19 Cheap Places to Travel: Where Your Dollar Will Take You the Furthest Right Now

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Whether you’re ballin’ on a budget or Scrooge McDuck-ing into coffers of gold, there are few things more satisfying than getting the most bang for your buck on vacation. The beauty of hunting for cheap places to travel lies in getting to shorten your bucket list at a bargain. If you dream of swimming alongside the candy-colored panoply of fish swarming the coral reefs of the Indian Ocean, there’s no need to balk at Maldives prices when you could head to Madagascar for half the price. Or if it’s French lavender fields you yearn for, consider Canada’s blooming gardens instead.
We’ve crunched the numbers on current exchange rates, airfare, and hotel deals to find the countries to travel to over the next year where your dollar goes the furthest. Of course, rates can fluctuate at any time, though some destinations have a greater likelihood of staying high-value relative to their price tags. With a variety of picks that span the globe, these are the best cheap places to travel around the world right now—and where to stay once you’re there.
Estonia
1 USD = 0.86 EUR
The cat has long been out of the bag on the island-hopping havens that are the Greek Cyclades, Italy’s Aeolian Islands, and the Dalmatian Coast. But there are plenty of other European seascapes to explore, with thinner crowds to boot. Rather than docking on the Mediterranean, cast your eye north to the Baltic Sea where Estonia lays claim to over 2,200 islets that are teeming with bucolic inland views and coastal nature in all its unbridled glory. For a glimpse at medieval life in Estonia sail to Saaremaa, home to the Teutonic Order-built Kuressaare Castle. The basement dungeon of the stunning Gothic monument houses a room now known as “the cellar of the immured knight” which, as legend has it, imprisoned an inquisitor monk who was caught in a clandestine romance. For a taste of contemporary—and considerably less morose—Estonian life, check out Kihnu, an island populated by what the BBC describes as “Europe’s last surviving matriarchy.” Inside the UNESCO-recognized community, women are the primary keepers of culture, maintaining the island’s rich traditions in song, dance, games, and crafts.
Where to stay: Base yourself in the historic capital of Tallinn where homey stays like the Nunne Boutique Hotel lend prime access to the charming Old Town at rates beginning as low as $97 a night.
Ghana
1 USD = 11.20 GHS
Its reputation as the Gold Coast might leave many surprised that some of the most rewarding cultural experiences at this gateway to Africa go easy on the wallet. Reconnect with the outdoors while suspended 100 feet off the ground by hiking across the wooden catwalks perched along the canopy line at Kakum National Park. From this breathtaking vantage point you can spy the mix of rare wildlife that lives in the forest, from massive Bongo antelopes to acrobatic Diana monkeys—and entrance into the park and the canopy walk totals about $20. Ghana’s human-made sites are equally wondrous: For a gilded blast from the past, start at the Manhyia Palace Museum in Kumasi, where tickets sell for around $11. The region’s history as the heart of the Ashanti kingdom plays out through the museum’s impressive collection of elaborate royal artifacts. For even more hustle and bustle, make sure to pay a visit to Accra’s joyously chaotic Makola Market. From vibrant local fabrics to fragrant spices, beaded jewelry to even spare car parts, locals and tourists alike peruse the stalls to find just the thing they’re looking for, or discover the wild card item they never knew they needed.
Where to stay: While some of the best things to do in Ghana can be far-flung from each other, it’s never a bad idea to base yourself in Accra where stays like La Palm Royal Beach Hotel boast their own share of the coast.
Bolivia
1 USD = 11.78 BOB
Often topping lists of the most beautiful countries in the world, Bolivia continues to reap praise for landscapes like its mirror-clear salt flats and ultra-saturated volcanic lagoons. But you need not train to assume the mantle of hardcore backpacker to take full advantage of what the gorgeous Heart of South America has to offer. Take to the countryside by car on an epic road trip to destinations like Torotoro, home to the largest collection of dinosaur tracks in the world (park entry will run you about $14), or Sucre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its ornate double-balconied ivory architecture. Of course, one of the best ways to take in Bolivia’s incredible biodiversity and abundant landscapes is by exploring it via fork and knife. Look no further than La Paz, a city that is perfectly triangulated between the Andes, the Amazon rainforest, and both areas’ surrounding valleys. Gustu has long been a gastonomic giant in the city, pioneering a locavore movement that spotlights ingredients like mountain greens, Amazonian river fish, and llama dairy. For plates fresh from the fire of the hearth, head to Ancestral, where all the dishes are cooked via wood smoke or hot coals to bring out their natural flavors.
