One thing is certain: thanks to vaccines, travel will eventually become a lot easier in 2021 than in 2020.
But where and when can we travel? That is still very much unclear as border closures, quarantines, and other measures are likely to stay with us for some time to come. (Tip: use the IATA COVID-19 travel regulations map to stay informed when the world gradually reopens.)
I’ve kept up this list of cheap countries to travel for 8 years now, but this time I don’t actually know which countries will be open for tourism, or when it will be appropriate to travel. So, think of it more as a wishlist.
Hopefully, 2021 will give us a few more opportunities to travel, to heal, and to come together again.
If you’re budget-conscious and want to travel more for less, then the best way is truly to choose your destinations wisely. It still blows my mind how your Dollars, Euros, or Pounds can get you much further in cheaper countries.
For example, for the price of a single meal in London or Zurich, you could easily cover a whole day’s worth of traveling in cheap countries to travel like Indonesia, Argentina, Vietnam, Mexico, or Turkey — to name just a few.
My inspirational book will teach you how to travel cheap and travel far — whether it’s for a few weeks, months, or even an entire year!
The cheap countries I selected here are not just great destinations for budget travel, they are great destinations period. I’ve traveled to all of them and I can tell you from first-hand experience they’re not just great bargains, but are also among the most exciting to explore.
Cheap countries to travel
Cheap countries in Asia:
Vietnam, Nepal, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Philippines
Cheap countries in and near Europe:
Baltic States, Romania, Georgia, Armenia, Ukraine, Turkey
Cheap countries in the Americas:
Mexico, Colombia, Guatemala, Brazil, Cuba, Bolivia
Cheap countries in Africa:
Morocco, Cape Verde
1. Mexico
Mexico is often associated with cheap beach resorts, with many tourists going to places such as Cancun, Cabo, or Tulum. Well, these tourist-priced locations are only ‘cheap’ if you compare them to, say, Miami or Hawaii. If you really want cheap, you have to explore the rest of Mexico.
Whether you’re looking for a beach holiday or wanting to dive into the local culture, there is so much to discover in this huge country. One classic travel route runs from the buzzing Mexico City to Oaxaca and ending on the Yucatan Peninsula. If you’re on a tight budget, check out Chiapas state: it’s filled with jungles, waterfalls, and epic Mayan ruins — and travel costs are among the lowest.
The Mexican peso continues to have a favorable exchange rate against Western currencies, making it quite the bargain at the moment. It’s easy to get to for Americans, but European travelers take note: I’ve seen bargain flights to Cancun (around 300 Euro return), making Mexico an even cheaper destination to visit in 2021.
Backpacker Budget: $40 a day
Mid-range Budget: $60 a day
2. Colombia
Colombia is an amazing country to travel (and no, it’s luckily nothing at all like Narcos, a show that is set over 50 years ago!).
What I love about Colombia is that it has a little bit of everything from South America: you have both the Pacific and Atlantic coasts, the Amazon rainforest, and the start of the Andes mountain range. That’s not even yet mentioning its two buzzing cities in Medellín and Bogota, or the warmth of Colombians and its vibrant culture.
Exchange rates between the Colombian peso and USD or EUR are very favorable at the moment: I remember when I traveled to Colombia I got about 2000 pesos for a dollar, while now it’s around 3500.
Backpacker Budget: $35 a day
Mid-range Budget: $50 a day
3. Romania
Leave your preconceptions at home and discover one of Europe’s travel secrets — and ultimate bargain.
Whatever you think Romania is, it probably isn’t. The spectacular Transylvania region, in particular, defies expectations — with its cute medieval towns, ancient fortified churches, and spectacular Carpathian mountain range. It’s actually one of my favorite destinations in Europe.
You can easily get by on a backpacker budget of about $30 – $40 a day. If you’re on a holiday, you can find stylish B&Bs starting at $30/night. Even in a fancy restaurant in Brasov, I struggled to spend more than $25 a person.
Backpacker Budget: $40 a day
Mid-range Budget: $60 a day
4. Republic of Georgia
On the verge of being discovered as an international travel destination, Georgia is not just one of Europe’s cheapest, but also among its most interesting destinations.
