Note: All travel is subject to frequently changing governmental restrictions—please check federal, state and local advisories before scheduling trips. This article was updated September 2020.
Crossing off items on your travel bucket list doesn’t have to break the bank! Gnational Gnomads Mike & Anne Howard of HoneyTrek reveal the most affordable and epic destinations from their six years honeymooning around the world.
Bucket list is often a euphemism for the dreams I’ll get to someday. But why wait? Especially when many of these epic destinations are way more affordable than you think. We’ve been honeymooning since 2012 and have experienced world wonders across the seven continents and kept our average budget under $35 a day per person. Of the 500+ destinations in the world we’ve explored, we’ve narrowed them down to this list of nine bucket list places everyone should visit, no matter their budget!
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Siem Reap, Cambodia: Home of Angkor Wat and Tomb Raider Temples
The image of Angkor Wat’s honeycomb towers reflected in the lotus pond is one of the most iconic of Cambodia, if not all of Southeast Asia. That one temple, while the largest religious structure in the world, is just the beginning of Angkor Archaeological Park’s enchantment. After the fall of the Khmer Empire in the 1430s, the city was abandoned for centuries and almost entirely devoured by jungle, until its excavation in the 19th century. Bike to the most overgrown temples in the heart of the park. Ta Prohm is so fantastical, it starred in the film Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, while the less visited Ta Som and Preah Khan are just as cinematic, with stone-crushing banyans and serpentine strangler figs. Follow crumbling corridors, peer over walls, and find holy spaces reclaimed by Buddhist devotees.
Money Matters: A one day ticket is $37, though we’d highly recommend getting the three-day pass to Ankgor Wat Archaeological Park for $62 (valid for 10 days). Head to the night market for authentic Khmer cuisine for around $1.50 and hotel rooms start around $8 at our time of booking (yes, that is not a typo).
Atacama, Chile: The driest desert in the world
Sheltered between the 17,000-foot peaks of the Andes and the Chilean Coastal Range, the Atacama is the world’s driest desert. This would seem like an inhospitable place, but the pleasures are in its harsh extremes. The ancient lakes have dried into massive salt flats, shimmering with crystals and sky blue pools in Los Flamencos National Reserve. El Tatio geyser field erupts every morning with plumes of steam shooting 70 feet high. The town’s adobe and stick-roof buildings appear endearingly primitive, though behind those earthen walls are boutique hotels, mountain bike shops, and pisco sour bars buzzing with life. No matter what you’re measuring—rain, ambiance, or adventures—Atacama is off the charts.
Money Matters: Rent a bike for as little as $5 and see the natural wonders without a tour guide or crowds. The most coveted attraction, Moon Valley, is a whopping $5 entrance. When we searched, we found lodging starting around $40.
Yasuní, Ecuador: One of the most biodiverse places on earth
Dubbed the “Lungs of the Earth,” the Amazon is a place every nature lover should experience. Though, spreading 2.7 million square miles across eight countries, it’s hard to know where to begin. Our vote? Yasuní, Ecuador. In addition to being less expensive than the Brazilian side, the species density in this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve blows its neighbors out of the water. In a single hectare, Yasuní is home to more than 100,000 species of insects (that’s more than all of North America combined). And in less than 0.2 percent of the Amazon’s total landmass, you can find over 33 percent of its bird and reptile species. Plus, the region’s beauty is unquestionable, and the closer you look, the prettier it gets. Watch hundreds of parrots feast at the clay clicks, take a night walking safari to see countless nocturnal critters, and learn about the indigenous communities carrying on centuries-old traditions.
Money Matters: Organize a local guide in the Amazonian gateway town of Coca for the most affordable rates!
