International travel can be very expensive, but knowing the cheapest countries to visit can go a long way toward stretching your vacation budget.
Here, from our travel expert Donna Heiderstadt, are a dozen options—including the cheapest European countries to visit and a few destinations that may be on your bucket list—where the US dollar goes the furthest, making them cheap places to travel to in 2025.
Exchange rate: $1 = 1,065.6 Argentine pesos.*
Best months to visit for cheap prices: April to June and November and December.
Argentina’s capital, Buenos Aires, is celebrated for its beautiful European-inspired architecture, wide boulevards, historic tango halls and beef-centric cuisine. Argentina also is appealing for wine lovers and adventure seekers—the lush Mendoza region offers sips of Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon…and remote Patagonia boasts breathtaking glaciers, ethereal lakes and rugged coastlines. Argentina.Travel
Exchange rate: $1 = 2.00 Belizean dollars.
Best months to visit for cheap prices: April to May and November to December.
The official language of Belize is English, and the country’s currency is pegged two-to-one to the US dollar, so there’s a lot of consistency and value to vacationing in Belize. In this small Central American country, where the rainforest meets the reef, there’s also plenty of adventure, whether you are looking to snorkel or dive Shark Ray Alley and the Great Blue Hole or venture into a limestone cave sheltering the bones of a sacrificed Mayan maiden. Want something more low-key? You can explore the Mayan ruins at Caracol, Xunantunich, Altun Ha or Lamanai, and visit agritourism farms to learn about local foods. Of course, you also can simply find a hammock and sip a local Belikin beer on the beaches of resort areas such as Placencia, Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker. TravelBelize.org
Exchange rate: $1= 5.8 Brazilian reals.
Best months to visit for cheap prices: April to December.
Rio de Janeiro, with its famous beaches in Copacabana and Ipanema, Sugarloaf Mountain and Christ the Redeemer statue, may be one of South America’s most iconic cities, but as the continent’s largest country, Brazil also is filled with compelling sights—especially for nature lovers. It is home to the Amazon River with its astounding rainforest wildlife…shares awe-inspiring Iguazu Falls with neighboring Argentina…and features blissful island getaways such as Ilha Grande and the more remote Fernando de Naronha. VisitBrasil.com
Exchange rate: $1 = 502.1 Costa Rican colones.
Best months to visit for cheap prices: April to May and November and December.
If getting back to nature is a priority, Costa Rica is a terrific option. This Central American nation, bordered by both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and home to pristine rainforests and photogenic volcanoes, has designated about 25% of its land as national parks and reserves. These areas, which include Manuel Antonio National Park, Corcovado National Park and Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, are home to more than 900 bird species, monkeys and sloths, sea turtles, crocodiles, tree frogs, butterflies and more. VisitCostaRica.com
Exchange rate: $1 = 62.6 Dominican pesos.
Best months to visit for cheap prices: April to July and November.
The Dominican Republic has been a perennial bargain in the Caribbean for the past two decades, mainly because of its numerous all-inclusive beach resorts that bundle accommodations, food and beverages into one affordable price. The island is home to truly gorgeous beaches in resort areas such as Punta Cana, La Romana and Puerto Plata, as well as adventure activities that include snorkeling/diving, zip-lining and all-terrain-vehicle (ATV) tours. GoDominicanRepublic.com
Khufu Pyramid aks Great Pyramid in Giza Pyramid Complex.
Exchange rate: $1 = 50.6 Egyptian pounds.
Best months to visit for cheap prices: May and October to December.
With the October 2024 opening of Cairo’s stunning new Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), it’s the perfect time to finally take that bucket-list trip to Egypt to see the Great Pyramids of Giza, the treasures of King Tutankhamun, the tombs and temples of Luxor, the Valley of the Kings and the city of Aswan. You’ll find plenty of affordable tours and hotels, and it’s just a one-hour flight between Cairo and Luxor, where the verdant Nile Valley will astound you. VisitEgypt.com
Town Hall Tower amidst buildings in city at sunset
Exchange rate: $1 = 3.9 Polish zloty.
