Hidden Travel Destinations That Are Cheaper Than Popular Tourist Spots

Travelers seeking adventure often turn to off-the-beaten-path destinations to save money and escape crowds. In fact, a recent study found 92% of travelers are open to visiting so-called “destination dupes” lesser-known places that deliver a similar experience to popular tourist spots but at a fraction of the cost. These hidden gems can stretch your travel budget while still giving you amazing culture, scenery, and activities.

Destination Dupes: City Alternatives

One clear strategy is to replace an expensive big-city trip with a more affordable counterpart. Travel experts call these destination dupes. For example:

• New York City → Chicago or Mexico City. Chicago’s skyline, architecture, and food scene offer NYC vibes at a lower price. Likewise, Mexico City rivals New York’s energy and cultural diversity, but your money goes much further.
• London → Boston. Boston’s historic, walkable neighborhoods and academic atmosphere give a taste of London-style charm – without the high costs or a transatlantic flight.
• Paris → Savannah (Georgia, USA). Savannah features tree-lined streets, classic architecture, and a romantic vibe reminiscent of Paris, yet it’s far cheaper to visit.
• Rome → Verona (Italy). Verona’s ancient amphitheater and cobbled squares echo Rome’s grandeur (one traveler says it’s “easy to fall in love with” like Rome) but with fewer crowds and lower prices.
• Tokyo → Taipei (Taiwan). Tokyo’s bustling city life and cuisine can be matched by Taipei, which offers excellent food markets and cultural sites “way more affordable and a lot less intense” than Tokyo.
• Amsterdam → Ghent (Belgium). Ghent has the canals and medieval charm of Amsterdam, but feels more laid-back and “much easier on the wallet”.
• San Francisco → Lisbon (Portugal). Lisbon even has its own Golden Gate–like bridge and trams on steep hills. It delivers a similar vibe to San Francisco with Portuguese flair, but at costs the Bay Area hasn’t seen in decades.

Each of these alternatives offers a familiar appeal: vibrant city life, historic sites, or scenic views – but with cheaper lodging, food, and attractions. By choosing one of these dupes, travelers can cut costs significantly while still getting a rich cultural experience.

Underrated Regional Gems

Beyond city swaps, many entire countries or regions provide the beauty and culture of popular spots, minus the price tag and crowds. Here are some highlights:

Southeast Asia (beyond Thailand/Bali):

Countries like Vietnam and Laos remain far cheaper than flashier neighbors. For instance, in Vietnam you can comfortably travel on about $25–$30 per day: street food might be only $1–2 per meal and guesthouse rooms as little as $14–$20. Vietnam’s historic towns (Hoi An, Hanoi) and lush landscapes rival those of Thailand, but with much lower daily costs. Next door, Laos offers serene temples and waterfalls in a laid-back atmosphere. It’s one of the least-visited countries in Southeast Asia, which means even its main sights (like Luang Prabang) are far cheaper than nearby Angkor Wat or Phuket. Travelers in Laos can enjoy river tubing, mountain hikes, and local markets without paying heavy tourist prices.

Eastern Europe:

Instead of expensive Western Europe, places like Bulgaria and Bosnia-Herzegovina deliver stunning heritage on a budget. Bulgaria, for example, is described as “one of Europe’s best travel bargains”. It has everything from UNESCO-listed monasteries (like Rila Monastery pictured below) to Black Sea beaches, yet meals and hotels cost a fraction of Western Europe. Bulgaria’s capital, Sofia, and charming cities like Plovdiv are very affordable, and even guesthouses in rural areas can be under $30 a night. Likewise, Bosnia has come back strong as a “truly underrated capital” (Sarajevo) and the fairy-tale town of Mostar. It’s “delightfully budget-friendly”, offering Balkan history and landscapes without the crowds or prices of Croatia or Italy.

The Balkans and Adriatic:

Countries like Albania and Montenegro have stunning coastlines and mountains often compared to Italy and Croatia, but remain largely under the radar. Albania’s beaches, Ottoman villages, and even its rugged Alps cost very little: locals report simple meals for about $5 and modest rooms for under $40 per night. A tourism advisor notes that Montenegro has “the drama of the Amalfi Coast, the heritage of Croatia” all “without the crowds”. Slovenia, another neighbor, packs lakes (Bled) and wine country into a compact, affordable country. These Balkan gems let you see Europe’s best without the sky-high prices of nearby hotspots.

Central and South America:

In Latin America, Mexico, Bolivia, and Nicaragua are famously budget-friendly alternatives to pricier destinations. Mexico offers big-city culture (Mexico City) and colonial charm (Oaxaca, Puebla) well below U.S./European prices, as long as you skip the tourists traps in Cancun/Tulum. Bolivia is often called “South America’s ultimate budget destination,” where travelers get by on about $25 per day. Bolivia’s Salar de Uyuni salt flats and Andean highlands rival attractions in Chile or Peru, but with much lower accommodation and food costs. Nicaragua (not yet covered in our sources) similarly competes with Costa Rica’s natural beauty at much cheaper rates.

Middle East and Africa:

Even in these regions, there are steals. Oman is an up-and-coming destination with deserts and coastlines, cheaper than its flashy neighbors Dubai or Abu Dhabi. Morocco (North Africa) offers imperial cities and Sahara excursions for far less than you’d pay in Europe. In fact, one traveler notes Morocco is “an affordable destination just a stone’s throw from Europe,” where you can camp in the desert under a clear Milky Way. (Local riads in cities like Marrakech can even be very budget-friendly.) These spots provide exotic experiences – souks, dunes, oases – without Europe-level prices.

Across all these regions, the key is that these hidden destinations skip the tourist premium. Flights and accommodations may be just as affordable (especially with budget airlines or trains), but hotels and restaurants often cost much less. Local currency rates play a big role: for example, countries like Bulgaria or Vietnam have very favorable exchange rates for Western travelers, stretching each dollar further.

Planning Tips for Budget Travel

Finding these hidden gems is only half the battle. To maximize savings:

• Travel Off-Season or Shoulder Season. Visiting popular spots in low season can cut costs. Similarly, hidden places are often even quieter (and cheaper) except during their own peak festivals.
• Stay Longer in One Place. Many budget travelers note that booking longer stays can reduce nightly rates and allow time to explore local markets and cooking your own meals.
• Use Local Transport and Dining. In cheaper countries, use buses, trains, or shared taxis, and eat like a local in markets or small eateries. This greatly reduces daily expenses compared to tourist restaurants.
• Leverage Visa-free or Low-Cost Entry. Check if you can enter without expensive visas. (As one example, Americans soon won’t need a $160 visa for Bolivia.) Each saved visa fee means more money for activities.
• Research Entry Fees and Hidden Costs. Even in budget destinations, some tourist sites might have fees. Plan ahead so you can prioritize free or low-cost attractions.

Ultimately, venturing off the well-worn path lets you enjoy authentic experiences and keep your budget intact. By swapping expensive tourist magnets for these hidden gems, travelers can often double the length or quality of their trip without doubling the budget.

Exploring a lesser-known destination can feel like being in on a secret and often, the locals and fellow adventurers are more friendly and relaxed when a place isn’t overrun with tourists. In short, cheaper travel doesn’t mean a worse trip. With some research and a spirit of adventure, you can find beautiful sights and rich culture “for less”, making your travels both memorable and affordable.