Top 5 Budget-Friendly Holiday Destinations for 2025 Facts & Information

The year 2024 saw a real travel boom around the world, with travelers choosing various destinations, creating interesting trends, and discovering new things. Americans were no exception, as about 50% claim to have traveled as much as they planned.

Obviously, in the coming year of 2025, tourism will once again be a priority. However, with rising lodging, airfare, and entertainment prices, vacation planning requires more financial flexibility. It’s no wonder that about 36% of people in the U.S. take out holiday loans, because not everyone can afford to vacation at luxury resorts like Hawaii. But that doesn’t mean you can’t have a great vacation. You can have a great and inexpensive vacation in many affordable destinations. Let’s talk about some of these countries. And we’ll also throw in some cheap holiday destinations.

Morocco — Aladdin’s Tale Come to Life

Budget for backpackers: $30-50 per day
Medium budget: $50-100 per day
Family budget: $100-150 per day
When to go: The best times to visit are spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November), when the temperature is comfortable and the heat is not sweltering.
Highlights: Medina of Fez, Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, palm oases, the Sahara, Atlas Mountain, the beaches of Agadir, the city of Marrakech, and Jemaa el Fna market.

The African kingdom of Morocco is like an Aladeen fairy tale that comes to life. Morocco is also home to palaces and mosques in the mountains, desert sands, and the ocean. Most objects are several hundred years old, sometimes more than a thousand. In 2024, 17.4 million tourists visited the country, from beach lovers to connoisseurs of historical sights and desert adventures.

Where is Morocco, and How Do You Get There?

Morocco is in North Africa, washed by the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, so you can enjoy a good beach vacation here. It is possible to fly from America with connections, and depending on the city of departure, the flight will take between 12 and 15 hours. There are direct flights to Marrakech and Casablanca.

What to See and Do?

Morocco is a land of contrasts, from bustling souks to quiet natural corners. For the adventurous, head to the Sahara Desert for an overnight stay in open-air Berber tents or camel rides. Families and lovers of historical research can visit the medinas (old cities) of Fez and Marrakech with their magnificent mosques and palaces. In Marakesh, the famous Jemaa el Fna market is a must-see for spices, souvenirs, and local specialties. For nature lovers, the Atlas Mountains, palm oases, and the beaches of Agadir are where the water is clear, and the temperature is pleasant all year round.

Temperature and Vacation Features

The weather depends on the region. In the Atlas Mountains, it can be hot in the summer, up to 35°C, and temperatures can drop to freezing in winter. On the coast, such as Agadir and Essaouira, temperatures are more moderate, around 20-25°C. The best time to visit is spring or fall, when the weather is most comfortable.

Food and Lodging

Moroccan cuisine is a gourmet paradise, from tagine (meat with vegetables and spices) to pastilla (puff pastry with meat and sugar). Street food is also popular, for example, you can try kebabs or fresh fruit. An average dinner at a restaurant can cost $10-15, while street food is only $2-3. Morocco has many lodging options, from budget hostels for $10-20 daily to luxury riads (traditional houses with courtyards) and hotels with swimming pools. An overnight stay in a riad will cost around $50-100 per night for two people.

Culture and Traditions

Moroccan culture is an interesting mix of Arab, Berber, and French traditions. The locals are hospitable, but it is important to respect local customs, such as not eating outside during daylight hours during Ramadan.

Unique Places

One of the most unusual places is the city of Ifrane, the little “Switzerland” of Morocco, where you can see ski resorts and an alpine landscape not typical of Africa. Another interesting place is the ancient fortress of Meknes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its palaces and giant gates. And lovers of history and architecture should visit the city of Casablanca with its magnificent mosque of Hassan II — one of the largest in the world. Morocco is also home to the amusing sight of goats grazing on the branches of argan trees because of the lack of grass.

Turkey — the Magic of the East and West in One Trip

Budget for backpackers: from $30-40 per day
Medium budget: $60-80 per day
Family budget: from $150-200 per day
When to go: April to October (for good weather), April to May, September to October (for fewer tourists)
Highlights: Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque, Pamukkale, Ephesus, Cappadocia, Antalya beaches, Bosphorus cruise, Grand Bazaar, Troy, Mount Ararat, Gocek, Fethiye, Dalyan.

Even though in 2023, Turkey was visited by a record number of Americans — about one and a half million people, Turkey is still not a cheap holiday location for most people. In addition, many are afraid of regional instability. However, if you choose the right city and know a few life hacks, you can return from your trip without much damage to your wallet.

How to Get to Turkey?

