Updated: 14/10/2019 | October 14th, 2019
It’s never been easier to travel with almost no money. The spread of the sharing economy, plentiful cheap flights, and access to budget accommodation have all made travel more affordable and accessible.
And, if you’re an American, the strong dollar has really made a lot of places really cheap to visit.
And, while there are lots and lots of cheap places to travel to on the dollar, I wanted to list my favorites here. These are places I think are the most interesting, fun, easy to get too, and offer the most value for your money!
Cheap Places to Travel on the US Dollar
1. Costa Rica
Costa Rica is my favorite Central American country. Though the country is one of the most expensive in Central America, your money will still go far here. It strikes a balance between budget-friendly and safe, while still offering plenty of amazing sights and activities.
Here in this magical place, you’ll find cloud forests, turtles, incredible surfing, volcanos, white water rafting, fantastic nature preserves, deep-sea diving, and some of the happiest and nicest people in the region.
As an added bonus, flights from the US are also very cheap. I paid $400 USD to fly round-trip from NYC, and you can sometimes get flights as low as $300 USD. On the budget travel side, you’ll need about $40-45 USD per day, while for a mid-range trip will cost about $50-100 USD depending on how fancy you want to get.
Learn more and plan your trip with my guide to traveling Costa Rica!
2. Vietnam
While I’m not a huge fan of Vietnam, it’s one of the cheapest countries in an already budget-friendly region. When I visited years ago, I was spending $8 USD a day, which included cheap guest houses, local food, transportation, and a bit of drinking. Of course, prices have gone up a lot since I was last there, but the country still remains incredibly affordable, especially when compared to many of its neighbors.
Realistically, if you budgeted $20 USD a day, you would want for little. Hostels are still just a few bucks a day, and you can get delicious street food for under $1 USD. You can travel comfortably quite comfortably on $50-100 USD per day if you’re looking for more comfort and luxury.
Be sure to spend some time in the hectic city of Hanoi and visit Ha Long Bay when you’re in the north. In the south, don’t miss the Chu Chi Tunnels near Ho Chi Minh City (they were tunnels used by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War). For some adventurous activities like canyoning and cliff jumping, head to Dalat. And if you’re looking for beaches, Nha Trang and Mui Ne should be at the top of your list!
Learn more and plan your trip with my guide to traveling Vietnam!
3. Ukraine
Ukraine is one of the cheapest countries in Europe. Years ago, I visited Eastern Europe, and could not believe how affordable it was. I was living like a king for less than $40 USD per day — in Europe! — and paying $8 USD a night for a room in Ukraine, $1.50 USD for a liter of beer, and a few dollars for a local meal.
While prices have gone up a little since my last visit, it’s still one of the most affordable destinations in Europe. Hostels in Kyiv can be found for under $10 USD and cheap meals can be found for just $5 USD. With the average monthly salary in Ukraine being under $400 USD, it’s no surprise that the prices here are incredibly low.
Be sure to take a day tour from Kyiv to of Chernobyl to see the haunting remains from the 1986 nuclear disaster during your visit. Tours start around $100 USD per person but are well worth it.
Learn more and plan your trip with my guide to traveling Ukraine!
4. Romania
Not only is Romania an underrated destination in Europe, but it’s also a budget-friendly one. Bucharest is a modern, up-and-coming capital and the entire Transylvania region is breathtaking. Transportation is cheap here, and both rideshares and hitchhiking are common.
You can comfortably enjoy your time here for as little as $30-40 USD per day, which is a steal in Europe.
As more and more visitors come here to wait out their Schengen Area visa restrictions, it’s likely going to get more and more popular (and expensive) so try to visit while you can!)
Learn more and plan your trip with my guide to Romania!
5. China
China is a massive country full of affordable travel opportunities. Outside of Bejing and Shanghai (which are still relatively affordable considering their size), you’ll be able to find stunning landscapes, delicious food, and cheap transportation.
You’ll find some incredible historical sites as well, like the Terracotta Army in Xi’an and of course, the Great Wall itself. If you’re looking to test your luck, head to glitzy Macau, often considered the ‘Las Vegas of Asia.’ For a quieter trip away from the chaotic cities, head west to Tibet. While you’ll need a special permit to visit, you’ll find virtually no tourists here amongst the stunning mountainous landscapes.
For under $40 USD per day, you can enjoy all that China has to offer without a care in the world. Hostels can be found for just $5 USD, street food is just $1-2 USD, and most activities are less than $10 USD!
