You do not have to be a millionaire to enjoy international travel anymore. In fact, with the exception of air fare, you might actually save money by going further abroad and exploring one of the world's more unusual destinations. Deals can even be found on home turf, if you look hard enough.
La Paz is home to a number of world-class museums and cultural institutions, nearly all of which have admission fees similar to the cost of a pack of gum. Tour the Coca Museum, which explores the history of the coca plant; the Museum of Contemporary Art, whose downstairs gallery is free of charge to all visitors; and the Museum of Precious Metals.
La Libertad is ground zero for cheap surfing excursions. Don't like the beach here? Take a bus ride to one of the numerous beaches in the vicinity for as little as the price of a gum ball. For what you would spend for a kid's meal at a fast food restaurant, you can find adequate accommodation in La Libertad, El Salvador.
Bulgaria's Black Sea resort towns---Sozopol, Nesebar or Primorsko---offer sandy beaches, sunny weather throughout the summer and cheap food. Accommodation will cost you between $7 and $20.
Phuket is the largest island in Thailand. The weather is hot all year round, and there are plenty of beaches to choose from. It is something of a haven for water sports enthusiasts; here, you can enjoy deep sea diving, yachting, windsurfing and snorkeling, and all for much less than what you'd pay on a beach vacation in the US.
Lamu gives tourists a chance to step back in time...way back. In addition to its myriad relics dating from the Middle Ages, marvel at the locals' most common means of transport: the donkey. The Lamu Museum has a fascinating exhibit dedicated to Swahili culture.
You can go to the beach nearly 365 days a year in Santa Marta, and if you are willing to rough it by staying in a hostel, you can expect to fork over the cost of a fast food hamburger for a one night stay.
Staying in a hotel and eating in restaurants outside the nation's capital will save you money. All of the city's museums, including the Smithsonian, offer free admission to all comers.
Esteemed as one of Southeast Asia's party capitals, you just might wind up wanting to extend your vacation here for a bit longer...and at this price, why not? Renting a house for a year near the beach costs as little as purchasing a golf cart or 60 inch flat screen television.
Vacationers to Havana can save big bucks by foregoing the big hotels and staying in casas particulares---private homes licensed by the government as rental rooms for foreigners. This is also a great way of getting insider tips from the locals, not to mention helping the local economy.
History buffs will find much to enjoy, without having to empty their wallets, in Poland's most popular city. Public transportation is cheap, making it easy to get around and explore nearby sights, such as the Auschwitz Memorial and the Wieliczka Salt Mines.
