The World’s Cheapest Destinations
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Here are 10 places — undiscovered by most tourists — that are incredible bargains for the adventurous budget traveler.
By John Rosenthal
My wife and I think of ourselves as fairly intrepid travelers. So when we set off for Europe last spring, we were undaunted by the shriveling value of the dollar. We were confident we’d be able to ferret out hidden bargains that most tourists couldn’t find.
Boy, were we wrong! With the euro reaching all-time highs against the U.S. dollar, sticker shock greeted us at every turn. Europe is now the land of the $15 sandwich. And we grimaced every time we settled up a hotel bill.
Even Central and Eastern Europe are no longer the bargains they once were. Tourists have begun flocking to new hot spots such as Hungary and Croatia, and prices have risen accordingly. These days, to get the most bang for their bucks, budget travelers must venture farther afield, to places like Southeast Asia, Africa and Latin America. Your flight will be costlier, to be sure, but once you get to your destination, you’ll find no shortage of exotic adventures — as well as comfortable beds — at discount rates.
ASIA
Bali: Tropical splendor on a shoestring
A world apart from the unrest that sometimes grips other parts of Indonesia, Bali seduces visitors with its magnificent beaches, lush volcanic peaks and impossibly green rice paddies. This serene tropical island, dotted with thousands of Hindu shrines and temples, is the stuff of escapist fantasies.
A few dollars buys a lot of luxury here — even budget accommodations feature beautifully carved wooden furniture and jewel-toned fabrics. For $10 to $20, you can bunk in a simple guesthouse or rent a beach bungalow. Even Bali’s most lavish resorts cost a fraction of what you’d pay in other beach destinations. Surfers congregate at the late-night dance clubs in Kuta — and why not? You can always afford a $20 massage to soothe your hangover the next day.
Laos: Tranquility off the beaten track
Laos is one of the best bargains in Southeast Asia —a nd that’s saying something, since most countries there are relatively cheap for travelers. Because tourism is only beginning to make inroads in Laos, visitors are not seen as mere revenue streams; locals extend a warm and genuine welcome.
Life moves at a languid pace in the former royal capital of Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There, French colonial architecture coexists with dozens of graceful Buddhist temples, and monks in brilliant orange robes stroll the streets. You can find an inexpensive guesthouse for less than $20 a night; open-air cafes along the Mekong River offer absurdly cheap French and Lao specialties.
If you’re backpacking, set off into the rugged countryside for caving, jungle trekking and a taste of traditional village life. In Xieng Khouang province, don’t miss the Plain of Jars, a mysterious field lined with hundreds of ancient stone urns.
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