Whether it’s from the high expectations at work, a reward for an accomplishment, or celebrating a momentous milestone, everyone needs a place where they can experience something refreshing. While others prefer to do this by climbing to the top of a mountain or getting a bit rowdy in a crowd, some people just want to get away, out in the open, in their own private space.

This is where superyachts become one of the superstars’ favorites, even for the rich and famous — the elite. Other than the open sea, what other specialties can this trip offer?

Reasons Why Elites Prefer Superyacht Charter

While there are so many ways and trips one can try for a worthwhile vacation, some are just preferable to the rest. For the elite, here are some reasons why they find superyachts worth spending their fortune on.

Privacy

Many people who are craving a vacation wish to take a break from the people they see in their daily life, and more so for the elites who work in the limelight. Getting to spend precious time with their loved ones away from public scrutiny is essential.

With a superyacht reserved only for you and the ones you invite aboard, it’s easier to do more of the things you want with your people. Since these yachts are designed to cruise to so many open seas and oceans, privacy is one of the things you are guaranteed on your vacation.

While there’s a chance your chartered yacht passes another, there’s a very low chance of them snooping around your activities. For famous people, privacy also entails peace of mind, which is why important events like birthdays often happen on yachts. 

Luxury

Working adults like to take vacations as a treat: for a promotion, a successful deal, or just a hard-fought month. When you’re treating yourself, you’ll always want the best and most satisfying break: a luxurious trip.

With food, drinks, toys, and the entire place at your feet, superyachts are the epitome of luxury. While some yachts do have certain guidelines, you’re practically free to go wherever you want to go and do whatever you want to do once you sign the contract.

To add to the fun, some superyachts even carry jet skis, bars, pools, cinemas, and spas. Depending on which member of the fleet you contract with, you can bring your toys and even pets on board.

Trustworthy Crew

Other than privacy, another important factor for a vacation is to be assured that you are in good hands. In this case, you surely want a crew that will keep you and the others safe and comfortable.

As a luxurious expedition, chartered superyachts guarantee well-trained staff, not only on ship maintenance and functionality but also on service. When you get yourself into one of these contracts, you get to enjoy with professionals managing your and your belongings’ well-being on deck. 

No-Worries Trip

As mentioned earlier, these trips are planned and managed by professionals. As such, you only need to say where you wish to go, and you’re guaranteed to arrive there in the best mood.

Chartered superyachts undergo a meticulous process before getting signed up for any trips to ensure all your plans and needs are met. Other than these two things, the crew takes care of almost every other thing, like how to cover all your destinations and the weather.

It’s More Than Just A Boat

A yacht vacation is a one-of-a-kind experience that a lot of people could actually vouch for. Riding on a boat is one thing, but superyachts are a whole new world of experience out in the sea.

Being out on the massive seas, you get so much space that you can do almost anything. Since superyachts can move around, anyone who can charter them can experience being at sea, land, or in between on just one trip.

While these yachts can be chartered for certain destinations, passengers usually get a chance to see and explore nearby shores if they wish. Other than above the sea, some yachts can also offer underwater adventures like snorkeling.

With so many members in a fleet, there are so many options and possibilities for people looking for memorable getaways. For first-timers, getting a good word with the crew usually reveals which ones are the best to try first.

After getting first-hand experience, your view will then widen to see what other things you can bring to enjoy next time. The next time you feel stressed or burdened, you can give time to yourself and enjoy one of these yachts.

People from all around the planet are becoming world travellers due to the flexibility in their employments. Likewise, a vast population of the Philippines has also developed an interest in travelling.

However, the majority of Filipinos don’t have as much money to travel as people from other countries. Many of them have to save money for a long time and book cheap flights to fulfil their dream of travelling. If you are planning a venture to a beautiful destination abroad, these money-saving hacks will come in handy on your trip.

1. Save Money on Food

The accumulated cost of eating out three meals a day while travelling can cost you a lot. To cut these costs, you can try and make three meals a day into two or have light snacks in between.

You can have a huge breakfast, skip lunch or have light lunch, and have dinner; or you can eat breakfast, have a hearty lunch, and then have a light dinner.

Another way is to cook yourself at the place you’re staying. Raw vegetables and other ingredients don’t cost much, and you can make a lot more for yourself than provided in the restaurants. This way, you can cook sufficient food to go for two to three days and save on eating outside.

