Your 20s are absolutely the best time to travel; You're either in or fresh out of college, you're not tied to any city in particular and your future prospects are wide open. Now is the time to explore the world and every wonderful thing it has to offer! However, if you're like me, you may be wondering how to pay for what seems like thousands of dollars worth of plane tickets and hotels. News flash: You don't have to break the bank to have an unforgettable experience. Here are some countries not only are inexpensive to get to, but will barely make a dent in your budget for stuff to do, and beautiful sights to see.
1. Cambodia
Cambodia is at the top of the list for hot places to travel around Asia, and for darn good reasons. Beds are available for as cheap as $1.30 a night, and if you're looking for the five-star hotel experience, you won't be shelling out more than $300 a night for a double bed. Cambodia has an incredibly rich history and plenty of beautiful temples and hiking trails to climb. If you're wondering what city to plant yourself in, SkyScanner.net suggests Phnom Penh, a cultural hub with a gruesome history but thriving tourist scene. Whether you decide to visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum or just want to get a taste of the local food, Phnom Penh is a beautiful city that will treat you and your wallet very well.
2. Nepal
Nepal is a hub for backpackers and hikers alike, especially cities like Pokhara, which is nestled in between some of the most popular hiking and nature trails in the area. In larger cities like Pokhara, food won't cost you more than one to five dollars a meal, and attractions like Devils Falls won't cost you more than 18 cents. (I know, right?) Hotel prices rise during April, May, October and November, but it'll still be well within your price range. The best part about Nepal? Even in the summer months, the average temperature never really passes 79 degrees. I know, right!
3. Viet Nam
If you factor in a budget hotel, two taxi rides, a tourist attraction and three meals, a stay in places like Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) or Hanoi Viet Nam won't cost you more than $18 a day. (Guess what? Those are the two most expensive cities in Viet Nam.) Vietnamese cuisine is some of the most popular Asian food in the world, too. What's not to love?
4. Honduras
It's hard to find one photo to sum up everything Honduras has to offer, but if you wanted to sum it all up into one sentence, it's basically a taste of the Caribbean at a fraction of the cost. A full tourist day in Honduras will set you back anywhere from 20 to 40 US dollars, whether you're touring the beautiful cathedrals of the once religious hub Comayagua or just want to take a swim around the beautiful sandy beaches. Many travel websites suggest to explore Honduras without any real plan, as every city has something beautiful and unique to offer.
5. Bulgaria
If you're looking for a spring break destination that's away from the crowds but just as much of a slice of paradise, Bulgaria is the place to be. The capitol city Sophia is the second oldest city in Europe, so it's packed with museums and historic sights for you to visit. The beaches are gorgeous and very reminiscent of Greece, without all the crowds. Oh yeah, and it'll still only cost you around $30 a day to do whatever you want.
There are always ways to travel for cheap, so never stop searching! Plenty of airlines offer student discounts or significantly cheaper prices on certain days of the week, so don't give up. It'll require some research, but before you know it you'll be filling your passport in no time.
