It may come as a surprise to Americans who still worry about rising prices at home, but the U.S. dollar is once again one of the world’s strongest currencies, thanks to the U.S. economy’s robust growth and ongoing overperformance above other top global economies.
Because the U.S. dollar is so strong, it stretches pretty far worldwide. Here are some countries worldwide where the strong U.S. dollar brings bountiful bargains. At least a few of these countries may surprise you!
1. Chile
As the Chilean peso hits record lows against the U.S. dollar, this famously long South American nation offers bountiful bangs for your buck. The capital city of Santiago abounds in unique and chic art galleries, restaurants, bars, and cafes, and the southern Patagonia region is full of breathtaking natural scenery.
In addition, northern Chile has amazing coastal cities like Arica and astounding natural wonders like Lauca National Park that may hold some of the world’s finest hidden gems.
2. South Korea
With the South Korean won trading near Great Recession-era lows against the U.S. dollar, now may be the ideal time to book a trip to this dynamic and fascinating country. Not only is Seoul quickly transforming into one of East Asia’s hippest cities, but the lesser-known city of Mokpo has incredible mountain forests and delectable local cuisine worth exploring. Meanwhile, the coastal city of Busan has gorgeous beaches and an amazing local arts scene.
3. Australia
For over a decade, the Australian dollar has mostly trended downward against the U.S. dollar. If you have a larger travel budget, you can put your dollars to work in the Land Down Under. Though you’ll still probably have to pay a premium for food and lodging in the famously expensive cities of Sydney and Melbourne, it won’t be as pricey. Try more underrated cities like Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth for more bargains.
4. Colombia
Anyone plugged into the budget travel scene knows Colombia regularly offers mind-blowing bargains and value. Even popular destinations like Bogotá, Cartagena, and Medellín have plentiful options for cheap lodging and food, and lesser-known cities like Barranquilla and Santa Marta provide the ultimate Caribbean tropical paradise for budget-minded travelers.
5. Spain
Believe it or not, the euro (the currency shared by 20 European Union member nations) remains near a five-year low. As a result, Europe offers way more bargains to U.S. travelers than we’re accustomed to seeing.
Spain may offer the Eurozone’s best bargains, as prices for food and entertainment are particularly affordable, and amazing destinations like Madrid, Barcelona, Andalucía, and the Canary Islands are well within reach.
6. Egypt
With the Egyptian Pound hovering near record lows, this may be the best time for anyone dreaming of Great Pyramids and coastal resorts to book their dream vacations to Egypt. The capital city of Cairo always offers terrific value for budget-conscious travelers, but you may even have the chance to score incredible deals on posh Red Sea resorts in the beach town of Sharm El Sheikh.
7. Madagascar
Even without factoring in the exchange rate, Madagascar offers tremendous value to travelers who want tropical beach escapes and unique safari excursions but don’t want to pay the higher prices found elsewhere. Considering that the Malagasy Ariary is near a record low against the U.S. dollar, this might be the perfect time to book your vacation to this picture-perfect island paradise.
8. United Kingdom (U.K.)
Here’s another shocker: While the British Pound recovered some value in 2023, it remains near historically low levels against the U.S. dollar due to Brexit-induced turbulence and additional economic challenges. So, if you want to see the White Cliffs of Dover, the soaring skyscrapers of London, or the historic charm of Edinburgh, now is a great time to plan your great escape to Great Britain.
9. Japan
Japan is another country of surprising value, given its historically high lodging and food costs. But with the Japanese yen hovering around 20-year lows against the U.S. dollar, this may be as great a time as ever to book your Japanese dream vacation. You should still expect to pay some premium to stay and play in Tokyo, but your dollars will likely go further in more underrated places like Kyoto and Gifu.
