Do you still think you need a lot of money to see the world? Because in this post I'm going to show you that you can venture out there without spending a lot! Check out several cheap places to travel, both in Brazil and around the world, and tips for making an economical trip.
For many people, the concept of traveling is associated with large sums of money. It's no surprise, after all, to see the world you need enough money to pay for hotels, tickets, insurance, attractions, car rental and other expenses related to this type of adventure.
For destinations like the United States, a favorite among Brazilians, in addition to all these expenses, you still need to pay enough for the visa, and convert Real to Dollar (which is currently worth around four times more than our currency).
Really, looking at it from this point of view, traveling doesn't seem cheap at all.
The truth, however, is that leaving home and visiting other cities or countries doesn't have to be So expensive like that. Of course, if you can't pay your fixed bills it's difficult to undertake this type of endeavor – traveling is, after all, a luxury and not a necessity. But, if you can save a little money each month, the dream of getting to know other cultures is not that far away.
As an do this without spending tons of money?
Knowing cheap places to travel.
Instead of visiting countries where the currency is worth three or four times the real, how about visiting those where our money is worth more? Or, if your dream is to go to Europe, how about starting with those countries where the cost of living is much lower than in their European neighbors? Or, why not travel around Brazil and see some of our best tourist spots?
Like the idea? So keep reading this post where I'll show you 10 (actually 11) cheap destinations! At the end of the post, I also include some tips on how to make an economical trip, to further reduce the price of your adventure!
Cheap places to travel
I separated the list by cheap places to travel in Brazil and the rest of the world. As you can see, I chose some cities that are famous for tourism, but the prices will surprise you, especially out of season.
In the case of cheap international destinations, it includes not only those with weaker currencies, but also those where travel costs (such as accommodation and food) are low and where Brazilians do not need a visa. The only documents required are a passport and, depending on the country, a yellow fever vaccine, which can be taken free of charge at health centers.
Cheap places to travel in Brazil
Cable camp
You've probably seen images of the sea in Arraial do Cabo, a destination affectionately known as Brazilian Caribbean. What you probably didn't know is that a trip to this paradise can cost very little, especially at the end of the season or out of season.
There are numerous guesthouses in the region, ideal for couples or friends, and it is even possible to find some hostels with a daily rate of R$50 or less. Most beaches can be accessed free of charge via trails and walks lasting a few minutes, and even a taxi or boat taxi costs between R$10 and R$15. Food and remembrances It also has low prices for such a touristy place.
Find cheap flights to Arraial do Cabo • Book your hotel in Arraial do Cabo at the lowest price.
Maceió
Another beach destination that has become very popular in recent years and is also nicknamed brazilian caribbean. Ticket prices may be a little high for those leaving from the south or southeast, but it is possible to save money by flying to Recife and from there taking a bus to the capital of Alagoas.
It is possible to find hostels for R$50 per night, and inns for less than R$100 per night. The city has numerous beaches on site and others worth a visit, such as Praia do Francês and the natural pools of Paripueira. In the case of more distant attractions, there are excursions to spend the day at an affordable price.
Find cheap flights to Maceio • Book your hotel in Maceió at the lowest price.
Florianópolis
A Magic Island It has a reputation for being an expensive destination, but just avoid the high season and you can find more attractive prices for accommodation and food. The most popular tours, such as beaches, lagoons and parks, are all free and, although not the fastest option, it is possible to reach all of these places using public transport.
Even in the hottest times, like November or the end of February, you can find hostels for less than R$40 per bed and inns close to the beach for less than R$200 per night.
Find cheap flights to Florianopolis • Book your hotel in Florianópolis at the lowest price.
Curitiba
Not a big fan of the beach? No problem, there are also several cities with great prices to enjoy a cheap vacation! Curitiba, for example, is full of hostels and free tours, such as the famous Botanical Garden, Ópera de Arame, Rua das Flores…
It's easy to get around the city using public transport and there is even a tourist bus that stops at the best attractions. Staying in the center is a good option to get lower prices on your daily rate, but I also really like the Curitiba Casa Hostel.
Find cheap flights to Curitiba • Book your hotel in Curitiba at the lowest price.