Where to stay: Get a taste of Cabo in the middle of La Paz at Baja Club Hotel, a 32-key boutique with a chill pool terrace and swanky rooftop bar.
Uzbekistan
1 USD = 11,817.44 UZS
Uzbekistan is still on the up-and-up when it comes to foreign travel, which makes it one of the most exciting and affordable destinations in Central Asia. The major cities are filled with both intricate mosques and brutalist monuments—all free to explore—and you’ll be hard-pressed to spend more than about $5 per meal at most restaurants.
Where to stay: There aren’t too many name-brand hotels set up yet, but even places like the Hyatt Regency Tashkent have nightly rates below $170.

Peru
1 USD = 3.30 PEN
While some may only know Peru as a gateway country to adrenaline-pumping adventure, it’s a veritable destination in its own right, and its capital city of Lima is one of its best cases in point. it’s a seaside city that’s soundtracked by salsa echoing from its rooftops and colored by the mountains of fruit sold at its open-air markets. The colonial mansions of yore are now filled by Peruvian designers, boutique hotels, and ultra-chic wine bar-listening rooms. There’s also loads of history to brush up against just about everywhere you turn (and we mean that quite literally—in this city, pre-Inca ruins still occupy traffic medians). The charming neighborhood of Pueblo Libre has the city’s largest concentration of parks if you fancy yourself more of a leisurely stroller than a hiker. Or if you’d rather explore the great indoors, check out the pre-Columbian art at Museo Larco, before lunching at Antigua Taberna Queirolo, known for homestyle dishes like ají de gallina. Those who have come to Lima to dance should do as the locals do and tear it up at El Bolivariano.
Where to stay: Next year will be an especially excellent time to stay at Hotel B, known for its rooftop bar, which will soon add 10 rooms and an on-site spa.
Belize
1 USD = 2 BZD
The easy two-to-one conversion rate between the Belize dollar (BZD) and our US greenbacks means there’s no need to whip out your phone calculator when budgeting for your vacation to the Central American country. In fact, don’t bother converting any currency or fret over foreign transaction fees as your US dollars are just as good in Belize as they are stateside. With world-famous archaeological sites, rainforests, reefs, and a culinary scene worth traveling for alone, its easy to see why the tiny country has earned a big reputation.
Where to stay: This Caribbean nation charmed visionary Francis Ford Coppola so much that he established three beach hideaways on its secluded shores.
Canada
1 USD = 1.39 CAD
While some may see Toronto’s glittering skyline or the myriad of mouth-watering eats in Montreal and not immediately see an affordable travel destination, the Great White North is a vast expanse with plenty of high-value sights to see. Take Quebec City, the only walled city across the US and Canada. From its past as a former French colony, there’s history on every street, whether its Quartier Petit Champlain, one of the oldest shopping corridors in the country, or the steps of the Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral. It’s a city where you can sample many firsts, like the first cheese ever cured on the continent, which was made by the still-extant Fromagerie de l’Isle d’Orléans? If you thought it couldn’t get anymore French, QC also lays claim to some pretty amazing lavender fields at La Seigneurie de l’île d’Orléans where admission starts around $14.50. Clear some space on your calendar in July, to witness the flowers in peak bloom.
Where to stay: Nothing beats walking distance convenience, which Hôtel Sépia has in spades with its proximity to sights like the St. Lawrence River and the family-friendly Aquarium of Quebec.
Cambodia
1 USD = 4,058.34 KHR
E-visas already allow us to skip much of the bureaucratic hassle of traditional visa applications, and Cambodia’s e-visa program just got even sweeter. At the start of 2025, tourist visa fees were slashed from $36 to $30. First-time visitors can’t go wrong with landing in Siam Reap, where famed UNESCO World Heritage Site Angkor Wat sits among festive bars, vibrant cultural experiences, and French-style colonial streets. Travel to the city is easier than ever thanks to the recently opened Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport (SAI).
