Cheapest Destinations

25/08/2026

🚇🎨 Underground Art Galleries: Exploring Almaty’s Stunning Metro

At less than $0.20 a ride, Almaty’s subway system isn’t just one of the cheapest transit options in Central Asia. Consider it an underground museum of sorts

Because the city sits so close to the mountains, many of the stations are carved incredibly deep underground. Descending the massive escalators feels like entering a subterranean palace. A few standout stops worth riding the rails for:

Zhibek Zholy: Adorned with intricate mosaic tile murals celebrating traditional Silk Road motifs and trade history.

Almaly: Featuring a gorgeous stained-glass style mural highlighting the apple orchards that gave Almaty its name ("Mother of Apples").

Abay: The deepest station in the system (plunging nearly 250 feet down!), framed by sleek marble pillars and bronze bas-reliefs honoring Kazakhstan's celebrated poet, Abai Qunanbaiuly.

It’s easily one of the most underrated, budget-friendly cultural experiences in the city!

Swipe through to check out photos from our station-hopping tour below! 📸✨

~ TBEX Visit Almaty

24/08/2026

Our friend Lora from Explore with Lora travels with her adorable dog. But even if you don't have a four-legged friend, this post about going to Bangkok from Chiang Mai still works for you!

I'll be taking this route myself (in reverse) when I head to Thailand in the fall.

This post may contain affiliate links. By clicking and making a purchase through the links, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my disclaimer for …

24/08/2026

In honor of , here's a post from our partner blog, Perceptive Travel about a visit to Maryland.

Arts, Nature, History, and Aviation: A Day Out with Maryland Milestones: https://perceptivetravel.com/blog/2019/08/15/arts-nature-history-and-aviation-a-day-out-with-maryland-milestones/

23/08/2026

🏛️✨ Architectural Treasures: Wandering Through Almaty

One of the best free things to do in Almaty is simply walking the city streets to take in its fascinating mix of architectural styles. From colorful Tsarist-era wooden structures to grand Soviet Modernist landmarks.

A few highlights from our architectural self-guided walking tour:

🇰🇿 Ascension Cathedral (Zenkov Cathedral): A candy-colored, 18-series wooden masterpiece built entirely without nails in 1907, and one of the few structures to survive the massive 1911 earthquake intact.

🇰🇿 Abai Opera House: A stunning Italianate neoclassical building framed by fountains and quiet gardens, blending European opera traditions with subtle Kazakh motifs.

🇰🇿 Palace of the Republic: A classic example of bold Soviet Modernism with its dramatic sweeping roofline and massive central plaza.

🇰🇿 Hotel Kazakhstan: An iconic 26-story Soviet Modernist skyscraper completed in 1977, instantly recognizable across the city skyline by the towering golden "crown" perched on its roof. Engineered to withstand magnitude 9.0 earthquakes, it remains one of Almaty’s most famous architectural symbols.

It’s an unbelievable contrast of colors, eras, and cultural influences around almost every corner!

Swipe through to see some of our favorite building shots from around the city! 📸

TBEX Visit Almaty

21/08/2026

I recently sat down for a fun, wide-ranging chat on the Military Retirement Podcast to talk about something I’ve spent the last two decades obsessing over: how to stop waiting for "someday" and start living better for a fraction of what it costs back home.

In the episode, we dig into:

The Real Cost of Living Abroad: Why moving to a budget-friendly destination like Mexico, Southeast Asia, or Central Europe isn't just about saving money—it's about buying back your time.

Smart Travel Hacking: Simple, practical ways to stretch your travel dollar further without sacrificing comfort or safety.

Location Independence: Real-world advice for digital nomads, remote workers, and retirees looking to transition to a global lifestyle.

Whether you are looking to take a multi-month career break or make a permanent move overseas, we covered plenty of actionable tips you can start using today.

🎧 Give the full episode a listen on Spotify here:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4YjfZhh7PNt40Q2dA8ZRo1?si=2e0cef6307ff4c8d

21/08/2026

My wife and I recently flew through Istanbul on our way to Kazakstan. This is a massive airport and as it is strategically located between Europe and Asia it has flights to and from all over the world.

You may often find yourself with a very long layover (my wife did -- her layover was 7 hours) but no access to a lounge. Not to worry if you'd like to try and get some sleep.

There are two places you can snooze. One area is the Sleep Pod. You can pay to sleep in your own little pod. Prices run from €17.50-30 per hour, depending on the time of day your need it.

Aside from that, there are random "nap areas" that have lounge seats that allow you to stretch out and charge your phone, tablet, laptop, etc. Or, you can stay awake but not sit in an upright position. Here at the World's Cheapest Destinations, we love a free relaxing space in an airport.

Have you been to the Istanbul airport or any other airport with sleeping/resting areas? Let us know in the comments.

20/08/2026

Where are the cheapest places to travel in South America?

This can be a moving target because of economic conditions and exchange rates. There have been some changes because of the weakening greenback and local conditions, but then other countries remain a perpetual good value.

I updated this older post about where your dollars (or Euros or Pound Sterling) will go furthest in South America. Do any of my readers have plans to visit? If you do, definitely check out the post.

>> https://www.cheapestdestinationsblog.com/2026/08/11/cheapest-south-america/

20/08/2026

🌳⛰️ Shade, Fountains, and Alpine Breezes: Almaty’s Incredible City Parks

August in Almaty brings some serious summer heat, but this city has built-in air conditioning thanks to its incredible network of sprawling, tree-filled parks.

Known as one of the greenest cities in Central Asia, Almaty’s urban canopy is a life-saver on hot afternoons. Walking beneath massive canopy trees in 28 Panfilov Guardsmen Park (home to the vibrant wooden Ascension Cathedral), strolling along the tree-lined avenues of Central Park (Gorky Park), or wandering the peaceful trails of the Botanical Garden feels like escaping to a cool woodland sanctuary, right in the middle of the city.

Add in cool mountain breezes descending from the nearby Trans-Ili Alatau range and plenty of bubbling fountains, and you’ve got the ultimate budget-friendly respite from the midday sun.

Swipe through to see a few peaceful, shady spots around the city! 📸🌿✨

TBEX Visit Almaty

19/08/2026

💻🌴 Work from Paradise: Costa Rica’s Digital Nomad Visa

While Costa Rica may not be one of the world's absolute cheapest destinations, it still offers a remarkably affordable, high-quality lifestyle compared to the US, Canada, or the UK—especially when you trade high metropolitan rents for lush rainforests and Pacific beaches.

If you’ve been dreaming of swapping your office setup for Pura Vida, Costa Rica’s official Digital Nomad Visa (Estancia) makes living and working remotely abroad easier than ever:

Stay Up to 2 Years: The visa grants an initial 1-year residency permit, which can easily be renewed for a second year.

Income Thresholds: Applicants need to prove a stable remote income from abroad of $3,000 USD/month for individuals (or $4,000 USD/month if applying with family/dependents).

Sweet Perks: Visa holders enjoy total exemption from local Costa Rican income taxes on foreign-earned money, duty-free import of work equipment, permission to drive using your home driver's license, and the ability to open a local bank account.

If you have location-independent work, trading dreary weather and high overhead for high-speed Wi-Fi, tropical coffee, and ocean sunsets is a pretty tempting upgrade.

Could you see yourself working remotely from Costa Rica for a year? Tell us in the comments below! 👇

19/08/2026

Every year on August 19 we celebrate to celebrate the art, craft, science, and history of photography. The day also encourages photographers from around the globe to share a single photo that encapsulates their world.

Share some of your favorite travel photos with us in the comments! 📷📷