I've got a week budgeted out for vacation in early march and am looking to travel somewhere interesting and cheap (aren't we all?). The one thing that may differentiate me is that airfare will not be an issue so I can fly pretty much anywhere.
Things I'm looking for/like:
Cheap!
Interesting Food
Interesting cultural activities
Some sort of good outdoor activities nearby (beach, mountains, etc.)
Not too dificult for tourists to manage/get around.
The first place that came to mind to me was bangkok. Very cheap, great food, temples and things to see, river in the city and possibly some beaches close by...but I'd like to hear any other suggestions or if anyone feels bangkok is a bad idea.
Thanks!
retired
Jan 12, 08, 7:23 pm
From the sounds of it you can already travel cheaply - which means you should have already covered most of the "beaches of the world" - but if you're only talking one week (and I see you like camping) then why not do the Oregon Coast.
Seafood & wine is wonderful - beaches are wide open - scenery is terrific and you don't need shots or a passport !
jefri68
Jan 12, 08, 9:20 pm
Bangkok or Bali would both be great cheap, interesting places.
samftla
Jan 12, 08, 9:30 pm
I would suggest Buenos Aires, world class restaurants...very easy and cheap to get around in...and fantastic night life. The city itself has been called the Paris of South America and it is. Lies along the Rio de la Plata which makes for some interesting day trips up to Tigre or across the river to Colonia, Urg. Also some fantastic estancias out in the province that have been turned into resorts and spas.
March is early fall there so a perfect time of year temp wise. The cities tourism web site is www.bue.gov.ar
Enjoy
armybrat
Jan 13, 08, 7:41 pm
I would recommend Morocco....didn't do swimming beaches when I was there (in the fall) but did do great mountain trekking and the food is marvelous and folks are friendly and Essaouira is a great non-swimming beach town. Let me know if you want more information.
jezsik
Jan 14, 08, 3:33 pm
A week? Man, that's no time at all! It would help to know where you are because time, as far as I can see, is your real issue. I agree with the Thailand or (even better) Bali trip, but you're losing two days of your holiday to travel. Are you sure you can't get a bit more time? A month maybe? :p
Thumbs up on Buenos Aires too, but it's not as cheap I like. Nevertheless, much like Paris or New York, you can just wander around the city and marvel at the place for free. Rio de Janeiro is an equally good choice if you're going to travel that far. Unfortunately, these destinations require a substantial amount of air time as well.
Morocco is an excellent choice if you're on the east coast. It's very foreign and perfectly delightful.
Another possibility is Mexico (so long as you eschew the touristic hot spots).
amateur305
Jan 14, 08, 4:56 pm
Checkout Dahab in Egypt. A pretty chilled out place...you've got lovely scuba diving spots there too....
sonofzeus
Jan 15, 08, 8:01 am
and am looking to travel somewhere interesting and cheap (aren't we all?).
Answer: everyone is looking for value but value is subjective. Travelers with fists filled with euros find NYC a "cheap" and "good" destination. Wage slaves from Athens, Georgia probably would disagree for many reasons.
RTR
Jan 15, 08, 3:16 pm
I've got a week budgeted out for vacation in early march ...
Cheap!
Interesting Food
Interesting cultural activities
Some sort of good outdoor activities nearby (beach, mountains, etc.)
Not too dificult for tourists to manage/get around.
Thanks!
How about Costa Rica? Tunisia? Cairo or other parts of Egypt? Turkey?
WillTravel
Jan 15, 08, 4:18 pm
The crucial factor is how expensive will your airfare be. If you get one of the cheap flights to Germany that are being discussed in the Mileage Run forum, and then proceed to spend about 50 Euros per day while there, you will be better off than if you go someplace that is cheaper but which requires an airfare 3x as expensive.
gooseman13
Jan 15, 08, 8:41 pm
Assuming airfare is equal no matter where I go. Thanks everyone for the suggestions so far. I wish I did have a month! I know it will take 2 days to get to Thailand and back, I'm hoping the sights and the price of things when I get there would overcome the travel!
jezsik
Jan 16, 08, 8:51 am
If you've never been to South East Asia, you'll really enjoy Thailand. In fact, given the limited time you'll have there, you'd do well just to stay in Bangkok (with maybe a day excursion to the old capital). Visit the palace, various temples, the weekend market (fantastic!), the night bazaar, tour the river, visit the high-end shopping malls, take in a movie at an ultra premium theater, etc., etc., etc.
The NEXT time, when you can afford two weeks, go to Bali.
amateur305
Jan 16, 08, 9:56 am
If you've never been to South East Asia, you'll really enjoy Thailand. In fact, given the limited time you'll have there, you'd do well just to stay in Bangkok (with maybe a day excursion to the old capital). Visit the palace, various temples, the weekend market (fantastic!), the night bazaar, tour the river, visit the high-end shopping malls, take in a movie at an ultra premium theater, etc., etc., etc.
The NEXT time, when you can afford two weeks, go to Bali.
An ultra premium theater...what're those? Are we talking about movie theaters with lazy boy chairs and catering from a five star hotel?
