Countries that can still be travelled on the cheap

Sep 9, 2010 5:50:14 AM

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Cash-flow issues? Global recession getting you down? No budget, no problem – in this extract from Lonely Planet’s 1000 Ultimate Experiences, we bring you the destinations that will blow your mind without blowing your budget.

India

India has been known as a cheap destination for ages. But what you might not realise is that there is a lot more to India than just Bollywood films, elephant rides and crazy traffic. Forget just checking out the Taj – what about a trip to the north? Go climbing in Ladakh, where the peaks are huge and the air is cool. Or what about surfing in Port Blair – it’s in the middle of the Bay of Bengal and still cheap as chips. This classic shoestring destination is still ripe for adventure.

Nepal

The home of Mt Everest and the Sherpa people has long been on the radar of the budget traveller. After decades in the limelight Nepal still remains one of the best budget destinations around. The trekking is awesome and the fractional cost of being in the country means that the treks can go on and on. Many a seasoned traveller has Nepal at the top of their best-of list – and the best part is, it won’t cost a fortune to add it to yours.

Indonesia

Indonesia has had a bad run of terrible press over the past few years. Between bombings and other strife it’s fallen off the to-do lists of many tourists. Their loss is our gain: the pristine beaches are still the drawcard and you can experience the same dirt-cheap living that has always been on offer. If you’re keen to surf or lie on the beach you’re all set to have an adventure for peanuts. As long as you steer clear of tourist trap resorts, you’ll struggle to spend more than US$20 a day. Nourish your inner cheapskate and buy souvenirs away from the tourist areas; head to the central market in Denpasar or Ubud’s Pasar Sukowati.

Iran

Iran? The same Iran that’s in the ‘Axis of Evil’? Forget that propaganda and get stuck into a country that meets all the requirements. For a start it’s cheap: for US$25 a day you can live it up in a midrange hotel and eat your heart out. What you won’t find is a glut of other travellers and the hindrance of mass tourism. You’ll see the wonders of the ancient world without a tour group in sight. In fact this is a country that is crying out for visitors, and is deserving of them – the locals are unbelievably welcoming to travellers. Arrive in January for the ancient Persian midwinter festival of Sadeh, which celebrates the creation of fire.

Poland

Eastern Europe used to be dirt cheap back in the good old days of the Cold War. Now that peace has broken out, costs are on the up. Poland, though, is still at the inexpensive end: a daily budget of US$25 will easily get you around the country. Poland is a nation that’s been run over so many times by invading forces that it’s become bulletproof. Now this EU member is on the rise, so get in quick before the prices go up for good. Rural towns are picturesque and cheap to visit; tiny towns like Krasnystaw in the Lubelskie region are a miser’s wonderland.

Laos

Southeast Asia is the promised land of cheap travel – for years Thailand was the de facto destination for the cash poor but these days travellers are looking beyond the old standards for more intrepid el-cheapo places to check out. Enter Laos. It may not have the beaches of Thailand or the notoriety of Vietnam but it’s got what counts. For just US$15 a day you will get all you need, leaving you free to get out among the untouched river valleys and chilled-out microvillages along the Mekong River. The cheapest way to get there is to enter via boat from Chiang Khong, Thailand. The boat ride costs around US$0.50; the visa, payable in Laos, should be around US$30. The best things in life really are free – such as the utterly gorgeous limestone waterfalls at Tat Sae in Laos.

Sudan

It’s hard to get to, hard to get into and hard to wrap your head around. Sudan is in the news for all the wrong reasons – what people should know about is the locals’ pride in welcoming guests and the amazing things that can be seen around the country. In the north you’ll be treated to pyramids and other marvels of the ancient world, and odds are you’ll have them to yourself. And a falafel will cost less than US$1 and a bed for the night will be less than US$10.

Honduras

If you’re looking for a scuba-diving destination where you can put your entire budget into going under, Honduras is the place to be. With sleeping budgets as low as US$10 a night and meals available for even less you can really stretch out the funds. Sitting pretty next door to the Caribbean Sea, you’ll have plenty of time to count your pennies as you sun yourself on the golden beaches. The developers haven’t invaded quite yet, but you’d better get in quick, before the good old days slip into the past. After snorkelling and kayaking around Roatan’s West Beach, splurge on a visit to the Unesco-listed Archaeological Park of Copán; entry is US$15.

Morocco

‘Want to buy a carpet? Come this way, my brother has a shop.’ Yeah, yeah, Morocco is all about the hard sell. But you won’t need much convincing to check it out. It’s overflowing with a distinctive culture and is a great place to see your dollars stretch – it’ll cost around US$40 a day to get by, but the beach and the markets are free. The more local you get, the cheaper it’ll be. From Europe it’s a short hop, so for many even the flight won’t cost that much. Travel between the main cities by (cheap) train.

Jordan

Most people only know one destination in Jordan – Petra. But what a destination to know. Made famous by the final sequence in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, it’s a Middle Eastern must-do. You don’t have to be an archaeologist to dig up the bargains: a bed for the night will run to a paltry US$5 and a meal will cost half that. It’s a seldom-visited pocket of the Middle East and is easily combined with another cheapie destination, Egypt. Just remember to bring your own fedora and bull whip. The necessary entry visas are issued at the Wadi Araba and Sheikh Hussein Bridge crossings; be aware that visas cannot be issued on arrival at the King Hussein Bridge.

Get the original guide to making your travel dollars go further, Lonely Planet’s Southeast Asia on a Shoestring.

