Top 10 Cheapest and Safe Countries for Americans (2026)

If you’re searching for the cheapest countries Americans can safely visit in 2026, this list is built for one very specific vibe: “Will I die?” and “How cheap can I do this?” (A+ priorities, honestly.)

I’m ignoring the doom-scroll energy from Western media and sticking to real-life travel common sense—stay in the areas travelers actually go, don’t wander into sketchy border zones, don’t get hammered and argue with strangers at 2 a.m., and you’ll be fine!

The ranking uses a global dataset that estimates daily on-the-ground travel costs (sleep, food, transport, basic activities—not flights). The original data is published in CAD on HelloSafe, and I have converted it to USD.

For each destination, you’ll see the cheapest realistic prices if you travel the cheap way—hostels, local meals away from tourist traps, buses/shared rides. You can absolutely spend more. If you want a clean, basic private room instead of a hostel dorm, plan to add about $15–$30/day in most of these countries.

Laos

Laos is the cheapest country on this list—budget travel can land around $15.88/day if you keep it simple: guesthouses, street food, buses, and low-cost activities.

What You Will Spend

• Cheapest bed (hostel dorm): $5–$10/night
• Clean private room (basic hotel/guesthouse): $18–$30/night (add ~$12–$20/day)
• Cheapest local meal: $1–$3
• Cheapest local transport: $1–$3 (short tuk-tuk/local bus)
• Cheapest intercity ride: $6–$15 (bus/shared van)
• Cheapest SIM/data: $2–$6

Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan stays cheap while still giving you modern cities and easy nature day trips. Budget travel comes in around $19.49/day if you use public transit and eat where locals eat.

What You Will Spend

• Cheapest bed (hostel dorm): $6–$12/night
• Clean private room: $20–$35/night (add ~$10–$20/day)
• Cheapest local meal: $3–$6
• Cheapest city transport: $0.25–$1 (bus/metro)
• Cheapest intercity ride: $6–$25 (bus/train)
• Cheapest SIM/data: $3–$8

Rwanda

Rwanda can feel surprisingly straightforward in the main traveler areas. If you do it budget-style, you’re looking at about $21.66/day—and you control costs most by choosing simple stays and mixing in low-cost days.

What You Will Spend

• Cheapest bed: $10–$18/night
• Clean private room: $25–$45/night (add ~$15–$25/day)
• Cheapest local meal: $2–$5
• Cheapest local transport: $1–$3 (moto-taxi)
• Cheapest intercity ride: $4–$12 (bus)
• Cheapest SIM/data: $1–$5

Ghana

Ghana is a good “cheap, friendly, easy to eat well” destination. Budget travel can land around $22.38/day if you use shared transport and keep meals local.

What You Will Spend

• Cheapest bed: $8–$15/night
• Clean private room: $20–$40/night (add ~$10–$25/day)
• Cheapest local meal: $2–$5
• Cheapest local transport: $0.50–$3 (shared taxis/trotro short rides)
• Cheapest intercity ride: $6–$18 (bus)
• Cheapest SIM/data: $1–$4

Mongolia

Mongolia is cheap day-to-day, but the real money move is sharing transport when you go outside city areas. If you do it the budget way, it’s around $24.55/day.

What You Will Spend

• Cheapest bed: $8–$15/night
• Clean private room: $25–$45/night (add ~$15–$25/day)
• Cheapest local meal: $3–$7
• Cheapest city transport: $0.30–$1 (bus)
• Cheapest longer rides: $10–$30 (bus/shared rides; remote routes can cost more)
• Cheapest SIM/data: $3–$8

Armenia

Armenia is an “eat well, take day trips, don’t spend much” kind of place. Budget travel can come in around $26.71/day with guesthouses, local meals, and shared minibuses.

What You Will Spend

• Cheapest bed (hostel dorm): $6–$12/night
• Clean private room: $18–$35/night (add ~$10–$20/day)
• Cheapest local meal: $3–$6
• Cheapest local transport: $0.25–$2 (metro/marshrutka/short taxi)
• Cheapest day-trip transport: $5–$20 (shared minibus/shared taxi)
• Cheapest SIM/data: $3–$7

Georgia

Georgia is one of those places where you can eat a lot, move around cheaply, and still feel like your budget barely budges. Budget travel can be around $28.16/day if you stick to hostels and local food.

What You Will Spend

• Cheapest bed (hostel dorm): $6–$12/night
• Clean private room: $20–$40/night (add ~$12–$25/day)
• Cheapest local meal: $3–$7
• Cheapest city transport: $0.30–$1 (metro/bus)
• Cheapest intercity ride: $4–$15 (shared minibus/train short routes)
• Cheapest SIM/data: $3–$8

Moldova

Moldova is low-cost Europe with a slower pace—good for chill city days and short trips without the usual “Europe tax.” Budget travel sits around $36.10/day.

What You Will Spend

• Cheapest bed: $10–$18/night
• Clean private room: $25–$50/night (add ~$15–$30/day)
• Cheapest local meal: $4–$9
• Cheapest city transport: $0.30–$1
• Cheapest intercity ride: $3–$12
• Cheapest SIM/data: $3–$8

Nepal

Nepal is a budget classic—simple days, mountain towns, and food that doesn’t wreck your wallet. Budget travel is around $36.82/day if you keep it straightforward and avoid constant private transport.

What You Will Spend

• Cheapest bed (cities): $4–$10/night
• Clean private room: $12–$25/night (add ~$8–$18/day)
• Cheapest local meal: $1–$4
• Cheapest intercity bus: $5–$15
• Cheapest local transport: $0.50–$3
• Cheapest SIM/data: $3–$8

India

India is one of the biggest “how is this still so cheap?” trips on Earth. Budget travel can land around $36.82/day if you use trains, local food, and simple stays.

What You Will Spend

• Cheapest bed (hostel dorm): $3–$10/night
• Clean private room: $12–$30/night (add ~$10–$20/day)
• Cheapest local meal: $1–$4
• Cheapest city transport: $0.25–$2 (metro/bus/short auto ride)
• Cheapest longer trips: $4–$25 (train/bus depending on distance/class)
• Cheapest SIM/data: $3–$10