6. India
While India has always been a cheap country, but with the US dollar doing well it’s even cheaper! In an already inexpensive country like India where you can get by on as little as $20 USD per day — often less! Mouth-watering meals can be found for under $2 USD and hostels range from $3-10 USD depending on where you are.
Even if you go for mid-range accommodation and food, you’ll be hard-pressed to spend more than $50 USD per day unless you’re staying at five-star resorts — and even the resorts here are quite affordable!!
While the flight to get here can be expensive, once you arrive everything is a bargain. Be sure not to miss the epic Taj Mahal, the laid-back beaches of Goa, the holy city of Varanasi, and sweeping metropolises like New Delhi and Mumbai.
7. Argentina
Argentina — filled with history, beautiful people, culture, wine, football, and outdoor wonders like Patagonia — is one of my favorite countries in South America. Buenos Aires is considered one of the liveliest cities in the world, and most people speak English. I’ve never drunk so much wine or eaten as much steak as I did here (which blew my budget — but it was worth it!)
The only problem with this country is its rampant inflation, so prices are always in flux. But even with that, you can still get by on around $40-50 USD per day. Hostels are just $5-10 USD and a delicious meal (think steak and wine) will be well under $20 USD.
Patagonia is the main draw here, offering stunning landscapes and world-class hiking. Nature lovers will also want to visit Iguazu Falls, the largest waterfall system in the world!
Learn more and plan your trip with my guide to Argentina!
8. Cambodia
Cambodia is one of my favorite countries in the world. I found the people so incredibly welcoming there and even after a long absence between visits I still found it to be one of the best destinations in Southeast Asia.
Prices have increased a little over the years, but not by much (it’s still cheaper than Thailand). Cross-country buses still cost less than $20 USD, meals are $1–5 USD, private rooms are around $10 USD, and beer is still under a buck. Everything here works in dollars. ATMs give them out, goods are priced in dollars, you get change in dollars: it makes converting pretty easy.
I find the country to be affordable, friendly, and safe. Plus, Angkor Wat is one of the most amazing historical sites in the world. Be sure to visit the Killing Fields and the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum in Phnom Penh for a sobering look at the country’s violent past.
Learn more and plan your trip with my guide to Cambodia!
9. Greece
The Greece’s struggling economy has made tourism much more affordable in recent years. Now this once-cheap country is even more of a bargain than it was before.
With $11 USD per night hostels, $30 USD hotels, and $3.50 USD gyros, this country is a steal. Sure, some of the popular islands will still be a bit pricier but even those are affordable. You’ll get to enjoy beautiful islands, beaches, and delicious food at a fraction of the price of other European countries.
Moreover, since the economic problems have caused a huge drop in tourist numbers, there are fewer crowds on those wonderful beaches! Greece is a bargain destination, and my friends there tell me that the summer season was really bad. Visiting will not only get you great deals, but you’ll also help put much-needed money back into the economy.
Learn more and plan your trip with my guide to Greece!
10. South Africa
Safaris, wineries, mountains, and an endless coastline that is perfect for road trips — that’s South Africa. As a backpacker or budget traveler, this country is a great destination to travel as there are a lot of work opportunities as well as plenty of adventurous activities (and some great hiking) to keep you busy.
While it’s true that the country struggles with corruption and petty crime, it has a booming tourism industry and a growing backpacker and digital nomad scene. With $35-50 USD per day, you’ll be able to enjoy the amazing beaches and laid-back lifestyle that makes South Africa so appealing.
Don’t miss hiking up Table Mountain or visiting the penguins when you’re in Cape Town. And if you’re looking for a world-class safari experience, head to Kruger National Park!
Learn more and plan your trip with my guide to South Africa!
11. South Korea
When I went to South Korea a few years ago and I was stunned by how cheap everything was. Sure, it’s not as cheap as Southeast Asia, but compared to Japan or Europe it’s quite affordable. With the South Korean currency (the won) at 1,190 per USD and most everything costing only a few thousand won, I can’t imagine busting your budget here (unless you’re a huge foodie because the food here is delicious!).
My friend and I went out for Korean BBQ complete with drinks, and we each spent $8 USD. You can pick up bottles of beer in 7-11 for less than a couple of dollars. Hostels in Seoul start are just $10 USD per night. I don’t know why most people don’t talk about it, but if you want a cheap East Asian country with a stunning countryside, South Korea is it.