Flights from major U.S. cities like New York or Los Angeles to Istanbul cost about $600 to $900 roundtrip. Turkish Airlines offers direct flights, making travel convenient for American tourists. This is quite an affordable price for such a long trip. Travel time is about 10-12 hours, which is convenient for a vacation in an exotic country.

Accommodation and Food

Turkey has accommodation for every budget, from cheap hostels to luxury hotels. Budget options start from $15-20 per night. Mid-range hotels cost $40-60 per night if you want more comfort. For example, in Bodrum and Antalya, accommodation prices can be higher on the coast.

Turkish cuisine is a real find for gourmets. Kebabs, meze, baklava and baklava are all worth trying. Lunch in a restaurant costs about $10-15, while street food such as doner or simit (round bread with sesame seeds) costs $2. Sweets are a separate topic. Turks are very fond of treating their guests with tea, and you will surely be offered a cup of tea with any meal.

When is the Best Time to Go?

Spring and autumn are the best seasons to visit. The temperature is comfortable, between +15 °C and +25°C, with few tourists. The coast is very hot in summer, sometimes up to +35°C, but Antalya or Bodrum are great places for beach holidays.

Which Turkey to Choose for Vacation?

In Istanbul, the country’s capital, you can wander the streets endlessly, looking at the ancient architecture without costing a single cent. Unless you splurge on street food. Also, in Istanbul, you’ll find free admission to almost all mosques in the city, including the magnificent Blue Mosque. Tourists can walk around the famous Grand Bazaar, where you can buy souvenirs and immerse yourself in the atmosphere of centuries-old trade. Without losing a dime in Istanbul, you can also visit the Museum of Modern Art or enjoy the silence in the city’s parks.

Cappadocia is the perfect place for couples. Here, you can see bizarre stone formations and ancient underground cities. One of the most popular ways to see Cappadocia is to take a hot air balloon flight. Every day in Cappadocia, dozens of hot air balloons take to the skies — a sight not to be missed. It costs from $100-150 per person.

Pamukkale is a unique thermal spring that creates snow-white “cascades” on the hillside. The water in these springs is considered therapeutic, so you can improve your health in addition to beautiful views.

Antalya and Bodrum are famous resorts where one can enjoy sunny days, beaches, and the sea. Antalya also has several historical sites, such as the ancient city of Perge and the Temple of Apollo.

Also worth visiting is Gallipoli, a place of historical significance where one of the bloodiest battles of World War I took place in 1915. Today, a national monument is dedicated to the soldiers who died in that battle.

Vietnam — The Mystery of Asia

Budget for backpackers: from $20 per day
Medium budget: from $40-50 per day
Family budget: from $70-100 per day
When to go: November to April (dry season)
Highlights: Halong, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam War Museum, Nha Trang beaches, Sapa, Chua Huynh Temple, Mai Sonch, Fansipan Park.

If Thailand used to be the most popular Asian country among tourists, today, the palm of primacy is gradually moving to Vietnam. At the same time, crowds of tourists have not yet poured in, so tours to this country have become incredibly popular lately. Magnificent beaches, national parks, and amazing culture—all responses have one thing in common: Vietnam is a country everyone should visit at least once.

How to Get to Vietnam from America?

Vietnam is located in Southeast Asia, bordered by China to the north, Laos Cambodia to the west, and the South China Sea to the east. Direct flights from the USA to Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi are available from major cities such as New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Chicago. The average ticket price ranges from $600 to $1,000 depending on the season and airline, and the flight time is about 17-20 hours. An important point is that Vietnam often offers ticket promotions and discounts, which allows you to save. Entry requirements to Vietnam are quite simple, explained by the high interest from foreign tourists, especially from the United States, making them potential customers for the Vietnamese tourism industry.

When is the Best Time to Visit Vietnam?

Seasoned travelers know it is better to visit countries like Vietnam in winter. However, you can relax on the Vietnamese coast at any time of the year. But it is worth considering that in the summer in the south (Ho Chi Minh, Mekong, Nha Trang), the rainy season begins, and in the north, from late autumn to early spring, there is cold weather (Hanoi, Sapa, Halong).

Accommodation and Food

Vietnam offers a wide range of accommodations for backpackers. Backpackers can enjoy cheap hostels and guesthouses with prices ranging from $10-15 per night. For the mid-budget, 3-star hotels with nightly rates ranging from $30 to $50 are suitable. If you want to treat yourself to a luxurious vacation, you can find 5-star resorts in Vietnam, for example, on Phu Quoc Island, where prices start from $100-150 per night.

