If you’re looking for some affordable destinations to put on your travel list for 2023, then I’ve got some perfect suggestions for you.
Unlike other lists of this kind, I’m going to stick to destinations that I’ve personally been to. The reason is simply that I’ve noticed many lists of ‘cheapest countries’ don’t get their facts straight!
For example, I’ve seen Costa Rica mentioned by a major outlet as the cheapest destination in the Americas, which clearly shows they haven’t been. (It’s actually among the most expensive.)
The cheap travel destinations I will list here are all places where I’ve spent my own money. I found that they’re not only cheap countries to travel but they became some of my favorite destinations during 10+ years of full-time travel blogging.
While inflation and increased airfares have affected travel costs, there are lucky still plenty of great travel bargains. If you are from a Western country then exchange rates with many emerging economies are actually highly favorable at the moment. For example, South America is generally now much less expensive than it was pre-pandemic.
Realizing just how far your Dollars, Euros, or Pounds can go in cheaper countries can be eye-opening. In many countries, it’s very doable to spend around $30 to $50 on all your travel expenses per person per day.
For the price of a single restaurant meal in, say, London or New York, you could be covering a whole day’s worth of traveling in cheap countries like Indonesia, Argentina, Vietnam, Mexico, or Turkey — to name just a few.
Quick answers — cheap countries to travel
Cheap countries in and near Europe:
Baltic States, Romania, Georgia, Albania, Bosnia, Turkey, Armenia
Cheap countries in Asia:
Vietnam, Nepal, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Philippines
Cheap countries in the Americas:
Mexico, Colombia, Guatemala, Argentina, Cuba, Bolivia
Cheap countries in Africa:
Morocco, Cape Verde
Cheap & easy beach holidays:
Mexico, Thailand, Indonesia, Turkey
Some classic backpacker bargains:
Thailand, Mexico, Vietnam
Underrated cultural/adventure destinations:
Colombia, Romania, Laos, Bolivia, Georgia, Albania, Armenia
Miss these at your own peril!
1. Thailand
Thailand is back! And now is a perfect time to visit, with tourism fully back online but popular sights still being pleasantly uncrowded.
Resort tourism on the islands and beaches is more expensive than traveling around the inland provinces, though it can be a wonderfully cheap place to travel either way — and you can find great value on any budget.
For the best prices, make your way to the northern Chiang Mai region and you’ll be in budget travel heaven. 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 $6 per night) or a quality hotel with a swimming pool (from $35).
New regulations have made world-famous Maya Bay picture-perfect once again, with all boat traffic banned and visitor numbers capped.
Backpacker Budget: $30 a day (inland)
Mid-range Budget: $50-$60 a day
Highlights: superb beaches, ancient temples, amazing street food
When to go: peak season Nov-Feb — shoulder season Apr-Jun, Oct
2. Turkey
Turkey’s economy is suffering lately, but it’s one of the best deals on the planet at the moment for anyone exchanging Dollars or Euros for lira. Istanbul is the perfect starting point for a trip in Turkey but equally perfect for a city trip, being such an amazing and modern city but having prices you might expect from a remote or much less developed place.
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.
Tip: Istanbul is amazing for a stopover; Turkish Airlines will even provide you with a free hotel if you visit on a layover.
Backpacker Budget: $35 a day
Mid-range Budget: $55 a day
Highlights: balloon flights over Cappadocia, cultural Istanbul, beach resorts
When to go: peak season May-Sep — shoulder season Apr, Oct
3. Colombia
Colombia is an amazing country to travel (and no, these days it’s luckily nothing at all like Netflix’ Narcos, a show that is set over 50 years ago!).
Within Colombia, you can find a bit of everything, having both a Pacific and Atlantic coast, the Amazon rainforest, and the start of the Andes mountain range. Add to this the buzzing cities of Medellín and Bogota, and the warmth of Colombians and their vibrant culture, and you’ve got one of the best budget-friendly travel destinations in the Americas.
I recently came back from a second trip in Colombia and wrote a guide for a one-week beach and nature holiday in Colombia and itineraries for several weeks. It’s one of my favorite countries and against the USD or even EUR it’s amazing value right now. In local Colombian restaurants, you can get a set lunch (soup, main, fruit juice + desert) for just $2.50.
Backpacker Budget: $30 a day
Mid-range Budget: $50 a day
Highlights: Caribbean beaches, Tayrona National Park, Medellin
When to go: peak season Dec-Mar — shoulder season Jul-Sep
4. Albania
Some say this underrated country could be “the next Croatia”. For now, it remains very much under-the-radar.
