These 10 Destinations Allow For Cheap Travel All Year-Round
Table of Contents
Summary
- Tourists can find affordable travel destinations all year round by exploring places like the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico, Croatia, and Guatemala.
- These destinations offer a range of activities and attractions, from historic ruins to beautiful beaches, at budget-friendly prices.
- Other affordable destinations include Portugal, Belize, Morocco, Ecuador, Egypt, Peru, and the State of Mexico, offering historic sites, natural wonders, and cultural experiences for travelers on a tight budget.
World traveling for cheap is a balance of skills, common sense, insider knowledge, and good, old-fashioned luck. With times changing fast, it can be hard to strike a perfect balance. How can tourists know where to find an affordable travel destination during a time of great economic change? Luckily, there will always be places around the world where people can find great deals on flights, hotels, and food. But how can tourists discover where these places are?
Although cheap travel is often a game of discovering when a destination’s off-season is, there are places around the world that are always affordable, even at the height of the tourist season. In this list, people will discover some of the top affordable destinations around the world that are not only cheap during the off-season but are cheap destinations all year round.
From the jungles of Central America to the mountainous Balkans, discover some of the most affordable global travel destinations that are budget-friendly year-round, no matter whether visiting in the peak tourist season or the low period.
10
Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico
Suytun Cenote, Valladolid, Mexico, one of the best Yucatan Peninsula cenotes
For historic ruined cities, crystal blue water, and the abundance of rainforest, visitors on a budget should check out the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico. This location is both fun and affordable for tourists, with lots of hiking, cultural activities, and delicious restaurants.
Seafood is especially affordable in this region, so visitors should be sure to try authentic Mexican-style ceviche or roasted octopus. Visitors should visit historic sites like Chichén Itzá and the Mayan ruins at Tulum. Sitting on the beach sipping a piña colada isn’t a bad idea, either!
- Average flight cost from NYC: $250-400 to Cancun
- Budget hotel price per night: $19-150 per night
Cities like Tulum, Playa del Carmen, and Cancun are all trying to be more environmentally conscious, so many beach locations do not allow oil-based sunscreen.
9
Croatia
An artial view of Zadar in Croatia
Not only is Croatia among the cheapest countries to visit year-round, but this Balkan country also offers visitors ancient ruins, waterfalls, and Mediterranean beaches. While traveling here, tourists will get all the perks of the Mediterranean without having to break the bank.
Walking around the streets of Zahgreb or Trogir, lined with sierra roofs, will make tourists forget all their worries. Visiting the ancient palace of the Roman emperor Diocletian (the first Roman emperor to retire) is a must in this region. Seeing the stacked waterfalls pouring into green water at Krka National Park will also be an unforgettable experience!
- Flight cost from NYC: $640-1000 to Zahgreb
- Budget hotel price per night: $31-100 per night
8
Guatemala
Temple of the Great Jaguar at Tikal
Once the center of the mighty Mayan city-state of Tikal, the modern country of Guatemala offers tourists unique gastronomy, rich history, and the wonders of the rainforest. Visitors here should head to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Tikal National Park to see the towering gray-stone ruins for themselves.
For mountain views and great swimming, visitors should head to Lake Atitlán, the deepest lake in Central America. Not only is this country beautiful, but it’s widely considered to be one of the most economical places for tourists to go to, with costs often being half as much as those found in the US and Canada.
- Flight cost from NYC: $148-400 to Guatemala City
- Budget hotel price per night: $15-130 per night
7
Portugal
Beautiful Alfama neighborhood in Lisbon
One of the cheapest European destinations year-round is Portugal. This mountainous country on Europe’s Atlantic coast is the perfect place to explore Medieval history, delicious seafood, and cobblestone streets.
From riding cable cars in the seaside city of Lisbon to seeing historic castles like São Jorge, Portugal offers tourists a truly unique travel experience. With great weather almost all year round, this destination really is the perfect budget location.
- Flight cost from NYC: $500-900 to Lisbon
- Budget hotel price per night: $26-141 per night
6
Belize
Belize is not only one of the world’s most amazing places to travel to in general, but it is also one of the cheapest vacation destinations year-round!
The mangrove forests and coral reefs that this Caribbean nation has to offer are sights like no other. With so many different biomes to explore, tourists have an abundance of nature to explore, from the Hol Chan Marine Reserve in the Belize Barrier Reef to the dense rainforests of Mayflower Bocawina National Park.
Not only that but the country is also known for the Ancient Mayan ruins of Xunantunich!
