Travel on a Budget: 10 Exotic Travel Destinations That Won’t Break The Bank!
What vacay experience could be better than snorkeling around a coral reef or hiking across spectacular mountain ranges to bring down your stress levels? Especially, when it is something we all are looking for after a bumpy 2020. Sometimes, even the countries that seem to be expensive turn out to be the best places to travel on a budget.
Like so many others, despite seeking the thrill of adventure, you probably find little room for it in your budget. But no worries! The world is full of cheap vacation destinations. It doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg to quench your wanderlust. Regardless of the continent or country, you can always find places you can visit on a budget.
All you have to do is activate your savvy traveler mode to get the maximum bang for your buck wherever you go in the world. However, this becomes easier when the destinations you are headed to are pretty affordable as well.
If you are reading this, you are probably also looking for the best places to travel on a budget. And by rounding up this list of 10 exotic travel destinations, we found them for you. These destinations can not only get you the most value for your money but are also packed with exciting adventures.
So read on to find yourself the perfect travel destination, fellow explorers!
1. Bolivia
Expense: $30 per day Anyone who is after a real South American adventure and that too on a budget, Bolivia is calling you. With long, winding roads off the beaten path at exceptionally high altitudes, this country offers endless adventures. Perhaps, the most sensational adventures to experience here are the Salt Flats and Death Road bicycle trip. And if you are done with the thrill, find peace and calm in the largely untouched Amazon.
Bolivia is incredibly diverse and attracts travelers on a budget due to its affordability. Exploring Bolivia means you do not have to compromise any plans only because you cannot afford them. This beautiful place has plenty of options even for travelers with very small budgets.
Even if you decide to push the boat out, you can spend a night in a 4-star hotel at merely $80. This is still an amazingly low cost compared to other travel destinations. However, if you are tight on budget, you will have to pay around $8 a night for a bed in a one-star hotel. Apart from being budget-friendly, Bolivia has some of the most exotic sights in South America. Lake Salar de Uyuni, Titicaca, and Sucre are some of the best places to behold the natural beauty of Bolivia.
2. Guatemala
Expense: $38 per day
For all those who are in for a spectacular Central American adventure on a budget, Guatemala should be your destiny. Surrounded by lush green forests and with volcanoes and ruins, this place has to be on your bucket list. The cobblestone streets and stunning architecture of its colonial cities can get you hooked.
Regardless of the time of year, Guatemala is cheap enough to offer you a meal at $3, a bed at $10 in a hostel and you can expect to pay $4 on transportation. With those basic expenses, you can get a pretty good idea of how affordable this travel destination can be for tourists on a budget.
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Apart from the incredible affordability factor, Guatemala is unique in the sense that it is far from the rush and noise of globalization. You find locals dressed in their traditional clothing and simplicity in lifestyles all around you. The beauty of Guatemala lies in its simplicity. This small package also comes with plenty of diversity. You can find hot Caribbean beaches, cold mountains, forests, and fast-flowing rivers. Needless to say, it is one of the best travel destinations for anyone who is traveling on a budget.
3 .Thailand
Expense: $30 per day
Over the recent years, Thailand has become one of the most sought travel destinations in the world, and for good reason. And usually given the hype of a destination, you expect to meet staggering prices of the tourist attractions. Thailand has a fair share of overpriced attractions like the island of Koh Phi Phi, the Full Moon Party, and Bangkok’s tourist street of Khao San. There is so much more to Thailand than just that.
In most other areas of Thailand, the cost of living is fairly affordable. You only have to spend a few dollars on things like food, accommodations, and transport. You can find a bed at as low as $1 in a hostel for a night. And the best part is that you can extend your trip from Thailand through East Asia, Malaysia, Cambodia, and Vietnam, that is if your budget allows. Otherwise, Thailand offers plenty of breath-taking natural and cultural destinations at low prices.
4. Mexico
Expense: $40 per day
With places like Tulum, Cancun, and Cabo, Mexico is often considered to be one of the best places to travel on a budget. But the truth is that these places are only cheap if you are comparing them to Hawaii. If you have to make a Mexico vacation fall right within your budget, you will have to explore the rest of Mexico.
From a beach holiday to enjoying Mexico’s rustic culture, there is so much waiting for a travel-savvy explorer in Mexico. A great tip for an affordable trip is to take the route that runs from Mexico City to Oaxaca and ends on the Yucatan Peninsula. However, if you are on an even tighter budget, you can take a trip to Chiapas State. It has lush forests, waterfalls, Mayan ruins, and more to explore at incredibly low prices.
5 .Georgia
Expense: $30 per day
Georgia is not just one of Europe’s most affordable travel destinations but also stunning and peaceful. This place is probably a year or two away from becoming an international travel destination.
