15 Underrated Travel Destinations That Equal Ridiculously Cheap
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Tired of expensive tourist hotspots ? We ’ ve uncovered 15 incredible yet underrated destinations that offer unforgettable experiences at a fraction of the cost .
From ancient cities to tropical paradises , these cheap underrated travel destinations around the world prove that travel doesn ’ t want a luxury budget .
Explore our handpicked choice of affordable destinations below .
15 Underrated Travel Destinations That Live Cheaper than the Rest
Ready to explore breathtaking destinations without emptying your wallet ? Scroll down to discover 15 incredible seat where your money stretches farther
1 . Vang Vieng , Laos
- Budget :You should design to spend around$ 18 ( ₭384,834 )per day
This adventure paradise , set against a backdrop of dramatic limestone cliff , delivers Southeast Asian thrill without Thailand ’ s tourist prices .
Once know alone for partying , Vang Vieng has matured into an outdoor enthusiast ’ s dream .
Here you can kayak crystal rivers , explore vast cave system , and hot tune balloon over rice sphere at a fraction of what you ’ 500 wage elsewhere in Asia .
Local guesthouses put up river view at backpacker rates , while restaurants do up both Laotian specialties and Western comfort food at prices that let you stay for week .
2 . Aswan , Egypt
- Budget :You should design to spend around$ 19 ( E£956 )per day
This laid-back Nile city offers ancient Egyptian grandeur without Cairo ’ s crowds or Luxor ’ s tourist premiums .
Glide down the Nile in a traditional felucca for a fraction of what cruise ship mission , while explore Nubian villages and the magnificent Philae Temple .
Local markets service up new koshari and grilled fish at prices that shame tourist restaurant , while simple hotels offer Nile views that would cost a fortune in northern Egypt .
From botanical garden to ancient target , Aswan proves you don ’ t demand to break the bank to receive the magic of ancient Egypt .
3 . Kyrgyzstan
- Budget :You should plan to pass around$ 21 ( KGS1,853 )per day
This Central Asian gem delivers Swiss-Alps-level mountain majesty at backpacker-friendly prices .
Stay in traditional yurt camps beside alpine lake , trek through dramatic valleys , and ride horses across vast steppes for a fraction of what similar adventures would cost in Europe .
Local homestays put up authentic experiences with nomadic families and endless cups of kumis at meek price .
From the shore of Issyk-Kul to the peaks of the Tian Shan mountains , Kyrgyzstan test that epic great deal adventure don ’ t involve a Western Europe budget .
4 . Gili Air and Gili Meno , Indonesia
- Budget :You should design to pass around$ 22 ( Rp351,183 )per day
These two small Gili Islands offer pristine paradise without the party price of their big sister , Gili T. Meno delivers castaway dream with empty beaches and resident sea turtles .
Air provides the perfect remainder of serenity and sociability . Both island portion crystal-clear snorkeling position and powder-white beaches at a fraction of what you ’ 500 pay in the Maldives .
Both island part crystal-clear snorkeling spots and powder-white beaches at a fraction of what you ’ 500 salary in the Maldives .
Mere beachfront bungalows let you live the island ambition without breaking the bank .
Local warungs serve fresh-caught fish and Indonesian classics at prices that make dining with ocean views an everyday matter .
5 . Tbilisi , Georgia
- Budget :You should plan to pass around$ 33 ( GEL94 )per day
Where ancient meets affordable , Tbilisi captivates with its strike blend of medieval church , Soviet-era architecture , and modern design .
The city ’ s famed sulfur bath bid spa-like luxury at a fraction of Western prices , while the local wine culture permit you sample world-class vintages without the premium rag .
Feast on generous percentage of khachapuri and khinkali at local market for pocket change , while search the cobblestone street of the Old Town .
6 . Northern Thailand
- Budget :You should plan to pass around$ 38 ( ฿1,305 )per day
Far from the tourist-heavy beaches of the south , Thailand ’ s northern region offers ethnic immersion and good deal adventures at local prices .
Hither you can trek through hill tribe small town , take cooking classes in ancient temples , and explore night market for a fraction of what you ’ 500 spend in Bangkok or the islands .
Traditional guesthouses and boutique hostels in city like Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai provide stylish stays without the premium price tag .
The legendary northern Thai cuisine costs less than street food in the south .
7 . Pokhara , Nepal
- Budget :You should plan to pass around$ 45 ( NP₨6,029 )per day
Nestled beneath the Annapurna range , Pokhara delivers Himalayan majesty without Kathmandu ’ s chaos or tourist-trail cost .
This lakeside gem offer world-class trekking , paragliding , and mountain view at a fraction of what you ’ 500 salary for like adventure in other country .
Local guesthouses suffice up hearty dal bhat with myriad refills , while cafes around Phewa Lake dish out both Nepali and Western darling at prices that encourage long stays .
From free lakeside thread to affordable boat trip , Pokhara proves that great deal paradise doesn ’ t involve a premium cost tag .
8 . Hampi , India
- Budget :You should plan to spend around$ 45 ( ₨3,858 )per day
This ancient capital looks like a landscape from another planet , where massive boulders cradle ruins of a 14th-century empire , all at backpacker-friendly prices .
Unlike India ’ s more famed destinations , Hampi offers its UNESCO-listed temple and heroic sunsets without the usual tourist premiums .