In its eccentric capital, crumbling façades of traditional wooden Georgian houses stand next to Soviet-era architecture and daring contemporary designs. I loved my stay in Tbilisi and was surprised by its wonderful soul and character. From Tbilisi, you can explore the stunning Caucasian Mountain range, take a dip in the Black Sea, or visit ancient hilltop monasteries (and a few of them inside caves) all over the country.
Oh yeah, Georgia is super cheap. In parts, it’s even cheaper than in Southeast Asia.
With the introduction in 2020 of a 1-year visa for remote workers, Georgia could well become the next digital nomad hotspot.
Backpacker Budget: $20 a day
Mid-range Budget: $40 a day
5. Brazil
The world’s fifth-largest country is filled to the brim with amazing travel destinations. From the gob-smackingly huge waterfalls of Iguaçu, to seeing the bay of Rio de Janeiro from the top of Sugarloaf mountain, and on the colorful beach towns of the Bahia coast, Brazil is a whole world to explore — and that’s just highlighting a tiny corner of it!
Brazil has suffered turbulent political times and has had a bad time with the pandemic, though its borders are open and it’s cheaper to travel there now than it’s been in years, thanks to a highly favorable exchange rate. When the situation allows, it’ll be the perfect time to take advantage of the lower travel costs in Brazil.
Backpacker Budget: $40 a day
Mid-range Budget: $70 a day
6. Thailand
Thailand remains one of the cheapest holiday destinations in the world. While the southern beaches have quite a few upscale resorts with higher prices, they represent great value if you’re after some luxury on a budget. If you’re more of a budget traveler, then you should know the travel costs in Thailand get lower as you go inland.
Make your way to the northern Chiang Mai region and you’ll be in budget travel heaven. There amid the rice fields, Buddhist temples and hill tribes you can find some of the best-value accommodation anywhere—whether you’re looking for a backpacker dorm bed (from $5) or a comfy hotel with swimming pool (from $30). It’s no wonder that Chiang Mai is still the world’s go-to place for nomads and expats looking for super low cost of living combined with high quality of life.
Backpacker Budget: $30 a day (* inland)
Mid-range Budget: $50 a day
7. Cape Verde
Can an entire country be labeled a ‘hidden gem’? If so, then Cape Verde is definitely one. You may not have heard of this small archipelago off the coast of Africa, but it’s such an incredible country to explore. Its location and climate make it an especially great winter escape for Europeans.
The island of Sal is known for its inexpensive package holiday resorts, though if it’s culture or nature that you’re after, then it’s truly all about the island of Santo Antao. I did some of my best hiking and trekking there in years. The landscapes are just unbelievable.
Cape Verde offers great value for money, while also being safe and developed. I spent about $45 a day as a budget traveler, staying in B&Bs and eating the local food. Don’t miss my 7 reasons why you should travel to Cape Verde.
Backpacker Budget: $45 a day
Mid-range Budget: $70 a day
8. Vietnam
Vietnam is among the cheapest Asian countries — and highly underrated, in my opinion.
The famed Ha Long Bay is certainly impressive, but Vietnam is really at its best when you go just a little off the beaten track. Away from the crowded tourist sites, Vietnam has some of the most fun places in Southeast Asia. The northern province of Ha Giang is still as pure as it gets and the limestone landscapes at Tam Coc are not to miss. The town of Phong Nha is a fantastic adventure tourism hotspot, home to the world’s largest cave.
The costs in Vietnam? Simply put: very low. Eat local and you’ll struggle to spend more than a few dollars per meal, while locally brewed beers cost as little as $0.20 a glass. Hotel rooms offer incredible value; as little as $10 will get you a clean and comfortable place to stay.
Backpacker Budget: $25 a day
Mid-range Budget: $45 a day
9. The Baltic states
Often overlooked on the European travel trail, you’ll find the three small Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania tucked between the Nordic countries and Russia.
Why go? Think ‘Scandinavia on a budget’.
Squint your eyes and the Baltics may well remind you of Finland with its many woodlands, peat bogs, lakes, and log cabins painted in deep red. The people are similarly fond of cross-country skiing, saunas, and vodka. One key difference is that the costs are just a third of what you might find in the Nordics.
I enjoyed traveling in Estonia last year, which has a ton of history and charm all the while also being a tech startup powerhouse. While I was sampling some local craft beers in Tallinn, some friendly Esti’s were regaling me with tales of cryptocurrencies and IPOs.
