This list of the cheapest places in the world will be an inspiration. These countries are worth visiting; they are deep in culture, history and much to see and experience. What makes them great tourist destinations is that you can survive an entire day in these countries for less than 20 USD! This list is based upon the countries where a private and double occupancy hotel room costs in each city, and the cheapest meal in each city. Other costs such as transport, entry fees at pubs and so on have not been computed in this list.

1. VANGVIENG, LAOS

Vangvieng in Laos has to be the cheapest place to head to, if you’re a budget traveler. Here you can manage your day’s expenses within $4.25, find double occupancy accommodation for two within$3.25 for a night, and enjoy a meal for two at $0.50! This works out to less than $10 for the entire day for two people, which is as cheap as it gets anywhere in the world.

2. GOA, INDIA

The beautiful, sunny and cosmopolitan destination of Goa is actually dirt cheap to visit if you are a budget traveler. With varied accommodations such as hotels, guesthouses, homestays, and even beach tents, Goa can afford to offer a stay for two per day at $3.50.  A meal for two, reasonably good and tasty Portuguese and Brazilian food will cost only $0.50. Best of all, you can manage your entire day’s expenses in Goa under $3.50

3. BANGKOK, THAILAND

Thailand, the land of culture, dances, ethnicity and great food, has good news for the budget traveler. Though you might be tempted to go all out and shop for silver accessories and food here, if you stick to your budget, you won’t be spending a lot of money in Bangkok. For $6.23, you can manage your daily expenses, and under $3.73, you can find a reasonable stay for two and food for two can be availed at $1.25.

4. HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM

The once almost destroyed Vietnam managed to pull up its socks to become a tourist destination for the budget traveler. Here in Ho Chi Minh City, you can enjoy a unique culture, enjoy arts and crafts, visit temples and tourist spots and still not hit the poor house. Cover your daily expenses under $6.86, find accommodation within $5.00 and eat a hearty Vietnamese meal for less than $0.93.

5. QUITO, ECUADOR

Quito is a fantastic destination to explore. Tourists like to cruise around the Galapagos, and enjoy the varied shoreline and the magnificent landscape of Ecuador. For the budget traveler, the good news is that daily expenses for two can be covered within $7.00, which a reasonable stay for two can be had at $5.00 and a warm meal for two at $1.00.

6. PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA

Cambodia, an ancient land of culture, beautiful old stone temples and magnificent forests pulls the average tourists to visit each year. Cambodia is rife with snakes, mosquitoes and other critters but if you’re prepared, you can have a good time. The costs are low, though; two people can manage themselves admirably within $7.00 find accommodation for two under $3.00 and enjoy a meal for two under $2.00.

7. BALI, INDONESIA

Bali, Indonesia, is another popular tourist haunt. Bali is famous for its beautiful oceans, scenery and clean outdoors. The exotic dances, costumes and the great, natural food here are awe-inspiring. Bali, with all this, is still fairly cheap to travel, with daily expenses for two covered under $7.16, accommodations at $6.50 and a meal for two under $0.33!

8. ASUNCION, PARAGUAY

Paraguay now welcomes visitors with open arms but the turbulent history of this country has definitely left its mark. Visit Asuncion and enjoy its historical section, charming colonial plazas and riverside buildings. There’s much to see and do in this Spanish colonial city. Save a mean buck or two as well, with these numbers. Daily expenses for two at $8.00, accommodation for two at $4.00 and a reasonable meal for two within $2.00!

9. KATHMANDU, NEPAL

Kathmandu holds both the charm of a spiritual destination and a unique, high altitude point for adventure lovers. Nepal, though developing fast, has a wonderfully laid back and culturally ethnic feel that’s hard to find in other places. That apart, a trip to Kathmandu won’t clean you out either. You and your friend or partner can manage a day’s expenses in under $8.29, find reasonably good accommodation for two under $3.67 and enjoy a small meal for two under $2.31!

