Destinations Where Your Dollars go Far

Global inflation has made us all more budget-conscious. We want to save money at every turn while still getting full value for every travel dollar. All killer and no filler, in other words.

So where to go? These destinations are among the best in helping you stretch your travel dollar.

Canada 

Yes, everything is more expensive than in the U.S. – but in Canadian dollars. The differences narrow considerably when you consider that one Canadian dollar is worth two-thirds to three-quarters of an American dollar.

While things like gas and liquor will almost always be more expensive in Canada, other travel expenses like food and lodging may actually be less expensive. Depending on where you go and stay, a Canadian vacation can be quite easy on the wallet.

Toronto, Montreal, and the Maritimes will always be on the expensive side, but try alternative cities like Hamilton, Edmonton, or Winnipeg for more affordable metro experiences.

And one more reason to visit Canada that has nothing to do with budget travel but is big nonetheless: the Kit Kats are much better in Canada. S.

Vietnam

If you’re looking to sip authentic pho that costs less than your morning latte back home, Vietnam’s your place. It’s like the “How to See Paris on $5 a Day” folks relocated.

In Vietnam you can grab a hostel for $10-$15/night, spend $2-$3 per meal for street food, grab some safe local transport for a couple of bucks, and even get a guided city tour for the cost of a burger and fries back home.

And because one U.S. dollar equals around 25,000  dong, it only takes about $50 U.S. to make you a millionaire in dong.

Ecuador

Ecuador offers much more than just Charles Darwin’s famous islands. While Quito and other cities are unforgettable, the countryside is truly breathtaking – and surprisingly, it's even more affordable than the cities. In Ecuador you’ll find everything from tropical rainforests, to lush highlands, and friendly people.

Expect to pay $3-$5 for street food, $15-$25/per night for decent lodging, $1-$2/trip for public transit and $2-$5 for museum admissions.

Best of all, Ecuador uses the U.S. dollar, which means zero exchange-rate panic and less fear of ATM skimming.

Also read: Best Free Travel Translation and Language Apps

Bulgaria

• Along with its neighbor Romania, Bulgaria offers classic Eastern European vibes – everything from castles to Communist-era concrete-block architecture – at prices even cheaper than what you’ll find in Slovakia, the reigning king of affordable Eastern European travel.
• Bulgaria is on the Black Sea coast, which means ample sun-and-fun opportunities. Due to its long history of various cultural influences, including Greek, Slavic, Ottoman, Russian, Persian, and Roman, Bulgaria reflects a rich and diverse heritage. They’re all reflected to an extent in the country’s capital, Sofia, which dates back to the 5th century B.C.E.
• In Bulgaria, you can get decent accommodations for $20-$35/night, yummy meals for less than $10, and local wine at Aldi prices. Trains and mass transit are super cheap as well.
• Expect a language barrier in Bulgaria but no cost barrier. That’s a more-than-fair tradeoff.

Also Read: The Ultimate Cruise Packing List, Tips and Hacks (Free Digital and Printable Checklist)

Indonesia

Obviously, Bali is the highlight here, but Indonesia comprises of more than 17,000 islands, so there’s sure to be one somewhere that has your name on it.

You can stay in an Indonesian hostel for $10-$15/night, eat mi goreng (Indonesian ramen) for a couple of bucks, rent a motorbike for $5/day  or take an island-hopping tour for $25 or so.

These destinations prove that budget travel doesn’t equal boring travel. If it did, your college hitchhiking adventure would make you the traveling equivalent of an actuary.

No matter where you choose to stretch your travel dollars, travel protection with assistance services from Generali Global Assistance can help protect that precious investment.

Even if you don’t have a lot of prepaid expenses, Generali Global Assistance can help give you peace of mind. And best of all, getting a quote is easy. It starts here.

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