Going on vacation doesn't have to cost a fortune. It's possible to see the world without breaking the bank — and you don't have to bunk in hostels or pack a sleeping bag to do it. Money-saving strategies include venturing to off-the-beaten track destinations, avoiding tourist traps, traveling during periods of low demand or simply seeing a place the way the locals do. Here are some of our favorite travel bargains around the globe.
Kuala Lumpur: The cheapest big city on the planetThe Swiss banking company UBS recently ranked Kuala Lumpur as the world's best travel bargain. The study found that the average tourist would pay $260 for a first-class hotel room, three meals, transportation and a theater outing — less than a quarter what that same night on the town would cost in London or Tokyo. An undervalued currency, low inflation rates and subsidized oil prices (which keep taxi fares low) combine to make all of Malaysia an unrivaled travel bargain. Take in the city's colonial history at Merdeka Square, or marvel at its modern side from the sky bridge linking the Petronas Towers, which reigned as the tallest buildings in the world until 2004. Admission is free for up to 1,300 visitors per day.
Zion: The jewel of America's national parksZion recently raised its admission prices, but at $25 per carload (good for seven days), it's still a fraction of what you'd pay to haul the kids to a theme park. All of America's national parks are serious bargains, but maybe none more so than this peaceful oasis just two hours from Las Vegas. Zion has no single central attraction, so crowds are dispersed throughout the park. To get even farther away from it all, ascend the switchback trail to Observation Point. Camping is free (obtain a permit in advance from www.nps.gov/zion), while numerous hotels and lodges outside the park offer luxurious comforts for less than $100 a night for those who don't want to rough it, or who need a hot tub to soothe their trail-weary muscles.
Nicaragua: The new Costa RicaLeave it to the surfers to find gorgeous, deserted white-sand beaches with cheap eats, free-flowing rum and simple accommodations at discount prices. But their secret is out. Nicaragua is commonly considered the next Costa Rica, its neighbor to the south. The countries share much in common: language, cuisine, tropical climate, volcanoes and great opportunities to spot sea turtles. For years, the biggest difference was political: Costa Rica has long been a peaceful oasis, while up until recently, Nicaragua continually was the scene of ruthless bloodshed. But as political stability has taken root in Nicaragua, so has a burgeoning tourism industry, attracting numerous visitors for whom Costa Rica has become too expensive. Hotel rooms that might fetch $200 a night or more on Costa Rica's most desirable beaches often cost $50 or less on similar strands in Nicaragua's San Juan del Sur
Alaska by ferryThe Alaska Marine Highway System (www.akferry.org) is the public-transportation system for the 49th state, and it plies many of the same waterways as luxury cruises costing thousands of dollars more. But the scenery — humpback whales breaching in Frederick Sound, bears romping in the Tongass National Forest, or the majestic fjord at Lynn Canal — is completely free. You can get off at ports of call along the way to explore Alaska on foot or by bike, or spend the night onboard the ferry in a cabin or your own tent. Best of all, you'll meet actual Alaskans on the ferry, something that rarely happens on a cruise ship.
Turkey: The cradle of civilizationTurkey has more historic sites than Greece, and more Roman ruins than all of Italy. Most of the archaeological attractions are free, and those that aren't are thoroughly inexpensive. So too is the Grand Bazaar — the world's largest — where 400,000 people come to trade their wares daily. Istanbul, where Europe meets Asia, is home to modern luxury hotels (with European-style prices). But get outside the big city and you'll be flooded with bargain options, including charming hotels that occupy their own private beach, for just $50 a night (check www.nisanyan.net). To soak in Turkey's rich history — literally — take a hamam (a traditional Turkish steam bath) in a bathhouse once used by Roman soldiers or Germany's Kaiser Wilhelm.