Be sure to indulge in Seoul’s foodie scene while you’re here and visit the Gyeongbukgung Palace. For a more luxurious getaway, head to Jeju Island for beaches and some fun in the sun.
All of these countries can provide a different and cheap alternative to expensive Europe, Australia, or Japan. Western 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.
When money is a concern, you need to get creative. Think and travel differently — don’t just pick the most obvious destination. Do that, and you’ll be able to stretch your money and travel further and cheaper, better, and longer!
What’s next? Now, start planning your trip to one of these (or other) destinations by reading one of the articles below:
- In-Depth Country and City Destination Guides
- 5 Destinations Under $30 USD per Day
- 20 Ways to Save Money for Your Trip
- 10 Ways to Find a Cheap Flight
How to Travel the World on $50 a Day
My New York Times best-selling paperback guide to world travel will teach you how to master the art of travel so that you’ll get off the beaten path, save money, and have a deeper travel experience. It’s your A to Z planning guide that the BBC called the “bible for budget travelers.”
Click here to learn more and start reading it today!
Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks
Book Your Flight
Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.
Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
- SafetyWing (best for nomads)
- World Nomads (most comprehensive)
- Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
- Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)
Ready to Book Your Trip?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use when I travel. They are the best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip.
russ
great information, I’m about to be making my way through to Argentina after I finish up here in Peru, then Chile -> Argentina.
Nina
Several times you say mention that because the exchange rate of a currency has improved against the dollar, it’s now a better deal if you’re using dollars. However, many of the countries you mentioned have higher rates of inflation than the dollar, so using that reasoning doesn’t make sense.
For example, Vietnam has had double digit inflation in recent years, much higher than the U.S. So let’s say a bowl of pho used to cost 10,000 dong a few years ago and now costs 20,000 dong. Converted into dollars, that would mean it used to cost 62 cents (at 16000 dong to a dollar) and now costs $1. Even though the exchange rate has improved, what you can buy hasn’t.
A better way to compare would be to ask, say, how much 10 tortillas or a bowl of pho or whatever used to cost in dollars compared to now. I agree that the dollar goes far in a lot of the countries you mentioned, and you can definitely get a lot of bang for your buck in Vietnam, but using the reasoning “the exchange rate has improved against the dollar in the past few years” doesn’t necessarily work if inflation rates are very different between the two currencies.
Ric
WOW! 3 years since the last comment….
I used to go to Greece every year & the Drachma was always cheaper,but the prices steeper.
Ashley
Great post, Matt! I went to Greece last summer and it was surprisingly inexpensive. It seems I’ll have to head over to SE Asia for the rock-bottom low prices though!
sudheer
Hi, recently i went to Goa,India. it’s a wonderful place to go and enjoy the beaches. The prices are cheaper in mansoons from june to october and in nov to january the prices are doubled. Beers and wines are very cheaper than the whole India.
Beto
If you go right now to Argentina with lots of USD, you’ll be king. $1 buys you about 6 pesos (or more) in the street, compared to less than 4 some years ago. Most Argentines are facing dire restrictions to buy USD and will do anything to get their hands on them. I’d like to go there again next year… but only time will tell if the USD will still stand strong by then.
Damon
Yeah, 5 years ago Argentina was a crazy deal. These days, it’s gotten more expensive. Just as an example, a taxi 5 years ago was a splurge from the airport at $25; now it is ~$40.
If you are traveling to Argentina, do learn how to convert your $USD through the “black market”. The normal exchange rate (e.g. what you get from the ATM) is 4.9 pesos per USD. You can get close to 6.5 pesos per USD if you convert through unofficial exchangers.
Tom
Can I ask you where was the photo in the UKraine/Romania/Bulgaria section taken?
Last summer we spent 100 Lei (around $27) for a night in a nice apartment in Romania (ok, it was in the middle of nowhere, it’ll probably cost more in Bucharest). The amazing thing was that my wife, a Romanian, commented: “it is a bit expensive”.
NomadicMatt
Velinko Tarnovo in Bulgaria
Cristina
Bucharest is expensive. We paid 30 euros/night in a double room in 2011.
But the more off the beaten path you go, the better . In a smallish mountain resort in the western part of the country we paid 65 lei / $18.60 for a double room. Plus although it was July everything was cheap. We paid also about $15 for 2 pizzas, 2 coffees and 2 waters in a super pizza place in the same resort.
