Budget Travel Guide
Best Budget Destinations in Americas
22 destinations starting from $13/day. Average budget cost: $35/day.
22
Destinations
$13
Cheapest/day
$35
Average/day
The Americas span everything from the bustling streets of Mexico City to the natural wonders of Patagonia. Central and South America are particularly budget-friendly, with rich cultures, incredible biodiversity, and a growing backpacker infrastructure.
Americas Destinations Ranked by Budget Cost
La Paz
Bolivia
$13
budget/day
Mid-range
$46/day
Best months
May, Jun, Jul...
Top tip: Eat salteñas (Bolivian empanadas) for breakfast for $0.50 each
View flights & detailsManagua
Nicaragua
$14
budget/day
Mid-range
$50/day
Best months
Nov, Dec, Jan...
Top tip: Head to Granada or Leon instead of Managua — cheaper, safer, and more interesting
View flights & detailsAsuncion
Paraguay
$16
budget/day
Mid-range
$54/day
Best months
Apr, May, Jun...
Top tip: Eat empanadas and sopa paraguaya at local restaurants for $1-3
View flights & detailsGuatemala City
Guatemala
$18
budget/day
Mid-range
$57/day
Best months
Nov, Dec, Jan...
Top tip: Base yourself in Antigua instead of Guatemala City — safer, cheaper, and more beautiful
View flights & detailsGuayaquil
Ecuador
$21
budget/day
Mid-range
$68/day
Best months
Jun, Jul, Aug...
Top tip: Walk the Malecon 2000 waterfront and Las Penas neighborhood for free
View flights & detailsQuito
Ecuador
$22
budget/day
Mid-range
$72/day
Best months
Jun, Jul, Aug...
Top tip: Walk through the UNESCO-listed Old Town — the best preserved historic center in South America
View flights & detailsSanto Domingo
Dominican Republic
$23
budget/day
Mid-range
$81/day
Best months
Dec, Jan, Feb...
Top tip: Walk through the Zona Colonial — a UNESCO World Heritage Site, free to explore
View flights & detailsBogota
Colombia
$26
budget/day
Mid-range
$81/day
Best months
Dec, Jan, Feb...
Top tip: Eat a menu del dia (set lunch) for $2-4 at local restaurants
View flights & detailsLima
Peru
$26
budget/day
Mid-range
$93/day
Best months
Dec, Jan, Feb...
Top tip: Eat a menu ejecutivo (set lunch) for $2-4 at local restaurants
View flights & detailsHavana
Cuba
$28
budget/day
Mid-range
$86/day
Best months
Nov, Dec, Jan...
Top tip: Stay in casas particulares (private homestays) for $15-30/night instead of hotels
View flights & detailsBuenos Aires
Argentina
$31
budget/day
Mid-range
$100/day
Best months
Mar, Apr, May...
Top tip: Eat empanadas and choripan for $1-3
View flights & detailsMexico City
Mexico
$32
budget/day
Mid-range
$100/day
Best months
Mar, Apr, May...
Top tip: Eat tacos al pastor from street stands for $0.50-1 each
View flights & detailsMontevideo
Uruguay
$33
budget/day
Mid-range
$103/day
Best months
Nov, Dec, Jan...
Top tip: Walk the Rambla (waterfront promenade) — 22 km of free scenic walking
View flights & detailsSao Paulo
Brazil
$35
budget/day
Mid-range
$113/day
Best months
Apr, May, Jun...
Top tip: Eat at por-kilo (buffet by weight) restaurants for $3-6
View flights & detailsBelize City
Belize
$37
budget/day
Mid-range
$112/day
Best months
Nov, Dec, Jan...
Top tip: Head to Caye Caulker instead of Ambergris Caye — much cheaper and more backpacker-friendly
View flights & detailsSantiago
Chile
$38
budget/day
Mid-range
$110/day
Best months
Oct, Nov, Dec...
Top tip: Eat a menu del dia (set lunch) at local restaurants for $4-6
View flights & detailsSan Jose
Costa Rica
$39
budget/day
Mid-range
$112/day
Best months
Dec, Jan, Feb...
Top tip: Eat casados (set meals) at sodas (local eateries) for $4-6
View flights & detailsPanama City
Panama
$40
budget/day
Mid-range
$118/day
Best months
Dec, Jan, Feb...
Top tip: Walk Casco Viejo (Old Town) for free — beautiful colonial architecture
View flights & detailsCancun
Mexico
$42
budget/day
Mid-range
$130/day
Best months
Dec, Jan, Feb...
Top tip: Stay in downtown Cancun instead of the Hotel Zone for half the price
View flights & detailsMiami
USA
$71
budget/day
Mid-range
$220/day
Best months
Nov, Dec, Jan...
Top tip: South Beach and the Art Deco Historic District are free to explore
View flights & detailsLos Angeles
USA
$78
budget/day
Mid-range
$241/day
Best months
Mar, Apr, May...
Top tip: Visit Venice Beach, Santa Monica Pier, and Griffith Observatory for free
View flights & detailsNew York
USA
$92
budget/day
Mid-range
$275/day
Best months
Apr, May, Jun...
Top tip: Walk Central Park, Brooklyn Bridge, and Times Square for free
View flights & detailsCost Comparison Table
| # | Destination | Budget/Day | Mid/Day | Comfort/Day | Best Months | Currency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | La Paz, Bolivia | $13 | $46 | $116 | May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct | BOB |
| 2 | Managua, Nicaragua | $14 | $50 | $121 | Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr | NIO |
| 3 | Asuncion, Paraguay | $16 | $54 | $129 | Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep | PYG |
| 4 | Guatemala City, Guatemala | $18 | $57 | $137 | Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr | GTQ |
| 5 | Guayaquil, Ecuador | $21 | $68 | $162 | Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov | USD |
| 6 | Quito, Ecuador | $22 | $72 | $170 | Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov | USD |
| 7 | Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic | $23 | $81 | $192 | Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr | DOP |
| 8 | Bogota, Colombia | $26 | $81 | $187 | Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Jul, Aug | COP |
| 9 | Lima, Peru | $26 | $93 | $220 | Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr | PEN |
| 10 | Havana, Cuba | $28 | $86 | $197 | Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr | CUP |
| 11 | Buenos Aires, Argentina | $31 | $100 | $235 | Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov | ARS |
| 12 | Mexico City, Mexico | $32 | $100 | $235 | Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov | MXN |
| 13 | Montevideo, Uruguay | $33 | $103 | $225 | Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar | UYU |
| 14 | Sao Paulo, Brazil | $35 | $113 | $258 | Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct | BRL |
| 15 | Belize City, Belize | $37 | $112 | $248 | Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr | BZD |
| 16 | Santiago, Chile | $38 | $110 | $248 | Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar | CLP |
| 17 | San Jose, Costa Rica | $39 | $112 | $248 | Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr | CRC |
| 18 | Panama City, Panama | $40 | $118 | $263 | Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr | USD |
| 19 | Cancun, Mexico | $42 | $130 | $325 | Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr | MXN |
| 20 | Miami, USA | $71 | $220 | $478 | Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr | USD |
| 21 | Los Angeles, USA | $78 | $241 | $525 | Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov | USD |
| 22 | New York, USA | $92 | $275 | $590 | Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct | USD |
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