Chile’s Torres del Paine

Amidst the world’s economic downtourn, country’s that were once hard on the pocketbook have become the bargain deals of the past decade. Unaffordable has become affordable. Luxury hotels and resorts are being had a fraction of the cost that they were just one year ago. Several major currencies have sunk heavily against the dollar to their lowest level in years. I’m so used to hearing about traveling well on a weak dollar, that this is kind of refreshing to know that these kinds of deals are out there and are growing by the day. Pair the reduced rates with lower airfares to almost every destination and you can take a vacation for approximately half the price.

1. Chile
The Peso has lost a quarter of its value against the dollar in the past year as demand for its mineral resources dims. Now deals on what was already one of the world’s cheapest Ritz Carlton’s, top fly fishing and ecolodges in Patagonia, etc. Expect the outrageously luxurious adventure hotels in the Atacama to drop their prices significantly over the next year. Explora hotels are already handing out discounts to return travelers.

2. Brazil
The Brazilian stock market has plunged by more than 50 percent and add the fact that fewer people are visiting, so deals here are popping up everywhere. Look for package deals to Rio and beach resorts with airfare.

3. Hungary
While the change in price of the euro has been minimal (but growing), the Hungarian florint is plunging. This is a return to a Europe for $5 a day. Explore old world Budapest with the help of an EasyJet flight from nearly anywhere in Europe before prices rise back up.

4. Iceland
With the banks on the verge of total collapse, the Kronur has dropped significantly – more than 50 percent – making Europe’s once most expensive country a bargain. Plus, Iceland air is running deals like crazy and will include a free stopover on transatlantic flights.

5. Mexico
A year ago you got 10.50 pesos for a dollar, now it is verging on 13. So easy to reach from the US that quick trips are becoming that much more enticing, although growing guerilla violence could put a damper on this one. Skip Cancun and the Yucatan and try Mexico City for a change or Baja.

6. Australia
The Aussie dollar is at a 12 year low and it is now approximately 50 percent cheaper to travel there than a year ago. This is the best time to visit Australia in a long, long time. Look for flight packages there and within the interior to cut drastically.

7. Thailand
What was once already cheap just got cheaper. 28 baht to the dollar has sunk to 34 baht to the dollar.

8. Indonesia
The Rupiah is down ten percent in the past month, which means steals at Bali resorts and spas. Head to Jakarta or rural areas for even bigger bargains.

9. Canada
Everything is twenty percent less than it was a few months ago, which now puts strippers and casinos in Windsor within reach. Just kidding polar bears and skiing.

10. South Africa
The rand has lost a quarter of its value in the past year and if you ever had cost issues with booking a safari, now would be the time to do it. Vineyards near Cape Town? Surfing? Swim with a Great White? Now is your chance.

Nicholas Gill (470 Posts)

Writer and photographer Nicholas Gill is the editor/publisher of New World Review. He lives in Lima, Peru and Brooklyn, New York. His work has appeared in publications such as the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, CondeNast Traveler, National Geographic Traveler, Afar, and Penthouse. Visit his personal website (nicholas-gill.com) for more information.