ALSO READ: Gifts for travel enthusiast

2. Make Negotiation a Valid Option

You are likely to buy souvenirs or make other purchases while travelling in a foreign country. You’ll also have to book hotel rooms and transportation to explore the city.

To save cash on these, you can try and negotiate for prices to get favourable rates. It’s better to ask for a better price rather than regretting overpaying later.

3. Send Money While Saving Money

Filipinos are known to give priority to their kin above all else, and as they travel, they cannot forget their family. There might come a situation where you have to send money to your home. 

International transactions can be expensive. Use a reliable service that doesn’t charge high fees when sending money to the Philippines. You can also do it through cash transferring apps, which are fast and cost less.

4. Get a Tourist Card

Find out if your travel destination offers the service of a tourist card. It’s like a visiting card for tourists that can be your best friend in saving money in a new country.

You can acquire many discounts on accommodation, transportation, and restaurants by presenting this card. Unfortunately, not every country offers this facility, but you will find it in most popular tourist destinations.

ALSO READ: Tips and tricks for saving money while on the road

5. Try the Sharing Economy Approach

You probably haven’t heard about sharing economy approach because it isn’t prevalent yet, but the ones who do are significantly saving on their tours. Through sharing economy, you can contact the locals of your destination and avail their accommodation services directly and skipping “middle man” services.

There will be no involvement of any third-party agency, and you will directly deal with the locals. The services that they provide can be equal to half the rates as provided by travel agencies.

6. Hunt Free Things to Do

When you reach your destination or before you do, you can search for the free things available there for you to do like free walking tours which are based on tips. There can be many opportunities out there that you won’t have to spend too much on and still have fun.

You can search online or ask around a few locals on the affordable to free of cost activities. These activities can range from free museum days to greenery-filled parks. You can also go for undertakings like festivals and local events that are free to the public to have a good time and save money.

7. Travel in Off-Season

Everybody knows how expensive a holiday season can be. You’ll have to procure flights, accommodation and food that are significantly more costly than that in the offseason.

So whenever you plan to travel, make sure that there isn’t a holiday going on in the world or in that particular destination. If you do, you’ll have to spend a lot more than you had planned out. You will be saved from having to travel in immense crowds in addition to saving money in the offseason.

8. Blend in With the Locals

To get the most out of place, you sometimes need to blend in. Doing this can help you find the best attractions in the location you visit and for cheap.

Try learning a few words of the local language and the local ways to impress a few citizens to help you through your journey. They can help you enjoy food from good places and take you to activities that are free or low cost.

9. Store Snacks

When you are out to explore the various attractions of your site, having a little munching stored can go a long time. You may think that doing this can cost you more, but this tactic can actually help you save money.

Having a few inexpensive options in your bag will be better than having to purchase costly snacks at a destination. These snacks can be quite expensive on tourist sites, so be sure to have them on your backpack in addition to a water bottle.

Even if you think that you won’t need to have a light munch in your travel, if you have kids, you’ll need to pack for them so that they can eat healthily and have you spend less.

ALSO READ: Long-haul flight travel essentials

10. Minimize the Use of a Phone

 When you go abroad on a travelling trip, you can miss your family and loved ones left behind. But calling them and making sure that they’re fine and keep them updated about your whereabouts. However, staying connected can be costly.

To diminish these costs, you can go for a local sim card that lets you make calls that are expensive when conducting them with a roaming sim card.

Or you can take on an internet-only approach and make use of your data bundle or local Wi-Fi to help you save money. Apps like Skype and WhatsApp are the most reliable and cost-effective to use to connect with your family while abroad.

I hope this article is helpful for you to have a fun trip without spending too much. If you have additional tips, let us know in the comment section below.

Ahh Bali! My heart has been set on this beautiful island ever since. The idea of cycling in the rice fields, the crystal blue water of its beaches, being greeted by the warm-hearted Balinese people, and the possibility of me too finding love in Bali, made me yearn to go to this mesmerising island.

An eight-day trip and some 600 dollars to spend. I planned the Bali trip on my own. No external help, no agents. And my Bali trip was a hit. At least in my own eyes. I had a blast in minimal money to spend and managed to see the most of Bali.

So, how did I do it?

ALSO READ:

• Backpacking in Southeast Asia
• Southeast Asia travel route and itineraries
• Travel budget for Southeast Asia

I decided on a budget

This is the first thing I did as soon as I decided to go to Bali. I told myself I would not be spending more than 600 dollars on this trip. The air tickets itself cost me some $370. So, I left the rest of £230 for my accommodation and food.

