Everyone loves going on vacations, but when you're trying to be financially responsible, it's tough to justify spending huge amounts of cash on a trip. This doesn't mean you need to abandon the idea entirely, though. Instead, it's important to find a place where your dollars will go farther, which makes it much easier to
manage money well.
This list covers eight such places. To make the cut, each destination had to have:
- A favorable exchange rate when exchanging dollars for the local currency
- Plenty of exciting attractions and amenities
- An infrastructure that made it easy for tourists to find lodging and transportation
Without further ado, here are
the places where the dollar is still strong.
1. Mexico
For Americans, Mexico is a fantastic choice because of its close proximity, its rich history and the strength of the dollar compared to the peso. Over the course of about a decade, $1 went from being worth about 10 pesos to about 20, meaning you have double the purchasing power. Beach resorts, such as Cabo and Cancun, are perfect if you want to relax in the sun. If you want to get to know the country's culture more, Mexico City is a great choice.
2. Norway
First things first – Norway certainly isn't what most people would consider cheap. Vacations here can be fairly expensive, they're just less expensive than they once were thanks to the exchange rate getting better for those from the United States. Another perk is that the price of flights to Norway has dipped recently. This country truly is
a natural wonderland, with spectacular places to hike and the opportunity to check out the Northern Lights.
3. Colombia
Colombia's peso is another peso that has lost value compared to the dollar in recent years. While some Americans still view Colombia as a dangerous place, the reality is that the country is far safer than it was back in Pablo Escobar's heyday. Since Colombia is so close to the equator, the weather stays the same year-round, and you can choose an area with a climate you like, whether that's a hot beach like Cartagena or Medellin, also known as the land of eternal spring.
4. The Philippines
For a tropical island experience, the Philippines are tough to beach. These have those white sand beaches you hear about when people talk about the most beautiful beaches in the world, and you never need to worry about the water being cold. The dollar has climbed in value compared to the Philippine piso quite a bit since about 2012, which means now is the time to check out some of the 7,000 islands that make up the Philippines.
5. New Zealand
With all kinds of incredible sights and natural wonders, New Zealand provides plenty of photo opportunities. After all, there's a reason why "The Lord of the Rings" movies were filmed here. While the wildlife and the hiking trails are two of the biggest perks of visiting New Zealand, the cities here include some lively restaurants and bars with amazing food and, of course, plenty to drink. New Zealanders also tend to be friendly and welcoming, and you don't need to worry about knowing another language when you visit this country. To top it all off, the dollar is worth more compared to the New Zealand dollar compared to
just a few years ago.
6. Argentina
Another great vacation destination in Latin America is Argentina, perhaps best known for tango dancing. The food is delicious, as long as you're a meat eater, because Argentina has been like no other country. Although Argentina is a bit more expensive than other countries in the area, such as Colombia and Nicaragua, it's still affordable, especially for U.S. tourists. The fact that the dollar's value compared to the Argentine peso has been going up since 2015 definitely helps. In fact, the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the Argentine peso has actually improved even more than the rate between the U.S. dollar and the Mexican peso over the last decade.
7. Indonesia
American travelers have been flocking to Southeast Asia for years now because of how affordable the region is, and Indonesia is one of the top choices. You have plenty of options regarding what type of areas you see if you choose to come here, as you can check out cities on the hills, such as Bali, or spend your trip island hopping around the archipelago.
8. Japan
The Land of the Rising Sun, like Norway, is one of those places that you wouldn't call cheap, but the value of yen has been falling compared to the dollar. The unique culture of Japan is truly something you have to experience in person to understand, and this country has all kinds of incredible attractions, from the peaks of Mount Fuji to the museums and shopping centers at Odaiba. And everyone who visits Japan ends up raving about the gorgeous temples.
With the value of the U.S. dollar increasing, there's no shortage of places where you can get more for your hard-earned money. If you need some ideas, the eight places listed above are exciting choices where you can have the vacation of a lifetime.
