Top 15 beautiful and cheap countries to travel in the world

Most countries can be done on a budget. You can eat street food, take part in only free activities, or even volunteer in return for free accommodation. There are endless ways to save money!

That being said, some countries are easier to travel cheaply than others. Let’s be honest, you don’t want to be focusing on how much you’re spending all the time. Or missing out on unforgettable experiences because they're too expensive.

There are countries out there that are so cheap that you can leave your budget tracker at home. Instead you can enjoy your time, make memories and still not say goodbye to all of your savings.

To do this, picking the right countries to visit is important and a key step in travel preparation.

The top places to travel on a budget in Latin America

1. Nicaragua

Give it a few more years, and Nicaragua is going to be one of the most popular destinations in the world. Why?

It has everything you could want — surfing, volcanoes to climb, volcanoes to slide down, Caribbean islands, stunning colonial cities, diverse nature. And it’s cheap!

In fact, it’s one of the cheapest countries in Latin America. The average hostel costs between $10-15 per night, good meals are $3-5, transportation is usually a couple of dollars and activities are affordable.

Top money saving tip: For activities like the popular volcano boarding in Leon, try to get a big group together. This way you can haggle on the price and pay less. 

2. Colombia

The first word that springs to mind when I think of Colombia is ‘magical’. It's hard to put your finger on exactly why, but it has something to do with the music, dancing and extraordinary people that Colombia has to offer.

Without having to splash too much cash, you can visit Colombia's vast deserts, sprawling cosmopolitan cities, Caribbean beaches, jungle and thriving coffee plantations.

Travelling on a budget in Colombia is almost something that you don’t have to think about. With $1 arepas for dinner, you’ll be below budget!

Top money saving tips: Look out for signs advertising a ‘menu del dia’. These can usually be found at local restaurants during lunchtime. For around $3, you can enjoy a drink, soup and main course. 

Another way to save money and enhance your experience in Colombia, is to volunteer. Why not spend a few weeks creating content for a foundation or learn bioconstruction in the Sierra Nevada?

3. Peru

Peru is home to the famous Machu Picchu, one of the 7 Wonders of the World. It’s also a haven for hikers. If getting the bus to Machu Picchu doesn’t sound like enough of an adventure for you, then you can spend 4-5 days hiking there instead!

Similar to Colombia, Peru is incredibly diverse. You can visit an oasis in the middle of the desert, get lost in the Andes, spend a night on the highest lake in the world or step back in time to join the Inca people.

What food instantly comes to mind when you think of Peru? Probably Ceviche or Guinea Pig! Whilst Guinea Pig (a must try) is a little pricey, it's easy to eat cheap in Peru. Visit a local market and enjoy delicious ceviche for less than $2.

Top money saving tip: The journeys between destinations can be pretty long in Peru. Opt for a night bus to save money on accommodation.

Check out 15 more money saving tips to help you travel on a budget.

4. Mexico

Over the past couple of years, as tourism has boomed, Mexico has become slightly more expensive. But don’t worry, it’s still a beautiful and cheap place to travel.

You can easily spend months exploring Mexico’s colonial cities, idyllic beaches, Mayan ruins and vast mountains. The friendly and welcoming locals will make you never want to leave. 

On the west coast, boat trips to go whale watching can cost less than $15! And whilst a diet made up solely of tacos isn’t the healthiest, you can find tacos for less than $0.50.

Top money saving tips: The east coast - Tulum, Cancun, Playa del Carmen - attracts the most amount of tourism and where you'll find expensive resorts. If you're on a budget, spend more time on the west coast of Mexico.

But if you're set on exploring the east coast's paradise beaches but still want to travel on a budget, consider volunteering at an energy retreat in Tulum or helping at a hostel in Cancun.

5. El Salvador

People are often put off from travelling to El Savador after seeing it branded ‘unsafe’. It does have a high crime rate, but this is usually gang related and not targeted towards tourists.

Don’t let this put you off! Otherwise you’ll end up missing one of the cheapest countries in Central America, and one full of beauty.

