Summer is undoubtedly a wonderful time to travel. The children are off of school, the weather is warmer and most travel sites are super active this time of year, resulting in more opportunity to explore. Looking for an exotic travel destination on a budget?
We did the research for you and put together a list of seven locations where the conversion rate is in your favor, and your money will therefore go further. Note that these daily cost averages include meals, housing and domestic travel.
The afternoon sun bathing Machu Picchu in a warm light. Photo via LonelyPlanet.
1. Peru: Located in Western South America, Peru is recognized for its richness in natural resources, influence of the Inca Empire and Machu Picchu, now recognized as one the 7 New Wonders of the World.
Daily cost $60-$200 USD
$1 USD = $3.29 Nuevos Soles
Top Restaurant: Maido in Lima
Places to visit: Amazon rainforest and Machu Picchu
Buenos Aires, Argentina. Photo via Business Destinations.
2. Argentina: The first things that often come to mind when thinking about Argentina are food, wine and soccer. This country located in southern South America also draws interest for tango, which originated there in the 19th century.
Daily cost $60-$200 USD
$1 USD = $42 Pesos
Top Restaurant: Aramburu in Buenos Aires
Places to Visit: Iguazu Falls, El Calafate, El Chaltén
Chilean landscape. Photo via Born2Invest.
3. Chile: While Chile is typically recognized for its wine, it is home to many volcanoes making it one of the most volcanic countries in the world.
Daily cost $90-$120 USD
$1 USD = $678 Pesos
Top Restaurant: Peumayén Ancestral in Santiago
Places to visit: Chilean fjords, Torres del Paine, Easter Island
Photo via The Official site for Gullfoss Waterfall.
4. Iceland: Home to some of Europe’s largest glaciers, Iceland is also recognized for its long summer days with nearly 24 hours of sunlight.
Daily cost $140-$280 USD
$1 USD = $125 Kronur
Top Restaurant: Fish Company in Reykjavík
Places to visit: Gullfoss Waterfall, Myrdalsjokull Glacier Park
Dubrovnik, Croatia. Photo via Earth Trekkers.
5. Croatia: Aside from the obvious Game of Thrones appeal (Dubrovnik doubled as King’s Landing in the show), Croatia is known for its walled towns, numerous beaches and beautiful islands offering many places to explore.
Daily cost $90-$200 USD
$1 USD = $6.55 Kuna
Top Restaurant: Pelegrini in Šibenik
Places to visit: Krka National Park, Korcula, Dubrovnik
Athens, Greece. Photo via Escape.com.
6. Greece: Lamented as the birthplace of democracy, Greece has a rich history (Athens is one of Europe’s oldest cities) and is the backdrop for incredible architecture.
Daily cost $100-$200 USD
$1 USD = $0.89 Euro
Top Restaurant: Aleria in Athens
Places to visit: Chania Town, Hersonissos, Tsilivi
Fiordland, Southland, New Zealand. Photo via Southlandnz.com.
7. New Zealand: While wine and rugby often come to mind when thinking about New Zealand, the country is also famous for its indigenous people, the Maori. But beware; our summer is their winter!
Daily cost $100-$170 USD
$1 USD = $1.50 New Zealand Dollars
Top restaurant: Sidart in Ponsonby
Places to visit: Paihia, Tongariro National Park, Fiordland
Now that we’ve narrowed down some destinations that won’t break the bank, we also came across some insightful international travel tips to better prepare you for an upcoming trip. Click this link to view the tips in detail on Discover’s website, or review the abbreviated bullets below.
- Let your bank/credit cards know you are traveling. Not only is this a good way to avoid having your accounts frozen while traveling, it also allows the bank or credit card issuers to trigger proper safeguards.
- Determine if your PIN will work when abroad. While four-digit PINs work in most countries, it’s best to double check before you travel and change your PIN if necessary.
- Understand international transaction and currency conversion fees. To get the best deals, be sure to do your research ahead of time.
- Note daily withdrawal limits. Both banks and individual ATMs have different withdrawal limits so it’s best to be aware of these ahead of time and have a plan B in place.
- Verify your account balance. Make sure that you have sufficient funds in your accounts to cover any and all travel expenses while abroad.
- Obtain phone numbers. Collect the proper contact information for your financial institution. In the case that your credit card gets lost or stolen you’ll be happy you did.
- Use your credit card for booking a hotel or rental car. Hotels and rental car companies often place a hold on your card for incidentals and if placed on a debit card, the funds can be tied up for a lengthy period of time.
- Use your debit card when getting cash in local currency. Using your debit card is often the cheapest way of getting local currency, as it avoids credit card fees and often gets you the same exchange rate as with credit card purchases.
Taking a break and getting away can be an important part of obtaining whole person success. With these travel destinations in mind, getting away is sure to be friendly to your wallet too. Happy travels!
