Here are 10 places—undiscovered by most tourists—that are incredible bargains for the adventurous budget traveler.


ASIA

Bali: Tropical splendor on a shoestring

A world apart from the unrest that sometimes grips other parts of Indonesia, Bali seduces visitors with its magnificent beaches, lush volcanic peaks and impossibly green rice paddies. This serene tropical island, dotted with thousands of Hindu shrines and temples, is the stuff of escapist fantasies.

A few dollars buys a lot of luxury here—even budget accommodations feature beautifully carved wooden furniture and jewel-toned fabrics. For $10 to $20, you can bunk in a simple guesthouse or rent a beach bungalow. Even Bali's most lavish resorts cost a fraction of what you'd pay in other beach destinations. Surfers congregate at the late-night dance clubs in Kuta—and why not? You can always afford a $20 massage to soothe your hangover the next day.



Laos: Tranquility off the beaten track

Laos is one of the best bargains in Southeast Asia—and that's saying something, since most countries there are relatively cheap for travelers. Because tourism is only beginning to make inroads in Laos, visitors are not seen as mere revenue streams; locals extend a warm and genuine welcome.

Life moves at a languid pace in the former royal capital of Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There, French colonial architecture coexists with dozens of graceful Buddhist temples, and monks in brilliant orange robes stroll the streets. You can find an inexpensive guesthouse for less than $20 a night; open-air cafes along the Mekong River offer absurdly cheap French and Lao specialties.

If you're backpacking, set off into the rugged countryside for caving, jungle trekking and a taste of traditional village life. In Xieng Khouang province, don't miss the "Plain of Jars," a mysterious field lined with hundreds of ancient stone urns.

Vietnam: A new era

After decades of turmoil, Vietnam has finally achieved peace and stability. Today its fledgling market economy is revving up, and the country is welcoming an increasing number of Western visitors.

In the colorful and chaotic cities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, you can rough it for a few dollars a day, or get a comfortable room with air conditioning and hot showers for $30 a night. In any street market, a mere $1 buys a steaming bowl of pho and a cold beer.

In Halong Bay, you can kayak amid towering limestone formations; the city of Hue offers a wealth of ancient imperial sites. For tropical seclusion, head for Phu Quoc Island, where a simple beachfront bungalow (including breakfast) can be yours for only $17 to $25.

India: Rajasthan, the land of princes

India can be a challenging place to travel, but no other nation on earth offers such a thrilling mix of cultures, landscapes and spiritual possibilities. If you have an adventurous spirit, you can get by on less than $20 a day—but even $40 to $50 a day will land you some creature comforts and more elaborate meals.

First-time visitors might consider flying into sprawling, bustling Delhi before making a side trip to Agra's wondrous Taj Mahal. Then go off to tour the vast province of Rajasthan, with its outrageously ornate forts and palaces. Rajasthan is full of adventure, whether you dream of spotting an elusive tiger or taking a camel safari under the stars. Its cities are equally impressive. In dusty-pink Jaipur, chaotic bazaars offer unbelievable deals on jewelry, pottery, fabrics and crafts. Another key stop is the city of Jodhpur, where the rooftops sport an intense shade of cobalt blue.

AFRICA

Zambia: Walk on the wild side

An African safari doesn't have to involve forking over thousands of dollars to a U.S.-based tour operator. It's possible to book your safari after you arrive—cutting out the middleman and saving a wad of cash. You can even travel to the game parks independently.

Zambia (www.zambiatourism.com) is not just one of Africa's unheralded destinations; it's also one of the continent's best safari values. South Luangwa National Park is a magnificent preserve, with leopards, elephants, zebras, giraffes and hippos roaming free. Just outside the park, budget chalets charge under $40 a day—or even less if you're willing to camp.

Zambia is also home to another of Africa’s most stunning spectacles: Victoria Falls. The Zambian side of the thundering falls offers camping for less than $5, or you can rent a hut for $40 to $50, with meals included.

