I sincerely believe that human beings turn into lemmings whenever summer comes around. And especially so during the high-peak vacation period. I understand the need to want to go on vacation during times of the year when the weather is optimally enjoyable. Still, over 100 million Americans will go on vacation in 2019. Most people pay over $4,600 to go on vacation.

Then, over 75% of those people take on over $1,100 in debt for additional vacation financing. Vacation is a very profitable time for airlines, hotels, and tourist-centric businesses during the high-peak travel season. Why not? Almost 100 million people are trying to go on vacation at the exact same time. Then, with a budget of almost $6,000, most people try to go to places with extremely high costs of living.

I love Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin, Tokyo, and San Francisco as much as the next person, but those are very expensive places to visit, never mind live in. Chances are that you have visited such places multiple times and paid a lot to do so. I’ve visited all of the usual places and I always ended up with less money in my pocket afterwards.

Now, I always make a point to travel to countries that are safe for Westerners and which have a currency exchange rate in my benefit. When the currency exchange is in my benefit, I have more money in my pocket and can do more things.

Chile

$1 USD = 708 Chilean Pesos

Chile is one of the most geographically slender countries on Earth. It’s about 2,700-miles-long and 220 miles at its widest. It is bordered by Peru and Bolivia in the North and Argentina to the west. Chile comprises an incredible mix of cultural and social wonders. You can visit Easter Island, home to the incredibly surreal Moai Statues. The southernmost isles of Chile are also a part of the Antarctic.

Valparaiso is a Bohemian chic city situated near an idyllic, sheer-cliff coastline. The city is famous for inspiring Pablo Neruda and features buildings influenced by Victorian architecture that are colored in vibrant Crayola-esque hues.

You can buy a plane ticket to Santiago, Chile for $780, or less, if you buy it in late August or in September. The RQ Hotel Dacarlo will cost you $46 a night, or $324 for a week.

Or, you can stay at the Hotel Santa Lucia at $47 per night, or $329 for a week. You can also stay in many quality hostels, hotels, and B&Bs for $35 per night.

A Different Travel Perspective

If you’re working with a $6,000 travel budget, then you’ll be able to afford to do a lot more things in Chile. You can’t plan for everything in life. But being too spontaneous can end up costing you a lot of money when you’re on a budget. Make your own itineraries and calculate the costs. It will all work in your favor when you consider the currency exchange rates.

Also, if you go to Chile, make sure you try the Completo. It’s a gargantuan version of the American hot dog topped with tomatoes, avocado, onions, pickles, sauerkraut, and mayonnaise.

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