While the half-square-kilometer old center of Tallinn can be a bit pricey, elsewhere it’s not. Dinner might cost under 7 Euro or a hotel room for 30 to 40 Euro a night.
Backpacker Budget: $35 a day
Mid-range Budget: $70 a day
10. Laos
You can think of Laos as Thailand but without the mass tourism. It’s sparsely populated, mountainous, and has nearly 70% forest coverage, and this makes it a paradise for outdoor activities like trekking, climbing, kayaking, zip-lining, and hot air ballooning — all at extreme budget prices.
Thanks to improved infrastructure Laos has become more accessible, without losing its low-key rural vibe. If you want to escape the crowds and crave some authenticity, skip the Thai beaches and go to Laos. You won’t regret it.
Don’t miss: sleeping in tree huts and zip-lining through the jungle canopy at the infamous Gibbon Experience, or Laos’ most epic waterfalls in the Bolaven Plateau.
Backpacker Budget: $20 a day
Mid-range Budget: $40 a day
11. Nepal
Oh, Nepal… you had me at “namaste.” The kind-hearted nature of the Nepalese and the wonderful bustle of Kathmandu instantly enchanted me when I visited a few years ago. Nepal also happens to be one of the world’s cheapest places for mountain trekking, whether guided or independent.
There are routes throughout the Himalayas that are very well-supported and have many tea houses where you can eat and sleep. When doing the epic 7-day trek to Annapurna Base Camp I spent just under $20 a day.
Backpacker Budget: $20 a day
Mid-range Budget: $40 a day
12. Indonesia
Most people associate Indonesia purely with Bali, a beautiful (but arguably somewhat overrated) resort island. But the Indonesian archipelago is wider than the United States and offers a whole world to discover. Consider Bali’s neighboring islands of Lombok and Java, the spectacular Komodo islands and rural Flores, or go further into Sumatra, West Nusa Tenggara, or Sulawesi.
From white sand beaches to jungles and savannahs, and from blue flame spewing volcanoes to remote rainforests where you can meet orangutans in the wild… Indonesia is a budget traveler’s dream.
Backpacker Budget: $25 a day (* outside Bali)
Mid-range Budget: $50 a day
13. Armenia
Something incredible happened in Armenia in 2018: the people peacefully protested its dictator, who eventually issued a polite mea culpa and promptly resigned. There’s now a real sense of positivity in Armenia and among its global diaspora, which makes now a great time to visit, despite a brief conflict last year.
It’s still a poor country; its landscapes dotted with Soviet-era relics and ladas still drive the streets. It might not yet have the more mainstream appeal of neighbouring Georgia, but you’ll love Armenia if you’re into places that are off the usual trail. I had the great fortune of visiting during Vardavar, when the entire city of Yerevan fights each other with water pistols, balloons, and buckets. Even the police and fire brigade join in!
Learn more: don’t miss my top reasons for visiting Armenia.
Backpacker Budget: $20 a day
Mid-range Budget: $40 a day
14. Bolivia
If you’re looking for 5-star luxury then maybe you shouldn’t go to Bolivia, as life there is simple and travel can be slow and a bit uncomfortable. But… it’s also South America’s ultimate cheapie destination, where you could easily get by on about $20 a day. Not only that, Bolivia has some of the continents’ most amazing sights, such as the world’s highest lake Titicaca and the jaw-dropping and otherworldly salt flats of Salar de Uyuni.
If you’re an adventurous traveler and not so easily fazed by its remoteness, then you might just want to put Bolivia at the top of your travel list. Not many airlines fly directly to Bolivia, but the country combines pretty well with Peru, where Lima has many international flight connections.
Backpacker Budget: $25 a day
Mid-range Budget: $45 a day
15. Cambodia
You’ve probably heard of Angkor Wat— a vast temple complex that was once the heart of the ancient Khmer empire. This sprawling site is highly worth a visit, especially if you take the time to go beyond just the central temples. But there’s more to Cambodia. Its islands remain pleasantly undeveloped (for now) and towns like Kratie along the Mekong River will give you a true taste of Asia.
Don’t miss: swinging in a hammock on the quiet island of Koh Rong Sanloem, or river boating and hiking in the Cardamom Mountains
Backpacker Budget: $25 a day (* outside of Siem Reap)
Mid-range Budget: $45 a day
16. Philippines
If you ask me, The Philippines has some of the nicest beaches in Southeast Asia. With over 7000 islands, the Philippines is the place to go if you want to chill on a picture-perfect beach! But besides having plenty of unspoiled coastline, it’s also a culturally fascinating place, with its mix of Asian and Spanish/US colonial influences, incredible ancient rice terraces in the north, and amazing nature.
