Okay, so you think you’ve planned for your grand vacation to exotic destinations only to realise that your bank balance isn’t enough. You have saved up for plane tickets but when you got right into setting aside sums for food, accommodation, transportation, and activities, you discover that the places you picked aren’t the most affordable destinations you assumed they would be.
Fortunately, there are still travel spots that you can visit even on a modest budget. They still offer amazing sights and unforgettable experiences, only without leaving a gaping hole in your wallet.
Read on for our list of the 10 best affordable destinations to visit in 2018 and 2019.
1. Sri Lanka
One of the most underrated travel destinations in the world, Sri Lanka is a place where you can swim amongst dolphins and blue whales, watch elephants and leopards, surf to your heart’s content, and visit many UNESCO World Heritage Sites. And it’s an amazingly cheap travel destination, requiring only $30 per person a day for food, budget accommodations, fares, and a few extras even when staying in its capital city, Colombo.
2. Thailand
Thailand may be swarming with tourists but that doesn’t mean it’s an expensive country to visit. There are expensive destinations there like Phuket and Koh Samui but if you know where to go, you’ll still survive with as little as $20 per day.
If you’re tired of Bangkok, head to the Chiang Mai region in Northern Thailand where you’ll find equally delicious local food and great value accommodations, not to mention verdant rice fields and stunning temples.
3. Nepal
Nepal may seem like an expensive destination due to its otherworldly charm but you can actually have the grandest experiences in this beautiful country for under $50 per day. Believe it or not, you can find a budget hotel room in Kathmandu for $15 and pay even less than that for 3 meals and a bed at a trekking lodge.
Affordable activities like trekking with a porter/guide, kayaking, and temple visits are also possible for about $25 per day.
4. Laos
Always overlooked in favor of Vietnam and Thailand, Laos is a destination that deserves to be in every traveller’s must- visit list. The country is perfect for those craving for a more laid-back and authentic vibe plus food, lodging, and outdoor activities at very affordable prices.
Visit the ancient town of Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and you’ll be amazed that you can travel comfortably in such an inexplicably beautiful place for a $30 daily budget. And why not? You can have 3 decent meals for $10 and live in a basic room for $10 a night. If you plan to visit sights that are just outside town like Kuang Si Falls, go with a group so you’ll spend no more than $5 on local transport costs.
5. Indonesia
If you’re planning to have your fill of white sand beaches, jungle treks, and wildlife experiences without causing a permanent dent in your bank account, visit Indonesia. Known for the touristy Bali, the beautiful country has other equally beautiful regions like Lombok and Java.
Travelling anywhere in Indonesia can generally set you back $25 per day. Fork out a few dollars more and you’re on your way to enjoy organised volcano tours on top of visits to cultural attractions like Borobudur Temple and Candi Prambanan.
6. India
India is arguably one of the most insanely affordable destinations you can visit this year and in 2019. It is even cheaper than Sri Lanka and you’ll get by on $25 per day, even $20 on shoestring. This is not surprising because a filling and delicious meal in the country is less than $2 while street food starts at $0.25. You can also get a decent and clean room in a budget hotel for less than $15 per night.
7. Mexico
Mexico is another country that’s still cheap to travel in despite its collection of upmarket vacation destinations. Of course, you can’t travel for cheap if you’re after resort-style accommodations in Cancun or Cabo. But if you are planning on spending your vacation in Mexico City and less touristy beach towns, you can sleep comfortably at a local hostel for $11.
Food cost is also never a problem for tourists in Mexico as you can always find something delicious to eat in every street corner for as little as 30 cents.
8. Vietnam
Vietnam is certainly one of the most affordable destinations to visit out there. Daily travel expenses in the country – whether you pick Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, or Da Nang as your base – is only about $30, inclusive of budget accommodations, meals, transportation costs, and a varied range of activities.
9. Morocco
Morocco, a beautiful country in North Africa, is steadily making a name of itself as an affordable yet fabulous vacation destination. It is home to picturesque towns teeming with quaint hotels and backpacker hostels. The average price for a room with a shared bathroom is $10 while Moroccan food for one day is about the same amount or cheaper. And don’t worry about having to spend a lot on the world-famous Moroccan tea because shops and restaurants usually offer it for free.
10. Cuba
Cuba may not be as inexpensive as the other affordable destinations mentioned in this list but you can definitely travel in this beautiful country on a budget. Visit during off-peak months – April to June, and then September to the beginning of December, and you can work with a $50 budget per day.
You can stay at local guesthouses in Havana for less than $25 per night and enjoy traditional Cuban fare for around $1 to $5 per meal. When travelling near the coast, you can have a plateful of mouthwatering seafood for $7. Speaking of cheap and tasty, you can have single serving of mojito for $1! Sweet!
Looking for affordable holiday destinations? Visit Travezl.com for recommendations!
