Many "low cost" destinations are in fashion because the economies for the traveler are joined by excellent tourist attractions and adequate service standards. These are 20 destinations worldwide that are currently a boon for both the senses and the wallet.
1. Chilean Patagonia
In Chilean Patagonia there are small cities and wide landscapes with lakes, volcanoes and waterfalls, where you can find accommodation at very convenient prices.
The exquisite food and good drinks at excellent prices are guaranteed with the abundant fishing, hunting and breeding that are practiced in the area and with the wines that come from the Maipo Valley, Maule, Osorno, Aconcagua and other national wine regions.
One of these cities where you can spend a wonderful and cheap season is Puerto Varas, in the Province of Llanquihue, Los Lagos Region.
This city was founded by German settlers in the mid-19th century and retains a strong German influence.
Little Puerto Varas lives mainly from tourism, thanks to Lake Llanquihue, the Petrohué River waterfalls, the Osorno Volcano and other natural attractions. The most beautiful thing in the city is the large number of rose bushes in the streets and residences.
2. Santiago de Compostela, Spain
When it is not time for pilgrimages, on the Camino de Santiago there are very cheap accommodation, to which we must add that the city of Santiago de Compostela has many free attractions.
The famous cathedral, the Centro Gaiás Museum, the Museum of Pilgrimages, the Pobo Galego Museum, the Galician Center for Contemporary Art and the Rocha Forte Castle are 6 places of interest in Santiago de Compostela, which you can visit almost without money in the pocket.
From the Plaza del Obradoiro, in front of the Cathedral of Santiago, tours of the city depart that will only cost you a small tip for the guide.
In any typical tavern in Santiago you can eat exquisitely and at good prices the famous empanadas and other dishes of Galician cuisine.
3. Tunisia
Hannibal's descendants no longer fight against Rome, but to advance ancient Carthage. Tunisia, on the southern shore of the "Sea of Civilization", offers tourists its pleasant and invigorating Mediterranean climate, a few hundred kilometers from several European cities.
Tunisian 4 and 5-star beach resorts drop prices in the low season, offering you the opportunity to enjoy a dream vacation without ruining your finances.
When you get tired of so much beach, visit the Tunisian locations of the famous film saga Star Wars, such as the House of the Slaves in Mos Espa, north of Ghomrassen, and the Hotel Sidi Driss - Matmata, the character's "childhood home" Luke Skywalker.
4. Puerto Rico
Places that have a wide range of hotels and well-differentiated seasons are usually formidable tourist destinations to save in the low season, provided they do not have an excessively overvalued currency.
Puerto Rico meets the above conditions and the period from mid-December to April is usually weak from the point of view of the flow of visitors, which is why excellent accommodation offers can be found in San Juan and other tourist cities in the country.
This is the ideal time to go to know Old San Juan and visit its colonial streets, churches, museums, galleries, shops and other attractions.
Without forgetting the beaches of El Escambrón, Monserrate, Flamenco, on Culebra Island; Boquerón and Sun Bay, to mention just 5 charming sandy areas of «La Isla del Encanto».
5. South Africa
After decades of hateful racial segregation and a country semi-closed to the world, South Africa managed to set out on the path of progress respectful of human rights.
The 2010 Soccer World Championship put the nation on every screen on the planet and tourism took on an unprecedented boom.
South Africa is a destination in high demand for hunting tourism, given the large number of operators that organize safaris for hunters from all over the world and also for people who are only interested in observing natural life.
The joke of saving money on a trip to South Africa is to do it in the low season, in the summer of the northern hemisphere, when you can find very cheap accommodation.
6. Crete, Greece
The inhabitants of the small towns and villages of the Greek islands are known for catching their fish, raising their own animals and growing plant products on their farms. This makes eating on a Greek island exquisite and cheap, as the Hellenes are friendly and supportive of tourists.
In addition, Greece is a country in great need of hard currency and anyone willing to spend dollars or euros is treated like royalty.
Greece has about 1,400 islands, of which 227 are inhabited, but if you had to choose one to settle on a trip, Crete has enough merits to be selected.
It was the cradle of the Minoan civilization, the oldest known European culture, and its archaeological sites at Knossos, Festos, Malia and Hagia Triada, are among the most relevant of humanity. To this we must add its paradisiacal beaches, such as Balos.
7. Morocco
The Kingdom of Morocco allows to know the Islamic world and the culture of the African desert in total safety conditions. If we add to this the proximity of some European cities with which it is linked by air, we must conclude that Morocco is a fascinating and comfortable destination.
One of the great advantages of Morocco for low-cost tourism is the cheapness of air transport from European capitals such as Madrid, Lisbon or Paris.
While good accommodations aren't particularly cheap, food is. In any Moroccan city like Casablanca, Tangier, Fez or Marrakech, you can make a complete meal for less than $ 3, including starter, main course and the inevitable mint tea and, of course, without alcohol.
