Best Cheapest Countries to Travel in 2020 - Top 10

by Praveen - May 08, 2020

Top 10 Cheapest Countries to Travel [2020]

BAM!!! It’s 2020 and it’s not been an amazing year for the travelers till now due to the Pandemic but later it can create lucrative opportunity to travel as some of the countries got cheaper than ever due to huge drop in their local currency in the global market. That is why we have made a list of Top 10 Cheapest countries to travel in 2020 and that is even without breaking the bank.

Cheapest Countries to Travel [2020] - Travel Moksh

Planning a vacation could be stressful and when it comes to travel overseas, it needs to be very well researched and well-planned with considering the personal budget.

As you know, the cheapest the country is, more you can have in the same amount. Either you can stay there for some more days or can enjoy a better travel lifestyle in the same budget. And in this article we have curated a list of 10 cheapest countries to travel to without having a burning hole in your pocket.

In estimating the budget of the travel, we have considered all the expenses like transportation, stay, food, exploration, and visiting the popular places. We have tried to list those countries in which tourists are actually interested to visit. While doing so, we hope that we have removed a little load out of your shoulder to plan your next vacation.

So let’s jump on to our list of 10 Cheapest Countries to Travel to in 2020.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Thailand
Indonesia
Sri Lanka
Argentina
India
Turkey
Cuba
Columbia
Taiwan
Mexico

THAILAND

Very popular, yet cheap. If you are looking to spend less and travel longer or have a lavish lifestyle while travelling, then you can definitely head out for Thailand as it is one of the cheapest countries to travel to.

It is best choice for the budget conscious backpackers who are looking for the rich culture and the quirky world class cuisines. Backpackers can enjoy here by spending just $20 USD a day.

Finding a cheap accommodation is really easy while being here. Whether you’re looking for a backpacker dorm bed (from $5) or a comfy hotel with swimming pool (from $30), you can easily find some of the best-value accommodation anywhere.

There are lots of places where you can roam around. You can wander around the cultural heritage sites like Grand Palace, Wat Pho etc. or explore the country’s exotic islands and some mouth-watering Thai dishes.

Thailand simply offers some of the best value for money you can find anywhere on earth.

Backpacking Budget: $20 USD a day

Mid Range Budget: $50 USD a day

INDONESIA

Currently in Indonesia, 1 US dollar can get you around 14,500 rupiah which makes it one of the most affordable places that we know about.

Indonesia is undoubtedly, one of the best places to backpack, with several thousands of islands to explore. From white sand beaches to most picturesque jungles, from blue flame spewing volcanoes to rice paddy sceneries and from world-class surfing to best scuba diving… Indonesia is a whole world in itself to discover.

Out of all the countries I’ve been to, Indonesia is definitely amongst the best value for money. It offers incredible value for accommodation, food and transport. You can get beautiful pool villas for as little as $20 a night and can enjoy the mouth-watering delicious seafood meals for just $2-$3 only. For commuting internally, you can rent a motorbike or car for just a couple of dollars a day ($15 a day for car).

Indonesia levies a pretty heavy tax on imported booze which makes it the only thing that’s not of great value. You have to spend $20 for a low-quality bottle of imported wine, while a drinkable local wine is still $13 – $15.

The best of Indonesia can be explored away from Bali as being the tourist hot-spot, Bali has become overcrowded and dirty. Try adjacent islands like Lombok and Java, the spectacular Komodo islands and rural Flores, or go further into Sumatra, Sumba, West Nusa Tenggara, and many more!!

Backpacker Budget: $25 USD a day (outside Bali)

Mid-range Budget: $50 USD a day

SRI LANKA

Officially renowned as the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, from wildlife safaris and mountain climbing, to glimmering beaches and extensively carved temples, this island nation is packed with all the surprises. It is a stunning, frenzied and an incredible melting point of history and culture.

Sri Lanka includes a total of eight world heritage sites marked by UNESCO that includes some of the temples, with the history of more than 3000 years. Sinharaja, amongst the most significant world heritage sites of UNESCO, is a perfect hiking destination. National parks, Cultural Centers and Archeological sites often have two separate entry fees- one for natives and another for foreigners (which can be double as of natives).

