The Americas aren’t continents with many affordable countries, but there are 8 that are beautiful and somewhat affordable. Their slightly higher cost is also offset by the fact that plane tickets to get there are often more affordable than elsewhere. So I’m taking over from Andrew, Flytrippers’ other co-founder, for this region that I love (which even includes my new country of residence).
We shared the updated list of the 40 best cheap countries to travel to in 2025.
Now we continue this important feature with a bit more detail, by region. To give you an idea of what each destination has to offer and to give you an idea of accommodation prices (often the biggest expense at your destination).
Here are the 8 best cheap countries in the Americas.
Details of the best cheap countries in the Americas
For each of the 8 countries, this article includes:
- 2 short paragraphs of overview of the destination
- To give you a general idea of the country
- 2 examples of well-rated accommodation prices
- To give you a general idea of prices
- For both couples and solo travelers
To be very clear, there are cheaper accommodations than the examples in this article if you want to save money with options that have lower ratings. All those in the examples have a rating of at least 7.5 out of 10 (the minimum threshold of what is usually considered “good”).
There are also luxury options and private accommodation rentals (Airbnb/Vrbo), obviously, and we’ll give concrete examples of those in a guide on each cheap country. The price of well-rated, more basic options gives you an idea of prices for more luxurious options, even if the correlation is not always 100% perfect.
Infographic of the best cheap countries in the Americas
Here’s the infographic of the 8 best cheap countries among the 35 countries in the Americas.
These are several countries that don’t get as much attention from travelers, but that really have a lot of appeal! The 6 I’ve really explored among the 8 are amazing.
Let’s look at each country ordered by the price of our hotel example for now (we’ll rank them by total cost in the next part of the feature).
1. Cuba 🇨🇺
Preview of traveling in Cuba
Like in any country, it’s certainly not by staying in a resort that you’re going to discover it! Cuba is a fairly unique country that is apparently exceptional to visit independently, even if the logistics are a bit peculiar. It was my first country visited outside of Canada (even before the United States!) when I was 13 years old, so I’ll have to go back to confirm!
The richness of the country is its culture and its people, and talking to hotel employees isn’t quite a good way to appreciate it. There are obviously pretty beaches all around the island, but the capital Havana is also a dynamic and exceptional city.
You’ll be able to check out our list of the best destinations soon.
Preview of accommodations in Cuba
There are Airbnbs* in Havana for 24 CAD per night, so 12 CAD per person per night with a companion.
*Communism in Cuba means that hotels are really more expensive than casas particulares, the private houses where you can stay!
There are hostels in Havana for 8 USD per night per person.
2. Colombia 🇨🇴
Preview of traveling in Colombia
Colombia is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world and is sublime, with its Caribbean beaches, Amazon rainforests, Andes mountains, and natural national parks like Tayrona and Los Nevados. And it’s an easily accessible country! We both loved our separate trips to Colombia!
Colombian attractions are diverse, ranging from the old town of Cartagena to the mystical Ciudad Perdida, from the dynamic capital Bogotá to the sumptuous beaches of Santa Marta, and from the dynamic Comuna 13 neighborhood in Medellín to the city of Cali, which I really liked. Andrew also enjoyed Barranquilla and his roadtrip from there to Cartagena, along the Caribbean Sea.
You can check out the 7 best destinations in Colombia.
Preview of accommodations in Colombia
There are hotels in Cartagena for 90000 COP per night, so 45000 COP per person per night with a companion.
There are hostels in Cartagena for 35340 COP per night per person.
3. Ecuador 🇪🇨
Preview of traveling in Ecuador
Ecuador is another fairly small country that has a lot of variety. It has a rich indigenous culture. You can also find beautiful colonial architecture in cities like Quito (which I found very good) and Cuenca (where I would have liked to go for a cheap Marriott hotel). I also visited Guayaquil, which is a bit more gritty.
Outside the cities, nature is sublime. The Pacific coast is apparently very pretty and quiet. I also went to the famous Galápagos Islands off the coast of the country, but that’s certainly not as affordable (it’s worth it, though).
You’ll be able to check out our list of the best destinations soon.
Preview of accommodations in Ecuador
There are hotels in Quito for 26 USD per night, so 13 USD per person per night with a companion.
There are hostels in Quito for 6 USD per night per person.
4. Brazil 🇧🇷
Preview of traveling in Brazil
Brazil represents about 50% of the population and area of the South American continent! It’s very big (which means there are tons of natural attractions) and it’s very populated (which means there are tons of cultural attractions). There really is something for everyone!
