Discover six budget-friendly destinations perfect for your next adventure! Uncover hidden gems, affordable stays, and thrilling experiences that won’t break the bank. Read more!
You can visit Cambodia, South Korea, Peru, Portugal, South Africa, and Nepal without spending too much money. Depending on where you start, some might be closer or farther. I picked these places to help you think about where you might want to go on a budget.
Now, let’s take a closer look at each of these countries!
1. Cambodia
If you’re thinking of going to Southeast Asia, Cambodia is a place you definitely should see.
Seeing the Angkor temples near Siem Reap might be the priciest thing you do on your trip. These tall and amazing buildings are sure to amaze you. You can buy tickets for one day for $37 or three days for $62.
Cambodia went through hard times with the Khmer Rouge in the 1970s, but now it’s doing better. If you think about it, the money you spend on a three-day ticket to see the temples could buy you around 30 meals, 120 beers, or over a week’s stay in Cambodia.
- Budget hostels: $5-$10
- Street food: ~$2
- Beer: 50 cents
- Tuk tuk around Siem Reap: $2
In Cambodia, fun things that don’t cost much include riding bikes around nearby villages, relaxing on Otres Beach with a cheap massage, and shopping at the night markets. Everywhere you go, you’ll see friendly Khmer people smiling.
2. South Korea
After the war in the 1950s, Korea changed a lot and is now doing really well. It’s famous for K-Pop, with lots of music and colorful lights everywhere, especially in big cities like Seoul.
One important place to visit is the Korean Demilitarized Zone, or DMZ. You can pay $35 to go there and find out about this important, and sometimes debated, place.
In Seoul, you can use free Wi-Fi everywhere, and there are free places to exercise by the river. The public bathrooms are super clean, and you can buy funny T-shirts with English words for only a little bit of money.
- Budget Hostels: $10-$15 — or camp on a beach for free!
- Street food/local fast food: $1-$4
- Sit down meal for two: $18 — with loads of side dishes to add to your meal
- Beer: $2-$4
- Bus or subway: $1.25
In Korea, you can see the old Gyeongbokgung Palace for just $3. At Gwangjang Market, there’s lots to see and eat. In Gyeongju, the cherry blossoms are beautiful in spring. At Haeundae Beach, you can drink soju and watch children having fun with fireworks.
Korea has really great public transportation that can take you all over the country without spending much money. You might find yourself loving this cute place where people really like taking selfies and eating kimchi.
3. Nation of Peru
Peru has these tall Andes Mountains that make you feel like you’re up in the sky. You should definitely visit Machu Picchu, which the Incas built a long time ago.
It’s a really special place because it’s up on a mountain. It’s one of the Seven Wonders of the World, so lots of people go there. It costs $47 to get in, but it’s better than just looking at pictures online. Try to skip the group tours to save some money.
- Budget Hostels: $6-$12
- Food: $3-$4
- Alcohol: $2-$3
- Bus: 50 cents
In Peru, there are lots of fun things to do that don’t cost much. You can visit free museums, take a $10 tour of the floating islands on Lake Titicaca, or hike up Rainbow Mountain, which costs only $3 to enter. There are also free walking tours you can enjoy in Lima. It’s a great way to learn about the culture from someone who lives there.
In Cusco, you’ll feel like you’re living in the clouds because it’s really high up, over 11,000 feet! It’s a special place where you can see amazing things and feel like you’re on top of the world.
Peru might seem like a pricey place in South America, but it actually depends on how you choose to explore it.
4. Nation of Portugal
Portugal is a special place where you can have lots of fun without spending too much money. It feels like Europe but isn’t too expensive. With its beaches, nice weather, and tasty food, you’ll really like it there.
Porto is a town you shouldn’t miss. You can swim in the beachside pools at Leça Da Palmeira, wander through the Lello and Irmão bookstore, and be amazed by the great buildings all around the city.
- Budget Hostels: $15
- Food: $9
- Alcohol: $2
- Bus, tram, metro: $1.25 or walk!
In Portugal, you can enjoy tasty Portuguese barbecue, explore free museums, and drink cheap cappuccinos while listening to the special Fado music at a café.
Europe might seem a bit scary or too costly, but Portugal is quite friendly and you can explore it without spending too much money! Even though Lisbon costs a bit more, it’s still a fun city to visit.
5. Nation of South Africa
Visiting South Africa when it’s not busy is a smart way to save money. You can enjoy a braai, which is like South African barbecue, and everything is quite cheap. The South African Rand, their money, isn’t worth as much now, so you get more for your money when you exchange it.
With all the big and important stories in its past, you can learn a lot in South Africa. You can take a boat to Robben Island for around $20. This is where Nelson Mandela, a famous leader, was kept in prison for many years.
Some people might not like visiting a prison, and that’s okay. There are lots of other fun and low-cost things to do in South Africa.
- Budget Hostels: $12-$20
- Cheap meals: $8
- Alcohol: $2.50
- Transportation: $1 by bus or it is common to use uber
You can do lots of fun things in South Africa without spending too much money. You can hike up Table Mountain, snap some cool photos in the colorful Bo Kaap neighborhood, and wander around the beautiful Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens.
If a safari is too expensive, you can head to the beach to watch whales from June to November, or see penguins having fun at Boulders Beach. South Africa is a large place—choose one city to explore. Whether it’s the mountains and beaches of Cape Town, the seaside of Durban, or the bustling life in Jozi, you’ll enjoy tasty bobotie.
6. The Country of Nepal
Explore the land of the Himalayas. Climbing the world’s tallest mountains doesn’t need to break the bank. Guided trips to Everest Base Camp can be costly, but you can plan your adventure on your own. By getting your own permits, which cost only $20-$30 depending on the path you choose, you can make the journey affordable.
Going with a guide on your Everest Base Camp trek is fun, but doing it alone can save you a lot of money. When you get there, you’ll meet kind locals who can help and give you a place to stay.
- Budget Hostels in the Kathmandu: $4-$5
- Tea houses on a trek: $1-$2
- Food: $2
- Beer: $1.50-3.50
- Motorbike or taxi: 20 cents – $1
If climbing up to Everest Base Camp seems too hard, there’s still lots of exciting stuff to do in Nepal. Close to the capital city, Kathmandu, you can find fun things that don’t cost much. You might notice many buildings being fixed because of a big earthquake in 2015. You definitely should visit Bhaktapur and Patan, which are old and interesting places near Kathmandu.
Nepal is a friendly place, still healing from a big, scary earthquake. Going there, you’ll understand more about how some people live with less. Even if you don’t have a lot of money, being a tourist helps them a lot.
It doesn’t matter if you like nature, sandy beaches, or bustling cities, you can still travel without spending a lot of money. Just look for fun things that don’t cost too much and skip the expensive hotels, and you’ll have an easy time
Go easy on drinking, try the local meals, and use buses or trains to get around as much as you can. Visiting museums and joining free tours will show you the real culture, something you won’t see at a big, fancy hotel.
Want to Explore More?
Take a look at your passport and start thinking about all the places you can go without spending too much money!
You might like to read: 5 Simple Tips for Traveling Alone Without Spending Much Money.
