When you’re ready to plan a big trip, you may feel the urge to go big—until you see the price tags and decide to put off that big trip you’ve been dreaming of. However, there are ways to go big with your travels without making a big dent in your bank account.
In this vast world of ours, plenty of amazing destinations make the perfect getaway. But because they’re not the typical mainstays, they tend to cost much less. Here are some budget-friendly exotic getaways that will provide you and your wallet some much-needed peace of mind.
1. Cartagena, Colombia
Though the secret about Colombia’s status as a budget traveler’s paradise may be out, the magical Caribbean port city of Cartagena de Indias continues to wow travelers.
With its colonial-era walled city, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the more avant-garde and boho-chic neighborhood of Getsemani, and its many tasty markets and restaurants, this destination will surely blow you away. And despite its burgeoning popularity, Cartagena still provides great value for frugal travelers.
2. Goa, India
Tucked in the heart of India’s western coast, the tiny state of Goa is the place for big adventures. Come for the lush, tropical beaches with clean gold and white sands and the sparkling blue Arabian Sea, and stay for the captivating waterfalls, forests, cathedrals, and temples. Despite its immense offerings, a Goa getaway will likely cost much less than a similar trip to better-known off-coast destinations like The Maldives.
3. Franschhoek, South Africa
For the ultimate wine country getaway that will leave ample room in your budget to enjoy plenty of wine, consider an escape to Franschhoek—a lovely town in the Western Cape about an hour away from Cape Town. Their hotels and restaurants tend to be much cheaper than similar offerings in places like Bordeaux and Tuscany, allowing you to explore a number of world-class wineries that make similarly impressive wines.
4. Chiang Mai, Thailand
Overall, Thailand has become a favorite of frequent Southeast Asian travelers for its affordability and wealth of opportunities for adventure. For an even more adventurous and affordable Thai getaway, try the northern mountain province of Chiang Mai for breathtaking mountain scenery, august temples, intricately beautiful local arts and crafts, and delectable local cuisine.
5. Crete, Greece
When travelers make their way to Greece, they often crowd onto popular islands like Mykonos and Santorini, which have become quite expensive. What most travelers don’t realize is that farther south in the Aegean Sea, Crete offers plenty of incredible food and wine, pink sand beaches, scenic mountain trails, and warm and sunny weather without the huge crowds and price tags.
6. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Zanzibar may be the more famous Tanzanian destination for beautiful beaches and rich culture but don’t sleep in the nation’s largest city. In fact, you can even find beachside hotels and resorts in Dar es Salaam that offer the gorgeous Indian Ocean coastline you crave alongside the many cultural offerings of this thriving East African metropolis. Even better, Dar es Salaam’s hotels always cost less.
7. Bocas del Toro, Panamá
Don’t go to Bocas del Toro looking for the typical Caribbean resort experience—go for the Caribbean Sea’s perhaps most surfable waves, exhilarating island-hopping expeditions, amazing wildlife (such as sloths and starfish) in its natural habitat, and relaxing days at some of the Caribbean’s most pristine beaches. Though the weather is often wet year-round, these islands tend to stay hurricane-free, and they’re always quite budget-friendly.
8. Marmaris, Turkey
Even as Turkey becomes an ever-popular tourist hub, the coastal town of Marmaris still offers incredible bargains, including a wide array of hotel rooms for under $100 per night. You can also score great deals when booking activities like boat tours, snorkeling excursions, safaris, and much more. Beyond the beaches, Marmaris also has a stunning historic castle, a grand bazaar, and the wonderful wilderness of Marmaris National Park.
9. Curaçao, Dutch Caribbean, Netherlands
Usually, when travelers reach this corner of the Caribbean, they beeline to Aruba for its expansive resorts. For a different kind of Caribbean vacation, try the nearby island of Curaçao for its rugged landscapes, pristine beaches, and the charming city of Willemstad, which abounds with colorful scenery and cool culture. Hotels and resorts are usually cheaper here, and you can save even more money by opting for smaller hotels over name-brand resorts.
10. Siem Riep, Cambodia
You’ve probably already heard of Siem Riep’s most famous attraction, and the majestic Hindu-Buddhist temples of Angkor Wat are absolutely worth the trip. But while you’re there, you might as well also taste for yourself why Siem Riep is quickly emerging as a delicious foodie hub, and you can often splurge on luxury hotels like the Jaya House River Park for under $150 per night.