Belo Horizonte
A city that surprised me, both for its super friendly atmosphere and its prices. There are numerous hostels in the region, and the prices I found on Booking were from R$50 to low. Hotels with good ratings in the center cost between R$100 and R$200. The food was also much cheaper than I imagined, especially for a capital city.
The city has several interesting cheap or free tours, such as Pampulha and its famous little church, public market and Praça da Liberdade with its cultural circuit. Inhotim, the largest open-air museum in the world, also has a free visiting day and you can get there by bus from the bus station.
Here on the blog there is a post with a quick itinerary around the capital of Minas Gerais.
Find cheap flights to Belo Horizonte • Book your hotel in Belo Horizonte at the lowest price.
Cheap international destinations
Thailand
Southeast Asia in general is very cheap, even for us Brazilians. The countries' currencies tend to be very devalued in relation to the real, and although tickets to the other side of the world are expensive, the costs of food and accommodation make the “loss” worth it.
In Thailand, even on the most expensive islands, such as Phuket and Koh Phi Phi, it is possible to find luxury hotels for R$250 or less the daily. Hostels in well-located areas can cost R$20 or even R$10 a night. Eating at street stalls you can spend around R$5 per meal, and more than once I went to restaurants with a waiting line and paid less than R$20 for dinner.
Here on the blog there is a post with all the tips for planning a trip to Thailand.
Book your hotel in Thailand at the lowest price. • Take out your Travel Insurance for Thailand and be protected in any emergency.
Croatia
Croatia is best known for being one of the main settings for Game of Thrones, but its incredible beaches and lakes are worth a visit even for those who aren't fans of the series.. This is one of the most beautiful cheap destinations in Europe, and one of the few where Euros are not used. The official currency in the country is the Kuna, which is worth R$0,62 of the Real.
In Split, one of the most visited cities, you can find hostels for R$50 per night. In Dubrovnik prices are a little higher, with this type of accommodation costing around R$70. Tickets leaving Brazil are expensive, but you can fly to another destination and then catch a flight low-cost to Croatia.
Book your hotel in Croatia at the lowest price. • Take out your Travel Insurance for Croatia and be protected in any emergency.
South Africa
The African continent tends to have a great cost-benefit ratio for Brazilians. For many countries a visa is not required, and promotions for the most popular destinations, such as South Africa, run throughout the year.
In the country, the suggestion is to reserve a few days to get to know Cape Town. With beaches, mountains and trails, it is the ideal place for those who enjoy nature and free walks. During my visit, I stayed at 91 Loop, boutique hostel super well located where the daily rate was around R$60.
You can also join a tour for a day or two of safari, or rent a car with a best price guarantee to visit places such as the Cape of Good Hope and Boulders Beach.
Check out the post with a complete itinerary around Cape Town.
Book your hotel in Cape Town at the lowest price. • Take out your Travel Insurance for South Africa and be protected in any emergency.
San Andres, Colombia
And who said you can't take a cheap trip to the Caribbean? San Andrés, an island in northern Colombia, is known both for its sea of seven colors as well as its great prices.
September is the rainiest month, but the place is hot all year round and is a great option for those who can only take a vacation in July or January. The hostel costs around R$65, while simpler hotels cost between R$100 and R$150 per night. Most tours within the island are free or cheap, but it's also a good idea to set aside some money to take excursions to nearby places, like Johnny Cay.
Book your hotel in San Andrés at the lowest price. • Take out your Travel Insurance for San Andrés and be protected in any emergency.
Portugal and Spain
If you want to backpack through Europe but are put off by the prices, why not put together a itinerary through Portugal and Spain? Both countries still use the Euro as their currency, so the conversion is not the most favorable, but the cost of living in both places is much lower than in their European neighbors.
In Madrid and Barcelona you can find hostels for R$70 per night, a very affordable price for such tourist capitals. Lisbon tends to have a slightly higher price, and I found options for R$80. Food is enough to get by with 5 or 10 euros per meal, and both countries have countless options for beaches and other free tours.
Madrid airport is the largest and the one that tends to have the most flights and promotions, but it's worth looking at the prices for Lisbon and Porto too.
Book your hotel in Spain at the lowest price. • Take out your Travel Insurance for Europe (it's mandatory!) and be protected in any emergency.
