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Cheapest beautiful islands to visit
Many people dream of a tropical island getaway, complete with velvety white sand, refreshing waves, and towering palm trees. Whether you want to lounge on the beach and drink cocktails or hike in the rainforest and surf in the ocean, island vacations can appeal to pretty much anyone.
There is a notion that island vacations are always expensive. If you choose to stay in five star hotels and treat yourself to luxuries, then yes, islands can be very expensive.
However there are lots of cheap islands to visit where you can have an incredible time without spending a fortune.
In addition to choosing affordable island destinations, consider exploring nature for free, staying in budget hostels, doing work exchanges, and eating local street food to save money as well. You can also fly budget airlines and travel during the off season to save money on an island getaway.
Top 17 islands to visit on an affordable getaway
This article will list 17 stunning islands around the world that can actually be affordable for travelers. I’ll include a few tips and suggestions for each island about how to save money. So here are 17 cheap islands to visit around the world!
1. Kauai, Hawaii
Known as “The Garden Isle”, this tropical and wild island of Hawaii is one of the best cheap islands to visit in the USA.
Find the cheapest flights to Kauai between the spring months of March and June, as flight prices tend to drop after the peak winter season. Once you arrive on the lush, stunning island of Kauai, most of the gorgeous natural attractions can be explored for free.
Also consider working in exchange for accommodation to save money in Kauai! You can learn about volunteer tourism and hospitality with this hostel.
2. Koh Phi Phi, Thailand
This tiny island in the Andaman Sea is a must-see destination while island-hopping in Thailand or backpacking in Southeast Asia. Not only is Koh Phi Phi stunning, with gentle turquoise waves and rich green tropical cliffs, it is also incredibly cheap.
Hostels in Koh Phi Phi cost less than 10 USD per night. Partying, eating out, and buying souvenirs is all cheap as well, so you don’t have to restrict yourself at all. You can also find cheap boat tours around the islands for just 20 USD.
3. Ios, Greece
One of the best cheap islands to visit in Europe is Ios. Greece has so many luxurious islands, but Ios is a great option for budget travelers.
Famous for its nightlife and parties, Ios is ideal for young backpackers who want to live it up and party without spending a fortune. There is also amazing hiking and exploring to be done in the hills and forests of the island.
4. Isla Mujeres, Mexico
At only 5 miles long and 1 mile wide, this island off the coast of Mexico is tiny, yet diverse.
You can catch a cheap ferry from Cancun to the island, and spend your days swimming and snorkeling in the coral reefs, exploring the Mayan Ruins, hiking to the lighthouse, and scanning the ocean for sea turtles and other marine life.
You can explore much of the Isla Mujeres on foot, and taxis are really cheap if you want to cover more ground. Being a volunteer at this hostel can save you even more money.
5. Puerto Rico
Home to rainforests, beaches, and a historic Old Town, Puerto Rico is a fun and family-friendly island destination off the coast of southeast USA.
Wander through the colorful colonial buildings of San Juan, hike in the El Yunque Rainforest, or try to see bioluminescent plankton in the water at night (a common occurrence around Puerto Rico).
There are lots of cool Worldpackers volunteer opportunities in Puerto Rico as well. You can bartend at a Caribbean restaurant, work on a chocolate and coffee farm, or learn about permaculture.
Definitely, Puerto Rico is one of the best islands in the Caribbean to visit.
6. Zanzibar, Tanzania
Zanzibar is an island archipelago in the Indian Ocean, off the east coast of Africa. Located just 15 miles away from Tanzania, you can either catch a short flight or a 2-hour ferry to reach Unguja, the main island of Zanzibar.
During your stay, sleep in a hostel for around 10-20 USD per night and enjoy free attractions like the beaches and forests. Stone Town is a cheap and historic area of the island that is full of entertainment and architecture.
If you want an exotic getaway in Africa, this is one of the best cheap islands to visit. You can live for up to three months in Zanzibar with almost no costs, working with children in a PDS school.
7. Isle of Skye, Scotland
Scotland’s islands don’t offer that tropical, warm weather island vacation. However, they do offer lots of rugged natural beauty. Just pack sweaters and hiking boots instead of bathing suits and flip flops!
You can either rent a car or book a cheap guided tour for exploring the Isle of Skye. Once you arrive, most of the attractions are in nature so they’re free.
Be sure to check out interesting rock formations like the Old Man of Storr and the Quiraing. Also check out the Kilt Falls waterfall and the Fairy Pools in the mountains.
