Where would you go - cheap international locations?

[Deleted]

I'm feeling a bit of wanderlust right now. I don't know when it could happen (finances) but I'd love to start dreaming about a neat place to visit sometime in 2015.

I'd love to go to some less popular, far flung place in the world. I'm thinking something like one of the less expensive Asian places to visit (Thailand? Cambodia?) or somewhere in Africa or South America (i.e. I don't necessarily want to visit a major city that everyone knows about, I might want to go somewhere that might be a "hidden gem" and lets you see the country without necessarily the expense). Does that make sense? I'm thinking this would be a "stay at a hostel or airBNB or something else that's cheap and buy food at the market and explore" type of trip vs anything cushy or involving nice dinners out. Something cheap. 

If you've been anywhere like that or dreamed of going somewhere like that, tell me about it!

ETA: He doesn't know it yet (lol) but I assume I'd be going with my BF so while it's best if we go somewhere safe, we don't have to worry about a woman traveling alone safe.

[kershnic]

Thailand was amazing and crazy cheap while in country as long as we were willing to take the slow routes (long distance train for example) for transportation. The flight to get there from the US and flights within country were both expensive. Some places in Thailand are changing quickly with tons of Western tourists, but for us it was a good balance for a first SW Asia trip. We heard amazing things about the other SW Asian countries from more adventurous fellow travelers and would love to go back and do Cambodia, Loas, and Vietnam someday. I haven't followed the political unrest situation in Thailand closely, but unfortunately it may not yet be settled enough to be a good choice. I would definitely NOT have gone earlier in 2014 due to this.

How long do you have available for your trip? It's a long trip if you don't have a decent chunk of time, and some of the cost savings come from not being in a hurry.

[gt7301b]

I'd just sign up for travel alerts and see what comes up. I've seen a lot of cheap tickets to Iceland lately, we went last year and it was awesome.

[Deleted]

Banff, Alberta is high on my list after a post by Sloane. Might not be as far flung as you were thinking.

[mich1]

A few years ago, my SO and I went to Turkey and we wound up staying in this little town on the southern coast of Turkey, called Kas. The place we stayed was a few miles from town (about a $3 cab ride), and the 5 days we were there, breakfast and dinner included along with a room that the balcony overlooked the Mediterranean (room was very sparse, but didn't spend a lot of time in it), cost $200 each. I'd be comfortable enough there going by myself. The town was charming and there were a lot of boat tours that you could take from town.

I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

[msmerymac]

I haven't been, but Belize might be do-able.

[kershnic]

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Apparently my other pictures are all too big??  But those are pretty.

[mskitkat]

My trip to Copan, Honduras was incredibly cheap. The hostel was ~$5/night. Meals weren't much more. Baleadas cost something like 10 cents.

[alleinesein]

Check visa requirements b/c that can be an added expense.

Whats your budget? I only ask because you can do some places for super cheap but airfare can eat up most of your $$. India can be done for as little as USD $20 a day if you stick to hostels and travel via 3rd class train but the airfare to get there can easily be USD $1500+

You dont even have to leave the continent to explore. There are some great parts of Mexico that can satisfy your wanderlust and are not major tourist spots. The city of Puebla and the neighboring town of Cholula would make a great trip. Palenque is great if you want to traipse around the jungle and escape the city; its also close to a ton of places that make great day trips (Cascadas de Agua Azul, Misol Ha, Agua Clara).

[Deleted]

Dec 12, 2014 15:04:53 GMT -5 kershnic said:

Thailand was amazing and crazy cheap while in country as long as we were willing to take the slow routes (long distance train for example) for transportation. The flight to get there from the US and flights within country were both expensive. Some places in Thailand are changing quickly with tons of Western tourists, but for us it was a good balance for a first SW Asia trip. We heard amazing things about the other SW Asian countries from more adventurous fellow travelers and would love to go back and do Cambodia, Loas, and Vietnam someday. I haven't followed the political unrest situation in Thailand closely, but unfortunately it may not yet be settled enough to be a good choice. I would definitely NOT have gone earlier in 2014 due to this.

How long do you have available for your trip? It's a long trip if you don't have a decent chunk of time, and some of the cost savings come from not being in a hurry.

