According to "Budget Travel" magazine, hotel rates in Las Vegas, where accommodation can be had for a bargain, plummeted an additional 24 percent in 2010. With tens of thousands of rooms to fill, hotels need to book them. Luxor Las Vegas, a 30-story, pyramid-shaped hotel-casino, is mid-Strip, and rooms in November of 2010 start at less than $100 per night. While Vegas can by costly, with gambling, expensive foodie restaurants and top-notch shows all on offer, it's possible to entertain yourself cheaply. As alternatives, play slots instead of tables; take advantage of all-you-can-eat buffets; and just stroll the strip -- an adventure in itself.
A trip to Puerto Rico, since it's part of the U.S., can save when compared to trips to other Caribbean islands. The familiar U.S. currency will eliminate exchange rate issues. In addition, Puerto Rico doesn't get taxed the same way as the rest of the United States, which means gas is cheaper, so renting a car is an affordable way to explore the island (as of 2010). Budget airlines like Spirit and Jet Blue fly to Puerto Rico regularly, and beach cottages, like those at Villas del Mar Hau on the north coast, can be found in 2010 for $100 per night. The Villas offer modern villas or small, wooden cottages, all within steps of the beach.
The Travel Channel's website featured New Orleans as one of the best destinations in the country for budget travelers. With post-Katrina rebuilding efforts still underway as of fall of 2010, hotels often struggle to fill rooms, which means lower rates. Also a bargain is the live music scene with brass bands playing free on the city streets, and enjoying the Spanish-style architecture and historic cemeteries is always free of charge. Save even more money by visiting the Big Easy during the summer months. It's hot and humid, and it's hurricane season, but taking a chance will enable you to take advantage of cheaper hotels rates. The pink-hued New Orleans Guest House is inexpensive year-round, with rooms in the French Quarter starting at $79 per night as of 2010.
According to Budget Travel, as of 2010, the Vietnamese gong is weak against the dollar, so while airfare to Vietnam's capital, Hanoi, can easily top $800 round-trip, accommodations in Vietnam are cheap. Four-star boutique hotels, such as the Hanoi Elegance, are around $50 per night in fall of 2010. Choose from five Hanoi Elegance hotels in the city. A stroll through Hanoi's Old Quarter costs nothing, and a meal of rice pancakes and minced pork is only a few dollars. However, this once quiet nation is slowly becoming a tourist destination, which means prices will only increase in the coming years.
Compared to its expensive neighbors in Central and Western Europe, Eastern Europe is a budget-friendly alternative. Non-euro nations such as Poland, Estonia and Croatia offer the same European romance and charm as Italy or Spain but offer a more competitive exchange rate than Euro nations. For Americans, non-euro currencies often stretch twice as far as the euro, according to the Washington Post. While airfare to these locations can be steep, travelers can save money on almost everything else from lodging to meals to sightseeing. Overlooking the sea in Put Cvitacke, Croatia, rooms at Hotel Dalmacija start at $72 per night in 2010, which includes breakfast.
