A great way to expose yourself to new cultures is to travel, especially outside of the U.S. Many people don’t however because they think it might be too expensive. Well here are 10 great places you can see some amazing things with a budget of $50 a day.
[Source: USA Today]
Travel doesn’t have to be a savings-draining proposition. Pick the right destination and you can stretch your dollar for weeks or even months, saysMatt Kepnes, author of How to Travel the World on $50 a Day (Perigee Trade, $15). Best of all, you don’t have to sacrifice comfort. “I don’t like to spend a lot on travel, but I have no desire to sleep on floors,” he says. “The main thing is to stay away from big-box hotels, find local restaurants and take public transportation.” He shares with Larry Bleiberg for USA TODAY some favorite countries to visit on the cheap.
Thailand
Although it’s a popular destination, you don’t have to spend a fortune in Thailand, Kepnes says. “There are still very, very cheap accommodations. You can eat local food for a dollar or two,” he says. “If you’re spending $50 a day, you’re spending a lot of money.” Even airfare within the country isn’t very expensive. Tourismthailand.org
Cambodia
Although it’s in the same region as Thailand, this Southeast Asian country is even cheaper. “If Thailand is plugged in, Cambodia is unplugged. There are remote beaches and islands,” Kepnes says. “The people there are some of the most amazing I’ve met.” tourismcambodia.com
India
The Indian subcontinent isn’t easy for independent traveler , which is one reason Kepnes suggests focusing on a single region. “It’s so gigantic. You can’t cover India in two weeks. But that being said, it is cheap. You can have a great hotel there for 20 bucks.” 800-953-9399; incredibleindia.org
China
If you avoid the major cities like Shanghai, Beijing and Hong Kong, China can be an incredible bargain, Kepnes says. “All these places are cheap if you do what folks over there do. If you walk into a local market, you’re paying just a couple bucks for food. If you go to China and try to have a hamburger, you’re going to have a bad hamburger and you’re going to pay a lot for it.” cnto.org
Belize
While it’s not the cheapest place in Central America, Belize has plenty to offer and it still can be experienced for $50 a day, Kepnes says. He suggests staying away from the popular Ambergris Caye resort area, and instead seek out Mayan ruins and less-developed beaches. “It has nice weather. It’s small. It’s easy to get around. It’s still a good value destination.” travelbelize.org
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