Oh, I don't even have a real job right now so who knows. LOL. I'm thinking at least a week but depending on the place, maybe more. It really will depend on where I land with this job thing  But eventually I'd like to go a lot of places, so ideas are good no matter what!

[Deleted]

Dec 12, 2014 15:28:37 GMT -5 alleinesein said:

Check visa requirements b/c that can be an added expense.

Whats your budget? I only ask because you can do some places for super cheap but airfare can eat up most of your $$. India can be done for as little as USD $20 a day if you stick to hostels and travel via 3rd class train but the airfare to get there can easily be USD $1500+

You dont even have to leave the continent to explore. There are some great parts of Mexico that can satisfy your wanderlust and are not major tourist spots. The city of Puebla and the neighboring town of Cholula would make a great trip. Palenque is great if you want to traipse around the jungle and escape the city; its also close to a ton of places that make great day trips (Cascadas de Agua Azul, Misol Ha, Agua Clara).

Hmm. I have no idea what a budget would be. Probably 2-3k for 2 people? Ideally way less? I know flights can be a huge chunk of that, but I'm hopeful some of that could be offset by airline miles.

I'd love it if whatever we did while actually ON the trip was no more than $100-150 a day. I don't mind buses or sleeping bags. 

[hellonurse]

Iceland! We are going in March, and we paid $799 pp including airfare and hotel through Gate 1 Travel.

[alleinesein]

Dec 12, 2014 15:31:49 GMT -5 @buckybells said:

Dec 12, 2014 15:28:37 GMT -5 alleinesein said:

Check visa requirements b/c that can be an added expense.

Whats your budget? I only ask because you can do some places for super cheap but airfare can eat up most of your $$. India can be done for as little as USD $20 a day if you stick to hostels and travel via 3rd class train but the airfare to get there can easily be USD $1500+

You dont even have to leave the continent to explore. There are some great parts of Mexico that can satisfy your wanderlust and are not major tourist spots. The city of Puebla and the neighboring town of Cholula would make a great trip. Palenque is great if you want to traipse around the jungle and escape the city; its also close to a ton of places that make great day trips (Cascadas de Agua Azul, Misol Ha, Agua Clara).

Hmm. I have no idea what a budget would be. Probably 2-3k for 2 people? Ideally way less? I know flights can be a huge chunk of that, but I'm hopeful some of that could be offset by airline miles.

I'd love it if whatever we did while actually ON the trip was no more than $100-150 a day. I don't mind buses or sleeping bags. 

Sign up for airberlins newsletter.  They usually run some good deals to Europe in the off season and you can probably get a RT ticket out of Chicago for around $600 pp.  I know you have already done some parts of Europe but you can easily hop on a train in Germany and head to Slovenia, Croatia, Hungary, Czech Republic and explore the eastern part of Europe.

[Deleted]

Dec 12, 2014 15:47:20 GMT -5 alleinesein said:

Dec 12, 2014 15:31:49 GMT -5 @buckybells said:

Hmm. I have no idea what a budget would be. Probably 2-3k for 2 people? Ideally way less? I know flights can be a huge chunk of that, but I'm hopeful some of that could be offset by airline miles.

I'd love it if whatever we did while actually ON the trip was no more than $100-150 a day. I don't mind buses or sleeping bags. 

Sign up for airberlins newsletter.  They usually run some good deals to Europe in the off season and you can probably get a RT ticket out of Chicago for around $600 pp.  I know you have already done some parts of Europe but you can easily hop on a train in Germany and head to Slovenia, Croatia, Hungary, Czech Republic and explore the eastern part of Europe.

Thanks! My BF's parents live in Berlin, so that might work out well too I have not met them (since, you know, they live in Berlin!) so it would be neat to include that. Not sure if that's an incentive or disincentive for him, though, lol.

ETA: I've not been to that part of Germany or any of the places you list, so those are all good suggestions! 

[niq]

We really liked Chile, but it is a looooong flight.

I would look at Central America. Maybe Costa Rica if you can find someone a bit out of the way?

[WinterWine]

My all time favorite trip was trekking in Nepal. Very cheap once there, I spent around $750 in a month. Very basic accommodations, but I ate a ton of food and tipped a lot. But the flight is around $2750 to get there and you need several weeks.

If you have a week, I'd look at Central American countries like Guatemala, Honduras, inland Mexico. Or Laos, vietnan, thailand, but those flights will be a lot. If you aren't set on far flung, if do us national parks, or banff/lake Louise/ jasper in Canada.

