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Booking on a Budget? Check Out Our Top 10 List of the Cheapest Places to Travel

December 4, 2018 - Reading time: 15 minutes

Economic times are tough. In the face of mounting debt, the ever-rising cost of living, and stagnating wages, it can be tempting to throw your hands in the air and say "there's no way I could possibly afford a vacation!". Well, what if we told you that wasn't true? Below, we'll go over our top 10 list of the cheapest places to travel. You won't believe some of the amazing deals that are out there!

Destination #10: Canada

Have you visited our neighbor to the north recently, eh? There are many different tourist destinations in Canada which can expose you to culture, delicious food, and the beauty of nature all on the cheap. If you're a fan of the French but don't have the money to travel to Le Gay Paris, then take a look into Montreal. Hotels start at $50 a night, or you could book an Airbnb for $15/night and up. During the day, enjoy French food, culture, and architecture as you tour the city on foot. There's also good public transportation for when your dogs get tired.

If the French aren't your style, take a detour over to Newfoundland for an Icelandic experience without the huge price tag. You can see icebergs, Viking ruins, fjords, and the unicorns of the sea: narwhal whales. In the evening, enjoy a fancy meal for around $15 and retire to your Airbnb rental which costs about $30 a day. There is some public transportation, but not nearly as robust as Montreal.

Finally, there's Vancouver! If traveling to one exotic destination isn't enough for you, then visit all of them in one place. Vancouver is one of the most linguistically and ethnically diverse cities in all of North America. It's also environmentally diverse; surrounding the big city are majestic mountains, beautiful rainforests, and you can even go deep-sea fishing out of Gastown.

Destination #9: Australia

Since the Australian dollar is valued at 80% of the equivalent US currency, a trip down under is basically the price of a regular vacation with a 20% discount. But if you really want to pinch your pennies, bypass the major cities and head straight to the beautiful land of Tasmania. Its wildlife, culture, and impressively breathtaking nightly vistas will make you fall in love. Although we will warn you: you may be tempted to blow all the money you saved on a high-end digital camera. The night sky in Tasmania is peppered with not just every star in the Milky Way galaxy, but also the australis borealis (especially during the month of September). Trust us when we say that the camera on your iPhone is wholly incapable of capturing such images in a way that does them justice.

Destination #7: Peru

Economic times aren't that great in Peru either - but if you're itching for an exotic vacation, this can work to your advantage. The main tourist magnet, the city of Cuzco, is conveniently located near Machu Picchu. But the main city itself has a siren's song all its own, begging tourists to wander its streets and experience its rich culture. If Cuzco is too rich for your blood, travel off the beaten path and stay for a bit in Trujillo. This beautiful coastal city is home to pristine beaches, Colonial architecture, and some of the most affordable accommodations you'll find in all of South America. You can rent a 4-star hotel for as low as $65 a night, and wine and dine for about $15 a plate at some of the finest restaurants in the city.

Destination #6: The Philippines

When we say "the Philippines", it's a generic, catch-all term for an exotic region made up of 7,000 different Islands. Virtually each one of them sports breathtaking mountains, majestic volcanoes, and beautiful white beaches. While the Philippines is also unfortunately suffering from currency devaluation, the conversion rate will get you a fancy hotel starting at $38 a night and a fancy meal for $7 and up. The closer you are to major cities, the more access you will have to fantastic public transportation.

Destination #6: Cairo, Egypt

Yes, specifically, Cairo. Egypt is yet another country whose currency has recently dropped in value relative to the American dollar, making it a tourism magnet. You can explore the Great Pyramids, get cozy with the Sphinx, and enjoy the shopping as well as the nightlife of the big city. you can rent a hotel room for as cheaply as $20 a day, and enjoy a gourmet meal for less than $10 a plate.

Destination #5: Cuba

If you want to communicate effectively with the locals, be sure to shove a small potato in your mouth before practicing your Spanish. Cuba is the newest and hottest tourist destination thanks to recently lifted travel sanctions. The country is currently in the middle of a transition period between the end of Castro communism and the influx of global capitalism. This means that major cities in Cuba are just modern enough to accommodate non-latin tourists while still giving foreigners an authentic Taste of Cuban culture. Given the current political climate, however, you might want to book your trip soon - who knows how long you'll still have access.

Destination #4: Saint Martin/Sint Maarten

This popular Caribbean tourist destination is bouncing back with a vengeance in the wake of hurricane Irma. Their main airport reopened in late October of 2017, and many different tourist accommodations (including bars, beaches, restaurants, and more) are up and running again, eager for your business. In order to breathe new life into their tourism industry, airlines and local hotels are slashing prices. You can even find Airbnb accommodations for as little as $50 a night. Of course, there's the added altruistic bonus: every dollar of your vacation money helps a devastated economy recover from a horrendous natural disaster. It's a win-win tourist destination for everyone.

Destination #3: Namibia

Fans of the lion king will get a real life twinge of nostalgia while touring the wild countryside of Namibia. Whether you want to explore the wilds during the day or take a night guided tour in order to observe the nocturnal fauna, you'll get to see breathtaking animals and landscapes that you never thought actually existed in real life. Once you retire to the Comforts of your $40 per night hotel room, you can dine out at a fancy restaurant for about $12 a plate.

Destination #2: Portugal

The southern region of Portugal, known as The Algarve, is the perfect beach destination for anyone on a budget. It's recommended to plan your trip for late spring because you'll get the beautiful, moderate weather of summer but with fewer tourists and more affordable rates. You can book an apartment-style hotel at bargain bin prices. You can choose from scores of different restaurants, nightclubs, and bars to visit. Or you can tour the streets of Albufeira and step back in time thanks to the abundance of traditional Portuguese architecture.  Day trips to nearby Loule offer open air markets and true Portuguese culture. Almancil has one of the most famous churches in all of Europe. The area to the immediate north of Lagos hosts breathtaking natural scenery, and for all you golf fans out there, you may be surprised by the numerous, lush courses where you can play a round (or several). If the Algarve a doesn't suit your fancy, Lisbon and Alentejo are popular and equally affordable alternatives.

Destination #1: Spain

When in Spain, haz lo que vieres...or so the Spanish say. Everyone knows that Madrid, Barcelona, and even the beautiful Northwestern region of Galicia are the most popular Spanish tourism destinations; unfortunately, they're also some of the most expensive. But would-be tourists can see the hidden treasures of Spain even on the tightest vacation budget by visiting alternative locales.

For starters, try visiting the Costa Blanca. For less than $90 per day you can enjoy ancient castles, snorkeling, amusement parks, and dramatic nature preserves. At a slightly cheaper rate of $85 a day, you can have fun in Gijón touring their massive aquarium. It's also home to an impressive number of museums dedicated to everything from railway heritage to ancient Romans and more. Finally, for less than $75 per day, there's the wallet-friendly Costa Del Sol. Prepare to paint the town red with the exciting nightlife in Puerto Banús; scratch your outdoorsy itch at the Guadalhorce Nature Preserve; explore Tivoli World, one of the most famous and beautiful theme parks in all of Spain; and don't forget to swing by the Selwo Marina, a popular marine theme park home to dolphins, sea lions, and more.

 

Well, there you have it! We hope you learned something from taking a look at our top 10 list of cheap travel destinations. With any luck, you'll be able to plan your own affordable and unforgettable trip soon. Happy trails, and we wish you the best!