As someone who has spent the better part of a decade extensively traveling the world predominantly through inexpensive destinations, I’ve seen firsthand that affordable does not have to mean compromising on memorable experiences. With careful planning and openness to cultural immersion, it’s possible to visit over 15 countries where average daily costs hover between $20-$70.
Beyond lower prices lying in hostels versus luxury resorts, certain regions maintain low standards of living through efficient public services, self-sufficient local economies and stable currencies. Exploring such off-the-beaten-path gems resurrects the nomadic spirit of early travelers spreading goodwill across frontiers while deepening global citizenship.
Here I’ve compiled the top 15 cheapest countries to travel to, according to official cost-of-living data tracked by agencies like Numbeo, factoring costs like accommodations, meals, transport, attractions and daily activities to provide a well-rounded picture. For each, I’ll highlight what makes visiting truly unique and worthwhile through my own on-the-ground experiences there to offer trustworthy recommendations on the cheapest countries to travel to.
1. Argentina
Buenos Aires remains South America’s most affordable cosmopolitan capital with a moderate daily budget averaging $30-50. High-quality steaks, wine and tango shows abound for less than $15 total as the Argentine peso remains weak versus US dollars. Beyond the vibrant capital, unspoiled nature awaits – Iguazu Falls stunned me with power unequaled elsewhere while Mendoza’s vineyards seduced with unbeatable $5 tastings amid stunning Andes views. Rugged Patagonia’s glacial lakes and seascapes plus UNESCO site Perito Moreno Glacier provide ultimate adventure on a backpacker’s budget across a diverse landscape.
2. Bulgaria
Sofia, Plovdiv and other historic towns preserve centuries of culture within Bulgaria’s verdant mountains and along the Black Sea, accessing all on a modest $25-40 daily. Apartment rentals and authentic home-cooked meals keep costs low, as at my traditional guesthouse outside Plovdiv where hearty breakfasts and dinners ran $5 total. World-class powdery slopes like Bansko mountaintop resort delight skiers for a fraction of Western Europe’s prices. Bulgaria’s efficiency, natural beauty and affordable lifestyle exemplify Eastern European travel virtues. With all these attractions, Bulgaria is still one of the cheapest countries to travel to.
3. India
Discovering this subcontinent’s diverse wonders requires little more than $25-35 daily excluding flights through hostels, street food and local transport. I frequented culinary gems like Kerala’s banana-leaf “meals” filling me for $1, all while taking in stunning backwater sunsets. The Taj Mahal astonished within Agra’s Yamuna riverbend but Rajasthan’s colorful forts and camel safaris along Jaisalmer’s sand dunes enthralled even more affordably. With patience, openness and respect, understanding diverse cultures remains attainable for almost any budget across India.
4. Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Halong Bay continue wowing budget travelers on $25-35 daily. I immersed within bustling night markets snacking on pho and banh mi sandwiches for a few dollars each, stunned by Ha Long’s limestone seascape beauty accessed through affordable tours, and explored coffee regions like Sapa on $5 homestays amid hilltribe villages. Welcoming locals, burgeoning infrastructure and favorable exchange rates keep sights, activities, food and lodging extremely accessible through this prosperous nation now emerging as Southeast Asia’s top value destination.
5. Thailand
From Bangkok’s gleaming temples to Phuket’s golden beaches, exploring requires $30-40 daily on average according to my multi-year visits trekking through jungle temples, beach bumming and city-hopping by train. Southern islands offer budget dorms while street markets fill hearty plates for $1-3, all amid a cheerful culture renowned for its hospitality. With conscientious planning stretching that dollar further through local markets and eateries versus international chains, even thriving concrete jungles stay within shoestring means here.
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6. Ecuador
Quito, Cuenca, Otavalo and the Andean highlands retain old-world charm on $30-40 daily through guesthouses, markets and communal dining. I’ve savored “comida tipica” feasts for $2-4 and hiked beside dazzling Cotopaxi and Chimborazo volcanoes, feeling worlds apart from industrialized nations. For similar costs per person through certified operators, multi-day Galapagos cruises unveil Darwin’s natural lab up-close, cementing Ecuador as one of earth’s best-value destinations marrying affordable nature with friendly cultures across the spectrum.
7. cheapest countries to travel to: Malaysia
Peninsular Malaysia seamlessly combines ethnic heritage amid modern comforts affordably. Hostels and home-cooked “nasi lemak” breakfasts kept my KL visit under $30 daily as I explored buzzing neighborhoods like Bukit Bintang. But it’s the islands like laidback Penang and the Perhentians’ azure coves wooing on even less through simple chalets. With airfare under $300 roundtrip, this culinary and cultural gem remains a bargain for any Asian trip through its welcoming, multicultural ambiance and efficient infrastructure.