Bali is a little cheap in the sense that the value of its currency is very low. 1 dollar is 13,841 Indonesian Rupiah. A lot, right?

Not to ignore the fact that the denomination of their currency notes is very high. They have a 100,000 rupiah note too. But yes, Bali is cheap. So sticking to your budget is not tough.

​I travelled light

I packed very little stuff for my trip. Your fun gets spoiled if you take too much luggage with you. You end up packing and lifting weight most of the time.

So, I kept 2 party dresses, 2 beach dresses, 2 pairs of shorts and tees, my Danner tactical boots and a couple of flip flops for my footwear and clothing quota. That’s all!

This also allowed me to travel and commute between cities and destinations on a scooter. And, you don’t have to worry much about your stuff getting lost or stolen.

I decided to do the bookings on my own

I didn’t hire an agent to make the bookings for me. First, they charge you a lot. Second, they make reservations for expensive and unnecessarily hyped places, which I absolutely didn’t want.

Doing the bookings over the counter or look them up online and with a little research about the best and cheapest option available saves you a lot of money.

So, I decided to do all the bookings myself, from air tickets to accommodation to tours. I booked other packages like a cycling tour, fast boat, and water sports while being in Bali.

I assure you it is not tough. Just a little bit of research on the internet and talking to friends who have been to Bali.

I booked only homestays and guest houses

Personally, I’m not too fond of hotels. They are sometimes too expensive and commercialised and ended up having no personal touch or essence of that place. This is the reason I prefer homestays over hotels.

This helps me to stay close with the locals, observe their daily routine, and eat the local cuisine. I also get to feel the true essence of that place, and it is always so lovely to get a chance to speak to the local people and get to know them.

I rented a scooter

The first thing I did after checking in my homestay was to ask for places I could get a scooter on rent. Riding one in Bali is way cheaper than booking taxis. You can rent a scooter for as little as 4 dollars a day, and the fuel doesn’t cost you much.

Plus, ‘Scooter is Bali’s lifeline’, everyone is riding a scooter in Bali. It’s so much fun!

I avoided crowded places

I didn’t go to crowded beaches and restaurants. I absolutely hate waiting for tables or in queues or going to littered or overcrowded beaches. Also, you end up not enjoying the sport because of the presence of too many people around. And, quite often, there is too much noise even to feel the place.

There are some beaches in Bali, like Pandawa Beach, which do not see many tourists. Do visit these. And, avoid beaches like Kuta Beach in Kuta, which are crowded and dirty.

So, by avoiding crowded places, not only did I have fun, I saved time too.

I didn’t drink inside the pubs

If you like to party hard, you know how much it hurts when the party expense burns a hole in the pocket. So, I decided to do this!

Girls entry is generally free inside the pubs, but the alcohol very expensive, so I always had a beer outside the pubs, and then went inside for parties. This allowed me to have fun in the famous pubs without having to spend a lot of alcohol.

Final Words

Guys, Bali is gorgeous and serene. You leave a piece of yourself here, and something stays with you forever. YOU ARE HEALED! I am sure I am convincing enough to make you long to go to Bali too.

Just make sure not to do anything that hurts their sentiments or poses a threat to the environment. Be a responsible tourist! Considering they are experiencing a water crisis in Bali.

So, this is how I planned a fantastic trip to Bali, all by myself. And, proudly so!​

I hear you and I feel you! Our passport isn’t the strongest but that doesn’t mean we cannot travel the world. Because we CAN! Visa issues are surely not the only puzzle we have to solve if we want to travel. The money, work, and other personal reasons are joining the sinking boat of hope to travel.

But hey, at least we are one step closer to see the beauty of the world we live in. These visa-free countries for Philippines passport holder is a good way to start your around the world trip, even just one at a time.

So far, my Philippines Passport has taken me to 25 countries, from Asia to Europe, back in Asia, then back to Europe, South America, and Africa. Sounds fun isn’t it? It’s possible, that means you can too! >>Find out how I started travelling

RELATED POSTS: 

• How To Renew Your Philippines Passport
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There are over 60 countries that we can visit that Philippines passport is visa free. Most are in Asia, Africa, Carribean, Oceania and Pacific Islands, Central and South America. If you have questions regarding visa-free countries for Philippines passport holders, contact me here.