8. Turks and Caicos
This archipelago of islands in the Atlantic Ocean is a popular vacation spot from the USA. Some may not realize that it is also one of the best cheap Caribbean islands to visit. With white sand beaches and the calm turquoise ocean, Turks and Caicos embodies that perfect tropical getaway you’ve always dreamed about.
There are a few budget hotels on the island, including vacation apartment rentals where you can cook your own food to save money.
If you stick to mostly free activities like enjoying the beaches and snorkeling, you can easily visit the island on a budget.
Read this article about the safest Caribbean islands before you head to this part of the world.
9. Sri Lanka
Located in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Southern India, Sri Lanka is a stunning island. Visit temples and explore the beaches for free, or ride a scenic train through the countryside or tour tea plantations for relatively cheap fees.
Sri Lanka also has a few fun work exchanges where you could try to save money on accommodation. You can volunteer as a yoga teacher, a web developer and social media expert, or try your hand at permaculture with a local ecotourism project.
10. Utila, Honduras
Utila, an island off Honduras in Central America, is one of the best cheap islands to visit, and of course among the best things to do in Honduras.
It’s known for its amazing coral reefs and snorkeling or diving opportunities, all of which can be done much cheaper than other countries. Stay in hostels and shop at the local markets to further save money and be part of a Permaculture Farm on a Caribbean Island.
11. Phu Quoc, Vietnam
The largest island in Vietnam, Phu Quoc is beautiful and easy to explore on a budget. Hostels are a bit pricier than mainland Vietnam, but they’re still extremely affordable. Enjoy the delicious street food and stick to free activities like lounging on Long Beach or checking out the Floating Village Rach Vem.
12. Madeira, Portugal
Madeira is an archipelago of 4 islands off the coast of Africa, though the islands are a region of Portugal. Portugal is generally an affordable European country to visit, and Madeira is one of the best cheap islands to visit in the area.
Travelers flock to Madeira for its diverse landscapes, full of forests, volcanoes, cliffs, beaches, and unique flora and fauna. Here you can hike to your heart's content without spending too much money.
13. Bermuda
Located deep in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of eastern USA, Bermuda is a popular island destination for Americans on holiday. Accommodation in Bermuda isn’t super cheap, but most of the best attractions are free.
Exploring the postcard-worthy beaches, hiking to the lighthouse, and sightseeing in colorful Hamilton are ways to enjoy Bermuda without spending a dime. You can also find flights to Bermuda from the USA for only 100-200 USD, which isn’t too bad!
14. Gili Trawangan, Indonesia
This island in Indonesia is not far from Bali, and the boat ride between the two is quite cheap. There are hostels in Gili Trawangan for under 10 USD per night, and you can easily spend under 10 USD per day on food.
With food, transport, and accommodation costing very little, this is an amazing Southeast Asian island to visit on a budget. You can even be a party promoter at an amazing hostel in Gili Trawandan.
15. Ometepe, Nicaragua
This island is unique because it’s not actually in the ocean. Ometepe Island is located in Lake Nicaragua, a lake in Nicaragua surrounded by volcanoes. Travelers visit Ometepe to hike the volcanoes, see waterfalls, and explore the museums and artifacts in the town.
Ometepe has a very chill vibe and is home to numerous laid-back hostels, eco farms, permaculture projects, and vegan eateries, and even a raw vegan chocolate factory.
There are many Worldpackers work exchanges on the island for travelers who want to work for accommodation and have a unique learning experience. In this one, you can learn permaculture by helping a hostel in the garden.
16. Key West, Florida
If you’re looking for cheap US islands to visit, look no further than Key West, Florida. This is a great local option if you don’t want to leave the USA, and budget airlines like Spirit have super cheap flights into Florida.
If you choose walking or biking around Key West instead of taxis or car hire, you can also explore the island cheaply.
Key West is known for its colorful buildings, its stunning beaches which are amazing for water sports, and its exciting nightlife.
Get sailing lessons and give a little help getting a yacht ready for travel in this amazing position for volunteers.
17. Malta
One of the best cheap islands to visit in the Mediterranean, Malta is a historic and multicultural gem of Europe. Located at a crossroads for different empires and cultures, Malta has played a significant role in the history of Europe, northern Africa, and Asia. There are lots of unique landmarks, temples, and monuments, in addition to glorious beaches.
To save money and further learn about the culture and lifestyle of Malta, consider one of the work exchanges available on Worldpackers. You can learn about beekeeping, practice your art and photography skills, or work in social media or housekeeping with a local business.
I'm positive these volunteer programs will help you to save even more money while visiting the islands listed here. If you have a suggestion of another incredible cheap island to visit, leave the name in the comments to help other travelers! And be always welcome to explore our blog to get more budget travel tips.