Kruger National Park, South Africa: Big-Five Safari
Safari destinations, filled with lions, rhinos, elephants,and cheetahs, rarely let tourists drive around on their own. Kruger National Park, on the other hand, has such incredible roads, rangers, and overall infrastructure that even two urbanites in a 2WD rental can safely take a game drive—for a steal! You’ll be astonished by how many of Kruger’s 800 animal species you can see without leaving your car. Though if you trek along the animal paths with a ranger, spend the night in a bird hide shelter, and take a 4×4 down the Mananga Adventure Trail, you’ll see why this is one of Africa’s most impressive parks. Kruger not only boasts the “big five” (rhino, elephant, African buffalo, lion, and leopard) but also more large mammals than virtually any other park on the continent.
Money Matters: Rent a car from Johannesburg Airport for around $12 per day. Pay the ranger $27 and begin your self-drive safari around Kruger National Park. We found lodging outside the park starting around $35. Tip: If you plan on seeing more than one national park in South Africa, get the SANParks Wild Card to save on entrance fees.
Cappadocia, Turkey: UNESCO cave churches and ancient subterranean cities
Blanketed in volcanic tuff, Cappadocia has been slowly eroding into ruffled valleys, castle-like cliffs, fairy chimneys, and one the most otherworldly landscapes on earth. As if its geological beauty weren’t enough to fascinate, these lava formations have been hand-carved into thousands of houses, inhabited by the Hittites, Romans, Ottomans, and present-day Anatolians. Though that’s just scratching the surface, follow the rough-hewn tunnels and go deep into dozens of underground cities like Kaymakli and Derinkuyu. Explore fifth-century rock monasteries where Christians practiced in secrecy at the UNESCO Göreme Open Air Museum. Then discover how inviting a cave can be with a night in one of the hotels or restaurants carved into the cliffs.
Money Matters: Explore Goreme Open Air Museum for $10. We were able to find private rooms for less than $25. Hikes through the Love Valley have million-dollar views free of charge.
Railay, Thailand: A best-in-class beach and rock climber’s paradise
Only accessible by boat, the Railay peninsula has the feel of a far-flung island, but it’s the thick jungle and sheer limestone cliffs that shelter this oasis from the mainland. Everyone loves a good karst mountain, dripping with stalactites and sculpted with caves, but no one more than a rock climber. Railay has more than 700 routes bolted into the crags, plus sea cliffs perfect for deepwater solo: free climbing over the ocean and high-diving down. Not just for adrenaline junkies, Railay has four Andaman Sea beaches to suit your style: Railay West (resortgoer), Railay East (flashpacker), Tonsai (devout climber), and Phra Nang (anyone seeking a “world’s best beach”). Try them all; the journey to get there— swimming, hiking, rock scrambling, or beachcombing—is half the fun. Take a boat to the surrounding islands, night snorkel in the bioluminescent waters, and do what those in Railay do best—hang out and enjoy life.
Money Matters: Sail to the cliffs for a deep water solo climbing trip, plus snorkeling, BBQ on an island, and a fire show for around $36. We searched and found Railay lodging starting around $15.
Annapurna Base Camp, Nepal: Get mountain high
When eight of the world’s 10 highest mountains are packed into one country, it’s no wonder Nepal is at the top of a mountain-lover’s bucket list. Enter the heart of the Himalayas, following the trail along the glacial-fed Modi Khola River into the ring of 20,000-foot peaks surrounding Annapurna Base Camp (ABC). Ascending 7,000 vertical feet from pink rhododendron forests to icy moraines, the diversity of landscapes is astounding. Not just for trekkers, these ancient footpaths connect remote mountain villages and are a window into traditional Gurung and Magar cultures. The route to ABC is dotted with teahouses offering home-cooked meals, cozy beds, and enough provisions to skip the camping gear and wilderness survival school. In five or six unforgettable days, you’ll reach the 13,546-foot base camp and the majestic panorama of the Annapurna massif. Wake up to sunrise over the ring of sacred peaks and feel every ache in your body vanish into thin air.
