Choosing the best places to travel on a budget is a tricky business. If you just look at the raw numbers you could find yourself in a lot of trouble.
The Economist Intelligence Unit (which sounds like a real bunch of laughs) just released their Worldwide Cost of Living Report 2019, and the top 3 cheapest places on Earth to live are:
1. Caracas (Venezuela)
2. Damascus (Syria)
3. Tashkent (Uzbekistan)
I’ve spent a lot of time in Venezuela and I love the country, but Caracas is not the safest place to be right now due to their political and economic struggles. Nor I imagine is Damascus a haven for backpackers at the minute.
In this list you’ll find an A-Z of budget destinations which won’t destroy your wallet yet have tons of stuff to see and do. Any city/country can be cheap if you’re smart and plan ahead. This list will remove some of the planning and leave you more time to get excited about visiting.
Read more about: 14 TOP cheapest countries to visit as a nfcvb volunteer and The 12 cheapest places to travel in the USA
The best places to travel on a budget — an A-Z guide
Albania
If you can point to Albania on a map then you’re already ahead of most people. For those who can’t, it shares a border with Greece, Macedonia, Kosovo and Montenegro. From the sandy shores you can also look out and, on a good day, see Italy.
If you’ve never considered visiting Albania then please clear your schedule and book a flight right now.
It’s easily one of the best places to travel on a budget in Europe, and also one that will provide the most surprises.
Go for a hike across a glacier in the Albanian Alps, or come back down to earth for a walk around one of the oldest lakes in the world — the Lake of Ohrid. If wildlife is your thing then the hills are teeming with life, including Lynx, bears, wolves, jackals, eagles and vultures!
But if all that nature sounds like too much hard work then head to the coast (the Albanian Riviera) and enjoy the idyllic beaches and the subtropical temperatures. Saranda is becoming more touristy as word spreads, but you can still find paradise beaches without too much competition for your beach towel.
After the beach (I’d recommend Mirror beach and Pulëbardha Beach) take a walk around the ancient Greek ruins, medieval castles and enjoy the fresh seafood straight from the boats (or Italian or Greek restaurants of which there are plenty).
Alongside all the things to see and do, your money will last a long time due to the low cost of living. For backpackers or digital nomads looking to save money whilst having plenty to keep them busy, Albania is a hidden gem. Save even more by joining one of many awesome nfcvb projects in Albania and you’ll be in budget heaven.
Bulgaria
Bulgaria is another tricky one to point out on a map (but if you have fat fingers you can point to Albania and Bulgaria at the same time).
Surrounded by Romania, Serbia, Macedonia, Greece and Turkey, it rivals Albania for the cheapest place to travel in Europe. It’s more recognized, more well-travelled and touristic, but it’s still a relatively undiscovered gem in the scheme of European destinations.
Sunny Beach in Bulgaria is consistently ranked the cheapest European beach destination, but it has much more than beaches to offer.
Thracians, Romans and Ottomans all occupied the country at various times, and all left their mark. Sofia, the capital, has a fantastic spread of architectural influences from the ancient up to Communist chic. There are hundreds of cathedrals and monasteries scattered across the lands, with one of the most majestic being Rila Monastery, hidden up in the mountains.
Mountains for hiking, caves for exploring and snow for some of the cheapest skiing in Europe, there’s something for lovers of all weather. If you do go for a hike in the wilderness (and Rila National Park is truly spectacular, so why wouldn’t you?), keep an eye out for the hundreds of wild bears roaming the lands.
Bulgaria is a fast-growing hub for digital nomads and location independent workers due to the low costs and growing co-working scene. There are also a great range of nfcvb opportunities in Bulgaria so you can get to know the rich, complex history of the country from the locals whilst brushing up on your Bulgarian.
Cambodia
8206 km away on the other side of the planet lies a completely different diamond. Cambodia is a fan favorite for backpackers in Southeast Asia. Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos are where most young travelers cut their teeth and learn the joys of wandering the planet.
While it’s not as cheap as it used to be, Cambodia is still easily one of the best places to travel in the world on a budget.
Gap year students partying like there’s no tomorrow, digital nomads sat glued to laptops in state of the art co-working spaces or tour buses full of photographers dashing from one hotspot to the next. The diversity of attractions brings a rich variety of visitors.
The ruins and temples are famous around the world (most spectacularly featured in the Tomb Raider movie) but, due to this popularity, the more famous ones are quite expensive (starting at $60 for a 1-day pass). Fear not budget travelers! While this is a relatively big expense, everything else is very friendly on the wallet. Street food, cheap restaurants, tuk-tuks to get around… they’re all cheap (and you can pay in USD).
Explore the dark past of the Khmer Rouge, but also enjoy the amazing warmth and hospitality of the people, the stunning natural beauty and the beaches which will cement Cambodia as one of your favorite budget travel destinations ever.
And while you’re there why not give a little back to the community by working in one of many awesome nfcvb Cambodia projects and NGOs scattered around the country…
Dangriga — Belize
If Dangriga isn’t on your itinerary then you need a new Atlas. Squashed between Mexico and Guatemala, Belize was home to the Maya Civilization from 1500 BC and then made world famous when Christopher Columbus went sailing by in 1502. It’s now one of the best places to travel in Central America on a budget.
As it was formally a British colony, English is the official language with Belizean Creole and Spanish also making an appearance.