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Comments

30 March 2010 6:02PM joopbakker Report this comment
For Europe I miss the Ukraine. Cheaper than Poland and a very big country.
30 March 2010 6:17PM gerar_2676 Report this comment
nice list. however I will like to say that isntead of Honduras I will go to El Salvador. Honduras it is a beutifull country and was the best way to travel cheap and exotic but they are too commercial now... every body ask there for euro not even dollars and you must negotiate with them so much to the give you a price at least close to the normal prices in Honduras... In the other hand El Salvador is a cain of secret place because no too much people knows about this beutifull country. and that means for me better price and more services for less money. I was there with my girlfriend and we just love it.
30 March 2010 7:12PM vami84 Report this comment
Daily budget of $25 in Poland? Including accommodation - yes. You can find cheap hostels in big towns for ~$10-15 a night plus if you shop for food on your own and forget restaurants, you can get by for additional $3-5 a day. For $25 a day you live like a king, not like a budget traveler ;) $25 a day means $750 a month - and that's a dream salary for many Poles out here. Especially if you go to the Eastern part of the country.
30 March 2010 7:15PM mezrg Report this comment
Sri Lanka !!
You come with USD 250.00 and I will ensure you stay for a week having a load of fun.
http://www.travellinglanka.com/
30 March 2010 7:38PM efinix Report this comment
Again about Poland - I've been surprised that it's more pricey than Czech republic (been there in November) and still listed. Not many pubs downtown to eat in and if, than at a price. Just fastfood is cheap. Try CZ - just forget Prague, stay there is costy, but overnight in the country around $10-15, daily menu on workdays outside of Prague $4. Trains $6/100km.
30 March 2010 7:47PM spodette Report this comment
What about Bolivia, I had my own room (off the beaten track) for $1.50 a night and a huge plate of food for the same price ... and it's stunningly beautiful and the locals soooooo friendly !
30 March 2010 8:49PM avisitnepal Report this comment
Beautiful news. Hope more people visitnepal. www.visitnepal2011.com
30 March 2010 9:18PM ozziegiraffe Report this comment
Solomon Islands is only just being discovered as a surfers' mecca. If you are prepared to travel by boat and live without mod cons, as the locals do, eat local food and have time, you can live there very cheaply for up to 3 months on a visitors' visa, and discover many beautiful places and diverse cultures.
30 March 2010 9:33PM agentm Report this comment
Poland? Well, I would not count it to countries that are particularly cheap! I can only suggest (western) Ukraine! I L'viv (an incredibly nice town!) I could ate in a good restaurant, drink beer and have shorts for all together 5 €. And in the mountains order a bottle of vodka in a bar (!) for 4 €.
30 March 2010 9:42PM nepalsocialt Report this comment
Nepal ! well, Great news for travellers who are looking for adventures destionation. Nepal Could be main destionation for tourist. We welcome to all travellers to visit Nepal home of sherpa people and mountain top of the world. www.nepalsocialtreks.com
30 March 2010 9:54PM jacko18 Report this comment
I think the description of Jordan is a bit misleading. I'm sure a $5 bed in a dorm is possible but for most of us whose days of traveling on a spartan budget are long gone, a reasonablely comfortable room will usually cost $20 or more and that was 2 years ago. Transportation can be pricy as it is often necessary to travel by taxi to get to lesser attractions or even between towns. Jordan is a wonderful country. Besides Petra (which imo is one of the very coolest places on earth) there are world class Roman ruins, fabulous scenery, decent beach areas, great inexpensive food and super friendly people.I've recommended it to many people but to travel cheaply you'll really have to work at it.
30 March 2010 10:45PM ask_g Report this comment
Agreeing with jacko18 on this one... Jordan is indeed a nice place, especially places like Wadi Rum and Petra... But it's are expensive compared to most of the country's around Jordan, transport-prices are high and most hotels in Amman, Petra and Aqaba are overpriced... I would put Syria on the list instead.. Cheap, with friendly people and fantastic locations such as the Old City of Damascus, Hama, Palmyra and Ladhqiyad...
30 March 2010 11:39PM whygints Report this comment
Well it seams all right! but what about thailand...you can have so much fun here for so cheap! i think it still is cheap i came across this site http://tuktukcity.com
30 March 2010 11:59PM marimagica Report this comment
I agree with Spodette, I'm Peruvian and almost two years ago travelled to La Paz and Santa Cruz in Bolivia and it was insanely cheap!! 1 dollar is 7 pesos bolivianos and you can eat great with 8 bolivianos: first dish (soup) second dish (meat with rice and salad) and also a juice.!
31 March 2010 12:51AM parkersunshine Report this comment
Maybe someone here in the comment section can help me! My husband and I are looking to travel in July for 2 weeks with a budget of $5k. A must have is a beach but we do not need to spend our whole time at the beach location, wouldn't mind splitting our time bt two locations within 1 county. Thailand WAS my dream but airfare out of DC is currently $2k per person. Any ideas?? (been to costa rica which should be on this list! and hondorus).
31 March 2010 1:06AM cutegeekchic Report this comment
parkersunshine, you should try Palawan in the Philippines. It is gorgeous, cheap, and has amazing beaches. Go to Port Barton and stay at Elsa's. Ask for the beachfront cabin. You can combine the Philippines with Malaysia and head over to Malaysia by boat. Fly within Malaysia on Air Asia (if booked in advance you can get cheap flights for $25 one way). Mainland Malaysia is cheaper than Borneo. Actually, stay away from Borneo if you want cheap.
31 March 2010 1:09AM cal1947 Report this comment
What about Ecuador? I have not been there, but I have been told that it is beautiful, safe, friendly and inexpensive. Some of you more experienced travelers fill me in. Thanks!
31 March 2010 1:15AM elleanon Report this comment
I'm a little surprised by some of the recommendations... they may be cheap, but socially and safety-wise they're not necessarily great places to be, which is why they're so cheap.
Iran is probably safe, and the people are probably awesome, esepcially in Tehran, but it is a hotbed of zealotry and probably not safe for all travelers. I would be aware of what you're contributing to and what your experience may be, paticular for female and gay travelers.
