Pocket Friendly Destinations That Offer An Outsized Experience In 2019

With the New Year comes the new travel goals!

And if you are not sure where to travel to this year due to a tight budget, then worry no more. Here are the top 5 best budget travel destinations you should definitely add to your bucket list for a fantastic experience in 2019!

Indonesia

Picturesque jungles and rice paddy scenes, white sand, and crystal clear beaches, world-class surfing and known as one of the best scuba diving destinations in the world, Indonesia is without a doubt one of the best countries on Earth.

Indonesia is probably one of the most affordable countries that we can think of. $1 will get you around 14,500 rupiahs! This country offers incredible value for transport, food, and accommodation. Heck, you can even get a beautiful guest house room, usually set in pooled villas, for just $20 per night!

Eat delicious seafood as well as millennial classics such as “smashed avo on toast” for just $3. If you need to get around, renting a motorbike here will only cost you a couple of dollars every day, with cars at about $15 per day.

Cuba

If you are looking for a budget-friendly destination to visit in the great Caribbean, then Cuba should be at the top of your list. You can opt for an all-inclusive package, but keep in mind that choosing to travel independently, will ensure a far richer experience while costing less.

Pristine beaches, tasty cooking, a unique Spanish and Caribbean vibe, friendly people and awesome landscapes, makes Cuba an awesomely diverse country that you will surely love to explore!

Currency in Cuba includes the CUP or the CUC. Generally, you will use the CUC for scooter and car rentals, activities, and adventures, beers, Viazul bus, food at restaurants and accommodation. Cup is used on smaller items such as veg and fruits from local vendors, some peso food shops and the local bus. $1 here can be exchanged for 1 CUC or 25 CUP.

Casa (self-catering accommodation) here costs around $20 - $30 per night for 2 people which oftentimes includes breakfast. Hotels cost at least $25 per night. The cost of food in Cuban restaurants will largely depend on the city you are in. However, in general, you should budget to spend about $5 - $10 for a filling meal! Now, if you choose “peso food” then you can easily spend only $1 for a small meal.

Activities are also fairly cheap here with wandering and chilling out on stunning beaches costing you nothing. Horseback riding, cave and museum visits, as well as other activities can cost between $5 - $30.

South Africa

Probably one of the most naturally-blessed and adventure-packed destinations in the world, this list just wouldn’t be complete without South Africa. This country offers you so much that visiting even an entire month is not enough!

With friendly people, tasty food, a great diversity of wildlife, rugged coastline, rich culture, and affordable prices, nothing really beats SA. Here you can even try extreme adventures like great white shark cage diving or experience wildlife adventures such as seal snorkeling, safaris and more!

Because it is still a developing country, SA is super cheap! Currency exchange here is also affordable and you can hire a car for a small amount of $20 per day with insurance. You can expect to pay around $40 per night for amazing double rooms and just $7 per meal. to some of its amazing national parks will only set you back $10!

Colombia

Incredibly lush jungles, friendly people, breathtaking beaches, and stunning Spanish colonial cities, Colombia is a traveler’s dream! The Colombian currency saw a huge drop in recent years which is not good for the local economy or Colombians who want to travel. But, it does give budget travelers an extra push to visit this amazing country.

Eating delicious seafood meals will cost you a few dollars and staying in a stunning Spanish-style guest house will only cost around $30 per night. Enjoy scuba diving in the Caribbean for as low as $24 per dive.

Thailand

We just had to include the land of smiles on this list! Thailand has always been a favorite and it is the place where budget backpackers love to return to!

Thailand offers numerous types of places— whether you want islands, cities, jungles or National Parks, Thailand has it all!

Stunning guest houses and beach huts come for as little as $15 per night. Scuba diving never costs more than $20, while mouthwatering and spicy Thai dishes can be enjoyed for less than $2 a plate!