21 Incredible Places Around The World That Are Relatively Cheap To Visit

Of all the countries in Central America, this one is the most budget-friendly. It's slowly getting more and more popular, and it's easy to see why. Adventurers can go hiking, diving, and surfing, or you can just chill on the beach and explore small cities.

Meals: $7 per day

Lodging: $10 per night

What makes Taiwan such a budget-friendly destination is the food. Street food can be found all over cities like Taipei and Tainan — a heaping plate will set you back less than $2. Shopping and transport can be a bit pricey, but it's balanced out by food and accommodation costs.

Meals: $5 per day

Lodging: $10 per night

The heavenly Thai islands are a popular backpacker destination, but don't miss out on visiting the north of the country. Chiang Mai is an awesome city with plenty to do. Rent a motorbike for $10 a day and head into the mountains for some hiking, or stay in the city and check out the temples and markets. Street food here is plentiful and extremely inexpensive.

Meals: $5 per day

Lodging: $5 per night

Estonia (and nearby Latvia and Lithuania) is a great place if you want to visit the north of Europe — without the hefty prices of the Nordic countries. A lot of the country is forested, so you can spend plenty of time hiking, biking, and camping. The capital, Tallinn, is a charming city on the coast with a wonderful Old Town.

Meals: $10 per day

Lodging: $10 per night

A trip to Cambodia will be a mix of big cities, ancient culture, small towns, and gorgeous nature. Some touristy things — like Angkor Wat and diving trips — are kinda pricey, but day-to-day costs like food and transport are dirt cheap.

Meals: $5–$10 per day

Lodging: $7 per night

Mexico is ginormous, and you can spend a good couple of months hitting up the whole country. The capital is always fun if you like big cities, then head to Riviera Maya for beaches and Mayan ruins. Spend some time in the state of Oaxaca, with its incredible cuisine, surfing, and culture.

Meals: $5–$10 per day

Lodging: $10 per night

Most travelers to Indonesia head straight to Bali, and for good reason. It's epically inexpensive, and if you keep it really simple, you could probably get by on $10 a day, including lodging. But don't skip out on other locations like the idyllic Gili Islands, or the relatively less-traveled West Nusa Tenggara region.

Meals: $5 per day

Lodging: $7 per night

If you want a summer getaway to Europe but don't have the money for Italy or the Greek islands, Albania is the answer. The small beach towns are chilled out with plenty of local restaurants and hostels, or you could head inland for hiking in the mountains.

Meals: $7 per day

Lodging: $10 per night

Note: Albania is recovering from a 6.4-magnitude earthquake that struck the country in November 2019. But that doesn't mean you should take it off your list! Traveling responsibly to areas affected by natural disasters (once they're up for visitors) can often help revitalize local economies. Another way you can help is by donating to UNICEF, which is on the ground supporting affected children, or the Albania earthquake appeal set up by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

This one's a little off the beaten path, but it's an incredibly interesting place to visit. Getting here can be expensive, yes. But if you find a cheap airfare, once you arrive, everything's well priced, and the local food is cheap and delicious. Many small villages have affordable homestay options, and you can do multiday hiking tours for a great price.

Meals: $7 per day

Lodging: $10 per night

This Eastern European country has a huge range of activities no matter what kind of holiday you want to have. Check out the coastal party town of Varna, head into the mountains for some incredible hiking, or just soak up the vibes in the cool capital of Sofia.

Meals: $10–$15 per day

Lodging: $10 per night

You could spend months seeing everything on offer in Turkey, and it's pretty easy to do it on a small budget. Big cities have plenty of free things to do, and transport within the country isn't too expensive. The food is sublime, the people are welcoming, and you'll be hard-pressed to find a reason to leave.

Meals: $10 per day

Lodging: $10 per night

Destinations in China run the gamut from mega-expensive to ultracheap. Skip the big cities in favor of more rural provinces, where you'll get an authentic Chinese experience and your dollar will stretch further. The Guangxi region is known for its natural beauty and hot springs, while lakeside Dali is a trendy city with plenty of bars and cafés.

Meals: $5 per day

Lodging: $8 per night

As a Western European country, Portugal can be pretty expensive to visit. But if you know where to go, it's easy to live on a budget. Lisbon has a huge number of cheap food options as well as budget hotels. The coastal town of Lagos is a backpacker's heaven, and Porto is a chill city to spend a couple of days.

Meals: $15 per day

Lodging: $10 per night

This collection of islands can get pricey in some places, so it's all about planning where you go. Boracay is a busy island with plenty of nightlife, Manila is a fun city to spend a few days, and El Nido is a backpacker's delight. Do some research, and you'll have a budget trip that looks like it cost millions.

Meals: $10–$15 per day

Lodging: $8 per night

Note: The Philippines was hit by a typhoon that swept through its central islands in December 2019. But before you change your plans, know that traveling responsibly to areas affected by natural disasters (once they've recovered) can often help revitalize local economies. You can also donate to organizations like CARE, which has been working in the Philippines since 1949, or World Vision's Disaster Relief Fund, which helps provide emergency aid around the globe.

While the capital of Chile, Santiago, can be a little pricey compared with other South American destinations, you'll find plenty of small cities and towns where your dollar will go far. Valparaíso is a charming beach town with a really cool vibe, or spend time in the desert area in the north of the country.

Meals: $15 per day

Lodging: $10 per night

A Balkan country just next to Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina is a wonderful place for a budget holiday. Sarajevo is a busy capital with a thriving nightlife, while Mostar is a smaller city with an amazing history. There are plenty of parks and historical landmarks to explore on day trips, and the food is top-notch.

Meals: $5–$10 per day

Lodging: $10 per night

It's worth visiting Vietnam for the food alone. Plus, there are also the pristine beaches, amazing landscapes, colorful cities, and friendly locals that make this a must-see destination for everyone. Spend some time in the cities, but prioritize the coastal areas and smaller towns.

Meals: $5 per day

Lodging: $7 per night

For a relatively small country (geographically), Ecuador is one of the most diverse in South America. You've got the snowcapped Andes, small beach towns, buzzing cities, and the Amazon jungle. A trip out to the Galápagos Islands is not cheap, by any means, but it's a must-do if you can fit it in your budget.

Meals: $5 per day

Lodging: $10 per night

East Africa can be a great place for backpacking if you plan ahead. Flights here can be pricey, but if you can find a cheap airfare, everything else is pretty affordable once you arrive. The island of Zanzibar, just off the coast of Tanzania, is an amazing island paradise where you can live luxe on a budget. Think white sand beaches, crystal-clear water, and lounging in hammocks all day long.

Meals: $10 per day

Lodging: $15 per night