Same with Sudan there's still war and genocide happening there and the risk of attacks and kidnappings for Western foreigners has increased dramatically in the past yr. Most govts advise you to avoid ALL travel there, even essential travel. Yeah, it's cheap, but then again, so are Somalia, the Congo and Haiti.
31 March 2010 1:22AM elleanon Report this comment
PS I strongly recommend Nicaragua - its tourist-industry is only in the infant stages, so things are still incredibly cheap and it is still possible to find quiet, near-virgin beaches.
Despite its bad reputation, it is also considered safer than Honduras (no gangs!), though is still a bit rough in Managua. Outside the capital, things are very relaxed and safe.
Hostels come for as low as $3, hotels between $20-$40 depending on quality, travel within the country costs, on average, $1/hr travelled, food can be cheap, depending on where you eat (restaurants, on average will cost $5/meal, less if you eat in the market).
31 March 2010 1:23AM yakkalot Report this comment
Iran today on $25 a day? Good luck.
No way. four years ago definitely, but not now, you're looking at that just for a hotel room in most places.
31 March 2010 1:44AM memo Report this comment
"traveling on the 'cheap'", for whom? Where you start from and where you're going are very important budget considerations, which you've ignored. If I'm in Canada or the USA and it costs me US$1,100 or $1,300 to get to a European or Asian destination, whatever savings there might be by staying in a hostel will be wiped-out. Many of us have moved beyond the hostel scene and lots of the "budget" lodging choices will be below our standard of acceptance. Also, too, the issue of personal safety shouldn't be downplayed. I have the sense that whomever comes-up with these recommendations doesn't travel very much. ;-)
31 March 2010 2:13AM missedthetrain Report this comment
Yes, India may be cheaper than other travel places, but don't forget about all the immunisation. Romania could also be a cheap destination ( and also quite interesting : there are a lot of beautiful places, even medieval cities as Sighisoara. Sibiu, another place around Romania was cultural capital of Europe few years ago. )
31 March 2010 2:37AM lindsey8008 Report this comment
Laos is a beautiful country, but be warned, if you want to get by on the cheap, don't spend much time in Vientiene or Luang Prabang. The costs of accomodation are easily twice as much as anywhere else in the country, and often rooms are difficult to find. That said, rent a cheap moto (again the prices go down the farther away from the tourist traps you get) and choose your own adventure! Oddly, Cambodia right next door is much more expensive than we expected.
Oh, and for all of you who are complaining because you don't want to stay in budget accoms why are you reading this article if you don't want to be a budget traveller???
31 March 2010 2:51AM laceibastephanie Report this comment
I disagree with gerar_2676 comments about cheap travel in Honduras. I live in La Ceiba, every winter, and have never been asked about dealing in Euros. Honduras is developing its tourism throughout all regions and this includes diving, eco-tourism, national parks, marine sanctuaries and cultural venues in many regions, Mayan ruins in the Copan Ruinas area and many more avenues for everyone from backpackers to families with children. The currency is the lempira, whose exchange rate is 18.89 to the US dollar and prices can vary from very cheap to upscale for hotels, meals, entertainment, tours, etc. A cold bottle of local beer costs 20 Lp and includes the million dollar breeze coming off the Caribbean Sea! I admit that Roatan has become very commerical but Utila is just as great for diving and cheaper, and Guanaja is becoming more well known. Do your research, learn some Spanish greetings, use your manners and be welcomed by the great folks here! Re: Safety – just be sensible!
31 March 2010 2:54AM voyageurfred Report this comment
Jordan is certainly cheaper than travelling and staying in Europe, but not at $5 per night for a dorm bed for a solo traveller - unless stay in a 1 star hotel. Of course if you’re three or four, then you can pool resources and lower your costs. Or you could bring your own tent like me... and camp in the desert of Wadi Rum! For three weeks in 07 I travelled throughout the country, visiting Crusader castles, Roman ruins in Jerash and the superb amphitheatre in Amman, the oasis and reserve in Azrak. Azrak is also where the black balsite fortress used by Lawrence of Arabia is found. Stayed in the Petra Hotel in Wadi Musa, just outside the gated entrance to Petra. Took one of the local Toyota buses from Amman to get there, cost just 5 dinars, about $7USD for the three hour trip. If you have a chance, go for there is much to discover in this ancient land. Don't forget Petra by Night, for the ultimate experience! Cheers, Frederic in Montreal http://www.remarkable-images.com/Jordan/index.php
31 March 2010 3:15AM rachelbrown33 Report this comment
What about Thailand? Pretty good list, but I would say the key is not picking your destination based on the exchange rate, but picking your destination, and then figuring out how to do it within your budget. This can be a challenge of course!
To see how Nepal, Morocco, and others stack up in the Top 10 Hippie Backpacker destinations, check out this site...
http://budurl.com/10BestHippieSpots
31 March 2010 4:33AM daniel415 Report this comment
I'm surprised Laos made this list rather than Vietnam, which is much cheaper, especially for food--you can eat really, really well for not much more than a dollar a day. I adore Laos--I used to live in Thailand, and visited the country dozens of times--but didn't find it all that cheap. Of course, I was mostly in Vientiane and Luang Phabang, and I was earning a Thai salary, which may color my impressions.
31 March 2010 4:49AM akip Report this comment
I would suggest Peru to anyone travelling (on a budget or not)! Such a diverse country, easy to get from town to town, and the locals are super friendly. If you only have a couple of weeks, I'd definitely hit up the Inca trail to Machu Picchu (MUST be booked well in advance-try www.perutreks.com -they were AMAZING (food, accomodation,friendly guides & porters), locally owned, and cost less than a lot of the foreign owned companies.) If there is time, head to Lake Titicaca and stay with a local family on the islands, and finally finish your vacation with a few days relaxing at Mancora Beach.