Money Matters: The two permits (ACAP and TIMS) to hike within the Annapurna Sanctuary add up to $40. Private guides in Pokhara charge by the group ($30–$60/day, split by however many people you have). Dal bhat, the locals and trekkers meal of choice, is all you can eat for about $3. Teahouses offer booking upon arrival with basic rooms starting around $4.
Iguazu Falls, Argentina: Largest waterfall system in the world
Not just one waterfall—but 275 individual cascades, stretching nearly two miles. Iguazú Falls is more than a sight to see; it’s a destination to be explored. Sure, Angel Falls in Venezuela is taller and Victoria has a wider single fall, but Iguazú wins for complexity and elements of surprise. Spanning Brazil and Argentina, the falls are divided by the Devil’s Throat: a 269-by-492-foot chasm devouring 50 percent of the river’s volume. The force pulverizes the water into a fine mist that not only creates countless rainbows but also a unique microclimate for exotic flora and fauna: toucans, caimans, jaguars and more. Begin your visit on the Brazil side for the best overall vista of the falls. Explore their paths and bridges for a few hours, then rest up for a big day (or two) on the Argentina side, home to 80 percent of the falls. Wander the extensive rain forest trails, brave a wet-n-wild Zodiac ride, and revel in the largest waterfall system in the world.
Money Matters: Iguazu National Park fee: $15 USD from the Argentina side; $18 in Brazil. Tip: Stamp your ticket before you leave the park and your second day will be half price. Staying at the Sheraton within the park? They’ll cover days three and four. Our search results included rooms in Puerto Iguazu starting around $13.
Petra, Jordan: A new Wonder of the World
The cliff-carved Monastery of Petra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Seven New Wonders of the World. Photo by HoneyTrek.com
We visited Petra after we finished writing our Nat Geo book, though as one of the New Wonders of the World, it’s well worth a spot on this affordable travel bucket list. Read all about it in this Travelocity article. Get the Jordan Explorer Pass for $106 to get entry to over 40 of Jordan’s best attractions, including two-days in Petra, plus it covers the cost of your tourist visa.
Looking for more bucket list worthy destinations? Check out our Nat Geo couples adventure travel book, Ultimate Journeys for Two.
Latest posts by Mike and Anne Howard, Gnational Gnomads (Sponsored) (see all)
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Travelocity compensates authors for their writings appearing on this site; such compensation may include travel and other costs.
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All these trips sound wonderful if you are young…but what about trips for seniors,? Got any of those out there?
The fall in Brazil were amazing. The bugs were a nightmare .
When were you there? We will be at Iguazu the end of February. Hoping the bugs won’t be as bad!
Summertime in Brazil. Its very, very hot right now. There will be bugs. Bring bug repellent.
I went in September, did not see any bugs. Absolutely beautiful.
We were on the Argentine side early January 2018 and I don’t recall them being bad, but we did use big spray. Temps were close to 100, but it is AMAZING!
I went in September, did not see any bugs. Absolutely beautiful.
We were there in early November. No bugs. HOT the first day & downpour the second. Needed double layers of rain gear to protect our cameras. Worth every struggle on the bridges.
SIEM RIEP AND RALAY, THAILAND ARE WONDROUS. SCENERY IS UNBELIEVABLE, PEOPLE ARE WELCOMING AND THEIR FOOD IS GREAT — PARTIULARLY THEIR SOUPS.
Shirley,
I agree with you 100% ..
Thailand a trip of a life time , took me forever to settle down when l got home , never seen and tasted so many different fruits and vegetables , such healthy food all the time … everyone so helpful and stick with the locals , same exchange rate for the $ all over … and much more ..
Hazel
Completely agree about Cambodia. Was just there in November and loved it.
When were you there?
My husband and I were in Thailand and Siem Reap in the fall of 2017. Incredible.
I’m glad to hear.
I have been to the Argentine side of the falls but not the Brazil side.
