Holidays and vacations too far off lands can be expensive. It can put a really tight grasp on someone’s budget, but it’s not fair that only the super-rich are able to afford massive holidays and luxury to some of the world’s greatest places. But just because you may have to penny pinch to make your holiday dreams come true, doesn’t mean you can’t see some amazing things and take in some great culture and sights, all on a dime. Sometimes, it’s looking beside a great tourist place to see another city close by that has all the same feelings as the tourist trap, without the people. Or it’s looking at a major city and realizing there is a whole other world there to explore.
Hidden gems are everywhere in the world and they don’t have to cost a fortune to go and see. Just be creative in finding a great location and plan ahead before going so that your bank account stays healthy when returning home. Everyone needs an escape every once in a while, and it shouldn’t be out of reach just because the dollars are flowing into your bank account. So, for those on a budget, here are 25 locations to check out that are a perfect place to take a holiday.
25 Montego Bay, Jamaica
There are plenty of places to visit if you’re looking for a nice climate, sandy beaches, and blue water, especially during the winter months. One overlooked places in Montego Bar, located in Jamaica.
Located right in the Caribbean Sea, Montego Bay has plenty of resorts that offer extremely cheap rooms and all-inclusive packages, and Montego Bay is more of a laid-back Caribbean adventure than a party city.
According to Cheapflights.ca, time your vacation for December, which is the sweet spot between the rainy season and hurricane season and saves significantly. Plus, Montego Bay has one of the largest airports in the Caribbean, so travel is easy with no connecting flights.
24 Washington D.C.
I know what you’re thinking, how is Washington D.C., the nation’s capital, a hidden place to travel? The truth is, Washington amazing attractions and tourism industry gets lost behind the world of politics, and for those traveling on a budget, it’s a great place to visit.
That’s because, according to Travel and Leisure, plenty of activities are free in Washington.
The National Mall, including the Lincoln and Vietnam Memorials, the National Parks Service offers free tours and The Smithsonian Institution overs not one, but 17 museums in the D.C. area that are free.
23 Reykjavik, Iceland
Not many people think of Iceland as a travel destination, but if you’re on a budget and need a place that offers some free perks or great scenery, Reykjavik is a great destination to head for.
The Guide to Iceland lists out plenty of activities, including swimming in one of the many geothermal pools, as Iceland has the highest ratio of pools per capita.
You can also hike Hike Mount Esja, check out the beaches, or check out the Northern Lights, which just require you to find a nice spot and look into the sky at night.
22 Barranquilla, Colombia
Barranquilla doesn’t get the same love as the two main Columbian cities of Cartagena and Medellin, but it’s definitely a place to check out if on the budget, and you want an amazing cultural experience.
Each year Barranquilla's Carnival takes place for four days of intense festivities, so much so, the city is paralyzed because of all the street dances, musical and masquerade parades.
It’s one of the largest carnivals in the world, and admission to some of the events is only a few dollars, but the atmosphere is perfectly free to take in.
21 Tulum, Mexico
A few hours from the party center of Cancun, Mexico is Tulum, which is four hours north of the Belize border. According to TripSavvy, Telum has everything you could want in a coastal Caribbean beach, without the crowds of people and the party lifestyle.
TripSavvy says you can rent palapa-roofed beach cabanas for $10 a night, and while there, check on their famous Mayan ruins, which costs just $3.50 to get into, or free on Sundays, and it doesn’t cost much to travel from the major cities to Tulum by bus.
20 Las Vegas
Las Vegas is probably the least hidden place someone on a budget would think of going to, but it’s the prime example of looking past the bright lights and the gaming tables at things you can do on a budget.
Vegas.com actually lists all the things you can do in Vegas for under $20, which include the free Fountains of Bellagio, going up the Eiffel Tower Viewing Deck for $16, going into the Bellagio Conservatory which transforms into a new floral extravaganza every season and is free.
You can also find plenty of cheap hotels, just look off the strip and don’t be afraid to do a little walking.
19 Phuket, Thailand
Phuket is the largest island in Thailand and between November and April, it’s sunny and humid, making it the perfect winter getaway. Rooms and meals are very cheap, and the beaches on the island are some of the best in the country.
For something free, check out the Phuket Big Buddha, one of the most famous landmarks on the island, standing 45 feet tall. You also get a beautiful panoramic view of the island.
You can also visit for free, Wat Chalong Temple, or take in the night market, which is one of the more popular local attractions.
18 Zakynthos, Greece
Greece is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, and a great place to visit on a budget is Zakynthos, which is a small island off the mainland in the Ionian Sea. One of their most famous attractions is the shipwreck on Navagio Beach.
It’s a breathtaking spot to spend a vacation, with plenty of great views and the bluest water.
You can only reason it by boat, by tour boats have options for as low as $20 euros.
17 Bali
Bali is picking up the pace in becoming a tourists dream and despite tons of people heading there, they still offer plenty of low budget options, including three-star hotel rooms for as low as $17 a night.
One of their more interesting attractions is the Gateway to Heaven, at Mount Lempuyang, which is at the summit of one of Bali’s most highly regarded temples.