LynchMob
Jan 16, 08, 10:05 am
Not sure where you are from but I always enjoy Cabarete, Dominican Republic. Rent a motor and explore the wide open beaches and country side, take windsufing or kiteboarding lessons or hang out on the main beach drinking boat drinks. The night life is excellent and the prices are all very reasonable. Also, it is mostly non U.S. travelers with no large all inclusive resorts unlike Punta Cana.
Take a look http://www.velerobeach.com/ . Best hotel in town
jezsik
Jan 16, 08, 12:18 pm
What I refer to as an "ultra premium theater" is indeed equipped with lounge chairs (and couches sometimes), blankets, pillows, wait staff to bring you popcorn and drinks, etc. The newest Bangkok theater I visited in February had a lobby that would shame most hotels and casinos.
Now I'm intrigued with Cabarete, Dominican Republic. Thanks LynchMob!
onemoreokie
Jan 16, 08, 2:24 pm
Another SE asia destination that is cheap, interesting and full of nice people is Cambodia. We've been a couple times are really enjoyed them both.
ddrewboy
Jan 17, 08, 12:56 am
My vote goes to BKK as well but I'm partial. I dont know which airline you will fly with but KE is normally what my friends in ATL use (ATL-ICN-BKK).
Without knowing your background, BKK has just about everything you are looking for except the beaches and mountains. The closest major beach town that people go to is Pattaya which is about 1.5 hr from BKK by hired car (bus takes longer) but I would not recommend going there if you are looking for beautiful beaches. Hop on a plane to Samui or Phuket if you want nice beaches. Either one, the plane ride with be about 1 hr. Getting to BKK airport from city center is going to take longer.
Many cheap hotels in BKK for travelers. I'm sure someone can recommend some once you've decided where to go.
Have fun.
drew
iamthehpt
Jan 17, 08, 5:12 pm
My choice would be Bali (1st), Morocco (2nd) and Bangkok (3rd). Loved them all!!!! Bangkok has the best shopping, Morocco is the most "exotic" (at least to me) and Bali has it all!!!
window-seat
Jan 17, 08, 5:51 pm
Two weeks + -- SE Asia is the place
One week - I'd look into Central America and see what looks good. Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua or Costa Rica and Panama all are warm, inexpensive, interesting.
Lot's of fellow budget travelers to hang out with, great nature activities, good food, cheap beer, and very close time zones so no jet lag.
riteshraja
Jan 17, 08, 8:16 pm
Not sure where you are from but I always enjoy Cabarete, Dominican Republic. Rent a motor and explore the wide open beaches and country side, take windsufing or kiteboarding lessons or hang out on the main beach drinking boat drinks. The night life is excellent and the prices are all very reasonable. Also, it is mostly non U.S. travelers with no large all inclusive resorts unlike Punta Cana.
Take a look http://www.velerobeach.com/ . Best hotel in town
Which airport is closest to this? I see the following in expedia..
Best to fly into Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic (POP-La Union). Cabarete is mybe 25 minutes from the airport. Another town on the DR's north cost is Sosua. I stay at a funky place there for $22/night.
Which airport is closest to this? I see the following in expedia..
To add onto the thread, if anyone has any recommendations for honeymoon spots (next month), I'd love to hear it. I am leaning towards Costa Rica (I hear it is fairly inexpensive once there compared to many other locations?), but would love others input if they have a moment. Airfare is no factor, in terms of lodging, I do have a fair amount of hotel points with Marriott, Hilton, and Choice.
yourfather
May 23, 09, 7:33 am
honeymoons always have to be somewhere tropical.
for a place that is off the radar, go to Wakatobi, Indonesia - South East Sulawesi, the island that looks like a K.
One week - I'd look into Central America and see what looks good. Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua or Costa Rica and Panama all are warm, inexpensive, interesting.
Lot's of fellow budget travelers to hang out with, great nature activities, good food, cheap beer, and very close time zones so no jet lag.
Agreed,
Costa Rica is a great budget travel spot, CO flies there for pennies and you can rent "cabinas" right on the beach in Playa Hermosa or Playa Carmen for 25-50 bucks a night, with AC, make sure you check them out, the quality varies widely. Food, drinks, quad rentals etc. very inexpensive.
politicalhack2
May 25, 09, 12:20 pm
And, if you are really on a budget,
The exchange rates are good so make sure you use the ATM or you will lose money since the locals use a rule of thumb exchange rate instead of the actual rate which puts Americans at a disadvantage.
50,000 Colones =100 Dollars at a restaurant
50,000 Colones = 88 Dollars at an ATM
flyphilrun
May 25, 09, 12:33 pm
Have you thought about Capetown? I was there in Jan and with the Rand / Euro exchange rate it was very reasonable and a really beautiful place to spend a few days.
johncena
Jun 1, 09, 8:16 am
In my point of view Bangkok is the best option.
sonofzeus
Jun 1, 09, 1:50 pm
In my point of view Bangkok is the best option.
I miss the "dancing" on my back and foot rubs.
ramfunes
Jun 27, 09, 1:29 am
My vote goes to Bangkok and then heading to Phuket or Samui.