I've heard Ecuador is also great, and am heading there in June (with my then to be 5 month old), but I don't believe it will be nearly as inexpensive as Peru was...
31 March 2010 4:49AM akip Report this comment
I would suggest Peru to anyone travelling (on a budget or not)! Such a diverse country, easy to get from town to town, and the locals are super friendly. If you only have a couple of weeks, I'd definitely hit up the Inca trail to Machu Picchu (MUST be booked well in advance-try www.perutreks.com -they were AMAZING (food, accomodation,friendly guides & porters), locally owned, and cost less than a lot of the foreign owned companies.) If there is time, head to Lake Titicaca and stay with a local family on the islands, and finally finish your vacation with a few days relaxing at Mancora Beach.
I've heard Ecuador is also great, and am heading there in June (with my then to be 5 month old), but I don't believe it will be nearly as inexpensive as Peru was...
31 March 2010 5:33AM 1sahara Report this comment
We traveled in Egypt in 2008 for 2 weeks on less than 2500USD not including airfare. We made our own in-country travel arrangements (via train) and our own hotel/hostel reservations all via the Internet and Lonely Planet's Guide to Egypt. By far one of the best trips we (retired teachers) have taken. The best bargains were the train (although it was an Experience) and the local hotels. Total planning was about 5 months which was interesting and fun. Airfare for us was cheap as airline employees. 1sahara author of "Guinevere: On the Eve of Legend"
31 March 2010 5:46AM balkandina Report this comment
I'm surprised that you don't have Bulgaria on the list. Still inexpensive and a beautiful country.
31 March 2010 5:58AM jrh1979 Report this comment
Jordan is not cheap at all! Maybe if you are a local, but any place that is familiar with tourists is somewhat expensive.
31 March 2010 6:02AM landlockeddolphin Report this comment
Having been to over 40 budget countries... I can definitally vouch that India & Nepal are some of the cheapest! I just came back from a 2 month trip there and spent $1500usd the entire time (including a splurge to the Andaman Islands). And Laos can also be VERY cheap if u get off the beaten track and out of the big towns! And I definially agree with the previous comments, El Salvador will give u a better bang for your buck than Honduras!
31 March 2010 6:42AM philtarley Report this comment
Jordan was one of the most expensive Muslim countries I have ever been to. Luckily we were there about ten years ago before Petra was over developed. We spent $50 for a visa to get in from Elat. Then we spent the evening in a "cheap" hotel for $85 in Aqaba, there were not too many around and left at dawn for the ride to Petra. The cheapest thing about Jordan was the wonderful ferry we took to get out of that country and cross the Red Sea to Nuewiba, in Egypt, bypassing Israel. We were the only westerners on-board a ship with 300 passengers -no tourists- always an amazing experience. Egypt is very cheap. I adore Aswan. But after numerous bombings around Dahab, I no longer feel safe off-roading. So why go? Morocco is the only country that I do feel safe in. I would love to go to Honduras but your incorrect info about Jordan now gives me pause on how reliable your information is on Honduras and Roatan Island.
31 March 2010 8:03AM graycatbird Report this comment
But philtarley, you said you were there ten years ago. That's light years in travel. Your experience bears no relationship with conditions and costs in Jordan today. I'm a travel writer and always add a caveat at the bottom of my articles, warning readers that by the time they read my piece much of the data, including prices, are obsolete. Take what you read from any source with a grain of salt and investigate thoroughly before booking travel to anywhere.
31 March 2010 8:17AM rayc101 Report this comment
Re: 1sahara We traveled in Egypt in 2008 for 2 weeks on less than 2500USD not including airfare. Thats $179/day plus airfares...not exactly budget travelling.
Vietnam was mentioned as a good budget place. Yes true, but the endless scams detract a bit.
My vote goes to Thailand, particularly Northern Thailand because it provides value...the right mix at the right price.
Rayc
31 March 2010 8:50AM meoneil Report this comment
Laos is marvelous and very inexpensive. However, so is Vietnam and Thailand (outside of Bangkok and the tourist beaches. Chaing Mai, Pei, and Mae Hong Son are wonderfully interesting and incredibly cheap by N.A. standards. Of course, I am assuming that you are not going to want to stay in fancy resorts, but rather experience the travel of locals, where you meet people and experience adventure, instead of feeling like you went to Maimi.
31 March 2010 9:42AM giopassarelli Report this comment
What about Guatemala? Though it's not as cheap as it used to be, you can still manage with a low budget. Nicaragua is also a wonderful place to travel on the cheap (without flying anywhere, though) and Romania was cheaper than Poland when I was there one year ago, and also a wonderfully beautiful place with improving infrastructure and amazingly friendly people.
31 March 2010 9:49AM thebyron Report this comment
What about the Czech Republic? Outside of Prague, it's scenic and terrific budget-wise. We are "sometimes" cost conscious and often use this website HuMuch.com to compare prices across countries :)
31 March 2010 11:19AM inspired21 Report this comment
What about Myanmar? It's a fascinating country with incredible people and despite the political problems it's probably one of the safest places I've ever visited.
31 March 2010 12:29PM aretearete Report this comment
Iran is interesting, but not as cheap as described. Vegetarians beware, there's meat in everything. And if you're female, you have to wear the long coat and hijab....no exceptions. Unmarried couples...no touching! Fortunately the people are wonderful, and the ancient sites are worth everything you have to put up with, including the perpetual denunciation of America and Israel (aka the zionist regime according to Iranian news channels) It gets tedious after a while.
31 March 2010 5:23PM kevinsherman Report this comment
What about SOUTH AFRICA? O.K. so it's not cheap getting there, but I was shocked that Sudan was the only sub-Saharan country made the list. In South Africa, you can stay at a hostel for next to nothing. Even in Cape Town there are great bargains. We love to stay on the beautiful Cape Penninsula with access to beaches, mountain hiking, and cheap eats. Check out Mountain Surf Guest House in Muizenberg: get a huge apartment to yourself for about £15 a night per person.
31 March 2010 5:35PM senorpescado Report this comment