The island of Palawan has become well-known in recent years, though I also highly recommend the less-hyped and more diverse central Visayas (like Cebu, Bohol, and Siquijor islands) or Batanes province. You won’t be disappointed.
Backpacker Budget: $35 a day
Mid-range Budget: $60 a day
17. Ukraine
I haven’t yet been to Ukraine, but rave reviews from my traveler friends compelled me to add it. I think it deserves a spot on this list, as it’s possibly the cheapest country to travel in Europe.
Yes, there is still a simmering conflict with Russia in the easternmost region. But if you avoid this remote area you’ll find that everything in Ukraine is perfectly fine. The coastal city of Odessa on the Black Sea is a traveler’s favorite, while the beautiful city of Lviv (close to the Polish border) is hotly tipped as offering some of the best value in Europe. Some digital nomads told me about renting a beautiful modern apartment in Lviv (pictured) for 200 Euros. Not per night, but per month.
Backpacker Budget: $25 a day
Mid-range Budget: $40 a day
18. Cuba
“See it before it changes,” is the familiar refrain when it comes to Cuba. Following US policy reversals that day seems a little more distant again now. Cuba was once known as an expensive place when it was focused mostly on promoting its state-run luxury hotels to high-spending tourists. These days it can be quite a decent bargain, especially when using its huge network of family-run Casas Particulares offering affordable and charming local accommodation.
With none of the typical signs of globalization, vintage cars still driving through the streets, not to mention all the rum, sun, and salsa — spending some time in Cuba is guaranteed to be a unique experience.
Backpacker Budget: $40 a day
Mid-range Budget: $65 a day
19. Guatemala
Costa Rica is clearly the star tourist destination in Central America, known for its abundant wildlife and highly developed eco-tourism. But if you ask me, Guatemala deserves consideration as well. It may not have nearly as developed a tourism industry, though its landscapes have a wow-factor that few countries can match.
Hidden in its northern jungles are the Mayan temples of Tikal, a stunning sight especially at sunrise. Equally breathtaking is the highland lake of Atitlan in the south, ringed by volcanoes and quaint villages where the pace of life is delightfully slow. And don’t miss Semuc Champey, a great place to explore river caves by candlelight and swim through cascading pools in the jungle.
And the best part? Many a traveler ends up spending under $25 a day in Guatemala.
Backpacker Budget: $25 a day
Mid-range Budget: $50 a day
20. Turkey
Turkey is a fascinating travel destination. Better yet, you get about twice as much lira for your Dollar or Euro now than just two years ago. I revisited Turkey last year on a stopover in Istanbul and was reminded of what a great cultural destination it is. Located between East and West and once home to the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires, you’ll find Roman ruins, cave cities, buzzing bazaars, and of course plenty of Mediterranean beaches.
Backpacker Budget: $30 a day
Mid-range Budget: $50 a day
21. Morocco
Morocco is just a stone’s throw from Europe and quite cheap to travel. That is, if you manage to steer clear of the pushy salesmen trying to sell you overpriced rugs and trinkets! If you know how to travel on a budget, you’ll find it quite easy in Morocco.
If you’re a backpacker, you’ll be happy to know Morocco has a growing network of backpacker hostels. If you have a bit more budget, consider staying in some of the iconic riads—traditional hotels with garden courtyards offering a pleasant relief from the buzzing city streets.
They say the Sahara has more grains of sand than there are stars in the universe, which is a wonderful idea to contemplate while you’re camping under a clear Milky Way sky in the middle of the Moroccan desert.
Backpacker Budget: $40 a day
Mid-range Budget: $60 a day
P.S. I have an amazing inspirational book that’s all about how you can travel more and travel cheaply. Check it out if you want to travel more but not sure where to start!
P.P.S. Keep in mind the budgets listed here are only suggestions. It always depends on how you travel. The suggested budgets are per person per day and don’t include one-off expenses like flights or travel insurance.
Backpacker Budget: this assumes you’ll stay in hostel dorms or share rooms in cheap guesthouses. You’ll eat mostly local food in cafes/eateries and use local transportation, and you avoid expensive private tours.