Best months to visit for cheap prices: April to May and October to December.
Poland isn’t front and center on the tourism map like neighboring Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic, but this affordable country is well worth a visit if you’re interested in history and local culture. To the north is Gdansk, a jewel box of a city that was completely rebuilt after WWII…to the south is Krakow with its medieval walled Old Town and fascinating history…and to the west is the protected national parkland of the Tatra Mountains. The bustling capital, Warsaw, with its Royal Castle and many museums, is the gateway to all of it. Poland.travel
Exchange rate: $1 = 0.9 euros.
Best months to visit for cheap prices: April to May and October to December.
One of the best values in Western Europe, Portugal offers ample sunshine and a fabulous lineup of experiences. You can explore the colorful neighborhoods of the capital, Lisbon…then sip aged port in the wine caves of Porto and red varietals among the terraced vineyards of the Douro Valley. You can stroll medieval hill towns Evora and Estremoz in the Alentejo region and relax on the beaches of the Algarve. While Portugal uses the euro, the country’s lower cost of living translates into savings for visitors, too. VisitPortugal.com
Romania, Transylvania, Hunedoara, Corvin Castle, dawn
Exchange rate: $1 = 4.6 Romanian leus.
Best months to visit for cheap prices: April to May and October to December.
Bucharest will surprise you, and Transylvania will delight you despite, or perhaps because of, the region’s Dracula lore. Romania delivers urban sophistication in Bucharest, with its picturesque Old Town and massive Palace of Parliament, combined with the charm of Transylvania and the beauty of the Carpathian Mountains. Exploring is easy, since the main sights—Sighisoara, Brasov, Bran Castle and Peles Castle—all are just a few hours away from Bucharest by car or tour bus. RomaniaTourism.com
Young woman sitting in safari vehicle photographing zebra grazing on grass at national wildlife park
Exchange rate: $1 = 18.3 South African rand.
Best months to visit for cheap prices: April to October.
If a safari is on your bucket list, South Africa offers a surprising selection of affordable lodges and hotels in and around Kruger National Park that will have you spotting the Big Five—lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant and African buffalo—and taking home lasting photographic memories. Also plan to visit Cape Town, with its stunning beaches and towering Table Mountain…the nearby Cape Winelands for delicious wine tastings…and the incredible landscapes of the Eastern Cape and Garden Route. SouthAfrica.net
The Grand Bazaar (Kapali Carsi) is a market established in the 15th century.
Exchange rate: $1 = 36.6 Turkish lira.
Best months to visit for cheap prices: April to May and October to December.
Istanbul is a vibrant city located in continental Europe. The rest of Turkey is in Asia. They check all the boxes if you love history, culture and architecture. Istanbul is a fascinating gateway, with must-sees that include the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace Museum and the Grand Bazaar. To the south, the Turquoise Coast is home to the resort town of Bodrum and the city of Kusadasi, which offers easy access to the ancient city of Ephesus, once inhabited by both the Greeks and the Romans. And no visit would be complete without experiencing the stunning caves and “fairy chimneys” of Cappadocia. GoTurkiye.com
Asia, Vietnam, Hanoi, Perfume Pagoda, young beautiful Vietnamese woman wearing traditional clothing, sitting on hilltop, looking at view of mountains and the Perfume river
Exchange rate: $1 = 25,465 Vietnamese dong.
Best months to visit for cheap prices: May and November to December.
Southeast Asian countries generally offer good value, but for a mix of city and rural immersion, it’s tough to top Vietnam. Its two main cities—Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City—retain splendid architectural reminders of the country’s French-colonial past…the temples and shrines provide peaceful reflection…and the memorials and museums commemorate 20th-century conflicts. The Mekong River meanders through verdant rice fields and traditional villages, while the emerald-hued water and limestone formations of UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ha Long Bay are a sight to behold. Vietnam.Travel
*Exchange rates are current as of March 11, 2025.
