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While there are many factors we take into consideration when vacation planning, it's clear that one reigns supreme: money. But finding cheap places to travel doesn't mean you should be compromising on the value of your trip. In fact, you can and should go to destinations like Madagascar, where you can get the full experience of an Indian Ocean retreat without the Maldives prices, or Albania where you can live out your European mountainside dreams at half the price.
We gathered the countries to travel to in 2025 where your dollar will stretch the farthest, based on current exchange rates, plane tickets, and hotel deals. And while being a part of the global economy means rates can fluctuate at any time, certain places have consistently offered more bang for our buck over the years—and, fingers crossed, they should stay that way well into 2025.
Without further ado, here are the best cheap places to travel around the world this year.
This story has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
Belize
1 USD = 2 BZD
The easy two-to-one conversion rate between the Belize dollar (BZD) and our US greenbacks means there's no need to whip out your phone calculator when budgeting for your vacation to the Central American country. In fact, don't bother converting any currency or fret over foreign transaction fees as your US dollars are just as good in Belize as they are stateside. For 2025, round trip tickets from New York City start from $309, a worthy bargain in the grand scheme of international air fares. With world-famous archaeological sites, rainforests, reefs, and a culinary scene worth traveling for alone, its easy to see why this Caribbean nation charmed Francis Ford Coppola so much that he established three beach hideaways on its secluded shores.
Cambodia
1 USD = 4,035.57 KHR
E-visas already allow us to skip much of the bureaucratic hassle of traditional visa applications, and Cambodia's e-visa program just got even sweeter. Effective January 1, 2025, tourist visa fees were slashed from $36 to $30. First-time visitors can't go wrong with landing in Siam Reap, where famed UNESCO World Heritage Site Angkor Wat sits among festive bars, vibrant cultural experiences, and French-style colonial streets. Travel to the city is easier than ever thanks to the recently opened Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport (SAI).
Mexico
1 USD = 20.35 MXN
Mexico is consistently one of our favorite places to travel on a budget. In Mexico City, with a street food culture rivaled only by its forward-looking restaurant scene, you’ll be spending most of your money on eats. But make sure to leave some bucks to visit all the cultural wonders the city has to offer, starting with the iconic Museo Jumex. If you’re looking to go a little farther afield, head to Jalisco to see tequila being made at the source, or Isla Holbox for a sleepy beach scene.
Mongolia
1 USD = 3,422.82 MNT
We’ve long been fans of Mongolia for its seemingly limitless expanses and adventure camps—and the fact that travel here costs as little as $75 per day (including accommodations). This year, the country is expanding traveler-friendly initiatives launched in 2024, such as more direct US flight and visa-free travel for dozens of nationalities. You can also expect even more offbeat cultural experiences next year: Local operator Breanna Wilson is expanding her 2025 tours to include a Gobi Desert excursion to see snow leopards, a women-only retreat in Orkhon Valley, and a three-day archery training session.
Vietnam
1 USD = 25,370.02 VND
Plenty of countries in Southeast Asia are great deals for dollar carriers right now, but we recommend a trip to Vietnam—in part because of the steadily increasing exchange rate, but mostly for the country’s mind-blowing beauty. We listed Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City as some of our best places to go in 2025 for their celebrations commemorating the country's national reunification and buzzier than ever food and design scenes. Hanoi is arguably the most romantic city in the region, but don’t be afraid to venture off the beaten track during your next visit: Places like Ninh Van Bay and Phú Quốc island have pristine beaches and intimate resorts you won’t find in the more touristed areas.
Brazil
1 USD = 6.13 BRL
Like much of South America, Brazil is a good place to visit if you don’t want to break the bank. But the fact that a dollar gets you nearly five Brazilian reals means you can get even better value than usual. Rio de Janeiro is the most obvious place to spend time and money, with incredible restaurants—like Lasai, a 2023 Hot List winner—just steps away from some of the world’s best beaches. But don't forget to visit São Paulo, too, where a younger generation has introduced hip galleries, museums, and bars to several long-neglected neighborhoods.
South Africa
1 USD = 18.59 ZAR
The value of the South African rand has fluctuated a lot over the past few years, but we’re pretty happy with where it is today. (To compare, one US dollar only got you 8.57 ZAR 10 years ago.) Stretch those bucks on the Test Kitchen’s 21-course tasting menu in Cape Town, then head into the wilderness at Singita Castleton Lodge in the Sabi Sand game reserve.
Sri Lanka
1 USD = 295.59 SLR
The Sri Lankan rupee has slowly gotten more and more favorable over the past couple of decades, but it completely skyrocketed starting a couple of years ago (a dollar converted to 200 SLR in February 2022, and now look where we are). We’re more excited than ever to explore this incredible island nation, where you can see leafy tea plantations, Buddhist temples, golden beaches, and 200-mile hiking trails in one memorable trip.