I’m planning to visit Barcelona Spain earlier next year. Some tips on places with a low budget. Thank you ☺️
We were in Barcelona for only three days. It was beautiful. We found a cheap but beautiful Airbnb and ate foods from the local market. Our trip was super cheap bc we did lots of walking and looking!
What area of the city did you stay in? In barcelona
Staying n the Barrio Gothic is the most walkable to many sites. Plan to be there the first Mo day of the month for free entry to museums like the Picasso. The walk to the harbor is wonderful as well as Casa Mila & Barilo. 10 euro taxi to Park Güell and could walk or pay another 6 euros to Sagradas Familia.
The excursions may be inexpensive, but getting there not so inexpensive.
I’m leaving New Years Eve For Cambodia because I read this article last month!!!
My Daughter use to live in Cambodia while working there. She fell in love. Although very poor in some areas, people are wonderful. She always wore a very thin wallet strap around her waist underneath her shirt.She and her friends had a few encounters of being mugged or the attempt of.
Enjoy!
Did the Kruger self drive just the way it was described here and it was safe and easy peasy.
Did Kruger self drive in December 2016 from Hoburg drove to Malelane Gate . We only saw 3 (the buffalo, elephant and rhino,of the big 5 in our day trip but saw so much more on our self drive – truly an amazing, memorable experience! and saw 3 of the big five
The Bru star Hostal in front of the arch of triumph (Arco de Triunfo) has clean rooms, very reasonable and is centra
lly located, close to Las Ramblas and accesible by subway.
How I would love to hear about your trip!!!
I’m surprised you recommended a self drive safari. I’ve been on a guided safari and what I learned is that I am way too stupid to handle myself and a vehicle out in the wild where I am not at the top of the food chain. For example, did you know that elephant dung, found in the roads quite often, has acacia thorns in it which can puncture a tire very quickly? How adept are you at changing a Land River tire while you’re watching out for animals who see you as possible lunch meat? Those safari guides will not only protect you from the wildlife but they will also give you a graduate level course in animal behavior. They are worth the extra money. Sometimes cheap can be VERY expensive.
Totally agree with you here. Some things worth spending a little more on! Unless you work for Nat Geo (which these folks seem to do) I wouldn’t recommend any regular traveler to do African safari on their own. Kruger is amazing and even more so with a driver and tracker 🙂
I actually loved doing a self driving safari in Kruger as well as in some of the parks in nearby Swaziland. So nice to be in control of your own time and experience. And they are correct, the price is right. You can mix it up and do some of each.
Angkor Wat is the most beautiful place on Earth 🙂 People of Cambodia are genuine and welcoming. (Dont let police take your pictures at the temples – they will demand money for that)
They’ve listed the cheapest way to see each of these after you get there. No mention of the costs before hand. Pretty misleading and bad advice all around unless you’re okay with becoming a snack for wildlife or the latest traveling tourist statistic.
Many people do the self drive safari each day. Just search out the Facebook group for Kruger SAN Parks and you’ll see for yourself how accessible that type of safari really is!
I totally agree! See your travel advisor for real advice!!
How do u think traveling to another country is affirdable??
Maybe once you’re there, but the airfare is not affordable.
Angkor Wat and Cappodocia were lifetime highlights…Annapurna Base camp coming very soon and Petra is next.
South Africa is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been.
Petra is beautiful, but all the horses being run full speed down the canyons non- stop, and the donkeys and camels used for entertainment was disturbing to me. ?
What’s the best time of year to plan a trip to the Iguazu Falls, and why? Any info welcomed!
I’ve gone Kruger, Atacama,and cappadocia. Like to do angor watt, though I’ve heard it’s getting crowded.
And now tell us the dirt-cheapest way to fly to these places. No trip is inexpensive if the flight costs are high.
