Meals starting at just NT$30 each?! Budget travelers, take note of these 10 affordable and fun countries

Cambodia’s iconic landmark, Angkor Wat, was voted the top global tourist attraction in TripAdvisor’s 2017 list. (Photo/Dazhi Images/Shutterstock)

As the year comes to an end, how much annual leave do hardworking budget travelers still have left? With generally low salaries, many still hope to balance work and life by traveling abroad. If you want to travel without ending up broke when you get home, choosing the right destination is key. Funtime Travel has recommended the world’s 10 most fun and money-saving countries—whether it’s a Southeast Asia trip or venturing all the way to the Americas, budget travelers should jot these down quickly.

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Many people are familiar with Singapore—not only is it extremely convenient for transportation, but it also offers a rich cultural vibe, a wide variety of goods, and was one of the filming locations for the popular 2012 idol drama "It Started with a Kiss." It’s even known as the “big boss” of Southeast Asia. Singapore is summer all year round, small in size but densely populated, yet over 70% of the population is Chinese, so you don’t have to worry about not adapting to the environment when traveling here—it's a great choice for a Southeast Asia trip.

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When traveling to Southeast Asia, Cambodia is a fantastic option. It boasts not only the beautiful Angkor Wat and cool beaches, but also a reputation for being super cheap. The cost of a meal at a restaurant can often be kept under NT$150, and a beer is just NT$8—traveling here is incredibly tempting. As long as you do your homework and stay safe, Cambodia is also a great country for independent travel.

Vietnamese dining prices are not high and can even be kept around NT$30, which is great value. (Photo provided by Shutterstock)

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Vietnam is also a great choice for a Southeast Asia trip—not only are flight tickets affordable, but Vietnam also has many beautiful sights worth exploring. Halong Bay in the northeast features a stretch of stunning coastline with various large and small limestone islands that are quite picturesque. Dining costs in Vietnam are also not high and can be kept around NT$30, offering great value.

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Like Vietnam, Indonesia is also a place where you can easily find cheap flights, and there are many Chinese people there due to large-scale emigration from China in earlier years. However, Chinese and English aren’t widely spoken here. But because it’s located in the tropics and has a large area with an archipelagic geography, it has the second highest biodiversity in the world. What’s most attractive is Indonesia’s ultra-low prices—dinner can often be kept under NT$30. It’s loved not only by Westerners but also by many Asian tourists, making it a well-loved Southeast Asia destination.

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Thailand’s tourism industry is highly developed. Whether it’s popular cities like Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, or Koh Samui, or famous events and attractions such as the Songkran Festival, the Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew, and Bangkok’s floating markets, they attract travelers from all over the world every year. Although the local expenses aren’t the cheapest among Southeast Asian countries, it’s still a great value option—with accommodation in the suburbs costing as little as NT$120 per night.

Taj Mahal. (Photo/Our newspaper group archives)

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Aside from traveling to Southeast Asian countries, India is also a good choice. Mentioning India brings to mind the opulent song and dance from Bollywood movies and the stark contrast with the poverty of slums. India is actually a beautiful and majestic country and the largest on the South Asian subcontinent. It’s home to famous attractions like the Ajanta Caves and the Taj Mahal, and Indian tea is also quite renowned. Although safety requires special attention when traveling in India, with proper planning, you can get the most value for the lowest cost—a meal often costs just NT$20, which is super cheap.

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Located in western South America, Peru borders Ecuador and Colombia to the north, Brazil and Bolivia to the east, and Chile to the south. It’s one of the earliest countries in the Americas to nurture human civilization. Peru has many wonderful and astonishing sights, such as the Royal Fortress of Felipe, the Pachacamac ruins, Cusco, Machu Picchu, the Paracas Nature Reserve, and the Peruvian Amazon region. It’s well worth exploring on your own, and even taking a taxi in Peru can cost around NT$220, which is quite a good deal.

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Guatemala, before the year 2000, was a major city of the ancient Maya. It has many ancient buildings left behind and was once colonized by Spain. Different cultures quietly converged here. Guatemala transformed from a small city affected by earthquakes into the capital of Spanish Central America. The country has many beautiful natural landscapes and also produces many fine handicrafts. When traveling to Guatemala, you can buy many exquisitely carved wooden items and decorations, and the cost of living is not high—meals can be had for around NT$95, making it a great alternative to Southeast Asian travel.

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Although Nepal experienced a major earthquake a few years ago, its main source of income is tourism. Located in the mountainous regions of South Asia, Nepal is covered in overlapping mountains and has 8 of the world’s 10 highest peaks. Nearly three-quarters of the country is mountainous, with countless towering peaks, valleys, and glaciers. Most importantly, the prices here are also very appealing—a meal can be as cheap as NT$30 or as expensive as NT$240, which is super cheap.

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If you don’t want to travel to Southeast Asia, consider a European itinerary. It’s not as expensive as you might think to set foot on European soil—you might want to consider Eastern Europe, which is much cheaper than you’d imagine. Bulgaria is a country located on the Balkan Peninsula in southeastern Europe, bordering Romania, Serbia, Macedonia, Greece, and Turkey. It’s known for its rose production, and the towering Balkan Mountains and valleys are almost covered in roses, making it a popular tourist destination. Plus, a liter of beer in Bulgaria only costs NT$45—beer lovers definitely shouldn’t miss it.

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