Sighisoara is superb but finding a place to stay might make it a bit expensive. And same goes for very popular places.
Alexandra
The price of 100 lei (almost 30 dollars) for a night in the middle of nowhere – Romania is a little bit expensive, form a Romanian’s point of view, considering that the minimum wage in this country is 5 times as much! From a visitor’s angle, it’s rather cheap. Eating out is very affordable too!
As for Greece, for example, the food is rather expensive, as well as public transportation. Beware of the taxi drivers in Athens and Thessaloniki, because they tend to stop along the way to pick up more customers and at the end of your journey, you will pay for the other ones too if you remain the only one in the car!
Angela O.
This is some good knowledge to know Matt, thank you! I’m definitely going to be in Budapest next year and am a happy camper when it comes to exchange rates and prices there (although a lot can change in a year). Keep up the awesome writing!
Cristina
Been to Greece and Hungary, live in Romania. I can certainly agree with you on these three. I even found a triple room for 33 euros in Budapest during New Year’s Eve. Cannot wait to go! 🙂
And hope to make it to Vietnam and India next year 🙂
Leila Leidtke
It would be such an experience to take a family on one of these trips. So many would love to take their children abroad so they can learn about other cultures, but think it’s so expensive. It’s amazing that price doesn’t have to take away an amazing experience for children. Plus, you never know what these other cultures can do for your children’s imaginations and dreams!
John
Great article. I love to travel and love to travel cheap, local food and beer is the way to go. I especially like how you tell us the prices on both from countries you’ve visited.
Cheapest so far for me was the Philippines and Nicaragua… and I highly recommend both!
Ellen Keith
The one problem with Argentina at the moment is that, while the exchange rate might be great, the country is so large that travel transportation costs are killer. If you are staying in a contained area (like Buenos Aires), you’ll find the country to be relatively cheap. But once you start touring around the country, the bus and plane costs add up significantly. By South American standards, Argentina is a pricey option. That said, it’s well worth it! I love the country!
NomadicMatt
That could be said for any country/big city. I was simply making a general statement Argentina is affordable.
Maire
Matt – I can take no more – stop arguing with your commentators! It’s kind of churlish – these people have taken the time to visit, read and comment on your blog – make them welcome!
Kal
He’s merely responding to them. If you think that is rude them you might have to reevaluate your notion of blog etiquette. I think it’s beneficial to everyone to see two sides of things.
Troy
Ecuador has to be hands-down one of the best places for the USD to visit. They actually use the USD as official currency. Be warned though to never use anything over a $20 USD bill as most shops can’t or won’t break them.
– Hostel shared dorm-room in the capital, Quito, will run you about $7 USD, a private room for $10-12 USD.
– Liter beer: $0.80 at the store, bar will be $1.50
– local lunch with soup, salad and main dish with a juice: $1.50-$2.50
– Cheese burger on the street: $1.25
– buses will cost you about a $1 per-hour, and in less then 10hrs you can cross the whole country from North to South.
– Nestle chocolate bar: $0.40
– Small Coca-Cola: $0.35
– 15min taxi on avg in the city: less then $2-$4, if you pay more then $5 you went really far! (NOTE: during the day they use the meter, at night you have to negotiate the price)
– Local bus in the city: $0.25 one-way
You can easily backpack around Ecuador for $20-$25 USD per-day, depending on how much you party. Only country that would cheaper then Ecuador in South America would be Bolivia, Peru is slightly a tad bit more then Ecuador but it’s a MUCH bigger country to see with more sights as well. Colombia and Argentina would cost about the same, with Brazil and Chile being the most expensive countries in South America to visit.
NomadicMatt
Thanks for the information Troy!
Marla Johnson
We just got back from a month (September) in England (very expensive) and Greece. Greece was amazingly cheap! Our hostels were beautiful with ocean views, huge balconies to look out at the views, 1-2 bedrooms and a kitchen. We had the “apartments” all to ourselves the entire time. The people are very friendly and the food/beer was cheap too. We flew from Boston to England (VA) for about $650.00 rt. Then caught flights on RyanAir for $125.00 rt. to Greece. Way less expensive than the tickets from Boston to Greece. Just be careful with your luggage, RyanAir charges for every single thing they can. I would def go back, the weather was very warm and dry. The ferries between islands can be expensive and sometimes tricky to work out. For example; The boat runs to one of the smaller islands on Monday but there isn’t a return boat until the Tuesday of the following week. Spending a week on a very small island may not be idea to some.
