Time to start packing your
bags: 2017 is shaping up to be a banner year for budget travel.
The dollar is enjoying historic highs — meaning your money goes much
further in many destinations around the globe — and according to an American Express Global Business
Travel report, airfares are expected to fall
in 2017.
So where should you go on your
next trip?
1. Mazatlan,
Mexico
Chosen By: Holly
Johnson, founder of Club Thrifty, a website with tips on
travel savings whose motto is “Stop spending. Start living”
Why: The
current exchange rate ($1 = 20.69 Mexican pesos) makes Mexico one of the most
affordable destinations. For the frugal traveler who wants to enjoy more
culture than they might in the Riviera Maya, my top pick is Mazatlan. As the
shrimp capital of Mexico and a foodie paradise, Mazatlan is teeming with
awesome eateries and fresh, interesting dishes. Hotels (including all-inclusive
properties) are extremely inexpensive and authentic since most aren't part of
the huge chains. El
Cid Marina has awesome pools that are perfect for families,
great food and huge rooms. (Rates are as low as $100 for a family of four.) You
can also enjoy superb dining at a top-notch restaurant like Casa
46 for less than half what you'd pay in the United States. Side
note: Sinaloa (the state where Mazatlan resides) grows the bulk of produce in
Mexico, so Mazatlan produce is unbelievably cheap as a result. You see this
reflected in top restaurants all the way down to street markets.
2. South Africa
Chosen By: Michaela
Guzy, founder of Oh The People You Meet, a
global collaborative of contributors who create content for travelers, foodies
and philanthropists seeking authentic local connections
Why: In South Africa, the exchange rate is
in our favor, but so is the fact that it's a developed tourist destination
with a solid infrastructure. In
spending a month in Cape Town earlier this year and relying on Uber to get me
to and from meetings, activities and lunches, I averaged under $20 in
transportation per day — a major win. Hotels are cheaper, too: Take a standard room at Taj Hotels & Resorts
in New York, and you are out about $786 a night, whereas in Cape Town, a
room at a similar luxury property costs $266. Remember, South
Africa is in the Southern Hemisphere, so seasons are the opposite: Consider
going in low season (our summer) when hotels
and safari lodges are even less expensive. Airbnb
and private villa rentals are also reliable and cheap options in the major
cities. Travelers should also consider booking domestic
airfare in advance for the greatest cost savings, since flights on South
African Airways can sell out quickly. The best value of
all is the wine: Travelers can order a glass of one of the best locally
produced varietals for less than the cost of a can of soda. For more information on travel in South Africa,
watch "Michaela's Map: First Timers' Guide to
Southern Africa."
3. San Juan, Puerto Rico
Chosen By: Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon,
founder of Jet Set Sarah, where travel
and shopping meet
Why: The best way to get a deal in
the Caribbean is to travel during the low season (end of April through
mid-December) to destinations that have direct and frequent fights from your
gateway; plenty of hotel inventory; and economies that aren't euro-based.
Puerto Rico fits the bill, and I'm
a big fan of San Juan, which I think is seriously underrated as an easy and
affordable getaway, especially for visitors from the East Coast of the U.S. Old
San Juan oozes charm, and if you stay within the old city's two-square-mile
radius you won't need a car rental to access great restaurants, sightseeing and
shopping. U.S. citizens can save themselves the cost of a passport since it's
not required to visit, and since the U.S. dollar is the legal tender,
there's no money lost on currency exchange. Hotel Casa Blanca and Villa Herencia are
two of my favorite high-style/low-cost boutique hotels.
4. Chile
Why: Europe is on everyone's list
of value-added trips this year and for good reason — the exchange rate is more
favorable for American travelers than it has been in years. But the destinations I most dream about and long
to return to are in South America, a destination that has long given travelers
great value for money. In
Chile, I love Santiago for its vibrant food and wine scene — think tucked-away
wine bars, delicious tapas and hip hotels in a beautifully chaotic city. For a lesser-known and truly special corner of
the world, I love the small lakeside town of Puerto Varas. It is part of the
lakes district in Chile and the northern start of Patagonia. It is easy (and
cheap!) to rent a car and explore this area. There is a surprising German
heritage, so you'll see signs for "kuchen" (cake). With Puerto Varas
as a hub, you can explore great places within a two-hour drive from the city:
going to the top of a volcano, exploring waterfalls, finding the best cakes and
food. This area sees very few American visitors and everything is CHEAP. It's
one of those places I almost want to keep to myself, but it's so special that I
can't.
5. Crete
Chosen
By: Meagen Collins, co-founder of Food
Fun Travel, traveling the world in search of the ultimate
foodie vacation experiences and discovering food worth traveling for in 85+
countries and counting
Why: With the U.S. dollar strong
against the euro right now and the economic crisis in Greece keeping prices
lower than other parts of Europe, it’s the perfect time to visit the beautiful
island of Crete. Crete is a foodie dream come true. A place where farm-to-table
isn’t a new fad, it’s a way of life. The people here often live to be well over
100 years old so they must be doing something right! With truly stunning
natural beauty (like Balos beach) and locals that welcome tourists with open
arms, you are bound to have the trip of a lifetime and save a few dollars at
the same time. For more, see Fun
Food Travel's "Crete Food."