- Flight cost from NYC: $500-900 to Belize City
- Budget hotel price per night: $35-250 per night
5
Morocco
Jardin Majorelle in Marrakesh
See rich palaces, secret gardens, and bright blue architecture in the spectacular North African country of Morocco, one of the world’s best vacation destinations that are cheap all year round.
In Marrakesh (called the heart of Morocco) alone, visitors can explore the 19th-century splendor of the Bahia Palace and the Renaissance wonder of the El Badi Palace ruins. The blue buildings of the Jardin Majorelle and the Pierre Bergé Museum of Berber Arts are also hot spots for travelers, so visitors should be sure to put that on their Morocco bucket list.
One truly spectacular sight in Morocco is Le Jardin Secret, a Saadian Dynasty garden that was originally built in the 1600s but was rebuilt in the 19th century. This garden offers tourists a unique mix of North African plants with water features, providing a haven of peace amid the busy city of Marrakesh.
4
Ecuador
San Francisco church in Quito
Tourists on a budget should take a trip to the glorious mountain country of Ecuador, the home of the famous thirteenth Sapa Inca, Atahualpa.
One of the most rewarding places in Ecuador that travelers should head to is Ingapirca, the pre-Columbian Incan ruins. Like many Incan sites, this ancient city features the remains of an impressive Temple of the Sun. Today, this once-sacred location is roamed by brown and black camelids, who graze upon the site’s bright green expanses of grass.
Ecuador also has a wealth of national parks, including El Cajas National Park, which is the perfect location for tourists to see endangered animals, like the many vibrantly-colored species of hummingbirds that Ecuador is famous for. It also boasts the world-famous Galapagos Islands; however, this wildlife hotspot can be expensive and hard to visit, so travelers on a tight budget may want to skip it.
- Flight cost from NYC: $300-500 to Quito
- Budget hotel price per night: $9-124 per night
3
Egypt
Close image of Pyramids of Egypt
One of the oldest human-inhabited lands in the world is Egypt. This truly historic region is one that every traveler should see at least once in their lives. From the rich and fertile Nile River to the Siwa Oasis out in the desert, Egypt is truly one of the world’s most beautiful places.
The cultural legacy of Ancient Pharaonic Egypt, which lasted over 3,000 years, is still present in the modern experience of traveling here. Of course, seeing the Great Sphinx and the Pyramids is a must, but other locations, like Luxor and Abu Simbel, will offer rich historical experiences.
All in all, there are many world-famous and incredible historic sites in Egypt with fascinating stories, many of them within the budgets of travelers with less cash to spend.
- Flight cost from NYC: $750-1000 to Cairo
- Budget hotel price per night: $6-150 per night
2
Peru
Historical sanctuary of Machu Picchu in the Andes Mountains, Peru
For those who are interested in Ancient Incan history, Peru is the place to go! Considered by historians to be one of only a select few cradles of civilization, Peru is a land of ancient ruins, abundant coastlines, and massive mountains.
The main historic tourist spot is, of course, Machu Picchu, but other sites like Saqsaywaman and Tambomachay give tourists other unique options. For travelers headed to the Nazca Desert in the south, the famed Nazca Lines are visible from an observation tower.
Some of Peru’s natural wonders include the blue lake at Huascarán National Park, the massive cave at Cueva de Las Lechuzas, and the protected natural reserve at Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve.
- Flight cost from NYC: $400-650 to Lima
- Budget hotel price per night: $11-49 per night
1
The State Of Mexico, Mexico
Pyramid of the Moon at Teotihuacan
Once the seat of the famous Aztec Empire, the State of Mexico is one of the most affordable places in the world to travel to as a tourist. Visitors can explore the sprawling ancient ruins and pyramids of Teotihuacan, such as the Pyramid of the Sun (Teotihuacan’s largest pyramid) and the Pyramid of the Moon, the other giant Teotihuacan pyramid. There’s also the Museo Nacional de Antropología and the Chapultepec Castle to check out.
Even just walking around the streets and markets of Mexico City is a blast! Visitors should also try to go to the Frida Kahlo Museum to see some of the 20th century’s best art. Some of the natural wonders of this region include the forests in the Desierto de los Leones National Park, the reforested El Tepeyac National Park, and the twin peaks of the Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl volcanoes.
- Flight cost from NYC: $350-500 to Mexico City
- Budget hotel price per night: $7-195
Even if tourists are traveling on a budget, seeing historic archeological sites, visiting stunning gardens, and seeing incredible natural wonders are all within the realm of possibility. The world is full of exciting travel opportunities that are affordable on even the tightest of budgets. From South America to Europe, there are unique and affordable year-round destinations around the world for every traveler’s taste.