Family guesthouses in nearby Hospet provide affordable floor , while local restaurant serve up sumptuous thalis at price that find like a time warp .
Rock climbing , bicycle rentals , and temple hopping cost little to nothing , proving that search one of India ’ s most spectacular landscapes doesn ’ t expect a maharaja ’ s budget .
9 . Koh Tao , Thailand
- Budget :You should design to pass around$ 47 ( ฿1,595 )per day
This dive paradise proves that underwater adventures don ’ t require Maldives-level expenditure .
Learn to scuba dive at some of the universe ’ s most affordable school , while staying in beachside bungalows that cost less than a inn bed in Western destinations .
Simple Thai restaurant and beach saloon serve up fresh seafood and cold Chang at cost that get you cover your island time indefinitely .
From snorkeling with reef sharks to watching sundown on some of the good Koh Tao beaches , Koh Tao delivers world-class marine experience without abandon your diving fund .
10 . Huacachina , Peru
- Budget :You should design to spend around$ 52 ( S/.193 )per day
This desert oasis proves that unique experiences don ’ t take deep pocket .
Budget hostels cluster around the lagoon , and sandboarding circuit cost less than a typical day tour elsewhere .
Local restaurants suffice generous portions of Peruvian classics at price that advance long stays , all plant against striking free desert sunsets .
11 . Hoi An , Vietnam
- Budget :You should design to spend around$ 53 ( d1,338,058 )per day
This capture UNESCO World Heritage site proves that postcard-perfect doesn ’ t have to mean expensive .
Budget traveler can get charming family-run guesthouses in the ancient quarter , while the town ’ s famous tailors craft tradition clothing at cost that ’ ll make you forget about fast fashion .
The street food scene in Hoi An bid a culinary adventure that won ’ t dent your wallet , and cheap bicycle rentals do exploring both the historical center and nearby beach a breeze .
12 . Arequipa , Peru
- Budget :You should design to spend around$ 56 ( S/.209 )per day
The White City dazzles visitor with colonial grandeur at colonial-era cost .
Local guesthouses in converted colonial building render atmospheric accommodation without the usual heritage premium , while traditional picanterías serve generous portions of local specialties .
The historical center can equal search continuously on foot , offer similar architectural splendor to Cusco at more sensible pace .
13 . Essaouira , Morocco
- Budget :You should design to spend around$ 56 ( MAD557 )per day
This windswept coastal city bid the utter blend of culture and relaxation without Marrakech ’ sec premium price .
Fresh seafood grilled properly at the port costs less than fast food back home , while the medina ’ sec riads put up atmospheric adjustment at sensible rate .
Wind sports enthusiasts can enjoy world-class consideration without world-class prices , and the artistic atmosphere arrive with free veranda browsing .
14 . Lombok , Indonesia
- Budget : You should plan to pass around$ 61 ( Rp986,486 )per day
Bali ’ s less touristy neighbor delivers the same tropical paradise vibes at a fraction of the price .
From the pristine beach of Kuta and Tanjung Aan to the waterfalls of the north , Lombok offers natural wonder without the inflated prices of its noted sister island .
Local warungs serve up fresh seafood and sasak cuisine at honest prices , while simple bungalows provide beachfront living without the premium tag .
Whether you ’ re climbing Mount Rinjani , surfing uncrowded breaks , or island-hopping to the Gilis , Lombok turn out that Indonesian paradise doesn ’ t need Bali ’ s price tag .
15 . Ella , Sri Lanka
Budget : You should plan to spend around$ 63 ( LKR18,464 )per day
This mountain paradise captures Sri Lanka ’ s magic without the coastal crowds and cost .
Insert into the misty hill of tea nation , Ella bid epic train journey , waterfall hikes , and sweeping valley views from its famed Nine Arch Bridge , all at a fraction of what you ’ d wage elsewhere in Asia .
Family-run guesthouses serve up legendary Sri Lankan breakfasts , while local restaurant serve out flavorful curries at price that let you taste everything on the menu .
The surround tea plantation put up free thread opportunity in utter mountain temperatures .
Final Thoughts on Cheap Underrated Travel Destinations
These hidden gems test that some of the world ’ s most extraordinary experience put on ’ t require extraordinary budget .
Whether you ’ re dream of mountain adventure , tropical beaches , or ancient city , there ’ s an affordable paradise expect for you to discover it .
Side Note :We ’ ve sourced our daily expenditure figures from Budget Your Trip – where actual adventurers part their actual expenditure habits in each destination .
Want to search more budget-friendly destinations ? Check out our guides to :
- 10 Cheapest European Countries to Visit
- Best Cheap Greek Islands to Visit and
- 15 Inexpensive Countries to Visit
- 10 Cheapest Countries in the World to Call
Vacation Travel Planning Guide :
100 % YES !— Visitors need travel insurance for emergency . I advocate SafetyWing .
By Car :Rent a car through DiscoverCars gives you the exemption to search charming hilltop towns and vineyards at your own pace .
By Train :For travel between major city , trains are efficient and affordable – book tickets through Omio .
Perhaps— But you might arrive back to massive bill as it might be pricey . For the serious experience , I recommend begin an before you move .
My go-to for hotels is Booking.com . However we much prefer a more authentic experience , and book apartments and dwelling through VRBO .
