From Southeast Asia to lesser-known countries in the Balkans, check out these top cheap travel destinations for Canadians to visit.
These are 12 beautiful and affordable vacation destinations that offer plenty of opportunities for authentic experiences and everlasting memories. So, update your passport and get going!
1. Cambodia
Major destinations in Cambodia like Siem Reap are filled with boutique hotel experiences that offer world-class luxury without breaking the bank
Rich in spirituality and natural wonders, Cambodia is one of the cheapest travel destinations to visit in Southeast Asia and around the world. Not only is the country wealthy in cultural experiences, but it has also recently been paving the way with sustainable tourism.
In Cambodia, your travel dollars can go far here to improving the situation for many locals if put in the right hands. For instance, you can go on local tours, stay in small hostels or boutique hotels, and eat at restaurants run by NGOs where your tourist dollar can go a long way. From Kampot to Phnom Penh to Siem Reap and beyond, there’s always a way to support the local community and be a “good tourist” in Cambodia.
For an affordable luxurious stay in Siem Reap, check out Jaya House River Park. The hotel supports local NGOs that empower the local community by providing people with training in the hospitality industry.
And don’t leave Cambodia without visiting this iconic ancient site. Wake up early to witness a spectacular sunrise behind the main Angkor Wat temple. Plan to spend more than one day wandering around as you’ll want to soak it all in.
2. Vietnam
From the fresh air in the highland regions to the humid and luscious lowlands, Vietnam is everyone’s favourite cheap travel destination to visit
With its rise in popularity as a cheap travel destination over the past few years, Vietnam remains one of the best affordable vacation destinations for budget travellers and beyond. Everything from accommodation, food, and transportation is very affordable in Vietnam compared to life in Canada. You can have a steaming hot bowl of pho for less than 40,000 VND (about $2.50 CAD). Make sure to wash it down with a glass of Bia Hoi, Vietnam’s infamous light and fresh beer for less than 10,000 VVD (50 cents!).
Hanoi, the former headquarters of French Indochina and the administrative centre of communist North Vietnam, was declared the country’s official capital in 1976 after reunification began. Hanoi retains much of its French flavour. You’ll be able to find delicious croissants next to a pho noodle soup shack.
Hanoi’s Old Quarter around Hoan Kiem Lake is the best place to soak up some of the city’s post-colonial charm. It is a rare oasis of calm in the otherwise chaotic city, and locals head there every morning at sunrise to practice Tai Chi.
You can experience Vietnamese rural life in the former French mountain resort of Da Lat, in the central highlands. The city is somewhat overrun with tourists as it is the main departure point for a lot of “Easy Rider” motorcycle tours. However, the flower farms, local tofu factories, cashew nut plantations, and some beautiful rice terraces, are worth a visit. Due to the region’s elevation, most of the country’s coffee exports come from Da Lat. Afterward, you can head along the coast southwards to Ho Chi Minh City. If you’re travelling on a backpacker budget, expect to spend less than $50 a day exploring the beauty of Vietnam (trust us, you’ll be planning your trip back in no time!).
3. India
Fly direct from Toronto or Vancouver and budget travel in India for less than $50 a day
India is the seventh-largest country in the world, so unless you’re planning a long-term trip, it pays to plan which of the country’s 29 states you want to visit in this cheap travel destination. You can head west to Rajasthan to immerse all of your senses in the Pink City, Jaipur.
Or, you can kick back on the white sands of Kerala in southern India, or study yoga in Goa. Staying north, you can visit the world’s most famous tomb, the Taj Mahal, in the city of Agra. You can visit New Delhi for some of India’s best street food, particularly in the narrow streets and bustling boulevards around Connaught Place in the centre of town.
Wherever you choose to explore, India remains a wonderful place for a budget vacation destination and one of our top picks for cheapest place to travel for Canadians.
4. Bolivia
With so much to see and do, Bolivia is a cheap travel destination for culture seekers and outdoor adventurers
Bolivia is one of only two landlocked countries in South America (the other is Paraguay). This South American nation is also another cheap travel destination for Canadians, where you can blend amazing adventures all while sticking to a reasonable travel budget. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by how much there is to see and do in Bolivia!
In Bolivia’s administrative capital, La Paz, wander along Calle Jaén for a slice of South American life under Spanish colonial control — the street is home to some of the city’s best-preserved colonial buildings, whitewashed façades, and ornate black grilled balconettes. La Paz is also where you’ll find a cluster of museums, including the former home of Pedro Domingo Murillo, who lead forces during the La Paz Revolution of 1809. Pick up your bumper bargain ticket from the Museo Costumbrista, which houses a ceramic depicting the hanging of the aforementioned revolutionary.
As if that weren’t enough, Bolivia boasts some of the best value food and drink in all of South America. For example, a bottle of Paceña beer generally costs $3 (15 Bolivianos) and a bowl of chairo (potato soup) is about the same. Make sure to pack plenty of layers for when the sun goes down. Although Bolivia generally endures hot and humid tropical summers, La Paz is surrounded by the altiplano mountains so it stays cool year-round.