gerar_2676 thank for your kind remarks about El Salvador, traveling since 1983, living there full time since 1994, and been around the world, I would add san Andres Colombia and even Cali, and go out to Juan Chaco from Buenaventura, smile be nice respect the locals, duh? not all gringos are d.....h...ds/ pendejos my site since 1996 to try to get tourists to El Sal, best warm water waves on THIS particular planet, tropicooltours.com a portal for info LOTS of interesting travelers we DO have, and only SPECIAL ones thanks again Peace Out
Viva El Frente/Verde organize.................................
2 April 2010 4:39PM scorpio25th Report this comment
Vietnam is also a good one!went there one whole week with US$300, eat at restaurants, try on different brands of beer every meal, have full body massage every day, and a lot of fun. come back still with US$100 left..
4 April 2010 4:52AM tuan22782 Report this comment
What about Vietnam? I think it is also cheap to travel on!
5 April 2010 4:49PM bmh Report this comment
Bangladesh,Myanmar,Pakistan,Srilanka in the indian sub-continent.Laos,Cambodia,Vietnam,Philippines(not the commercial islands),Indo,in the far east. Sudan,Chad,Zaire,Nigeria,Togo,Benin,Ghana,Ivory Coast and so on.Beautiful places.The list goes on.On 'budget' is being adventurous,cautious,tight fisted & being one with the place.Willing to 'rough' it out.Some not for the faint-hearted.
5 April 2010 10:16PM liro Report this comment
Nice list. I think the point was to choose destinations that aren't so commercial hence why Thailand isn't on it. I disagree with one person's comment about Costa Rica being cheap. I thought it was expensive compared to South America. Ecuador is super cheap. You can still get a full lunch for $1.50 and accomodations for $15 in Quito. Bolivia is the cheapest place in South America apparently. I haven't been to Asia in a while but from what I hear it's still cheap. I'd be weary about some countries on your list and safety, even if they are cheap.
6 April 2010 10:53AM napsugarkirkovits Report this comment
Although I am aware that not every cheaply-traveled country fits into your list, I really do feel that Hungary should be mentioned. Not only is it a cheap destination (for Western tourists) , it is also a beautiful, beautiful country. I am proud to be Hungarian!
8 April 2010 12:33AM iamsecond Report this comment
Syria for sure should be on this list - the best Roman ruins in Palmyra, the oldest inhabited city in the world - Damascus, friendly people, amazing cheap food, souk al hamidiya, umayyad mosque - awesome country.
8 April 2010 10:35PM kitty_woo Report this comment
Syria is probably cheap for the Middle East - and a lot cheaper than Western Europe. It is NOT cheap compared to SE Asia in my experience, though. Some things are really quite cheap - entry fees to museums are really cheap compared to the amazing, world quality sights inside, and buses won't break your budget either. Food is also cheap and generally really good. Accommodation is not cheap though, often the prices quoted in Lonely Planet have more than doubled. Neither is the taxi from Damascus airport - 1500 SP seems to be the going rate. It's a wonderful country, though - just don't be get too surprised if it's more pricey than SE Asia et c.
11 April 2010 2:01PM calbeck1 Report this comment
I think those of us that have been lucky enough to visit Jordan can certainly agree that is should NOT be on this list.
What about Guatemala? What about Thailand? What about Palestine?
11 April 2010 8:06PM easyvivek Report this comment
india is definitely a cheap country and definitely very adventurous and beautiful, people must have an eye to look and the research for the right destination, simply because the country is so big, the biggest cheapest nation offering so much. india requires planning and if that happens it would be a journey worth remembering for life. spending in india varies according to place and choice. for budget travelers, anything between $5 to $10 is sufficient. there is everything for every pocket, travel is cheap, food is good, and people are welcoming and once you get used to the buzz and dazzle that india is then there is no stopping you.
11 April 2010 8:09PM easyvivek Report this comment
sudan, iran are definitely beautiful but i am not sure of the comfort many would have going there. there are many cheap countries on earth that are stunningly beautiful. sri lanka, bolivia, mongolia, peru etc are cheap and stunningly marvelous beside the ones mentioned above but india i guess is the best
12 April 2010 9:51PM sharathachar Report this comment
Certainly India ranks one amongst the top most destination for budget travel. The contrast in lifestyle can be guaged by the fact that some of the world's richest billionaires & some of the world's poorest all live in perfect harmony there. The variety available in India is unmatched anywhere else.
15 April 2010 10:26AM viking100 Report this comment
Skip Morocco. I've been twice. Nastiest people on earth. I've been to 60 countries, 30 of them third world. I have never met people like the Moroccans anywhere else, THANK GOD!
15 April 2010 10:42AM viking100 Report this comment
These are my favorites. Cambodia, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Mali, Guatemala and Turkey. All of these countries were inexpensive and absolutely fascinating.
15 April 2010 9:29PM metamorfosisd Report this comment
Nice list...though m a bit skeptical abt Jordan & Morocco... Honduras is really new to me...I'd love to explore.
16 April 2010 2:28PM asteroid111 Report this comment
yup i love the list...i havent travelled so much yet but i loved nepal and honduras...nepal was awfully cheap n when u get to the mountains its awesome.....its really butiful....the best thing about that place was the people around there....they treat u so welll...n hoduras' coral reef n rainforest r a rare sight to see..but the cheaper 1 was nepal....
16 April 2010 4:51PM eliade Report this comment
Just want to echo the sentiment here and add that this is a terrible, misleading list. Any traveler who has touched the Middle East knows that Jordan is the most expensive Arab country in the region; Poland cannot honestly be described as a "bargain-bin" destination, certainly not by Eastern European standards, etc, etc. I don't even know what Sudan is doing on this list, considering 90% of the country is still in a state of conflict.
From personal experience, I can highly recommend Syria, where you actually can sleep comfortably for 10$ a night and eat at some of the finest restaurants in Damascus for even less.
16 April 2010 6:10PM dlyngdoh Report this comment