Expenses for the accommodation, food and transport are not quite high. You can have a private room for as low as $15 per night with air conditioning (which is very much required). Sri Lankan local foods such as a dish made of chapatti and pancakes cost about $3 and whole fulfilling meal will cost you just around $5.

The ideal way to move within the country is by trains and Tuk-Tuk. Tuk tuks are efficient for urban transport as they are cheap as you have to pay around $20 for a whole day visit.

Along with golden sand beaches and tropical rainforests, the island has also secured some of the wilderness for their tourists, including some wild safari tours like Wilpattu National Wildlife Park, Ridiyagama Safari Park, Wasgamuwa National Park, and Yala National Park which is the world's largest concentration of leopards and aquatic birds.

Amazingly, Mirissa is one of the most stunning beach gateways and critical revenue source of Sri Lankan tourism. You can also enjoy white water rafting, scuba diving, snorkeling, Lagoon canoeing, and fishing in deep sea. Mirissa, Hikkaduwa, Unawatanu, Mirrissam, and Kithulgala are the top 5 places to visit in Sri Lanka for water sports.

If you love to collect the memories from the countries, Paradise Road, Galle Face Green, and Galle Road are perfect places to enjoy cheap shopping in Colombo Sri Lanka.

Backpacker Budget: $35 USD a day

Mid-range Budget: $50 USD a day

ARGENTINA

Argentina isn’t known for being one of the cheapest countries to visit, but its never-ending economic troubles present an excellent opportunity for visitors to explore the nation. Back in 2012, a US Dollar would get you about 5 Argentinian pesos which now get you 40 pesos.

Argentina, formally known as the Argentine Republic, is a country on the South American continent. It consists of seven geographical regions: Northwest, Mesopotamia, Gran Chaco, Sierras Pampeanas, Cuyo, Pampas, and Patagonia.

Whether you’re into culture and history, nature and landscapes, lakes and fishing, or cities and wine, Argentina is never going to disappoint you.

Since Argentina is a vast country that offers a diversity of landscapes and regions, it can be visited year round.

If you love trekking, then winter months are a good time to conquest the mountains of Patagonia. You can also visit El Chalten in the south, where you can check out the peaks of Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre, explore waterfalls, enjoy beer on patios and lot more.

There is no need of a visa to travel to Argentina for US citizens. However, the intended stay should not exceed 90 days. US, Canadian and Australian citizens are required to pay reciprocity entry fees of $160 USD.

The expenses within the boundaries are little high as compared to other cheapest countries but still don’t go very high. You can easily get dorm beds from $8-$9 USD and fantastic dinner of rib eye steaks and Malbec wine can go for just $20.

The internal commuting is easy with the railways and buses. The railway network of Argentina spans a total of 37,000 kilometers, ranking number 8 in the world.

Argentina is a home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Iguazu National park and Quebrada de Humahuaca and Aconcagua- the largest peak of Argentina.

Iguazu National park and Fall: Iguazu National Park was founded in 1934 and covers a total land area of 550 square kilometers.

Iguazu Fall is a famous waterfall, located in the Iguazu River along the border of Misiones in Argentina and Parana of Brazil.

Perito Moreno Glacier: This glacial field is the third largest fresh water reserve in the world making it one of the famous destinations in Patagonia.

Quebrada de Humahuaca: Another notable natural attraction which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site also. This narrow mountain valley in Jujuy province of Argentina extends all the way up north to Bolivia.

Argentine people consider food as an integral part of social gatherings. They share a meal to symbolize family, warmth, and friendship. There are many dishes that are famous in Argentina like Asado grill, Empanada, Puchero, Dulce de Leche, Alfajores, Locro stew, Mate, etc.

Out of these Asado is considered as the national dish of Argentina and it is also claimed to reflect the national identity of Argentina.

Backpacker Budget: $30 USD a day

Mid-range Budget: $50 USD a day

Note: the Argentinean peso fluctuates all the time. Be sure to check the latest situation.

INDIA

India is one of the most exhilarating travel destinations on earth. It is difficult to find a country that offers as much as India. Chaotic and tranquil, Pristine and filthy, Friendly and furious, Free and frustrating, India brings it all together.

While India is likely the most exciting and bewildering place to travel, it’s also probably the cheapest country as Indian Rupee is currently trading at 70 rupees to a dollar.