El Salvador is a great place to try surfing, climb a few volcanoes, explore colonial towns and experience a country that isn’t spoiled by tourism. Something that’s hard to find nowadays. 

Top money saving tip: Eat and shop at local markets. This is where you’ll find the cheapest food, and some of the healthiest. Travelling on a budget doesn't mean that you have to eat unhealthly. Here are 10 tips to eat healthy while travelling on a budget.

The most beautiful and cheap places to travel in Asia

6. Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka, often referred to as ‘Little Africa’, is home to 22 national parks, scenic train rides, secret surf spots, temples, white-sand beaches and the friendliest people.

You can enter Yala National Park, home to the Sri Lankan leopard and over 300 elephants, for only $15! Street food in Sri Lanka is mouth-wateringly good and cheap too. 

Don’t be surprised if you get free home-cooked meals. Sri Lankan hospitality is on another level!

Top money saving tip: Get your visa, also known as Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), online. It’s slightly cheaper than doing it upon arrival in Colombo, and will save you a lot of time.

Sri Lanka is a country with rich culture and incredible locals. Volunteering in Sri Lanka allows you to fully immerse yourself in this hospitable and welcoming world. 

7. Laos

Southeast Asia has been one of the most popular backpacking destinations for a long time. Though somehow, Laos has managed to largely avoid being overwhelmed by tourism.

Good thing for you, as this means that Laos is one of the cheapest countries to travel in Southeast Asia. Laos is home to beautiful Buddhist monasteries, diverse landscapes and a fascinating culture that’s sprinkled with a dash of French influence.

In Laos, you can find some of the cheapest accommodation you’ve probably ever seen. How does a room for less than $2 sound? Yeah, not that great, but it could turn out to be a great story.

Top money saving tip: Visit free alternatives. If you want to visit temples in Laos, then do some research and find smaller ones that have free entry. They may not be as grand, but they serve the same spiritual purpose.

8. Indonesia

When I’m talking about Indonesia, I’m not referring to Bali. Whilst it’s still a relatively cheap place to visit, the influx of digital nomads and tourists have driven up the prices. Step outside of Bali and prices drop immediately.

There’s so much more to Indonesia than just Bali. 

• Java is home to the largest Buddhist temple in the world, Borobudur. 
• Lombok is an awesome place for surfing, at a lower cost and with less people waiting for a wave than Bali. 
• Sumatra is home to tropical rainforests and smouldering volcanoes.

And that’s only 3 of the 6,000 inhabited islands that make up Indonesia!

Top money saving tip: You can keep your costs down even if you go to Bali, try checking out one of the volunteering opportunities available there. 

9. Nepal

If you’re not spending thousands of dollars to climb Everest, then Nepal is one of the cheapest countries to travel in Asia.

The famous Himalaya’s, the world’s highest mountain range, reside in Nepal. If you’re a good hiker, this incredible mountain range is yours to explore for very little or no cost at all.

Aside from hiking, entry fees to Nepal's main tourist sites are relatively low, public transport is cheap and delicious food can be found for a couple of dollars.

Top money saving tip: Most times it can be cheaper to fly to Delhi first, and then take a connecting flight to Nepal.

Even though Nepal is a cheap country to visit, you can make it even cheaper by volunteering in Nepal and saving on accommodation. Some experiences that you could try include helping an NGO at a health centre, working on a coffee farm or teaching at a school in a local village.

10. Turkey

Over the past couple of years, the Turkish Lira (Turkey’s currency) has dropped significantly. Already a cheap country to travel in, this has made Turkey even cheaper.

Turkey is home to unforgettable experiences. You can finally tick off ‘riding a hot air balloon at sunrise in Cappadocia’ from your bucket list. Or bathing in the vibrant blue pools of Pamukkale.

It’s also famous for its crazy bazaars, majestic mosques, idyllic beaches and deep history as seen by sites such as Ephesus.

Top money saving tip: Stay in hostels or hotels that include breakfast. A traditional Turkish breakfast is huge! They can include fresh-baked bread, fruit, pastries, meat, eggs, cheese, olives and more. You won’t need lunch!

