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-   -   Where the dollar goes far.... (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/travelbuzz/709770-where-dollar-goes-far.html)

mstraveler Jul 3, 2007 10:47 pm


Originally Posted by mtparadis (Post 7997628)
They've had deals there? I've never seen that place under $300 a night.

Everything is relative. Don't remember what we paid now (this was a couple of summers ago), but that FS was brand new and very remote and they had a 3 for 4 (or 4 for 5) night special. By FS standards at the high season it was very reasonable; my recollection was somewhere below $300, maybe in the mid 200's which occasionally happens at some FS. Our best FS bargain was staying at a $1000 double upgrade room at the George V in Paris right after 9/11 for about $400.

AAJetMan Jul 6, 2007 9:53 am

Mexico: Dollar holding strong against the Peso. http://finance.yahoo.com/currency/co...MXN&amt=1&t=5y
There are some good deals to be found. (Just got back from 5th trip in last year.)

Bangladesh where the Taka has stayed at ~69 to the dollar for a LONG time. Heading there in October.

marais Jul 6, 2007 4:26 pm


Originally Posted by AAJetMan (Post 8013314)
Mexico: Dollar holding strong against the Peso. http://finance.yahoo.com/currency/co...MXN&amt=1&t=5y
There are some good deals to be found. (Just got back from 5th trip in last year.)

Well, AAJetMan has me beat: I've done 5 trips to Mexico in 2 years. But I concur that USD is holding well against MXP. Even in Cancun and the Riviera Maya (Playa del Carmen, Tulum).

I am always looking for somewhere else with good beaches, not necessarily heavily touristed or developed, where my $$ will go far. SE Asia would be a dream destination for me. How are values in Bali these days? Phu Quoc in Vietnam? Koh Phayam/Koh Chang in Thailand? Negombo in Sri Lanka? Good $$ strength + limited development = great value for money in my book...if I have the miles to get there :)

Telfes Jul 6, 2007 7:13 pm

Cambodia is cheap, has some interesting things to see, friendly people, and the cash economy works on the dollar, so you don't even have to lose money through money changes.

hfly Jul 6, 2007 7:28 pm

No one mentioned Turkey because in $$ terms everything 2-3 times more expensive than in recent years, While there are cheap package tours available for the lower classed Euro-masses, the country has gotten relatively expensive.

I also like the SE Asia comment including Singapore, Singapore has not been a bargain for at least a decade, whether the dollar was strong or not, the rest of SE Asia is still reasonable.

The easy answer to the Op would be anywhere where the currency is somehow linked or pegged to the dollar, of which there are quite a few countries out there.

viking407rob Jul 7, 2007 11:49 am


Originally Posted by mlshanks (Post 7989022)
The Philippines would be fine if you stick to Luzon and the Visayas (where they like Americans), and avoid Mindanao, Sulu, and Palawan (where they don't so much, and have some violence issues). While the $ to peso rate has slipped a little, at $1 to 46p. it's still a bargain.

Philippines is a great idea. I agree with avoiding Mindanao. It's probably one of the most dangerous places in the world for Americans right now, aside from the Middle East. Davao is pretty safe. Aside from that I'd stay off that island. Boracay, Cebu and Bohol come to mind as great places to spend some time in Phils. ^

hfly Jul 7, 2007 2:05 pm

Which is a shame as I spent some time on the Dipalog Peninsula in Mindanao and it is one of the most beautiful places on Earth.

allset2travel Jul 7, 2007 7:08 pm

Most countries in South America give you the most bang for your buck. Prices are generally cheaper for goods and services (by US standards) and currency exchange rates have not fluctuate that much. That said, some countries have had terrible inflation in recent years. Nevertheless, prices are still low compared to US

YVR Cockroach Jul 7, 2007 7:11 pm


Originally Posted by John Quint (Post 7988751)
Well, 1.28NZD to 1.00USD isn't as good as the 1.58NZD two years ago but it is better than many. :)

Not as good as NZD 2.15 = USD 1 5 years ago....