What’s on the list: Visa-Free, Visa-on-Arrival (VOA), eVisa, Use of your visa from another country

PHILIPPINES PASSPORT VISA FREE COUNTRIES:
​Understanding the types of visas

If it’s your first time to travel or have very limited experience, this section will help you understand the types of visas or terminologies that they use.

What is a visa

A visa is an international legal permit proving that the holder is allowed to enter, stay, and leave the country.

Some countries will require you to hold or apply for a visa before you enter their country, while there are countries that they don’t ask you to obtain one. All you need to do is arrive and leave in time to avoid any problems in the future.

What are the visa types

 These are the following visa types or tag used for visas:

VISA FREE – This means that you do not need to apply for a visa for a certain number of days. Make sure that you look up how many days you can only stay. The immigration officer will stamp your passport with the details of your entry and/or exit. Overstaying your visa can lead to a very serious problem. While some countries will require you to show a hotel booking and a flight ticket exiting their country. For Filipinos, many Southeast Asia, African, Central, and South American countries are visa-free.

VISA ON ARRIVAL (VOA) – Visa on arrival means that you can get the visa once you arrive. Now, visa on arrival can be a little tricky, some visa on arrival can only be received if you enter through a specific border point; via air, land, or sea. So, make sure you check this before you booked a ticket. Visa on arrival must be paid when you enter the immigration control after you land. Make sure that you have US Dollars with you all the time.

EVISA – This type of visa can be done online, they can be free or upon a fee. In some cases, you can apply for this in a matter of days before your arrival while others can take up to weeks. You will also be asked to pay through online and submit your data.

VISA REQUIRED – When a visa is required, you either need to apply on the embassy or through a third party depending on the embassy’s policy. A set of documents will be required to be submitted, this is also the visa that can take up from weeks to months to be processed. 

VISA GUIDE FOR FILIPINO FOR ASIA

Many countries in Asia can be visited by Filipinos without a visa. Just make sure that you have an onward ticket, hotel booking, and bank certificate ready in case you are asked by the immigration offer. I also shared my immigration experience leaving the Philippines on a tourist visa.

RELATED POST: Visa free countries for Canadian passport holders

Member of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations)

FREE VISA:

• Brunei Darussalam – 14 Days 
• Cambodia – 21 Days – Complete Cambodia Visa Guide – Get your visa now if you want to stay longer 
• Indonesia – 30 Days
• Laos – 30 Days (Your Laos Complete Visa Guide)
• Malaysia – 30 Days (Complete: Malaysia Visa Guide) – Apply here if you need a visa)
• Myanmar – 14 Days (Your Complete Myanmar Visa Guide) – Apply here
• Singapore – 30 Days (Singapore Tourist Visa Guide)
• Thailand  – 30 Days (Your Complete Thailand Visa Guide)
• Timor-Leste (East Timor) – 30 Days, issues at the Dili Airport and Seaport
• Vietnam – 21 Days (Your Complete Vietnam Visa Guide) – Apply here if you want to stay longer

RELATED POST: Ultimate Southeast Asia Travel Budget & Backpacking in Southeast AsiaCHECK OUT WHERE I GET THE CHEAPEST FLIGHT

Non ASEAN Member

FREE VISA:

• Hong Kong – 14 days
• Israel – 90 days (here is how you can extend your Israel Tourist Visa)
• Iran – 15 days,  must arrive at these airports
• Macau – 30 days
• Mongolia – 21 days
• South Korea – 30 days if arriving on Jeju Island or after visiting South Korea 4 times with visa. (There’s been a speculation that starting 2020, you can enter through Seoul, Incheon, and Busan and stay for five days but your last destination has to be Jeju Island. However, apparently, this hasn’t been signed or implemented. Please don’t make travel plans based on this announcement)
• Taiwan – 14 days extended until July 2020 or you can apply for a longer visa

VISA ON ARRIVAL/EVISA/TOURIST CARD:

