The love for travelling can be quickly nullified with high and unexpected costs. Despite this, many countries are incredibly cheap and allow for your budget to go further, to enjoy the pleasures of travel at little expense. Read on to discover some of the cheapest countries to visit around the world.
Colombia’s reputation has turned around in recent years, and the country now has a strong focus on tourism. The fascinating culture and landscape of Colombia attracts many visitors, and with low costs and awesome adventures, it’s easy to see why!
Here you can enjoy a bandeja paisa (traditional Colombian meal including meat, rice, beans and veg) for just £3! Excursions, transport costs and drinks are equally as cheap; I boarded an overnight bus from Bogotá to Medellín for just £15!
A short hop away from Europe but immensely different, Morocco is a traveller’s dream! Full of stunning mountains ranges, golden deserts, bustling markets and colourful cities – it’s a treat for the senses.
Travelling in Morocco is also very cheap and easy to do – the street food costs as little as £1, with the merguez sausage being a personal favourite. Hostels range from £5 to £20 but I also encourage travellers to experience a riad (a traditional guesthouse). Although they may cost upward of £70, they are a fantastic experience of world class hospitality. Transport and tours are also very affordable, and the use of night buses can provide significant savings.
It’s probably no surprise that Vietnam has made this list! Now one of the most popular countries to travel, the cheap lifestyle and fascinating culture has made a profound impact on the backpacking industry.
The cost of food, drinks, accommodation and excursions in Vietnam will astonish you! You can get a night in a decent hostel for around £2, and I would say the average cost is £5. Food and drink are also remarkably inexpensive; you’ll look to pay approximately £5 for a meal in a restaurant, and as little as £1 for extraordinary street food.
Nicaragua is home to amazing volcanoes, islands, beaches, jungles… and is incredibly inexpensive to boot. Touring Nicaragua will make your money go a long way – to hire a motorbike for the day you’re looking at around £3, plus the same amount to fill your tank up. Food and drinks are equally as economical, with transport costing roughly the same as a meal.
Nicaragua is a fantastic country to explore, and nothing will put a serious dent in your wallet. I ended up spending five weeks there after I cut my Costa Rica trip short due to the expense - it’s a fantastic alternative for a quarter of the price.
Europe is generally a more expensive place to travel in comparison to much of Asia and South America. However, destinations such as Albania changes that! It boasts the landscapes of Switzerland, the beaches of Spain and fascinating Mediterranean culture for a portion of the price.
The food is a bit Greek in style, think delicious meats and salads, and portions are often under £5. Drinks can be as little as £1 and hostels maybe a bit more expensive (£10 - £25) but still great value for Europe.
Albania is growing rapidly in the tourism industry with many travellers claiming it is a hidden gem – explore while it’s still cheap!
Sri Lanka has white sand Indian Ocean beaches, outstanding scenery, a fascinating culture, and even the elusive leopard! For these reasons you’d expect prices to be high, but despite Sri Lanka being immensely popular, local costs remain low.
A full day game drive in Yala National Park comes at very reasonable costs and is tiny in comparison to the expensive national park fees of Africa. You can also dine at buffets filled with amazing local curries for less than £8. Your budget will stretch a long way in Sri Lanka, with the activities and scenery on offer, it is a beautiful country to travel on a budget.