Great article Matt! Thanks 🙂
NomadicMatt
Ryanair is great when you can avoid their fees but the second you get hit with a fee, that ticket is no longer anywhere near cheap!
Shaun
Nicaragua is a great value. I spent 2 1/2 months there and was very happy.
Also, just left Greece yesterday after being there for a month and prices aren’t bad but not as good of a deal as you think. Can’t beat the 2.50 euro gyos though! the food has been amazing!
NomadicMatt
Depends where in Greece you were.
Jeciwyn
Hey! Awesome post–Nicaragua sounds intriguing, what about safety for female traveling alone? Thanks! <3
NomadicMatt
I think Singapore is expensive, especially as their currency has gotten stronger over the last few years.
Bella
singapore is getting very expensive. inflation goes up every year.
vietnam maybe a cheap country to visit , however it depends on which province you visit or live.
some items increase in vietnam as well.
Rob
Singapore is like going sightseeing in NYC fifth Ave section! I was there for Chinese New Year the year before last (Jan 2013) and it was VERY, VERY expensive! I believe Singapore, Japan, and Hong Kong are some of the most expensive places in the world!!
NomadicMatt
Thanks Stephen!
NomadicMatt
Croatia is affordable if you get off the Dalmatian coast.
Nick
what about Switzerland, Norway, UAE? Are they affordable?
NomadicMatt
Not at all. They are all very, very expensive.
NomadicMatt
Indonesia is also another country that can be very cheap to visit.
NomadicMatt
I was surprised at how cheap it was, especially since I had just come from Japan where everything was triple the price.
Ava Apollo
I clicked on this hoping to see Cambodia on there. I’m here now (Kampot) and I’m so smitten. $2 shared dorm and the world at my feet? It’s like they’re paying ME to be here!
Mike K
Istanbul is very affordable. With their new Islamic Government they started really taxing alcohol, but a beer is as expensive as it is in the US, and you can get a good sized meal for the price of one beer. Everything other than alcohol is cheap.
Kyle
Great post Matt, I’ve always enjoyed your content. I’m currently redoing my (very) new blog now during my last week in Chicago.
Although, I knew Latin America was cheap, I’m happy to see the majority of the countries I’m leaving for next week on this list! A year or two in Central America and South America awaits! Do you have any way off the beaten path recommendations?
NomadicMatt
Yeah, Seoul was much more affordable than I thought. I was quite happy about it!
Benson Wallace
I was in India last year at 1 AUD to 45 Rupees; now it’s 1 AUD to 55 Rupees, so keen to go back there and see if things are actually cheaper, or whether, like some people have commented, inflation balances things out.
Also, Matt, where are those 20 Euro hotel rooms in Greece? I was there August (that’s probably my problem right there) and 40-45 Euro was the norm for a budget room.
Agree with you on Hungary and Bulgaria being good value right now. I was in South Korea last October and it wasn’t as cheap as you described, but then I live in China so it seemed a bit expensive to me (OK, not expensive, but not cheap. Reasonable would be the right word). Perhaps one should travel to Japan first, and then hit Korea, and it will seem like a bargain!
Other “dark horses” where you can get good value through exchange rates right now are Albania and Malaysia.
Benson
Elrudd
Yes- if you can bring USD do. The shops, restaurants etc. will take USD at a higher exchange rate than you will get aking money out of an ATM or currency exchange. And almost everyone will take your USD.
However it is not cheap here. Inflation has been 25% for the last 10 years a good steak in a nice restaurant is $15-20 USD with no veg or salad. Pizza $20 in USD terms. So I wouldn’t call it a bargain.
Ron
Shhhhhhh! Let’s keep the Philippines a secret. The beaches are just as good as Thailand but they’re not overrun by tourists. Don’t ruin it for the people who know. 🙂
Mark
We recently traveled to Belize and were surprised how expensive everything was. Food, lodging, and transportation were equivalent to US prices. Definitely not a bargain. Peru, on the other hand is a beautiful country and cheap and highly recommended. We spent a week in Cusco and surroundings and hiked the Inca trail for a week. Amazing.
Mark
Botswana a bargain?!
It’s one of the most expensive destinations on the planet. The gov’t wisely tries to limit numbers to preserve the place. Yes, you can camp out for a pittance. But the lodges run $1000 U.S. per night per person and up.
