Savour every centimetre of that shoestring with these budget-friendly
boltholes, perfect for an economic downturn-busting break.
Rio, Brazil
If you’ve an unfulfilled plan to visit Rio de Janeiro’s
beaches and iconic landmarks then this may be the year to do it. After
2013 the big events come thick and fast – the football World Cup in 2014
(also taking place in cities around Brazil), then the Olympic Games in
2016. One thing’s for sure: big-name events bring fresh development, a
boost to infrastructure and, in many cases, higher prices for visitors.
Come now to see a city in the process of gearing up to welcome the
world, but before the costs of doing so rise. Indeed, if you visit
during June you can be among the first to check out the recently
upgraded Estádio do Maracanã, the world-famous venue that is slated to
host not only the World Cup Final in 2014 but also the opening and
closing ceremonies of the Olympics and Paralympics.
Gothenburg, Sweden
There’s good value in Sweden if you know where to look. That said, if
you don’t, even popping out for a pizza and beer can make for a pricey
night by the standards of your home town. Unless, that is, you’re from Norway. Either way, the savvy traveller makes tracks for Gothenburg.
Away from the glitzy main drag Kungsportsavenyn (referred to as Avenyn
by everyone) are characterful neighbourhoods (hello, Haga and, a little
outside town, Kvarnbyn), cheap eats and some great attractions,
including edgy art space Röda Sten and picnic-friendly city views in
Keillers Park. If that wasn’t enough, ferries trundling round the
beautiful, car-free southern archipelago are a tram ride from the city
centre. In short, this is as much Scandinavia as you can get for your
money.
Namibia
Namibia beckons
those in search of a good deal. While neighbouring Botswana courts the
big-budget traveller, the desert state to the west welcomes all, and
offers a spectacular set of attractions to boot. True, you need your own
wheels or must join a tour to see some of the wonders on offer like Etosha National Park
and the Skeleton Coast, but Namibia’s big-ticket draws remain
affordable for budget and midrange visitors via locally arranged tours
or self-drive car hire. Towns and cities, many offering keenly priced
hostels and campsites, are linked by inexpensive buses and minivans.
Some of the most fun things you can do here – sandboarding around
Swakopmund and hiking Fish River Canyon, for instance – are also some of the best-value outdoor pursuits in Southern Africa.
Cambodia
While perhaps not the whoops-of-delight-inducing bargain it was a decade ago, Cambodia is still a great deal. This means that despite the boom in the number of midrange hotels in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap
in particular, a huge amount of budget accommodation remains at much
lower prices. The imaginative visitor to the country exploring
less-well-visited parts will find it easy to afford that extra Angkor
beer or three. A budget of US$15 is tight but achievable, provided you
forgo a room with air-con and don’t dwell for too long in the headline
destinations.
Bolivia
South America’s
best-value option continues to delight travellers. With public
transport as cheap as anywhere on the continent, filling street food
(another empanada? Don’t mind if I do!), and good-for-the-money
excursions, this country is more than a bridge between the east and west
coasts, it is an essential journey in itself. True, things are a little
more expensive in La Paz
and must-visit Uyuni, but away from here set-menu meals will rarely tip
over US$5, budget rooms are not much more than double that and, should
those chilly Altiplano nights require a higher standard of
accommodation, you may find that you still leave for a pricier neighbour
with a smile on your face.
Portland, Oregon, USA
Travel writers speak with one voice when asked to nominate their fave US cheapie: Portland, OR.
Cheap food! Free things to do! Forty breweries (and counting) with
pints of perfectly crafted beer often costing US$4! Yes,
budget-conscious but still fashionably minded travellers may have
reached the promised land in Portland, Oregon. The city has been thrust
into the limelight by the Portlandia TV series, but was hardly unknown
before, offering as it does a progressive take on urban life in a part
of the Pacific Northwest that’s best appreciated slowly.
Spain
Spain has been
getting much friendlier for budget travellers in the past few years, as
currency fluctuations and falling costs for many items have combined to
make what was once Europe’s best bet for a cheap break a contender once
again for many international travellers. Presumably if you’re reading
this you’re not really the fly-and-flop type, but the wonders of Spain’s
cities, wilder north coast and fabulous national parks are more
affordable now than for the past few years. Anywhere in Spain, to make
your money go as far as possible live without a pool, go easy on the
wine and extra courses when eating out and visit outside peak season,
when price hikes remain a fact of life.
Slovenia
It’s tempting to leave this as one sentence: Slovenia is as picture-perfect as Switzerland
or other Alpine areas to the north, but much smaller and easier on the
wallet. Yes, there’s devil in the detail – the adoption of the Euro and
popularity of Ljubljana, Bled and coastal areas in summer can push
prices up – but that’s hardly the point. Small distances keep travel
costs down, and buses radiating out of Ljubljana are plentiful and
inexpensive. Private rooms offer affordable accommodation and anyone
arriving from Austria or Italy will notice the difference in hotel
prices at all budgets. If you’re keen on trekking, skiing, rafting or
simply taking in the scenery of one of Europe’s most attractive
countries then Slovenia will not disappoint.
Nepal
With visitor numbers steadily rising, Nepal
remains a tremendous option for budget travellers. After all, the
number of countries where you can live on the price of a Starbucks latte
or two are diminishing rapidly. Sure, to do that you’ll need to stay in
budget accommodation somewhere other than Kathmandu and resolutely
stick to simple local food, but many consider this a price worth paying
for paying a low price. Though costs rise once you enter national parks,
if you’re up for trekking on your own and staying in teahouses, Nepal
is not only the best-value spot for Himalayan hiking, it must be a
contender for offering the most astonishing rewards for the least
upfront investment of anywhere in the world. In fact, this remains true
even if you factor in a porter and guide and opt for an organised trek.
Georgia
Georgia is, like
its Caucasian neighbours, little known to most travellers. Those who do
go come back raving about a beautiful, friendly country that offers
excellent, inexpensive (though potentially waist-expanding) cuisine,
typified by the near-universal khachapuri (cheese pie). In recent years
the country has been speeding up its tourism development, resulting in a
growing number of good-value hostels and homestays, which are great
ways to meet locals as well as keep costs down. Look out for August if
you’re hitting Batumi or elsewhere on the Black Sea coast, but otherwise
anytime is a good time to visit this up-and-coming destination where
even a bus, train or marshrustka minibus ride will give jaw-dropping
views worth far more than the meagre fare you’re likely to be charged.
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