My husband and I have traveled to Argentina, Peru, Colombia. Chile. Japan, Turkey, Israel. singapore and barcelona with free miles acquired with Visa cards. The cost ranges from 15.00 to about 50.00 USD. per person. if you buy everything with cc. and pay the total balance every month you never pay interest.
Actually if you plan accordingly, you can get flights very reasonable. I flew from LAX to Bangkok for $740 and then to Siem Reap for $70 this past September.
I flew from San Francisco to Bangkok plus wonderful 4 star hotel for 2 weeks a year ago September all for $795. I went alone, so only my airfare. That was hotel and airfare. For that price, I could leave my things at the Bangkok hotel and go exploring from there. A tip with Thailand is go during monsoon season, it’s not that rainy normally and book your flights with a local Thai agency within Thailand when you arrive. Travelocity has great deals to Thailand September through November.
We’ve only been to Cappadocia, Turkey from this list, but we agree. A definite must see, so beautiful.
Is Turkey safe? I’ve heard a variety of stories saying yes and no. Would it be safe for a single female? Thanks!
Anybody know which flights are generally the most affordable to these destinations? Which airline? Which city is cheapest?
I just booked a flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia for November 28 and return from Chiangmai December18. Used 70,000 Delta Skymiles + tax. Have to book early and do one ways to get best deal.
I just returned from Petra. I was astonished by the beauty and the history. The canyon walls change color by the minute. And the buildings are amazing. I just don’t have worlds for how incredible it was.
How does airfare to these places become “cheap?
Great information for new travelor and for seasoned travelor like myself. I always tell my friends you don’t need to be rich to travel, but you need to do your homework and be smart.
Very true. I’m new to traveling but have always wanted to go to most of these places. Angkor Wat being one the top of my bucket list. I was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago and I now have more drive than ever to see the beauty in the world at every corner but I have no one to travel with. Are there any safe travels groups out there? People like me, looking to find friends to have adventures with?
I’ve done many self drive safaris in South Africa and they are easy but if you find a rental car for $12/day it is a piece of junk. You don’t want to break down on the highways in ZA.
I think it’s irresponsible to advocate renting a car in Johannesburg, considering how dangerous the city is. One wrong turn and you’re in a fight for your life. It’s a scary place and definitely very high-risk. Book a guided tour and be safe!
Visiting these places may be inexpensive, but GETTING to them? Not so much…
I agree with most of this list but … Railey Beach Thailand is awful. The area is way overrun with tourists and boats. The beautiful beach was so packed with bodies you could hardly make your way to the water. It was trashed and expensive and smelly with boat petro fumes.
I’d love to go to Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos. Someone mentioned the cost of the air fare and that is problematic. Also, people are being kill now and I wonder how safe it is to travel with just 2 women. How do you find safe and reputable guides.
Did all of you use travel agents or put your trips together yourselves?
Travelled with Intrepid Travel. Maximum group size 12. Excellent guides.
What about some right here in the USA?
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They didn’t mention Barcelona and I find the assignment of bucket lists to be a personal preference thing. Also most of the sites are “third world” which carry a whole list of health, safety and other issues. My favorite sites were Aix-en-Provence in southern France and the general area, which is rich in vineyards, culture and classical architecture, if that is your thing. The climate is also very agreeable. Also agree that leaving out US sites of the bucket lists is culturally biased. I would add many of the US national parks as well. Agree that air travel is not going to make travel to these sites “surprisingly affordable.
Thanks.
Could you please keep me informed of all this deals…!!🙏🙏
To to all, or close to them. Then what?
Have been to many of the wonders of the world, but among all my trips, a private wild life preserve experience adjacent to Krueger National Park was the most remarkable trip of my life. If you get a chance to do a safari in Africa, be sure to do it.
Seriously? These are extravagant tours in countries most of us only read about. How about getting to know all variable parts of the USA? We need to get to know our own people, history, cultures. It would do a lot to unite us….something most of us middle income or lower groups long for, especially now! C’mon!!
Been to all but one. Now what?
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