I can't believe that no one has mentioned China. I have lived in China for more than 4 years and have been impressed with the cost of living compared to other countries that I have lived in and visited. I have lived in India for 14+ years and still cannot compare it to the cost of living and traveling in China. In one of the posts, to see the super rich of India and the super poor of India living in harmony is ignorant and naive.
16 April 2010 7:59PM hoibia Report this comment
Yes Vietnam is quite cheap, for motorbike rental, hotels, trains etc. Plus it has what is undisputably the cheapest beer in the world, tasty, weak freshly-brewed lager(bia hoi) for as little as 20 cents a glass. A large bottle of well known asian beer might be a dollar. However, you cannot, as one poster has suggested, eat really well for a dollar a day. That sum will get you a bowl of noodle soup with beef or chicken, what the locals have for breakfast. To eat really well(local food)you need about 6 dollars a day minimum. From my experience good basic food was cheaper in thailand, and better.
Morocco was great, and cheap. About 10dollars for good accomodation, trains are for nothing and food is inexpensive. Not so hot for beers- they`ll cost you, if you can find them. Great to stand around a bubbling pot of Harira with the locals on a street corner in Fez. Numerous refills, who`s counting when its so cheap and tasty. About 50c for a big glass of fresh orange juice also. Satisfying.
17 April 2010 12:00AM ayearinmotion Report this comment
Completely disagree about Jordan. It is or 50th country visited. We are here at the moment, and everything about is expensive, from street food to entrance fees. We came from Syria, that is a cheap destination. Even Turkey was cheaper than Jordan.
We were in Honduras in December and yes it's dirt cheap. Of course if you have a tourist sticker in your forehead prices can go up, but it is still a cheap destination. The difference from Nicaragua, Guatemala and El Salvador is its scuba diving, you can't do that in those countries, and Honduras is one of the cheapest, and if not the cheapest destination for diving.
17 April 2010 12:03AM catherinemarie Report this comment
Nepal! It's awesome. I went a few years ago and would highly recommend my guide - Dan from Blue Sky Treks - http://bluesky-treks.com/ Kathmandu was incredible, and the hike through the mountains was really unbeatable.
17 April 2010 12:25AM hannah_macaulay Report this comment
Hi ... I'm after some advice :) I'm a student .. so unsurprisingly i'm totally broke ... i really want to go away this summer with y boyfriend, but it has to be SUPER cheap ... both to get to and preferably while i'm there. I'd be flying from either Dublin or the UK (ryanair rules ok!!) any ideas on destinations? i've been to prague a good few times but thats about all i've done in eastern europe, and i'd love to do some more exploring. Beaches clearly aren't necessary ... but if there's a lake or river to paddle in that would be great ... as long as i won't freeze or get eaten I'm not all that fussy!! any ideas would be brilliant :) thanks
17 April 2010 2:17AM pawelfrompoland Report this comment
I agree Krasnystaw in Poland is beautiful and cheap place, really worth visiting! if you like beer best time to visit Krasnystaw is 21-22 August 2010 during beer festival called "Chmielaki" where among many events you can taste dozens of best brands from Poland!
17 April 2010 5:16AM wjpollicott Report this comment
I'd have to disagree with some of these, I'd say that Ladakh (whilst being one of the most beautiful places in the whole of India, IMO) is one of the most expensive Indian destinations, especially if you are going climbing. I'm currently sat in Jordan and IMO it is one of the most expensive countries in the Middle East. If you want cheap in the Middle East, how about Syria? Petra itself, whilst being spectacular is overpriced and everyone in Wadi Musa is after your last penny. This isn't just my opinion, I've spoken to a number of Jordanians who feel the same.....that's my two cents! I enjoyed the list all the same :-)
17 April 2010 7:24AM uk_traveller_uk Report this comment
I, a Brit, reluctantly travelled to Iran with my wife for a skiing holiday. Admittedly at first I was wary, as the press paint such a terrible picture of the Iranians.
I have never met such kind hearted hospitable people in my life. I hope to return next year and climb the damavand (spelling?) mountains.
17 April 2010 3:02PM darkccc Report this comment
@ vami84 - where did you find a hostel for $15 in Poland? $25 won't even buy you a half-decent dinner there, that country is damn expensive, at least the places I've been to. I might go back next year, so lemme know, I'd love to save some $$$.
17 April 2010 5:10PM altexor Report this comment
Estonia is surprisingly cheap outside the medieval capital Tallinn (more beautiful than Prague imho). Here's info on Estonia for people travelling on a budget: http://www.visitestonia.com/en/things-to-see-do/estonia-for-people-like-you/budget-travellers-backpackers
17 April 2010 5:15PM warmbasil Report this comment
Jordan is absolutely not a cheap country to travel in. Whilst accommodation is reasonable (midrange accommodation for around 60 dollars per night for a double - perhaps you can get a dorm bed for 5 dollars but there's not much in the way of hostels that I saw), food is expensive. Whilst you can get a falafel sandwich for 2 dollars, an actual meal (without alcohol!) is in the region of 15 dollars - much, much more than you'd pay in Egypt or Syria. Not to mention the fact that admission to Petra is currently 38 JD (around 50 dollars) for a 2-day ticket, to rise in November to an eye-watering 55JD, making it, as far as I know, the most expensive historical site on Earth. It's totally worth it, but cheap it ain't. Syria would have been a much more obvious country for your list.
17 April 2010 7:19PM rajeshsubedi Report this comment
ITS VISIT NEPAL YEAR 2067!
17 April 2010 10:00PM kiwitraveller1t Report this comment
I am very surprised no one has mentioned Slovakia. It is cheaper than Czech Republic and very beautiful. Well worth visiting in my opinion with the mountains, caves, castles,historic towns, rafting on the rivers etc
Vietnam is cheap and a great destination I agree...we loved it.
I have been to most of the countries mentioned here....but some too long ago for my prices to be relevant. It is interesting to see what is still cheap. My daughter was in Laos just over a year ago and met people who said the prices had doubled in three years...but she still thought it reasonably cheap...and that was after living in Hanoi.
