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The world is full<\/em> of cheap vacation spots. No matter what continent \u2014 and no matter what interests you have \u2014 there are countless places you can visit on a budget.<\/p>\n Few destinations are “too expensive” as long as you do some research, get creative, and have some flexibility. You might not be living large when you visit them, but you can<\/em> visit them.<\/p>\n Fortunately, there are lots of destinations out there that make budget travel easy, fun, and safe.<\/p>\n These destinations offer affordable accommodation, cheap food, and plenty of activities and excursions that can be enjoyed without breaking the bank.<\/p>\n Here’s my list of the best cheap travel destinations so you can get inspired and plan your next affordable adventure!<\/p>\n With a tourist trail going back decades, Thailand is the heart of backpacking in Southeast Asia<\/a>, and you can get by on between $40-55 USD per day thanks to cheap guesthouses, budget street food (which can be found for as little as $2 USD!), local buses, and the many cheap and free attractions. If you spend all your time on the islands and in expensive accommodation, expect to pay closer to $90 USD per day.<\/p>\n READ MORE:<\/strong><\/p>\n Belize<\/a>, Panama<\/a>, Costa Rica<\/a> \u2014 these are expensive destinations by regional standards (yet they are still quite affordable). If you visit these central Central American countries, you can get by on $50\u201360 USD per day as a backpacker or between $130\u2013150 a day if you want nicer accommodation, activities, and fancier meals.<\/p>\n READ MY TRAVEL GUIDES TO THE REGION:<\/strong><\/p>\n Cambodia is cheaper than popular Thailand but just as beautiful and filled with some of the nicest people in the world. Plus, it’s home to the incredible Angkor Wat<\/a> (which, while expensive to visit, is worth the expense!).<\/p>\n READ MORE:<\/strong><\/p>\n You can get by for as little as $50 USD per day in most of the region (Croatia being the exception, which will be around $60\u201370 USD per day). While there’s a growing backpacking trail here and tourism is on the rise, it’s Europe still the least-explored region \u2014 but I don’t think it will be for much longer.<\/p>\n READ MY TRAVEL GUIDES TO THE REGION:<\/strong><\/p>\n But the country becomes even cheaper when you get off the beaten path and the interior<\/a>. This is where you’ll find the best travel deals and bargains. China still remains one of the best value places in the world and, with its massive size (it’s the 3rd largest country by landmass), there is a ton to see and do here!<\/p>\n READ MORE:<\/strong><\/p>\n India is a cheap backpacking destination with a rich cultural history, mouthwatering food, helpful and curious locals, incredible regional diversity, great tea, and a lot to do. It’s a gigantic place best either explored in either one large trip or a few smaller chunks. Either way, don’t miss India.<\/p>\n READ MORE:<\/strong><\/p>\n You can get by on next to nothing here too, with budget travelers spending as little as $50 USD per day. Beer is around $2\u20133 USD, a week’s worth of groceries costs around $35\u201350 USD, and most museums and historic sites cost around $5 USD.<\/p>\n READ MORE:<\/strong><\/p>\n Portugal has become a lot more popular and crowded in recent years (it has a growing expat and digital nomad scene) and Lisbon has become especially expensive as people move there and drive up prices. It’s a great place after all! However, once you get outside of Lisbon, prices are still relatively cheap compared to the rest of Western Europe \u2014 and you’ll see far fewer tourists too. Expect to get by on $55-75 USD per day if you’re a budget backpacker.<\/p>\n READ MORE:<\/strong><\/p>\n While there are some regions that aren’t that safe to explore, the majority of the country is yours to enjoy. No matter your interests \u2014 beaches, partying, food, history, nature \u2014 there’s a corner of the country that you can enjoy safely without breaking the bank.<\/p>\n READ MORE:<\/strong><\/p>\n I fell in love with Morocco<\/a> when I visited, and not just because it’s super affordable (though that did help!). Budget backpackers can get around on just $40-55 USD per day here, while midrange travelers can have a comfortable trip for around double that. You get a lot of value here. In fact, I love it so much I used to run tours there!<\/p>\n READ MORE:<\/strong><\/p>\n I believe most destinations in the world can be explored on a budget<\/a> without sacrificing too much comfort (heck, I even traveled Iceland on $50 USD per day<\/a>).<\/p>\n If you’re a savvy traveler, you know how to maximize your money no matter where you go in the world. But your mission to travel on a budget gets a lot easier when the places you’re going to are already affordable, allowing you to make the most of your budget without missing out! My New York Times<\/em> best-selling book to travel will teach you how to master the art of travel so that you\u2019ll get off save money, always find deals, and have a deeper travel experience. It\u2019s your A to Z planning guide that the BBC called the \u201cbible for budget travelers.\u201d<\/p>\n Click here to learn more and start reading it today!<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/p>\n Book Your Flight<\/strong> Book Your Accommodation<\/strong> Don’t Forget Travel Insurance<\/strong> Want to Travel for Free?<\/strong> Need a Rental Car?<\/strong> Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip?<\/strong>
\n <\/p>\n1. Thailand<\/h3>\n
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\nThailand<\/a> is where it all began for me so it holds a special place in my heart<\/a>. It is where I decided to quit my job and travel the world. I lived there. I loved there. Thailand is incredible.<\/p>\n\n
2. Central America<\/h3>\n