• Armenia – visa on arrival for 120 days
• Georgia – evisa for 30 days, visa on arrival for 90 if you have valid visa or residence permit from EU/EFTA/GCC, Australia, Canada, Israel, New Zealand, UK, US) – (Your Complete Georgia Visa Guide)
• India – evisa for 30 days or more, you must apply for an e-Visa – Apply here!
• Kyrgyzstan – visa on arrival for 30 days
• Maldives – visa on arrival for 30 days, must show (hotel bookings, proof of financial support and return flight
• Nepal – visa on arrival for 21 Days
• Saudi Arabia – if you hold a valid US, UK, CA, and Schengen visa
• Sri Lanka – evisa for 30 Days, must obtain an Electronic Visa Authorisation
• Tajikistan – visa on arrival for 45 days
• Turkey – evisa for 30 days  (only if you have valid visa or residence permit from Schengen Countries, Ireland, UK, and the US) – (Your Complete Turkey Visa Guide) – Apply here
• Uzbekistan – evisa for 30 days, free transit for 5 days in an international airport but must show an onward ticket – apply for an evisa

BE a TEFL Teacher to fund your travels! Use MARYROAD to get your 35% off!GET YOUR 35% OFF & START TEACHING ONLINE

VISA GUIDE FOR FILIPINO FOR AFRICA

FREE VISA:

• Cape Verde Islands – 21 days
• Cote d’Ivoire – 90 days
• Comoros – 21 days
• Morocco – 90 days
• Rwanda – 90 days
• Seychelles – 21 days, must show sufficient funds & hotel bookings

VISA ON ARRIVAL/EVISA:

• Djibouti – visa on arrival for 30 days
• Gambia – visa on arrival, prior clearance from the Immigration is a must
• Guinea-Bissau – visa on arrival for 90 days
• Kenya – visa on arrival for 90 days
• Madagascar – visa on arrival for 30 days
• Malawi – visa on arrival for 21 days
• Mauritania – visa on arrival, only available at Nouakchott–Oumtounsy International Airport.
• Mozambique – visa on arrival for 30 days
  
• Senegal – visa on arrival for 30 days, must have an invitation letter
• Somalia –  visa on arrival for 30 days, an invitation letter from the sponsor must be submitted 2 days before arrival
• Tanzania – visa on arrival
• Togo – visa on arrival for 7 days, must have a yellow fever vaccination certificate
• Uganda – visa on arrival for 90 days at Entebbe Airport
• Zambia – evisa for 90 days – APPLY HERE

RELATED POST: If you also hold a passport from the USA, check this travel visa guide for USA passport holder

VISA GUIDE FOR FILIPINO FOR AMERICAS

In Central and South America, many there are many visa free countries for Philippines passport holders. The flight can be expensive but it’s definitely worth it.

Central America / Caribbean

VISA FREE:

• Colombia – 90 days, must show an exit ticket and yellow fever vaccination certificate if coming from Brazil, Dominica, Uganda
• Dominica – 21 days
• Haiti – 21 days
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – 30 days

VISA ON ARRIVAL/EVISA:

• Antigua and Barbuda – evisa, apply online
• Costa Rica – visitor’s permit on arrival for 30 days
• Nicaragua – visa on arrival for 90 days
• Trinidad and Tobago – visa on arrival for TTD 400
• Saint Lucia – visa on arrival for 6 weeks – ECD 125
• Saint Kitts and Nevis – evisa $100 for 30 days

South America

FREE VISA

• Bolivia – 90 days
• Brazil – 90 days
• Ecuador – 90 days
• Peru – 183 days
• Suriname – 90 days

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• Most Affordable Destinations Outside The Philippines
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VISA GUIDE FOR FILIPINO FOR EUROPE

Unfortunately, there are no European countries without a visa for Filipino, there are a few small countries without visa regulations, however, since they are sandwiched between Schengen countries, they exercise the Schengen rules.

eVisa, FREE VISA, USE OF OTHER VISA:

• Bosnia and Herzegovina – must hold a valid visa from the Schengen States
• Croatia –  must hold a valid visa from the Schengen States
• Liechtenstein – 30 days visa free, must hold a valid visa from the Schengen States
• Kosovo – visa exempted  only if you hold a valid Schengen residence permit or multi-entry Schengen Visa
• Romania – must hold a valid visa from the Schengen States
• Serbia – Free visa ONLY if you hold a valid UK, US, and Schengen Visa

TRAVEL INSURANCE IS A MUST FOR EUROPE VISA

RELATED ARTICLES:

• Here’s a Schengen Visa Application Guide
• How to use your Schengen Visa after 90-Day rule

VISA GUIDE FOR OCEANIA & PACIFIC ISLANDS

These countries are basically our neighbour, there is a pretty good number of visa free countries for Filipinos in this part of the world. Make sure that you check the flight prices first because it can be expensive. Not many people go here, therefore, you can be sure that it’s not as a tourist as other parts of the world.

