12 Cheap Getaways That’ll Make You Wonder Why You’re Still Here
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The best cheap getaways in the world offer travelers the opportunity to escape the daily grind, discover new places, and experience unique cultures without breaking the bank. The increased cost of living has made it harder for travelers on a budget, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t still plenty of places to visit.
Many affordable destinations still offer cheaper accommodation, lower flight costs, and a more reasonable cost of living. That said, here are 12 of the world’s more affordable getaways.
The budget-friendly destinations on our list were selected because they offer lower average daily travel costs and many things to see and do.
Chania, Crete, Greece
With an average daily travel cost of approximately $100, Chania is one of the cheapest getaway destinations in Greece. For better deals, visit in September and October or April and May. The weather is colder between November and March. June to August is the high season, and the prices reflect that.
This picturesque port city on the northwest coast of Crete is renowned for its pristine beaches, warm weather, turquoise waters, and historic buildings. The city’s biggest highlight is its breathtaking 14th-century Venetian harbor.
At the harbor, you’ll find narrow cobblestone streets lined with quaint shops and restaurants, colorful traditional houses, and famous Greek landmarks, including the 16th-century lighthouse. Other notable attractions in Chania include Küçük Hasan Pasha Mosque, the Nautical Museum, and Old Chania Market. Some of the best beaches in or near Chania include Nea Chora, Balos, and Koum Kapi.
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Lima, Peru
If you’re looking for a more affordable city getaway, look no further than Lima, the capital of Peru. The average daily travel cost in Lima is only $88. For context, the daily travel cost in London, the capital of England, is approximately $247.
Located along Peru’s scenic Pacific Coast, Lima is best known for its well-preserved colonial center, open green space, and vibrant culture.
Two of the city’s most popular neighborhoods are Miraflores and Barranco. These areas are home to historic landmarks, fascinating attractions, affordable hotels, and scenic walks.
I spent five days exploring Lima, and I loved it. My favorite points of interest in the city were Lima Main Square, Huaca Pucllana Site Museum, Larco Museum, and Love’s Park.
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Vlorë, Albania
Vlorë, a charming coastal city on the Albanian Riviera, is one of the world’s most underrated cheap getaways. This gorgeous city offers delightful weather, breathtaking natural scenery, picture-perfect beaches, and more.
In July, the temperatures in Vlorë reach a whopping 90°F (32°C). You can experience everything Vlorë offers for less than $95 a day, which is very low compared to Western Europe.
In Vlorë, you’ll likely spend most of your time relaxing on the white sand beaches, swimming in the clear emerald waters, trying local cuisine, and exploring the city’s best attractions. Significant points of interest you don’t want to miss in Vlorë include Muradie Mosque, Vlora Old Town, Plazhi i Ri Beach, Narta Beach, and the Independence Monument.
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Mirissa, Sri Lanka
Mirissa is only a small coastal town in Southern Sri Lanka, but it packs a punch with a promise of memorable wildlife encounters, picturesque beaches, and affordable accommodation. An average daily travel cost of less than $80 makes Mirissa one of the world’s cheapest beach getaway destinations.
In Mirissa, you’ll likely spend most of your time relaxing on Mirissa Beach, swimming in the sea, and visiting nearby attractions. Must-visit attractions include Coconut Tree Hill, Parrot’s Rock, and Secret Beach.
Besides relaxing and indulging in local cuisine, wildlife watching is extremely popular in Mirissa. For starters, you can swim with sea turtles right off the main beach. You can also head out on a whale-watching tour from Mirissa Harbor.
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Cape Town, South Africa
Cape Town is one of the world’s best cheap getaway destinations for travelers who seek a little bit of everything in an affordable vacation. Located at the Southern tip of South Africa, this famous city offers something for every kind of traveler. Better yet, the average daily travel cost in Cape Town is only $102.
In Cape Town, you can hike, wildlife watch, shop, learn more about South African history, watch sports, and much more. Outdoor enthusiasts should visit Table Mountain, while sports lovers can watch cricket at Newlands Cricket Ground and soccer at the DHL Stadium.
Meanwhile, history buffs can explore Robben Island, and wildlife lovers can spot the big five on a game safari. Sounds fun, right?
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Medellín, Colombia
Like Lima, Medellín should be your go-to destination if you’re searching for one of the world’s most affordable city breaks. The average daily travel cost in the city of Colombia is less than $30 a day.
The capital of Colombia’s mountainous Antioquia province, Medellín, is well known for its glorious weather, fascinating attractions, and vibrant downtown area.
