Budget travelers are constantly looking for the best possible places they can visit on the cheap. Here are five exotic places around the world that are still affordable for the budget traveler. Read on!
Panama
Everybody knows it for the Panama Canal, a must see engineering marvel, but Panama offers much more for budget travelers seeking an exotic trip. Plenty of great beaches in places like Bocas del Torro or for the more adventurous, explore the Darién Gap (with a guide of course, this is one extremely dangerous place). It’s easy to spend several weeks in this exotic country without ever staying in one place for too long.
Panama is served by many North American carriers at reasonable prices. The roads are much easier than Costa Rica but the main means of transport over large distances is by small plane. You can fly to most places in the country on Air Panama or AeroPerlas for $50-100.
Hawaii
Thought by many to be an expensive tourist trap five hours off the coast of California, Hawaii is actually a great trip for budget travelers who enjoy doing their own thing. Amazing beaches with the best surf in North America, scuba and snorkeling opportunities everywhere and plenty of diversity with rain forest and volcanoes for nature lovers.
Read more about Hawaii becoming a budget traveler’s dream.
Bali
The most visitor friendly island in Indonesia, Bali may be small in size but not in stature, despite not being the cheapest place in the world to fly to. Flights can cost up to around $1,000 but amenities once you are there can be had at very reasonable prices. Don’t worry, big hotels are available for those who need pampering, but for travelers that require less your dollar can go a long way in Bali.
Costa Rica
Apparently in order to be considered “exotic” you need ocean and rain forest so close to each other in the same country that you can literally feel as if you are in another world in the same day. Not only does Costa Rica allow you to do that, you can literally walk from a gorgeous beach where you might not see another person all day, to forest where you will be surrounded by monkeys and sloths. Costa Rica has to be the ecotourism capital of the world and luckily for budget travelers, prices are still reasonable. A bus ride across the country costs less than $5 and there are many hostels for around $10 per night. Tourism is huge though and there are plenty of resorts and tourists traps but you can still easily get by spending $3 for dinner eating with the locals at a small soda.
Morocco
Morocco stands out on this list because it’s not known for its nature although it does have plenty of that to go around. Fancy a camel ride across the Sahara? No problem. The majority of travelers are here for Morocco’s immense culture though. It’s a taste of the middle east in North Africa. Imperial cities like Fez are home to life in the medinas and souks that has been relatively unchanged for a thousand years. Food lovers will be in heaven enjoying chicken or lamb tagines meticulously steamed for several hours.
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Great list! I was expecting Irvine CA, Maplewood NJ, Kissimmee FL…You know, “exotic” (in quotes) rather than the real deal. :)
Haha. I live right next to Irvine and trust me, I can’t afford to visit there! :)
Let me know if you need a guide while in Bali :)
yes irma, i might be visiting bali sometime around 25 november. can u help me in searching a good guide
Nice choices. All of the above are on my list of places to visit “next time”!
Awesome list!! I’m planning a trip to Panama for Thanksgiving because it’s cheaper than a lot of other options. I went to Hawaii last year and I can say, it’s much more affordable than I ever thought it’d be. I’ve already been to Costa Rica so I can add Bali and Morocco to the list. =)
If you’re hitting up Morocco, you have to take a mint tea break. One tea house in Fez was located in a former palace, roof view was insane.
Brazil …. it’s a paradise and so cheap for europeans and americans. My tips: Florianópolis (Santa Catarina), Garopaba & Praia do Rosa & Farol de Santa Marta (Santa Catarina – almost Rio Grande do Sul). Up to the north of Brazil – jungle trips in Amazonia. Center: Bonito (in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul) with the blue lagoon! Brasília (capital of Brasil – very warm weather). Beaches: near São Paulo – Maresias ( best nightclub – Sirena), Ilhabela, Juqueí.
In the state of Rio de Janeiro – Paraty (colonial houses), Ilha Grande (go to blue and green lake), Rio de Janeiro, for sure; Búzios, Arraial do Cabo. North – Maranhão State! Go visit the sand “dunas”
Thats it! Well…there are many places in brazil…but I definitely reccomend those!
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Why did you choose Costa Rica and not neighbouring Guatemala or San Salvador which are a lot more exotic? Guatemala is the home of 8 million native Guatemalans who speak over 26 different Mayan languages. Costa Rica has been conveniently cleansed of most of its native people. Why did you choose Panama also? Is it because these two countries are sanctioned by the US and are practically under US control, with a strong US army presence in both countries. What’s exotic about that? Have you some hidden agenda or is it just that you are ignorant of the facts. What about Nicuragua and Honduras? Cheap, yes. Exotic, very much so. I’ve been to all Central American countries, my least favorite – Panama and Costa Rica, the 51st and 52nd states.
Hello Peter,
You are exactly right. I chose Costa Rica and Panama because of the US influence. I do in fact have a hidden agenda and wish nothing to do with any country that does not have an American influence. Obviously, I mean why would I post Morocco? Morocco is practically the 53rd state.
I’m not ignorant to any facts – this post is merely my opinion. I have not been to every country in the world, let alone Central America. I’ve never been to a country I don’t like but I can’t write about and rank every country in the world.
I encourage you to start your own site and share these “facts” with people. Of course I’m not sure how many people would read it if you are always in attack-mode.
Thanks for stopping by. Have a great day.
Well If I had chosen from all 5 I would definitely choose Bali and Hawaii.Besides there’s a lot of trips and voyages that are concidered to your financial status. My dream is to go around the world over and over so I can see some really nice and exotic places and I don’t think that money has to be an obstacle to make my dream comes true! I want it so badly that I alwost think of how to make my own money so I can go to some really nice destinations in Europe. I think that everyone should see at least one world-famous place abroad. ;}