by Jessica Bisesto

Senior Editor

Traveling can take a toll on your wallet, but we've found some fantastic and affordable destinations that will offer you the best bang for your buck in 2017. We've taken into consideration the cost of flights from major cities in the U.S., as well as the average price of accommodations, food and attractions for these countries.



Read on to learn more about the ten most affordable destinations for budget travelers.



1. Greece

One of our pirates just returned from this wonderful country and has convinced us that Greece should be at the top of any budget traveler's bucket list in 2017. Athens is more affordable than the islands, but Santorini is not to be missed.



Luckily, there are beautiful accommodations for any budget throughout this country. With four-star hotels in most of Greece starting at just $40 per night, and fantastic food around every corner (think $2 delicious gyros), Greece is the perfect combination of classy and affordable.



When in Athens, keep your eye out for a little cafe called Lithos for a fantastic traditional meal. If you're able to plan your Greek vacation around early November, the weather will still be warm, and the crowds will have gone home making it a great time of the year to request complimentary hotel upgrades.



2. Portugal

Portugal, the sometimes-forgotten neighbor of Spain, offers a carefree Mediterranean vibe, with lots of beautiful architecture and culture. Fantastic fresh seafood, delicious and cheap wine, and comfortable hotels starting at about $45 per night.



The historic city of Porto is a must-see, and if you've got some wiggle room in your budget, head over to the Azores. Try to plan your vacation between March and May, or September and October when prices are lowest.



3. Costa Rica

If you're looking for a warm, friendly country that's filled with beaches, rainforests, and volcanoes — this is it. Costa Rica has a reputation for being affordable and easy to travel.



Food is inexpensive and public transportation is efficient and plentiful. There's a great range of accommodations from five-star hotels to active coffee farms and luxurious tree houses available from fantastic prices.



Depending on your style of travel, $40 a day can get you a mid-range hotel, three meals and round-trip bus rides to a nearby town. March and April offer beautiful weather in Costa Rica, but if you're looking to save a bit of money and skip the crowds, visit during the "green season." There might be a little rain daily, but as with any tropical location, it never lasts long.

4. Vietnam

We all know that Thailand is considered to be quite affordable, but if you're looking to get more bang for your buck, head to Vietnam.



This wonderful country offers some of the most fantastic food in the world, lots of trains and buses (if you choose to use public transportation instead of renting a motorbike and venturing out on your own). Bahn mi sandwiches will cost you less than $2, delicious Vietnamese coffees will run about $1 per cup and four-star hotels start at about $25 per night.



If you're in the Hoi An area, one of our pirates recommends the (not-so-secret-anymore) Bale Well for a cheap, delicious and menu-free meal. The best prices in Vietnam can be found during August and October when crowds are minimal.



5. Nicaragua

This beautiful (and quieter) Central American country offers something for everyone. The capital city, Managua, offers great public transportation to get you to other parts of the country.



For those on a tight budget looking for an interesting experience, look out for the loud, colorful Chicken busses — your seat mate might actually be a chicken! It is possible to eat for less than $2 a day if you take advantage of the fantastic food stalls, but restaurants aren't much pricier.



Comfortable hotels will run about $20 per night and there are a great variety of accommodations to choose from in this country. Prices are affordable year round in Nicaragua, but for the best value we recommend visiting between the summer months.

6. Malaysia

This country is not only stunning, but offers the perfect combination of culture and metropolitan settings. Fly into Kuala Lumpur and snag whatever you've forgotten for your trip at one of the night markets before heading to your $30 per night, four-star hotel.



Fill up on the delicious and world-renowned street food before checking out the Cameron Highlands, Penang, or the beautiful beach-filled island of Langkawi. Transportation costs approximately $1 an hour, and with the clean and comfortable trains running through the country, there's really no excuse to stay in one place for too long!



January and February offer the best prices in Malaysia, just be sure to plan for very warm and dry weather.

7. Bolivia

Once the visa cost (approximately $100) is paid, everything else in this fantastic country is very affordable. Bolivia is lesser-traveled than its other South American neighbors and offers rich culture, gorgeous scenery and one of the highest capital cities in the world — La Paz.



The Salar de Uyuni and Lake Titicaca are must-sees, but if salt landscapes and lakes don't do it for you, there are plenty of other mountains and monuments to explore.



You can get you a comfortable hotel room, three meals and entrance to a museum for just $30 per day. Fun fact: Bolivia is one of two landlocked countries in South America, making it geographically advantageous if you're looking to visit neighboring Peru, Brazil or Chile.



As seasons are reversed below the equator, prices in Bolivia are highest between May and October. If you're not afraid of a few chilly nights, plan your Bolivian vacation between November and March for the best prices and least amount of tourists.

8. Cambodia

Angkor Wat is at the top of many traveler's bucket lists and with Cambodia's consistently-inexpensive prices, it's understandable. Do not let the country's recent dark history affect your desire to experience the beautiful cultural melting pot that is Cambodia.



Khmer cuisine is delicious and inexpensive, dishes average between 50¢ and $3, and a three-day temple pass costs about $40.



Tuk-tuks are a very common form of travel and most prices are negotiable. Medium-range hotels start at $10 per night in either Siem Reap or Phnom Penh. The 'hot season,' between March and May, is the cheapest time of the year to see this wonderful Southeast Asian gem.

9. Morocco

This country tops a few of our pirate's bucket list countries and luckily it's also a very affordable destination. On a shoe-string budget, a traveler can get by on less than $20 per day. For those on a slightly larger budget, $40 per day will suffice for a mid-range hotel or riad, three meals and a few items from one of the nearby spice markets.



We encourage travelers to bring a little extra money and spend a night or two camping in the Sahara Desert — it's truly a once-in-a -lifetime experience.



Spring is the most beautiful time of the year to visit Morocco, but also the most expensive. We encourage budget travelers to explore this destination between October and December for the best prices.

10. Hungary

Although most of Europe is quite expensive, Hungary provides European elegance and affordability. A mid-range hotel will cost about $30 per night and most meals will set you back a mere $3 to $6.



There are plenty of things to do in the capital city of Budapest that don't require much money, such as museums, transportation around town, or a boat cruise down the Danube River. We recommend exploring Hungary between March and May for the best prices and less crowds.