Madagascar
1 USD = 4,700.25 MGA
For your next tropical island vacation, skip pricey, popular locations like the Maldives and Bora Bora for inexpensive Madagascar—an Indian Ocean treasure filled with breathtaking rainforests and lemur-filled national parks. Plan your stay at Namoroka Tsingy Exploration Camp, which features seven luxury safari tents inside the essentially unvisited Namoroka National Park. Alternately, swing by the island nation as part of a cruise itinerary: Luxe cruise lines like Silversea, Lindblad, Swan Hellenic, and Seabourne have all added the country as a port of call on new voyages.
Egypt
1 USD = 50.65 EGP
Following in the footsteps of pharaohs in Egypt feels like it should be expensive, but the Egyptian pound has skyrocketed this year—that means touring the Pyramids, cruising the Nile, and exploring Cairo has never been more affordable. We’re excited to check out relatively new openings, like St. Regis Cairo and the beach villas at Four Seasons Hotel Alexandria. And we’ve been anxiously awaiting the official opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum for years now, but it looks like it might actually happen in 2025.
Malaysia
1 USD = 4.47 MYR
Your cash will stretch far in Malaysia, especially if you fill up on street food and explore cities like Kuala Lumpur on foot. It’s also inexpensive (or in some cases, free) to visit the country’s pristine beaches, limestone caves, and some of the most beautiful tea plantations. If you’re ready and willing to shell out the big bucks, however, we highly recommend shacking up at The Datai Langkawi—it’s definitely expensive but wholly worth it.
India
1 USD = 85.73 INR
India has always been a cheap travel destination; now that you can get 86 rupees to the dollar, however, the country is more affordable than ever. Hotels run the gamut from $60-per-night bungalows to pricy Oberoi and Six Senses outposts, plus hundreds of options in between. But as long as you don’t hole up in your resort the entire time, you can visit plenty of attractions and dine at local restaurants on an extremely tight budget.
Serbia
1 USD = 112.67 RSD
Belgrade continues to emerge as one of Europe’s most exciting cultural epicenters, but it’s massively less expensive than, say, Paris or Berlin (at least for now). It’s relatively easy to find hotels under $100, though accommodations aren’t all that important when you spend all night dancing in clubs around the city. But you will want to get some rest to explore Belgrade’s wealth of museums and contemporary art installations, many of which just opened in the past few years.
North Macedonia
1 USD = 59.16 MKD
Perhaps it’s because the coastal countries get all the attention, but North Macedonia remains one of the most criminally underrated (and therefore affordable) countries in Europe. The landlocked nation is a sleeper hit for those in the know, especially if you head to the charming city of Ohrid. It has all the cobbled streets and quaint churches one would expect from a European town, with the added advantage of being right on the shores of the incredibly gorgeous and biodiverse Lake Ohrid.
Nepal
1 USD = 137.18 NPR
Nepal is one of the cheapest countries to visit for all travelers, but the U.S. dollar is particularly strong there right now. Most people immediately associate Nepal with Mt. Everest, but the tiny nation has much more to offer than bucket-list climbs. Kathmandu is overwhelming at first, but it hides some great hotels and museums once you start digging. Bhaktapur and Patan—both close by in the Kathmandu Valley—are a bit more low-key but still packed with culture.
The Gambia
1 USD = 71.50 GMD
It may be continental Africa’s smallest country but don’t you dare overlook the Gambia. The ultra-affordable nation has long been a coveted spot for wildlife enthusiasts, but it’s starting to rise in the ranks as both a food destination and luxury cruise port of call.
Indonesia
1 USD = 16,158.09 IDR
Despite the post-Eat, Pray, Love influx of tourists, Indonesia remains an affordable vacation spot overall. While millions of people flock to Bali (where resort prices are steep in response), you can enjoy a much cheaper and more peaceful trip on the islands of Sumba and Lombok. And don’t forget about Jakarta, where a solid day includes filling up on greasy noodles and nasi goreng gila from makeshift street stalls—all for just a couple of US bucks.
Albania
1 USD = 94.14 ALL
Albania is much less expensive than other European countries—and it’s a bit under the radar as a tourist destination, which means there’s still a chance to visit before the word gets out and the crowds descend. One of the most enticing reasons to plan a trip is the food: Picture tables filled with rosemary-scented lamb, tart mountain cheeses, blackened sea bass, and bottles of fruit juices. In Tirana, book a stay at Agroturizëm Gjepali, a restaurant turned hotel with river views and doubles starting at just $70. If you're planning a trip during the summer, take a look at our picks for the best beaches in Albania.
Uzbekistan
1 USD = 12,954.30 UZS
Uzbekistan is still on the up-and-up when it comes to foreign travel, which makes it one of the most exciting and affordable destinations in Central Asia. The major cities are filled with both intricate mosques and brutalist monuments—all free to explore—and you’ll be hard-pressed to spend more than $5 per meal at restaurants. There aren’t too many name-brand hotels set up yet, but even places like the Hyatt Regency Tashkent have nightly rates below $170.
