Hello! I’ve been going through some stressful family issues and things have come to a head, so I need a break to recharge and heal. Are there any places that I can do so in Central or South America (or elsewhere) coming from the US? With things being tight, my budget is about $1500 for everything, and I’m looking to leave last week of December 2024 or January 2025. TIA for your suggestions!
Edit: I’ve used Google Flights, Skyscanner, etc., to narrow the destination down to the Americas. (Flights aren’t too expensive from my location.) It’s the country and the cost to live for a month that I’m uncertain of.
I don’t know about those places, but I do know that in Danang, Vietnam, you can live comfortably on less than $1,000 US per month. That includes all your meals made for you.
Georginaramos said:
I don’t know about those places, but I do know that in Danang, Vietnam, you can live comfortably on less than $1,000 US per month. That includes all your meals made for you.
Honestly, $20-30 a day in Da Nang is living pretty good. Definitely eating VERY well too.
Exactly. As an American, I was absolutely SHOCKED how inexpensive Vietnam was in general. Also quite lovely and a genuinely good/interesting cultural experience.
Keir said: @Emory
How’s the internet there? I’d if generally clean for those prices?
Better internet than rural Texas for damn sure. Had cell signal everywhere, was able to send pics and such without issues. Not the reason I went, but wide open, no prescription pharmacies were pretty cool too. I got him by a car and a scooter on like day two in Hanoi learning how to navigate like, mmmm, walking. Second hit was right outside a pharmacy. Figured I’d grab some Advil or something…I went with ‘something’ after seeing the menu lol.
Georginaramos said:
I don’t know about those places, but I do know that in Danang, Vietnam, you can live comfortably on less than $1,000 US per month. That includes all your meals made for you.
Thanks for the suggestion! I’ll look into that city specifically. (Before, I just put ‘Asia’).
Georginaramos said:
I don’t know about those places, but I do know that in Danang, Vietnam, you can live comfortably on less than $1,000 US per month. That includes all your meals made for you.
OP isn’t doing Vietnam for $1500 if it includes flights…especially not in December/Jan lol.
While I understand you may want to get away ASAP, you are trying to book during the most expensive time of the year, with less than two weeks notice. The flights alone would probably be most of your budget.
Alternatively, maybe you could go camping somewhere closer to home? That would definitely be the more budget-friendly option.
@Corey
Hi! Thanks for responding! I suggested those areas as I found that I can get a flight at $500-600 from where I am, so a place with reasonable lodging (not expecting a 5-star) and food (which just about anything seems cheaper than the US) is what I’m looking for. (And camping is not an option for me with current weather conditions.)
Mexico has a bunch of great places: Merida, Oaxaca, San Miguel, Ensenada. Depending on the flights, Colombia might also be an option. I liked Medellin.
Vail said:
Mexico has a bunch of great places: Merida, Oaxaca, San Miguel, Ensenada. Depending on the flights, Colombia might also be an option. I liked Medellin.
Second this one. If $1500 includes the flight, I’d stick to Mexico and street food. Colombia and Guatemala are inexpensive, but the flights will likely be more. Oaxaca would be a great spot to recharge with excellent food and cheap transportation if you want to hit the beach too.
Vail said:
Mexico has a bunch of great places: Merida, Oaxaca, San Miguel, Ensenada. Depending on the flights, Colombia might also be an option. I liked Medellin.
OK, cool. Thank you! I’ll look into those areas. With all the back and forth stuff going down, are those areas still relatively safe for Americans?
Nicaragua has some beautiful, affordable places. I loved Zopilote Hostel/Ecovillage (Ometepe Island) for as low as $4.50 USD/night. There might even be some work/exchange options to get free room and food. Not sure if you can do WWOOFing for such a short time. https://wwoofusa.org/en/ Eating prepared food is more expensive. Shared kitchen option less so.
Zopilote is a treasure and an experience. For their cheaper housing, expect bugs, watch out for scorpions at night, and expect to hear amplified music through the thin hut walls on special party nights (not that often?) but likely on Christmas, NYE, etc. This place was so healing and magical!
I think they were responsive to my messages, so you could probably DM them or some other options about your willingness to pay for a few nights and requests to work for several days.
Inanitah is also on Ometepe. Even more remote. I think it’s more expensive per day to stay there, but the price includes food, and you usually sign up to do cooking/cleaning shifts. It’s so remote that it will be logistically challenging to leave the property, which is a good way to save money.
Listen to all the warnings from locals and long-term expats about petty theft, how to interact with law enforcement, watching out for scorpions and bugs, etc. Most people are fine traveling there, but remember there are reasons this place is affordable for travelers.