Mid-range budget: this assumes you’ll stay in nicer B&Bs, local guesthouses or budget hotels, regularly take day tours and other organized activities, and have sit-down meals in a nice restaurant at least once a day.
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Thanks for sharing this post … loads of budget-friendly ideas. Can’t wait for international travel to bounce back and the world can be accessible as before.
Thanks for helping me by providing this list!
I think you must travel to another cities and cultural sites instead of Istanbul if you ever come back to Turkey. Because there are so much hidden gems and the Istanbul is a city with Ottoman culture mostly. But for example in Aegean Region you have cities like Izmir and Mugla which holds a lot of Ancient Greece culture. And on the other parts of the country you can discover the other cultures because Anatolia have so many landscapes from cultures were once there.
Agreed, I want to see more of Turkey! I’ve also been to the south coast (e.g. Side) but I’d love to do a big trip through the whole country 🙂
I just got stuck at home due to this lockdown and want to go out of my house and visit new places. Thanks for your amazing guide about cheap places to visit in 2021. I will definitely plan a trip to Vietnam, as it seems the beautiful place
You’ve missed cheapest counries in South Asia. India & Pakistan. You can spend your day in just 10 dollars a day.
Romania, well Transylvania specifically is indeed a great place to travel. I can’t wait to be back and explore some cities that I have missed. And do hiking on the Omu. Tirgu Mures and Seclerland are the next ones on my list to visit. These places are still mostly populated by Hungarians, and I’m really excited to learn about the local culture, and how it is to live in the middle of another country while they still practice their own culture, language, and lifestyle, which is much different from that Romanian. Can’t wait! Great post! Some more to add to our bucket list!
Such an amazing list! It excites me more to travel this 2021, hope that this COVID pandemic ends soon. Thank you so much
This list gets me so excited about travel in 2021! 🙂 There’s so many amazing countries to visit that are on my bucketlist. I’ve really been wanting to visit more countries in the Americas like Colombia and Guatemala to name a few. In 2019, we took a big trip through the Baltic States and the prices were amazing! As a vegan-ish and gluten-free traveler, it was nice to travel through areas that weren’t more expensive because of my diet. In fact, Kiev has an excellent vegan and gluten-free scene.
Komodo island along with Bali makes for a great trip.
Also, Bali might seem expensive on the face of it, but if you dig deeper, finding affordable gems is certainly possible.
As for Komodo, it is lesser known and therefore quiet affordable.
Indonesia is one of the most affordable beautiful and affordable destinations.
Some good tips, shame 2020 has not been the year for travelling. These places would still be good in 2021!
[…] If you want to travel on a budget, you should skip the exotic places like the Maldives. Instead, opt for the locations where cost of living is cheaper! Find the 18 cheapest places here! […]
You miss the on of best place in the world. Sri Lanka
I was going to visit this year! Sadly the virus delayed my plans…
hi
we want to explore and see as many as we can , with limit time?
cheap or affordable , can it be possible? in 2021/2022
regards
Rina
Which country do you have in mind.
I can tell you Cuba is not cheap.. its 3 times more expesive than Trinidad and tobago..the cheapest caribbean country.even Panama is cheaper than Cuba. ALSO bulgaria and Lithuania is cheaper than most of those countries mentioned here.. the phillipines is definitely. Cheap.
Everyone kept telling me Cuba was expensive and then I went there and I found it really cheap. I stayed in the local casas particulares, so maybe the reputation comes from the big resort hotels?
[…] no shortage of delicious destinations for a foodie to travel to, but some are more expensive than others. Certain countries such as Norway, Denmark, Iceland and Japan are amongst the most costly. If you […]
Great article, you just lengthened my bucket list
[…] be expensive. But the reality is it’s not. Not even in the slightest. Vietnam is one of the cheapest places in the […]
The description and the detailed information about the place and expensive was so subtle that it gave me feeling of traveling all those places listed above already. And trust me I’m really a beginner at this very moment and many queries & doubts running in my mind, but your content made it all clear! Thank you so much for this clear cut precious information!
I really like that you noticed the $.20 beer in Vietnam too Marek! I couldn’t possibly walk by without trying it. I only found beer this cheap in Hoi An (a little old lady with missing teeth pumped it from a barrel). Did you find it elsewhere?
