I Spent 17 Months Traveling on $50 a Day; It Worked in 3 Countries

• I spent 17 months touring with my associate whereas making an attempt to stay to a price range of about $50 a day.
• My price range stored me on monitor for the primary three months, partially as a result of Peru felt reasonably priced.
• I undoubtedly spent extra in international locations recognized for being costly to go to, like Japan and Singapore.

After saving up for years, my associate and I spent 17 months touring around the globe.

We began our journey in Peru and traveled north to Mexico earlier than heading to Asia.

Since my associate is an accountant, we thought it could be helpful to trace each expense alongside the best way. My preliminary price range was $1,500 a month or roughly $50 a day. He had the identical price range, however we stored our cash separate.

This is what it was like exploring a number of international locations whereas making an attempt to handle my spending.

I stayed below price range for under the primary 3 months of the journey

We spent the primary two months in Peru, the place I spent $1,370.29 in July and $1,179.96 in August.

Of all of the international locations we visited, I discovered Peru had a few of the lowest costs for issues like meals and lodging.

Our actual key to staying below price range the primary few months, although, was touring at a gradual tempo. We took lengthy bus journeys as a substitute of fast, dear flights and received offers on lodging for staying longer. We additionally continuously cooked for ourselves and did not e-book any costly excursions or actions.

I additionally stayed below price range in September, which we spent in Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia. I spent $1,325.07, with a each day common of $33.35 in Peru and $45.60 in Ecuador.

Colombia was dearer for me at a mean of $57 a day, however we spent only some days there on the finish of the month.

I did not keep below price range every other months, however some international locations nonetheless felt reasonably priced to me

Whereas exploring Central America, I did not go over my month-to-month price range of $1,500 by an excessive amount of. One month I spent $1,646, and one other $1,888.

My each day spend was beneath $50 in El Salvador ($38.70) and Costa Rica ($33.09).

To be honest, although, my Costa Rica price range is skewed as a result of my mother and father visited and paid for our lodging for 10 days as our joint Christmas and birthday presents. With out their present, I might’ve spent far more.

I assumed El Salvador, alternatively, felt extraordinarily reasonably priced, however I spent solely 12 days there. I want I would stayed longer — each for my pockets and since I loved the individuals, surroundings, and meals (pupusas without end!).

I additionally went over my each day price range — however solely barely — whereas visiting Colombia ($57), Honduras ($58.41), Nicaragua ($53.43), Guatemala ($62.72), and Vietnam ($54.23).

Trying again, I believe I might’ve stayed below price range in these locations if I would tried more durable or reorganized my itinerary.

Chopping out dear experiences just like the motorbiking journey in Vietnam or the in a single day volcano hike in Guatemala would’ve lowered my bills — however these felt like once-in-a-lifetime alternatives I could not cross up.

I additionally might’ve saved a major quantity by reserving cheaper lodging like hostel dorms, however the longer we traveled the extra we opted for extra comfy (typically pricier) stays like Airbnbs or personal hostel rooms.

Splitting accomodation prices between the 2 of us helped — I could not have justified the upgrades as a solo traveler — however we hardly ever selected the most affordable choices.

Some international locations stunned me by how costly they felt

In March, I spent $3,076.75 throughout Belize and Mexico — double my month-to-month price range.

I splurged on some experiences, like a snorkel tour in Belize and a mezcal tasting in Oaxaca, however the common costs for nearly every thing had been increased than I anticipated.

Although I overspent, I nonetheless shunned sure actions, like a $125 cave tour in Belize, as a result of I needed to attempt to keep near my price range. Trying again, I want I would just spent the cash.

In Indonesia, I spent $109.96 a day, which could appear excessive for a rustic that has a fame for affordability, although I spent 5 days on its island of Sumatra on orangutan trekking excursions.

My flights, transport, and excursions had been costly for that brief period of time, but it surely was certainly one of my most memorable experiences.

I knew prematurely that my price range can be too tight for some international locations

Earlier than I left, I knew I would probably exceed my price range in some international locations which might be recognized for being costly to go to.

My common each day spend in Panama was $98.38. My meals and lodging there have been on the dear facet, and I additionally splurged on a five-day sailboat journey from Colombia to get there. (The choice was an equally costly flight, which was how I justified it.)

I additionally knew Singapore can be costly, so I restricted myself to 6 days there throughout two separate layovers. I stayed in hostel dorms or used credit-card factors for inns and largely did free actions. My spending in Singapore nonetheless got here out to $95.74 a day.

Lastly, the costliest nation I visited was additionally my favourite: Japan. I spent a mean of $121.79 a day, or $3,288.28 throughout 27 days — aka greater than double my month-to-month price range.

Although I dipped extra into my financial savings than I would have preferred, budgeting made this journey dream attainable

Touring for this lengthy was unimaginable, and it would not have been attainable with out my price range. Each day and month-to-month spending targets helped me preserve my spending in verify.

Setting a conservative price range, having financial savings separate from the cash I would put aside for this journey, and incomes some money alongside the best way meant I did not stress an excessive amount of after I went over price range.

Trying again, I might’ve rearranged my itinerary to spend extra time in international locations the place I spent much less, however finally I haven’t got any vital regrets.

In truth, my recommendation can be to splurge on bucket-list actions (inside motive) — I am going to always remember seeing wild orangutans in Indonesia or studying to make sushi in Japan.

Cash can come again, however reminiscences are without end.