22 Most Affordable Countries for Budget Travelers

It is a widely known wisdom that travelling is one of the necessary and important things to do in life. It enriches your experience and opens your mind to a whole new perspective and outlook towards the wider world. But travelling, be it anywhere requires, apart from a fit body and sound mind, two very important things-time and money. Often, the lack of either one of the two makes taking an excursion impossible. In most cases, however, sheer lack of leisure time is the biggest obstruction but when time is available, money constraints bind one to their place. But for those restless spirits who can’t be bound to one place, neither time nor money can pose any challenge. If you are fortunate enough to have plenty of time by your side, we pitch in here to suggest the 22 most affordable countries for budget travelers.

The destinations enlisted here may shock, surprise, enlighten, or change your opinion about them, but be assured that you have already decided to let your spirits fly. Still, running short on money, this guide will readily be going to be of great help, take a look at the 22 most affordable countries for budget travelers arranged in no particular order:

List of Top 22 Affordable Countries for Budget Travelers:

1. Peru

Peru is one of the most exotically diverse places to visit, and the scope for exploration, sightseeing, trekking, adventure, and fun is immense. Home to the highest tropical mountain ranges in the world, The Andes, as well as the sweep of dense and incipient Amazon rainforests, the spectrum of exquisite wildlife in Peru is broad. There is also an extensive range of outdoor activities for a fun-packed, adrenalin-pumping thrill, such as whitewater rafting, paragliding, trekking the ancient paths, or hiking through the desert.

Peru is also known across the world as a culinary hotspot, and a traveller will find herself being treated to delectable cuisines in relaxed, laidback natural settings with a perfect, picturesque backdrop. With warm and welcoming locals and vibrant opportunities for enjoyment, Peru is one of the top affordable countries for budget travelers.

2. China

For one thing, the country is vast, and more significant is its massive population density. China is one of the fastest-growing countries in the world. Its enormous and sprawling cities are already expanding into massive suburbs, and its almost perpetual development is taking place at a breathtaking speed. China is continuously changing, and thus, there is little scope for any historical exploration, much of which has been destroyed to give way to modernization.

The traditional historical tourist hotspots like The Great Wall, The Forbidden City, The Terracotta Statue Army, and Yangzi Gorges are still popular. Otherwise, strikingly modern infrastructure, lightning-fast rails, and open and cheap transport characterize most of the country. For a comfortably affordable budget, travelers can move across the country to witness its diversity on the fringes, although main cities like Shanghai are becoming more and more expensive by the day.

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3. India

A country of enormous dimensions, be it language, literature, culture, people, philosophy, traditions, customs, manners, cuisine and flavours, India is one of the most diverse and unique places on Earth. From the northern high reaches of the Himalayas to lush green tropical verdure of the Deccan and from Sunrise Point in Arunachal Pradesh to vast stretches of desert kingdom of Rajasthan, once ruled over by valiant Rajput warrior princes, in the West, the range of diversity in India is mind-boggling and scope of exploration and sightseeing is tremendous.

India has always been a pretty affordable country for visitors and one can move around, live and eat on pretty much an economical budget except of course if one wants to enjoy luxury. It is also the second-largest country in terms of population and the range of people across lifestyles, religions and location is amazing. Thus, there is a lot to learn and a lot to seek in India.

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4. Fiji

A stunning island of heavenly beauty, a place of great fun and adventure and a retreat of fun-loving, warm and welcoming people, Fiji is one of the most frequented and sought after destination for tourists from across the globe. Fiji experiences a favorable tropical climate throughout the year and with a good infrastructure already in place, a tourist can be laid back and enjoy, chilling and sunbathing on its exotic and spectacular beaches.

The scope for tremendous fun and adventure is always lying just around the corner where one can snorkel with dolphins, contemplate a boat ride or scuba dive into some of the most pristine coral reefs in the world. Home to a large Indian community, the capacity to indulge in affordable and delectable Indian cuisines is there along with hopping to some feet-tapping Bollywood numbers. Staying and exploration in Fiji is not very expensive, thus travelers can count it as one the economical tourist spots for a vacation.

5. Nicaragua

Nicaragua is the largest nation in Central America on the isthmus and is best known as the “Land of Volcanoes and Lakes”. The country is rich in panoramic, natural landscapes including impressive views of its mountains, pools, rainforests and volcanoes. These are its major tourist attractions.