Top destinations to travel cheaply in Europe

11. Albania

Albania is Europe’s hidden gem. But the strange thing is that whilst you’re in Albania, you don’t feel like you’re in Europe. It feels like more of an adventure! Albania is authentic and hasn’t been developed for tourism yet.

The best thing, you won't be paying European prices there! Buses to all around the country cost around $5, and most hostels are less than $10 per night. Most of them include breakfast too!

Albania is somewhere that you can easily spend a few weeks in. Soak up the sun on the Albanian Riviera, visit one of the 170,000 bunkers in Albania, or take on the Peaks of the Balkans hike.

Top money saving tip: There is a big hitch-hiking culture in Albania. If you want to save money on transportation, then give hitch-hiking a go. 

12. Portugal

It’s often hard to budget travel in Western Europe, but Portugal is an exception. It has all of the European charms that we look for, yet has managed to remain affordable.

Portugal's golden sand beaches, world-famous surf spots and colourful cities have people returning time and time again.

The food and wine scene is delicious and irresistible. The great thing is that you don’t have to worry about eating out too much, because there are cheap restaurants in most places. Enjoy as much wine as you want (obviously drink responsibility) as bottles can be purchased for less than $2.

Top money saving tips: As with most countries, especially in Europe, prices tend to soar during the peak summer months. If you want to enjoy Portugal’s cheap prices, then consider visiting out of season. The weather is usually still pretty good, and the prices even better!

If you don't have any flexibility on when you visit Portugal, think about volunteering to save on those higher hotel and hostel prices. Worldpackers has over 140 work exchanges available in Portugal.

13. Romania

If you want to visit a relatively undiscovered part of Europe, that’s cheap but beautiful, consider adding Romania to your list.

Bucharest is an ideal city break destination. Spend your days exploring the cobblestone streets, discovering its deep history and enjoying a drink in one of Bucharest’s bohemian bars. How can you not when the beer is $1?

There’s more to Romania than its capital though. If you have more time, explore its unspoilt and incredible natural landscapes, such as the Carpathian Mountains. An added bonus, hiking is a free activity!

Top money saving tip: You can find lunch menus that include a soup, main and desert for around $6. Have a late lunch and you might not need dinner?

The best cheap and beautiful countries to travel in Africa

14. Morocco

Morocco is one of Africa’s most popular destinations. Its bustling souls, thriving culture, world-famous food and endless desert are too hard to resist.

In Morocco, bucket-list items can be done without breaking the bank. You can climb North Africa’s highest mountain, Toubkal, or take a 3-day adventure to the Sahara Desert for less than $100.

Most hostels cost between $5-10 in Morocco, and almost all of them include a traditional Moroccan breakfast. They’re big enough to fill you up until dinner. If you do get peckish later in the day, m’semen and tagines are cheap but delicious food options.

Top tip for saving money: Don’t let the taxi drivers take advantage of you. They will try! Never take a taxi that’s been waiting outside a train or bus station. They will charge you for their waiting time too. Always take one from the road or ask them to use their metre. 

Want to stay a little longer in Morocco, but don't have the budget? You can care for rescued animals, volunteer at a hostel or get creative with social media.

15. Malawi

Situated in Southern Africa, Malawi isn’t on most people’s radar. It’s a shame really, as it’s one of the cheapest countries to travel in Africa.

It’s also one of the safest countries in Africa to travel, and famous for its friendly and welcoming people. Unknown to most, Malawi has some astounding gold-sand beaches and idyllic islands that personify paradise.

You can also find the Big 5 (lion, leopard, rhino, cape buffalo and elephant) in Malawi’s national parks, which are some of the cheapest to visit in Africa!

Top money saving tip: Visit in the shoulder season (April to June) for even lower prices. Although the weather might not be perfect, you’ll be saving money!

Which beautiful and cheap place are you going to pick?

Whichever spot in the world you settle on, whether it's cheap or not, it's sure to be beautiful. There are always ways to be savy with your money and travel cheaply, you just have to get creative!

Volunteering through Worldpackers is one of those ways! I spent $49 on a Worldpackers membership, and saved the equivalent of $1,090 by volunteering in Colombia and Peru for 5 weeks.

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