The 10 Cheapest Countries to Visit

Man rides elephant at sunset in the rice field at Elephant Villange in Surin Province, Thailand.

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last updated 28 June 2024

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If you're planning your next solo or family vacation and have to stick to a strict budget, no problem. We've found the cheapest countries to visit around the world. Despite the effects of inflation on everything from eggs to electric cars, there are many places where the dollar will work in your favor, getting you an exotic trip for less than you might expect.

Our ranking is based on the average estimated daily cost you'll pay once you reach your destination, considering daily prices for accommodation and food for one person. The missing element is the cost of airfare, but flight costs vary so much depending on the time of year you're traveling, and where you're flying from, and to, that it's not helpful to factor those into our selection. If you want to know how to find and save money on flights to Europe, we've got some strategies for doing just that.

10. Portugal

Average daily cost: $147
Average accommodation cost for one person: $63
Average daily meals cost: $43

Portugal is one of the best-value destinations in Europe. It's known for its seafood, wine, views, delicious custard tarts (pastéis de nata) and 300+ days of sunshine. Whether you head for vibrant Lisbon, to the sandy beaches of the south or for a wine and port tour in Porto, you’ll get a reasonably-priced vacation while enjoying the sights and sounds that this friendly southern European country has to offer.

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9. Dominican Republic

Average daily cost: $146
Average accommodation cost for one person: $89
Average daily meals cost: $39

Only a two-hour flight from Miami and less than four hours from New York City, Americans are frequent visitors to this sunny, year-round Caribbean destination. Spanish-speaking Dominican Republic makes up half of the second-largest island in the Caribbean (Hispaniola), and French-speaking Haiti makes up the western half. With white sand beaches, lagoons, and rainforests, there’s plenty to explore while enjoying the natural beauty of the country.

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8. Turkey

Average daily cost: $130
Average accommodation cost for one person: $53
Average daily meals cost: $33

Turkey is one of the most visited countries in the world but remains an underrated tourist destination. Straddling Europe and Asia, Turkey is a fabulous melting pot of cultures that can be seen in everything from architecture to cuisine. There's an assortment of choices for visitors — from mountain ranges to beach-littered coasts, to the sprawling colorful metropolis of Istanbul, Turkey has everything. Despite the devastating earthquakes that hit the country in 2023, many tourist destinations in the west (hundreds of miles from the affected areas) are open and actively welcoming visitors.

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7. Mexico

Average daily cost: $118
Average accommodation cost for one person: $46
Average daily meals cost: $27

America’s neighbor Mexico is home to Mexico City, the fifth largest city in the world. Not only does Mexico have several urban oases, but the North American country is also known for its beautiful beaches that are regularly listed as some of the best in the world. From ancient jungle ruins to iconic buildings, you’ll find pretty much everything you could want on a vacation — and for a good price.

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6. Costa Rica

Average daily cost: $115
Average accommodation cost for one person: $58
Average daily meals cost: $24

Despite being the size of West Virginia, Costa Rica is a land of abundance and adventure. The quiet Central American country has miles of coastline on both the Pacific and Caribbean oceans, and with jungle lodges, rainforest treks, volcanoes and cloud forests, it boasts some of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet. With fresh food and fruit in abundance, you can truly enjoy the “pura vida.” One study even named Costa Rica as the best country to retire in 2024.

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5. South Africa

Average daily cost: $90
Average accommodation cost for one person: $48
Average daily meals cost: $21

One of the best reasons to visit South Africa, of course, is to go on a safari. The country is one of the world's best places to see the Big Five (elephant, buffalo, rhino, lion and leopard) and has several national parks and game reserves to explore. But that's not all the country has to offer. While in South Africa, make sure to walk among the wildflowers of Namaqua, hike up Table Mountain, go whale-watching or spend a day relaxing on the beach.

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4. Thailand

Average daily cost: $81
Average accommodation cost for one person: $35
Average daily meals cost: $17

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3. Vietnam

Average daily cost: $59
Average accommodation cost for one person: $26
Average daily meals cost: $14

Vietnam is a beautiful country with culturally rich cities and diverse landscapes to explore. There's a never-ending list of things to do while in this Southeast Asian country, like eating the best banh mi in Ho Chi Minh City, exploring the bustling streets of Hanoi's Old Quarter, visiting the world's largest cave at Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park or taking a tour of Ha Long Bay. The best part? You'll have the experience of a lifetime without going broke.

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2. Indonesia

Average daily cost: $58
Average accommodation cost for one person: $30
Average daily meals cost: $15

Indonesia is home to Bali — often at the top of rankings when it comes to the best place to visit in the world. But there’s more to this paradise of a country than Instagram-worthy views. With over 17,000 islands, Indonesia is the world’s largest island country boasting stunning beaches, volcanoes, jungles, orangutan colonies, giant Komodo dragons and vast mountain ranges. The best of all? Your money goes very far here.

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1. Laos

Average daily cost: $14
Average accommodation cost for one person: $5.70
Average daily meals cost: $5.54

Laos is a landlocked country in Southeast Asia, but it still manages to have over 4,000 islands. From the islands of the Mekong Delta to the stunning waterfalls of the interior, Laos is one of the few countries in the world that hasn’t lost its natural beauty to sprawling development. And yet, there's more than enough to tempt the most jaded traveler — from cookery schools for food lovers to climbing, caving and jungle treks for thrill-seekers and temples galore for those more culturally inclined.

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Quincy is the digital producer at Kiplinger. He joined Kiplinger in May 2021. Before, he worked at Agora Financial - Paradigm Press and was a contributing writer for several other online media publications.

In his current role at Kiplinger, Quincy manages Kiplinger's newsletters, including Kiplinger Today, Investing Weekly, Tax Tips, Kiplinger’s Special Report, and Closing Bell. At the same time, he writes numerous articles every month.

When he’s not working, he’s taking his dogs for a walk or fishing.

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