10 Affordable Vacations Spots
After being in the pandemic for 2 years now, I think I can speak for us all when I say that we are all tired of staying at home. Also, I know that the pandemic has financially affected a lot of people. So, I found 10 affordable vacation spots for you and your friends/family to travel to.
1. Laos
In southeast Asia, Laos is one of the cheapest places to visit. It is so cheap here because they are landlocked (surrounded by countries) and have limited natural resources. They rely on the tourist industry. You can spend $30-50 per day and have a full day’s worth of activities. Activities cost can cost anywhere between $2 to $7 USD. A nice hotel room here would cost around $35. Meals cost $3 to $9 a day. Depending your mode of transportation, it is roughly $5-25 per day. When you go to Laos, make sure to travel to Luang Prabang (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) to see former royal palaces and 30 temples.
2. Vietnam
Vietnam is known for having cheap everything. A day in Vietnam could cost you $30. On average at an inexpensive restaurant, food is $2.21. A 3 course meal for 2 at a good restaurant is on average $22.01. A one-way bus ticket is about $0.31. A 10 mile taxi ride is about $10. You can stay in a luxurious hotel room for as little as $20. If you decide to travel to Vietnam, you must take a cruise in Halong Bay. There are 1600 limestone islands scattered throughout the water.
3. Thailand
Northern Thailand is much cheaper than southern Thailand. Southern Thailand is more costly because it has beautiful beaches that attract tons of tourists. You can find hotels in northern Thailand for $30 a night. There are absolutely stunning Airbnb’s in southern Thailand that have a ocean view that are as little as $30 a night. Food costs about $5-15 a day. You can’t rent a motorbike for as little as $6 a day. If you find yourself wanting to go to Thailand, definitely head to Bangkok to see the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew. The palace started to be constructed in 1782. Wat Phra Kaew is on the outer court of the palace and houses the Emerald Buddha.
4. Indonesia
The most expensive thing about Indonesia is transportation. This can make your trip cheap or expensive. Many people advise that you stay in one area to keep costs to a minimum. There’s still a lot to see everywhere so you would not be missing out. Your average day in Indonesia will cost around $30. Food costs about $5-15 a day. If you go to Indonesia, you have to go to Bali because of the stunning beaches and endless temples. They advise you to not go in August because that is when there are the most tourists. Another place that you can go to that is more on the adventurous side is the Komodo National Park. Here, a tour guide will take you safely through this park to see the longest lizard on the planet.
5. Nepal
Nepal is known for housing the largest mountain the planet…Mount Everest. Contrary to what many believe, hiking Mount Everest is not free. It costs tens of thousands of dollars. So, that’s not really in the budget for most of us. An average day in Nepal should cost you about $28. Food should cost you $5-10 a day. If you choose to stay in a local guesthouse, it could cost you as little as $5 a night. A car with a private driver could cost you about $40 a day. If you are trying to go to Nepal for the Himalayas, visit Sagarmatha National Park and you can trek the trails. If you want to go for a spiritual experience, visit Lumbini. Lumbini is one of the most important sites in Buddhism because it is the place where Buddha was born.
6. India
India may be the cheapest place to travel to, with an average spending of $20 a day. You may find cheap places to stay that are only $3 but those most likely won’t have showers and you will bathe with hot buckets of water. Food costs about $3-6 a day. A local guesthouse is about $4-8. A day of bus or train rides can cost $1-3. If you plan to visit India, put the Taj Mahal (a mausoleum of white marble) on your list.
7. Kyrgyzstan
If you are interested in travelling to Central Asia, this is a great, affordable vacation spot for you. Food costs about $4-8 a day. A local guesthouse can cost $8-12 a night. A local minibus ride can cost on average $0.20. A bus ride in the city can cost about $4. One place you have to go to is Issyk Kul Lake. This lake does not freeze even in the coldest winters because of the high salt and mineral content. It is the second largest mountain lake in the world.
8. Greece
Ever since Greece’s debt crisis a decade ago, prices have gone down. People advise to not travel to Greece during July and August because that is when they get their most tourists and the prices are highest. A normal day in Greece can cost you $40. If you prepare your own meals, it should only cost you $10-15 a day. You can get a great room for as little as $50. If you want an even cheaper option, you can stay in a hostel for $10. Rental cars are about $40-60 a day. If you want to go to Greece for the history and art, go to Athens. You can see the Parthenon and Temple of Zeus. If you want to go to Greece for relaxing in beauty, go to a greek island called Santorini. The beaches are stunning and you do not want to miss the views.
9. Croatia
Croatia is another vacation spot that gets packed during summer, so try to go before or after to avoid paying more and the big crowds. Croatia will cost you about $40 a day. Food costs $10-15 a day. Hostels cost $12-16 a night. You can get a great hotel on the beach for as little as $34. Renting a car can cost you $50-60. One place you need to go to in Croatia is Dubrovnik. You can see a lot of history through its defensive walls, cobblestone streets, etc.
10. Mexico
Mexico is a great place to go because it is so close to the US, which means cheaper airline tickets. On average, you will most likely spend $40 a day. If you choose to rent a car, it will be about $30-50 a day. It is best if you have a group with you so that you can split the cost. A bus ticket is better if you are alone, which is about $4 a day. Food will cost at a minimum $8 a day. Hostels can cost as little as $8. Airbnb’s can cost as little as $15 a night. Mexico is huge and can satisfy a lot of different needs. If you are looking for the party scene, head to Cabo San Lucas. If you are looking for a place for relaxation, head to Tulum or Playa del Carmen. If you are looking for history, head to Cancun or Mexico City.