10. BEIJING, CHINA

China is fast growing into the next IT destination of the world. Chinese goods have infiltrated every market worldwide. This enterprising country has much to offer in terms of culture, history, sights, scenery and food for the traveler. China is also a fairly good deal for the budget traveler. A day’s expenses in Beijing will set you back by $8.50, while reasonable double occupancy room can be had for $6.50 a night, and a small but filling meal for two will cost you less than $1.00.

Teena Celis is an avid traveler and works as content writer for Adrenaline that provides a large range of flying experiences like helicopter rides, hot air ballooning, parasailing all across Australia.

Well, if distance is a concern then there are many ways to keep in touch. Make a call, send emails, chat online and do your bit to sustain the bond. You surely need to do a little of study like phone services, internet facility, etc and then you may connect to anyone around the world without going broke.

Phone Calls:

In the past, delays in communication were common. It was a huge expense to make a phone call to those travelling or living in other countries, yet people opted for this. Even today a phone call is believed to be the most suitable option for a personal touch.

Many companies have introduced different technology methods to make international calling easier and cheaper. So now it is certainly within your reach to pick the apt service, make cheap calls around the world and feel closer to your loved ones.

Online Calls:

You can download Skype for free and make calls via your laptop while you travel or at your home computer. Even most of the Internet café computers have it pre-installed. You also have the option of Google Talk and Yahoo Calls to make free calls. Register online; ask your family and friends to do the same, and just TALK!

Email/Chat:

If you have internet connection at your finger tips then it’s even simpler to keep in touch all day long. Fix a common time to be available online and login on Facebook Chat, Gtalk or Yahoo Messenger to chat with your family and friends around the world.

If they are not online, you can send emails of your experiences, plans, information, schedules, etc and this would surely make them feel good.

Upload Video & Pictures:

While you travel, create lots of memories to share them with your loved ones. Show them where you stay, places you visit, kind of work you do, your friend circle and the fun you enjoy. Put all of these together in videos and pictures and upload them on social sites.

If you are on Facebook, let your stuff go there! You can even upload your gallery on Flickr and Picasa or rather use youtube to host all your videos.

A guest post by Rebtel.

I was recently introduced to the online Geography Game – Where On Google Earth? Google Earth images are posted and you offer your answers by leaving a comment in the comment box. If no answers are left, a hint in the form of a larger image with more detail is posted. Winners are posted each week.

This is a great game if you have good knowledge of the numerous travel destinations around the globe and their geographical features.

Have a go yourself – Where on Google Earth

Often overlooked as an essential when travelling, having a good travel insurance policy that meets all your needs will really come into its own if something were to wrong, especially if you consider the relatively cheap cost of a policy compared to what you could be paying out if you don’t have any.

When you come to purchase a travel insurance policy the first decision you’re going to have to make is the type of policy that will best suit your requirements. A single trip policy will be suitable if you’re not a frequent traveller and just need cover for a short one off trip. If you’re lucky enough to be travelling a number of times in a year, then you’ll want to look into an annual multi-trip policy which will usually work out cheaper if you plan on travelling more than 3 times a year.

There are numerous specialist policies that cover everything outside the norm. These policies are aimed at those who don’t fit in with the requirements of a single or annual multi-trip policy. Travellers looking for a more adventurous or active trip can get cover which is very specific to their needs with policies for backpackers or winter sports cover.

Remember that travel insurance is there to give you peace of mind so you can relax on your trip and not have to worry about all the ‘what-ifs’. A specialist policy doesn’t always mean an expensive policy and by shopping around you’ll give yourself the best chance getting the best travel insurance for your needs at a good price. It’s certainly worth spending a few minutes getting to grips with the basics of travel insurance after all there is little point in purchasing a policy if it’s not going to cover you for what you need.

There are many things you can do yourself to minimise any hassle or stress and enjoy your trip. Be sure you declare any pre-existing medical conditions you may have as providers may not pay out if you come to make a claim. It’s a given but don’t do anything illegal as your guaranteed to void your policy. It also may not be a good idea to partake in any dangerous activities you may not be covered for.

If you have to make a claim the process will go a lot smoother if you report and obtain documentation for any losses or thefts to the local authorities as providers are likely to ask for this if your claim is for lost possessions. It’s also a good idea to keep a log of your conversations with your insurance provider noting time, dates and who you’ve spoken with.