However, the country faced challenging situations of civil revolution, and natural disasters in the past that destroyed much of its history. But its remaining fragile legacy of colonial architecture is slowly being restored. With a country gradually rising to increase tourism, it is one of the most affordable destinations in the world for discerning travelers.

6. Thailand

Vastly favored and most frequented destination for tourists in Asia, Thailand is a place of exotic landscapes, historical inheritance and friendly and cultured people. Thailand in just recent years was one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. A complicated mix of high skyscrapers and neon lights, shining Buddhist temples amongst the chaos in the cities to cool and vast rice paddies, rubber plantations, exquisite azure water, white sand beaches fishing communities etc. along the countryside characterizes the Thai country.

The other highlight of the country is of course the appetizing Thai cuisine punctuated with the relish of fresh and local ingredients. Living and transportation across the country is cheap thereby making it possible for travelers to plan an affordable vacation to this beautiful country for a pleasant experience.

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7. Guatemala

Guatemala was the site of the origin of the ancient rich and prosperous Maya culture. Today, this Central American nation is a complex society of a diverse range with deep and conspicuous influences of colonial traditions blending with modern Latin and North American culture. Guatemala, lying just south of Mexico on the isthmus is a place of rich natural, historical and cultural legacy.

There are churches exhibiting Spanish conquest located parallel to ancient temples of the bygone civilization while vast shopping complexes display growing 21st-century influences. The society follows an intricate mix of ancient rituals with catholic practices. Although the country is developing and large-scale poverty is visible, the locals are tourist-friendly and helpful.

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8. Cambodia

A country with stupendous historical and rural charms, Cambodia was once the seat of the mighty Khmer Empire with huge and majestic temples that are the central attraction for the country’s tourism. Cambodia had gone through many upheavals in the days gone by when the bloody and notorious Khmer Rouge regime massacred about two million of their people in an attempt to enforce their policies. But the country’s resilient population with their characteristic smile oversaw that period with fortitude.

It is the people’s warmth and friendliness which is perhaps Cambodia’s greatest asset. Besides, a tourist can relish in stunning landscapes like the Mekong River, Tonle Sap Lake, forested highlands of Rattanakiri and Cardamom mountains along with a declining colonial charm across the countryside. No wonder Cambodia features as one of the most affordable countries for budget travelers.

9. Nepal

A region of amazing diversity be it physical or cultural, Nepal is wedged tightly between Tibet and India and hosts a broad range of ethnically divergent people that speak a host of different languages. Until early 1990, Nepal was the world’s only absolute Hindu monarchy that accommodated adherents of different religions-from Hinduism to Tibetan Buddhism and from pantheism to shamanism. Since the country opened its gates to outsiders in 1950, it has become a hotspot tourist destination.

Scope for adventure and fun is aplenty. Adrenalin-pumping activities like mountain biking, kayaking, paragliding, trekking and rock climbing attract thousands of travellers every year. For visitors wanting a lazy vacation, there are a host of sightseeing options including some of the exotic Hindu and Buddhist temples and monasteries where a large number of international tourists flock. Accommodation, staying and sightseeing are quite affordable against dollars and one can have a memorable vacation at quite an economical price.

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10. Ukraine

A country’s people and their attitude towards outside travellers and guests is an important aspect of its popularity as a tourist destination and in this the Ukrainians score to be one of the most hospitable people in Europe. Ukraine is big and has diverse landscapes and a broad spectrum of cultural heritage. Moving across the country one may come across Gothic churches in Lviv or find Stalinist facades in Kyiv or Soviet skyscrapers pervaded all over.

One wanting to get their blood rolling may try out mountain biking in the Carpathians to water sports in various islands, besides bird watching in the Danube Delta and hiking in the country’s vast and dense forests. Travelers can find staying and living in the country to be quite cost-effective. With almost less than $50 a day and only a few dollars to tuck in a traditional meal, it is quite a good reason to visit this beautiful place.

11. Bolivia

Bolivia is a destination of breathtaking natural beauty and diversity across a range of landscapes. Whether it be the imposing peaks of the Andes or verdant rainforests and savannahs of the Amazon, towering volcanic summits or olden Inca trails, there is a wide and fertile stretch of terrain and climates. The country is equally varied across ethnic and cultural lines with almost 300 years of colonial rule leaving a deep impression on centuries-old indigenous traditions and rituals.

Although the country is vast, it is home to less than 10 million people and remaining off-radar for most of the travelers, remains quite uncharted and unexplored. The country is said to be the poorest in the whole South American continent, thus vacationing here is quite cheap and cost-effective. With a budget of fewer than 30 pounds a day, it’s quite a favoured tourist spot.