We also fell in love with Lviv but I’m going to need to get details of your apartment with that incredible view!
Take care,
Mike
Nice post! this year, Vietnam,Thailand and Nepal are on my travel list.
Thank you for this! this is very big help for us as a newbie traveler.
Where do you live ?
Definitely bookmarking this post, It’s very helpful 🙂
Thanks for posting!! Saving for later for sure!
Ecuador is the cheapest destination in the Americas. I can’t believe you skipped it.
Perfect for the kind of travel blog I’ve been looking for! Thank God I found this. And. Thank you for this amazing information! I’m from Philippines and would really love to travel outside SEA without breaking the bank. Looking forward to reading more of your content!
Try Serbia, safe, cheap and interesting. Does not have a sea, but have beautiful lakes and acquaparks, mountains and rivers. Great food, music, culture. Daily budget €30,00 easy, with accomodation
Lovely to see post-soviet countries like Georgia and Armenia making it to the list.
I have a good experience of Laos because I have been there many of the times in my whole life and every time had huge fun there.
Am 67 years young female intend travelling through Vietnam this September for about 21 days. Feeling overwhelmed. I don’t know how to ride a bike or motor bike so have to be totally dependent on other forms of transport to get around. Will 21 days be sufficient to get across from one end to the other without feeling rushed?
Thank You
Blessings in Abundance for all the information you provide for travelling.
There are plenty of buses, trains, and minivans so don’t worry, you can still get around easily! You can do it in 21 days for sure – you just won’t be able to see it all, of course. Try to pick 7 places max
Nice ideas I spent some time in Africa precisely Kenya and Tanzania and found it very cheap everyone should really try them out. The sceneries are breath taking.
Why you don’t say anything about Iran? you can buy a ice pop with 12 cent’s! Is not that cheap enough?
I haven’t been there yet! Hope to visit Iran in the future. Sounds like it’s very cheap 🙂
OMG, this the list I should keep! I’m always dreaming of traveling places within the budget and this post hits it all. Couldn’t believe there are many countries besides SEA that are cheap to travel, but reading this changes it all. I’m really praying one day I’d get to travel around the world. It’s good to know that one of my dream destinations, Morocco belongs in this list! Now my next step is to know how to get a visa or if there are cheap flights going there. Hopefully very soon! Thanks for this! Glad I found it.
Yeah the peaks are across the border, but a lot of folks love to explore southern Argentina with those pointy peaks visible in the background. El Chalten seems like a great place to do that!
One of the common mistakes in blogs like this is the information about Argentina. Yes, the amount of pesos you will receive is a lot higher BUT inflation is at record pace. The cost of a lot of things has gone up making it a not so cheap destination.
Wow, great information! I am curious to know more about Laos and Morocco! I would suggest Thailand and SE Asia as a great place to start!
In the past few years I have been to all these countries except Bolivia. The first of this year I was in Myanmar, yes they have a political problem but the citizens of the country in general and the fledging tourist industry could really benefit from your travel dollars. Things are unbelievably inexpensive if you desire to travel frugally. Several weeks ago I traveled through Eastern Europe and Albania is very tourist friendly and I found prices e trembly reasonable, especially quality cuisine.
hey ! you left out INDIA …it is even more value for money than all these locations especially indian locations which are not in the large metro city areas like Mumbai,Delhi which tend to be more expensive
Very true. I haven’t yet been, but I hope to someday!
I’ve only been to Romania on this list but there are so many other countries I want to visit! Nepal seems to pique my interest the most! When I went to Romania it was after a trip to Norway and Sweden – it was an insane difference of costs of travel between these countries! Great list! I hope to visit all of this countries one day.
Hey Crystal. I’d love to go to Norway one day but the cost always puts me off. Maybe it’s a good country to go camping 🙂 Traveling in Romania is so worry free when it comes to the expenses.
Montenegro is definitely a must see but it’s by no means cheap. It’s close to Croatia prices.
After reading this and the comments here from Ukrainians, now I really want to visit Ukraine since they seem so excited for people to visit! Whenever I visit other countries I always feel a little shy or anxious because I feel like maybe the locals don’t want me there, so it’d be cool to visit somewhere where I know the people actually like to see tourists.