Saturday, May 11, 2024
Saturday, January 27, 2024
now you will get tickets very cheap? | Now the real fun of traveling the world will come!
How you will get flight tickets very cheap?.
As you know, most of the money in traveling is spent on flight tickets.
Today I will tell you the solution to this.
1. Set up price alerts on your phone.
If you’ve been eyeing a particular route but the price is just too steep for you, set up a price alert so you could get notified in the event that the fare goes down. This feature is available on Skyscanner and Traveloka.
For example, if you only have a P20,000 budget for a flight to New Zealand but the fares are always too high when you check, you can activate an alert on your phone so you won’t miss it when the price drops below P20,000. It’s a great way to be in the know when there is a seat sale.
2. Join travel groups on Facebook.
You’ll be surprised how far crowdsourcing can take you! Facebook is brimming with travel groups whose members actively share tips, tricks, and scoops! We have our own Facebook Support Group, and many times, I learn about seat sales from the members first before the official posts by airlines show up on my news feed.
It’s not just seat sales. Many unannounced or little-known promos are often shared here, complete with screenshots of their bookings. But that’s not all.
A few years ago, a major system glitch happened on an international flight booking website. It was initially posted on a private group online but immediately spread like wildfire on other Facebook groups. Several of my friends were able to book roundtrip tickets to the Maldives and Australia for less than P500! The company honored these glitch bookings.
It’s funny because on one weekend, many of my friends were in the Maldives! Thanks to Facebook groups!
3. The cheapest isn’t always the right choice.
In my early years as a travel blogger, my philosophy was something like this: “As long as I’ll reach my destination in one piece, I’m good.”
I’d just grab the cheapest fares within the first minutes of the seat sale, without considering alternatives. But that has changed over the past few years, especially for medium- and long-haul flights. Comfort climbed higher in my list of priorities. I’ve grown to look at the other aspects of the flight and how pleasant the journey will be. Maybe it’s because I’m not getting any younger. LOL.
For example, on my flight back to Manila from the Maldives, I was presented with two options. A low cost carrier offers the lowest published rates, somewhere around P10,000, with a long layover. One full-service airline, on the other hand, sells P16,000-tickets, which entails a considerably shorter layover in Hong Kong. The old me would go with the P10,000 right away. P6000 is P6000. That’s a big difference.
However, when I digested the details, I ended up booking the latter. Why? The full-service airline’s published rate of P16,000 was inclusive of everything: meals, seat selection, check-in baggage allowance. The low-cost carrier’s offer was devoid of all those. When I tried adding meals (it was a long flight!) and baggage (because I was carrying a big one), the total cost was at P14,000. P2000 isn’t that big a difference anymore, and with all the other things considered (travel time, legroom, in-flight entertainment, time of arrival, etc.), I flew with the full service airline. And I didn’t regret it one bit.
4. Be smart when booking connecting flights.
If you’re trying to make a connection, it’s often a wise decision to fly with the same airline for the two legs of the journey. If it’s not a viable option, at least choose two airlines that have a code-sharing arrangement with each other. This way, the journey is seamless even when your flights are operated by two different companies, and they can take responsibility in case you miss your next flight because of a delay or cancellation.
In addition, make sure you have researched all the aspects of the transfer.
- Baggage. If both flights are operated by the same airline or by two different companies with a code-sharing agreement, you probably won’t need to clear Immigration, pick up your baggage, and check it in again at the connecting airport. If you do have to do this, make sure you have the right paperwork.
- Visa. Some countries require a transit or a tourist visa even if you only need to pick up your bag and check it in to your next flight. Remember, baggage carousels are positioned AFTER the Immigration check, so make sure you know the policies of the country beforehand.
- Airport and Terminal. Just because the two flights are connecting in the same city doesn’t mean they will be using the same terminal or even the same airport. Check before booking and ensure you can secure a visa if needed.
- Connection time. Make sure you have enough time to catch your next flight. Leave some room for delay, security check, or hiccups at the airport.
4. Take note of the credit card policies of the airline.
If you booked your flights using a credit card owned by someone who isn’t traveling with you, check the airline’s policy regarding this before you fly. Do you need the actual card? Will a photocopy suffice? Do you need a copy of the ID of the owner of that card?
It’s one of the most confusing airline policies. It’s unclear because every airline has its own rules and they keep changing over time.
For example, Cebu Pacific, AirAsia, and Philippine Airlines don’t usually need to see the card or a photocopy of the card, unless in rare cases. But for some routes, Singapore Airlines and EVA Air might need you to complete a verification process first. It is important to call your airline beforehand.