NomadicMatt
Having just come back from Botswana, I’m not sure what lodges you were staying in. Camp sites are 6 dollars a night and budget lodges are like $20-30. If you’re staying in 5 star, super luxury lodges, then I’m sure you’re going to spend a lot. You would anywhere. I’m not sure why you would want to though. I stayed in a very nice lodge in Maun for $40 USD.
BobC
Most of Africa is very inexpensive if you stay away from the main tourist trail. By that I mean safaris in the Serengeti (Tanzania), Masai Mara (Kenya), and Botswana. Safaris are quite expensive even if you camp rather than staying at a lodge. For example just the entrance fee for the Serengeti is $100 per day. You have to have a vehicle, guide, cook, and supplies along with you, all procured at US prices. That said we’ve spent the money and gone more than once, including with the grand kids. Uganda, where I’ve spent a lot of time is quite reasonable with many lovely areas such as Lake Bunyonyi, Mt. Elgon (Sipi Falls), the Rwenzori Mtns. If you arrive during the week in off season you can even see the gorillas for $500 in the Impenetrable Forest without a reservation. One of the most interesting countries is Mali. I’ve spent a lot of time there. But half of the country is off limits to westerners right now because of the coup in March and the takeover of northern Mali by sharia extremists. When Mali becomes stable again the Dogon region, Djene with the mud mosque, and the boat down the Niger River to Timbuktu are not to be missed. Angola, where I am right now, is expensive in the capital because most food is imported. Luanda rivals Tokyo as the most expensive major city in the world. But interior Angola is beautiful and the cities have a very Brazilian feel to them. Good restaurants charge US prices. But local food is inexpensive. Africa is a huge continent where there is tremendous variety. Benguela, Angola has lovely beaches; so does Namibia. The beaches on the Indian Ocean side of Zanzibar (Tanzania) are lovely and inexpensive. Though I’ve only been in Addis, Ethiopia has a lot to offer. Ugandans in particular are incredibly friendly. English is spoken in all the former British colonies. Many African countries offer great travel experiences. But most Americans have never been here.
Samantha
Most Americans don’t go there because of the media and stereotypes…..It’s so sad….Africa is a beautiful continent, and so many people are missing out. My boyfriend is from Ghana, and he told me the country is really beautiful. I can’t wait to go there!
BobC
India is inexpensive. Don’t forget Bangladesh. It’s also inexpensive. I was there last year and thoroughly enjoyed it. I’m taking my wife next month. Dhaka is a big city of 15 million people. It’s home of a large cotton clothing industry. Shawls saris, etc. are incredibly inexpensive if you’d like to add to your wardrobe and stock up on gifts. Bangladesh is the eastern half of Bengal State of former British India. Kolkota (Calcutta) is the western half of Bengal State. The countryside is beautiful. The farms are incredibly well tended. Provincial towns have many cultural attractions of Bengali culture. There are good beaches in the Chittagong region in SE. The cultural and literary traditions have developed over three millennia. There are mixtures of Hindu and Buddhist culture amid the majority moderate Islam. Food is incredibly inexpensive. A reasonable guest house in Kushtia (western Bangladesh) was $15 per night. Lodging in the capital is more expensive. Visas are expensive at $180, good for 90 days. Get a multiple entry one for the same price. India’s just next door. Nepal’s to the north. Myanmar (Burma), on the east, is opening up to tourists. At the mouth of the Ganges River there is annual flooding which is posted all over our news. But the rest of the Bangladesh is well diked. Savoring the Bengali culture is well worth a visit. I’m glad to be going back for another five weeks.
NomadicMatt
You’re traveling upscale. A nice hotel with a/c and private bathroom is about $20 USD per night. Food? Less than $10 or up to $20 if you eat all western food. Tuk tuks are only a few dollars.
We simply have different opinions on what is “decent.” For me, it doesn’t need to be a Marriott.
DRS
I was in Czech Repubic in 1999 and beer was 15p per pint and 2 students were renting a room in Prague for £10 per month.(I could not quite get my head around it to be honest)
I am not sure what the prices are like now though.
Brandon
Great post! I was thinking of going to Costa Rica for two weeks during the summer. Can anyone tell me whats the total cost would be (estimate) and hows the nightlife?
NomadicMatt
Total cost varies based on your travel style. The nightlife in Costa Rica is very good.