Great collection. As a Ukrainian, I do appreciate you drawing tourists’ attention to Ukraine. I’ve read Tatiana’s comment on safety issues and Chornobyl. I can also vouch that it’s totally safe, but concerning Chornobyl, I have a bit different opinion. It’s a unique attraction in black tourism, frequently visited even by locals. Don’t postpone your visit as many buildings are likely to collapse in the nearest 5 or 10 years. Well, the picture representing Ukraine could be different anyway, I’d suggest placing downtown Lviv, or the Carpathian mountains.
Finally, about prices. These are definitely ridiculous for tourists from Western Europe or the USA. I’m currently renting a 2-room apartment in Lviv. And my monthly pay is even less than 200 Euros—it’s only 150 Euros.
Didn’t know Chernobyl was in such a state. I think we all assume it’s “frozen in time” and that there’s no hurry! So that’s good to know. Those prices are definitely super low for anyone living further west.
Hi everyone. Thank you for placing Ukraine on the list. As I come from Ukraine (the central-eastern part), I can assure you all that it’s absolutely safe to visit Ukraine. The area of the conflict is too far away and you won’t get there by accident since it’s protected by the military and you can’t get in without a special permission. As for the street crime – it’s almost as safe as everywhere else in Europe. The prices are very good compared to Western Europe. The only point which disappoints me is that European and American tourists think of Chernobyl as the first thing about Ukraine. It’s an old story and nobody cares about it in modern Ukraine. I’d recommend to focus your attention on Odessa, Lviv and Kyiv as the highlights of your trip to Ukraine. And the author of this article should really change the picture of Chernobyl to some beautiful medieval churches of Kyiv or Lviv instead 😉
Thanks for sharing your insights from a local Tatiana. I guess Pripyat is often the ‘cool edgy thing’ that gets people interested in Ukraine at first, and that’s probably quite annoying! I’d hate to be pigeonholing Ukraine in that way so when I update this page I’ll definitely take your suggestion 🙂 It’s actually Kyiv and Lviv that travelers speak about the most excitedly!
Amazing list! I can’t believe I haven’t thought about some of these places, thank you for this.
Nice post! this year, Thailand and Indonesia are on my travel list.
Wow, great list and so many places to explore.
Great list but I think for the average traveller Cuba isn’t what I’d call cheap. I’m itching to go to Morocco and Mexico.
I dunno… everyone keeps saying that, but when I traveled in Cuba and stayed in casas particulares I found it very, very cheap. Maybe it’s just expensive if you stay in the resorts or only visit Havana’s tourist district?
Hi Mareck, I have been 1 month travelling in Cuba, and I can not say that a room in family houses, was the cheapest considering how good is the lodging quality in Vietnam by instance.
Yeah I think in Cuba they start at about $20 a night. It can be half that in Vietnam for sure. For the Carribean it’s not so bad.
I found Morocco delightfully cheap and I liked the trains that were quite comfortable. The cheapest country I have been is Albania. It was a third of the price as Greece. I found India quite cheap to visit. I will visit Thailand in 2019. In the future I would love to visit Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. I hope to visit Georgia and other countries near to it.
It gives me a good options Thanks! By the way, I also nominate the Philippinesa since we already have Indonesia and Vietnam!
Only my first experience on your site, which I found through your funny and ecclectic 91 lessons article. I really love this list- so many places that I really hope to experience. I am in love with Europe, and the Balkens, Ukraine and Georgia are all on the gotta sees. Looking forward to exploring your page more. Thanks!
Glad you enjoyed that Roxanna 🙂
Great list! By far, the cheapest place I’ve travelled to has been Vietnam and now I have a new list of budget destinations to go to!
Great diverse list! A few of these locations were already in my plans, but now I have to seriously consider some others. Thanks again and cheers!
I think it’s a brilliant idea for traveling to 2018 and hats off to your great work.
Hi Marek! Great list! Thanks so much for mentioning me. I hope you get to visit Georgia soon, it’s definitely one of the best places I’ve been to. Let me know if you need some more information! 🙂
Best,
Rose
Thanks Rose for writing those nice posts about Georgia – I really need to go! 🙂
Georgia is my favorite and without doubt it would be really awesome If I were there !
Thanks for the list Marek. A lot of these places are on my travel list. A few of them I will finally get to see after years of dreaming, in a few months time when I will be backpacking through central and South America for 6 months or so. I am mostly looking forward to seeing Guatemala, Colombia, Peru and Nicaragua. I can’t wait to go adventuring!