Milwaukee: Great museum, great music, great lakeName a bustling city on the shores of Lake Michigan, with a world-class museum, excellent architecture and a thriving nightlife scene. Chicago? No, it's Milwaukee, where dining, lodging and attractions are significantly more affordable than those in the Windy City. The spectacular addition to the Milwaukee Art Museum (www.mam.org), designed by renowned architect Santiago Calatrava, single-handedly has made the city an architectural destination. There's no charge to watch the museum's “wings” open and close (come at noon for the full show), but admission is a mere $8. In summer, Milwaukee becomes the “City of Festivals,” with a different celebration every weekend. The biggest of them all is Summerfest (www.summerfest.com; June 26-July 6) the world's largest music festival, which attracts acts like Tom Petty, Steely Dan and Paul Simon. For $15, you get admission to 10 stages from noon to midnight.
South Africa: Beautiful beaches before spectacular safarisThe rand is one of the few currencies performing as poorly as the U.S. dollar, making South Africa's glorious beaches and spectacular wildlife parks a relative bargain for American travelers. Safari packages advertised in the U.S. may not seem like much of a deal, but if you book your safari when you get to South Africa instead of from home, you'll save hundreds, even thousands of dollars. Savvy travelers fly straight to Cape Town, a modern coastal city that's routinely named one of the most beautiful in the world. To recover from jet lag, spend a few days in the nearby wine country or simply relax on one of the Cape's pristine beaches. When you're ready to go out on safari, walk over to Long Street and choose from the numerous tour operators lining the boulevard. You'll be surprised at how affordable these once-in-a-lifetime adventures can be if you book in person
Telluride: Prices drop when the mercury risesSkiing destinations, even super-luxurious ones, are surprising bargains after the snow melts. Rooms that command top dollar in February and March often sit empty in July and August, forcing hotels to offer deep discounts. The drawback is that some ski resorts can feel abandoned in the off-season. Not so in Telluride, Colo., a real town with a real history: Butch Cassidy robbed his first bank here during Telluride's original heyday in 1889. The beautiful alpine scenery is ideal for hiking and biking in summer and early fall; Telluride's free gondola will even ferry you up the mountain so you can hike or bike down it. In the summer, Telluride stages countless events including a Jazz Festival, a well-regarded Film Festival and a Blues and Brews Festival that combines great music with the region's best microbrewed beers
Buenos Aires: The Paris of South AmericaAs you sip a glass of wine from a sidewalk table overlooking the wide boulevard, it's easy to think you're in the City of Light. But good luck finding a steak this good in France, especially at these prices. Buenos Aires has long been considered the Paris of South America, and you'll get an argument from the locals if you try to tell them otherwise. But when it comes to nightlife, Argentines have more in common with their ancestors from Spain. They go out for dinner around 10 p.m. and then party into the wee hours. Better yet, the best of Buenos Aires won't break your vacation budget. Admission to the outlandish mausoleums of Recoleta Cemetery (where Evita Perón is buried) is free. Tango lessons at a milonga (dance hall) cost just a few dollars. And shopping for shoes along Calle Florida or antiques in San Telmo unearths bargains that might make even Parisians head south of the equator.
North Carolina on two wheelsA statewide bicycle ride is a terrific way to get to know a place up close and personal, at speeds of 15 mph or less. Several states sponsor organized rides across their length; one of the best is Cycle North Carolina (www.ncsports.org/nccyclemain.php), which has traversed the Tar Heel state since 1999. The route varies slightly from year to year, but usually starts in the mountains near Asheville and stops in communities in the Blue Ridge and the Piedmont before ending at the Atlantic Ocean. Expect to cycle about 400 miles over seven days; shorter options are also possible. The $200 cost includes mechanical support, hot showers and entertainment at the campgrounds each night, baggage transportation and food and drinks at the rest stops. Most riders camp in their own tents, but hotel rooms are also available for those willing to pay for the privilege. After a long day's biking, a comfortable bed may be the best bargain of all.
John Rosenthal, a resident of Santa Monica, Calif., has written for The New York Times, National Geographic Traveler, The Washington Post and Fast Company.
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