In the current economic climate, many people are finding that their money simply doesn’t go as far as it once did. However, the desire to travel and explore new places is still there. The question is, how can we satisfy our wanderlust without going over budget?

Luckily, there are still plenty of options for cheap travel. If you make sensible choices regarding your meals, accommodations, and transportation, you can explore some of the most fascinating places in the world for little more than you’d spend in the average day at home. Let’s discover some of the most affordable travel destinations for 2023.

1. Laos

The tropical forests, pristine river beaches, and fantastic cuisine of Laos make it a hidden paradise for in-the-know travelers. Spend your days exploring Kong Lor Cave or the Kuang Si waterfalls. See rescued wildlife at the Kuang Si Bear Rescue Center. Or, peruse the tourist attractions, shops, and wonderful food of Vientiane. Best of all, you can vacation in Laos for as little as $30 per day.

2. Czech Republic

With jaw-dropping medieval architecture, excellent microbreweries, and storied cities, it’s no wonder that the Czech Republic is a popular European destination. As a bonus, it’s also affordable. You can have a Czech vacation for just $40 per day if you’re thrifty. Explore Prague and Brno, or even see Plzen, where pilsner beer was invented. The historic UNESCO World Heritage sites contrast with modernity all around to make this country an attractive holiday spot.

3. Guatemala

Guatemala is the rare gem of Central America. From the Mayan ruins of Tikal to the cobbled streets of Antigua Guatemala and the caves of Semuc Champey, you’re sure to love it here. There are plenty of hotels and restaurants with mouth-watering menus for a reasonable price, as well as natural attractions like the active Santa Maria volcano. Want to visit? You can do so for just $38 per day.

4. Greece

You may not think of one of Europe’s tourist hotspots as thrifty, but it can be if you’re smart about your spending. Get a hostel or reasonably priced hotel and forego the waterfront views, avoid the tourist traps of Athens, and you can have a Greek getaway for only $45 per day. Many of the historic ruins around the country are free to visit, and it’s an excellent place to hike and backpack around, with pleasant weather most of the year.

5. South Africa

Though there are plenty of major cities like Johannesburg and Cape Town to visit in South Africa, the country is also one of the most biodiverse places on the planet. The variety of flora, fauna and ecosystems here is unrivaled, making it particularly attractive for nature lovers. Keep a lid on your hotel and restaurant expenses, and you can vacation in South Africa for only $42 per day if you’re careful with your finances.

Save Money with Travel Insurance

A frugal vacation can be spoiled in an instant when something goes wrong. Suddenly, you’re having to dig deep into your pockets to cover an unexpected expense. This is why it’s so important to have the right insurance coverage when traveling abroad.

If you get sick or hurt while visiting another country, don’t plan on being able to whip out your domestic health insurance card at the hospital. It probably won’t be accepted. When you’re abroad, you need insurance that will be accepted in the country you’re visiting. Otherwise, you could be solely responsible for paying a massive medical bill yourself. Travel medical insurance provides the solution. For just a small percentage of your overall trip cost, a travel medical insurance plan can save you a huge amount in the event of an illness or injury.

If you’re mainly concerned with protecting your investment in airline tickets, hotel rooms and the like, a travel insurance plan could be what you’re looking for. It works like this: If you have to cancel your trip for a covered reason, your travel insurance plan can reimburse you for your prepaid, nonrefundable trip costs. It can even cover unexpected trip mishaps like travel delays or emergency medical care, so you can venture abroad with less worry about your finances.