For a lot of people, traveling takes a lot of planning and saving up. Traveling and seeing the world is one of the best things a person can experience in a lifetime; unfortunately, not everyone is lucky enough to be able to afford traveling often. Yes, traveling is a luxury, but with careful research and advanced planning, taking the trip of our dreams may become a possibility.
If you want to travel and your only requirement for the destination is that it is not expensive, we can help you out with that. Here are the top 10 cheapest places to travel in 2018:
1. Guadalajara, Mexico
Guadalajara is a beautiful city in Mexico. It is known for tequila, mariachi music, natural parks, and tianguis (street markets). If you are a fan of Neoclassical architecture, you would love roaming around the city and checking out the old buildings in downtown Plaza de la Liberacion.
The average flights to Guadalajara are around $200 USD each way. For $15 USD, you can already have a basic dinner out for two in the neighborhood pub. A cup of coffee in an expat area of the city would be around $3. If you would like to catch a movie in the local cinema during your trip, that would be $7 for two tickets.
2. Albufeira, Portugal
Albufeira is the best place to go if you are looking for some inexpensive fun under the sun and on the beach. You can find twenty-five beaches near the area. The best ones include the Praia da Gale and Praia da Falesia. You will not run out of golden sand to sunbathe on and azure waters to swim in. Albufeira also has a reputation of being a party destination.
If you would like to experience some wild nightlife without spending much money, this is your place to be. But of course, if that is not your scene, you can enjoy local cuisine, visit the historic town of Old Albufeira, and walk around the quaint whitewashed villas, or even spend time in the municipal museum to learn more about the history and culture of the place.
3. Alberta, Canada
Alberta, Canada is home to beautiful national parks. Banff National Park is a breathtaking place that one must see in a lifetime. Here you will find huge, beautiful mountains, turquoise glacial lakes, scenic driveways, and varied wildlife. If you are not a fan of the cold, the best time to come here would be during summertime or spring.
For nine Canadian dollars, you can get already get a ticket to enjoy the park for one day. Youths from seventeen years old and below can get admitted for free, which means that you will be able to save a few bucks, especially if you are traveling with the whole family. The camp also offers other activities such as fishing, trekking, kayaking, and camping.
4. Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
This resort city is the go-to vacation destination. A lot of celebrities and affluent personalities come here all the time, thus giving the place a reputation of being pricey. Yes, there are a lot of expensive resorts and hotels in the area, but there are also affordable ways you can still enjoy Cabo San Lucas.
There are multiple airlines and plenty of flights going in and out the city, thus making the flight fares considerably cheaper. Hotels also offer promotions every now and then. There are hotels that you can stay for $40-$60 a night. You can definitely enjoy the sea and some sunshine without breaking the bank!
5. Phuket, Thailand
Phuket has one of the best beaches in the world, which is why a lot of tourists visit the place the whole year through, but that is not the only reason why visitors flock to Phuket. Thailand is one of the cheapest destinations in Southeast Asia. You can stay in a five-star hotel for just about $50 a night.
The food in Phuket is also superb, especially if you are into fresh seafood. Don’t miss out on hopping on a ferry boat and join island hopping sessions while you are in Phuket because it has a lot of breathtaking islands. At night, head over to Patong beach to experience Phuket’s vibrant nightlife.
6. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Malaysia Truly Asia is the official tagline of this country. There are so many reasons to visit Malaysia aside from it is super affordable. If you are into modern architecture, the famous Petronas Twin Towers is a must-see.
If outdoor adventure is your preference, hiking in Mount Kinabalu is popular in Malaysia although you need to travel a couple of hours from Kuala Lumpur. This is not for the beginners though, since you may need to spend at least two days hiking and you need to camp for at least one night. Malaysia also has a great cuisine, so food tripping is also a must-try. If you are into bargain shopping, night markets and shopping districts are abundant in Kuala Lumpur.
7. Tbilisi, Georgia
Tbilisi is the capital city of Georgia. The average airfare to visit here is around $900 and a hotel is at $120 a night, but of course, you can check for awesome deals for Airbnb. Since Georgia sits between Asia and Europe, it has acquired a mixture of both continents’ charms. Take a walking tour in the city of Tbilisi, and you would right away notice the charming little alleys and cobbled stone pathways.
Most of the shops around the city are local and serve good food and beer. Check out the local markets, too, and get your fill of fresh produce. Make sure to take time to slow down and talk to the locals- Georgia’s most charming asset. If you’d like to get out of the city, Georgia has beautiful scenic mountains and rivers that would surely take your breath away. This is a perfect place to be to reset and clear your head.
8. Jeju Island, South Korea
Korea has so much more to offer other than Korean barbeque and soju. When one think of traveling to South Korea, one might think of Seoul right away. Sure, Seoul is beautiful, but Jeju Island also has so many wonderful tourist spots, and spending time there is considerably cheaper than touring around Seoul. Jeju Island is all about nature’s beauty.
Mount Hallasan is Korea’s highest mountain. If you are up for a hike, this dormant volcano is a must-climb for you. Mount Hallasan is listed as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site. If you are traveling with kids, check out Jeju Teddy Bear Museum. You would see thousands of teddy bear displays from all over the world. Jeju Island also has a lot of waterfalls, caves, and beautiful beaches that will keep you entertained during your entire stay.
9. Mallorca, Spain
With airfares averaging $800, Mallorca, Spain should be on your travel bucket list this year. Mallorca is described as a classic Mediterranean postcard. Renting a car and driving all around the city is the best way to appreciate the beautiful coast of Mallorca, plus, car rentals are pretty cheap in the city. Of course, the best way to enjoy the ocean is to be in it. The view is beautiful from the coast, but make sure to spend a day or two in the ocean and swim your heart out.
Snorkeling and diving are also popular in the island, since it has a thriving marine life. During late afternoons, spend some time gazing at Mallorca’s sunset. It is one of the most beautiful in the world. Mallorca also has a lot of fancy restaurants where you can relax and eat to your heart’s content after an eventful day touring around the island. For city tours, quaint little Spanish villages can be found in every little corner. If you are lucky, you may even find old specialty shops where you can buy trinkets and souvenirs that you can take home or give as a gift to your friends and family. After a long day, having iced coffee or an ice cream in Petra is the best way to cap it all off.
10. Mostar, Bosnia
Mostar, Bosnia has a lot of Instagram-worthy places you can visit. One of the most popular tourist sites in the area is Stari Most. Stari Most is a 16th century Ottoman-style bridge that stretches across the Neretva River. From the bridge, you will have the view of the charming city of Mostar. Of course, aside from Stari Most, there are a lot of things to see in the city.
Once you roam around, you would eventually notice the cool street art and old architecture. Bosnia is also famous for Kravice Waterfalls and Blagag Tekke to name a few. If you are a fan of Bruce Lee, you can find a Bruce Lee statue in Zrinjevac Park. Most of the sites that you can visit and enjoy in Mostar have free admission, so you won’t need to spend a lot just to visit the city.