FREE VISA & VOA:

• Cook Islands – 31 days
• Fikji – 120 days
• Mirconesia – 30 days
• Nauru – 30 days
• Niue – 30 days
• Vanuatu – 30 days

VISA ON ARRIVAL/PERMIT ON ARRIVAL:

• Fiji –  visitor’s permit on arrival for 120 days
• Marshall Islands – visa on arrival for 90 Days, VOA
• Palau – visa on arrival for 30 days
• Papua New Guinea – visa on arrival for 60 days, must arrive at Port Moresby and Rabaul airport and must show an exit ticket
• Pitcairn Islands – visa on arrival for 14 days
• Samoa – visitor’s permit on arrival for 60 days, must show an onward ticket
• Tuvalu – visitor’s permit on arrival 30 days, must show an exit ticket

RELATED ARTICLE: Best Travel Bank Cards In The Philippines

TIPS: Onward flight ticket, hotel bookings, and questions about your purpose for travel will be asked. Just be honest and confident. Wear a big smile.

Note: Please check online or get in touch with the embassy to know if other specific requirements before making any booking of flight or hotel.

I hope you find this list of Philippines passport visa free countries for Filipinos useful and I hope that even there are limited countries that Filipino can don’t need a visa, you will still pursue travelling and seeing the world. if you have any questions regarding this article, let me know in the comment section below.

DISCLAIMER

A Mary Road is not responsible for any situation where the reader was denied admittance to the above-listed countries. Please refer to our Disclosure. We advise you to always double-check visa information as they change quite often to avoid any hassles.

A year ago, I was in South America, enjoying the Colombian culture and hike Machu Picchu in Peru. But for personal reasons, I had to go back to Southeast Asia. For this same reason, I’ve decided to stay in the Philippines for a while.

Confession: I’ve never stayed in one place longer than four (4) months. While living on the road has been fun, educational, challenging, and eye-opening, I knew I had to find some normality in my life.

I’m one of the people who don’t think much about normal. As they say, normal is boring, right? However, I also believe that the routine of life has been deeply engraved to the human race were trying to live outside the norm will take a while and hard work.

In simple words, people like me who are trying to break out from what society expects one to be, it will take a while to see the result we are aiming for – and that’s fine.

When the moment of “I want a home” knocked on my door, I tried to push it aside for a while, but eventually, I had no more energy to pack another bag, book another hotel, take another flight. I feel like I only want to sleep.
It feels like I’ve been jet-lag for so long, and I need to catch up with sleep for God knows how long.

Before 2019

I was travelling and living in South America a year ago; partying in Colombia, hiking Machu Picchu, swimming on a Brazil beach. A month before 2018 ended, I had personal situations which was the reason I flew back to the Philippines with a plan of staying there for a while.

What my 2019 was like?

Most of my 2019 was spent in the Philippines. I found myself spending January 2019 renting an apartment in Manila, spend five days in the city to work on my websites then take the weekend trip somewhere in the Philippines to find my “new home”.

After three weeks, I visited Panglao, Tagaytay, and Baler. The moment I arrived in Baler, I knew that’s my place.

Baler wasn’t a smooth transition, most of the places I’ve been, I can easily find an apartment that is furnished and a landlord willing to take me for three to six (3-6) months rent. Baler is an exception. It’s a small surfing town where mostly locals visit and some French and Australian surfers. If I were to stay here and rent an apartment, I’ll have to buy furniture and appliances.

But I was eager, I signed up for an apartment for a year (that’s the minimum and actually the first time I signed something for that long) and applied for internet service. After three months of waiting for the internet to be installed and bearing seven (7) barking dogs that my neighbour own, I left this apartment and found a new one.

The new apartment worked like a charm, I had the internet installed in just two weeks, only one dog is barking all day and night. The new situation is, the town’s local government just launched a daily power outage to replace the electric posts from rotten wood to a metal one.

Baler: Favourite Unknown / Off-the-beaten Place

Baler is a surfing town facing the Pacific Ocean. I’ve explored Baler from February to the end of July. It’s a fresh breath of air, undisturbed (unless it’s peak season), raw, and full of potential. The locals are very engaging and always happy to talk about how beautiful their town is. They are proud of it and brutally honest how fast it’s changing, many express the dislike of it.

