I have some excellent recommendations for you if you’re seeking some reasonably priced places to include on your trip itinerary for 2024 and beyond. Be informed that many rankings of the “cheapest countries” are untrue.

For instance, I’ve heard Costa Rica cited by a significant site as the most affordable location in the Americas have they been? These lists frequently seem to be picked at random and to be inaccurate. By restricting my choices to places I’ve personally been, I felt I could perform a little better.

They are not just great values, but also wonderful travel locations regardless of price, so I’ve mentioned them. Even though travel costs have gone up due to inflation and rising airfares, fortunately, many once inexpensive places remain so.

Exchange rates with many emerging economies are now very favorable if you are from a Western country. It can be eye-opening to realize how far your Dollars, Euros, or Pounds can go in nations with lower exchange rates.

You might travel for a full day in budget nations like Indonesia, Argentina, Vietnam, Mexico, or Turkey, to mention a few, for the cost of one lunch at a restaurant in, say, London or New York. It’s possible to spend $30 to $50 per person per day on travel expenses in many affordable places. Here, I’ll be emphasizing a few of the best.

Romania

There are a lot of preconceived notions about this Eastern European nation. It isn’t until they arrive that they realize how beautiful it is. The magnificent Transylvania region has much to dig your teeth into, just like the Dracula it inspired.

Think of its charming medieval villages, historic fortified churches, and impressive Carpathian mountain range. It’s ideal for a trip in the spring or summer, but it’s also enchanted in the winter with inexpensive ski resorts and castles covered in snow.

In Romania, a traveler’s budget of $30 to $40 per day will suffice. If you’re on vacation, you can discover charming B&Bs for as little as $30 per night. Don’t miss out on this travel insider tip for Europe.

Vietnam

One of the most intriguing and affordable nations in Asia is Vietnam.Vietnam is more than just the standard travel route. Consider the most genuine and unadulterated place on earth, the province of Ha Giang in the north. Tam Coc’s limestone scenery is also not to be missed.

The town of Phong Nha is a terrific destination for adventure travel and caving; camping inside the third-largest cave in the world is an experience I’ll never forget. If you eat locally, you won’t likely pay more than a few dollars for dinner, while a glass of locally brewed beer can be had for as little as $0.20.

Hotel rooms are incredibly affordable; you can find a nice, cozy place to stay for as little as $10. Whether you’re a budget traveler or just searching for a vacation, Vietnam has what you need.

Cape Verde

Can a whole nation be called a “hidden gem”? If so, Cape Verde is unquestionably one of them. Although little known, these tiny islands off the coast of Africa make for an excellent winter getaway.

Sal Island is well-known for its low-cost package resorts, but Santo Antao Island is the pinnacle of culture and natural beauty. There, I performed some of the best hiking and trekking of my life. The scenery is wonderful.
Cape Verde is safe, reasonably developed, and offers good value for money.

I traveled on a tight budget, living in B&Bs and eating food from the area, spending approximately $45 a day.

Nepal

When I went to Nepal a few years ago, the warmheartedness of the people and the great bustle of Kathmandu immediately attracted me. Nepal is also one of the least expensive locations in the world for guided or unguided mountain trekking.

The Himalayas contain routes that are well-supported and have a lot of tea houses where you may eat and stay. I spent a little under $20 each day while undertaking the challenging 7-day hike to Annapurna Base Camp.

Argentina

Argentina’s economy has experienced more yo-yo-like ups and downs. But it still means that Argentina is extremely affordable for visitors from other countries using Western currencies. Buenos Aires was once referred to as “the Paris of the South,” part of its attractiveness is that you may enjoy European-style development while paying prices significantly lower than you might anticipate.

Remember that paying locally with Argentine pesos you have exchanged at the so-called “blue rate” will get you the best deals. Hotel reservations made through foreign websites will cost more.

Argentina is, of course, a wonderful place to travel. Along with the magnificent Iguazu Falls, the Andean and Quechua areas are in the north. There is so much culture to experience in cities like Cordoba and Buenos Aires.

And don’t forget to visit the southern mountain range of Patagonia, known for its snow-capped peaks, glaciers, and opportunities to observe penguins and whales. Most people associate Mexico with its beach resorts, like those in Cancun, Cabo, or Tulum.

Although fantastic, these tourist destinations are merely ‘cheap’ compared to places like Miami or Hawaii. Many people already think that’s a good deal, but if you want something truly inexpensive, you need to look at other parts of Mexico.

One well-known (and secure) cultural path connects the vibrant Mexico City with Oaxaca and the Yucatan Peninsula. If you’re on a tight budget, consider visiting the state of Chiapas, which is home to magnificent Mayan ruins, waterfalls, and jungles.

Travel expenses there are also among the lowest in all of Mexico.

Albania

This underappreciated nation has been dubbed “the next Croatia” by some. It still mostly remains unnoticed for the time being. There are many reasons to visit Albania, including its undeveloped coastline, eccentric capital, well-preserved Ottoman-era towns, and the majestic Alps.

You can discover the intriguing past of this formerly remote nation, which was referred to as the “North Korea” of Europe during the Cold War. It is a developing democracy today, and better infrastructure has made travel more convenient.

It might be the most affordable place to travel in Europe. Hostel dorms for $10 and inexpensive hotel rooms for $25 are readily available. A delicious lunch or dinner in Albania would likely cost you between $2 and $4.

Colombia

Colombia is a fantastic place to visit. With a Pacific and Atlantic coast, the Amazon rainforest, and the beginning of the Andes mountain range, Colombia has a little bit of everything.

One of the top low-cost travel destinations in the Americas can be found when you combine Medellin and Bogota with the warm hospitality of Colombians and their lively culture.

When I returned from a second trip to Colombia, I produced itineraries for several weeks, a guide for a one-week beach and nature vacation there. It’s one of my favorite nations, it has an incredible value compared to the USD or even the EUR.

For only $2.50, local Colombian eateries provide a set lunch that includes soup, a main course, fruit juice, and dessert.

Turkey

Turkey’s economy has been struggling recently. Anyone looking to exchange their dollars or euros for lira can get one of the best offers anywhere in the world.

Istanbul is a modern metropolis with pricing you might expect from a remote or much less developed area, making it the ideal starting point for a journey to Turkey and also the destination for a city tour.

Roman remains, cave towns, bustling bazaars, and of course a lot of Mediterranean beaches can be found in this region, which was previously home to the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires and it’s between East and West.

Thailand

Thailand is resuming! And right now is the ideal moment to travel, with tourism completely restored but popular attractions still enjoying pleasantly empty streets. However, it can be a fabulously inexpensive location where you can find fantastic value on any budget.

Resort tourism on the islands and beaches is more expensive than touring through the inland provinces. You’ll be in budget travel paradise if you head to the northern Chiang Mai region for the best deals.

You can find some of the best-value lodgings anyplace here, whether you’re searching for a dorm bed for backpackers (from $6 per night) or a high-end hotel with a pool (from $35), all amidst the rice fields, Buddhist temples, and hill tribes.