The charm of high-end pricey places is alluring, but let's face it: the more costly a destination is, the more you'll have to cut back on the length of your vacation and the activities you participate in to stretch your budget.
There's something to be said for visiting low-cost countries, where a full meal at a local restaurant costs the same as a movie ticket at home — or where you can stay in a great hotel for the same price as a hostel bed elsewhere.
Check out our list of some of the most affordable countries in various areas across the world, as well as why you should visit them.
Cambodia
Southeast Asia is known for being a budget travel destination. It's also breathtakingly gorgeous, with art, history, delectable cuisine, religious architecture, and breathtaking natural scenery.
Cambodia is perhaps the cheapest Southeast Asian country to visit.
Visiting the stunning old Khmer temples in Siem Reap and viewing the museums and palaces in Phnom Penh are two of the best things to do in Cambodia.
A night at a Cambodian hostel can cost as little as 4 USD, and a full dinner can be had for 1 USD.
Bulgaria
Bulgaria, an unpretentious Eastern country that remains largely off the beaten path, is hard to beat for low pricing in Europe. Tourists from surrounding countries flock to Bulgaria in the summer to enjoy the Black Sea at bargain prices, but the country is quiet the rest of the year. That means no large crowds, no noise, and no exorbitant expenses for lodging, food, and attraction admission.
In fact, the most interesting places in Bulgaria are free to visit. Sofia, the country's capital, is an old city with Turk and Byzantine influences, but the country's true attractiveness can only be discovered after you venture out into the countryside.
Nepal
Unless you're planning a full-fledged guided journey up Mount Everest, which isn't inexpensive, Nepal is incredibly affordable. Even better, you can still do a lot of hiking and even climbing for very little money. Even lengthy treks, such as an 11-day hike in Langtang Valley, will set you back only a few hundred dollars, less than a fraction of the cost of a journey to Everest Base Camp.
In the low season, Nepal is difficult to visit since the months of mid-June to mid-September bring heavy rains, severe flooding, and sometimes dangerous landslides that block paths and make hiking impossible. Furthermore, the weather is damp and gloomy throughout these months, resulting in low visibility and no views of the mountains.
Morocco
Morocco is one of the most cost-effective African countries. Although it is not as inexpensive as Southeast Asia, it is still one of the most affordable nations to visit if you avoid tourist traps.
Marrakech, for example, is a hectic and vibrant Moroccan city. The vast Medina attracts most visitors, who come to see it and to plan tours to the Sahara Desert or the Atlas Mountains.
If you dine at local eateries rather than tourist restaurants in Jema El Fnaa, the main tourist square, you can save a lot of money in Marrakech. Hostels in Morocco are normally between $8 and $10 per night, and trips are also reasonably priced.
Portugal
It is simple to travel around Portugal on a budget thanks to the excellent bus, tram, and train connections. While Lisbon is slightly more expensive, eating and entertainment in the rest of the country are relatively affordable – even popular beach sites like Camilo Beach in the Algarve can be visited on a budget if you plan ahead and don't need to sleep on the beach.
Because the genuine high season in Portugal lasts only two months (June and July), traveling outside of those months will help you find better transportation and lodging rates, allowing you to save even more money. Winter is also a terrific season to travel for excellent deals, especially if you're going to a city - with temperatures hovering around 15 degrees Celsius in January, it's a great time to go.