1. Avoid overpriced hotspots
Love traveling and ready to explore any destination? How does Cambodia, Bolivia or India sound? Expect to find meals for a couple of dollars or less and accommodation for a week will be less than a day in most other major cities. Other countries known for being great budget travel locations are Vietnam, Hungary, Honduras, Bulgaria, Sri Lanka and Argentina. That is an exciting list of destinations and won’t cost you a year of savings!
2. Couchsurfing is awesome
Couchsurfing is essentially a generous host, opening up their home to you for anywhere from a few nights to a month depending on the agreement. It is an app that allows you to search for hosts in a destination and view their hosting history and bio. You might be offered the couch, a spare bed or even a spare bedroom. What do you need to give in return? Many thanks, cleanliness, a fun attitude and hopefully pay it forward when you are in a place of your own. Couchsurfing is global so it really opens the door to cheap worldwide travel and the opportunity to meet some generous local hosts.
3. Eat where the locals eat!
The best way to blow all your money is to go to a country with great local food like Indonesia and eat at western restaurants like Hard Rock Cafe. If you are willing to eat from street carts, local markets and small cafe’s you can stretch your budget much, much further. For example, a serving of nasi goreng with shrimp ( fried rice, vegetables, egg and shrimp) can cost 1-2 dollars in a local market. A hamburger, fries, and salad near the beach could set you back 10-15 dollars. Aside from focusing on the financial benefits of eating local, remember why you wanted to travel. There is nothing better than experiencing the culture and traditions of a meal that has been around for centuries. Even if every now and again you try something that is horrible or way too spicy, it is all part of your immersion into a foreign culture.
4. Sunrise and sunset are free
The first thing many people do when they arrive at their destination on a vacation is head to the tour booking office. Purchasing jet ski hire, jungle tours, day trips, snorkeling adventures and all kinds of fun activities. Most of which are luxury activities and are not necessary to have a good time. Every now and again an opportunity might come along too good to miss, like a bungee jump in New Zealand or scuba diving in The Gili Islands but for the most part the best activities are free. Think hiking, beaches, snorkeling, sunrise, sunset, visit temples, churches and other tourist attractions. Hiring a moped a splitting a car between friends will give you the access to most locations a tour guide can take you. Be responsible for organizing your own adventures and fun and you will discover more but also save a lot of money.
5. Luxury accommodation is the enemy
If you cannot deal without luxury most of this list is not for you. However, if you can, this is the best way to save a ton of money. Get onto sites like booking.com and see what properties are having a last minute sale or heavy discounts. Maybe it isn’t in the prime location or doesn’t have a swimming pool in the courtyard. Ask yourself how much time you are going to spend at your accommodation. If you are the type of person who is out all day adventuring and seeing the sights, book somewhere cheap, clean and with basic amenities. Most vacation destinations have accommodation ranging from $10 to $500. I personally search the location and then order the listings from cheapest to most expensive. I try not to scroll too far.