It’s one of the few places I’ve been where the locals care a lot about the serenity and being an unknown travel destination. While many of them are relying on the business that tourism brings, a lot also concerns how Baler is becoming crowded during peak season and how living costs are slowly climbing while income is not able to catch up on this change.

It’s probably because I’m Filipino, the conversation I can have from the locals are different conversation a foreigner might have.

If you are looking for a less-touristy surfing town or even if you don’t surf, this town is a great place to pick a book and head to the beach or rent a motorbike and take it on a coast drive.

Bali: Favourite Busy Destination

The moment my airport transfer enter the surfing town of Canggu, I knew Bali is an excellent place for those who are only starting their backpacking in Southeast Asia. The crowd might be a turn off to many travellers. Still, if this is your first time in this part of the world, I believe Bali will make you feel safe as you will see many young and family travellers in every corner of this town.

Ubud, which is only two-hour (2) drive from Canggu is a great place little town filled with great food, yoga retreat, and a tour close to nature.

South Africa: Favourite New Destination

I spent almost a month in South Africa where I explored Port Elizabeth (PE), Jeffrey’s Bay (JBay), Kruger National Park, Johannesburg (Joburg), and Cape Town.

Even I only had a short period, I managed to explore different parts of South Africa. I had experienced different things such as the surfing culture of this country, how Kruger National Park is working hard in letting the wild animals live in the wild, the apartheid in South Africa, and the beautiful and colourful town of Cape Town.

I don’t think I’m done exploring this country and I honestly can’t wait to go back. It’s the place I can see myself taking up an apartment and live for a while. 

Many of my travel friends had a bad experience in South Africa, and even South Africans in the travel blogging and travel communities have left because they felt unsafe there.

I don’t think I can comment anything about the safety issues there. I wasn’t there long enough, I didn’t have a bad experience, but I can see why some people feel unsafe. All I can say is, if you are up for it, you should visit and make a personal decision for yourself.

Da Lat, Vietnam: Favourite New Town

Here’s a fun back story. I flew to Ho Chi Minh in July to visit my friend Craig who was my roommate in this city back in 2017. I’ve decided to take a trip to Da Lat, just six-eight (6-8) hours from Ho Chi Minh City (depending which mode of transportation you’re going).

Da Lat is a town on top of a mountain. The weather during my visit was spectacular, despite the small rain here and there, after living in a highly humid city in the Philippines, this region is heaven.

ALSO READ: Visiting the same place twice

The town is small enough while still having everything you need. They even have their own domestic airport.

I flew back to the Philippines and got on with my life in Baler. But after all the troubles I’m running to in my apartment, I asked myself if it’s worth it to stay.
The answer was no. On November 22, I’ve made a decision and booked a flight for December 9 to Da Lat. I packed my bags, sold all my furniture which I bought just 7 months ago or less. Notified my landlady, terminate my internet, and I’m out.

Now, it just under a week, I’ve found a new apartment. I’ve walked almost everywhere, the temperature is around 12 at night and 20 during the day – it’s fantastic. I can easily walk to the coffee shop, restaurant, grocery store, and even the tourist area.

Da Lat is an excellent destination for those who want to experience Vietnam minus air pollution, heavy traffic, and humidity. Here, you can still enjoy the tasty Vietnamese food, drink a delicious Vietnamese coffee, go for a hike to see a waterfall or simply ride a cable car and visit a temple.
Soon, the flower festival will start. Then after that the Lunar New Year, it’s going to be a busy few months in Da Lat, but I’m excited to experience it.

How about you? What’s your favourite part of 2019 and which trips are you looking forward to explore next year? Let’s discuss on the comment section below.

Nayo EXP Backpack in Dalat, Vietnam

To start this year, I’d like to begin with a backpack review from a company that is passionate to bring smart and safe travel backpacks in the travelling world. Before 2019 ended, I was contacted by Nayo Smart to give their backpacks a spin and deliver my review.

I’ve been backpacking since 2015, I’ve had my fair share of trying both budget backpacks and branded ones. I love reviewing backpacks because I’ve been living on it for years.

Despite that I’ve stayed in some places longer than 3 months, you will always see me with a backpack the moment I leave the country and head onto a new adventure.Before we start with the juicy parts, let’s know Nayo Smart first:

WHO IS NAYO SMART

Nayo Smart aims for a minimalist but smart products to bring in the travelling world. They create backpacks that are anti-theft, great for outdoor activities, while still producing a brand that fits any type of traveller.

