Travel sites have been hashing out the best budget travel destinations for years.
But if you haven’t noticed, many of the usual top picks, including pretty much all of Southeast Asia, are closed to tourists at the moment. Unless you want to drop a grand on a quarantine hotel, that is.
So, what’s a list of the cheapest countries to travel to look like during Covid? Here’s our picks for the most affordable destinations that are still open to tourists in 2021.
Mexico
Despite being one of the largest countries in Latin America and receiving a huge number of tourists each year, Mexico is still incredibly affordable. Though we’d recommend steering clear of the major resorts in places like Cancun, if you want to get the best bang for your buck.
The country has something to offer every traveler and budget, whether you’d rather relax on the beach, explore ancient ruins, or stuff your face with the local cuisine.
Bulgaria
Bulgaria has so much to offer travelers, from Black Sea beaches to the Balkan Mountains. And yet it’s still one of the most budget-friendly countries in Europe! Even in the largest city, Sofia, you can find rooms as low $20 per night.
Hike, scuba dive, or visit one of Bulgaria’s dozens of remaining castles, all without breaking the bank.
Serbia
As far as Europe goes, it doesn’t get much cheaper than Serbia, whether you’re chilling in the capital, Belgrade, or based in one of the smaller cities, like Novi Sad or Niš.
Digital nomads have flocked to the country in recent years to take advantage of its excellent combination of livability and low cost of living. And as the westernmost European country on our list, it offers easy (and cheap) flights all over the region.
Dominican Republic
If you want picturesque beaches on a budget, then the DR’s got you covered. Not only are local prices good, from food to accommodation, it’s one of the cheapest places for Americans to fly to.
Round trip tickets from Miami to Santo Domingo can be had for as low as $200. Of course, you shouldn’t forget about the other great destinations in the Dominican Republic while you’re there.
Georgia
Do you love mountains, wine, food, architecture, history, and/or culture?
If so, then chances are, you’ll love Georgia. This small country in the Caucasus region is both stunning and budget-friendly, a real underrated gem for travelers in Europe.
Plus, the country’s visa allowances for Americans are some of the most generous in the world. And they don’t cost a penny!
Peru
Sure, you can see Machu Picchu, one of the world’s most-visited wonders, on a budget, whether you’re a backpacker, flashpacker, or just appreciate a good deal. That’s probably worth the trip, on its own.
But your journey in Peru doesn’t have to end there. The capital, Lima, has lots to do and see, as does Cusco. And there are many more natural wonders outside the city, including parts of the Amazon rainforest.
Romania
Yes, Romania was once the home of Prince Vlad III Dracula, also known as “The Impaler” – or Tepes (pronounced Tepesh), as the locals call him.
And yes, Romania also has some cool castles, including the one Vlad once occupied. But the country has a lot more to offer than that, from bustling Bucharest to the Carpathian Mountains, Danube Delta, and Black Sea beaches.
Did we mention it’s all super affordable?
Colombia
With Vietnam closed to tourists, where’s a budget traveler supposed to get their premium coffee fix?
Give Colombia a “shot”. Their coffee beans are some of the best in the world – and you’ll need the caffeine for all of the other cool stuff there is to do. The country has several distinct major cities to choose from, including the “Lost City”, and any of them can be done on a budget.
Jamaica
Sun, surf, and all the rum and reggae you can handle can be yours in Jamaica, all for a very reasonable price.
It’s not only one of the Caribbean’s most popular tourist destinations, it’s one of the most affordable, especially if you’re willing to get away from the big resorts. And whether you’re based in Ocho Rios, Kingston, or Port Antonio, there’s a whole lot to do and see in Jamaica.
Ukraine
As you can probably tell by our list so far, Eastern Europe is pretty cheap. And it doesn’t get any further east than Ukraine, so you can imagine the type of savings that can be had here.
The only question is, where will you stay? Kiev? Kharkiv? Odessa? Dnipro? The country has 7 cities with populations over 750,000 – and each of them have their own sites, flavors, and history to experience.
In fact, even the local culture and language are a bit different depending on where you are in the country.
Read More:
Travel Insurance That Covers Covid-19
11 Ways to Travel on a Budget in 2021
8 Tips for Traveling in Latin America
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