This list is for the costs within the country...but that is only part of the costs to be considered.It definitely has to be influenced by where you are coming from. Airfares from where I live in New Zealand play a very big part in a decision for the next destination....as does the exchange rate with our currency.
18 April 2010 2:29AM sftrekker Report this comment
As a regular American traveler to Iran I would like to emphasize the wonderful things said about Iran above. However, Iran should be taken off this list for Americans. The reason being that Americans are not allowed to travel independently in Iran taking advantage of the cheap hotels, etc. but must go through a travel agency and have a government approved guide at all times and must stay in certain tourist class hotels. Also, the entire itinerary must be preplanned and approved by the Iranian government. Thus the cost of travel in Iran for US citizens becomes rather pricey. However, Iran is probably one of the most safe and friendly countries one can visit on this planet.
18 April 2010 1:43PM britmick Report this comment
Am i missing something here, or is America taboo? For a European it is probably the cheapest civilised country you will be able to get to on a budget flight, & live very cheaply with breakfasts for a dollar, & lunch the same! OK, it won't be gourmet, but it will be quite tasty, & guess what, when you buy a coffee, you get endless refills! Food aside, the choices of different places to visit are endless..... cities/deserts/mountains/coastal areas/lakes/rivers, & the National Parks are wonderful!
18 April 2010 8:51PM bomakalu Report this comment
some interesting thoughts but clearly not well researched! there are many cheap places on our lovely world. Laos is lovely but not cheap like the other aforementioned countries in the vicinity!
20 April 2010 6:39AM howiedoesit Report this comment
I have to vouch for Bolivia - just arrived and got a private room for 35 bolivianos (three pounds). Everything seems mega cheap - you could get by on $15 a day if you wanted. Also the people are really friendly...Ive been left alone in an internet cafe with coffee and cake, owner just told me to lock up when Im done!
14 May 2010 3:48AM nepalcatmandu Report this comment
Nepal is a great tourist destination. I found this website interesting.
http://www.nepal-kathmandu.com
25 May 2010 1:19AM travellinglover Report this comment
For Indonesia, mainly people only know Bali as the most famous tourism spot, actually if you want to search a bit more, you will find many destination to go with cheaper cost because they have thousands islands, you can spend your time in the natural beach near Aceh, or Papua, or Lombok, or Karimun Jawa, or Bunaken in Sulawesi island, you can climb highest mountain in Indonesia, Mt. Jaya Wijaya with its eternal snow on it peak, and many other that I can't mention one by one, every region have their own culture as well..
14 June 2010 10:33PM francisrigo Report this comment
This post is really very appreciable. I think some new things if you add to your post like current affairs will increase It is popularity. your post is very advantageous for me and very good. Thanks a lot. ===================================
<a href="http://yourbudgettravel.com" rel="dofollow">Budget Travel</a>
11 September 2010 6:25AM nowornever Report this comment
very disappointing that two of my fav countries are on the list, keep mass tourism in the popular countries, and all others please keep your mouth shut, otherwise the hords will be everywhere sooner or later!!!
11 September 2010 6:35PM rezinka Report this comment
Sorry, but Poland is definitely an inexpensive country, in fact it´s the prices in Poland are the highest from all post-communist CE countries. I´d suggest Romania and Bulgaria instead, both being stunning and inexpensive.
11 September 2010 6:36PM rezinka Report this comment
Erm, a typo. I meant: Poland is definitely NOT an inexpensive country.
11 September 2010 7:01PM hesterr Report this comment
"it’ll cost around US$40 a day to get by" (Morocco) Is that cheap?
I am not sure whether I wholly agree with this list. India is a well known cheapy, but how about Bolivia or even Peru? Also, what makes a place (relatively) cheap or expensive? Each country has a different range of travel opportunities. I (independent solo female traveler) would much rather use Couchsurfing in Europe for instance, than in a place like Peru. Budget airlines are still pretty non-existent in South America, whereas in Europe I regularly score €15,- for return flights, including all taxes to destinations 1-3 hours away. Also, what happened to Africa and Eastern Europe? Are these really the only value-for-money locations?
12 September 2010 12:03AM ashmantoronto Report this comment
I would LOVE to celebrate my 30th bday in Nepal. I may go to Morocco soon. One of my favourite and cheapest places is Panama.
12 September 2010 6:30AM miketelemark Report this comment
Great list. The title is 'countries that can still be traveled on the CHEAP', not the CHEAPEST. So it's still a very useful list for budget travellers looking for someplace new. I would agree with a previous poster that China should be on the list. Very cheap and incredibly diverse. Nobody mentioned Columbia, which is odd. Cheap and much safer than before, it's just now being rediscovered by budget travellers. In the South Pacific, Tonga and Samoa are cheap and spectacularly beautiful and can be added to a flight from USA to New Zealand at almost no extra cost. The Solomon Islands are expensive to get to, but quite cheap and a true paradise way off the radar of most travellers. It's the last frontier for South Pacific island adventure.
-Michael Anderson www.MichaelAndersonGallery.com Photos from 5 years around the world.
12 September 2010 12:34PM icat2000 Report this comment
Ethiopia and Syria. Both were very cheap when I travel through them in 2005.
12 September 2010 5:53PM gwong Report this comment
we've traveled overland through central america, south america, east europe and now continuing through middle east, central asia back to Hong Kong. So far the cheapest countries were Guatemala, Nicaragua, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Slovakia, Albania, Bosnia and Bulgaria. I'm surprised Poland made this list! We spent under US$30/day in these places, incl. transportation.
Check out our travel photography at vagabondcouple.com!
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13 September 2010 5:32AM globaler Report this comment
I visit a country because i am interested in its culture, people, cities and so on, not because it is cheap! Happy Travels
8 October 2010 10:23AM nomadichatter Report this comment