Albania’s unspoiled coastline, quirky capital, well-preserved Ottoman-era towns, and impressive Alps offer so many reasons to go. You can learn about the fascinating history of this once-isolated country, which was known during the Cold War as the ‘North Korea’ of Europe. Today, it’s a developing democracy, and improved infrastructure has made it easier to travel.
Oh, and did I mention it may well be the cheapest destination in Europe? You can easily find hostel dorms for $10 or budget hotel rooms for around $25. Albanian cuisine is fantastic and a good lunch or dinner might cost you about $2 to $4.
Backpacker Budget: $25 a day
Mid-range Budget: $50 a day
Highlights: Hiking the Accursed Mountains, cheap beach stays, the historic town of Gjirokaster
When to go: peak season Jul-Aug — shoulder season Apr-Jun, Sep-Oct
5. Mexico
Mexico is typically best known for its beach resorts like Cancun, Cabo, or Tulum. They’re great, though these tourist-priced locations are only ‘inexpensive’ if you compare them to, say, Miami or Hawaii. Many would already consider that a good deal, but if you really want cheap, you have to explore other places in Mexico.
One classic (and safe) cultural travel route runs from the buzzing Mexico City to Oaxaca and ending on the Yucatan Peninsula. If you’re on a budget, check out Chiapas state: it’s filled with jungles, waterfalls, and epic Mayan ruins — and travel costs are among the lowest in all of Mexico.
Backpacker Budget: $40 a day
Mid-range Budget: $65 a day
Highlights: hopping around the Yucatan, Mexico City, Oaxaca for foodies
When to go: peak season Jun-Sep, Jan — shoulder season Oct-Nov, Apr-May
6. Argentina
Poor Argentina. Its economy has seen more ups and downs than a yo-yo. But for foreign travelers with Western currency, it still means Argentina is extraordinarily cheap. Much of its appeal is enjoying European-like development (Buenos Aires was once known as ‘the Paris of the south‘) but paying prices far below what you’d expect.
Just one thing: you will get the best prices by paying locally in Argentinian pesos that you’ve exchanged at the so-called “blue rate”. If you book hotels on international platforms then prices will be higher.
Oh, and Argentina is a delightful country to travel, of course. The north has Andean and Quechua regions as well as the epic waterfalls of Iguazu. Cities like Cordoba and Buenos Aires have so much culture to offer. And don’t miss the Patagonia mountain region in the far south, famed for its snowy peaks, glaciers, and the chance to see penguins and whales.
Tip: can’t find a cheap flight to Buenos Aires? Try Santiago, Chile, from where you can also launch your trip into northern Argentina
Backpacker Budget: $30 a day
Mid-range Budget: $50 a day
Highlights: Patagonia, Iguazu Falls, Buenos Aires
When to go: peak season Nov-Feb, shoulder season Sep-Oct, Mar-May
7. 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
Highlights: chaotic Kathmandu, trekking in the Himalayas
When to go: peak season Oct-Nov — shoulder season Sep, Dec, Mar-Apr
8. Cape Verde
Can an entire country be labelled a ‘hidden gem’? If so, then Cape Verde is definitely one. This small archipelago off the coast of Africa is little-known but it’s such a wonderful winter escape.
The island of Sal is known for its inexpensive package holiday resorts, though for culture and nature, it’s truly all about the magnificent island of Santo Antao. I did some of my best hiking and trekking there in years. The landscapes are just unbelievable.
Cape Verde offers good value for money, while also being safe and fairly well 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
Highlights: hiking on Santo Antao, beach resorts on Sal
When: peak season Dec-Jan, Jun-Sep — shoulder season Feb-Apr, Sep-Nov
9. Vietnam
Vietnam is one the cheapest Asian countries — and one of the most exciting!
There is more to Vietnam than the typical itineraries. Take the northern province of Ha Giang, which is as pure and authentic as it gets. The limestone landscapes at Tam Coc are also not to miss. The town of Phong Nha is a fantastic adventure tourism and caving hotspot; camping inside the world’s third-biggest cave is a trip I’ll never forget.
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. Whether you’re a backpacker or just looking for a holiday on a budget, Vietnam has you covered.
Backpacker Budget: $25 a day
Mid-range Budget: $45 a day
Highlights: Ha Long Bay, cute Hoi An, the chaos of Hanoi
When to go: peak season Nov-Mar, shoulder season Apr-Jun, Sep-Oct
10. Romania
Seriously: don’t dismiss Romania.
