10 Cool Destinations Around The World For Budget Travelers

destination for the budget traveller
Nina
Nina 
Published
| 4 min read

Traveling the world doesn’t have to be expensive. There are quite a number of destinations that are not only affordable, but also rich in culture, pristine beaches, beautiful ruins, and great people. Pack your bags and visit these 10 budget-friendly destinations around the world.

1. Vietnam

Vietnam
Source: Pixabay

Although you can get a luxurious vacation in Vietnam, it’s still one of the cheapest destinations. In fact, Hanoi ranked as the second most affordable city in Asia. Other cheap cities include Hoi An Ancient Town and Ho Chi Minh City. The latter has the best and the cheapest eats in Vietnam. And the best thing about their food is they never sacrifice quality. Albeit cheap, it’s still tasty! Their food is affordable yet wine is expensive. Beer and vodka are cheap though!

Vietnam

Website: Vietnam Tourism

2. Guatemala

Catedral Metropolitana, Guatemala City
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Axcordion used under PUBLIC DOMAIN

You can splurge in Guatemala as there are plenty of cheap activities that you can do. Even learning how to speak Spanish is affordable. Cuidad Vieja is one of the best budget cities in the country. You can stay longer because of its affordable accommodation. And there are beautiful attractions that are worth a visit. You will be rewarded with beautiful views of volcanoes and mountains. Guatemala will surely give you a different experience.

Guatemala

Website: Visit Guatemala

3. Chile

Santiago de Chile de noche
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Javmoraga used under CC BY-SA 3.0

If you want to see Santiago’s colonial architecture, take a morning hike to the peak of Cerro Sta. Lucia. You will have a good view of the entire capital city of Chile. Other cheap things that you can do at the capital city is visit the cultural center that was once a railway station, see the Cathedral and the museum, and the presidential offices that were built in 1794. They also have a cheap vegetable market where you can get fresh produce. You can also get accommodation for as low as 18 USD.

Chile

Website: Chile Travel

4. Costa Rica

Isla Tortuga. Costa Rica
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Arturo Sotillo used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Do you know that Costa Ricans are one of the friendliest people in the world? You will feel at home in their country because they’re also hospitable. And getting a Caribbean vacation is a lot more affordable than you think. Their beer is also really, really cheap. Try visiting their national parks; they have about 20 of them. And the entrance fees are not pricey. Visiting museums and other local spots is also best. If you’re into butterflies, Costa Rica has a lot of them.

Costa Rica

Website: Visit Costa Rica

5. Cambodia

Cambodia 08 - 045 - Angkor Wat (3224160415)
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user McKay Savage used under CC BY 2.0

While some activities in Cambodia are a little expensive, there are still interesting things to do that will either not cost you anything, or would only cost a few bucks. You could go on a tour by yourself in the capital of Cambodia while enjoying the beautiful architecture. And guess what, you can even get free pizza every Wednesday night at Italian Afterwork. Don’t forget to visit beautiful temples and the vibrant street art of Phnom Penh.

Cambodia

Website: Official Tourism Website Of Cambodia

6. Nepal

Nepal
Source: Pixabay

If you don’t really mind walking, just get yourself a guide and tour some parts of Nepal on foot! The country is full of interesting and stunning sights that are mostly free, although some of them have entrance fees. Buddha Park is free and the place is really peaceful. Visiting monasteries is also free, but visitors are encouraged to make a donation. Nepal is a beautiful country. If you’re going on a vacation, make it worth your while by staying for at least a week. You won’t regret it.

Nepal

Website: Department Of Tourism Nepal

7. Eastern Europe

Teréz körút late in the evening Budapest, Hungary, Eastern Europe, 22 October 2012
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Mstyslav Chernov used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Eastern Europe is becoming increasingly popular with budget travelers. Poland’s beautiful and quiet beaches are a must-see. Canoeing in one of Poland’s lakes is also a must-try. Other Eastern European places you should visit that are close to Poland are Estonia and Montenegro.

Poland

Website: Poland Travel

Estonia

Website: Visit Estonia

Montenegro

Website: Visit Montenegro

8. Portugal

Lisbon Street, Portugal (8640616126)
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Pedro Szekely used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Lisbon is exciting and it’s one of Europe’s most affordable city capitals. It’s culture-rich and has beautiful arts, especially contemporary arts. The best thing is you can admire them for free. See Picasso’s and Rothko’s original works for free. Lisbon also has a flea market for souvenirs that you can bring home with you. Some attractions are pricey but most are completely free or with a minimal fee.

Portugal

Website: Visit Portugal

9. Thailand

Thailand temple
Source: Pixabay

Getting inside Lumpini Park in Bangkok, Thailand is completely free. It’s perfect for an afternoon walk. While at the park, try the street food. It’s cheap and it’s delicious. There is also a lake inside the park and you can rent a paddleboat to explore it. If you have more time, visit the man-made island and be delighted with the view. Best to explore the entire island with a bike. Find time to also visit the Chinatown and buy some souvenirs. And of course, don’t forget the beaches and the temples! You can’t go to Thailand and not see the stunning beaches that will remind you of Palawan in the Philippines.

Thailand

Website: Tourism Thailand

10. South Korea

Changdeok Palace (창덕궁) Seoul, South Korea
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Anne Dirkse used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Are you into exotic cuisines? Then go visit Seoul, the capital of South Korea. Seoul is also rich in history which makes it a great place for history buffs. Try visiting the Gyungbok-gung Palace and admire its architecture. If you want to learn more about Korea’s culture, go visit the museum just beside the 16th-century palace. Seoul is the capital city of Korea yet it’s also full of mountains! You can actually hire a tour guide and go trekking. Climb Namsan Mountain peak and enjoy the clean air and the stunning view of the city.

Seoul

Website: Visit Korea

What are you waiting for?

By now you should have a pretty good idea which countries to visit first. You can start with Asia as there are more affordable cities there fit for your budget. Plan your trip well so you can really get the most of it!

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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