travel destinations that you can visit on a budget today.
Canada on the whole isn’t the cheapest North American destination to visit, but Alberta is largely more affordable. With a 5% tax rate (one of the cheapest rates in Canada), a decent currency conversion rate, and lots of low-cost activities to immerse yourself in, you should definitely add Alberta to your list if you’re a nature lover. Consider camping in the summer to lower your costs even more.
If you haven’t vacayed to North Carolina yet, you’re missing out. Its coastline is beautiful – I especially recommend Wilmington and Carolina Beach – and you can find decent accommodation for less than $100 (you can camp in the summer, too). If you spend your days either hiking or chilling on the beach, you’ll hardly need to pay for anything.
You can spend approximately $40 a day in Mexico, a country known for its warm weather and extraordinary coastlines. The food is cheap and delicious, transport is highly affordable, and it only gets cheaper the further away from the tourist areas you travel. But if you’d prefer to visit a well-known destination, Cancun and Tulum are both great options.
Here’s an opinion that
might just be a fact: Guatemala gives pretty much the same vibes as Costa Rica, but for a fraction of the cost. Guatemala has everything you’d ask for in a tropical vacation destination: lush jungles, volcanos, mountains, a coastline to die for… It costs $10-$15 per night to stay in a hostel, but if you’d rather stop at a hotel, the costs aren’t much higher.
Similar to Guatemala and Costa Rica is Nicaragua. This Central American country is another super-cheap destination to visit, and has all the vacay destination staples: a vibrant nightlife, beautiful beaches, and delicious food. Accommodation is affordable, too, no matter what you’re looking for.
We’ve all considered Panama as a vacation destination, but how many of us have actually been? If you’ve been putting it off, here’s your incentive: it’s really quite cheap. It’s a backpacker’s favorite for that reason – but if you’re not into that kind of lifestyle, there are plenty of affordable luxury hotels to consider. There are rainforests and mountains to explore, and plenty of sports and activities, from scuba diving to rock climbing and horseback riding.
Despite the fact that I’ve already given you two even more affordable alternatives to Costa Rica, this beautiful destination still has its place on this list. It’s popular for good reason: it’s beautiful
and cheap. You can spend less than $10 on a full meal, and fancy accommodation comes at around $50 per night.
The first must-travel South American destination on this list, Peru literally has it all: stunning scenery, a beautiful rainforest, a surfer-friendly coastline, and bustling cities. It’s also home to the famous Machu Picchu, too – a bucket list item for many. You can get lunch for $5 per person and find accommodation for less than $30 per night.
Ecuador is a destination that many people forget about, but it’s well worth traveling to if you’re looking for similar-but-different vibes to Peru. The beautiful rainforest is well worth exploring, as is the romantic city of Quito. There are plenty of places to explore that cost nothing to see if you’re on a budget.
Moving onto Europe – yes, the flights will cost more, but there are so many affordable countries to explore. Greece is well worth considering if you haven’t already. Islands like Santorini tend to be a little more expensive, but Kos, Rhodes, Zante and mainland Greece are all very affordable. Head away from the tourist hotspots and you’ll find cheaper accommodation and food.
Croatia is a tempting country for honeymooners and backpackers alike, and that’s because it has a bit of everything. There is so much history to be found in this destination – as well as plenty of beaches and hiking trails. Split, Hvar, and Dubrovnik are three of Croatia’s must-see hotspots.
Serbia is another country that even Europeans are less likely to travel to – which is a shame, because there’s so much to see. This Eastern European destination is bursting with beautiful countryside, most of which is untouched by tourists. Its capital city, Belgrade, is a must-see for its cafes, nightlife and history. Private accommodation costs around $20 per night.
If you like your history, Albania is the travel destination for you. This underrated country might just be the cheapest travel destination in Europe, yet it feels totally unique from anywhere else in the region. The city of Tirana is a little like Bangkok, and the mountains and lakes are truly breathtaking.
Italy is hands-down one of the most beautiful destinations in the world, and there are so many areas to explore. But if you’re on a budget, go for a Southern Italy destination, like Rome or Florence. Head away from the touristy areas and you’ll find authentic pizza and great wine for less than $10.
Want to feel like you’ve stepped into a storybook? You’ll love the quaint villages in Bosnia & Herzegovina. It’s fun to travel around these destinations, and it helps that they’re totally affordable. You can spend the whole day in Bosnia for less than $5o – including drinks, activities, food, transport, and accommodation.
Montenegro totally deserves to be more of a tourist hotspot than it is – you’ll be blown away by its beauty. But, luckily for you, the lack of tourists makes it totally affordable for visitors. You can find accommodation for less than $30 per night, and there’s plenty to keep you busy, with hiking and beaches galore.
