In today’s world, we’re all searching for our next travel destination. In today’s economy, we’re all trying to do it as affordable as possible. There are many misconceptions when it comes to travel being too expensive for the average person, but there are many ways to fit your dream vacation into your ideal budget.
Before we look at destinations, let’s explore some tips and tricks to make travel more affordable. One is traveling during the off-season. Prices are significantly higher during the peak tourist season, so by planning your trip when fewer tourists are there, you can save some serious money. Not only will flights and accommodation be cheaper, but you’ll escape the long lines, avoid more tourist scams, possibly beat the brutal heat, and have a better chance to interact with locals. Another tip to save some money is to stay in hostels. This may not be for everyone, but hostels can cost as little as $9 a night and provide a more social atmosphere. If you are traveling solo, this can be a great way to save money, make new friends, and get some guidance from the local staff. Next, learn how to use the local public transport. If the destination allows for it, you can save a lot of money by using local buses and trains rather than renting a car or ubering. Lastly, you don’t have to eat at restaurants for every meal. Most hostels have full kitchens, and some of my favorite travel meals have been shared among strangers who have become family over a home cooked hostel meal. Keeping these little tricks in mind, let’s look at some affordable travel hot spots!
One of my favorite hidden gems to travel to is Montenegro. The Balkans are finally getting the recognition they deserve, with Croatia leading the pack as one of today’s most popular travel spots. While Croatia is lovely, it has become much more expensive over the past few years. Just a bus ride away is the beautiful country of Montenegro. Home to a UNESCO World Heritage site, Kotor is a storybook town. My hostel I stayed at there (Old Town Hostel Kotor) was only $12 a night to stay in a gorgeous place nestled in the castle walls. They provide daily activities, including an unforgettable traditional barbecue dinner at sunset on top of an abandoned war fortress. It is still to this day my favorite hostel I’ve stayed at, and I’ve tried a lot! Meals in Kotor were very affordable, especially when you eat at local places such as BBQ Tanjga, where a large hamburger was about $5. Outside of Kotor, Montenegro has some of the most stunning hikes, lakes, castles, and more. The cruise ships are already starting to head here though, so make sure to add Montenegro to your list for 2024 before it gets busier!
Another beautiful spot to head to in 2024 is Argentina. The dollar is very strong right now against the Argentinian Peso, so it’s a good time to travel there. Argentina is such a big country it has something to offer for everyone. For nature lovers, there are the Iguazu Falls (double the size of Niagara Falls), breathtaking volcanos, national parks, beaches for surfing, and cave paintings that date back to 7370 BCE. The capital of Buenos Aires is home to an abundance of culture, with streets lined with markets, tango dancers, delicious local food, beautiful architecture, and incredible nightlife. The best part of this wonderful city is you can get an entire apartment on Airbnb for around $30 a night. That’s cheaper than hostels in most countries! You can still save money here by using public transport, however Ubers were very affordable as well, costing me between $2-$4 depending on where in the city I was heading to. This was one of the only countries I’ve been to where I knew I could easily afford to eat out for every meal, which is a great luxury to have while traveling. People often have misconceptions about safety in Argentina, however the U.S government gives a level 1 travel advisory in the entirety of the country except Rosario. Be smart, save your money, and enjoy Argentina in 2024!
Laos is often overshadowed by its popular neighbors Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam, but it is an amazing affordable travel destination. While Southeast Asia in general has a reputation of being very affordable, Laos is the most. Filled with temples, waterfalls, rice fields, and charming towns, it is the perfect destination for any traveler. Shared hostel rooms can get as low as $2 a night, or you could splurge and spend a few more dollars on a hotel room. You can expect your meals to all be just a few dollars each, depending on how fancy you want to get. In many “affordable” countries the excursions or transportation is often the thing that breaks the bank, but not in Laos. Public buses have considerably lower prices than other countries, with 10 hour overnight buses costing around $10. Excursions like visiting temples, kayaking, or waterfalls can cost just a handful of dollars as well. All this said, most people can get their daily spending around $15-$30 a day, which is very hard to do while traveling. Start looking for flights and head to Laos this year!
While these destinations are all very affordable once there, the flight can often be the most expensive part of a trip. I recommend keeping an eye on Skyscanner to see if you spot any deals to these destinations, and book whenever you find one that works for you. I also love to use the app Hopper to put flight watches on specific destinations, as they tell you when the best time to book is. Remember to check out the prices in the off season, and you may save yourself a lot of money.
2024 is the year that you stop talking about planning a trip, and actually do it. Buy a few less take-out coffees, make fewer impulse purchases, and save up to head to one of the top affordable destinations out there. The world is waiting for you!
Comments
All of these countries are GREAT suggestions! Keep them coming.