Take it from me, a memorable vacation doesn’t have to cost you a hand and an arm. Whether you’re fantasying about a long-term trip around the globe or just a short weekend getaway, here are top 3 budget travel destinations that won’t terrorize your bank account.
Indonesia
With thousands of islands spreading across the country Indonesia offers tons of fun things to do. Talk of volcanic landscapes, gorgeous lakes, and bustling cities. Historic highlights contrast with nature galore to offer a perfect mix of adventure.
While the prices can vary immensely on different islands, overall, Indonesia is one of the most budget-friendly countries in the world and it offers terrific opportunities for travelers on a budget to explore for less.
Budget-friendly Things to do and see in Indonesia
- Explore the Jakarta Old Town (Kota Tua) for zero Rupiahs- Kota Tua neighborhood is a fascinating collection of remnants from the past of the city. It was an important seaport town during the Dutch colonial era and the area is dense with most of the city’s oldest and historic buildings. All you need to do is walk around and explore the area from one nook to the other for absolutely no cost.
Most of these old buildings have been repurposed as museums and the ticket cost are either super cheap or free of charge.
- Visit the National Gallery – Despite being home to the country’s most prestigious and monumental artworks, tourists can enter this Gallery for no charge. As one of the most popular art and culture spaces in Jakarta, the gallery holds over 1,700 items all organized to reflect Indonesia’s movements and eras contextually showcasing great works of legendary and contemporary artists.
- Snorkeling- situated in Coral Triangle region Bali is one of the most spectacular places in the world where you can enjoy incredible marine life. You can rent snorkeling gears for as low as $5 and head straight to the clear and blue water in either Pemuteran or Amed for a low cost yet unique activity.
- Explore Hindi Prambanan- It’s the crowning glory of Hindu temples built in the 10th century. The main temple is actually taller than Borobudur standing at 150 ft. This is a great architectural marvel so you’ll be forgiven if spend your time here taking pictures than admiring the ancient statues. The entrance fee will cost you only $17 and it’ll probably take you approximately 2 hours to wander around.
- Visit Bogor Botanical Gardens – despite being a top attraction in Bogor city this botanical garden boasting some of the most beautiful flowers, trees and lawns remain as cheap as a soda can.
Located only an hour’s drive from the capital, Jakarta, Bogor Botanical Gardens cover a relatively large area of 87 hectares with over 3000 plant species to admire most of which are picturesquely old and gnarled.
The garden was established in 1817 by Dutch, and after 200 years, it’s still as magnificent as ever providing nature enthusiasts with a cheap opportunity to get close to this irresistible scenery.
- Broaden your taste buds- with such a mass of islands composing Indonesia there is definitely a wide range of cuisine to try. Javanese, Sudanese, Padang and Balinese are just a few options to try. You can try street food or cook the food yourself which is the cheaper option.
Zanzibar
An extremely beautiful island boasting magnificent beaches that shore blissful powdered sand enclosed in Indian Ocean waters. With an incredibly rich culture, amazing pristine shorelines and interesting wildlife this is one of the most intriguing places to travel in Africa. Zanzibar is home to irresistible turquoise water and it’s simply a frugal beach lover’s haven.
You can spend your day exploring the Zanzibar’s dark past of slave trade that has pretty much curved its cultural exercises or soak up some sun on countless beaches stretching through the island without leaving a hole in your pocket.
Budget-friendly things to do and see in Zanzibar
- Tour Prison island- what was once used as a place to detain prisoners and the outcasts with fatal diseases is today a nature reserve for marvelous and gigantic tortoises. Located just a 30 minutes boat ride from Zanzibar Island, Prison Island, also known as Changuu Island is a cheap and a fun way to spend your day while in the Island.
If you decide to have a day tour you can spend as little as $50 for an all-inclusive package.
- Visit the Slave market- An Anglican Cathedral is now built upon this site where slaves suffered before being sold into terribly harsh servitude. The Slave Market of Stone Town was inactive for decades but the memorials now give people remembrance of horrific acts that took place in this site.
This fascinating yet sad place gives away all of what Zanzibar has to tell regarding the history of slave trading. The five dollar entrance fee is totally worth the experience.
- Wander around Stone Town- Stone Town could be referred as the heart of Zanzibar and it’s probably the oldest ancient town that’s still running up to date. Tour a number of historical sites within a walking distance as you watch Zanzibar’s world go by. Ooh, the shopping here is also phenomenal and pretty affordable too.
- Visit Old Fort– built in the 17th century this giant rock remnant of a fortress was used to protect the city from outside attackers and was later transformed into a prison which detained local lawbreakers.
Today, the Old Fort also known in Swahili as Ngome Kongwe is transformed into a cultural center which caters for tourists and history geeks interested in exploring the past and purchasing cute souvenirs like popular handmade jewelry and paintings.
The entry fee is only five dollars but if you want to join a day tour just make sure you work on your haggling prowess because the price quoted is twice as high as it should actually cost you.
- Snorkeling and Diving- with Zanzibar’s archipelago being surrounded by coral reefs and sparkling blue waters, top activities are definitely diving and snorkeling. While cheap options can be found in every corner of the island the shores of Pemba Island offer the best bargain.
Thailand
There is a good reason why Thailand remains so prominent among backpackers- it’s blessed with rich culture, beach-huts aplenty, idyllic islands, tantalizing cuisine and adventurous galore plus all these are available often at staggeringly low prices.
Budget-friendly Things to do and see in Thailand
- Explore majestic temples for free- Getting in touch with the spiritual world of Thai culture will cost you less than you think. Wat Pathum, The Wat Mangkorn Kamalawat and the Wat Intharawihan temples located in Bangkok are free and always open to tourists. Learn the way of worship and history behind these marvelous houses of worship.
- Take a food tour to experience real Thai Cuisine- if you are a foodie, this will warm your heart-trust me. Thailand and particularly Bangkok is a great place to delve further into delicious Thai cuisine and go beyond the typical Green curry and Pad Thai you order back at home.
Most tours will have tons of activities like cooking class and fruit-carving workshop- there is really no shortage of unique options to go by depending on the company of your choice.
The tours usually mix sightseeing with plenty of eating and a stroll through Bangkok’s most interesting markets like the Flower Market.
- Experience an authentic floating market- floating markets in Thailand (and Southeast Asia) are really not what they used to be decades ago. Today, these markets pose as tourists photo ops unlike before when they were actual markets selling produce to locals. Even so, they are a sight to behold.
Damnoen Saduak is probably the most popular floating market and by all accounts one of the busiest and crowded by eager tourists. Nonetheless, you can’t afford to miss this awesome place that portrays an interesting way of life that has slowly become extinct.
The market is located about 100 km from the city so in case this option is way out of reach you can alternatively visit Khlong Lat Mayom which is just about 17km from the city and offers just as much fun.
- Wander through Bangkok’s Chinatown- I really can’t stress enough how fascinating Chinatown in Bangkok is and how a stroll through the city should include it. Oh Yeah, it’s enormous.
You can visit the largest shopping alley of Sampaeng lane which is also parallel to Yaowarat road and offers great bargains.
Walk up to Guan Yin Shrine a Chinese shrine and temple dedicated to a Chinese goddess of mercy. It’s colorful and stunningly bright, it houses a 900-year-old statue that draws locals from all corners and miles around to pray.
Later at dusk, you can head to Yaoworat road and enjoy some seafood. China Town sells the freshest and delicious seafood at ridiculously cheap prices for amazingly generous portions.
- Get a massage- nothing equals a relaxing massage performed with some of the world’s best techniques. World-class massage experience for less than the price of a Mc Meal!
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