Macedonia has some of the friendliest locals and the nicest food in Europe – plus, it’s super affordable. With stunning lakes and high mountains, this little country is a hiker’s dream. You could enjoy an outdoor vacation for less than $50 a day here.
Another country known for its history, Poland is well worth visiting for a week or two. Krakow, Poland’s cultural city, is beautiful, affordable, and has some of the best restaurants in the country. There’s plenty to do away from the city, too, with stunning scenery and mountain regions like Zakopane offering cheap skiing in the winter.
Don’t be fooled by the package holidays you may have seen for South Africa – it’s way more affordable than it seems. Yes, you can go all-out and pay $6,000 for a two-week guided safari trip. But you could just as easily hire a car and hit Kruger National Park, where you can do a self-drive safari for less than $25 pp. If you’re more of a beach person, you could easily spend less than $50 per day for a Cape Town vacation.
Another beautiful, affordable country in Africa that deserves a mention is Namibia. This country is renowned for its stunning Aladdin-esque desert landscapes, and is becoming more and more popular as a cheap honeymoon destination. You can go on safari in Etosha National Park for under $10 a day, and accommodation costs around $50 a night ($15 for camping).
Never heard of Mozambique? Prepare to have your mind blown – it’s one of the most stunning unknown destinations in the whole of Africa. Bazaruto Island is especially worth the visit, as is Tofo Beach, where you can swim among whale sharks. You can get a curry for less than $4, a beer for less than $1, and stay in a private room for $30-$50 per night.
Bet you never knew Africa had so many beautiful tourist hotspots – and here comes another one! Malawi is one of Africa’s smallest countries, but it’s known as the “warm heart of Africa,” with friendly locals and plenty of safe destinations to explore. Make sure to check out Lake Malawi, where you can find accommodation for less than $30 per night.
Egypt is Africa’s most popular tourist destination by far, and that makes it a little more expensive than other destinations. But don’t rule it out, as it’s still incredibly affordable compared to most destinations in the US. The food is delicious (and cheap), travel to the country is affordable – and who hasn’t got the Egyptian Pyramids on their bucket list?
Morocco’s most famous region is Marrakech, which is packed full of beautiful riads (little hotels situated around a vibrant courtyard) and interesting culture. You have to haggle for everything at Marrakech, as supermarkets are few and far between. This means you can get a great deal on everything from food and water to hand-crafted rugs and lamps. You’ll definitely need a bigger suitcase to go home with.
If you fancy traveling in Asia, The Philippines is the destination that should top your list. You can stay in private accommodation for less than $30 a day, and there’s just so much to do and see on this island – most of which costs hardly anything or nothing. Whether you like scuba diving, relaxing on a beautiful beach, or hiking through rainforests, you’ll find it all here.
Another super affordable Asian destination is Sri Lanka. The people are hospitable, the food is tasty, and the landscapes are unique – what’s not to love? It costs $30-$40 to stay in a private room, and there are so many interesting experiences to be had here, from the Ancient city of Sigiriya to Pidurangala Vihara and the Ancient city of Polonnaruwa.
Cambodia is one of the more popular Asian destinations, favored by backpackers for its cheap food and attractions. You can spend less than $5 on a full dinner, and up to $30 for a private room. Many activities, such as seeing the sunrise at Angor Wat and visiting the memorials in Phnom Penh Cambodia, don’t cost a penny.
There’s no way Thailand
wouldn’t be on this list, despite the fact that it’s much more of a tourist hotspot than it used to be. If you don’t mind crowds during peak season, you’ll want to visit this place. Thailand is still one of the most beautiful and affordable countries in the world, and with world-class beaches, cheap massages, and delicious food, it’s a must-visit for everyone.
Bali has been known for decades for being one of the best affordable destinations. While there are many expensive hotels that’ll set you back up to $500 per night, you can find plenty of accommodation options for around $50 if you’re on a budget. Ubud is definitely worth checking out if you’re considering Bali this year.
Finally, Vietnam has so much to offer for travelers looking to explore cities and mountains alike. Ho Chi Minh City will give you a slice of culture, while the Mekong Delta offers up some of the most beautiful views in the country. You can easily have a great time in Vietnam for less than $50 per day.
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Sometimes it’s nice to indulge in an expensive vacation, whether you fancy treating yourself to a 5-star getaway or paying an extortionate price for a fortnight in Disney. But what about when the money is tight and you still have the travel bug?
There are plenty of vacation destinations that won’t break the bank, so if you’re saving for something special or just tightening the purse strings, you don’t have to abandon travel altogether. Check out these 30 travel destinations that you can visit on a budget today.
