We all want to travel further without watching your budget disappear along the way.
While international travel has become more expensive for Americans in recent years, your dollar can still go surprisingly far in the right destinations.
From longtime budget favorites in Southeast Asia, to countries where favorable exchange rates are working in your favor, I've found some fantastic places where you can experience more for less.
Here are the best value for money travel destinations for Americans right now.
Not every affordable destination is good value for the same reason.
Some countries are consistently inexpensive because everyday costs like food, accommodation, and transport are relatively low. Others may be especially affordable for Americans right now because the US dollar is strong against the local currency.
I've included both in this guide, but remember that exchange rates can change quickly. Always check the current rate before booking your trip.
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Destinations where the value is built in
These four are inexpensive because of how they're structured, not because of a currency swing. That value has held for years and is likely to keep holding.
Vietnam
Vietnam has been a favorite among budget-conscious travelers for years, and it's still one of the best places for Americans who want their travel budget to go a long way.
Everyday costs can be remarkably low. Street food often costs just a few dollars, locally owned guesthouses offer affordable alternatives to big hotels, and buses and trains make it relatively inexpensive to travel between destinations.
But what really makes Vietnam such good value is how much you can experience in one trip.
From the busy streets and incredible food scene of Hanoi to Ha Long Bay, historic Hoi An, mountain landscapes, and beautiful stretches of coastline, there's plenty here for almost every type of traveler.
What I love about budget-friendly Vietnam
Thailand
Thailand has been a favorite with budget travelers for decades, and it's easy to see why. You can eat incredibly well for just a few dollars, find accommodation across almost every price point, and travel around the country relatively cheaply.
I also think Thailand offers particularly good value because it's so easy to build very different experiences into one trip.
You can explore the temples and markets of Bangkok, head north to Chiang Mai for mountains and culture, or spend a few days relaxing on one of Thailand's famous islands and beaches.
What I love about budget-friendly Thailand
Brazil
Brazil can be surprisingly affordable, especially when you consider just how much there is to experience.
From the beaches and neighborhoods of Rio de Janeiro to colorful colonial towns, incredible national parks, and some of the world's most famous natural attractions, you could easily spend weeks exploring without running out of things to do.
Food can be particularly good value. Brazil's popular per-kilo restaurants let you fill a plate from a buffet and pay by weight, making it easy to enjoy a filling local meal without spending much.
Accommodation and public transport can also be reasonably priced, particularly when you venture beyond the biggest tourist hotspots.
Timing does matter, though. Prices climb dramatically around Carnival and New Year's, so I'd look at other times of year if keeping costs down is a priority.
What I love about budget-friendly Brazil
The Philippines
If your idea of a dream vacation involves tropical islands, turquoise water, white-sand beaches, and plenty of time outdoors, the Philippines offers incredible value for your money.
Destinations like Palawan and the Visayas make it possible to spend your days island hopping, snorkeling, exploring hidden beaches, and eating fresh local food without needing a luxury travel budget.
Simple beachside accommodation can also be surprisingly affordable, particularly away from the most popular resorts.
Another advantage for American travelers is how easy it can be to communicate. English is widely spoken throughout the Philippines, which makes everything from ordering food to arranging transportation and booking local tours a little easier.
What I love about the budget-friendly Philippines
Destinations offering great value for Americans right now
Exchange rates can make an already affordable destination even more appealing, but they're only part of the story.
These countries offer some interesting opportunities for American travelers right now, although where you go and how you travel can make a big difference.
Turkey
Turkey still offers Americans plenty of value despite rising local prices. The lira has weakened considerably against the dollar in recent years, helping your budget stretch further.
Better yet, there's so much to experience, from the markets and mosques of Istanbul and cave hotels of Cappadocia to ancient ruins and beautiful Mediterranean beaches. Local restaurants and independently owned accommodation can offer particularly good value.
Egypt
Egypt is especially appealing if you want experiences that feel luxurious without the usual luxury price tag.
Alongside the Pyramids of Giza and temples of Luxor, you can cruise the Nile, stay at a Red Sea resort, or go snorkeling and diving.
