Do you find yourself in need for a quick getaway? Have you established a specific budget that you prefer not to exceed? Before my frequent travels, I often pondered these inquiries, only to disregard them later. Travel expenses can add up, but effective budgeting can help alleviate this concern. If you are a resident of the United States, I highly recommend reading the following information.
This is a hypothetical but reasonable scenario. Imagine going out one day out of the week to a nice restaurant and going for cocktails later. You were also paid this week, so you decide to go to the mall and get something nice for yourself. This are normal activities we adults do as part of our routine to make to alleviate stress from work.
I live near Washington D.C. and the price to do any activity is high.
This are my recommendations. While spending $100-$200 at a bar with friends in a single night might not appear significant, it’s important to consider the cumulative effect of going out every weekend. That run to get Starbucks coffee might seem insignificant, the expenses can quickly add up for those who consume caffeine on a regular basis. You probably see where I am going with this. Going out to fancy restaurants in the area frequently, treating yourself every week, going out drinking every payday might not be the best financial or responsible decision. You are probably wondering, this article is about budgeting your next vacation and not budgeting your cost of living. I am getting there, trust me.
Play the rules: Delay instant gratification.
Having a drink with your friends is cool. How about having a nice drink at a rooftop in Cartagena with a fantastic view of the city for half the price? Going to the beach and listening to music is also cool. What about enjoying a nice mojito in Puerto Rico while listening to reggaeton? That is a different vibe. The idea that traveling can be expensive is incorrect. Abstain from going out one weekend or multiple weekends because the cost that this implies.
In the next article, I will detail information of how much my typical expenses are at the cities that I have visited. For now, read the following:
Firsts, chose a destination where your money can take you far. Examples include cities in Latin America where the value of the U.S.D. is higher than their own currency. Other cities in Europe can also be cheap. Take Croatia for example, during the pandemic, I visited Split, Croatia and spent a total of 400$ in 10 days, which covered a place to stay, food, and some entertainment.
https://vacayhacks.com/choosing-the-right-destination/
Second, invite your friends or family to go with you. The more the better. Your friends can help you alleviate cost of transportation and cost of hotel/airbnb. Paying 100$ per night for a hotel might be the best option if you enjoy your privacy. However, you will not have anyone to talk to specially if you are introvert. Invite friends who share the same interest as you. The cost of cab, hotel, food, and entertainment can be split and is a win-win for the group.
Third, stay informed of the prices for tours/events/activities. Try to bargain all the time. It is not disrespectful to bargain. Most locals, will try to persuade you to pay more if they know you are traveling with U.S. dollars. Street venders will inflate the price typically if you don’t speak the local language.
Forth, try to be friends with other tourist in the area. Tourist are just like you, going to a new city for some fun and distraction from their daily routine. They will keep you informed of places you can visit and how much they paid. They will also be as honest as possible because they are not there to sell you anything.
Finally, stay informed of the city transportation means. Uber and Lyft are not the only transportation form outside the U.S. Sometimes, taking the train or the bus is much more exiting and convenient cost wise. If you are taking a tour, I would recommend you to take a group tour as it is more cost effective.
Know any other tips? Comment below or message me! As always, happy travels. – Ricardo Quispe