Looking to turn up the heat? Head to Oruro, a city in the heart of the altiplano famous for its Carnival, held each year in February or March to honour the Virgin of Candelaria. A 3-hour bus ride from La Paz will bring you to this UNESCO protected presentation of Indigenous and religious Bolivian culture, complete with folk dance performances and a parade.
5. Georgia
With visa-free stays for Canadians, Georgia is a trending cheap travel destination
Georgia, the beautiful country in the Caucasus region between Europe and Asia is another cheap travel destination to visit. Once you arrive in Tbilisi, Georgia’s largest city, you can snag a bed in a hostel for less than $20/night and a single room for less than $50.
You won’t go hungry here in Georgia, as you can feast on some of the world’s greatest food on a budget. Have a filling breakfast of khachapuri (large bread pastry with egg and cheese) for about 2 Georgian laris, less than $1. However, the cost of making this beloved Georgian snack increased by a whopping 30% in 2022. You can easily spend less than $15 for a sit-down meal including some local Georgian wine in a little cafe along the cobblestone roads of Old Tbilisi.
The way to get around Georgia is by marshrutka, the local minibus system from the Soviet era. Just a three-hour drive to the mountain resort destination of Kazbegi costs less than $10. Spend at least a few days in Kazbegi where you can splurge on a boutique hotel or stay at a local guesthouse or homestay, where you’ll be blessed with incomparable views of the Caucasus Mountains and hiking opportunities for any type of adventurer.
For a beach getaway, head west to Batumi. Locals love Batumi’s seaside location and cool vibes. While more luxury spots are popping up in Batumi as more people are flocking to the coast, and you can find a single or double room for $50 or less a night. Don’t worry solo travellers, hostels have space for about $10-15 per night.
6. Honduras
Honduras is a cheap travel destination by the Caribbean Sea
Honduras does not make it onto many most-visited lists, but it has white sand beaches reminiscent of the Maldives, scuba diving to rival the Red Sea, and affordable food and drink making Honduras a great cheap travel destination, much like other destinations in Central America.
Check out the swathes of pristine beaches along Honduras’s northern coast. One of the busiest centres along this idyllic stretch is Puerto Cortes, a bustling port famous for its trade in bananas with strong Spanish heritage, signs of which survive to this day.
Head out to Omoa, a picture-postcard seaside town with a colonial fortress to explore. If you’re really serious about sniffing out the prettiest post-colonial towns, look no further than the quaint Spanish houses, decadent Cathedrals, and packed plazas in Comayagua’s historic town centre.
A two-hour drive northwest from Honduras’s capital brings you to Tegucigalpa. This city was once the country’s religious and political centre, but nowadays its main draws are the colonial buildings and cute plaza cafés. Bag a traditional Honduran baguette or bistek (steak) sandwich from the market and picnic in the nearby Parque Central.
7. Bulgaria
Explore the mountains and historic sites for less than $70/day
Bulgaria’s Black Sea resorts have undergone a bit of a boom with visitors in recent years. Despite becoming a burgeoning budget travel destination in Europe, many places outside of Sofia remain relatively untouched by bargain-hungry vacationers and the further east you go, the cheaper it gets!
Head for Nessebar, a UNESCO World Heritage site a few hours south of Varna and a great spot to start your budget tour of Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast. Although much of Nessebar’s ancient city of Messembria has collapsed into the ocean, there are still plenty of old churches to admire and cobbled lanes to stroll along.
Just a 20-minute subway ride from the airport terminal (30-40 minutes if you’re travelling by bus) you can satisfy your inner culture vulture in Sofia. The second oldest city in Europe is stuffed with museums and galleries, including the Museum of Socialist Art and the National Literature Museum.
Soak up some summer sun and do a few laps down at Liulin Beach, with its three outdoor swimming pools, a sand area, and a footie field – there’s even a canteen to grab a slice of pizza post-exercise.
8. Sri Lanka
A budget travellers favourite, Sri Lanka is an affordable vacation destination for Canadians
Sri Lanka is a picture-perfect paradise where you can feast on curry, trek through the jungle, and stay in hotels on the beach for under $50 a day. When it comes to affordable vacation destinations with beach views to boot, you can’t get much better than Sri Lanka. The temples, monasteries, and stupa speckled throughout the surrounding countryside offer a window into Sri Lanka’s Buddhist culture.
Highlights include the Sri Maha Bodhiya (Bodhi Tree Temple) in Anuradhapura and the Sri Dhalada Maligawa (Temple of the Tooth) in Kandy, which is arguably the most sacred places on the entire island. Be warned, foreigners tend to pay higher entrance fees for entry.
While you’re in town, be sure to check out the unparalleled Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens in Kandy, located by Sri Lanka’s longest river.