10. Nepal
Nepal has always been an affordable destination for U.S. travelers. But with the Nepalese rupee near record lows against the U.S. dollar, it’s possible to soar to new heights in this Himalayan nation with an astonishingly low travel budget. You can sign up for an epic Everest expedition (if that’s your thing) and dig into the rich local cultural scene in cities like Bhaktapur and Kathmandu.
11. South Africa
Whether you prefer adventurous safaris in the country, unique urban cultural experiences in Johannesburg, or a relaxing escape to wine country in the Western Cape, South Africa has much to offer travelers who want to venture beyond the ordinary. Since the U.S. dollar is pretty much as strong as ever against the South African rand, bargains continue to abound throughout this beautiful nation.
12. Vietnam
For years, Vietnam was a best-kept secret for seasoned international travelers. But now, the secret is out: Coastal regions like Phú Quốc and Ninh Van Bay are picture-perfect for beach vacations, and the city of Hanoi overflows with romantic beauty. Despite the growing popularity, Vietnam still has a lot of remarkable bargains that are yet to be discovered (so go soon!).
13. Brazil
Brazil is another Latin American country whose currency (the real) remains near historic lows against the U.S. dollar. So, this may be the time to book that bucket list trip to Rio de Janeiro and its world-famous beaches, or perhaps São Paulo, which is experiencing an epic urban renaissance with restaurants, galleries, museums, and bars that are absolutely worth the trip.
14. Malaysia
Like most of the rest of Southeast Asia, the U.S. dollar goes far in Malaysia, and that’s truer than ever today, with the Malaysian rupee near record lows against the U.S. dollar.
Even luxury hotels and high-end restaurants don’t cost as much here as they would in more expensive countries, so you can really keep your costs down by enjoying the country’s most famous features, such as the beaches that are free to visit and the tasty street food that’s always very cheap.
15. Mongolia
If you like unique adventures, you may love Mongolia thanks to its marvelous natural scenery and exhilarating adventure camps. It’s now more open to U.S. travelers than ever with the advent of direct U.S.–Mongolia flights and visa-free travel. It’s also likely the most affordable country in East Asia, so your dollars always tend to stretch as far as Mongolia’s vast landscapes.
16. Mexico
Usually, we’d rank Mexico higher because it always offers great value to travelers seeking top-notch accommodations and dining at bottom-of-the-barrel prices, but the Mexican peso’s recent rally has resulted in somewhat higher prices for U.S. travelers. Prices might seem particularly high in tourism hotspots like Cancún, Mexico City, and Los Cabos, but overall, bargains still abound throughout this spectacular country.
17. Costa Rica
Like Mexico, Costa Rica is a Latin American nation with a currency (the colón) that holds near record highs against the U.S. dollar. Yet, like Mexico, Costa Rica still provides great value for the dollars you spend here. Best of all, its phenomenal natural parks and open spaces remain free for all to enjoy, so you can still climb incredible mountains and surf gnarly beaches on the cheap.
18. Indonesia
Though the Indonesian rupiah has recently stabilized its position against the U.S. dollar, this massive island nation remains a tremendous value destination for international travelers. Yes, Bali is becoming more expensive as it gains popularity, but nearby islands like Lombok and Sumba are just as beautiful and offer many more bargains. If you’re into urban exploring, Jakarta is an underrated cultural and foodie treasure chest.
19. Albania
Since 2022, the Albanian lek has been rallying against the U.S. dollar. Despite this, Albania remains one of Europe’s cheapest countries for international travelers. From fascinating museums and public art in the capital city of Tirana to the phenomenal beaches of Ksamil and the charming mountain village of Theth, Albania also has many of Europe’s finest hidden gems awaiting your discovery.
20. Sri Lanka
Though the Sri Lanka rupee enjoyed a comeback in 2023, it’s still not far from record lows, so U.S. travelers continue to benefit from a favorable exchange rate. Sri Lanka also offers marvelous beaches, sacred temples, enchanting tea plantations, and colorful cities where it’s pretty easy to do a lot without spending a lot.
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