People seem to have preconceptions about this Eastern European country. Only when they visit does the penny drop that it is simply incredible.
Just like the Dracula it inspired, the spectacular Transylvania region has a whole lot for you to sink your teeth in. Consider its cute medieval towns, ancient fortified churches, and mighty Carpathian mountain range. It’s perfect for a spring or summer trip, but equally enchanting in winter, with low-cost ski resorts and snow-covered castles.
You can easily get by on a backpacker budget of about $30 – $40 a day in Romania. If you’re on more of a holiday, you can find cute B&Bs starting at $30/night. Don’t miss out on this European travel secret.
Backpacker Budget: $40 a day
Mid-range Budget: $60 a day
Highlights: Towns in Transylvania, European safaris in the Carpathian
When to go: peak season Jun-Aug – shoulder season Apr-May, Sep-Oct
11. Bosnia-Herzegovina
Most people still associate Bosnia mainly with the war that took place there — checks calendar — an entire twenty-seven years ago.
But this Balkan country next to Croatia has gotten back on its feet and has so much to show you if you give it a chance.
The Medieval town of Mostar is a real highlight, its iconic bridge once connecting trade routes going as far as Venice and Constantinople. I was also impressed by the capital Sarajevo, which has such genuine warmth, interesting architecture, and a wonderful historic quarter. It’s delightfully budget-friendly and one of the truly underrated capitals of Europe.
Backpacker Budget: $30 a day
Mid-range Budget: $50 a day
Highlights: Sarajevo and Mostar
When to go: peak season Jul-Aug, shoulder season May-Jun and Sep
12. 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 is much more to Cambodia, from the gentle town of Kratie along the Mekong River, to the unspoiled jungles of the Cardamom Mountains and the laidback island of Koh Rong Sanloem. Happily, it’s also one of the cheapest destinations in Asia.
Backpacker Budget: $25 a day
Mid-range Budget: $45 a day
Highlights: Angkor Wat, Battambang, islands off the coast
When to go: peak season Dec-Feb, shoulder season Apr-May, Nov
13. Laos
Think of Laos as Thailand but without the mass tourism. It’s sparsely populated, mountainous, and has nearly 70% forest coverage, making it a paradise for outdoor activities like trekking, climbing, kayaking, zip-lining, and hot air ballooning — all at budget prices.
Thanks to improved infrastructure Laos has become more accessible in recent years while retaining its low-key rural vibe. That makes now the perfect time to go. 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: $25 a day
Mid-range Budget: $45 a day
Highlights: Luang Prabang, Mekong river journeys, the Gibbon Experience
When to go: peak season Nov-Feb, shoulder season Oct, Mar-Apr
14. India
A “country of contrasts” is a travel writing cliche, but this definitely describes India. While it can be a place of poverty, India’s economy is also booming — and what’s most striking is the sheer range of development and prices you can experience.
A modern mid-range hotel in central Mumbai might cost you at least about 60 USD a night, whereas a room in the desert city of Jaisalmer might cost you just 5. That’s just India for you. But if you are on a budget, you can definitely travel India on a shoestring budget.
Due to the chaos and patience needed India may not be the first overseas country to tackle, but many regions have a reputation for being particularly easy to travel, including the northern desert region of Rajasthan and the laidback tropical state of Kerala in the south.
Backpacker Budget: $15-20 a day
Mid-range Budget: $40 a day
When to go: peak season Nov-Feb, shoulder season Oct, Mar
15. Indonesia
Indonesia’s best known destination is of course the resort island of Bali. But in this massive archipelago — that is wider than the United States — there is so much more 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. While many consider Bali cheap, Indonesia’s other islands are even more so.
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: $30 a day
Mid-range Budget: $50 a day
Highlights: Bromo volcano, Borobodur temples, Bali, islands beyond Bali
When to go: peak season Jun-Sep, shoulder season Mar-May & Oct-Nov
16. Bolivia
Anyone looking for 5-star luxury should maybe give Bolivia a pass. Life is simple in these parts and travel can be slow and at times a bit uncomfortable. But… it’s also South America’s ultimate budget destination, where you could easily get by on about $20 a day.
Not only that, Bolivia has some of the continent’s most amazing sights, such as the world’s highest lake Titicaca and the jaw-dropping and otherworldly salt flats of Salar de Uyuni. With its remote feel and sense of adventure, it’s one of my favorite backpacker destinations in South America.