I was having a cuppa and whilst staring at the fridge (as you do!), I realised a blog post was staring right at me! Our fridge is always covered in at least one post card and the children’s school work. At the moment the fridge is donned with three postcards from family and friends who have recently visited Egypt, Italy and the Alps in France. Just don’t look too closely at the postcard from Egypt! We also have a collection of fridge magnets from various places, holding both the postcards & school work in place. In the center of the photo, you’ll see a map magnet of Melbourne (my home town), this was a gift from my gorgeous Twitter, travel buddy Linda Fairbairn at Journey Jottings. Her products will be featuring in a post dedicated just for them. Her travel journals, map magnets and other products are fabulous for anyone on a trip to an Australian destination.

Travel Tips Plus’ very first blog post was made on the 19 June 2009. The dream, travel destination was Hurghada, Egypt and the format remains much the same today as when I first started. A total of 105 destination posts have been made covering each of the continents and a further 17 posts for the General and Travel Tips Categories.

More recently, I found people were sharing travel photographs and international music with me, and this resulted in the introduction of Categories Travel Photography and Travel Music. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time blogging and sharing travel experiences in one centralised location. I have also gained much from it, often having destinations suggested to me which I have never heard of! Who would have thought? I often consider myself well travelled and being a lover of maps and atlases, my knowledge of geography is pretty good and so when I discover a new travel destination, I’ve not heard of, it is quite exciting. I wonder what places I will learn of and have to share in the year to come?

This article was written by Jeremy Cabral who is part of the team at Credit Card Finder, Australia’s most popular 100% free Australian credit card comparison website.

Students looking to travel overseas are often in a tight financial situation. Even if you supplement your studies with a part-time job you are probably looking for smarter ways to travel – ways that let you enjoy your trip while not having to scratch and scrimp your last pennies.

How to Let Your Hair Down Guilt-Free

If you want to enjoy a trip to a sun-soaked beach guilt-free you need to get your finances well in order before you leave home. A great way to do this with relative ease is by putting some money aside each week as early as one year before you leave for your holiday.

It would be foolish to travel with a credit card in tow but no money in your bank account. A sure recipe for financial disaster on your return home.

Handy Tips for Getting Cashed-Up

The following savings tips can help you acquire a nice nest egg for your next holiday. Most of us spend way too much money on things we don’t really need; expenses such as cups of coffee on your way home from uni, gadgets that go out of fashion tomorrow and clothes you won’t be able to wear in 6 months because you’d be laughed at.

Instead, why don’t you aim to inhibit those spending urges in order to save money for a better cause – your next holiday.

Consider Prepaid if You Suck With Credit

Prepaid cards are a great alternative to credit cards. You won’t end up with debt because you can only spend what is yours to start with. If you need extra funds on your card before you leave home you could ask your family to be paid in “cash” for birthdays, Christmas and any other occasion where you’d normally receive presents. If you do, load the cash to your new prepaid card, then keep it tucked away until you are ready to travel.

Consider Your Destination

Some exotic destinations make it very hard to stay fluid with cash. It is a good idea to research your holiday destination because you might need a combination of cash, credit card, prepaid card and travellers cheques to keep cashed-up.

Keep Your Documents in Order

If you are planning an overseas trip, chances are that you might need a visa to visit the country of your choice. The last thing you want is to be stuck at the airport in a foreign country because you failed to bring the necessary documents with you.

Check to make sure your passport is valid for a minimum of 6 months after your planned return home. Trust me, you won’t be the first student stranded overseas because his passport has expired.

If you are planning to do a working holiday you will need the appropriate International work visa. Plus you might want to check the following to cover all of your bases:

Where to Stay

Students love to bed for the night on the cheap. Thanks to a wide range of networks you can stay in comfortable and safe surrounds while mingling with like-minded people. Try the following for fun and to save money:

See the World While You Are Young

Travelling is one of the best education you can have. It will teach you respects, introduce you to other cultures and make you new friends in all corners of the world. Chances are high that you’ll come home a more confident, relaxed person and once you catch the travel bug it will accompany you for the rest of your life. Make the most of it!