Roxy
Hi Matt, don’t feel bad about being ripped off in Vietnam. On my backpacking trip, I was constantly getting ripped off…and I’m Vietnamese! I spoke the language (though they didn’t know it), and though they laughed and talked, they weren’t always talking about me. What I gathered is that it is a very poor country used to the survival of the fittest mentality. Vietnam has been at war almost every year of its history, so the country is constantly impoverished. it has only been open to tourism since the 90s so it has a long way to go before it can get to the level of hospitality Thailand has. I have traveled to over 40 countries and Vietnam was the second worst at hospitality. First was Morocco for me (A woman grabbed my hand and drew henna designs all over it as I walked past, then insisted I pay 60 bucks). Yet I loved all the countries. I realized they were way worse off than me and that’s what they were used to. They just need to be educated, but I don’t know how to even get that ball rolling.
Yasmine
Venezuela is a scret gen in south america…it’s a country that have everything: beautiful beaches (all north is the caribbean sea), mountains, desert, jungle (Angel Falls…the highest waterfall in the world), beautiful people and wonderful food… but sadly at this moment is not a safe place because there is a chaotic political situation.
Crispulo
I would add to this list Venezuela! I don’t know if you have been there but it has a lot of beautiful tourist places and with the recent devalue of the Bolivar (Venezuelan currency) and the prevalence of the black market exchange you can get 23.00 Bolivares per Dollar instead of the official 6.30 Bs per $.
A quick google search will show you everything Venezuela has to offer.
matt l
not sure what u are talking about in Cambodia..took a boat ride on tonle sap for next to nothings. just 5 dollars. we had a guide who picked us up at our hotal each morning for 5 day and spent whole day showing us around ankor wat into downtown siem reap till late in evening taking us whever we wanted and only cost us 100 US dollars for all five days combined. Hotels very resinonable $30/night. food was cheap all be it not tasty.(we had indian food a lot there we found it to be best flavor)
Ed
I notice a big difference of opinion re posters views on the cost of living of particular places. We’re living in an ever connected (mainstreamed), comercialized, franchised world (world economy). With an explosion in world travel and tourism, accomidations, standards, expectations and pricing have also exploded. Travelers are accustomed to various standards of living and often bring unrealistic expectations to a destination. Generally, to reap the bargains of a local economy, it’s important to do a little reseach into what and where the bargain/s are and in turn practice taking advantage of the bargains There are inherent bargains everyplace mentioned. Hint: avoid major tourist traps and franchises, etc., take the time, optimise, and find the biggest bang for your buck.
Bill
Great article Matt. Would you be able to suggest some places to stay and/or an airline for a trip to Costa Rica? Thanks!
NomadicMatt
Shoot me an e-mail with specifics.
Rob
Don’t forget about other cheap European destinations such as Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia.
I’m visiting all them right now and they are also super cheap (I’ve also just come from Romania and Bulgaria on this trip).
Janet
Hello Matt – I loved your site and read everything! My husband and I are considering a trip to Istanbul in Aprl 2014 from Miami. Istanbul has always fascinated me from afar. Do you have any thoughts on this city? Is is an expensive choice these days? Thank you.
NomadicMatt
Sorry but I’ve never been.
Frank
I would also recommend Armenia as a relatively inexpensive travel destination for those with US $. Plus, Armenians are warm, friendly people, many of whom (especially the young folks) speak English very well. It’s been 2 years since I’ve been to Yerevan, but a couple I know biked for 2 weeks through Armenia with another American couple last year. They had the time of their lives, lived inexpensively, and made so many friends among the curious Armenians who wanted to know what they were doing on their cross-country bicycles, and brought out to them water, food, and warm wishes during the entire time!
Matt Clausen
The Philippines. About 43 pesos to the dollar. A meal for 1-2$. Lodging for 4-8$ a night. You can take a (very cramped) bus for 7 hours that only costs 7-9$. Looking forward to compare it with Thailand and Cambodia.
Kari
Any cheap n safe recomendations for a single mother with 3 yr old?. I want to show my child other cultures but since i live 5 min away from mexico n there is too much violence im skeptical about leaving us grounds:) .
NomadicMatt
1 USD = 1113 Won. The math works.
Jorge
I arrived to Argentina in January, and I change 1 USD to 10.5.
Now its february and you can find 1 USD to 12.5-13 pesos.
Im from Chile, and trust me, this is by far the cheapest country in South America if you have USD. At least this summer.
