Does a food budget of seven dollars a day sound like a dream come true? How about finding a hotel for twelve dollars a night? These prices don’t have to remain a fantasy. They are realistic prices when you travel to budget-friendly destinations. Here’s a list of some of the best places to travel for just dollars a day. This list focuses on Central America and Southeast Asia because I have found that these places offer the highest value for the lowest cost. However, I’ve also included a few of my favorite destinations elsewhere, including California, Mexico, India, and Puerto Rico. Enjoy!
Utila Island, Honduras
Utila is one of the more secluded of Honduras’ Bay Islands, and it is also one of the most budget-friendly. Backpackers flock there for this reason, and the island is set up well for solo travelers who need to find simple, convenient, and affordable living accommodations, transportation, and food. The island feels like a Caribbean getaway, without the luxury-level expenses. Blue waves, white sand, and relaxed island culture abound.
San Marcos, Guatemala
San Marcos is a city with a population of 45,000. You’ll find a down to earth, peaceful environment, and many friendly locals. This destination includes Lake Atitlan, which is gorgeous and refreshing to swim in. Hostels average $8 to 15 dollars a night, and you can find delicious street-food for $1 and up.
Koh Rong, Cambodia
Koh Rong is an underdeveloped island which has a laid-back atmosphere and is the perfect place to unwind and explore. This island can be reached by boat from Sihanoukville, Cambodia, for just a few dollars. Once you are on the island, the pace of life slows, and the world seems to stop spinning around you. Relax with the sound of waves, sand under your toes, and a (very affordable) drink in your hands.
Chiang Mai, Thailand
If you love hiking, check out Chiang Mai, a walled city in Thailand surrounded by thick vegetation and high-quality hiking trails. The trails lead to breath-taking vistas, waterfalls, and wildlife. Beginner trekkers can opt for day hikes with a guide, and the more adventurous may want to embark on a longer, overnight hike solo or with fellow travelers. Some hikes include mountain ascents as well as cultural heritage. One example is the Doi Pui to Doi Suthep hike, in which a traveler can start at Doi Pui mountain and end up near the Doi Suthep temple.
Tortuguero National Park, Costa Rica
This is a great place to visit for those who love animals and wildlife. Costa Rica has a diverse range of species, and Tortuguero National Park will give you a window into this diversity. Tortuguero means “region of turtles,” and it is a prime location to learn about the turtle species. See nesting loggerhead, green, and leatherback turtles, or baby turtles moving across beaches towards the water. Tent camping on the coast is free, and transportation is cheap. You can travel comfortably in Costa Rica for as little as $30 to 40 dollars a day.
Caye Caulker, Belize
Caye Caulker is an island off of the coast of Belize, in Central America. The island just twenty minutes from Belize City, which makes it easy to get to via public transportation. You can take a bus from Belize to the coast, and then get on a water-taxi to jump over to the island. Caye Caulker is very small; it is only about five miles by one mile. Though it is small, it is packed with destinations for a budget conscious solo traveler to enjoy, including white sand beaches, friendly hostels, and delicious food.
Big Sur, California
The California coast is lined with campsites that can be booked for affordable prices. Some you have to “pack-out” to, meaning that you have to carry all of your camping gear on your back and hike to the campsite. Others are car-accessible. Camping on the California coast is exciting because in many places, including the Big Sur area, the land slopes dramatically down to the Pacific Ocean. This means that you get to enjoy both mountains and ocean in one travel experience. If you pack your food and enjoy spending time in nature, this is a budget-friendly backpacking option. Andrew Molera State Park is one of my favorite places in Big Sur to visit.
Vieques, Puerto Rico
Vieques, Puerto Rico is an exciting place for the solo backpacker looking for a social scene. If you visit during Spring Break, you’ll get to witness and take part in a fun, lively environment. Many people from the mainland of Puerto Rico travel to Vieques and sleep in hammocks, play music, and celebrate life during Spring Break.
Oaxaca City, Mexico
Oaxaca City, Mexico is the capital city of the state of Oaxaca. Backpackers looking for an affordable urban environment will find just that in Oaxaca. You can find many free entertainment options, including historical sites and art districts.
Ladakh, India
Backpacking in India is not for beginners. But if you have done a few solo back-packing tours, and know how to navigate foreign countries, then India will offer you countless rewarding experiences. Visit Ladakh, in Northern India, for an experience you won’t forget. The rural nature of this high-altitude environment can offer you solitude and clarity that you may not find anywhere else in the world. You can stay in enriching family-run hostiles, or even monasteries for a spiritual experience.
Koh Hai, Thailand
The Koh Hai (or Koh Ngai) island off of Thailand is perfect for backpackers because, while it is somewhat rough around the edges, it also offers up those treasures that many solo-travelers are seeking: clear, aquamarine water, white sand beaches, coconuts, and coral.
Travel doesn’t have to be expensive. If you spend less per day, you can extend your travel experience. Solo traveling is a rewarding experience, and there are budget-friendly options for every kind of travel goal — from social engagement to extreme solitude.
About the Author
Mark Alvarado is a graphic designer who travels the world with an artists’ eye. He grew up with a father who traveled often, and a mother who appreciated art. He continues to learn and grow, and share his experiences with others.
