My Top 5 Cheapest Countries For Solo Travelers
Intro
Having been to my fair share of countries (now at 101), I decided it might be a good idea to come up with my top 5 countries I have visited that I regard as the cheapest. Now, there are certain countries that are cheaper, but all of these also provide great insight into the culture and a luxury vacation.
Unfortunately, due to transport prices in Africa, I have to withhold Africa from this list. This is only because my most expensive trip came to Africa, and the flights were outrageous. It also gets a bit more complicated as bribes are common, and figuring out how much one can spend can vary.
Number 5: India
Through my travels in Southeast Asia, plenty of countries have stood out to me. However, India is certainly filled with immense culture and is immersive. Typically, accommodation can range anywhere from USD 10 per night to USD 50 per night for medium-range accommodation. 5-star hotels will sit anywhere from USD 80 per night to USD 200 per night.
I recommend heading over to Old Delhi, Goa, Mumbai, Agra, and Kashmir. During my time in India, I checked out the local spice markets in Old Delhi and absolutely loved it. It is an incredible experience and one I highly recommend.
Number 4: Vietnam
Vietnam is on my list of the top ten countries in the world. It's not just the cost, but the people there are some of the nicest you will come across. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Da Nang and Hoi An and have to put that up there. Everything is relatively cheap in the country, with 4-star accommodation in the range of 30/40-60$ per night. Activities are in the range of 15-30$, and that fantastic Vietnamese coffee is a couple of bucks for an iced latter (cheaper if straight).
If you planning on being in Vietnam, I recommend spending a week around Da Nang/Hoi An, a couple of days at least in Hanoi, and another couple of days in Saigon. I estimate that a solo trip for three weeks could be done for under a thousand, minus flights.
Number 3: Bolivia
Bolivia is literally where part of my heart is; the other parts are in Africa. Having been to almost every country in South America, Bolivia is the cheapest by a long shot. If you are in the area of La Paz, hostels cost around 10$, while a hotel is around 30-50$. The food is extremely cheap there as well. Transport down to the Salt Flats is 20$ for an overnight bus with beds...
If you are planning a trip to Bolivia, I highly recommend visiting the market in El Alto, which sells everything under the sun. However, hire a guide if you are not a seasoned traveler, as it can get dangerous, supposedly. A couple of days in each village in Bolivia would be perfect for a trip.
Number 2: Nicaragua
Nicaragua is another country I thoroughly enjoyed. There is a certain vibrant energy surrounding the country. Although, once again, I recommend against visiting Managua if you are not a seasoned traveler. Granada is a fantastic place for a vacation if you are on a budget, with hostels in the 10-20$ range and hotels in the 30-50$ range per night. Definitely check out the Treehouse rave every Friday night!
What really stands out to me is how affordable the food and drink is. If you happen to eat out, a beer will run you about 1.20$ at a restaurant, and a steak will be between 8-10$. Talk about bang for your buck.
Number 1: Cambodia
Cambodia is ranked as my favorite country in the world for a variety of reasons. While some of the options above are a bit cheaper, like Vietnam, Cambodia's energy is like no other place. I stayed at a 5-star hotel, and the total cost came out to about 45 USD per night. I mean seriously... Kroya restaurant, one of the best I have visited in Asia, was around 65$ for a 5-course Michelin star meal. Of course, if street food is more up your alley, it is also plenty cheap all over Cambodia.
Expect hostels to be in the 10-15$ per night range, beers just over 1$, and the tour of Angkor Wat around 60$. Visiting Angkor Wat is a must if you are in Cambodia; feel free to shoot me an email if you need the guide that took me around.
Final Thoughts
There are plenty of cheap countries around the world. However, these five are not only cheap but cheaply accessible and are some of my favorite countries in the world. Combine the cost with the raw beauty of nature and the people; definitely check out some of these places if you can figure out where to visit on your next trip! I promise you won't regret it!
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