But the warm climate, pretty beaches, lively cities, and warmth of Brazilians are what made the country famous. I really liked everything I was able to see (and Andrew too). We each stayed around São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, and I even did a roadtrip on the coast from Macaé to São Paulo. But there’s so much to see outside this small portion of the country, like the sublime national parks, the Amazon, Iguaçu Falls, etc.
You’ll be able to check out our list of the best destinations soon, but in the meantime, you can read 9 lesser-known destinations in Brazil.
Preview of accommodations in Brazil
There are hotels in Rio de Janeiro for 163 BRL per night, so 81.5 BRL per person per night with a companion.
There are hostels in Rio de Janeiro for 79 BRL per night per person.
5. Guatemala 🇬🇹
Preview of traveling in Guatemala
This beautiful country was once home to the heart of Mayan civilization. Today, Guatemala is Central America’s most populous country and is usually a favorite among travelers. I quite enjoyed it, and even Andrew, who had never been very attracted to Central America, was pleasantly surprised during our trip there together.
Guatemala is splendid, offering majestic volcanoes, lush jungles, and picturesque lakes like the beautiful Lake Atitlán. The capital, Ciudad de Guatemala, was pleasantly surprising, even though it’s often overlooked by visitors who prefer to explore Antigua, a colonial city that is indeed a must-see that’s very pretty.
You’ll be able to check out our list of the best destinations soon.
Preview of accommodations in Guatemala
There are hotels in Antigua for 34 USD per night, so 17 USD per person per night with a companion.
There are hostels in Antigua for 10 USD per night per person.
6. Paraguay 🇵🇾
Preview of traveling in Paraguay
My new country! I haven’t talked about it here yet, but I recently became a resident of Paraguay. I’m still a digital nomad who travels full-time, so I’ve only been 3 times, but it’s a very pretty country. At least from what I’ve seen to date, being the capital Asunción; I haven’t been elsewhere yet.
It’s a country that really flies under the radar and has less variety (no ocean, no big mountains, etc.)… but it’s an authentic country still sheltered from mass tourism where you can appreciate nature, if you don’t need lots of typically touristy attractions. And to give a taste of costs, delicious and huge 600-gram steaks are $15 at restaurants.
You’ll be able to check out our list of the best destinations soon.
Preview of accommodations in Paraguay
There are hotels in Asunción for 35 USD per night, so 17.5 USD per person per night with a companion.
There are hostels in Asunción for 12 USD per night per person.
7. Bolivia 🇧🇴
Preview of traveling in Bolivia
This beautiful landlocked country, in central-western South America, also has a culture strongly influenced by indigenous traditions. Bolivians are known for their hospitality, and there are pretty cities, but nature is the main attraction of the country.
Bolivia offers a variety of scenery, ranging from the high plateaus of the Andes to the vast plains on the edge of the Amazon, passing through the famous Salar de Uyuni, the largest salt desert on the planet. Prepare to face altitude: La Paz is the highest capital in the world (the country has 2 capitals; the other is Sucre), and Titicaca is the highest navigable lake on the planet.
You’ll be able to check out our list of the best destinations soon.
Preview of accommodations in Bolivia
There are hotels in Santa Cruz de la Sierra for 37 USD per night, so 18.5 USD per person per night with a companion.
There are hostels in Santa Cruz de la Sierra for 14 USD per night per person.
8. Peru 🇵🇪
Preview of traveling in Peru
One of the best-known countries on the South American continent, Peru is obviously closely associated with the incredible city of Machu Picchu in the mountains. It’s obviously not the most affordable destination in the country, but it’s breathtaking! The rest of Peru is much cheaper.
That includes the city of Cuzco, in the mountains, which is very cool. I also spent a few weeks in Lima, the metropolis and capital that has little to envy the more popular big cities. The city of Chiclayo has amazing street markets. I really enjoyed the surfing and dune buggies in the sand at the Huacachina oasis. Andrew also loved seeing the penguins on the Islas Ballestas, near Paracas. And there are plenty of other attractions: it’s huge (it’s the 19th largest country in the world).
You’ll be able to check out our list of the best destinations soon.
Preview of accommodations in Peru
There are hotels in Lima for 172 PEN per night, so 86 PEN per person per night with a companion.
There are hostels in Lima for 24 PEN per night per person.
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Summary
The 8 best cheap countries in the Americas allow you to travel for much less, while offering you extraordinary experiences. Plane tickets are often cheap, which compensates for the fact that it’s not the cheapest region among all those represented in the list of 40 best cheap countries, for as little as 40 CAD if you want.
What would you like to know about the best cheap countries in the Americas? Tell us in the comments below.
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Featured image: Infographic (photo credit: Flytrippers)
