12 Cheapest Countries to Visit in 2026 (And What I’d Do There)

I used to think budget travel meant sacrificing the experience. A cheap destination usually conjured up images of crowded hostels, questionable street food, and skipping the things I actually wanted to see. Then I went to Vietnam on a shoestring and spent two weeks eating the best food of my life for less than $30 a day.

That trip changed how I travel. Expensive doesn’t always mean better, and the cheapest countries to visit often pack the most memorable experiences. Whether you’re a digital nomad stretching your savings or a traveler who wants more trips per year, choosing the right destination makes all the difference.

Here are 12 countries where your money genuinely goes far, covering food, accommodation, activities, and getting around.

Thailand

Thailand has a well-earned reputation as one of the cheapest countries to visit in Southeast Asia, and it’s not hype. Flights can cost a bit to get there, but once you land, your wallet breathes a sigh of relief.

Street food is where I’d start. A bowl of pad thai from a night market runs about $1-2, and meals at local restaurants rarely top $5. Accommodation ranges from $8-10 dorm beds to surprisingly comfortable private rooms for $25-40 a night. Activities are mostly low-cost too. The Grand Palace costs around $15 to enter, while the Big Buddha in Phuket is free.

What I loved most was how easy it is to combine Thailand with neighboring countries. You can hop on a train to Vietnam, Cambodia, or Laos without much extra expense, turning one affordable trip into three. From the temples of Chiang Mai to the islands of Krabi, Thailand rewards slow travel on a small budget.

Don’t miss: Mo Ko Ang Thong National Marine Park for one of the most surreal coastal landscapes I’ve seen, at a price that won’t sting.

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka surprised me. I expected it to be more expensive than other South Asian countries, but accommodation and activities kept my costs low throughout. The ancient cities, like Anuradhapura and Sigiriya, charge modest entrance fees, and getting between regions by train is both cheap and one of the most scenic rides you’ll ever take.

The beaches at Mirissa and Unawatuna are genuinely beautiful, and whale watching off the southern coast is a fraction of what it costs in many other parts of the world. If you’re into hiking, the hills around Ella have trails that cost nothing to walk.

Budget tip: Climbing the Sigiriya Rock Fortress costs around $35 for foreigners, which is the biggest single expense you’ll likely face. Budget for it; it’s worth every dollar.

India

India is one of those destinations that can genuinely cater to any budget. I’ve met people who spent $20 a day and others who spent $100 and both felt they got value. The reason is how flexible the country is.

Street food is extraordinary and costs almost nothing. Samosas for under a dollar, a full thali for $2, chai on every corner for pennies. Budget guesthouses in cities like Jaipur or Varanasi start around $8-15 a night. Many of the most iconic sites are affordable too. The Taj Mahal costs $13 for foreign visitors, and Amber Fort in Jaipur runs about $6.

For wildlife lovers, Ranthambore National Park offers safari experiences at a fraction of what you’d pay in East Africa. India is enormous and every region feels like a different country, which makes it one of the best places to spend several weeks without burning through your savings.

Indonesia

Bali gets most of the attention, and honestly it deserves it, but Indonesia is so much more than one island. With over 17,000 islands in the archipelago, you could spend months here and barely scratch the surface.

In Bali, rice terrace walks in Ubud cost next to nothing. The Sacred Monkey Forest runs about $6 to enter, and you can find comfortable guesthouses for $20-40 a night. Eating at local warungs (small family-run restaurants) keeps food costs low.

Beyond Bali, Java’s Borobudur Temple ($25 entry) is one of the most significant Buddhist monuments in the world, and Ijen Crater, where miners work through sulfuric blue flames at sunrise, is an experience unlike anything else on earth.

What I’d skip: Overpriced Instagrammable spots that have cropped up specifically for tourists. The real Indonesia is quieter and cheaper.

Bulgaria

Bulgaria is probably the most underrated destination on this list, and I’m a little reluctant to share it widely. It’s one of the cheapest countries in Europe by a significant margin, and it offers a genuinely rich experience.

Sofia, the capital, has a 2,000-year history you can explore almost entirely on foot. The Ancient Theatre of Philippopolis in Plovdiv costs just $3 to visit. The Banya Bashi mineral springs in Sofia are free. Beach resorts on the Black Sea coast are budget-friendly, and Bansko is one of the most affordable ski destinations on the continent.

If you’re trying to do Europe on a tight budget, Bulgaria is where I’d start. It doesn’t have the crowds of Prague or the prices of Paris, and that makes the whole experience feel more like actual travel.

Turkey

Turkey sits at the meeting point of Europe and Asia, and that mix shows in everything from the food to the architecture. Istanbul is one of the most layered, fascinating cities I’ve walked through, and it’s surprisingly affordable.

Food is where Turkey shines on a budget. Street kebabs, simit (sesame bread rings), and fresh mezes are cheap and genuinely delicious. The Grand Bazaar is free to wander, and the Blue Mosque has no entry fee. If you want to splurge on one thing, make it a hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia or a visit to the Göreme Open-Air Museum ($22).