12. Indonesia

The country is vastly diverse and the archipelago consisting of about 17000 islands extends over 5200km across both the Asian and Australian continents. Indonesia is the fourth most populated country in the world with its 246 million inhabitants. However, the variety between these people, existing on geography as stunningly varied is mind-bogglingly diversified. The long-range of people, cultures, languages, and traditions is simply amazing.

Other than this, the country has some breathtaking views and the opportunity for thrill and adventure is astonishing. Tourists to Indonesia can guarantee to revel in thrilling sports like trekking, surfing, snorkelling or scuba diving or just chill around on a beach or resort pool. Indonesia is counted as one of the cheap destinations for travelers looking for a cost-effective vacation. For instance, in Bali, one can get accommodation for as low as $10 or even less. Thus, this stunning group of islands are never too far from the reach of travel enthusiasts.

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13. Bulgaria

Bulgaria has a wealth of gorgeous and breathtaking panoramic views, ideal for any traveller with a roaming and exploring spirit. The county has a mosaic of stunning mountain ranges, excellent beaches, a number of heritage historic towns, and numerous traditional villages across the countryside packed into its borders. With such a diverse landscape, there is a lot of opportunity for adventure and fun for hikers, mountaineers, wildlife enthusiasts and photographers to reveal their souls and relish to the hilt.

The elegant and well-maintained beaches are wonderful venues for relaxing, tanning and water sports, whereas beautiful orthodox churches and monasteries are a treat for laid-back visitors. Bulgaria is often called “Europe’s most affordable capital”, with a night stay in a four-star hotel costing less than $100 and a journey by cab amounting to about $1. Thus, one may plan a memorable vacation at a pretty affordable price in this European Zone.

14. Vietnam

With years of war and colossal damage, Vietnam is a country like a Sphinx, revived and resilient. Often tourists who visit there highlight the brilliant attitude of the people, their buoyant spirit and their jest for life. The people have a remarkable welcoming sentiment for tourists, even for those from Western countries. The country itself is full of superb sights such as the astonishing cave system in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, the beautiful views of limestone islands from Halong Bay or the mighty river draining at Mekong Delta etc.

In addition, the culinary delight in Vietnam is simply amazing and one of the best in Southeast Asia. As far as travelling to the country, Vietnam is an economical and affordable destination for travelers on a budget. For instance, transportation is pretty cheap whereas a simple meal may cost not more than $3. Although the country is growing at a rapid pace, still it is a reasonable place money-wise to plan a trip and hence features in our list of affordable countries for budget travelers.

15. Belarus

Belarus is conspicuously an isolated destination towards Eastern Europe, lying on its fringes, but it is only this isolation and remoteness wherein lies its appeal. The country has some really beautiful landscapes such as vast and picturesque cornflower fields, thickets of lush forests and sight of stunning villages in and across its countryside.

The central capital of Minsk, though having a strong Stalinist influence, has a pretty attractive charm with its trendy cafes, bars, excellent restaurants and nightclubs, although there is an absence of any historical sights. The people of the country are said to be genuinely warm and welcoming towards tourists and living and exploring the country is very light on purpose. Thus, Belarus is growing its status in tourist charts every year.

16. Portugal

Portugal is a land of spectacular views and fabulous cultural inheritance that has a unique attraction for any tourist planning a trip to Europe. Portugal has a vast and distinct landscape. There are beaches and high mountains, there are deep valleys and rolling hills with verdant green cover of oak and vineyards. Portugal was once the bitter competitor of Britain and other European seafaring powers to establish their dominance over sea routes.

That glory of yesteryear can be seen in its numerous buildings across the country. Its capital Lisbon is a buzzing town of diverse people, Manueline monuments and beautiful medieval alleyways. Visiting Portugal is not a very expensive affair. The country is very economical and diverse fun activities like trekking, wandering, and climbing can be affordable and so is transportation. Thus, it is quite an approachable country for budget travellers.

17. Laos

Laos is a small, extremely friendly and warm country filled with elegant old-world charm and a relaxed attitude. Landlocked between the borders of its more famous neighbours, Laos has a diverse mix of people. It also has beautiful landscapes- from lush green verdure of imposing high mountains to alluring beaches of the islands down south. With Buddhism as the major religion, there are a number of monasteries to be seen.