On the whole I agree with you globaler, though budget and politics can also influence my decisions. For example I wouldn't go to Burma as money tends to prop up the ruling military junta.
3 November 2010 10:21PM krezor Report this comment
I experienced that both Syria and Indonesia are very cheap for (budget) traveling. However, Bunaken (North Sulawesi) was extremely expensive due to the compulsary all-in packages. Rural sites and 'off site' hotels are very cheap though as well as the food. Jordan was more expensive than Syria but 'expensive' would be a bit pushy. Although many hotels are around 20 dollars a night, I stayed in a hotel in Amman for 4 dollars a night, you just have to ask for cheap places (ok, the conditions were very basic but that's what budget traveling is about imo). If you stick to the real prices of public transport, it's also very affordable but when you have to pay 'tourist price' it gets expensive (but sometimes it's worth avoiding another discussion and just get in the bus). Shared taxi's are also an option, especially when sharing with locals. African countries are, unfortunately, much more expensive in my experience.
30 November 2010 5:43AM suzva Report this comment
Can anyone give any details on up to date costs for South American countries? Am looking for an adventure in one or some of the cheaper countries in January.
13 December 2010 1:05AM rezenkisun Report this comment
Middle East- definitely Syria,friendly people,so many historical places,even accomodation can be managed at low cost (used to sleep on the terraces of hotels and hostels listed in LP),Jordan not cheap at all especially major tourist places,I was very disappointed.Egypt can be done on budget but requires iron nerves for bargaining and dealing with locals!
13 December 2010 1:11AM rezenkisun Report this comment
Eastern Europe- I am Slovak and unfortunately my country is the most expensive one from all nearby eastern bloc countries.Prices went up significantly in last years especially in Bratislava.As a "western tourist" I would not be bothered that much about costs in Eastern Europe they are still reasonable.Though Czech Republic (incl. Prague if you know where to go out and sleep) and Hungary are good pics or outside EU- Ukraine...
23 December 2010 9:43PM devieanto Report this comment
Bali, indeed, is one of the most exotic place you can visit with limited budget. But there are other places also in Indonesia with almost the same category. You can try lombok, nias, or jogjakarta.. Have fun in Indonesia
27 December 2010 5:25AM declercqkar Report this comment
Nice list. Asia is a very cheap destination, but also in Europe you can find very nice, intresting and very cheap countries like Bulgaria (a beer on a main square in the capital will cost you 0.5 euro, a decent meal 5 to 10 euro).I really can recommend this fascinating and low cost country.
28 December 2010 11:38AM mostinterestingman Report this comment
@parkersunshine for $5K you can easily fly to Belize and take the ferry or the cheap flight to Ambergris Caye, get a luxury beachfront place (try Cocotal Inn) with complete kitchen, etc, rent a golf cart for excursions...and have great food and drink!!! English is the language, and the dollar is the currency. Exotic and gorgeous!!!
10 January 2011 1:38PM zjam Report this comment
hey what about the philippines?!?!? :) beautiful country and the cost of living is relatively low :) come for a visit!
10 January 2011 2:49PM dainha Report this comment
Honestly I did not read all the replies. I've been lucky enough to be in most of the 10 places mentioned above, and I can say that either Jordan or Sudan shouldn't be here.
Sudan and Jordan, were cheap in a way, but certainly they were not super cheap like Albania, Bolivia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Peru, Nicaragua, Syria, or Thailand.
11 January 2011 9:45PM knowles Report this comment
it seems like every third post is some tour company dropping a link to their website.
could an admin please remove these because i log on to see the comments and opinions of other travelers, not to read spam.
thank you
13 January 2011 3:09PM lonelyloner Report this comment
goto combodia its a shit hole bit its fun and cheap.
4 February 2011 3:20PM mugzyman Report this comment
I'd have to say that although im not a world traveler i have traveled to many destinations in Asia and South America and find SE asain to be insainly cheap. Vietnam and thailand are highly recommended as u will find many amazing thing to do and eat for relatively little expense. Laos and cambodia are also inexpensive but beside Ankor Wat in cambodia very little to offer other than a retreat from the hectic life of the civalized world. South america has much to offer and counties like Ecuador and Peru can be traveled for a very limited cost. If you are willing to spend slightly more i'd recommend Brazil or Argentina. But these countries are not nearly as cheap as the afore mantioned S. american countries. However,if i had to pick a favorite place for an all around vaction destination that has it all to offer at a resonable cost it wold have to be thailand-Food,beaches,ancient ruins,people,weather -thailand has it all and wont break the bank.
8 February 2011 6:08PM mountaingirl546 Report this comment
a well planned trip to inida can very easily become an experience you will never forget. with such diversity in culture and terrain, you could be lounging on pristine beaches one day and trekking through lush mountain trails the next day. with so many thing to experience the feeling can be overwhelming but if you really want to do it right, make friends with a local and travel with them. once you get a real taste of the place you will never want to leave..! as for the stomach related issues, inida is a tough country and the indians' white blood cells have mastered the art of fighting, but with just a few precautions, one can stay healthy as a horse...!
20 February 2011 2:10AM lynettesker Report this comment
how about the PHILIPPINES! we have 7,107 islands..Boracay, Ilocos, Palawan - the world's longest underground river..Pls do come. We welcome everyone! Manila..it's cheap, it's safe (don't believe those advisories, they're biased), the food is wonderful, the people warm and friendly and speaks English, Spanish..
12 September 2011 2:31AM wenderis Report this comment
@lynetteker yeah part of the malay archipelago which cover around 30.000 islands. 2/3 of those islands are part of indonesian archipelago. the largest in the world. spanning from california to bermuda.
Btw, in my experience nepal is as cheap as indonesia (java). a week at nepal n java will cost u no more than $200 incl decent guesthouse or home stay.