Quite a few wanderlusts often think of visiting those countries where they can afford to spend less and still be happy. Here is a list of such countries where the cost is less and the excitement for travellers is high while watching grand sights and enjoying off-beat experiences.
Indonesia
This Asian country exhilarates the visitor with its sandy beaches, scuba diving spots and surfing facilities along the coast besides sprawling paddy fields across its rural belt. Indonesia, equally, has forests of breathtaking beauty. All the same, it permits inexpensive travel and stay. Pay one dollar and you get 13,000 rupiah.
Indonesia’s hospitality industry is of decent standards, so are its food stalls and conveyance systems. For overnight stay, you need to pay only $20 to check into a hotel that has even a swimming pool. A filling meal costs only three dollars. If a bike trip is what you prefer to see the countryside, it’s just a matter of two dollars. Need car? The cost, again, is a very affordable $15.
Only that a desire for alcohol can meet with frustration. High tariff on liquor is the reason. Imported drinks, including wine, cost no less than $20. Even locally manufactured bottles cost $13 to $15 each. In short, if you are a teetotaller or are okay with the idea of giving up drinks for your Indonesia days, there is perhaps no cheaper place on earth for an average tourist.
Mexico
This Central American nation is endowed with nature and food that revel in variety. It has warm-hearted people. The country has its currency that can fetch you 19 Pesos in exchange of one dollar. The months from November to March can, however, be relatively expensive as that is peak tourist season for Mexico. In such times, the hotels may charge high rates. Particularly around the time of Christmas and New Year. If December is your planned date with Mexico, better book your hotels in advance.
The food, though, is not expensive. If you aren’t a stubborn vegetarian, there are fish-centric meals that won’t cost more than $3 a plate. Domestic flights are very affordable. Roadways are smooth and untiring; the visitor can opt for that as well — in fact, at much lesser rates.
Colombia
Again, the people in this Latin American country are extremely friendly. The land is verdant, the sea green, the sky blue and the air is clean and the surroundings have an imperial Spanish hangover what with the architecture of the buildings toeing the line of the European nation with which Colombia has had ties from the 16th century.
The local currency is low-value here too. One US dollar is equal to 3,000 Colombian Peso.
At beaches, restaurants sell seafood that is inexpensive yet tasty. Scuba diving is very affordable as much as it is thrilling. The guest houses, steeped in Spanish architectural beauty, charge only $30 for overnight stay. The famed Ciudad Perdida trek to the Lost City is rewarding, while equally refreshing is a coffee tour to Salento in Quindio of northwestern Colombia.
If you are for state-of-the-art hotels, they are aplenty in this country. They feature stylish suites, swimming pools and bars even as the cost is, obviously, on the higher side.
Bulgaria
Among the European countries, Bulgaria can make the tourist happiest with its low expenses. It has its cluster of buildings that come across as beautiful relics from a bygone era, streets that have the scent of wine and seas that have vibrant shores with warm people all around. Food is particularly cheap, be it made of just vegetables or fish or meat. Liquor is very affordable: even the best wine costs only $8 a bottle.
Some of the inns are more than two-centuries old, and dense with an old-world charm. All you need to pay for an overnight stay there is $20. They may be from another era, but the maintenance is thoroughly updated: the rooms are neat and beautiful.
Bulgaria provides the rare luxury of enjoying European charm without much expense.
South Africa
This country perhaps woos adventurers most. The nature is enchanting. The forests have wild animals, the seas have rich marine life, the food is tasty and the roads are smooth.
Yet, a double-cot room with all the comforts takes only $40 dollars. A meal costs only $7. Take a $10 ticket, and you can get into national parks that serve a visual feast. The seashores are invariably festive. Take a cab and see around at low rates. No traveller can be disenchanted at South Africa.
