Looking for a budget-friendly getaway? Here is a list of the most affordable international destinations around the world with incredibly low hotel fares and meal prices, leaving you with more money to explore and experience the local scene and culture.
Lisbon, Portugal
Portugal has become the hottest travel destination in recent years for its stunning coastline and beach options as well as its local cuisine and history. If traveling on a budget, you can also easily enjoy Lisbon for under $100 per day. With hotels averaging around $45 a night and transportation throughout the city at just $1.70 each way, you can see all that Lisbon has to offer and keep your wallet happy.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Expect to grab a hotel for only around $30 a night and around the same for an average three-course meal in Dubai. A city best known for its nightlife, shopping, and its towering, modern architecture, the affordable hotel costs will leave you plenty of room for entertainment and exploring the city.
Cancun, Mexico
Flights to Cancun from JFK run around $350. Not bad considering Cancun is one of the top vacation destinations in the world for its renewed beaches and nightlife. Meals and accommodation are also incredibly cheap at around $5 to $14 for an inexpensive meal and affordable accommodations as low as $40 a night.
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Buenos Aires, Argentina
Exploring a new city via public transportation is a great way to meet locals and experience daily life at an affordable cost. In Buenos Aires, you can purchase a one-way bus ticket for just 36 cents. You can also enjoy a three-course meal at a moderately priced restaurant for just around $12 per person and hotels average $50 a night.
Tamarindo, Costa Rica
Located on the Pacific Coast side of the country within the Guanacaste region, Tamarindo is a surf, beach town with local culture and an impressive nightlife. You can get cozy beach accommodations for only $40-50 a night and enjoy a local staple of rice, beans, pollo, and plantains for only around $5 per person.
Panama City, Panama
Panama City is a vibrant metropolitan city that also offers access to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. With average hotel prices around $56 a night and local transportation at just 25 cents per person to get around the city, you can easily do this city on a budget and still enjoy all of its natural beauty and activities.
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Shanghai, China
Shanghai is one of the best cities for the budget traveler. You can eat, travel, and sleep well in Shanghai at incredibly affordable rates and excellent service. An inexpensive restaurant will cost you about $5 per person or $16 for a three-course meal at a mid-range restaurant. You can also find hotels averaging around $30/night.
Bali, Indonesia
It seems that Bali tops just about everyone’s travel bucket list, and for good reason. With some of the most stunning beaches in the world and laid-back culture, people are flocking to Bali to experience its natural beauty firsthand. It is also extremely affordable at just $23 per day with hotels averaging $11 a night and just $2 per person at an inexpensive restaurant.
Athens, Greece
Airfare to Athens averages about $500 round-trip, making this an extremely affordable European getaway. Your per day spending will also be low with hotels around $36 a night and an inexpensive meal coming in at just $11 per person.
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh is a city located in southern Vietnam known for its history and bustling city-life. According to USA Today, you can expect to pay just $30 per day when visiting Ho Chi Minh City. Here is the breakdown: $13 a night on average for a hotel, $2 per person for an inexpensive meal, and 26 cents for a one-way bus ticket around the city.
San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua
Once a sleepy fishing village, San Juan Del Sur is now a major hub for nomads, expats, and surfers. Expect to pay $5 a night for a hotel room just blocks from the beach and many excellent bars and restaurants. Gallo Pinto, a traditional meal composed of a mixture of fried rice with onion and sweet pepper, red beans boiled with garlic can be purchased for around $4-6 per person.
Zanzibar, Tanzania
Zanzibar, known as the Spice Island, is a hidden beach paradise that few people consider when planning their vacation getaways. But for just $50-$60 a night hotel accommodations and just $10 per person for an inexpensive meal, this archipelago in the Indian Ocean is truly a budget traveler’s paradise.
[Source: USA Today]