Tips for Traveling Cheap
Low-cost destinations are a great option for those who want to save money on a trip, but there are other tricks to further reduce the price of your adventure:
Guest Experience
If you are traveling on your own, the best option is usually to share your room in a hostel. You pay per bed, and share the bedroom, bathroom and other spaces with guests from all corners of the world. It's great for saving money and also for making friends.
If you are going as a couple, it is important to keep in mind that private rooms in hostels are often more expensive than staying in a hotel or AirBnb. Do some research to see what is most worthwhile.
If you are traveling in a group, Airbnb is usually the best value for money, especially apartments complete with kitchen to prepare your own meals. Nothing beats the price of a ready-made pasta with sauce for several people, lol.
Book your hotel in Spain at the lowest price. • Sign up for Airbnb and get a discount on your first booking!
Travel insurance
An expense that may be unnecessary if you do not need to use the service, but which It will save you a lot of money if you need medical care or other travel-related assistance.
Have you ever imagined arriving in one of those cheap places to travel, feeling sick or having an accident, and having to pay some money to be treated at the hospital? It doesn't fit into the budget, right? One way to resolve this is to take out travel insurance, which can cost less than R$11 per day and covers all your medical expenses and even more.
Transport
In most cases, taking public transport is cheaper (and even more convenient) than renting a car. To find out which bus/metro to take and where to get off, I recommend use the Google Maps app. Just enter your destination and it shows you the way both on foot and by other means of transport.
If you are in a group, however, a car may be more financially advantageous. Calculate how much you should spend on travel per day (round trip for each person, at least) and see if it is more expensive than renting a car. I recommend getting a quote from Rentcars, a partner company of the blog that offers a best price guarantee, in addition to allowing payment in reais, in installments and without IOF for international destinations.. When doing the math, don't forget that owning a vehicle includes expenses such as gasoline and parking!
If you decide to rent a car, avoid renting a GPS and use apps like Waze or Google Maps to guide yourself.
Mobile chip
It sounds silly, but the chip is an important detail, after all you will probably use Google Maps to find attractions, use public transport, GPS and, depending on the country you are visiting, use the translation app to communicate.
Normally, buying a cell phone chip at your destination is the cheapest option for having internet at your destination. smartphone. Just find a kiosk of local operators at the bus station or airport and buy a data SIM card.
Be careful, however, because if you arrive early in the morning there may not be any store open to purchase the chip. If you don't speak the local language or speak English, it can also be difficult to make the purchase.
If you want to arrive connected to your destination and guarantee internet access during the trip, my suggestion is to buy the Viagem Chip from Yes Brasil. It's more expensive than buying at your destination, but it's delivered to Brazil before you board and then you don't have to worry about it anymore.
Bags
In Brazil, the situation with checked bags is always questionable, and every time a new law emerges about airlines needing to or not include luggage in the ticket.
Just in case, if your flight is domestic, only take one carry-on bag. Pay attention to the measures, as in recent months control has been more stringent, and the fee for non-standard bags is usually very high.
If your destination is international and you are only staying in one city, there is no need to worry about this. If you are going to fly internally and have purchased separate tickets (i.e., the sections are not together for your round trip to Brazil), you will not receive the baggage allowance, and you will need to pay an extra fee for each piece. If this is your case, I recommend again just taking your hand luggage or even a backpack. Here in this post there are tips on how to choose the ideal one.
Food
Lastly, there are always opportunities to save on food. If you are in a hostel or AirBnb with a kitchen, you can buy the ingredients at the market and prepare dinner or lunch, which is usually much cheaper than a meal in a restaurant. You can also buy snacks to eat throughout the day, as well as bottled water.
Another tip is to eat in street stalls, which usually have great prices. Just pay attention to whether the stall you choose is frequented by locals, as this confirms its quality and likely hygiene (we hope, right? lol). Restaurants near the most popular attractions tend to be the most expensive, so if you are visiting a tourist spot, walk a few blocks before sitting down somewhere to eat.
It's also worth asking your accommodation staff for recommendations, as they have greater knowledge of the city and can recommend places in your price range.
And there they are, the best cheap places to travel! A complete list of international and national destinations, and some more tips for saving money during your adventure.
Do you have any doubts, do you think there was a destination missing? Leave a comment!
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