Katarzhyna
Thanks for posting this, Matt!
So I’m obsessed with traveling and I’m going to turn 18 in a few months. Anyway, I’ve always wanted to travel to japan and south Korea and I was actually pretty excited to see you mention that s.Korea was pretty cheap to go to. How much was the airfare when you went? Because that’s the only darn thing that’s getting in my way…I’m not the richest teen in the world. I have never had time to work so I only have about 500 dollars in bills and maybe some more in my bank account. I’m trying to do some research for some cheap hostels and airfare tickets and whatnot…ugh I wish this was easier. I feel like I would have a better time in Japan (since I learned to speak the language quite well) but it’s probably more expensive ; ^ ; what do you recommend for me if you can think of anything? Any advice or information will be most helpful!
NomadicMatt
You’re welcome! Thanks for reading.
Rob
You forgot to list malaysia! It’s one of the best countries and relatively inexpensive to visit and retire to. They have an awesome program called”the my second home program.” Also, you can just take a bus or a train ride to Singapore
Rachael
Have you ever been to Ethiopia? Super cheap and beautiful! Sixty cent lattes baby 😀
sarah
wow…nice post.. i just wanna say thank you.. now i can plan my next travels. my budget not so much.. thank again for this info.. 🙂
Joe
Is there a great hostel in Spain
that anyone can suggest? I’m open to all destinations there.
NomadicMatt
There are lots! Where are you going?
Heidi LEach
I want to plan a trip out of the US it will be my first trip away from the US and I want it to be of a Spanish speaking nature because I can read and understand some Spanish and I know many Spanish cultures are still very very affordable so what would give me the most bang for my buck in a Spanish speaking area? Which is cheapest for lodging and food and attractions? I want the kids to have a lasting experience because we are very poor and we will be traveling in the summer and I want it to be a fun learning experience and I want a place that has lots to do and not have to travel for days to do things. I am looking for somewhere with a beach and country style living I do not want a huge city. Something close to a big city less than an hour drive would be nice any suggestions of place where the kids could see Aztec type structures or other huge historical sites of that nature I want it to be fun but also educational and not have to worry to bad about sickness and diseases when traveling. I mean getting shots to keep from getting sick I can deal with but having to get something like west Nile virus to me is very scary I want it to be a safe trip for the whole family as well. I am not the smartest cookie in the bunch but, I do tend to find cheap can also mean well cheap as in very poor and I don’t want a dirt floor and no shower or no phone towers. I want somewhere that still has civilizations. Not camping in the woods We can do that here in America and pretend we are anywhere we want to lol. 😀 And also what is the best time to travel really for places that are more of a Spanish nature I wanted to visit Italy in some area because I am a decendant and always wanted to visit where my family originated from and seems so wonderful over there but then again I just love Spanish towns and Spanish language and Spanish culture it is so homely and inviting well from what I know of it. My ex-husband spoke very highly of Izabal, Guatemala where he is from.
Brock
I haven’t left for my journey just yet, but when I do, I will be hitting many of these countries. Sounds like a blast!
I hope it stays this way for quite some time 🙂
Andrey
Why don’t you have Russia in your list? It’s a big deal now! There are a lot of cheap hostels in Saint Petersburg and food is pretty cheap. The only thing is winter but…. 🙂
NomadicMatt
I haven’t been.
Alice
I was considering traveling to Cambodia, until I read about how many tourist were killed during armed robberies.
NomadicMatt
How many was that? I’ve never heard of such a thing.
Karen
Myself and husband traveled for six months through SEA and never at any time felt threatened or experienced any violence of any kind. Cambodia was perfectly safe and an incredible experience. Always use commen sense. Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia were all inexpensive even with the Canadian $$$. Yes it can get costly if you are staying in high end hotels, however there are a lot of hostels and guest houses that are inexpensive. We stayed at several hostels with private rooms as well as guesthouses for under $25 USD and most included breakfast…some better than others. One tip would Be to book a room prior to your arrival especially when travelling by bus or mini van. You can always walk around and find some great accommodations the next day and often for less than pre booking. We arrived back home at the end of April 2016. We are looking forward to travelling CA and SA but we would recalling like to go to Spain as well…I have heard that it is a real bargain right now! Research and read about where you plan on going before you go…it will enhanceyourexperience that much more. Remember you are travelling to a different country with different cultures, be respectful and you will have a great experience.