5. Just because it’s on sale doesn’t mean you have to book it.
Over the past decade, I have booked numerous flights that I ended up not taking. I usually got them from seat sales so it wasn’t that painful on the wallet, but it’s still money that could have been spent on more important things.
Why didn’t those trips push through? Usually bad timing, bad weather, or I was just effing broke when the travel date came knocking.
And that’s the point. Just because it’s cheap doesn’t mean you have to spend on it. Remember, promo flights are usually non-transferable, non-reroutable, and non-refundable. It’s either you go or you don’t. Some airlines even charge a no-show fee!
Book that flight only when you need to or you badly want to travel to that destination! If you’re on the fence, take it as a bad sign and bail out.
6. You can refund airport fees if you didn’t take the flight.
When you book flights — yes, even those on sale — you are usually charged several other fees on top of the base fare. For example, a ticket from Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) usually includes the terminal fee, also known as the Passenger Service Charge. It costs PhP550 per passenger, charged upon booking.
Some countries also collect airport fees or taxes. For example, Japan airports collect an amount for passenger security service and use of facilities. This is also seamlessly integrated in the flight booking so you probably don’t notice it. But it’s also refundable, albeit for a fee.
If you purchased a plane tickets but did not travel on that flight, you are eligible for a refund of the airport fees. Depending on the route and airline, you may also be eligible for refund on other fees charged to you. Just contact your airline to start the refund process. We also created a separate step-by-step guide for Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, and AirAsia refunds.
7. Use Skyscanner’s SEARCH EVERYWHERE feature.
Skyscanner is a flight comparison website that aggregates the prices of flights around the world so you could easily compare and choose. When searching, we instinctively enter our origin airport and our target destination. But Skyscanner has an often-overlooked function. If you’re not set on your destination yet and you simply want to check the places that you can fly to at the lowest rate, all you need to do is tap or type EVERYWHERE in the Destination field.
When you hit search, it will scan all the flights coming from your origin. For example, if you’re flying from Manila and you enter EVERYWHERE, it will show you the destinations where the cheapest flights are bound for, sorted by price and country. Here’s a sample:
When you click on the country, it will further break it down by city/airport. This trick also works when there are seat sales, too. And it’s a great hack when trying to find promo fares!
8. Use flight comparison sites.
Speaking of Skyscanner, using flight comparison sites even when you already have a destination in mind is also a good habit. Back in the day, I used to manually visit airline’s websites one by one when searching for flights. But it’s much easier now because there are numerous aggregators out there like Skyscanner, Kayak, and Traveloka, and airline alliances like Value Alliance.
What’s great about these sites is that it can also show you cross-airline flights, even those without code-sharing agreements. For example, let’s say you’re flying from Manila to Sapporo, Japan. Aside from connecting flights from the same airline (which is often expensive), the system can also present options with the two legs of the flights operated by different airlines (which often end up cheaper). See screenshots below.
I have relied on these sites so much that whenever I see a tempting fare, I run a search on Skyscanner or Traveloka first to check if there are better deals out there.
Saturday, January 6, 2024
World best places to travel 2024 | take a big trip in 2024
World best places to travel in 2024
Peru's sacred valley
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A quieter wonder of the world, just down the road from Machu Picchu
About nine miles north of Cusco is the Sacred Valley, a lush landscape fed by the winding Urubamba River and flanked by a stand of glacier-capped mountains, many of which rise even higher than Machu Picchu. And yet Machu Picchu still tends to be the only reason that tourists scurry, heads down, through this marvel. Yet at such a loss! Back in the 1400s, the Incas built royal estates in the area. They knew what was up. This, my friends, isn't a place to pass through. It's a place to hunker.
Lousy with Incan ruins, some of the most stunning views of your life, badass women's textile collectives, cobble-stoned towns where you won't be trampled by tourist hordes, and all the giant-kerneled choclo corn your heart will soon know it desires, the Sacred Valley is, soles to donuts, the perfect place to get your adventure and your relaxation on, with radically different vistas to be seen within the span of a short drive.