11. La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico
In recent years, Los Cabos has exploded in popularity. In turn, that’s also made it a much more expensive destination. For a more affordable trip that will also provide many more authentically Mexican and Baja experiences, try heading north to La Paz (including the oceanfront village of Todos Santos) for amazing beaches, incredible restaurants, unique local culture, and so much more.
12. Menorca, Spain
Menorca may not be the most famous of Spain’s Balearic Islands, but it may be the most naturally beautiful. This UNESCO Biosphere Reserve sports some of the Western Mediterranean’s most pristine beaches and most extensive hike and bike trails. Hotels and restaurants also tend to cost much less here than in Mallorca and Ibiza, so Menorca can help you save your money and your patience.
13. Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia
Bali’s another place that’s become quite popular over the years, but the town of Denpasar still makes a great, affordable alternative to more famous cities like Ubud. Not only will you discover picturesque white sand beaches, fascinating history, and authentic local culture, but you can also find four-star (and, occasionally, even five-star) hotels in town for under $100 per night.
14. Tamarindo, Costa Rica
Even though Costa Rica has become a popular Central American destination, the Pacific Coast town of Tamarindo still offers immense value for adventurous travelers. Not only can you find beachfront lodging for as cheap as $150 per night, but you can also discover picturesque beaches, perfect waves for surfing, awe-inspiring mountains and volcanoes, and pulsing nightlife.
15. Riga, Latvia
Thanks to its charming neighborhoods that range from its beautifully preserved medieval Old Town to its ornate Art Nouveau city blocks, Riga is often called the “Paris of the North.” Here, you will find plenty of the sophistication and culture that travelers seek out in Western Europe—but often at a fraction of the cost of more famous cities like Berlin, Paris, and Rome.
16. Phú Quốc, Vietnam
Located off the coast of Cambodia, the Vietnamese island of Phú Quốc looks and feels like the stuff of your wildest and most imaginative dreams: think white sand beaches, turquoise waters, thriving coral reefs, verdant rainforests, tranquil fishing villages, and fantastic local food. Even if you opt for one of the island’s more luxurious resorts, you can still score some unbelievably affordable deals.
17. Sarandë, Albania
Sarandë (or Saranda) is often labeled the unofficial capital of the Albanian Riviera due to its easy access to cultural treasures like the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Butrint and to stunning beaches on the deep blue waters of the Ionian Sea. The city itself also has plenty of features to keep you intrigued, and it’s possible to find fantastic lodging for under $100 per night.
18. Quito, Ecuador
Quito may be the single highest altitude capital city in South America, yet this Ecuadorian crown jewel sports food and lodging rates for a bargain alongside Baroque and neo-Gothic cathedrals, remarkable indigenous history and culture, bold and colorful street art, and even a red line marking the Equator. Where else could you see and do all of this?
19. San Pedro, Belize
With a growing list of airlines offering direct flights to and from the US, Belize is easier than ever for American travelers to reach.
On the island of Ambergris Caye, you will find San Pedro, a one-time sleepy fishing village that has since become a prime destination for snorkeling, diving, beach-hopping, artisan crafts, and chocolate. Not only is San Pedro a gorgeous coastal destination, but it also tends to be much cheaper than Mexico’s Riviera Maya to the north.
20. Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Even when you factor in the Dominican Republic’s growing popularity among Caribbean travelers, the resort town of Punta Cana still offers a whole lot of bang for your buck. Punta Cana abounds in high-end and all-inclusive coastal resorts with plenty of white sand beaches, festive pools, yummy restaurants, and popping nightclubs for you to enjoy, yet it’s still very possible to score rooms for under $200 per night.
Big Adventure Doesn’t Always Have to Equal Big Expense
While travel doesn’t always come cheap, it doesn’t always have to break the bank, either. If you’re willing to ditch the usual mainstays and try somewhere new, you can do more during your trip while spending less of your hard-earned money.
Yes, you can even hit the beach, climb the mountains, roam the country, explore the city, and experience more of the world. If you know where to go, you absolutely can go big and not feel forced to stay at home.