One recommended luxury stay is at the five-star Cinnamon Lodge that’s located in Habarana, the epicentre of a cultural triangle encompassing Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, and Kandy. The suites here (deals for less than $150 CAD) boast fantastic views over the tropical Habarana Lake – take it all in from your own private hot tub.
9. Argentina
In the capital of Buenos Aires, you can wine and dine for days without breaking your travel budget
From the jungles of the central plains in La Pampa to the rugged Andes mountains on the western border with Chile, there’s plenty to see and do in Argentina, the world’s eighth-largest country. In 2023, Argentina is also one of the cheapest travel destinations for Canadians to visit. Here your hard-earned dollars can be spent well on some of the world’s best wine, steak, and sightseeing along the way.
City lights don’t get much brighter than in Buenos Aires, which has rightly earned its reputation as one of the most exciting cities on the planet, thanks partly to its totally up-for-it nightlife. Argentina is also known for being a popular solo travel destination.
Tour the bright and bold murals that adorn many of Buenos Aires’s buildings, and come sundown slink along the streets of San Telmo and enjoy the cool bohemian vibe in the restaurants and bars in this part of town – much more fun (and kinder on the wallet) than a night out in the tourist traps of the city’s Recoleta district.
Experience the colourful, flamboyant life of the Argentinian capital by staying away from its most exclusive hotspots and you can easily get by on a small budget. An average meal in Argentina typically sets you back about $7, and you can snag a double room for less than $50 CAD/night. It’s also important to note here about the Argentinian peso exchange rate, so that you can get the best deal when exchanging your money during your trip.
If you want to get away from it all and see some of the world’s most spectacular scenery, then take a trip to Patagonia in southern Argentina, home to Tierra del Fuego, the most southerly city in the world and a popular departure point for excursions to the Antarctic. Get there by bus from Buenos Aires – a journey which takes anywhere from 24 to 36 hours, or hop on a quick flight.
10. Greece
Island hop to lesser-known destinations in Greece on a budget
While it’s still pretty pricey to stay on famous Greek islands like Santorini or Mykonos, you can pick a quieter Greek getaway like Paros or Skiathos where you can spend the days in 28-degree heat, sipping ice-cold Mythos for half the price.
Don’t have time for a full-on island-hop? Settle for a day trip to the Sardonic Gulf island of Hydra, just one and a half hours by catamaran from Athens and the spot for some of the best souvlaki (kebabs) you’ll find anywhere else in the Aegean Sea. Pirofani restaurant has been dishing up this delicious food for decades.
Sail across to Kefalonia (which you might recognize from the big screen adaption of the famous book, Captain Corelli’s Mandolin) for a slab of traditional pie, filled with oozing meats and gravy, wrapped in a blanket of phyllo pastry. Ferries run regularly between the islands, but if departing from Athens, head to the port of Piraeus to check the boards for updated prices and schedules. Most of the Aegean Islands take about four or five hours to reach by high-speed ferry, six to eight on a regular one.
And once you’re done island-hopping, make sure to spend a few days at Greece’s most ancient sites. To save money, you can get a combination ticket for 30 Euros, which will give you access to 7 of the major attractions (including the Acropolis) in Athens over two days.
You’ll really experience Greece as a cheap travel destination if you visit in the off-season, where prices (and crowds) will typically be cut in half.
11. Dominican Republic
Cheapest all-inclusive destination in the Caribbean for Canadians
If you want to travel to the Dominican Republic on a budget, it is possible to spend less than $100 a day on accommodation, travel, and food. If you eat where the locals eat, you can find cheap dishes, and drinks, and hotel stays by the beach for about $50 per night.
If you want all-day dining and activities, the Dominican Republic offers some incredible deals for all-inclusive holidays. The VH Gran Ventana on the appropriately named Playa Dorada (Golden Beach) has four different restaurants, from gourmet Caribbean food to casual beachfront grill. It also has three swimming pools and includes water sports like water skiing, parasailing, banana boats, and scuba diving.
12. Ecuador
Natural wonders and affordable flights make Ecuador an enticing cheap travel destination for Canadians
Affordable to fly to (and budget-friendly once you land), Ecuador is another beautiful and cheap travel destination for Canadians.
On top of snagging flight deals for less than $300 one-way from Canada to Quito, you can find reasonable beachside or city centre accommodation in Ecuador for approximately $50 per night.
Start in Quito, where you can check out the Old Town before wandering through the local artisan markets. Spend your afternoons sampling some of Quito’s best street food, empanadas, fried plantains, salchipapas (fries drowned in salsa), and more. Make sure to wash it all down with a fresh horchata – all of which will set you back about $8. Ecuador uses USD as its currency, so bring some USD in your travel wallet. You can also easily withdraw from ATMs in local banks during your trip.
Want to read more?
- 7 underrated bucket list trips to take in 2023
- Check out these last-minute travel destinations for summer
- These are the shortest international flights from Canada