India is also renowned for its scrumptious array of street food. Street food is easily available on roadside as vendors sell everything from spicy fast-food like samosas and kebabs to cooling Rabri (ice cream drink) and Lassi (yoghurt drink).

You can grab an all you can eat “veg thali”- an Indian set meal consisting of rice, several curries, yoghurt and flatbreads for just $1.5 USD. Or even 20 cents can get you a pile of puris (fluffy fried bread) and two delicious curries from a street cart.

You can easily manage with $5-$10 USD to get a decent accommodation for a night in a city or it could go up or down as per the luxury you want.

India's landscapes are as extravagantly diverse as its cultural traditions. You could spend months there and still feel like you’ve not scratched the surface. From the snow-capped peaks of the Himalaya to the sun-splashed beaches of the tropical south, the country has it all. You can head out for scenic wildlife safaris or can paddle in the shimmering waterfronts, take blood-pumping treks high in the mountains, or simply inhale pine-scented air on meditative forest walks.

Along with all these natural treasures, it houses a wealth of historical architectural gems like Taj Mahal (A Wonder of World), Red Fort, Qutub Minar, and many more.

With its sumptuous mix of traditions, spiritual beliefs, festivals, architecture and landscapes all at once, your memories of India will blaze bright long after leaving its shores.

Backpacker Budget: $25 a day

Mid-range Budget: $40-$50 a day

TURKEY

Turkey has suffered severe economic problems lately, though its weaker currency makes it to get into one of the cheapest countries to travel right now. The value for dollar in Turkey has always been great, but with the Turkish Lira dropping currently to 5.27 to the US dollar against 1.28 in 2010 making it the cheapest time to visit Turkey.

Turkey, often known as the home of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empire, is probably the most liberal country in its area. Here you’ll find Roman ruins, cave cities, buzzing bazaars, and of course plenty of.

Turkey homes one of the most beautiful and exciting cities on earth i.e. Istanbul. Roman Ruins from 200 B.C., Cave cities, Buzzing bazaars, blissful Mediterranean beaches and electrifying Islamic culture and architecture are enough to attract the travelers from around the globe.

Food here is as affordable as two penny- half penny. You can have delicious traditional Turkish meals for $5 and tasty kebabs are just a couple of dollars on the streets. It is easy to find a cheap and decent room here for under $20 USD a night.

Many of the mosques in Istanbul cost as much as $10 to enter. This does pile up in the traveling expense in Turkey, to visit mosques. If you’re on a backpacking budget, consider only visiting a couple of paid mosques or try to find some others that are free to enter.

Backpacker Budget: $30 USD a day

Mid-range Budget: $50 USD a day

CUBA

If you’re looking to visit cheapest destination in the Caribbean island, then Cuba is one of the best bets. “See it before it changes,” is the familiar refrain when it comes to Cuba as one day it may expectedly be overrun by mass tourism. With stunning beaches, mixed and unique Caribbean and Spanish vibe, delicious cooking, friendly people and incredible landscapes, with barely any internet access and eye catching vintage cars running around through the streets, Cuba is a diverse country that gives a mesmerizingly unique experience and needs to be on your list.

However, AirBNB is budding up in the country and there are some great homes available. But Cuba has a huge network of family-run stays called Casa Particulares that offers affordable and charming accommodation. This is the best way to enjoy an authentic Cuban experience.

Casas cost around $15 – $25 a night per person and it includes breakfast oftentimes. I personally suggest you to have dinner at your Casa at least once as they cook some lip-smacking traditional foods.

Generally the food is fairly cheap here in Cuba. You can easily get your tummy filled for around $5 USD and cocktails cost around $3-$5 USD in the bar. But the cost majorly depends on the city and the restaurant in which you are having your meal.

From chilling out on the astonishing beaches to roaming around the stunning and bustling streets, Cuba cost you almost nothing. You can cover Museum visits, caving, horseback riding and other tours with just $5 – $30 USD. The cost of Cuba is amazingly affordable, making it one of the cheapest countries to travel to.

Note: Cuba can be way cheaper if you manage to pay in the local currency instead of the CUC tourist currency.

Backpacker Budget: $35 a day

Mid-range Budget: $55 a day

COLUMBIA

NARCOS is a thing which comes into the mind after listening the name Columbia but today, Colombia is much more positive and welcoming place.