Where to stay: Located just a 10-minute drive away from Angkor Wat, the Park Hyatt Siam Reap is an ideal home base to soak in all the local flavor. The property also offers crafting workshops from local artisans, so you can take away a one-of-a-kind souvenir (plus a skill or two) back home.

Egypt
1 USD = 50.65 EGP
Following in the footsteps of pharaohs in Egypt feels like it should be expensive, but the conversoin rate of the Egyptian pound has recently skyrocketed—and that means touring the Pyramids, cruising the Nile, and exploring Cairo has never been more affordable for foreigners. We’re excited to check out marquee additions to the hotel scene like the St. Regis Cairo. In addition to its awe-inspiring views onto the Nile, the hotel houses the Astor Library on its fifth floor, an intimate reading room with its own artifact display and Swarovski diamond chandelier made for book lovers. Though if you’re looking to feel absolutely gob-smacked, the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) has finally opened to the public after years of anxiously awaiting its debut. As the largest museum in the world dedicated to the study of a single culture, it’s just the place to get your fill of all things ancient Egypt.
Where to stay: There’s no competing with the historic Marriott Mena House’s location at the foot of the Giza pyramids and adjacent to the GEM. Once-in-a-lifetime views of the necropolis are guaranteed from many corners of the property.
Mexico
1 USD = 17.02 MXN
Mexico is consistently one of our favorite places to travel on a budget. In Mexico City, with a street food culture rivaled only by its forward-looking restaurant scene, you’ll be spending most of your money on eats. But make sure to leave some bucks to visit all the cultural wonders the city has to offer, starting with the iconic Museo Jumex. If you’re looking to go a little further afield, head to Jalisco to see tequila being made at the source, or Isla Holbox for a sleepy beach scene.
Where to stay: You can never go wrong at one of our Triple Crown-winning properties—a distinction for hotels which have won our readers’ hearts in the annual Readers’ Choice Awards; a spot on the Gold List, which features the places to stay our editors consider their all-time favorites; and a feature in our Hot List, a compendium of the year’s hottest new openings. Mexico is chock full of these distinguished stays, like the One&Only Palmilla, an escape on the very tip of the Baja Peninsula that feels just like home, just with the odd beach cabana and private butler for good measure.
Mongolia
1 USD = 3,597.64 MNT
We’ve long been fans of Mongolia for its seemingly limitless expanses and adventure camps—and the fact that travel here can cost as little as $75 per day (including accommodations). Over the pas couple of years, the country has expanded the traveler-friendly initiatives it launched in 2024, such as more direct US flight and visa-free travel for dozens of nationalities. You can also expect all the offbeat cultural experiences that make this Asian nation a popular bucket list contender: local operator Breanna Wilson’s tours include a Gobi Desert excursion to see snow leopards, a women-only retreat in Orkhon Valley, and a three-day archery training session.
Where to stay: Set along the Terelj River, a 90-minute drive from Ulaanbaatar, the Terelj Hotel was originally built in the 19th century for Russian vacationers. When weather permits, guests can ride horses, trek in the surrounding hills, fish for salmon, or bird-watch for the exotic species that fly overhead—all activities happily arranged by the diligent staff.
Vietnam
1 USD = 26,072.50 VND
Plenty of countries in Southeast Asia are great deals for dollar carriers right now, but we recommend a trip to Vietnam—in part because of the steadily increasing exchange rate, but mostly for the country’s mind-blowing beauty. Last year, we listed Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City as some of our best places to go for their celebrations commemorating the country’s national reunification and buzzier than ever food and design scenes. Hanoi is arguably the most romantic city in the region, but don’t be afraid to venture off the beaten track during your next visit: Places like Ninh Van Bay and Phú Quốc island have pristine beaches and intimate resorts you won’t find in the more touristed areas.
Where to stay: For a stalwart in the hospitality scene, the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi has been a fixture in Hanoi since 1901.