The country’s unembellished beauty of traditional wooden houses stands firm next to the Soviet-era architecture and captivating ancient designs. This place has so much soul and character of its own that it will make you forget everything else in the world.
And despite all that beauty and character, Georgia is surprisingly cheap. In fact, it is cheaper than many countries in Southeast Asia. Whether you decide to explore Tbilisi, hike in the Caucasian Mountain range, or visit the ancient monasteries on hilltops, this getaway is a diverse world to explore. And when you are done with the arduous work of hiking and exploring, you can take a dip in the Black Sea and watch all your fatigue ripple away.
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6. Cape Verde
Expense: $45 per day
Serene and undaunted, Cape Verde is a little heaven hidden away from the world, to say the least. This small archipelago off the coast of Africa is not only an exciting travel destination but one that is incredibly affordable to explore. The location and climate of this place, especially make it a great winter sun destination.
Cape Verde’s island of Sal is especially famous for its affordable packages of holiday resorts. You can find the best travel deals on Skyscanner [Insert affiliate link here] for flights, hotels, and car rentals. However, if you are in for a natural and cultural adventure, the island of Santo Antao could be your perfect getaway.
Apart from exotic landscapes, Cape Verde gives you a chance to get the most value for your money. And not just that, unlike a few places in Africa, it is also safe and developed.
7. Vietnam
Expense: $30 per day
Hidden away from crowded tourist attractions, Vietnam is a serene, temperate, and tropical zone. And it is also one of the most fun places in Southeast Asia for tourists. Its untouched northern province of Ha Giang and the limestone landscapes at Tam Coc should be the highlights of your trip.
When it comes to food, you can get soup with rice noodles, cilantro, amazing broth, and a whole shank of pork for just $1.50. However, transport might be a bit expensive due to the road traffic that tends to get overwhelmingly chaotic.
If you are an adventurous person, all you have to do is take your flight pack, 2 backpacks and rent a motorbike, which will free you of all the hassle and high expense of commute. But if you are not comfortable riding a motorbike, you can book GrabBike, which is similar to Uber – only if Uber used bikes. GrabBike is easily available in all major cities of Vietnam and it is just $0.50 for a 2km ride. That said, the local transport is also pretty affordable and reliable.
8. Indonesia
Expense: $30 per day
When someone mentions Indonesia, the first thing that comes to your mind is probably Bali. While it is a beautiful resort island, there is much more to the Indonesian archipelago than that. It is wider than the United States and is a unique world of its own. Just next to Bali are the islands of Lombok and Java, the spectacular Komodo islands and rural Flores for you to explore. You can go even further into Sumatra, West Nusa Tenggara, or Sulawesi.
With white sand beaches to lush jungles and savannahs, this place is a travel-savvy person’s dreamland. But Indonesia can be very affordable or expensive, depending on your means of transportation. Traveling between the cities or from one island to another via a private boat can be quite costly. On the other hand, food is incredibly affordable wherever you go.
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9. Philippines
Expense: $35 per day
The Philippines is the place with the most breath-taking beaches in Southeast Asia. It has over 7000 islands and a stunning unspoiled coastline that makes this place a fascinating travel destination.
To make your trip fall within your budget, it is best to travel during shoulder seasons and stick to 1-2 regions. The Philippines offers plenty of sports activities and beautiful dive sites for adventurous travelers. It is an underrated vacation spot for which you would have to pay so much more in other parts of the world. You can get an amazing holiday experience without encountering a budget-breaking bill.
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10. Romania
Expense: $33 per day
Last but not least in any sense on our list is Romania. Anyone who is after an affordable European experience that also falls a little bit off the beaten path, Romania could be your perfect getaway.
The country is most known for Dracula. However, there are many beautiful towns and fun activities that await tourists in this region of the world. You can take a long walk through its medieval villages or have a little picnic in one of the beautiful parks. In any case, Romania is packed with a beautiful European experience that is both affordable and fun. You can find a bed between $10 and $15 per night at a hostel. Food is also cheap and delicious and public transportation is reliable and affordable.
Final Word
Traveling is all about passion and planning, rather than about money. You do not have to be rich to explore the parts of the world you have never before. In fact, you can find plenty of travel destinations in the world that would fall within your “Travel on a Budget”.
The above list of 10 cheap vacation destinations on a budget includes basic accommodation, transportation, three budget meals, Internet, and one activity for the day. If you find more room in your budget, you can add on costs like alcohol and little splurges here and there to get the most out of your vacation.
We understand that you have been saving your hard-earned money for your perfect getaway. So the last thing you want is to overpay or miss out on getting more value from your plan. Therefore, we have just the right tool to help you cut vacation expenses and save money to spend on the best things. Download the Doctor Money App and find a smart way to tackle your vacation expenses. Whether you’re traveling domestically or internationally, this smart tool can help you save some serious dough!