The enigmatic attractions of Islamic culture and desert architecture are well worth putting Morocco on the travel agenda.
8. Belize
Belize hotels are very active in promoting attractive accommodation deals, particularly during the low season in the Caribbean. In addition, they usually include extras that at first may not seem like a big deal, such as a bicycle, but that end up representing non-negligible savings on the stay.
Belize faces the Gulf of Honduras, bordering on the north with Mexico and on the west with Guatemala. It has the cultural peculiarity that it is the only country in Central America whose official language is English, although 57% of Belizeans speak or speak Spanish.
The beaches of the small Central American state are similar to those of the Mexican Riviera Maya and the country has a strong impregnation of the Mayan culture, including the Yucatecans, the Mexicans who took refuge in Belize escaping from the Caste War.
Mexicans going to Belize won't miss beans, a staple of Belizean cuisine.
9. La Gran Sabana, Venezuela
The wide differential currently existing between the official exchange rate and that of the parallel markets in Venezuela creates a price relationship that makes traveling to that country very cheap.
One of the preferred Venezuelan destinations, particularly for ecological and adventure tourism, is the Gran Sabana, an immense plateau in the south of the country, bordering Brazil and Guyana.
To currently travel to the Gran Sabana and Venezuela in general, it is convenient to do so with an all-inclusive package, which ensures both the requested services and the safety of travelers.
In the Gran Sabana is the Angel Falls, the highest waterfall in the world, with 979 meters. The wide plains of the Gran Sabana are dotted with rivers, streams, waterfalls and tepuis, mountains with almost vertical walls with a rich biodiversity.
Another beautiful attraction of the Gran Sabana is the Quebrada de Jaspe, a refreshing stream whose bed is made of that semi precious rock.
10. Vietnam
In 45 years, Vietnam went from being a war-torn territory to a country with a thriving economy, which has not neglected "industry without chimneys" as a source of foreign exchange.
Even luxury hotels are relatively cheap in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City (the former Saigon) and other Vietnamese cities.
Eating in Vietnam is also very cheap, especially at the quaint street food stalls so common in Asian cities. In Hanoi, eating on "food street" is a treat for the senses and a relief for the wallet.
Vietnam offers a wide variety of tourist attractions, such as Halong Bay, with its emerald green waters; the ancient city of Hoy An, with masterful samples of Vietnamese architecture and declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO; and its traditional festivals, among which the Lunar New Year stands out.
11. Portugal
Portugal is one of the cheapest tourist destinations in Europe, especially if you avoid the big cities and look for the small towns near the coast located on the secondary roads.
Beach enthusiasts in Portugal have a long Atlantic coastline of almost 1800 km, not including the island coasts, such as those of the wonderful islands of Madeira and the Azores, although the latter are 1,400 km from the mainland.
In the small towns and villages in the interior there are small hotels and inns with excellent rates and a complete meal, which is cooked in the Portuguese style or cod, accompanied by a glass of Douro or Alentejo wine, costs about $ 5. The glass of Porto or Madeira if you have to budget for it separately.
Most visitors go to the big resorts of the Algarve, Madeira, the Tagus Valley, Lisbon, Porto, the Azores and the Beiras, where good deals can also be found.
12. Ecuador
The country that divides the planet into two hemispheres can be a very accessible destination if you settle outside the conventional tourist circuit. In addition, the official Ecuadorian currency is the US dollar, which avoids having to make changes to a local currency and facilitates transactions for visitors who go with the green gringos.
There is a little-known fact about Ecuador. Globally, it is the country with the highest biodiversity per square kilometer, with an enormous density of insects (there are 4,500 species of butterflies), reptiles, amphibians, birds and mammals.
The cities of Quito and Cuenca are Cultural Patrimony of Humanity, and the beaches, biosphere reserves, parks, snow-capped mountains and volcanoes, make up a wide and wonderful package of attractions.
The Galapagos Islands, the great jewel of planetary biodiversity, are almost a thousand km from the coast and to go there if you need some money.
13. Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona is one of the most cultural and elegant cities in Europe and its inclusion in a list of low-cost tourist destinations may surprise you.
However, there are three elements that make a stay in "Ciudad Condal" cheaper: its tradition of tapas, the high availability of free or very cheap cultural attractions, and relatively cheap public transport.
Tapas is the very Spanish custom of eating small portions or "tapas" while consuming a drink, and all the bars and restaurants in Barcelona offer this possibility, with which in the end you end up having lunch or dinner at a very convenient cost.
The majestic architectural works of Barcelona, such as the Park and the Guell Palace, the Temple of the Sagrada Familia and the Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, are attractions that you can admire for free.
The intense cultural activity of Barcelona in its museums, theaters and concert halls, end up rounding off a cheap holiday.
14. Costa Rica
Ecological and adventure tourism fans who do not know Costa Rica, should prepare their suitcases to leave, given the set of attractions that the country offers at very low prices.
Costa Rica has an Atlantic coast and a Pacific coast, with charming beaches on both sides, and in the middle of a jungle territory in which are some of the most interesting natural parks on the planet.
