Cheap Places to Travel on the US Dollar
By NomadicMatt | Published: April 17, 2008
A little piece of my wallet dies everyday. As an American, I live on the world’s worst currency- the US dollar. Over the past few years, the value of the American dollar has steadily declined. The dollar now only gets 1.5 to 1 to the British Pound, 65 Euro cents, and is at historic lows verse the Yen. Needless to say, it’s hard being an American tourist right now. Though as of July 2010, the dollar has recovered a lot, especially against the Euro due to the situation in Greece. However, the Pound, Yen, Canadian and Australian dollar are all still very strong. The dollar may be stronger than it has been in the past but it’s still not that strong.
As a constant traveler, I worry about currency moves like only a Wall Street trader would. Small changes in the dollar or other currencies can really effect a long term traveler. My budget for Australia was $1000 dollars short because of the strong Australian dollar. I watch currency prices every day to know when to withdraw money and when to hold off on that ATM run. While traveling on a short holiday, currency changes aren’t that big of a deal. You’re not gone long enough nor are you changing lots of money. Yet when you are gone for months or years at a time and making frequent ATM withdrawals, little changes in a currency can make a big difference.
For those without the desire to watch currency rates like Gordon Gekko, there’s another option: find cheap places to travel on the US dollar. There are still places left in the world where the dollar goes very far. Many of these destinations are off the beaten path or are newly developing tourist destinations. This means you not only get to go somewhere unique and different but you can get cheap travel deals! Here are some cheap destinations to travel to on the US dollar:
Vietnam- Vietnam is opening up more to tourism and is becoming a more popular destination each year. It’s not very developed yet and still a great bargain. When I was there, I spent about 8 dollars a day. Many of the people I traveled with spent more but it is quite easy to get by on an “upscale” budget of 30 dollars a day.
Eastern Europe- Though the falling dollar and economic growth has made Eastern Europe more expensive than it was in the past, it is a still a bargain when compared to its western neighbors. The further east you go, the cheaper it is too. Cities like Prague, Budapest, Sofia are steeped in old world charm. It’s a way to get to Europe without going broke in Europe.
Costa Rica- One of the few countries to have its currency lose ground to the dollar. A dollar now gets 500 Colons, up from 360 a few years ago. Though the country is one of the most expensive in Central America, your dollar goes a lot further than it used to there making it a good bargain. Costa Rica is a beautiful place and my favorite Central American country. Everything you want is there and the people are amazing.
Central America- Most countries in Central America are very cheap and incredible pristine by most standards. Countries like Nicaragua and Honduras are just opening themselves up to tourism and let you experience undeveloped countries. Guatemala holds ancient wonders like Tikal and beautiful beaches in Antigua while Honduras has great diving and surfing. Additionally, efforts to appeal to tourists have led in the building of more infrastructure and cracking down on crime.
Argentina- Another country whose currency has lost ground to the dollar. Argentina is an amazing place filled with history, football, and nature. The food here is excellent and the country is famous for its wine and steak. Buenos Aires is considered one of liveliest cities in the world and most people here speak English.
Cambodia- An incredibly cheap country where rooms can cost as little as $2 dollars a night. The currency of choice here is dollars too. ATMs give them out, things are priced in dollars, you get change in dollars, everything is 1 dollar- it makes converting pretty easy. A dollar everywhere can add up but, on the whole, I found the country to be cheap, friendly, and safe. Out of all the countries I visited, I expected the least from it and got the most.
Greece- The falling Euro has made Europe as a whole much cheaper than it was before. However, the Euro is falling because of problems with Greece. Now, this once cheap country is even cheaper. With 10 Euro hostels, 20 Euro hotels, and 3 Euro Gyros this country is a steal. You’ll get to enjoy beautiful islands, beaches, and delicious food at a fraction of the price of other European countries.
India- While India has always been a cheap country, the Indian Rupee used to ride high at 39 Rupee to the dollar. Now, you get 48 Rupee to the dollar. That’s close to 20% more money. In an already cheap country like India, that money will go along way.
Hungary- Hungary is a beautiful country with a rich history. Budapest is marvelous example of old Europe. During the booming economic times of the earlier decade, Hungary was flying high with a growing economy and a strong currency. Now, one dollar gets you 230 Hungarian Forint, up from 150 in 2008. Hungary isn’t that expensive of a country but with the currency so low compared to the dollar, it makes for an even better budget destination.
All of these countries can provide a different and cheap alternative to Europe, Australia, or Japan. There is still hope out there, it just requires different thinking and some alternative destinations. And do you really want to be where the crowds are? Europe’s churches will be there 10 years from now but the jungles of Central America? The rice fields of Asia? The old world of Eastern Europe? Probably not. With a weak dollar, it is time to think different.
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Your dollar is worth 41 pesos here so ur dollar will go along way in visiting the more than 7000 islands of my country.
have a safe trip.
not really because something that would cost a dollar here would cost 41 pesos there so it ends up being the same. de donde eres?
The current crisis in the USA and their intentional policy of a weak dollar hurts travelers all over the world; especially those who really just do travel and are in need of refilling their wallet from overseas. Still there are ways to keep your currency risk to a minimum and prevent loosing too much if the dollar exchange rate goes not in your favor.