8. Colombia
Major improvements lowered Medellin’s and Cartagena’s costs to a reasonable $30-50 daily through affordable lodging, world-class coffee for $1 and artful street festivals statewide. Situating myself in hipster districts kept my Bogota stay thrifty likewise while daytrips uncovered AndeanCloud Forest gems and desert oasis villages in Tayrona National Park. With direct flights commonly under $300 roundtrip and locals’ warmth radiating value far greater than monetary, Colombia delivers rich cultural rewards on a pittance nowadays safe for independent travel across diverse terrain.
9. Cambodia
Beyond staggering Angkor Wat, lesser-visited regions like Kampot keep the daily budget down around $25-35 through rustic $5 riverview stilted chalets, market-stall cuisine and cheap transport between Phnom Penh and the sleepy Pepper Coast. I spent weeks on such simple accommodation meeting farming families and exploring deserted isles. Cambodia thus rescues explorers seeking untamed Cambodia’s essence diversely through its uniquely affordable yet transformative lifestyle. Development maintains respectful within communities nurturing grateful travelers for generations. The cost of living is defitnitely very low in Cambodia, making it one of the cheapest countries to travel to.
10. Czech Republic
Fair wages, strong Czech koruna and quality social services maintain Prague and other cities’ costs at a liveable $40-60 daily average maximum. During my two weeks admiring Gothic towers and Bohemian vibrancy, hostel beds remained $10-15nightly as tram rides and local beers filled pleasant evenings. Just two hours from the bustling capital, picture-book towns like Cesky Krumlov and medieval Telc cost even less through homestays run by warm families preserving old Europe’s most authentic ambiance affordably. With diligent budgeting, Czechia has much to offer value-seekers.
11. Poland
Historic gems abound through this emerging powerhouse stabilizing Eastern Europe post-Soviet rule. During my trips exploring regal architecture, I savored $3 daily breakfast sandwiches and beer gardens keepsaking Krakow’s royal remnants for under $50daily maximum including dorms. Further north, Malbork Castle and the Baltic Coast enticed for even less on efficient trains. With diligence using hostels and local fare, Poland delivers impressive cultural depth and natural beauty accessibly.
12. Ukraine
After revolution overthrew corrupt oligarchy, affordable yet devoutly preserved legacy throughoch Lviv, Odessa and the Carpathians stole my heart on a frugal $35-50 daily average. In Lviv, cozy $8 guesthouses and borscht kept expenses down amid ornate Orthodox domes. Odessa’s elegant czaristbuildings and beaches along the Black Sea coast added Old World romance diversely through its welcoming New Europe emergence. With stability and openness growing, Ukraine proves that seeking out societies transitioning opens unique cultural exchanges.
13. Romania
Bucharest, Brasov and Sibiu awakened medieval mystique through my days exploring on $40-60 maximumincluding lively hostels. Painted monasteries dotting Bucovina and Maramures regions retain folkloric vibrancy proudly preserved by locals. Alongside Bulgaria, Transylvania and the Danube Delta, Romania weaves visceral history lessons through its soul across remarkably affordable means within safe, devoutly preserved destinations. Value-conscious travelers gain exponentially through supporting such culturally-conscientious nations.
14. Iran
Despite sanctions, savvy budgeteers can experience Persia’s mesmerizing treasures on $50-70 daily maximum through Iran’s efficient transport connecting Tehran, Isfahan and Shiraz. As one of few Western women traveling independently, village homes offering $10-15 rooms and multi-course dinners kept costs down amid weaving friendships, all while feeling impressively safe. With open-mindedness stretching across perceived divides, few regions unlock such remarkably transformative understanding within surprisingly affordable means to this day.
15. Morocco
From bustling Marrakech and cosmopolitan Casablanca to tranquil Chefchaouen and surging Tangier, Morocco’s lively medinas, Saharan oases and coastline awe on $30-50 daily through dorm beds, tagines and local collectives. Throughout this vibrant North African nation, guests remain astounded by warmth shown by families renting $10riad rooms opening their homes and breaking fasts together. With patience navigating Arabic apart from guidebooks, new horizons lie around every vibrant corner accessibly.
In conclusion, prioritizing cultural exchange over fleeting comforts unlocks experiences significantly more fulfilling than any luxury could provide, and at costs most working professionals worldwide can afford sparing $1,000-2,000 annually. Diligent budgeting maintains health, satisfaction and positive community impacts escaping tourist bubbles. With open-mindedness, efficiency and meaningful contribution wherever one’s travels lead, affordable need never mean unremarkable or exploitative. I hope highlighting these cheapest gems inspires wise, transformative and impactful adventures of global understanding for years to come.
