TRAVEL
7 Vacations Around The World That Won ’ t Make You Go Broke
If Paris is too passé for your next international vacation , it ’ s time to consider a more off-the-beaten path experience . A number of destinations deliver great adventures and excellent value , with fewer tour-bus hordes . For this ranking , MONEY has scoured its Best in Travel database to identify seven cities that may not be at the top of tourists ’ lists — yet — but are packed with incredible things to do , delicious flavors to try , and unique places to stay . ( And for more travel inspiration , check out all 17 of the top destinations named in MONEY ’ s 2017 Best in Travel .)
1 . Oaxaca , Mexico
Total Cost of a Week for Two : $ 1,948
Forget Cabo and Cancun : Mexico ’ s real gem sits in the foothills of the Sierra Madre . Oaxaca offers the best of everything visitors love about the country : beautiful ruins , colonial charm , markets bustling with handmade crafts , and superb food . A flight to the area will set you back about $ 570 , according to flight-booking app Hopper , but the stay will be cheap . Hotels rooms are down 22 % year over year , Hotels . com found , averaging $ 78 a night . Excursions , food , and trinkets have also become easier on the wallet , thanks to a drop in the value of the Mexican peso against the dollar . Topping your schedule should be a visit to Monte Albán , which was an ancient capital of the Zapotec civilization and is now a World Heritage Site . Admission to the site costs less than $ 4 . The Zócalo , Oaxaca ’ s central square , is the perfect place to get a feel for the place ’ s atmosphere . Stop at one of the many sidewalk cafes to watch marimba ensembles or brass bands play while hawkers try to tempt with crafts . Wander through the Mercado 20 de Noviembre to sample Oaxacan regional dishes such as moles , tasajo , tlayudas , pan de yema , chapulines , and large cups of spiced hot chocolate . Or dine in with the locals at El Típico , where you can try one of their daily moles .
2 . Xi ’ an , China
Total Cost of a Week for Two : $ 2,828
Much of Xi ’ an is a time capsule : both truly ancient and well-preserved . The city ’ s biggest attraction is undoubtedly the “ Terra Cotta Army .” A museum ($ 22 adult admission in high season ) just outside the city center walks visitors through the history of these 8,000 statues and the 1974 excavation that unearthed them after 2,000 years . Spend an afternoon exploring the city ’ s ancient city walls ($ 8 to enter ), which stand almost 40 feet tall and are the best preserved in China . Rent a bike near the South (“ Yongning ”) Gate and take a leisurely ride over the over 600 year structure . You can fly into Xi ’ an Xianyang International Airport for under $ 1,000 , on average , according to Hopper . Once there , the average hotel costs about $ 96 a night , according to Hotels . com .
3 . Hoi An , Vietnam
Total Cost of a Week for Two : $ 2,684
A UNESCO World Heritage Site , Hoi An has roots that can be traced back to a 15thcentury fishing port . Today the coastal town , situated on the Eastern Vietnam Sea , offers both historical sites and pristine , white-sand beaches . Among the many historical sites in Hoi An is the breathtaking Japanese Covered Bridge , built in the 16th century . Walking across the bridge is free , although there is a small fee to access the museum on the north side of the structure . If you ’ re looking for adventure , take a tour in a traditional wooden long-tail boat . Hoi An Kayak offers a half-day tour ( starting at $ 45 per person ) to Cam Thanh Village , where travelers meet bamboo craftsman and share a home-cooked meal with a local family . The well-reviewed Vinh Hung Heritage Hotel offers modestly priced rooms in the center of the historic district . On average , hotel prices in Hoi An are down
about 11 % and average just $ 66 a night , according to Hotels . com .
40 4GUYS . CA