[scout8]

I would go somewhere in Latin America. Flights are usually cheaper, no jet lag, very inexpensive once you get there. I am a big fan of central Mexico: Guanajuato, Queretaro, Mexico City, etc. I haven't been to Puebla, but really want to go. I also liked Ometepe & Granada, Nicaragua. Bolivia was cheap and very interesting. Argentina is really nice. I also liked Chile a lot, but it isn't as inexpensive as some of the other places. I haven't been to Guatemala, but it is on my list.

Many parts of SE Asia would be inexpensive once you get there, but it will be $$ for flights. Two of my favorites are Chiang Mai, Thailand, and Luang Prabang, Laos. Also, with the long flights, jet lag, and time difference, I would only go if you have two weeks.

[v]

If you can get a cheap trip to Iceland, go there! It is easy to get to, and is weird enough to probably count as far-flungish.

[keweenawlove]

I'd probably start looking at cheap airfares either from here or Chicago. Airfare always seems to be the most significant cost of our trips. My friend did a backpacking honeymoon split between Panama and Costa Rica and loved it.

[pretzel]

depending on when you go, the Mayan Riviera (NOT Cancun), can be very economical. www.locogringo.com/property-listing?accommodation%5B%5D=Villa&areas%5B%5D=Akumal

[UnderProtest]

v and hellonurse

What's so exciting about Iceland? My husband and I were just talking about this tonight and we don't know what there is to do there and when is the best time to go.

[wise_rita]

Dec 12, 2014 19:16:36 GMT -5 UnderProtest said:

v and hellonurse

What's so exciting about Iceland? My husband and I were just talking about this tonight and we don't know what there is to do there and when is the best time to go.

I want to know how it qualifies as cheap while you're there.  I've only been through the airport but I assume it's insanely expensive (but I could be wrong).

Based on your specifications my vote is Central/South America.  

[hellonurse]

Dec 12, 2014 19:16:36 GMT -5 UnderProtest said:

v and hellonurse

What's so exciting about Iceland? My husband and I were just talking about this tonight and we don't know what there is to do there and when is the best time to go.

I've always been curious about Iceland, and when I saw that deal and that we would fly out just 2 days after my 30th birthday, I knew I had to go- Iceland is beautiful. Amazing landscape, lava fields, the blue lagoon, geysers, northern lights, etc. Oh, and you can snorkel/dive Silfra, which takes you between the European and North American continental plates. There is one spot so narrow you can touch both at the same time.

www.dive.is/dive-sites/silfra/


www.demilked.com/nordic-landscape-nature-photography-iceland/ (I'm sure many of these are photoshopped like crazy, but it really is an amazingly beautiful place)

[Deleted]

Dec 12, 2014 20:15:12 GMT -5 @sfgal530 said:

I just booked a trip to Cuba today. I'm not sure if you could find a guided tour that fit in your budget but you could probably go on your own with your boyfriend via Mexico and as long as he paid for everything you'd be totally legal (he's not a US citizen, correct?). My understanding is Cuba can be very inexpensive if you're not on a guided tour.

Hmm, interesting point! He's not a citizen (until next summer!). Would it become illegal once he gets dual citizenship? If so, maybe now's the time to go

(he's got a UK passport right now, if that makes a difference)

[MrsE]

Loved Thailand and Cambodia. My favorite southeast Asian spot is the Gili Islands, off the coast of Bali. Can't go wrong!

ETA: getting there is not cheap (unless you have miles)

[cheezer]

Dec 13, 2014 0:33:17 GMT -5 @sfgal530 said:

Dec 12, 2014 23:27:53 GMT -5 @buckybells said:

Hmm, interesting point! He's not a citizen (until next summer!). Would it become illegal once he gets dual citizenship? If so, maybe now's the time to go

(he's got a UK passport right now, if that makes a difference)

It is not illegal for US citizens to go to Cuba, but it is against embargo restrictions for Americans to spend money in Cuba. So you are welcome to go at any time, but CBP would assume you spent money if you went. Since British citizens aren't subject to those same restrictions, your BF can spend money there without problems. I would assume once he becomes a US citizen, then he would be subject to the same US laws so then he couldn't spend money after. Just a thought. You would want to look into this more to figure out how you do it (emilyinchile had been), but Cuba seems fascinating to me as it is still a communist nation, it is basically stuck several decades behind, and most Americans have not been there. Definitely off the beaten path with lots of history and culture. I personally can't wait to visit.