In the last few years, Vietnamese food has become increasingly popular all over the world. Foodies worldwide may have already tried two of the most famous Vietnamese dishes – spring rolls and buns. Rice, noodles, fresh vegetables, and herbs play a big role in Vietnamese cuisine, making it one of the healthiest cuisines in the world. In Vietnam, you will find one unmistakable fact: the Vietnamese love noodles. They eat them every day, sometimes even several times a day. Prices for food range from $1 for lunch at a street cafe to $5-10 for a full dinner at a restaurant.

Entertainment and Leisure

Experienced travelers advise choosing a region for a holiday based on your interests. In the capital of Vietnam, the Perfume Pagoda, the Turtle Temple, the Temple of Literature, and Hoan Kiem Lake are worth visiting. Near Hanoi, there are many plantations where tea and coffee are grown.

If you want to see unique historical monuments, you should visit Hue, the capital of the last emperors of Vietnam. This city will impress you with its grandeur and echo of history. The Forbidden City, the Thai Hoa Palace, and the Chang Tien Bridge are the most interesting attractions. In addition, the city has many unusual museums, the entrance to which costs a purely symbolic fee.

It is impossible to imagine the top three cities of Vietnam without the brilliant Ho Chi Minh City. Here, you can easily find inexpensive hotels and luxury hotels with 5 stars. But the main thing is that this city personifies the union of oriental exoticism and French charm.

There are also about 30 national parks in the country. Each is a pearl, but Halong Bay, Bach Ma, and Cat Ba are the most attention-grabbing ones. Here, you can see rare plants and animals.

Beach holiday lovers will also really like Vietnam. People often come here with children, because the local beaches are clean, shallow, and sandy. For those who like to dive with an aqualung, there are also many interesting locations, and it costs much less than in other countries.

Cuba — From Rum to Revolution

Budget for backpackers: $30-50 per day
Medium budget: $70-100 per day
Family budget: $200-300 per day
When to go: from November to April (ideal time, dry season), from May to October (hot and humid, rain possible)
Highlights: Havana, Varadero, Trinidad, Pinar del Rio, Cayo Coco Island, Playa Giron Bay, Vinales National Park, Santiago de Cuba, Cayo Largo beaches, Museum of the Revolution, cigar factories.

Cuba is a paradise for those who want to see authentic Latin America. Here, time seems to have stopped: vintage American cars from the 1950s drive along the streets, colonial-style buildings remind us of the times of Spanish rule, and Cuban music sounds on every corner. At the same time, it is a very poor country that lives mainly on tourists. But its proximity to the United States and affordable prices make it a best-value holiday destination and an ideal introduction to the Caribbean for Americans.

Please note that US credit and debit cards are not accepted in Cuba. Be sure to bring enough cash for your trip. You can exchange US dollars for Cuban currency at airports, hotels, or currency exchange offices.

How to Get to Cuba?

Cuba is just 90 miles off the coast of Florida, meaning the flight from Miami is less than an hour. Flights from New York, Atlanta, and Houston are 3-4 hours. Roundtrip prices start at $200-$250, especially if booked in advance. Keep in mind that U.S. citizens will need a special pink tourist card and documentation of the purpose of their trip, such as educational tourism.

Climate and Seasonality

Be prepared for a tropical trade wind climate. The ocean moderates Cuba’s climate. High humidity and real heat are present all year round, so you must get used to the local conditions. Near the coast, the heat is softened by the ocean breeze.

The peak tourist season is from November to April, when the region receives the least rain. From May to October, there is rainfall on 10 out of 30 days of the month. But this is an ideal vacation in Cuba for surfers, since the ocean has big waves.

Accommodation and Meals

Cuba is surprisingly affordable. You can stay in “casas particulares” – private homes offering cozy rooms for as little as $20–$30 a night. Mid-range and luxury hotels are also available in larger cities like Havana or Varadero. Tropical greenery, waterfalls, coral reefs, caves, and mountains surround hotels here. Internet is only available in Wi-Fi zones (about $1 per hour), which provides a rare opportunity to “disconnect” from the hustle and bustle.

Local traditions are based on Creole cuisine, which uses pork and chicken as the main ingredients. There are also many turtle dishes. The main national drink is rum. You can find a colorful Cuban bar in large cities, each with its history. The average cost of lunch in a cafe is $5-10. Be sure to try traditional dishes such as “ropa vieja” (beef stew), “moro y cristianos” (rice with black beans), and fresh tropical fruits. Rum-based cocktails — mojito or daiquiri — cost only $3-5.