The Egyptian pound has weakened considerably against the dollar in recent years, although inflation means prices can still change quickly.
Argentina
Argentina's currency situation has changed considerably, so it's no longer the extraordinary bargain it once was for Americans. However, you can still find excellent value.
Your money can stretch surprisingly far on food, wine, and accommodation while you explore Buenos Aires, Mendoza, Patagonia, or Iguazú Falls. Check current exchange rates and payment advice before traveling, as the situation can change.
Mexico
Mexico shows how much value can vary within a single country. Cancun and Tulum can be surprisingly expensive, but look beyond the biggest resort destinations and your budget can stretch much further.
Mérida and Campeche are great bases for exploring the Yucatán, while Mazatlán offers an alternative to pricier coastal resorts. Fantastic, inexpensive local food is another major reason I love Mexico for value-conscious travel.
Colombia
Colombia remains relatively affordable for Americans, even though recent exchange-rate movements haven't always favored the dollar.
There's plenty of value beyond the currency, too. You can explore Cartagena, experience Medellín, visit the country's coffee-growing regions, or head to the Caribbean coast without necessarily spending a fortune.
Local restaurants, public transportation, and independently owned accommodation can help keep everyday travel costs down.
Where Europe still offers great value
Europe probably isn't the first place that comes to mind when you think about a budget-friendly international vacation, especially with the dollar losing some ground against the euro in recent years.
But I've still found places where you can experience everything I love about traveling in Europe without the prices you'll find in destinations like Switzerland or France.
Portugal
Portugal remains one of my favorite choices for experiencing Western Europe on a smaller budget. Lisbon and Porto give you beautiful architecture, fantastic food, history, and plenty to explore on foot, while smaller towns can offer even better value.
Add in the beaches of the Algarve, inexpensive local restaurants, and relatively affordable public transportation, and it's easy to see why Portugal continues to be such a great-value European destination.
Poland
Poland is another country where your travel budget can go surprisingly far. Cities like Kraków, Warsaw, and Gdańsk offer beautiful historic centers, fascinating museums, great food, and plenty to see without some of the prices you'll encounter farther west.
I particularly love Poland for travelers who want a city-and-culture trip. You can pack a huge amount of history, architecture, food, and sightseeing into your itinerary without needing an enormous daily budget.
A European vacation can often cost less than a trip within the US, especially if you find a great deal on flights.
Once you're there, affordable public transportation, walkable cities, inexpensive local restaurants, and reasonably priced accommodation can keep your daily costs surprisingly low.
Before booking another domestic vacation, I always think it's worth comparing the total cost. You might be surprised by how close the numbers are.
How to make sure you're actually getting good value
Choosing an affordable destination is a great start, but a few simple decisions can help your travel budget stretch even further:
Get the most value out of your next trip
Real value takes a little digging to find, and durable versus currency-driven is the lens worth applying to any "cheap destination" claim you come across, including the ones in this article.
Ask which kind of value you're looking at before you book, and you'll make a better call than anyone chasing last month's headline.
The durable destinations will still be good value in a few years. The currency-driven ones are worth booking while the rate is in your favor.
If you'd rather skip the research and go straight to a trip built around the current best value, that's exactly what our personalised travel planning service does.
Tell us your budget and we'll turn it into an itinerary that captures the value while it's actually there.
Frequently asked questions
No. Inflation and higher prices in tourist areas can offset the savings from a favorable exchange rate.
Check a current exchange rate against where it stood six to twelve months ago, and compare a few real, specific prices, a meal, a hotel room, a taxi ride, rather than relying on a general reputation for being cheap.
Americans can visit many countries without obtaining a traditional tourist visa in advance, although entry requirements and permitted stays vary by destination. Always check the latest requirements before booking international travel.
International travel can sometimes be cheaper than a domestic US vacation, particularly if you find affordable flights and choose a destination with lower accommodation, food, and transportation costs.
Shoulder seasons are often the cheapest times to travel internationally because flights and accommodation typically cost less than during peak summer, holiday, and festival periods.
Being flexible with your travel dates, comparing nearby airports, traveling outside peak periods, and setting airfare alerts can help you find cheaper international flights.