Tunisia: Move over, Morocco

Morocco used to be North Africa's hub for backpackers, but prices are now on the rise as wealthy Europeans snap up vacation properties. Today it's Tunisia (www.tourismtunisia.com) that beckons with fabulous bargains. It's a modern and secular society, where travel is surprisingly convenient.

Tunisia is a land of ornate mosques and Lawrence of Arabia desert landscapes. Bustling markets tout rugs, pottery and colorful crafts—yours for a song. Archaeological wonders await, too, from the ancient city of Carthage to glorious Roman ruins. After you explore the culture, relax on a gorgeous Mediterranean beach where basic rooms and hostel bunks go for less than $15. If you can swing $50 a day, you'll sleep comfortably and eat well.

CENTRAL & SOUTH AMERICA

Honduras: Ecotourism on the cheap

Costa Rica, which used to be one of the best-kept secrets in budget travel, is now home to luxury developments and thousands of tourists. Farther north, however, Honduras (www.letsgohonduras.com) is still flying under most people's radar.

Like Costa Rica, this laid-back Central American nation offers a pristine rain forest that's alive with howler monkeys and multicolor birds. You'll find hiking, river rafting and impressive Maya ruins (at Copán). The Bay Islands are home to world-class scuba diving and snorkeling along a dazzling coral reef—in fact, this is one of the cheapest and best places in the world for diving instruction.

Head to Honduras before the guidebooks discover it. For now, $8 buys you a hearty dinner; decent budget digs go for less than $25 per night. You can spend even less if you don't mind sleeping in a hammock.

Guatemala: Window into Mayan culture

Guatemala combines natural splendor with a fascinating glimpse into Mayan culture, history and traditions. Antigua, the former capital city, is a cobblestoned gem full of colorful colonial architecture, with lush volcanoes looming in the distance. Don't miss the highland city of Chichicastenango, with its vast and colorful open-air market, or the pristine blue waters of Lake Atitlán. But the highlight for most travelers is surely Tikal: The ruins of a once-great Mayan city feature spectacular towering pyramids that rise out of the dense jungle.

Wherever you go, you'll find lots of simple bungalows and homey family-run inns that host budget travelers for as little as $20 to $30 per night. In low-key local joints, you can dine for about $5; frosty beers can be had for $1.50.

Peru: Bargains from the Andes to the Amazon

Peru offers some of the most rugged and diverse scenery in South America. Real shoestring travelers can get by on $25 a day, while $50 a day will put you up in midrange hotels with style and character.

Years ago, I lived in Lima, so trust me: You don't need to spend your time there. Instead, make a beeline for Cusco, a captivating colonial city high in the Andes. Though it's best known as the jumping-off point for Machu Picchu, don't overlook several other excursions that are closer to the city, like the remarkable ruins of Sacsayhuamán. If you plan on trekking to Machu Picchu, along the demanding—and sadly overcrowded—Inca Trail, you're now required to hire a guide. But you can also reach these haunting and majestic ruins via one of the most spectacular train rides on the continent.

The Amazon Basin presents a completely different face of Peru. Hostel bunks and jungle lodges are plentiful in gateway towns such as Iquitos, where boat tours reveal the diversity and wonder of the rain forest.

Argentina: Still the best deal in South America

Argentina has one of the few currencies that's faring even worse than the dollar. The result? An incredible steal for U.S. travelers, who are downright giddy at all the luxury within their reach.

Begin your trip in sophisticated Buenos Aires, a city of grand boulevards and tango salons. Carnivores will think they've died and gone to heaven: Parrillas (barbecue joints) offer incomparable steak dinners for $10. A bed in a hostel goes for $9, but in this town, $40 or $50 a night buys an extremely comfortable midrange hotel room.

Buenos Aires is only a preview of what Argentina has to offer. The beach resort of Mar del Plata is legendary for its rollicking nightlife. The garden city of Mendoza makes a great base for touring the wine country or taking on a whitewater rafting challenge. Or fly to the ends of the earth to see the towering peaks and glaciers of Patagonia and stroll among the friendly penguin colonies at Punta Tombo.