In the end it is all about perspective — Southeast Asia is still very cheap compared to many other places in the world and even though a weak dollar might cost you an extra beer on your night out, the party is not stopping right there.
more here: Weakening dollar worries travelers to Thailand
I agree about the Capitol One card — we travel with ours, too, and have never had a problem or complaint. It’s amazing in recent years how much less exchanging we can get away with during travel–I still remember storing traveler’s checks and wasting precious travel time looking for places to cash them, and feeling robbed by the extra fees!
What about Belize? I ave to go somewhere from September through December fortax purposes ad I am looking for someplace cheap.
Wall street and corporate america likes the weak dollar to sell their products made in China
over seas. It makes me sick to be an american with the greed that still exists from the
Bush Administration. Obama has not changed a thing and I new he would not. Merechants in
Spain and France told us without Americans traveling to spend they will go out of business.
I have famiy in France and Family in Ireland, on my side who have never been to the U.S.
I am told from them that without the U.S. travelers their businesses are closing up.
What should the American people do about this situation????
Good tip about the Capitol One card. I never realised there was no foreign transaction charge with it which is a big thing for me as I don’t like to carry a huge amount of cash around.
Also the point about Europes churches and the jungles of South America. I’ve never really thought about it in that way, but I guess you are right. It has actually helped me make up my mind about where I should start out on my next long term venture so thanks..
I live in Ecuador and it is a wonderful country. Its people are so nice and kind, they will give you the most warming welcome. I have put together a helpful fact sheet, and also an article on Ecuadorian manners and customs.
yeap, i totally agree on the capital one cc, i travel some abroad and used different cc, like citicard and chase, and capital one is very good so far!
I cannot believe you have not mentioned Egypt or Jordan.. both fantastic places to see on less than $20 a day, easy.. also India I hear is even cheaper.
vietnam is the cheapest place i have travelled to so far. other places i have been to: japan, korea, hong kong, canada, mexico and germany.
Nicaragua should be added to this list. It’s considered the new Costa Rica and it’s extremely inexpensive compared to Costa Rica. Booking a hotel room and getting around the country is inexpensive; as well as getting something to eat. Nicaragua’s definitely a place for people to consider!
Nicaragua is the place to be, it is really, really cheap comparing to the rest of Central American countries, and besides that, it is the safest country in the region, unlike El Salvador or Guatemala where you can get killed in an instant by gang members….
Good thing, there are still cheap places to travel and I notice, that my favorite country is included which is Argentina. Well, I think am gonna save couple of dollars on these places. This should be plan sooner.
I hate to rain on anyone’s parade but personally I find the whole “weak euro, wohoo, great deals to be had on travel”-argument kind of silly.
Generally over here in Europe we pay a lot more for pretty much everything. So even if the exchange rate is more favourable than it was a couple of months or a year back, odds are people coming over from across the pond will still feel that it’s expensive. Sure you may save a hundred or two but taking into account the total cost of the visit (probably a couple of grand) that is not really a significant amount. Sure it’s something but not really worth celebrating over. If you can afford a trip to Europe (or in my case the US) a couple of hundred saved is merely a drop in your financial ocean.
Just returned from Hungary, Poland and Czech republic. It is NOT cheap to travel there, unlike everyone says. Unless you rent flats in places like Budapest and Krakow, you will be facing a very minimum of $100 per night for a room en suite. Meals will be $15 per person and up.
One can hostel it, but if you are an adult better plan on $200 a day per couple. Some trains are a relatively good price, but some are no different than in Western Europe. Gas is about $7.00 per gallon in Hungary. Of course, prices are down, but they were outrageous before the Euro and local currencies went down.
I am a veteran traveler of many decades.
I did these countries this May and I can tell you, you are off. For the budget traveler, your prices are exorbitant. While you could spend that much money, if you are, you are doing only luxury stuff. While these countries are not as cheap as they were in the 90s, they are not more expensive than Western Europe. In Budapest, I was eating in restaurants for less than 10 dollars. If you are staying expensive hotels, yes you will pay a lot of money but for the most part, hostels and budget hotels are around 30 USD per night for a private room.
Much of Europe is way overrated and far too expensive anyway. And in many places they really don’t like Americans, so they will try to insult you as much as they can. Chile, Peru, New Zealand, Australia are all very nice places to visit with a lot to see and do.
Hi out there; I have been to Costa Rica and found it to be ok, but not as wonderful as you say. The main cities, San Jose was a very dirty place to eat and shop, which I had to change my mind about eating in other than my hotel. The people are nice, but i did feel uncomfortable walking in most of there cities. i did not find it cheap, but I do not look for cheap places; i will be going to Central Europe in November of this year; and by looking at the exchange rates of both the Euro, and the currencies of the countries, we can get a little break in Czech Repub. that is for this date, who knows what will happen now that Wall Street is going down so fast. maybe we should bring most of our out-sourced work back home. I have been traveling around the u.S. of A, and found i spent more money here then when I have traveled through Europe. Take care