The most common question I get asked is how I afford to travel. My response is always along the lines of it being a huge misconception that it takes a lot of money to do so. One of the main ways to travel on a budget is finding a location where the value of your currency stretches further. Below is some of my favorite, affordable countries and how much you can expect to pay for essential items once there.
1. Vietnam
Vibrant streets filled with smiling locals serving steaming bowls of pho, French influenced baguette sandwiches called Banh Mi, and sweet banana pancakes slathered with nutella fill your senses. Hidden temples, quaint cafes, and busy markets shroud the cities, but the countryside is where you truly get a feel of the culture of this region. A country of farmers, mountainous regions full of fresh air, and rice paddy fields are best experienced on a motorbike. Let’s not forget the infamous bodies of water such as Ha Long Bay and the Mekong River full of floating vendors. Vietnam is a country sure to surprise you and the best part is that it’s totally affordable.
Experiencing the Ha Giang Loop – Venture with a Ginger
Average prices:
Hostels: $5-$9 per night
Hotels: $20-$35 per night
Food: .50 cents- $5 per meal
Activities: 3-day Ha Giang Loop (includes hostels, food, and motorbike) $45
Hanoi Street Food Tour $28
2. Peru
You might have heard of a place called Machu Picchu. It is one of the seven wonders of the world. That’s not the only thing Peru has to offer. Come here for ancient ruins, world class waves, a delectable cuisine, the Amazon, rainbow mountains, deep canyons, and sandboarding. This is a country you will want to make return visits too. Let’s not forget about the adorable alpacas.
Is the 2 Day Inca Trail Actually Worth It? – Venture with a Ginger
Hostels: $5-$9 per night
Hotels: $25-$50 per night
Food: Around $18 per day
Activities: Cooking class $52
Rainbow Mountain ATV tour $92
3. Egypt
Intricate hieroglyphics, grand pyramids that watch over the landscape, and magnificent temples and tombs are just some of the things you can witness here. The history is one of the oldest and most fascinating to learn about, the bazaars are full of treasure troves, and some of my favorite food in the world is here. Koshary, shawarma, and kunafa to name a few.
How to Plan a Trip to Egypt – Venture with a Ginger
Hostels: $7-$10 per night
Hotels: $13-$20 per night
Food: Around $8 per day
Activities: Great Pyramids of Giza Entrance Fee $3.50
Valley of Kings includes 3 tombs $13
Karnak Temple $4
4. Guatemala
An underrated Central American gem. Hidden turquoise waterfalls in the middle of a jungle, volcanos to hike, the area of Lake Atitlan to explore, and Tikal to marvel at are just a few noteworthy things to do.
Perfect 10 Day Itinerary in Guatemala – Venture with a Ginger
Hostels: $10-$15 per night
Hotels: $20-$30 per night
Food: $10-$15 per day
Activities: Free salsa class
Free walking tours: Make sure to tip
Pacaya Volcano: $37
Semuc Champey entrance fee: $6.50
5. Turkey
Home to what was once one of the largest empires in the world, Turkey is full of history. See grand mosques, bazaars, and castles in Istanbul and then hop on over to Cappadocia. Cappadocia is one of the most unique landscapes due to the stone fairy chimneys, rose colored valleys, and underground cities.
A Great Guide to Turkey: – Venture with a Ginger
Hostels: $12-$15 per night
Hotels: $25-$40 per night
Food: .50 cents- $20 per meal. This can vary greatly depending on what you want.
Activities: Hagia Sophia is free
Blue Mosque is free
Egyptian/ Grand Bazaar is free
Free walking tour: Tip
Cappadocia Sunset ATV ride: $35
6. Thailand
Home to the best street food in the world, Muy Thai, beautiful beaches, stunning temples, and my personal favorite, elephants. Thailand is on every backpacker’s bucket list as it should be.
What to do in Magnificent Thailand in 5 Days – Venture with a Ginger
Hostels: $10-$15 per night
Hotels: Varies greatly here because they have so many 5-star resorts that are actually affordable. More common ones are around $20-$35 per night.
Food: around $15 per day (mix of street food and restaurant food.)
Activities: Massages are around $5 an hour
Grand Palace entrance fee $14
Wat Pho entrance fee is around $3.
7. Ecuador
The Andes, the Amazon, and the equator are all found on mainland Ecuador. I recommend discovering waterfalls, learning about the customs of the Kichwa tribe, and staying in the rainforest. Make sure to visit Quito as well. It was the first city declared to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
What to do in Ecuador? 5 Day Itinerary – Venture with a Ginger
Hostels: $7-$10 per night
Hotels: $20-$30 per night
Food: .50 cents to $5 per meal
Activities: Mitad del Mundo (equator) $4
Cotopaxi/Quilotoa Day Tour: $60
8. South Africa
Stunning nature is found everywhere here. From Table Mountain that overlooks the pretty city of Cape Town, to the penguin colonies settled near the mesmerizing coastline, to the Savannah found in Kruger National Park full of diverse wildlife, this country is sure to make you fall in love. Did I mention it’s also wine country?
My Favorite Things to Do in and around Cape Town – Venture with a Ginger
Hostels: $15-$20 per night
Hotels: $40-$70 per night
Food: $7-$15 per meal
Activities: Vineyard tour $37
Free walking tour: tip
I hope this list inspires you to travel and shows you that it can be affordable after all. Safe travels.