Brazil
1 USD = 5.18 BRL
Like much of South America, Brazil is a good place to visit if you don’t want to break the bank. But the fact that a dollar gets you a little over five Brazilian reals means you can get even better value than usual. Rio de Janeiro is the most obvious place to spend time and money, with incredible restaurants—like Lasai, a 2023 Hot List winner—just steps away from some of the world’s best beaches. But don’t forget to visit São Paulo, too, where a younger generation has introduced hip galleries, museums, and bars to several long-neglected neighborhoods.
Where to stay: Take a glimpse at what living may look like in the year 3,000 at the Ruy Ohtake-designed and aptly named Hotel Unique in São Paulo’s upscale Jardim Paulista neighborhood.
Sri Lanka
1 USD = 328.15 SLR
The Sri Lankan rupee has slowly gotten more and more favorable over the past couple of decades, but it completely skyrocketed starting a couple of years ago (a dollar converted to 200 SLR in February 2022, and now look where we are). We’re more excited than ever to explore this incredible island nation, where you can see leafy tea plantations, Buddhist temples, golden beaches, and 200-mile hiking trails in one memorable trip.
Where to stay: Triple Crown winner Cape Weligama is a glossy clifftop resort that’s the triumphant Relais & Châteaux flagship of Resplendent Ceylon’s stunning quintet of properties.
Madagascar
1 USD = 4,306.66 MGA
For your next tropical island vacation, skip pricey, popular locations like the Maldives and Bora Bora for inexpensive Madagascar—an Indian Ocean treasure filled with breathtaking rainforests and lemur-filled national parks. Swing by the island nation as part of a cruise itinerary: Luxe cruise lines like Silversea, Lindblad, Swan Hellenic, and Seabourne have all added the country as a port of call on new voyages.
Where to stay: Plan your stay at Namoroka Tsingy Exploration Camp, which features seven luxury safari tents inside the essentially unvisited Namoroka National Park.
Malaysia
1 USD = 4.03 MYR
Your cash will stretch far in Malaysia, especially if you fill up on street food and explore cities like Kuala Lumpur on foot. It’s also inexpensive (or in some cases, free) to visit the country’s pristine beaches, limestone caves, and some of the most beautiful tea plantations.
Where to stay: If you’re ready and willing to shell out the big bucks, we highly recommend shacking up at The Datai Langkawi. Set within a dense, beautiful rainforest, this legendary hotel is where modern luxury meets ancient nature in one of the world’s most serene, coveted retreats.
India
1 USD = 95.18 INR
India has always been a cheap travel destination; now that you can get over 95 rupees to the dollar, however, the country is more affordable than ever. As long as you don’t hole up in your resort the entire time, you can visit plenty of attractions and dine at local restaurants on an extremely tight budget.
Where to stay: Hotels run the gamut from $60-per-night bungalows to pricey Oberoi and Six Senses outposts, plus hundreds of options in between.
Serbia
1 USD = 112.67 RSD
Belgrade continues to emerge as one of Europe’s most exciting cultural epicenters, but it’s massively less expensive than, say, Paris or Berlin (at least for now). It’s relatively easy to find hotels under $100, though accommodations aren’t all that important when you spend all night dancing in clubs around the city. But you will want to get some rest to explore Belgrade’s wealth of museums and contemporary art installations, many of which just opened in the past few years. Additionally, Belgrade will be the site of the World Expo in 2027 with a slate of new hotel openings and an expanded to Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport (BEG) really rolling out the red carpet for the global conference.
Where to stay: Square Nine at the confluence of the Danube and Sava rivers offers a dose of modernity in the landmark Studentski Trg plaza.
North Macedonia
1 USD = 53.04 MKD
Perhaps it’s because the coastal countries get all the attention, but North Macedonia remains one of the most criminally underrated (and therefore affordable) countries in Europe. The landlocked nation is a sleeper hit for those in the know, especially if you head to the charming city of Ohrid. It has all the cobbled streets and quaint churches one would expect from a European town, with the added advantage of being right on the shores of the incredibly gorgeous and biodiverse Lake Ohrid.
Where to stay: Acquaint yourself with the country’s capital by checking into Skopje Marriott Hotel, which sits just steps away from major attractions such as the Stone Bridge, Kale fortress, and the Old Bazaar.
This story has been updated with new information since its original publish date.