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\nWant to roam ancient ruins, trek through the jungle, surf, and eat delicious food with few tourists around? Visit the smaller countries in Central America<\/a> \u2014 think El Salvador<\/a>, Honduras<\/a>, Nicaragua<\/a>, and Guatemala<\/a>. Here you will find budget hotels for $25\u201340 USD per night, meals for under $10 USD, most bus journeys for the same price, and beer for just a couple bucks.<\/p>\n\n\n
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\n <\/p>\n3. Cambodia<\/h3>\n
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\nWhile you could put all of Southeast Asia<\/a> on this list, Cambodia<\/a> is one of my favorite countries in the region. It\u2019s affordable, beautiful, and the locals are incredibly hospitable<\/a>. You can get a private, air-conditioned room for $25 USD, street food for $3-5 USD, and transportation across the entire country for $25 USD. If you are spending close to $50 USD per day, you’ll be comfortable. Double that, and you’ll be living large.<\/p>\n\n
4. The Balkans<\/h3>\n
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\nLocated in southeastern Europe, the Balkans is the cheapest region in Europe<\/a>. Composed of a handful of countries \u2014 most of which see very few tourists \u2014 it’s an off-the-radar region that’s super affordable while also offering incredible value. While places like Dubrovnik<\/a> see A LOT of tourists (thanks to the cruise ships that dock there), the majority of the region is unvisited when compared to other parts of Europe. There’s cheap wine, incredible hiking and nature, stunning coasts, hearty food, wild nightlife, and really welcoming locals. .<\/p>\n\n\n
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\n <\/p>\n5. China<\/h3>\n
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\nChina<\/a> has fascinated travelers ever since Marco Polo traversed the Silk Road in 1275. While the days of China being a dirt-cheap destination are gone, the country remains a budget destination (and one of the cheapest in Asia) but with a caveat. You need to get out of the big cities. Sure, the cities are still a bargain. Hostels cost less than $20 USD, street food is $2-5 USD, and public transportation in cities runs less than a dollar.<\/p>\n\n
6. India<\/h3>\n
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\nWhile always a cheap country, the Indian rupee used to ride high at 39 rupees to the US dollar. Now, you get 85 rupees to the U.S. dollar! Unless you book five-star resorts and eat only Western meals, you\u2019ll find it hard to spend $50 USD a day here. You can get by on closer to $35\u201340 USD by staying in cheap guesthouses, taking second-class trains, and avoiding Western food. Even iconic sights like the Taj Mahal<\/a> (a Wonder of the World) are super affordable (it’s just $13 USD to enter). You can also take a private tour of Delhi for just $15 USD<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n
7. Georgia<\/h3>\n
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\nTucked away in the Caucasus, Georgia has been at a cultural crossroads for centuries yet it’s not nearly as popular as it should be. Tbilisi<\/a> is a city bursting with activity, while the rest of the country offers intrepid adventures a rugged, off-the-beaten-path feel. Georgia<\/a> has everything I need in a destination: it\u2019s cheap, has delicious food and wine, offers incredible hikes and mountain scenery, and is devoid of huge numbers of tourists.<\/p>\n\n
8. Portugal<\/h3>\n
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\nNot all Euro countries are created equal, and Portugal<\/a> is one of the bargain countries in the region \u2014 and one of my favorites. I fell in love with the country the first time I visited<\/a>. How could I not, with beautiful beaches, a rolling wine country, stunning seaside cliffs, delicious food, jovial locals, and historic cities all at bargain prices?<\/p>\n\n
9. Mexico<\/h3>\n
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\nWhile I’d been to Mexico before, it wasn’t until recently that I really<\/em> spent a bunch of time there. And I was blown away<\/a>. Mexico City<\/a> is a foodie’s paradise, Oaxaca<\/a> has copious amounts of charm (and a never-ending flow of mezcal to boot!), and the Yucatan is perfect for road trips and cenote exploring. And since it’s so close to the US, it’s not only cheap (beer is just $2\u20133 USD, groceries are around $35-40 USD per week, and you can get by $50 USD per day here) but it’s cheap to get to. Double win!<\/p>\n\n
10. Morocco<\/h3>\n
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\nChaotic and colorful, Morocco<\/a> is a popular bucket-list destination for travelers of all stripes. Offering rolling dunes of golden sand, winding markets and medinas, and towering mountains, Morocco is a photographer’s dream. While the hectic cities can be a tad overwhelming at times, the stunning silence of the desert and its postcard-perfect views makes the trek worthwhile.<\/p>\n\n
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\nHow to Travel the World on $75 a Day<\/span><\/h3>
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<\/div>\nBook Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks<\/h4>\n
\nFind a cheap flight by using Skyscanner<\/a>. It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned. <\/p>\n
\nYou can book your hostel with Hostelworld<\/a>. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com<\/a> as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels. <\/p>\n
\nTravel 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. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:<\/p>\n\n
\nTravel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation \u2014 all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites<\/a> to get started and see the latest best deals.<\/p>\n
\nDiscover Cars<\/a> is a budget-friendly international car rental website. No matter where you’re headed, they’ll be able to find the best \u2014 and cheapest \u2014 rental for your trip!<\/p>\n
\nGet Your Guide<\/a> is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more. <\/p>\n