Quick aside for the insane: Book a night in a transparent capsule hotel hanging off a mountainside and sleep 400 meters off the ground. Or opt for less hyperventilation and check out Inkaterra's Hacienda Urubamba where you can stay in a luxury casita built into a hillside and stroll the on-ground gardens that provide much of the produce for the restaurant. -- Onnesha Roychoudhuri, Thrillist contributor
Samana peninsula, Dominican republic
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A rustic beach paradise at the height of tranquility
There may be no place in the Americas with more untapped tourism potential than this 30-mile peninsula that reaches into the Caribbean Sea from the Dominican Republic's northeast. A small band of French expats settled into the peninsula in the 1980s, mainly near the beach town of Las Terrenas, but the peninsula has remained largely forgotten by foreign tourists since then, save for a smattering of Europeans who come to Samaná for its lush, natural beauty and an abundance of remote beaches that fit the Caribbean ideal of white sand, azure water, and swaying coconut trees. Samaná is visited every winter, however, by the entire Atlantic population of humpback whales, who have flocked to the Samaná Bay for thousands of years to mate and to give birth, making this one of the best places in the world for whale watching from late January till mid-March.
Las Terrenas is the peninsula's tourism center, with plenty of restaurants, a bit of nightlife, and a European feel that blends effortlessly into the local island culture. The remoteness of the peninsula means scant infrastructure -- think limited internet, grocery stores carrying mostly non-perishables, and just one major paved road that runs the length of the peninsula. But in Las Terrenas you can still sit down in the evening to a fine French or Italian meal, and rent immaculate tropical bungalows for unbelievable prices. To find the most remote Caribbean experience possible, go to the literal end of the road to the sleepy hamlet of Las Galeras, where there are beaches so isolated it's possible to spend an entire day resting in the sand without encountering another soul. Officials in the DR have their eyes on Samaná as the country doubles down on its rapidly expanding tourism industry, which means there may be little time left to experience it in its current state of timeless, untouched serenity. -- Bison Messink, Thrillist deputy editor
Montreal, quebec
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The perfect, just-French-enough international weekender
For about 12 hours last year, I found myself in the one city that is impossible to screw up. Naturally, it took a feat of true duncery to get there: I'd arrived 22 hours late for a flight out of Newfoundland (two hours early for my traveling companion's flight, though!). The only reasonable route back to New York included an overnighter in Montreal. Twist my arm, why don't you.
So here's your idiot's guide to doing Montreal not merely on the cheap, but on zero notice. Aim to stay near Mount Royal -- as the only extinct volcano in town, it isn't hard to find -- and within walking distance of the euphoric drag of bars and venues on Boul Saint-Laurent. Check literally any calendar, and you'll find some kind of cultural blowout nearby. (In summer, when days are long and nights soft, Montreal congregates outside for music and art and cigarettes. In winter, when night arrives early and frigid river gusts peel your face like a tomato, Montreal congregates outside for music and art and cigarettes, in peacoats.) Then take a walk.
I booked a $45 hostel online, bought a $10 transit ticket from the airport, dropped off my stuff, and meandered to a low-key bar called Divan Orange. Outside, the street was cleared for art installations, chatty drinkers, and the occasional skateboarder. Inside, a $5 cover was all it took to hear a lovely, Radiohead-esque set by a se local band that sang in 100% English and bantered in 100% French.
On the way back to the hostel, along Rue Saint-Denis, I happened on a line of massive canvas hammocks. (Canada never fails to max out its precious summers.) Couples were nuzzling in most; I found an open one and flopped out in the open air. After a few minutes of lazy bliss, a young man approached and bashfully offered me 10 bucks if he and his lady could take their turn sprawling in the hammock. With a dawn flight to catch, I gave it up freely and kept moving. But lesson learned, that in Montreal it pays to stop. -- Sam Eifling, Thrillist Travel editor
El chalten, patagonia, Argentina
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A spectacular launch point for the world's greatest hiking
This little town is often referred to as the trekking capital of Argentina, and as such its reputation as a hiker's destination is world-class. Even novices can find a trail with views of Patagonia's epic glaciers and snowcapped Andes Mountains. But it has also stopped the best: El Chaltén has been a launch pad for professional climbers and explorers, many of whom have died trying to reach the granite peaks of the Fitz Roy mountain range.
If you don't want to tempt fate, find a guide or ranger for recommendations. Experienced trekkers will spend months preparing for rigorous overnight hikes such as the Paso Marconi expedition. For an easier day hike, try the Laguna Torre trail, which puts you at the base of a crystal-clear glacier pool overlooking Cerro Torre, the highest peak in the Fitz Roys.
Whichever hike you decide to do, use El Chaltén as your home base of operations for the essentials: a warm bed, hearty stew, cold beer, and free Wi-Fi. But, of course civilization has its limits. You can leave that all behind as soon as you exit the town and embark on one of the dozens of trailheads that lead deep into the Patagonian wilderness. -- Tim Ebner, Thrillist contributor
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The 17 cheapest islands to visit worldwide plus tips to save money Many people dream of a tropical island getaway, complete with velve...