Interestingly, Medellín is also recognized for its flower-producing centers. As such, the city hosts a famous annual Flower Festival.
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Like most cities in South America, there is much to see and do in Medellín, so you should make sure your itinerary features the main sights. Notable places of interest include the Museum of Antioquia, Plaza Botero, Jardín Botánico de Medellín, and El Castillo Museum and Gardens.
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Malaysian Borneo
One of the biggest challenges wildlife lovers face is finding affordable places to explore. Luckily, the average daily travel cost in the Malaysian part of Borneo, one of the world’s largest islands, is only $104, making it one of the cheapest wildlife-watching getaways.
Borneo is famous worldwide for its lush rainforests and diverse wildlife. While exploring Borneo, you can spot the infamous orangutan, pygmy elephants, pig-tailed macaques, crocodiles, and so much more.
When I visited Borneo, I stayed in Sukau on the Kinabatangan River. If you do the same, you can explore Borneo’s vast rainforest by boat, getting up close to some of the world’s rarest species. I can’t recommend this adventure highly enough.
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York, England, United Kingdom
Generally, the United Kingdom isn’t considered one of the world’s cheapest getaway destinations, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t still places where you can explore on a small budget. Take York, for example. Despite being one of the most popular cities in Northern England, York’s average daily travel cost is only $138.
It may not be as popular as London and Edinburgh, but York offers an excellent glimpse into the UK. You’ll find winding medieval streets, historic architecture, quaint cafes, and traditional pubs in abundance across York.
Interestingly, York is also one of the most haunted cities in the world, so you might even spot a ghost or two. Must-visit attractions include the Shambles, York Minster, the National Railway Museum York, and the Viking JORVIK Centre.
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Negril, Jamaica
Like the United Kingdom, the Caribbean is often associated with high prices. However, Negril, a coastal town in Jamaica, is living proof that the Caribbean does also offer cheap getaways. The average daily travel cost in Negril is $136. I bet you didn’t know you could travel to the Caribbean on a budget, did you?
Negril is best known for its postcard-perfect beaches, inviting waters, outdoor activities, and Jamaican culture. When you’re not soaking up the sun on Seven Miles Beach, you’ll find yourself walking along Negril Cliffs, exploring the Negril Farmer’s Market, or tucking into local cuisine in an authentic Caribbean restaurant. To avoid going over budget, avoid staying in an overpriced all-inclusive resort.
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Sunny Beach, Bulgaria
One of the cheapest beach getaways in Europe is Sunny Beach, a vibrant resort on Bulgaria’s Black Sea Coast. Sunny Beach is one of the world’s best affordable destinations for visitors who seek fun, sun, and sea. It’s known worldwide for its long sandy beaches, hot weather, and lively nightlife.
A big hit with couples and party-going groups of friends, you’ll spend most of your time in Sunny Beach strolling along the beaches, swimming in the sea, and partying the night away. There are also several water parks in or near Sunny Beach worth visiting. Regarding travel costs, the average traveler spends approximately $80 a day in Sunny Beach.
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Bangkok, Thailand
Bangkok is one of the world’s most affordable capitals, making it the perfect place for a cheap city break. The Thai capital is a fascinating city jam-packed with magnificent temples, vibrant street food markets, picturesque parks, and diverse cultures. In other words, you’ll never be short of things to see and do.
The average daily travel cost in Bangkok is $99, but you can reduce that figure by staying in a hostel and eating in street food markets. Some of the best things to do in Bangkok include riding a boat along the Chao Phraya River, visiting Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawiha, exploring the Grand Palace, and drinking cocktails at a rooftop bar at sunset.
If you have more time, Chiang Mai is a paradise for backpackers and digital nomads due to its affordability.
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Bali, Indonesia
Travelers in Bali can get by comfortably on as little as $75 a day, making the small Indonesian island one of the cheapest tropical island escapes in the world. Bali might only be small, but that doesn’t stop it from being extremely popular with travelers in Southeast Asia who seek sea, sun, and fascinating attractions.
Bali is well known for its beaches, wildlife, rich cultural heritage, and charming towns. One minute, you’ll find yourself snorkeling in the sea and surfing. Next, you’ll walk through a lush rice terrace or explore an ancient temple. Places you don’t want to miss in Bali include Canggu, Ubud, Kuta, and Uluwatu. Meanwhile, popular attractions include Uluwatu Temple, the Sacred Monkey Forest, Ubud Street Market, and Finn’s Beach Club.
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