The exchange rate has historically worked in travelers’ favor here, making restaurants, accommodation, and transport feel even more reasonable.

Jamaica

For Caribbean travel on a budget, Jamaica consistently comes out ahead. It’s not the cheapest destination on this list overall, but compared to other islands in the region, it offers solid value, especially if you step away from the all-inclusive resorts.

Jerk chicken from a roadside stall costs a dollar or two. Seven Mile Beach in Negril is free to access. Dunn’s River Falls costs $25 to climb, which is one of the more touristy activities but worth doing once. If reggae history matters to you, the Bob Marley Museum in Kingston runs $26.50 for adults.

What I appreciate about Jamaica is how much of the experience is free: the music that spills out of every bar, the conversations with locals, the landscapes. If you eat local and get around by route taxi (fares start around $0.85), you can keep costs manageable.

Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic attracts millions of American visitors each year, and it makes sense. White sand beaches, lush mountain interiors, and affordable local food make it easy to enjoy without overspending.

The key is eating like a local. Mangu, sancocho, and empanadas from local eateries cost a fraction of what resort restaurants charge. Public beaches in Punta Cana are free. Los Haitises National Park, with its dramatic mangrove forests and cave paintings, is one of the most striking natural areas in the Caribbean and doesn’t cost much to visit.

The Colonial Zone in Santo Domingo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is free to walk and gives you a real sense of the country’s layered history.

Costa Rica

Costa Rica is more expensive than most of the destinations on this list, but I’ve included it because the value for experience ratio is genuinely high. You’re paying for some of the most biodiverse ecosystems on earth, and the entry fees to national parks are modest, usually between $10-20.

Manuel Antonio National Park ($18 entry) is where monkeys wander through beach vegetation and sloths hang from trees at eye level. Arenal Volcano National Park ($17 entry) puts you in the shadow of an active stratovolcano with access to natural hot springs nearby.

Budget accommodation in towns near the parks is affordable, and cooking some of your own meals helps keep costs down. Costa Rica rewards those who spend a bit more time and plan around the national parks rather than beach resorts.

Egypt

Egypt is a destination where your money goes remarkably far, particularly on food and transport. Traveling by train between Cairo and Aswan or Luxor is both cheap and one of the great train journeys in the world.

The Pyramids of Giza are the obvious draw, and while entrance fees have increased in recent years, seeing one of the last remaining Wonders of the Ancient World is still accessible on a budget. Beyond Giza, the Valley of the Kings, Luxor Temple, and Abu Simbel offer world-class historical experiences without the prices of comparable European sites.

Street food, particularly vegetarian options, is very cheap. Kushari, a satisfying mix of pasta, lentils, and spiced tomato sauce, costs about $1 at a local spot and is one of my favorite meals in recent memory.

Philippines

The Philippines is slightly pricier than Vietnam or Cambodia, but it’s still one of the most affordable countries in Asia, particularly once you account for what you get. The islands are extraordinary.

Palawan, consistently rated among the world’s best islands, has affordable accommodation and food. Coron’s lagoons and shipwreck diving are bucket-list caliber. Boracay’s White Beach is one of the most beautiful I’ve seen, and getting around between islands is cheap once you’re in the country.

The challenge is getting to and between islands, as internal flights can add up. Budget for those and keep food and accommodation costs low by eating at local carinderias (small Filipino eateries) where a full meal costs $1-2.

Vietnam

Vietnam is, in my experience, one of the cheapest countries to visit anywhere in the world. The food alone is reason enough to go. A bowl of pho costs around $1.50. Banh mi sandwiches run about $0.75. A full meal at a local restaurant rarely exceeds $3-4.

Accommodation in guesthouses starts around $10-15 for a private room, and many cities have excellent hostel options for under $8. Getting between cities is easy and affordable by overnight train or budget bus.

The country has an incredible range of experiences: the ancient town of Hoi An, the limestone karsts of Ha Long Bay, the mountain villages of Sa Pa, the buzzing streets of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. I’d recommend spending at least three weeks if you can, traveling north to south or south to north and stopping everywhere that looks interesting.

Pro tip: Fly into Bangkok and take the train into Vietnam to save on flights, then combine it with Laos or Cambodia before you leave the region.

Conclusion

The cheapest countries to visit aren’t consolation prizes. Many of them are places I’d choose over expensive European capitals, not in spite of the cost, but because the travel experience itself is richer. You eat better, connect more with local culture, and stay longer.

If I had to pick just one to start with, I’d go to Vietnam. It’s the most forgiving on a budget and one of the most rewarding countries I’ve ever traveled through. But honestly, every destination on this list is worth your time and far less of your money than you might expect.

Ready to start planning? Visit travelwithzee.com for more destination guides, honest hotel reviews, and practical tips for every kind of traveler.