6. Morocco
Chosen By: Lucie Josma, a full-time photographer, content creator and social media manager specializing
in travel and tourism.
Why: For
many, Morocco is the ultimate dream trip, and yet cost tends to keep most from
visiting. But what you might not know is that it's one of the most affordable
African countries, particularly when comparing flight costs. Reaching
Marrakech from cities such as Lisbon, Madrid and Paris may only set you back
$40 to $100 roundtrip with many budget airlines. And this past Black Friday,
flights from New York were a mere $400 roundtrip. Food is by far my main reason
for visiting as often as I do, and typical meals can range from $2.50 to $15
for two, which includes appetizers, entree and unlimited mint tea. For
vegetarians and vegans, the country is especially great, as veggies are cheaper
than meat and fresh fruit smoothies are barely $1. Souvenir shopping can get a
bit intense when you realize leather goods such as wallets, handbags and
weekenders run from $5 to $60. (A shopaholics dream!) When it comes to
accommodations there's something to fit everyone's budget, my favorite being Riad
Yasmine (only $80-$160 per night). For those looking for
Moroccan luxury while still on a budget, my go-to is Riad
Kheirredine, which will have you living like a queen
without breaking the bank and even provides a cell phone during your stay to
ensure guest safety.
7. Belize
Chosen By: Shereen Rayle, founder of ShereenTravelsCheap.com, which shows you how to go farther and do more for less
without sacrificing comfort or fun
Why: Modern
conveniences and history collide in Belize. It's a perfect place to take a
budget romantic vacation. Many of the four-star hotels offer extras, like
bicycle rentals, included in their low rates, as well as Belize's excellent local wines. Some
affordable resorts to check out are George Hardie's Las Vegas Hotel in
Corozal(Northern Belize) and the oceanside Royal
Caribbean Resort in San Pedro along Ambergris Caye. Both can be
booked for under $100 per night. Meals are also crazy cheap, but delicious. Two
can eat at an upscale restaurant for less than $30, and much less at an
everyday venue.
8. Vietnam
Chosen By: Marybeth Bond, National Geographic writer, author, adventurer and founder
of The
Gutsy Traveler
Why: Affordable upscale
accommodations, cheap and remarkably
healthy food and beautiful sights make Vietnam a standout among
budget-friendly South Asian destinations. Eat your way through historic Hanoi,
kayak in the emerald waters of Halong Bay or relax in ancient Hoi An and the
nearby beaches. There are clean, safe accommodations
to fit everyone's wallet. In Hanoi, my favorite is the Tirant
Hotel, near the old town, where you can bag a room for less than $70
a night. Don't miss the Hanoi street food tour:
For just $20 per person, a guide
will lead you on foot or by scooter through backstreets, markets and footpaths.
You will eat like the locals and learn the names and ingredients in the
dishes so you can order them again. And be sure to take the time to sip a bowl
of steaming "pho" noodle soup in
restaurants, push carts and food stalls, where a street
meal and a beer can cost the same as a caramel macchiato at Starbucks.
9. Costa Rica
Chosen By: Stephanie
Parker, founder of Big World Small Pockets, created
to showcase the highs and lows of happy, healthy budget travel. Its motto:
Spend Less, Travel More!
Why: Costa Rica is the one of the most biodiverse places on the planet
and to be able to see this on a shoestring is an incredible opportunity.
There's a ton of national parks to explore, for instance, that only cost a few
dollars to enter. Once there, you can then enjoy free self-guided walks that
won't cost you a cent, but will deliver some great encounters with amazing
wildlife like tapirs, monkeys, sloths and macaws. Manuel Antonio and Corcovado
National Parks are two of the best. Public transport is also super cheap in
Costa Rica, with buses generally less than $10, even for an eight-hour ride.
This makes traveling between destinations in this compact country very
affordable and means you can see a lot in a short amount of time. In addition,
budget accommodation in Costa Rica — even at some of the best surf beaches —
can be as little as $6 per person. And a "plato tipico" (local
dish) can be enjoyed anywhere for as little as $2-3.
10.
Portugal
Chosen By: Jackie Nourse, founder
of TheBudgetMindedTraveler.com,
which inspires and
equips Americans to get into the world of travel in a realistic, affordable,
and most of all rewarding way
Why: Portugal is a pocket of
affordable travel in contrast to the rest of Western Europe, especially if
you get off the highways and take the back roads (where you can also avoid
tolls). A bottle of delicious port and a plate of the day with a glass of wine
can be found for around €5 each. Nowhere else in the world can its
"California Highway 1 meets Tuscany" landscapes be enjoyed on such a
budget, especially now that the dollar is strong against the euro.
