Travelling is one of the coolest things you can do in your life. Whether it’s backpacking through Europe or getting on an eight hour long flight, you’re probably in for a treat every time you cross the borders. And if you can’t afford to splurge on a vacation, we have some alternative to five stars hotel and exclusive beaches. Here are 10 affordable countries for budget travelers. Visiting these countries won’t cost you an arm and a leg, especially if you get a good deal on plane tickets, or manage to hitch hike till there. So get your maps ready and start planning your next vacation now!
10. Indonesia
Indonesia has more than 13,000 islands, scattered with white sands and volcanoes. Its capital, Jakarta, is vibrant and always awake, while Sumatra is more secluded, with breath taking views. What makes Indonesia really travel friendly is the inexpensive local food and highly affordable accommodation. You can travel between the islands on ferries, so make sure to visit Bali with its Pura Besakih, the Mother Temple.
9. Cambodia
Another highly affordable country, Cambodia has very beautiful landscapes, cheap food and accommodation and plenty of things to see and do. You can find hotel rooms at around 15$ and you’ll end up spending less than 5$ on dinner. You don’t have to worry about visas either. You can get them anywhere once you’ve arrived for 20$.
8. Vietnam
Landscapes in Vietnam are stunning and visiting is very cheap. The local food is not only delicious but also frighteningly cheap: around 1$. And the price includes watching the food being cooked in front of you. Most of Vietnam’s beauty lays in the outdoors architecture. Make sure to check out the pagodas, which are used as shrines or temples, highly treasured by the locals.
7. Laos
If you like cooling in the water and also getting a taste of foreign bars, then Laos has got the thing for you. It’s called “tubing parties”: you float down stream and stop at bars and restaurant as you go down the river. If you’ve already started packing, you should know accommodation is around 20$ per night and street food is delicious, varied and cheap.
6. Thailand
Maybe not as cheap as the other countries above, Thailand is still worth every penny. Renting a room for a night will make you dig real deep in your pockets… for 4$. With some of the best food in Asia, you can get a plate of goodies with less than 1$. Bangkok is the place where everyone goes, so it’s very crowded, bustling with people and nightlife. Chiang Mai is an ancient city bordered by jungle and the night market is the best place to stock up on souvenirs.
5. India
We all know it from movies, travel books and documentaries, but in real life it’s even more amazing. India can seem shockingly inexpensive, so by the end of your trip you’ll probably feel like you’ve scammed everybody. Accommodation and food are very cheap, the locals are extremely friendly and there are plenty of things to visit and experiment with.
4. China
While it’s a huge country, it’s also very easy to go from one place to another, cheap and fast. Accommodation and food are easy to come by and are very affordable. The best things to do in China is see the Great Wall (decide beforehand what part you’d like to see what plan accordingly), Tian’anmen Square, which is a huge square, like nothing else you’ve seen before, and Beijing, where you can see the Temple of Heaven and many shopping malls.
3. Bulgaria
If you thought visiting Europe would make you break the bank, you were probably thinking about Western Europe. The Eastern side has plenty of affordable countries that will allow you to travel on a budget if you plan ahead. Bulgaria has beautiful scenery and amazing local food that is cheap and tasty. You won’t have to pay too much for accommodation, and you can even find some hostels that include breakfast or dinner.
2. Honduras
Although not very popular with tourists (yet), Honduras has vast national parks and wildlife that are starting to attract more and more visitors. If you like diving, this is the place to enjoy it or try it for the first time. Be ready to do some occasional hitchhiking, due to the lack of buses and make sure not to forget visiting the Copán Ruins, the ruins of a Mayan city and the tunnels underneath for an uncanny experience.
1. Peru
One of the most famous countries in South America, Peru fully deserves its reputation. The Inca Trail and Machu Picchu are just the cherry on the icing on the cake. The jungles, the Amazon and Lake Titicaca should make this destination number one on your bucket list ASAP. You’ll be able to get budget accommodation and food, not to mention all the things you can do and see. Just take a one month off and go spend it in Peru.
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