Amazing List when you have a low budget yet you wanna travel to foreign lands, very helpful thanks for sharing.
I personally would love to visit Bolivia, Guatemala and Cambodia in 2018!
Those are three of my personal top favorites – hope you get the chance to see them all 🙂
Morocco & and Nicaragua are definitely on our list. Thanks for such an awesome bucket list 🙂
Amazing places. Thanks for sharing this wonderful article with us.
That’s pretty cool, I am planning a trip in this October with my family, it is a great guide for me to plan accordingly. I am thinking about Nepal this time as it is a good place to enjoy the nature and to visit temples, I got this idea after checking your article, thanks for that 🙂
Thanks for the list. I think you’ve inspired a trip to Indonesia!
Thanks for all the helpful advice, Marek. I’ve spent the last six months travelling around Europe. There were so many places I loved, including Athens, Palermo and Barcelona, to name a few, but Sofia in Bulgaria has stolen my heart. So much so that I’m returning for a full month in September. Prices are between a quarter and half of the prices found in most of Europe and the city is beautiful, laidback and friendly.
After that I’m off to SE Asia for three months. By the way, I’m 64 years young and travel alone.
Once again thanks for providing so much useful information.
I love to hear that Sean, and it’s of course fantastic you’re doing these trips at your young age 😉 I want to be doing the same at 64! I must admit I’ve not yet been to Bulgaria but I’m very intrigued, and may end up there on an upcoming trip to the Balkans.
Enjoy SE Asia and best of luck on your travels!
Hey, Marek.
Defo don`t miss coming to Bulgaria. You`ll be pleasantly surprised. One of the reasons why it`s not so popular is the lack of tourist advertising, but virtually every international traveler I`ve been talked to had liked my home country and said there is a lot of value here for the money you spent.
Cheers
It’s not all about Dubrovnik. There are lot of places to visit in Croatia.
Agreed!
I only visit 2 different countries in my life. Need to up my travel game. Thanks for sharing this post.
I can’t believe I’ve only been to 2 countries in your list! South Africa and Morocco. But I’m definitely placing the others in my bucket list. Thank you for the list.
Agree with your list of most affordable destinations in 2017. Thailand, Vietnam, and Morocco are going to be in any list of cheap travel destinations……I have been to these places and I can’t forget the wonderful experiences I had…..some countries with unique cultures, amazing nature and exceptional food (very cheap yet delicious)
Hi Marek, nice list. Any idea about your budget for South Africa? (would be interesting, I am a Saffa). My lowest budget travel destination is Venezuela at $5 per day all inclusive, definitely one to check out. India was also a great one! Welcome to look at what we spent in our favorite budget travel countries http://stingynomads.com/cheap-countries-to-travel/
Safe Travels
This gives me great options, Marek! Thanks! By the way, I also nominate the Philippines since we already have Indonesia and Vietnam!
Is budapest still cheap in 2017? Does anyone know how much it would cost to stay for a month, relatively? 🙂
Hey Jacob! Budapest is SUPER cheap! & also my favourite country. Holy crap I had fun there. Even if it wasn’t cheap, spend all your money! It’s worth it.
Perfect list, would love to follow every inch of it. I´m a wanderer myself and I could put quite a few check marks to some from these list and still willing t see more and more. So happy travelling to all of us!
Thank you for sharing the awesome places to visit in 2017. Mexico, Nepal and Portugal are the best places to visit.
This is an awesome list. Can’t wait to plan for my next travel adventure. I will surely consider taking one from this list. Thanks for this article. Hope you’d continue to inspire people to discover the beauty of the world.
Thailand – the tonsai in the image doesn’t exist anymore and hasn’t for nearly two years.
Sadly, It got bought by developers who were replicating Railay.
Wow, that went fast! I was there just two years ago. Thanks for mentioning this, I’ll have to update it.
Love this list, Marek! Almost all of them are on either my “recently traveled” list of my “want to get there soon” list–except for Mexico, because I’m there now! Nothing like good value when you’re on the road.
India, Pakistan, Central Asian countries, Caucasian countries, Ukraine and maybe Iran are inexpensive too
but perhaps they’re more challenging to travel independently, except Ukraine
Central Asia is definitely one of my blind spots! You’ve mentioned several places I would love to travel in the future 🙂