Friendly people, incredibly pristine and lush countryside full of coffee plantations, stunning Spanish colonial cities and breathtaking beaches, Colombia is a traveler’s dream.

The currency of Columbia has seen a major depreciation in its value over a certain period of time. And currently it values around 3300 pesos to a US dollar, thereby giving an added incentive to the backpackers to visit this beautiful country. So whether you are visiting with Dollar, Pound or Euro, you get an excellent value in return, for your money making it one of the cheapest countries to travel to in the world.

Accommodation are cheap as can be in Colombia, hostels generally cost about $10 for a dorm, and around $20 for a private room.

Meals are similarly affordable, with delicious soups like Ajiaco, the national dish, only cost around $4 or so for delicious seafood meals, that cost just a few dollars.

Columbia gives a perfect blended taste of the South American continent. From Pacific and Atlantic coasts to the Amazon rainforest, and definitely the start of the Andes—Columbia has all within easy reach. Bogotá is a fun and young city, with cheap nightlife and plentiful street art. It’s definitely worth a visit, and can easily be covered at $25 to $30 per day! You can also go for scuba diving in the Caribbean here for just $24 USD / dive.

Our Personal recommendation is to go for 4 day Ciudad Perdida trek and a coffee tour in Salento.

Note: Columbia houses the world’s tallest palm trees! Don’t miss to watch out.

Backpacker Budget: $35 a day

Mid-range Budget: $50 a day

TAIWAN

Though Taiwan is a Southeastern Asian country, it has more resemblance with Japan in many ways. It is a small island nation that used to be part of the Democratic Republic of China. It is one of the world’s most densely populated countries but its high mountains and lush valleys are practically untouched by the outer world.

Taiwan is comparatively cheaper than its many neighboring Southeastern countries. You can expect to get your food covered within $10-$15 for full day. You’ll have to spend on average $10 USD per night for a nice hostel and $15-20 per night for the stylish hotels.

The easiest option to explore Taiwan is by using public transport (MRT/Bus) from the major cities to witness amazingly lush places that are beautifully spread near the big city and that will cost you about $2-$5 per day for fares. Luckily, most hikes and national parks are free so you can save on that and spend that money to explore this beautiful country in a much better way.

You can watch out for Sandiaoling Waterfall Trail and Shifen Waterfall, Cising Mountain in Yangmingshan National Park, Guguan’s Seven Heroes and Hudie Waterfall, Yunsen Waterfall and several others.

MEXICO

Ahh… Mexico!!! It gives me the flashback of mountains, waterfalls, beaches, surfing, diving, deserts and delicious cuisine (although not very healthy), friendly local people, and not to mention, its intoxicating vibe. It’s one of our favorite cheapest countries to travel to.

Mexico is an ultimate destination for traveling cheap, and the credit goes to its currency which is currently trading at 19.6 pesos per US dollar. Sometimes due to sensationalized news reports, it is misunderstood as unsafe country but it is perfectly safe country for the tourists as well.

Regardless of time when you come, Mexico will never fail to shock you with its great value. But if you are on a bag packing budget, then avoid visiting Mexico during peak winter season i.e. November to March. Including travel and attraction expenses you can explore it on $30 a day as long as you’re budgeting.

You can have special Mexican Tacos for just 30 cents each; a pint of beer for $1.50 (sometimes they have lime to put in your Corona) and strong margaritas will get served to you while you are standing in sand for just a dollar. So you can expect to get your tummy filled within $15 a day, even in the most expensive tourist areas.

A good decent hostel will cost you around $10 USD a night but if you want to go into the depth of exploration, I would recommend you to go for Couchsurfing. You will have the best Mexican experience while being here with the natives.

If you can speak Spanish, it would be much easier to grab local buses which are ridiculously cheap for internal commuting. Otherwise tourist buses are also available to get you around Mexico. You can also opt for the Taxi Collectivos (shared taxis) between the cities.

Though it is great for a cheap beach holiday, it lends itself equally to a culturally-focused backpacking adventure.

Backpacker Budget: $30 a day

Mid-range Budget: $55 a day

If you can think of any other countries that are particularly cheap and didn't make into our list, feel free to mention them in the comments.

Tags : 2020, Cheapest Countries, Travel

Best Cheapest Countries to Travel in 2020 - Top 10