Budget-Friendly Destinations for Beginner Travelers

 

Your first trip abroad may cause a lot of excitement but also anxiety. If, on the other hand, you are please be careful and you are concerned that you might have blown through your savings then please do not be! But there is no shortage of low-cost destinations providing wonderful experiences for the price. PS: Which reminds me, here is a guide to the perfect places for beginner travelers who are on a shoestring budget!

Thailand: This has more culture to offer than just the beaches.

Thailand has, and always will be an MAJOR budget travelers paradise, from its cheap food, cheap accommodation, and activities that never end. Thailand is the ultimate destination for first-time travellers, offering the perfect mixture of a culture shock, excitement, and relaxation. Thailand is a land of gastronomy and Bangkok has a lot to offer when it comes to street food, where you can grab a delicious meal for a dollar or two USD. Much cheaper is the North with cities like Chiang Mai, where you can find a cheap guesthouse and explore temples and night markets.

Must-Do Activities:

Bangkok: Visit the Grand Palace and Wat Pho.

Eat Pad Thai and Mango Sticky Rice from street vendors.

Explore the scenic mountains and temples of Chiang Mai.

Budget Tip: Utilize the fantastic public transport system in Thailand, such as the BTS in Bangkok, and also try the night buses to get from one city to another (that way you save money on accommodation).

Backpacking Vietnam: Breaking Boundaries with Adventure

Vietnam: Travel back in time with the historical capital of the country Ho Chi Minh, witnessed the chaotic yet fun streets with low price street food, rich in heritage yet modern architecture – Vietnam is a budget traveler’s gold mine filled with art & culture. The citys to access Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi these two cities you find accommodation and cheap food. The cost of food in Vietnam is tastily cheap with a couple of dollars for banh mi sandwiches, pho and spring rolls!

Must-Do Activities:

Sail through the limestone cliffs at Ha Long Bay.

Stroll along the lantern lit streets of Hoi An

See the Cu Chi Tunnels for a snapshot of Vietnam history.

Travel tip for your budget: Vietnam is a perfect place to move by train. Running between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh city, the Reunification Express train provides scenic views while often being cheaper than flights.

Portugal: The Europe You Can't Afford

For first-time travelers to Europe, Portugal is exactly where they should go. In comparison to other European cities, the capital, Lisbon, is attractive and contains high levels of historic charm but also displays the modern comforts. For a more relaxed holiday, the beaches of the Algarve are ideal, while the northern city of Porto is known for its stunning riverside views and port wine.

Must-Do Activities:

Stroll the cobblestoned streets of Lisbon's Alfama kurzer.

Soak up the sun and sand along the Algarve coast.

Go on a Douro River cruise in Porto.

Money-Saver Idea: Use of the public transportation system is effective and cheap in Lisbon. Buy a Viva Viagem card to move through the city by bus, tram and train.

Mexico — The Place That Has Everything

For North Americans, Mexico is an affordable and close destination. The nation packs in everything from attractive seashores to dynamic city life and antiquated ruins. Mexico City has cheap food and a lot of culture, and cheap beach towns like Playa del Carmen and Tulum have cheap lodging and beautiful water.

Must-Do Activities:

Wander around Mexico City's historic centre.

Explore the ruins of the ancient Mayans at Tulum or Chichen Itza.

Go for a swim in cenotes, which are natural freshwater sinkholes that are native to Mexico.

Money-Saving Advice: Mexican street food is both cheap and delicious. For an authentic cheap-eats experience, sample tacos, tamales, and churros from local stands.

Greece: Affordable Paradise

Some islands and cities are friendly to the budget traveler, even if parts of Greece can be quite expensive. You can always find cheap hostels and endless historical attractions to visit in Athens making it a perfect first stop. Heading south in the Aegean sea, the islands of Naxos and Paros boast magnificent beaches and picturesque villages with the added benefit of not being as pricey as major tourist destinations like Santorini.

Must-Do Activities:

Athens — Exploring the Acropolis (and the Parthenon)

Relax on the beaches, indulge in the ansd local cuisine.

Get lost through the charming alleys of Parikia, the capital of Paros

Travel Savings: Come to Greece during the fall (April—May and September—October) seasons and enjoy the low prices and virtually no crowds.

Indonesia: Cheap Weekend In Paradise

Indonesia is now popular with inexpensive travelers, Bali in particular. Bali tans; All those vegetarians and vegan options you wanted are available here and the guest houses are cheaper. Bali is a highly coveted destination to explore with its stunning beaches, verdant rice paddies and cultural bounty, and can be done for a fraction of the price of other luxury options.

Must-Do Activities:

Go to the Monkey Forest in Ubud

Make your way to Visit the stunning rice fields.

Go to the beaches like Nusa Dua or do an island hop to Nusa Penida theres no shortage of options.

Budget Tip: Skip the restaurants and fill your belly at the local warungs for truly local and inexpensive food. You can find food such as nasi goreng (fried rice) and mie goreng (fried noodles) starting at around $1-2 USD.

Morocco : Exotic and Cheap as Chips

Morocco is one of those one-of-a-kind places that does not cost very much to visit. Marrakech and Fes have low-budget riads (a riad is a traditional guesthouse) and street food is tasty and cheap. You can explore a lot in Morocco ranging from the colorful souks (markets) to the historic Medina without spending too much.

Must-Do Activities:

Get Lost in Marrakech Medina

Go to the blue city of Chefchaouen.

Ride a camel in Sahara Desert.

Bargain in the souks to get the best price for the souvenirs and eat where the locals eat for authentic and cheap meals. Budget tip

Last bits of advice to travel cheaper

Now here are some general tips for saving money when travelling that should work for nearly any destination:

Travel In The Off-Peak Season: Steer clear of the high season when costs peak. Rather, plan a trip in the shoulder season.

Stay in Hostels or Guesthouses — Hostels and guesthouses (Airbnbs too) generally run cheaper than hotels and often offer more of a local flavor.

Use Public Transport: It is cheaper, and is great to observe local life.

Eat where locals eat: Street food and local restaurants are typically a fraction of what you’d be paying for at tourist trap restaurants.

Traveling the world does not need to break the bank, and these destinations show just how you can enjoy the best cultures, cuisines, and landscapes, all without spending a fortune. So, pack your bags, plan wisely and enter into a memorable journey!

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