Post: #1

I'm on a budget for $5K - any recommendations on the "best" place to visit?

1) I'd like to stay a long as possible on that money
2) have a decent night life
3) be able to create a social life
4) be around attractive, friendly women.

Basically, I want to maximize the return on the money spent -- if all goes well, I'd even extend my visit with another $5K "allotment", but again, need the value.

I've never been outside of Canada & the U.S. before.

thanks!

Post: #2

If you want Asian go with Thailand or The Phillipines.

If you speak Spanish and want Latinas go with Colombia, Costa Rica or Ecuador.

In Europe I heard that The Balkans (Macedonia, Kosovo, Serbia) arent that expensive either.

Your money is going to stretch much further in SE Asia though.

Good luck.

Post: #3

(11-17-2010 06:39 PM)InternationalSwagger Wrote:  If you want Asian go with Thailand or The Phillipines.

If you speak Spanish and want Latinas go with Colombia, Costa Rica or Ecuador.

In Europe I heard that The Balkans (Macedonia, Kosovo, Serbia) Isnt that expensive either.

Your money is going to stretch much further in SE Asia though.

Good luck.

I was also thinking Asia as far as stretching money out. I hear it is quite a bit cheaper than South America even.

Post: #4

Any estimates on how long $5K would last? Obviously that's a bit of a loaded question as it depends on how a person spends money -- but lets say by being conservative? A cheap, but clean place to live, basics for food (no elaborate dining), etc.

Post: #5

I think Central America is still good value. Countries like Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua. You can take Spanish classes in Antigua, Guatemala if needed.

There is a Lonely Planet book called "Central America on a Shoestring" that might be worth a look. I would think that if you are hardcore, you could get by on $500/mo., so 5K would last about 10 months.

Post: #6

http://www.jetsetcitizen.com/cheap-trave...per-month/

http://opentravel.com/blogs/the-cheapest...0-a-month/

Post: #7

(11-17-2010 06:39 PM)InternationalSwagger Wrote:  If you want Asian go with Thailand or The Phillipines.

Cambodia is even better as it is cheaper than Thailand. Less options there though.

Quote:In Europe I heard that The Balkans (Macedonia, Kosovo, Serbia) Isnt that expensive either.

Ukraine is even better, but the winter weather may be an issue. Think Canada.

Post: #8

For the balkans, you probably could stretch your $5k for 6 months. Maybe more if you avoid the tourist apartment rentals and take out a lease for a dumpy flat in a communist style panel block building (think 150 euro rent).

Post: #9

if you're truly looking for the longest time, don't forget to factor in the cost of the ticket. It costs more to goto Asia than Central America. But more than that it depends what you want to do, and that may change greatly once you get there.

Post: #10

What kind of girls do you like?

Post: #11

If those four things are what you want, you need to think a lot about the language in the country you are going to. If you want to have a social life that isn't just other tourists, you need to be able to communicate with people.

If you don't speak any foreign languages, Southeast Asia is where you will get the most bang for your buck. It's very cheap, and enough people there speak English.

If you just care about nightlife/social life/women, go with the Philippines. The women are hot and friendly, and most people speak English. The downside is that it's pretty westernized and doesn't have as much interesting cultural stuff. If you want to see a lot of cool temples and a culture which is really different from your own, go to Thailand or Cambodia.