Furthermore, Costa Rica is the most stable and secure country in Central America; so much so that they have the luxury of not having an army.
It also offers very cheap accommodation and a plate of Costa Rican food, including, for example, the national stew - the typical "pot of meat" - and a portion of "gallo pinto", a mixture of rice and beans, can be obtained for less. of 4 dollars.
Costa Rica has sun, beaches, jungle, mountains, rivers and an excellent experience with tourism, which is the main source of income for the country.
15. Mozambique
This southeastern African country has a coastline of almost 2,500 km in front of the Indian Ocean, with a large number of paradisiacal beaches with warm blue waters, and white sand.
Mozambique's big hook for attracting economy-conscious visitors is the price of accommodation, which is among the lowest of African beach destinations.
Apart from the beaches, Mozambique offers other splendid natural spaces, such as Lake Malawi, and the Limpopo and Zambezi rivers with their wide dry or flooded grasslands.
16. Las Vegas
Las Vegas? But if I rather need a lot of money for the casinos? That will likely be the response of many tourists who are proposed to take a cheap trip to the world capital of gaming and entertainment.
The secret to enjoying the famous Nevada city on a budget is to forget about the big hotels and casinos on the main avenue and learn about the free or cheap attractions that the "City of Sin" has to offer.
Settle into a hotel on Fremont Street, where lodging and food are cheaper. Take a picture without paying at the famous sign Wellcome Las Vegas.
Free outdoor movies are screened at Container Park. The Bellagio is a 5 diamond hotel and casino with a respectable nightly rate, but no charge to see its fantastic Botanical Gardens, Conservatory and fountains.
Use public transport called The Deuce. Make the most of bar happy hour and find a promoter to help you get into a nightclub for half the rate. Maybe you have a little luck and your girl wins one of the bottles that are raffled in these establishments.
17. Cambodia
The average Cambodian lives on $ 100 a month, giving you an idea of how little money a tourist needs to have a good time in this parliamentary monarchy on the Indochina peninsula.
The tragedy of Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge was left behind almost 4 decades ago and the country struggles to modernize, appreciating the hard currency that tourists carry.
The Angkor Archaeological Park, with its ruins from the 9th century of the Khmer Empire; the beaches of Sihanoukville, the paradise island of Koh Rong, the French ghost town of Bokor Hill Station and the Phnom Penh Genocide Museum are some of the distinguished attractions of the enigmatic Asian country.
Cambodian gastronomy is varied and exotic, ideal for people who like to live novel culinary experiences.
18. Georgia
Georgia? Yes, Georgia! Once recovered from the ravages caused by the Soviet regime, the former republic of the USSR, the homeland of Stalin, has positioned itself as one of the new tourist destinations in Eastern Europe.
Nestled in the Caucasus Mountains, with its western border on the Black Sea, Georgia has spectacular beach and mountain attractions.
Currently traveling to Georgia is very cheap due to the favorable conversion of dollars into Georgian lari. Apart from its natural attractions, Georgia is full of Orthodox monasteries, temples, museums and other monuments that will delight tourists interested in architecture, history and religion.
Another great Georgia charm to hook the tourist is its gastronomy, headed by jachapuri, a bread stuffed with cheese, egg and other ingredients; and adjika, a spicy paste of red peppers, garlic and herbs, that Mexicans will love.
19. Thailand
Those who love the picturesque chaos of populous cities will be in their element in Bangkok, the capital of the Kingdom of Thailand. This city and all Thai cities have the additional advantage that they are cheap all year round.
An equipped apartment can be rented for less than $ 20 a day; a bungalow costs $ 4 including breakfast; A tasty meal can be made at a street stall for less than a dollar.
With accommodation and food covered with so little, there is enough money left to spend on the beaches of Ao Nang, Phuket, Koh Samui or Phi Phi; to know the palaces, Buddhist temples and other architectural attractions and for fun in the charismatic nights of the Asian country.
Be sure to try pad thai in Thailand, a dish similar to a paella; the popular noodles and the Moorish skewers.
20. Tijuana, Mexico
The westernmost city in Latin America, the Puerta de México, the Corner of Latin America, currently meets three great conditions for international tourism, particularly North America: its great attractions and world-class infrastructure, its proximity to the United States and the favorable relationship between the dollar and the Mexican peso.
Tijuana also has a multitude of restaurants and food stalls where you can economically enjoy the delicious and varied Mexican cuisine, such as tacos, burritos, barbecues, and seafood dishes.
Now, if you fancy the delicacies of the Baja Med Kitchen, if you will have to pay a little more. For the rest, Tijuana has incredible and very low-cost cultural spaces, such as its museums, and not to mention the clubs and bars where you can have a “low cost” party.
We were left with many other charming and cheap tourist destinations to comment, such as Romania, Poland, Estonia, Asturias, Uruguay and Ethiopia, but we will save them for a next time.
