The 10 Best Budget Travel Destinations For 2019

Travelling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller. – Ibn Battuta

Let us tell you one secret: you don’t have to spend a fortune to visit exciting places. In fact, for traveling on a budget you just need to have a good plan to avoid unplanned spending. Because most of us have to stick to a certain budget, we decided to show you the best budget travel destinations for this year. Read where you can travel this year without breaking a buck!

But first, let us see some interesting statistics about the travel budget:

• 37% of travelers are very likely to splurge on food and drink experiences
• 27% of travelers are likely to spend more on events or festivals
• 83% of families will splurge on their travel destination when planning a vacation, 68% on paid attractions, 68% on staying close to their destination, 63% on eating out/food, and 63% on the length of their trip

Now that you know your budget’s pain points, let’s see what are some budget travel destinations for this year!

Luang Prabang, Laos

The landlocked jewel of Asia Luang Prabang is often overlooked in favor of well-known destinations such as Cambodia, China, and Vietnam. We think this should be changed, especially because this destination offers culture, wildlife tours, and amazing outdoor activities at a minimum cost.

A vast majority of Luang Prabang’s cultural sites can be reached by foot and, within just a few miles outside of the city, you can enjoy beautiful waterfalls, limestone caves, and awe-inspiring jungles. A little bit of everything, this is the perfect destination to visit a year around!

Buenos Aires, Argentina

You might not think of Argentina as a budget travel destination, however, in the past years, it has become more affordable thanks to the peso’s decline.

Why don’t you take a drive through the amazing valley Quebrada de Humahuaca which will inspire you with its rainbow-striped and wind-shaped rock formations along with a cave cathedral where many local musicians play? Or you can visit the vibrant San Telmo market filled with delicious food and tango dances on Sunday.

Kerala, India

This southwestern Indian state is most famous for its backwaters, tea plantations, beaches, and the hill stations like Wayanad.

If you’re visiting Wayanad, you should try bamboo rafting tours which are about one hour long. Or you should try visiting Fort Kochi, most famously known as the “Getaway to Kerala”, an amazing city with eclectic influence.

Kerala’s waters are another thing worth seeing with its picturesque views, amazing food, and laid-back atmosphere it will swipe you off your feet.

Georgia

Another great budget destination is Georgia. Settled in Asia, this Caucasian country is filled with striking mountains, massive glaciers, and the urban, yet eclectic, capital city of Tbilisi.  Foodie fans would be happy to hear that Georgia has a great restaurant scene serving Georgian and international cuisine.

Budapest, Hungary

Besides being among our top-budget travel destinations, Budapest is one of the most beautiful European cities.  Settled on the Danube, this city amazes us with its architecture, warmness, and urban vibe.

The city rich with history, Budapest is the perfect destination for history lovers. One of the most moving monuments is “Shoes on the Danube”, dedicated to victims of the Second World War who had to leave their shoes before they were killed and thrown into a river.

Morocco    

Dizzily diverse, Morocco is the perfect destination for your African getaway. Warm people, impressive mountain ranges, and ancient cities – what’s not to love about it?

Many people think Morocco is a small country, but this cannot be further from the truth. That’s why we suggest you investigate before you actually go and stick to one Morrocan destination. You can always go back and explore it from the other angle, right? 

If you decide to visit Morocco, make sure you learn how to make a bargain! Every price in Morocco is meant to be bartered down – sellers are often giving high prices for the stuff they’re selling because they suppose you, as a tourist, don’t know better.

Nepal

The Nepal government wants you to come. In fact, this year they are promoting Nepal as the destination for luxury, adventure, and everything in between. Nepal is beautiful, and that further proves the fact they have 15 sites on UNESCO’s list!

Nepal celebrates a wide range of Hindu and Buddhist holidays and it’s famous for its festivals which will amaze every tourist interested in Asian culture. Its mesmerizing mountains don’t need further introduction, but before you see them, prepare to be amazed by its green and breathtaking hills.

Vietnam

When it comes to Vietnam, either you’ll love it or you will hate it. Vietnam is not the easiest country to travel around, however, in the past year the government started promoting tourism and locals got more used to seeing tourists so their negative approach towards them starts to change.

If you’re up for the adventure, we invite you to crawl through an extensive network of tunnels used in the sixties in the war against the USA. The tours include a description of the tunnels, crawling in mazes, and firing from the AK47s at shooting targets. However, if you’re claustrophobic make sure to avoid this experience – it’s not for you.

If you put war with the USA aside, Vietnam is most known for its rice paddles which can be found in Muong Hoa Valley. If you decide to visit them, you’ll learn a lot about rice production. That’s something to be proud of when you come back home. And don’t forget to check out traditional Vietnamese souvenirs in case you’re looking for a cultural experience and a thing that will always remind you of beautiful Vietnam.

Romania

Romania is much more than scary Vampire stories. It’s actually one of the biggest European countries which amazes us with its diverse geography and beautiful nature. It’s relatively cheap, enough to qualify for our budget travel destinations list. 

If you’re an outdoorsy person, Romania has something to offer. June to September is the perfect time to visit the Black Sea, however, you should make your reservations early because lots of people love to spend their summer by the seaside.

Romania is good for campers too! The Carpathian Mountains are the perfect place for camping from April to September. And for the urban travelers, we suggest sticking with the beautiful Romanian capital Bucharest. 

Bolivia

Throw your calendars and strict timetables if you plan on visiting Bolivia! This is among the most unnerving of budget travel destinations for the ones who love order. Buses are leaving late, and inter-country flights are often canceled if they’re not full enough. Also, car trips can take hours longer than expected due to poor roads or the rainy season. However, we love it because it’s an adventure.

Bolivia is full of mesmerizing salt flats, and seemingly endless landscapes of slats will take your breath away. And the “Red Lake” is bound to sweep you off your feet: 14000 feet above sea level this impressive lake amazes us with its unique red color, caused by the red sediment and algae.

Are you ready for the vacation?

You deserve a vacation! In fact, there’s a perfect explanation about why vacations are good for you. Don’t let your tight budget rule over and go through our best budget travel destinations – we’re quite sure you’ll find something perfect for you.

If you don’t know how to explain to your boss you’re desperate for a vacation, suggest using Vacation Tracker. It’s easy to understand the hint!

This Slack integration makes scheduling and tracking vacations super easy! All you need to do is to input /vacation on your Slack account and the journey will start! It doesn’t cost to try a free trial, right?

Ana Mladenovic

A cat enthusiast and a cupcake maniac, Ana is a freelance Content Writer passionate about HR, productivity, and team management topics. When she’s not at her keyboard, you can find Ana in the kitchen, trying to make delicious cookies.