Not many airlines fly directly to Bolivia, but the country combines well with neighboring Peru, where the capital Lima is well connected internationally.
Backpacker Budget: $25 a day
Mid-range Budget: $45 a day
17. Philippines
The best beaches in Southeast Asia? If you ask me, with over 7,000 tropical islands, Philippines is the place to go.
Besides having oodles of unspoiled coastline, it’s also a culturally fascinating place, with its mix of Asian and Spanish/US colonial influences. You’ll also find spectacular rice terraces in the north and incredible nature with jungle and volcano treks.
Consider the island of Palawan, the diverse central Visayas islands or Batanes province, among many other destinations.
Backpacker Budget: $35 a day
Mid-range Budget: $60 a day
Highlights: islands in Palawan, surfing in Siargao, Batad rice terraces
When to go: peak season Dec-Feb — shoulder Nov, Apr-May
18. Cuba
“See it before it changes,” is the familiar refrain when it comes to Cuba. And it still feels very much like stepping through a time machine.
Before I visited I had always heard Cuba of as an expensive country, but this seems to be based on its state-run luxury hotels focused on high-spending tourists. Travel in Cuba can actually be quite easy on the wallet, 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. The Baltic states
Often overlooked and tucked between the Nordic countries and Russia you’ll find the three small Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
Why go? Just 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, which has a ton of history and charm all the while also being a tech startup powerhouse. While I was sipping some local IPAs in Tallinn, a few friendly Esti’s were regaling me with tales of IPOs.
Tallinn’s small tourist center can be a bit pricier, but the country as a whole is very inexpensive. Dinner is often under 7 Euro and hotel rooms go for 30 to 40 Euro a night.
Backpacker Budget: $35 a day
Mid-range Budget: $70 a day
20. Guatemala
In Central America, Costa Rica tends to get the most attention as a tourist destination thanks to its bundant wildlife and highly developed eco-tourism. But if you ask me, Guatemala deserves strong consideration as well. It may not be quite as developed, 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
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 only go on organized tours, you may find Morocco to be quite averagely priced, but expenses drop considerably when traveling independently.
For great value accommodation with a bit of luxury, 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
22. Republic of Georgia
Georgia (the country) is a fascinating destination that’s right on the edge of Asia and Europe. It’s super cheap, sometimes even rivalling the low costs of countries in South or Southeast Asia. It’s currently dealing with an influx of Russian emigrants fleeing conscription, which has put tourism on a low boil, but it remains a wonderful destination to visit.
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 even built inside caves).
With 1-year visas for remote workers, it’s an ideal digital nomad hub within a stone’s throw of Europe.
Backpacker Budget: $20 a day
Mid-range Budget: $40 a day
23. Armenia
Something incredible happened in Armenia in 2018: the people peacefully protested its dictator, who eventually issued a polite mea culpa and promptly resigned. Ever since there’s been a sense of positivity in Armenia and increased interest in tourism there.
It’s still a poor country; its landscapes dotted with Soviet-era relics and ladas still drive the streets. Neighbouring Georgia might have more mainstream appeal for now, 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, an annual event in which 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: $25 a day
Mid-range Budget: $40 a day
P.S. I wrote an inspirational book that’s all about how you can travel more and travel cheaply. If you want to the world but not sure where to start or how to do it on a budget, my book will give you the answers!
P.P.S. Keep in mind the budgets listed here are only suggestions and 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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Very informative list. I visited Bali (INDONESIA) 2 months ago. And they only ask for two doses of vaccine report. And cost-wise, Bali is still very cheap compared to other places.
Nice list. I’d say Egypt is a worthy mention as well it maybe a little more expensive than you list but not much in my opinion. Thanks for sharing.
What about Pakistan?
Yes where us Pakistan and also where is South Africa?
I haven’t been to Pakistan yet!
I have been to South Africa though and it’s indeed quite cheap… I should add it next time.
Such an amazing list! yep, Nepal is such an amazing country for Himalaya hiking. Thanks a lot for providing an awesome blog.
Great locations of countries to travel on a budget! I have already been to a few Asian countries such as Nepal, Thailand, and Indonesia. But have never travelled to the North American and European countries. This list has really raised my curiosity. I would like to start my tour with Brazil. But before that, I will surely take tips from you.
This is the most amazing list of budget-friendly places. Thanks for this blog…….
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!
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?
Great article, you just lengthened my bucket list
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 🙂