| What is the real secret to cheap | | | | also very cheap. With all international |
| international travel? It is the same as the | | | | destinations, the plane tickets will be your |
| secret to doing anything for less. Learn to | | | | single biggest travel expense. This is |
| be an opportunist. Opportunistic travelers | | | | especially true with the asian countries. |
| get to travel more, see more and do more. Of | | | | Being there is cheap, but getting there may |
| course, you can ignore this advice if you | | | | not be. |
| have unlimited funds. | | | | |
| | | | Cheap International Travel Tips |
| I went to Ecuador because it was cheap. | | | | |
| Honestly, aren't there many interesting | | | | Wherever you go, there are things you can do |
| places in this world? Why not choose one you | | | | to keep it cheap. Eat where locals eat, for |
| can travel to inexpensively? The other places | | | | example, instead of at the tourist |
| will be there in the future, and you may have | | | | restaurants. To keep it really cheap, eat |
| an opportunity to go to those places cheaply | | | | fruit from street markets (wash it well) and |
| at some point. | | | | packaged snacks from grocery stores. |
| | | | |
| Cheap Countries | | | | Visit the free and cheap attractions first. |
| | | | It's possible you'll have so much fun that |
| Ecuador is my favorite international | | | | you'll never get around to doing the |
| destination. You can still get a decent meal | | | | expensive things. A higher price means better |
| for two dollars. U.S. dollars, by the way, | | | | quality with travel bags, but not with travel |
| since that's conveniently the official | | | | experiences. |
| currency of Ecuador now. From the beautiful | | | | |
| snow-capped Andes mountains, to the Galapagos | | | | Busses are cheaper than taxis in any country, |
| Islands, you'll never run out of places to | | | | but be careful of crowded city busses, where |
| explore in Ecuador. Travel there is safe and | | | | pickpockets hang out. Walking is even |
| inexpensive. | | | | cheaper, and it's a great way to learn about |
| | | | a city. Just ask the locals where the |
| South America in general is inexpensive, and | | | | dangerous parts are before you wander too |
| the most affordable countries are, in my | | | | far. |
| opinion, the most beautiful. These are the | | | | |
| countries along the Andes mountains; Ecuador, | | | | For cheap accommodations find out where local |
| Peru, and Bolivia. Argentina, thanks to it's | | | | visitors from within the country stay. |
| recent economic troubles, is once again a | | | | Negotiating room charges is common in some |
| cheap place for travelers as well. | | | | areas. In Banos, Ecuador, we negotiated our |
| | | | room rate down from $12 to $6 per night, by |
| In Central America, it costs very little to | | | | paying for several nights in advance. |
| travel and vacation in both Nicaragua and | | | | Consider hostels, if you don't mind sharing a |
| Guatemala. Nicaragua, in particular, has | | | | room. They're much more common overseas. |
| become more stable and safe for travelers in | | | | |
| recent years. Costa Rica is a wonderful too, | | | | Cheap international travel is often only as |
| and though it is one of more expensive | | | | cheap as your plane tickets. Use the |
| counties of Central America, that probably | | | | techniques outlined on our site to save big |
| still leaves it cheaper than Europe. | | | | on tickets, or search the fares to several |
| | | | interesting countries. If one is $500 less |
| In Asia, India is still low-cost, especially | | | | than the others, consider going there. $500 |
| if you stay in the numerous hostels and | | | | can buy a few extra days, or an extra |
| boarding houses. Thailand and Indonesia are | | | | mini-vacation some other time. |