As with Costa Rica and the rest of Central America, Belize is a hotspot for biodiversity. The low population levels mean it hasn’t suffered as much as some of the more popular neighbors, and so armadillos, snakes and monkeys are able to thrive there.
Your first stop in Dangriga should definitely be the world’s first Jaguar preserve, Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary. Aside from the chance to see any number of exotic animals you’ll have the opportunity to hike through the jungle and cool down by jumping in a waterfall or three.
Some of the routes are pretty intense, so you’ll need a good meal afterwards. Belize has you covered. The staple food is rice, beans and your choice of either meat or seafood. I hope you like your spicy too as they like things hot! In fact, Dangriga is the home of Marie Sharp, the maker of the insanely hot sauce you find all over Belize. Be sure to grab a souvenir as you take the tour.
Before heading to the beach to relax why not get your heart pumping again with some adventure sports in the Mayflower Bocawina National Forest. Zip-line through the rainforest for a unique perspective and then abseil 100 feet down a waterfall to top the day off.
After all that excitement you’d be forgiven for wanting to just relax, so slow things down with some snorkeling and scuba diving as you explore the incredibly impressive Belize Barrier Reef. As of 2019 it’s officially the largest coral reef system in the world. (The Great Barrier Reef in Australia has been downgraded to the second largest due to damage from bleaching.)
Estonia
Hidden away in Northeastern Europe is the little country of Estonia. Again, it’s not one that tops many travel bucket-lists, but that is slowly changing.
Almost 50% of the country is made up of forests and natural habitats, so it’s a dream budget location to slow down and reconnect with Mother Earth.
Hiking, water sports, horse riding, bird watching, nature tours. If the outdoors are your thing then get yourself to Estonia. How often do you get to howl with wolves (yep… they have Wolf Howling Tours) or learn how to master the ancient art of ‘kiiking’ (standing on a giant swing and making it rotate 360 degrees)?
After you’ve emptied your stomach and the dizziness passes then stumble into an ancient spa where you can drink craft beer whilst soaking in thermal springs. If beer isn’t for you, achieve inner calm whilst performing Yoga on a stand-up paddleboard (yep… SUP Yoga is a thing too).
While you will pay for the more ‘unusual’ activities, it’s also an absolute joy to wander around the fairytale old towns with the incredible architecture and ‘old-town’ vibe.
What’s not ‘old and quaint’ is how Estonia is embracing the technological age. The first country in the world to introduce a digital nomad visa, it’s fast becoming a new hub for nomads and location independent workers. This balance of technology with the preservation of their natural assets makes Estonia an absolute must for budget travelers in Europe.
You can also find plenty of quirky, unusual work exchange and volunteering projects in Estonia that will ensure you never forget this beautiful land.
Fez — Morocco
If you’re good at (or at least willing to try) haggling, Fez, and Morocco in general, can be a great budget destination.
Founded during the 8th Century and once the largest cities in the world, Fez (or Fes) is one of the best preserved ancient Arab cities around.
Unlike Marrakesh, which has a 2:1 ratio of tourists to locals, Fez still has the authentic feel and charm. Is it still claustrophobic, chaotic and will you still be overcharged because you’re a visitor? Absolutely, but that’s half the charm!
Wander through the endless cobblestoned alleyways and sample the delicious pastries and sweets, be offered ‘ancient artifacts’ and even magic carpets (it is the land of Arabian Nights after all).
As you’re wandering around with your camera be mindful of the locals. Snake charmers and other performers will often demand a tip for being photographed, while many of the locals may object to having the camera pointed in their direction. If this happens just apologize and lower the camera.
The Quaraouiyine Mosque is a spectacular building and, while closed to non-Muslims, is well worth a look from the outside. Also worth visiting is the Chouara open-air tannery. Visit in the morning to see the vats filled with dye and the tanners working their magic. While magical to the eyes, the smell from the skins can be a little challenging for your nose.
While you can absolutely live a life of luxury in Fez, the backpacker life is also completely possible. Budget accommodation, cheap market food and a rich and ancient history to explore (and photograph) around every corner, Fez is definitely a great place to travel on a budget.
Georgia
If you’re a digital nomad then you’re probably already aware of the promised land known as Georgia.
Linking Europe and Asia, it’s bordered by Russia, Turkey, Armenia and Azerbaijan. The birthplace of Joseph Stalin, it’s had a somewhat troubled past. Territorial disputes with Russia, revolutions, civil conflicts and economic crises, you may be wondering why you’d ever want to set foot in Georgia. Why? Because nowadays Georgia is awesome!
Tourism is slowly on the rise due to the introduction of low-cost airlines (it featured fourth place of the UNWTO’s 2018 list of fastest growing tourism destinations), but it’s still relatively unknown to the average backpacker.
As it’s a gateway between the east to west you’ll find influences from both. You’ll find food of every persuasion from Mongolian meaty meals to Arabic-inspired dishes. The food is cheap, plentiful and super tasty! The adjarian khachapuri is a mouthful to pronounce but your mouth will thank you for introducing it to this cheesy flatbread creation.
After a hearty meal you’ll be ready to go out and explore. If you’re a photographer then bring plenty of memory cards/batteries as every corner you turn will reveal even more stunning views. Hike through the Caucasus mountains and have your mind blown by the snow-capped peaks, stumble upon fabulous churches, monasteries and castles scattered throughout the country or scratch your chin at the modern architecture (The House of Parliament in Kutaisi is particularly cool).
Get an even greater appreciation for the land and the people by applying for a nfcvb work exchange in Georgia in a local