Taking a vacation that lasts more than a week is like pressing the pause button on daily life to savor a slice of escapism. Yet, the thought of the escalating costs can sometimes pull us back to reality with a thud. It’s those carefully hoarded vacation days awaiting to be spent that lure us into dreaming of an extended break without draining the pocket.
As you picture a serene getaway that feels less like a fleeting moment and more like a sweet, enduring pause, knowing there are wallet-friendly havens out there brings the dream one step closer to reality. You’ll want to check out these 12 locations where you’ll get more bang for your buck, letting you vacation for more than a week compared to what you’d spend in other cities.
1. Toronto, CA
The Canadian city of Toronto is one that you should consider visiting this year. The average cost of a trip and accommodation is $577, leaving plenty of money for souvenirs, attractions, and delicious food at St. Lawrence Market and the Hockey Hall of Fame. High Park is another option since it is beautiful and free of charge.
2. Thailand
Thailand is the center of trekking in Southeast Asia. It has been a tourist destination for decades, and you can get by on $25–$35 USD per day thanks to cheap guesthouses, cheap street food (you can get a meal for as little as $1 USD! ), local buses, and the many free or cheap sites.
If you spend all of your time on the islands and stay in expensive places, you can expect to spend about $60 USD per day. But even with that price, Thailand is still one of the best places in the world to save money.
3. Chicago in Winter
Chicago in the summer is the best, but the Windy City is also a lot of fun in the winter. Spend the afternoon skating on the Maggie Daley Park Ice Skating Ribbon, then stop by Giordano’s close by for a piece of deep-dish pizza to warm up and refuel. At an average of $624 for a flight and a hotel, you’ll have enough money left over to see a show or go to the top of the Willis Tower on Skydeck Chicago.
4. Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park is a beautiful place to visit that is on the border between Montana and Canada. It is a popular place for tourists. After you pay the $35 fee to get in, you can walk, swim, and climb as much as you want. Take advantage of the park’s free ranger-led events, such as all-day hikes and stargazing at Logan Pass.
Save time for a beautiful drive along Going-to-the-Sun Road, which is open during the summer. There are places to rest, such as wildlife centers and camping spots, if you get too tired.
5. Central America
Want to explore old sites, hike through the bush, surf, eat delicious food, and meet few other tourists? Visit some of the smaller Central American countries, like El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Guatemala. Most cheap rooms cost between $15 and $30 USD per night, most meals cost less than $5 USD, most bus rides cost the same, and you can buy beer for as little as a dollar.
6. Mexico City
With a flight and room costing $696, Mexico City is a cheap foreign location. Mexico City is worth a visit while prices are low because it has amazing buildings, tasty food, areas that are easy to get around on foot, and a great arts and culture scene.
7. Cambodia
Cambodia is beautiful, cheap, and the people there are very friendly. For $25 USD, you can get a private room with air conditioning, street food for $2–5 USD, and transportation all over the country for $20–25 USD. You are living well if you spend close to $50 USD per day. Cambodia is less expensive than Thailand, but it is just as beautiful and has some of the friendliest people in the world. Plus, it’s home to the amazing Angkor Wat, which costs a lot to see but is worth it!
8. Sequoia National Park
This park in the heart of California is famous for its enormous sequoia groves, and when you drive through the park, you’re sure to see hundreds of the park’s namesake trees. You have to pay $35 per car to get into Sequoia National Park, but you can save money by climbing or signing up for a free program run by a park employee.
9. India
Even though India has always been a cheap place to live, the Indian rupee used to be worth 39 US cents. Now, you can get 82 rupees for every dollar, which is almost 50% more money to travel with. You won’t be able to spend $50 USD a day here unless you stay in five-star motels and only eat Western food.
You can get by with about $30 USD a day if you stay in cheap guesthouses, take second-class trains, and don’t eat any Western food. And if you want to splurge, you can live well for as little as $60 USD per day. Even well-known places like the Taj Mahal, which is a Wonder of the World and costs only $13 USD to enter, are very cheap.
10. Cartagena, Colombia
Cartagena is a lively city with a lot going on. It will energize even the most tired tourists, and at $792 for a flight and a room, it’s not too expensive either. This port city on the Caribbean coast of Colombia has a walled Old Town from the 16th century, lovely buildings, and picture-perfect beaches.
11. Destin, FL
This part of the Florida Panhandle has miles of white sand beaches and many public entry points, making it a great place to go on a cheap vacation. Soak up the sun at the Shores at Crystal Beach Park or spend a few bucks enjoying the clean Appalachian quartz sand at Henderson Beach State Park.
After a day at the beach, you can take a short walk along the Destin Harbor Boardwalk or go to Fudpucker’s Gator Beach for a free alligator show. Some of Destin’s best hotels have rooms for less than $200 per night, but to get the best deals, you should avoid going during the summer.
12. Grand Teton National Park
The best way to get the most out of a trip to Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park is to go by car since the $35 registration fee covers everyone in the car and is good for seven days. Once you get there, you can do things like fishing, camping, and mountain climbing.
You can also take a slow drive along Teton Park Road to see wildlife and beautiful views of the Teton Range. Before you leave, make sure to stop by the Craig Thomas Discovery & Visitor Center to learn more about the park’s interesting past.
No Passport, No Problem: You Don’t Need One to Vacation in These Countries
If you’re an American citizen traveling out of the country, you have to have a passport to be allowed into somewhere else, right? While that’s mostly true, there are some exceptions. Some are independent countries, while others are U.S. territories that largely operate independently.
Note: Before you visit any of these places, make sure you look into what the entry requirements are. For example, you may need an enhanced ID or proof of certain vaccinations.
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Featured Image Credit: DavideAngelini/Shutterstock
Demi Michele is a seasoned traveler, turned freelance writer. Having explored most states and ventured internationally, her love for outdoor cafes, new cuisines, and cultural immersion shines through her wide range of articles. Based in Texas with her family and two Scottish Terriers, Demi turns her adventures into captivating travel narratives to share with readers.