Or check out one of the two major turtle conservation sites, which are free to get into, and learn about the turtles, even see them release hatchlings out to sea.
16 Xian, China
Want to visit China but stay away from the major cities like Beijing, then head to Xian, which is the ancient capital of China, and home to one of the most famous discoveries, the Terracotta Warriors.
According to Forbes, admission to see this incredible archeological finds is only $23.00.
Xian is also home to ancient monuments and at night, many of them are lit up dramatically, which costs nothing to go around and see, giving you even more history without the cost.
15 Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona is one of the cheapest cities in all of Europe to visit, offering some of the best museums in the world, which are all free on Sundays.
If you time it right and come in late September, you’ll also get the five-day Festes de la Mercè, which brings the city to life with fireworks shows, free concerts, dancing acrobatic feats.
With 600 events spread throughout the city, it won’t be hard to find something to do in Barcelona, and on top of that, they have some of Spain’s best beaches.
14 Moab, Utah
Not many people think Utah as a destination to play a trip, which helps make it cheaper, but if you’re into nature and love to hit it on foot than the two National Parks in Moab are right up your lane.
Arches National Park is best known for the iconic Delicate Arch, and there are over 2,000 arches, spires, and hikes at the park.
There is also Canyonlands National Park and Dead Horse Point State Park which provide amazing views of the desert landscape.
13 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur is an amazing city and the capital of Malaysia, yet people seem to not look beyond the extremely high buildings and find the things to do on a budget, making Kuala Lumpur a cheap travelers paradise.
Below the famously tall Petronas Twin Towers in the City Center Park, and you can enjoy many of their art galleries for free.
One thing to definitely check out is the Batu Caves, the famous limestone hill made up of several caves and indoor temples, which is free to get into and features plenty of rock climbing challenges
12 St Martin / St Maarten
If you’re looking for a cheap holiday to a beach resort in the Caribbean, look at St Martin or St Maarten, depending on the side of the island you are on, for a cheap trip. Normally Caribbean islands can be expensive, and this is a sad story, as St. Martin and St. Maarten was hit by Hurricane Irma, devastating the island.
It has made hotels and resorts have to lower their costs according to Forbes, in order to try and get people to come back. So for those on a budget looking for their first Caribbean trip, it’s the perfect time and location to do so.
11 Pompano Beach, Florida
Pompano Beach is the best of everything in Florida, without the high costs of Miami life. According to Time, the average hotel cost is $124 a night, which means there are plenty of lower options available to make a holiday cheap.
You get everything Florida is known for, including arm ocean waters, long stretches of golden sand, and tons of sunshine, and you can scuba dive to one of the 18 shipwrecks in the area. The Okinawa, sunk just off the 1,000-foot-long Pompano Beach Pier and sits 40 feet below, making it good for beginners.
10 Zanzibar
Zanzibar is a small island off the coast of Tanzania and is absolutely beautiful. To take a ferry, it will cost $35 according to Forbes, but flights are cheap, sometimes under $100 if you plan it right, and the food is cheap as well, with options as low as $2 for local food.
Located on Zanzibar is also Stone town, which is a designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, making it the most visited tourist spot on the island, where you can also find cheap accommodation.
9 Naples, Italy
Naples is one of the oldest European cities and sits on the southern coast of Italy. It is packed with history, and some of the best views in the world, as well as seaside castles and underground catacombs to show-stopping Baroque architecture and a plethora of contemporary art.
But if you’re going to Naples, you’re going for the food.
Specifically, pizza. According to Forbes, Naples is the well-known birthplace of pizza and it is so popular that Neapolitan pizza making has just been recognized by UNESCO as part of its Intangible World Heritage list. It can be as low as $5 for a pizza, and it will easily be some of the best you have ever had.
8 Montreal, Canada
If traveling from the United States, benefit from the currency exchange and visit Montreal, a city with plenty of history, offers a lot to do on a budget, including one of their many museums, which offer a free time of day, or visit them during one of their many festivals, including the Just For Laughs festival, or International Jazz Festival, which offers more than 350 free concerts according to TripSavvy.
So there is plenty of cultures to take in and get free shows out of it.
7 Fiji
The small island of Fiji often gets forgotten down south, as Australia and New Zealand are the main destinations, but Fiji is one of the most affordable destinations to travel to according to Travel and Leisure.
Upscale resorts cost $50 a night, which is definitely cheaper than you’ll find in most high-class resorts, and smaller dorms are $20 a night.
Snorkeling trips cost around $30, and the more you plan ahead the cheaper it will be. Plus it’s one of the most beautiful places in the Pacific Ocean.
6 Istanbul, Turkey
Take advantage of the low Turkish Lira and visit Istanbul for as little as $18 a night in the hotels, and Airbnb options for as low as $10 a night. It’s a great city to take on foot, so avoid travel costs, and it is home to the famous Blue Mosque, which is free of charge to get into.
In fact, many of Istanbul’s best attractions are cheap, as the Topkapi Palace is 30 Turkish Lira, which is just over $5 USD, while many of their other museums, according to tourmakerturkey.com are cheaper than that.