We've toyed with going to Cuba for a few years.  How are you going about doing it?  Are one of you on a foreign passport?

[wise_rita]

Dec 12, 2014 23:49:14 GMT -5 MrsE said:

Loved Thailand and Cambodia. My favorite southeast Asian spot is the Gili Islands, off the coast of Bali. Can't go wrong!

ETA: getting there is not cheap (unless you have miles)

Can you tell me more about the Gili Islands?  I'm going to Bali for 5 days in February and won't be doing the beach thing, I'm thinking mainly Ubud for the cultural aspect.  I'll need to find something else to do on top of that. 

I want to know everything you've got to tell me, links, blogs, anything.  I plan to spend my Christmas break researching/booking everything, so you could help me free up my time for more reading.

TIA!

[v]

Dec 12, 2014 20:05:34 GMT -5 wise_rita said:

Dec 12, 2014 19:16:36 GMT -5 UnderProtest said:

v and hellonurse

What's so exciting about Iceland? My husband and I were just talking about this tonight and we don't know what there is to do there and when is the best time to go.

I want to know how it qualifies as cheap while you're there.  I've only been through the airport but I assume it's insanely expensive (but I could be wrong).

Based on your specifications my vote is Central/South America.  

I found it to be not insanely expensive. I mean, I wouldn't want to buy a pint of grape tomatoes there but the things we did/ate/drank were comparable to what we're pay in NY. Some things were more expensive; some less, but I wasn't nearly as offended by prices as I expected.

If you get into super jeep tours and such, those are super expensive. But we drove ourselves around (gas is expensive there).

I didn't consider our trip to iceland a cheap trip, but that was mostly because airfare was costly. but since people are getting $799 hotel and airfare packages and those are usually by far the largest components of our travel -- if you can get a deal like that it would take a lot of the sting out of it.

UnderProtest, it is just gorgeous and unspoiled and remote and otherworldly. We went over Labor Day, and I thought that was a good time to be there (but our airfare and hotel weren't bargains then).

[Deleted]

Dec 13, 2014 0:33:17 GMT -5 @sfgal530 said:

Dec 12, 2014 23:27:53 GMT -5 @buckybells said:

Hmm, interesting point! He's not a citizen (until next summer!). Would it become illegal once he gets dual citizenship? If so, maybe now's the time to go

(he's got a UK passport right now, if that makes a difference)

It is not illegal for US citizens to go to Cuba, but it is against embargo restrictions for Americans to spend money in Cuba. So you are welcome to go at any time, but CBP would assume you spent money if you went. Since British citizens aren't subject to those same restrictions, your BF can spend money there without problems. I would assume once he becomes a US citizen, then he would be subject to the same US laws so then he couldn't spend money after. Just a thought. You would want to look into this more to figure out how you do it (emilyinchile had been), but Cuba seems fascinating to me as it is still a communist nation, it is basically stuck several decades behind, and most Americans have not been there. Definitely off the beaten path with lots of history and culture. I personally can't wait to visit.

This makes sense, and combined with your other response below it is very interesting! I have never looked into Cuba because I always just assumed it wasn't a place I could visit. Now I'm intrigued, and it sounds like it would be the time to go if I'm ever going to go. Hmm. 

Thanks for all your information - you are such a great resource when it comes to travel!

ETA: I'm now kind of excited about this idea I looked up airfare and some homestay options (cool site I found recently: homestay.com) and it looks like we could potentially do this trip for under 2k if we go to Havana for a week flying through Mexico City. What a neat idea! This is exactly the kind of thing I was kind of itching for.

[tacom]

I agree with v; I found Iceland to be pretty pricey. We spent $5k for 5 days and did a lot of cheaper meals at cafes, pizzerias, hot dog stands, and a family style soup lunch at a horse farm. we also enjoyed some splurges as well. I want to weep at $799 airfare. we spent $3,500 on a flight + hotel in august.

this post has all my pics, trip recap, and our line by line budget. pandce.proboards.com/thread/359690/iceland-budget-pics-review-inside?page=1

@buckybells