You Might Also Enjoy The Following Travel Tips Posts

During 2009 Tripbase initiated amongst travel bloggers world-wide “3 Best Kept Travel Secrets”. Travel Tips Plus’ travel secrets included Xlendi Bay, Malta; Stourhead Garden, England and Hallstatt, Austria.

Many of the posts have now been compiled to form seven wonderful travel e-books, resulting in 500 inspirational travel secrets from 200 of the world’s best travel bloggers. Featuring Peter Greenberg, Rolf Potts, Harriet Baskas and Johnny Jet. Each e-book covers a specific category ranging from Travel Tips, Worldwide Destinations to Beaches. Better still, when you download them, Tripbase will donate $1 for ever e-book downloaded to Charity: Water.

So come and click on the cover image below to download your copies and enjoy these wonderful travel secrets. Share the link with your friends, so they too can help a great cause and initiative by Tripbase.

TravelTipsPlus.com is a proud supporter of the ANZ Bank’s ‘FebuSave’ campaign designed to assist women to save money during the month of February. FebuSave is a fabulous initiative considering the report results regarding women and their finances! It incorporates the internet and the power of social media, giving the program the ability to build a very supportive community for women to take ownership and responsibility for their financial well-being.

The research ANZ Bank undertook prior to the campaign found the following results:

• 58% of women have less than $5,000 in savings and 33% have less than $1,000.
• 56% of Australians do not save money on a regular basis.
• 52% of women claimed they know they should have a financial plan but keep putting it off.
• Only one in ten women are very confident in managing their investments, financial planning and superannuation,and
• Less than one third of women surveyed said they were very confident about managing everyday finances.

So come and join me and others this ‘FebuSave’ and register your support and pledge what you will go without in order to save some pennies during February. You can also join the FebuSave Facebook Fan Page.

Big Dreams, Warrant a Big Savings Plan

There will be things we all wish to achieve and purchase during our life-time. For me as a young women having finished three years of University, my desire was to travel. In less than 12 months, I put a plan in place to get myself overseas for a period of two and half years. Here are 7 budget tips for the young women wishing to do the same (the blokes can implement these principles also!):

1. Work a few extra hours wherever you can. That may mean taking a second part-time job and working after hours or on weekends.
2. Ensure you attract minimal fees with your banking institution.
3. Excess savings should be in an account earning higher interest.
4. Prior to purchasing items ask yourself “Do I really need this?”. You’ll be surprised how much you’ll save by not spending on purchasing items you can do without.
5. If you must purchase those ‘I can’t live without’ items, shop for the best value and this may not mean the ‘cheapest’!
6. Try to survive without a credit card and if you can’t, pay off the debt when it’s due and avoiding heavy interest charges.
7. The best tip and most obvious tip – don’t spend more than what you earn! You will ‘never’ get anywhere with your finances, let-alone that life experience of travelling abroad!

Have you undertaken overseas travel and what did it take to get you on that journey? What budgeting and savings tips can you share?

TravelTipsPlus.com would like to take the time to wish everyone, the world over, a very happy and safe holiday season. We understand there are differing celebrations depending where you are in the world and where your cultural background lie. Your location can also vary the length of holiday season you experience.

We are particulary thinking of our friends in Europe and on the east coast of America that have been hit by harsh winter conditions during the past week and making it almost impossible for them to get to their travel destinations.

Photo by Joanna Young

Here in Australia we are about to celebrate our festive season and summer holidays. The school children will enjoy a good 5-6 week break and many families take the opportunity to have a summer holiday. Many flock to the popular beaches or large river systems that offer swimming, relaxing and many water activities.

Photo by Squirmelia

So, images of Christmas trees covered in snow and foggy windows donned with decorations are quite foreign here in Australia. No matter where you are this Holiday Season of 2009, enjoy it with your families, stay safe and all the best for a healthy, prosperous 2010.

Please leave a comment telling of your where abouts and what your Holiday Season plans are.

We’d love to hear!