There are visible French colonial influences almost everywhere from markets to old shops, streets and alleys. Laos is generally covered as a part of a wider trip to the region. It is the fairly economical place and moving around is not heavy on budget. It’s also a good place to explore and look for. Thus, a visitor running short on tourist money may find this sleepy, serene country to be a reasonable destination.

18. Honduras

Although Honduras is usually in the news for all the wrong reasons, this mid-size, Central American nation is a wonderful destination for travelers touring on a budget. There are lot of attractions in Honduras to take the heart away – for instance, the beauty of the Bay Islands or the mesmerizing charm of the Lenca highlands.

Whether it’s the forest reserves of Moskitia or the ethereal Maya ruins of Copan, the sites to see, experience and explore in Honduras are many. Most of all, a number of fun and adventure sports and activities can be enjoyed at relatively much cheaper prices than anywhere else in Central America. The political instability in the country and the majority of people living under the poverty line are two of the serious drawbacks of this beautiful place, still, tourists have fond and cherished memories after spending a vacation in Honduras.

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19. Hungary

Hungary has a dazzling attraction, a kind of exotic pull drawing thousands of tourists every year to its wonderful and architecturally exquisite towns and their buildings. Located at the deep center of the European continent and surrounded by as famous and diverse countries as Serbia, Austria and Ukraine, the country has a stunning legacy of old Europe blended with a spread of communist-era tenacity.

The capital city Budapest is an elegant mix of the most picturesque structures, museums, parks and hot springs. There are fine restaurants, serving some of the most delectable dishes, Art Nouveau coffeehouses, fine Turkish Baths with hot springs and Buda hills and cool banks of the Danube River. Besides, there are other towns and cities carrying an equal charm with their natural, cultural and historical inheritance.

20. Sri Lanka

Cradled in the lap of the Indian Ocean and located just above the equator, Sri Lanka packs in tremendous attractions and natural beauty with its diverse geography, palm-fringed idyllic beaches, wildlife-rich jungles and extensively maintained tea and coffee plantations. Sri Lanka has a recorded history of about 2000 years and the country has some rich historical, religious and cultural sites such as the site of the oldest living tree in Anuradhapura.

Sri Lanka suffered under one of the greatest civil wars challenging its very unity and a number of other natural disasters that kept it off the list of many tourists. However, the war is now over and the country’s investment in tourism has made it a favourable place for vacation. It was named one of the most affordable destinations to visit in 2013 and the cost of transportation and other items is quite cheap, thus offering great incentives to tourists who are on budget travel.

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21. Greece

A country whose history spans more than 4000 years load in its bosom a heritage that spans from thrilling and exciting to simply awe-inspiring. Its historical wealth notwithstanding, Greece has some of the most beautiful and stunning sights which are enough to mesmerize your senses thoroughly.

Its intricate coastline with heavenly blue waters and white sand and its mountainous interiors with glorious white structures are scenes seemingly straight out of paradise. Greece has off late suffered a lot economically and stories of its debt crisis remained hot in the news. Thus, it sincerely wants to boost tourism in the country and may offer cheap opportunities for travelers to vacation and explore the country is concerned.

22. Argentina

Offering a lot of surprises, sights, cuisines, cultures and people is this enchanting and physically diverse South American nation. Argentina stretches across a range of natural surroundings- from the thoroughly dry Andrean Plateau to the wetlands of Litoral and from the exotic archipelago of Tierra del Fuego to the lush flatlands of Pampas and steppes of Patagonia. The country has a rich wildlife covering across the dimensions of the nation and preserved in various parks and reserves, offering a huge attraction for visitors.

The capital of Argentina, Buenos Aires, is one of the most fabulous places to visit. The atmosphere is simply magnetic and it’s great fun to spend some relaxing time wandering about, shopping or exploring its distinct and marvellous neighbourhood. Argentina has put itself in economic debt now and then, thus there is a huge scope for enjoying a budget vacation in this country. Besides, there can be other ways and means to save money especially travelling on a student ID, planning mission trips or living off in hostels by which a traveller can relish the distinct flavor of this country.

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Mayank Chawla

Born in New Delhi, India, Mayank grew up admiring, perceiving and then embracing the vastly complex, colorful and paradoxical nature of the Indian Society, which further led him to accommodate and appreciate the tremendous diversity of world. This admiration brought him to travel writing to share his thoughts and personal experiences with readers and travel enthusiasts at large to make them enjoy the wonderful beauty of the world as he sees it.