Traveling is such a bliss, but it can be quite costly. In some expensive countries, the plane ride and a few days’ stay might cost you your whole year’s salary! Don’t worry though, not everything in the world should be breaking your bank, for there are certain countries that make traveling a sigh of relief.
In this article, let’s talk about the top 7 cheapest travel destinations where you can go all touristy without emptying your pockets.
Philippines (Asia)
The Philippines is made up of 7,640 islands, so you can only imagine the tons of activities you can do while you’re in the country. This is one of the reasons why tourists flock to the Philippines.
If you are planning to tour the whole of the Philippines, the fare can be quite costly and the travel time is time-consuming. In addition, there’s not a lot of backpackers’ inns and hostels compared to its neighboring Southeast Asia countries.
Now, why is the Philippines on the list if it’s costly? Well, it is costly if you don’t travel smarter. There are a lot of ways to stay within your budget when visiting the Philippines.
For one, traveling during peak seasons is more expensive. If you choose to travel during shoulder season, it is recommended that you book your flights and plan your itinerary. Another way to stay within your budget is to try to stick to 1-2 regions only.
If you feel like you are missing out on so much by sticking to 1-2 regions, don’t worry! Every region and city in the Philippines always has something special in them that is always worth the experience.
Meals are typically $5-$15 per day, you can save a bit if your hostel provides breakfast. Accommodation can cost $7-$13 per night and transportation can be between $10-$20 for motorbikes and boats.
Kyrgyzstan (Asia)
If you’ve been wanting to visit Central Asia, definitely the first thing on your list should be Kyrgyzstan. The country is the most suited for travelers for all ranges of budgets. The food is cheap and public transportation prices are fixed and is the cheapest aspect when visiting Kyrgyzstan.
There are hostels in major cities and local homestays for less than $10 in rural places. Meal prices range between $4-$8.
Greece (Europe)
If you want to travel to Greece on a budget, make timing your best friend. Even though airfare, accommodations, and tour prices have been cut down since 2010, traveling to Greece during the summer months still costs more than the others. So Greece on a budget? Avoid July and August, the hottest and busiest months.
You can still enjoy Greece if you go a few weeks before or after summer. You’ll be able to enjoy more of the country with smaller crowds and lesser expenses. You can also buy fresh produce from the market and make your meals. Eating out can be quite expensive in certain areas.
A meal a day in Greece can cost $10-$15 a day, the same goes with accommodations. Transportation via rental car which 4 people can split is between $10-$15 per person. If you are planning to go around the islands, ferry tickets can range between $10-$20.
Czech Republic (Europe)
Czech Republic or more specifically, Prague, is one of the destinations tourists have been flocking to over the past few years. The country is rich in history and culture and is famous for its cheap beer. It’s always a supply and demand so prices have inflated but it still remains as one of the cheapest European countries to travel to.
Local transportation is affordable and if you are planning on traveling a lot, you can get a 3-day pass for $16.
Czech cruising comes in large portions and mostly consists of potatoes and meat. It’s not the healthiest but it gets the job done: filling you up heartily. You can minimize food expenses by eating at a local restaurant and lighten your meals for dinner.
The country is also home to beautiful historical sites and museums but entrance fees to these places are quite expensive. Prague Castle’s fee, for example, cost $18. But you can always admire the architecture from the outside and only pick the ones you want to enter.
Meals in the country will cost you $10-$15 a day and accommodation ranges between $12-$20 per night. Getting around Czech is $5 for a full day of tram ride and $15-$20 for an intercity bus ride.
Colombia (South America)
History geeks have no other choice but to visit Colombia as the country is fast becoming an affordable destination to travel to. The country is littered with museums and historical sites, such as the Lost City. The Amazon awaits nature-loving travelers and the country even has a few of the world’s best diving sites and beaches.
Accommodation, transportation, and food are all affordable, making it so easy to splurge money in this country. You can even book a luxurious villa for a night or two, even if you’re on a budget.
Meals in Columbia can cost you $10-$15 per day. Some hotels will offer free breakfast. Transportation is $1-$3 for full-day bus rides and $10-$50 for intercity bus rides.
Nicaragua (North America)
Nicaragua is easily one of the cheapest travel destinations out there and if you’re planning on traveling to the country, you better do it now.
Soon, Nicaragua and cheapest can no longer be associated in the same sentence. The country is nicknamed the next Costa Rica and that can only mean one thing: inflation in all prices.
As of the moment though, it remains affordable and interesting. The country is perfect for travelers who love surfing, volcano hiking, and diving. The cities are beautiful for a brisk walk and gorgeous beaches line the shore.
The food is cheap and delicious, though you don’t get much of a diverse menu. Hostels are also found all over the place so cheap accommodations should be the least of your concern.
One thing to note though is that there are safety concerns in the country so travel at your own risk. You can read more about the mentioned safety concerns here.
Meals per day can cost between $6-$10. You can save a bit if the hostel you are staying at offers free breakfast. Accommodation is $5-$15 per night and transportation is $3-$5 for a full day bus ride or $8-$15 for an intercity bus ride.
