10 of the world’s cheapest and best holiday destinations
3 February 2016: Use this guide to learn how to save money on your next holiday. By learning to budget properly, you will be able to take more affordable trips.
There’s a lot to consider when you go travelling. You have to budget for flights, accommodation, food and other general expenses. It takes a bit of research to find the best deals, but below is a list of some of the cheapest places to help you out.
Cambodia
Southeast Asia has become more popular in the travel scene over the past few years. Backpackers, students and holidaymakers that are looking for an amazing experience for a cheap price are attracted to Cambodia. The Villa Paradiso offers good service for a remarkably cheap price of around $100 a night for a standard room. You can also check out the De La Paix Hotel which is one of the nicest hotels in Cambodia. Although it costs around $450 a night, you receive incredible service.
What to do in Cambodia?
The De La Paix hotel is just 10 minutes from the historical Angkor Wat Archaeological Park. It only costs $52 to enter this UNESCO World Heritage site. With this price, you get access to the park and all of the temples for three days. However, the day-to-day costs in Cambodia are very cheap. If you’re on a budget, $20 will be the maximum amount you’ll need to spend every day, according to Budget Your Trip’s calculator.
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Vietnam
Even though Vietnam has become increasingly popular, it still remains undeveloped and unspoiled. It’s a beautiful and affordable country to travel to. Vietnam is in a similar price range to Cambodia. You can easily get by on $20 a day. This average price takes into account accommodation, food, internal travel and souvenirs. This country still retains a lot of its French flavour.
Where to visit in Vietnam
Hanoi’s Old Quarter, just around the corner from Hoan Kiem Lake is one of the best places to soak up the city’s post-colonial charm. Of course, one of the best places to visit is Ha Long Bay. The bay is located in the northeast of the country and is known for its emerald waters and thousands of towering limestone islands. This region is famous for scuba divers, rock climbers and hikers.
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India
Now if you were to stay in an international hotel in Mumbai or Delhi, you would be paying the same price if you were to go to Dubai. If you get away from these capital cities and head on the road less travelled, you’ll find amazing places to stay for an amazing price. The best way to save money when you come to India is to plan which state, of the 29 in India, you want to go to.
Where are the good attractions?
Kick back in the white sandy beaches of Kerala. This region has a vibrant culture Kerala is located in the south of India. What makes Kerala different from most Indian regions? For a start, it’s the most literate and diverse area in India. You can go immerse yourself in churches, mosques and temples that have a rich history. It’s also the safest place to travel while in India. You’ll only need around $30 for your daily spending.
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Bolivia
Bolivia is a very remote and one of the only two landlocked countries in South America. The capital of Bolivia is La Paz and it’s the highest capital city in the world. This wonderful place attracts many tourists that love adventure and excitement. The average daily cost in La Paz is around $15.
What adventures are in Bolivia?
The Death Road is a 64 kilometre mountain bike trip from La Cumbre to Coroico where you can truly experience the excitement Bolivia has to offer. Bolivia is also home to the largest salt flat in the world - Salar de Uyuni.
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Hungary
Although this is a bit more expensive than the others on this list, this is still not to be missed. It’s a must when travelling to Europe. Budapest, the country capital, is rich in history and has incredible food. Indulge in luscious cakes or get refreshed on strong liquor and sweat it out in the famous thermal spas. The goulash is the national dish in Hungary and can be found in most restaurants. It’s incredibly filling and can be shared. A typical day in Budapest will cost around $80. It may be a bit more expensive but it’s definitely worth it.
Top tourist attractions
The Szechenyi Baths opened in Pest and is a great place to experience the Hungarian baths. It opened in 1881. Castle Hill also called Varhegy is the most visited district in Budapest. This district includes the Royal Palace, museums and libraries. This area is a popular tourist area due to the high concentration of monuments and sights.
