I’m a Travel Expert: 5 Countries Frugal Travelers Will Be Visiting This Summer

Summer is in full swing, and Americans are happily setting up their “Out of Office” auto replies and hopping on planes to get out of dodge for a well-deserved vacation.

International getaways are typically more expensive than domestic ones, but that doesn’t make them unattainable for travelers on a tight budget. GOBankingRates talked with a few travel experts to find out which countries frugal travelers are visiting this summer, and why. 

Argentina (Buenos Aires) 

Richard Campbell, the founder of 10Adventures, said Americans will be traveling to Argentina to get the most bang for their buck. 

“Eating and exploring in Argentina is the cheapest it has been in a generation, however these low costs are mostly confined to Buenos Aires,” said Campbell.

“There are abundant family apartments in the best parts of Buenos Aires on AirBnB for under $75 a night. Furthermore, the food is cheap, and we’re budgeting for great meals for $8 or less.” 

Those visiting Buenos Aires should plan to spend around just $9.87 a day, according to BudgetYourTrip. A one-week trip for two to this city costs, on average, $138, and includes accommodation, food, local transportation and sightseeing, which is, frankly, astonishingly reasonable.

Japan 

Though Japan can be a relatively expensive country to visit, it’s not nearly as pricey as it once was, and Americans are seizing the opportunity to more affordably explore this diverse location. 

“While it was historically very expensive to go to Japan, the country has not experienced the inflation that has hit most developed nations,” Campbell said. “As an example, Japan had deflation in 2020 and 2021, and inflation averaging around 3% in 2022 and 2023. By contrast, the US had inflation of almost 5% in 2021, 8% in 2022 and over 4% in 2023.”

Campbell also added that in the last 6 months, the yen has dropped about 15% against the U.S. dollar. 

“This means that U.S. travelers get more for their dollars,” Campbell said. “It’s kind of like everything in Japan is now 15% cheaper if you’re traveling with U.S. dollars.” 

If you’re thinking about visiting Japan, plan to spend around $119 per day on your vacation, according to BudgetYourTrip. A one-week trip for two to Japan averages $1,664, which includes accommodation, food, local transportation and sightseeing.

Vietnam

With beautiful beaches, a cool climate and tons of awesome water activities, Vietnam is a wonderful country to visit in summer. It’s even more wonderful if you’re looking to save money. 

“Vietnam is known for its value-for-money accommodation from family guesthouses and remote resorts to budget hostels and more high-end hotels in larger cities ranging from just $35 a night,” said Mercedes Zach, a travel expert at ASAPTickets, part of TrEvolution Group.

“Not to mention its very affordable local food scene starting from $1 per meal. On average, a one-week trip to Vietnam for two people costs around $850 including accommodation, dining, local transportation and sightseeing.” 

Colombia 

Colombia is another awesome country for the budget-conscious traveler to check out this summer.  

“Surrounded by the Caribbean and Pacific coastlines in the north and west and the Amazon rainforest in the south, [Colombia] contains some of South America’s most picture-perfect views and breathtaking adventures,” said Zach.

“A budget hotel in Colombia goes for around $16 per night, while during the high season, most places start from $35. For an entire home or apartment, prices average close to $65 per night. A nice meal at a local restaurant costs around $5, while a beer and wine at the bar or delicious street food can be found for as low as $1.”

According to BudgetYourTrip, you should plan to spend between $16 to $148 — quite a range, but it shows that you can do things quite cheaply if you plan ahead. If there’s two of you traveling, expect to dish out between $32 to $295 a day.  

Mexico 

Mexico usually comes up in stories about the best and most affordable countries to visit on a shoestring budget — and for good reason. It’s got gorgeous beaches, rich heritage and a friendly atmosphere.

Plus, you can enjoy a meal out on the town for very little money. According to Zach, “A delicious meal in mid-range restaurants ranges from $5 to $10 per person.”

If planning a trip to Mexico this summer, plan to spend around $118 per day. A one-week trip for two to Mexico averages $1,654, according to BudgetYourTrip.

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