Kagehitokiri Jul 7, 2007 8:23 pm

definitely NOT Europe, Canada, Japan, Australia, Pacific...

the best promo WAS (might be gone..?) in dubai >

Originally Posted by Kagehitokiri (Post 7920508)
desert palm - $254 for 528m2 3BR villa with pool :eek:
http://www.desertpalm.ae/special.html (opening special for month of Sept)

http://www.desertpalm.ae/special.html no longer says anything..?
http://www.desertpalm.ae/facts_rates.html (works but not linked on site anymore)

IIRC the special was like $170 and $210 for first 2 rooms and then $254 for the 3BR.

the resort is part of per aquum, which operates 2 high end luxury resorts in the maldives, and 1 in sri lanka.

in terms of value >
#1 by far - East Asia (except South Korea and Japan)
- Mexico/Central/South America
- Maldives

id personally stay away from mainstream chain properties, and stick with luxury/smaller chains, boutiques, and villa rentals. (ordered by decreasing price/increasing value)

valve bouncer Jul 8, 2007 5:03 am


Originally Posted by wanderlust_jules (Post 7992457)
But let's not forget that everything costs a bit more there because it has to be shipped in. I was in Oz/Nz in 2003 and it was not the bargain I thought it would be. Great fun just more expensive than had thought.

Australia is way more expensive now. There are very few things that I would call a bargain there now and I live in Japan!

LegalEagle Jul 8, 2007 5:42 am

Romania
 
The Bush Peso doesn't buy much in the rest of the world.

But I am just back from a trip on the $235CDN mistake fare to Romania and thought that prices on the Black Sea resorts were quite reasonable. The country is beautiful, the people are friendly, and if you know Italian you will find the language quite similar.;)

jeremyzechar Jul 9, 2007 1:05 am

What's the current exchange rate for USD to Gazoonies?

Huck Jul 9, 2007 8:02 am

Agree with above esp. SE Asia & Argentina. Currently planning a trip to the Philippines: Cebu & Boracay.
2 other ideas: Not cheap in absolute terms, but relative to other Rivera spots: Croatia, a stunningly beautiful area with wonderful inns & restaurants. Also look into Panama, a cheaper, less crowded eco alternative to Costa Rica with a major modern city to boot.

Timfid Jul 9, 2007 8:32 am

A sort of objective answer is given in the July 5 edition of The Economist Magazine with their Big Mac PPP Index (you can skip the next paragraph if you already know about this index and PPP theory.)

If you're not familiar with, this you'll need a capsule explanation: the theory of purchasing-power parity (PPP) says that exchange rates should equalize the price of a basket of goods in any two countries. Since a McDonald's Big Mac burger is famously standardized in its ingredients all over the world, it can be considered a "basket of goods" comparable across countries. If two currencies are equally valued -- that is, if their current exchange rate accurately reflects what each currency can buy -- then the price of a Big Mac in those two countries should be equal. For instance, suppose the currency of the country of Upper Slobovia is the ringo and it's currently trading at 100 ringos to the dollar. Since the average current US prince of a Big Mac is $3.41, we'd expect a Big Mac in Upper Slobovia to cost 341 ringos. If it costs less than that, that implies that the ringo is undervalued and consequently that Upper Slobovia will be a bargain for US travelers. If it costs more than that, then Upper Slobovia should be an expensive country. To put it in everyday terms, it indicates whether American travelers are likely to say about a given country "Things are cheap here" or "things are expensive here."

According to this index, the most expensive countries of those surveyed in dollar terms, where the Big Mac Index indicates the currency is overvalued against the dollar by at least 30%, are Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland, Norway, and most expensive of all, Iceland. Cheapest countries, where the currency is undervalued by at least 30%, are Egypt, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, The Philippines, Russia, South Africa, Taiwan, Thailand, Paraguay, Sri Lanka, Ukraine, and cheapest of all, China.

The Economist isn't entirely serious about the Big Mac index and admits that it has some flaws when translated into reality; for instance, most American travelers will think Japan is more expensive than the index would implies. Still, it's interesting, and based on my own experience and what I've read from other travelers, it seems roughly accurate. So it looks like a good time for a leisurely visit to East Asia.


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