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Honduras
There are plenty of countries in Central America worth visiting and that are cheap. Honduras is definitely the country with the best value for money. Although it’s not on the most-travelled list, it has amazing beaches and mega cheap food and drink outlets. If you decide to pay a little more than low budget prices, you can find some of the best hotels in Honduras. The average cost you would have to pay for finding the best hotels would be $45 a day. This price also includes food and other amenities too.
What are the best things to do in Honduras?
The Copan Ruinas are some of the oldest ruins dating back to the great Mayan civilization, 1000 years ago. They are found in western Honduras and this site is the major tourist attraction in Honduras. Roatan is one of Honduras’ famous bay islands that is found in the Caribbean Sea. It is located next to the second largest barrier reef, the first being the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.
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Greece
Since the Greek financial crisis, travelling to this beautiful country is now a lot cheaper. Come to Greece and experience the impressive history, culture and cuisine. The breathtaking landscapes will… well they’ll take your breath away. If you want to find better and cheaper deals, stay away from the tourist traps like the Greek Isles. Find local places when you eat. If you go down a block or so, you’ll find a restaurant that will have better food and it’ll be cheaper since it’s not a tourist trap. The daily cost in Greece, if you avoid the touristy areas will be around $55.
The sites in Greece
The Temple of Poseidon was built in 444 BC and is located at Cape Sounion. The Temple itself is very impressive but the view from the top of the hill is not to be missed. If you want to experience a taste of the Greek Isles but for a cheaper price, try visiting Hydra. Hydra is a small island located near Athens and gives you a glimpse of island life.
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Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic makes up two-thirds of the Caribbean Islands and is composed of beautiful mountains, valleys and beaches. The DR has something for every type of traveller. If you want adventure, there are many different tropical rainforests, deserts, alpine ranges and mangrove swamps that you can explore. There are opportunities for mountain bikers, hikers and water sport lovers alike. If you’re looking for a more relaxing, beach-type holiday, have no fear. The DR sports plenty of white beach towns where you can enjoy Caribbean music, dance, local cuisine and culture. The best part about all of this - it is very affordable. Your average daily cost will be around $76 but there are plenty of ways to cut down on this cheap price. Public transport is the cheapest way to move around and can be a good way to visit the sights in one go.
What to do in the Dominican Republic
The Playa del Macao are a set of beaches that are perfect for relaxing in the sun or enjoying some of the country’s best surfing. Scuba diving classes regularly visit the nearby shipwreck and the small fishing village of El Macao is a great place to experience a little history. The Colonial City is an historic area which is part of the first settlement made by Christopher Columbus back in the 1500s. It’s now a World Heritage site and it’s located in the western corner of the Ozama River.
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Argentina
As the world’s eighth largest country, there’s plenty to see and do in Argentina. The city lights don’t get much brighter than they do in Buenos Aires which has rightly earned its reputation as one of the most exciting cities on the planet. In Buenos Aires, you can get a glimpse of the Latin American culture such as the local music and cuisines. The city life in Argentina is a relatively cheap one with average daily costs totalling $15.
The attractions
Casa Rosada is the country’s government house. The Plaza de Mayo in the front is also worth a visit. Other notable landmarks include the Obelisco, Confiteria Ideal, Palacio Barolo, Casa de la Cultura, Librería La Calesita and La Botica del Angel.
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Sri Lanka
Travelling around Sri Lanka is a fun experience. It is a tropical island with a diversity of culture and people. There are two official languages, neither of which is English, but if you go to a major city, you’ll find someone who can help you out. The most popular tourist areas are the North Central Province the Southern Province and the Western Province. The most common form of transportation is the trishaw or three wheeler. This vehicle is comparable to a tuk tuk in most nearby countries. The average daily cost in Sri Lanka is around $19.
The tourist attractions
Arugam Bay is a city that has a nice strip of beach that is attractive to many tourists. It’s located on Sri Lanka’s east coast and the area is very traveller friendly. It’s a popular place for surfing or relaxing but it was hit hard by the tsunami in 2004. Yala National Park is a great place to go if you’re hoping to do a safari in Sri Lanka. It’s the most visited national park in the country. It is possible to see elephants, leopards and all kinds of reptiles.