WHAT ARE THEIR PRODUCTS

Nayo Smart has six (6) backpacks. Four of them are cabin-sized backpack, and two of them are laptop/business backpacks. Both of these types of backpacks suits me as a traveller.

I travel with a cabin-sized backpack and have a laptop bag since I carry my laptop everywhere I go – even just for a weekend trip away.

For this collaboration, Nayo Smart sent me four of their backpacks to try out and review; Nayo Defensor, Nayo Anti-Theft Shell, Nayo EXP Backpack, and Nayo Almighty.

If you’re ready, let’s talk about these packs!

Laptop / Daily Backpacks

Nayo Defensor

My first impression with this backpack is how minimalist it looks. Then I opened up the backpack and saw all the amazing features. Here are the specs of Nayo Defensor:

• Capacity: 20L
• Weight: 1.23 kg (2.7 lbs)
• Size: 45 L x 14 W x 30 H cm (17.6 x 5.5 x 11.8 in)
• Laptop: fits 15.6″

Nayo Smart’s Defensor

Here are the features that I like most:

OUTSIDE:

• minimalist look
• built-in zip code locks
• a USB port for charging
• zip on and off water bottle holder
• secret pockets at the back for passport, bank cards, wallets, and other valuables
• two small pockets on the lower shoulder strap (quick access for keys, bank card, cash)
• padded back support
• can be slip on top of a wheeled suitcase
• built-in but removable keychain or key holder
• the outside fabric looks very sleek and is water-resistant, you can push back the front of the backpack to make it slimmer or pop it up for more spaces inside without making it look too bulky

INSIDE:

• laptop pocket with secure strap
• tablet/ebook pocket with secure strap
• two tight pockets for camera, chargers, and other valuables
• pen holders
• zipped pocket
• another regular pocket
• you can place your power bank inside and connect it through a built-in USB cord
• Velcro tapes on the side to minimise the opening size of the backpack

This backpack has great pockets and features just enough of what one needs. I like how it doesn’t have features that are useless or worse, making the product harder to use or heavier to carry. This pack is straightforward.

Now, let’s talk about what I don’t enjoy that much from Nayo Defensor. There aren’t a lot of things I don’t like about this backpack, but I can only imagine that to some travellers, this issue might be a deal-breaker, so here they are:

• how the inside fabric is sewn – they look, I feel like Nayo Smart could have sewed them tighter, so it doesn’t give the “cheap” look
• useless buttons – there are two buttons on the back support that I don’t understand the purpose 
• laptop pocket safety strap is only suitable for 15″ – I wish the safety strap of the laptop pocket can be adjusted to accommodate smaller laptops, I use a 13″, and when I place my computer on the inside pocket, it’s too loose and unsecure
• No hip belt – like what I mentioned on my previous reviews, the hip belt is probably something you don’t care for a laptop bag, but personally, I always opt for one

Nayo Anti-Theft Shell

Between two laptop bags, I definitely like this one better. Nayo Smart Anti-Theft Shell has a sturdy, smart, and minimalist look. The “shell” design gives me an assurance that my valuables inside will be safe.

Here are the specs of this backpack:

• Capacity: 22L
• Weight: 1.2 kg (2.7 lbs)
• Size: :46 L x 15 W x 30 H cm (18 x 4.9 x 11.8 in)
• Laptop: fits 15.6″ 

Nayo Smart Anti-Theft Shell

Here are the features I like most:

OUTSIDE:

• built-in zip coded lock
• the shoulder strap is attached to the front of the bag, so when you open the backpack it doesn’t open all the way, or it stands on its own
• zip in and zip out for a bottle holder
• slip-on strap for a wheeled suitcase
• safe compartment for passport, bank cards, phone, and another valuable right on the back, which also well-padded that help as a back support
• 2 small pockets by the shoulder strap to place bank cards or keys
• padded back support
• USB-charge port

INSIDE:

• laptop pocket with safety straps
• iPad / tablet / ebook pocket with safety straps
• pen holders
• USB cord for charging
• secure pockets for valuables
• built-in keychain/holder
• extra pockets
• Velcro tapes to stick two sides of the backpack together to avoid opening it up all-day

Every time I use this backpack, I like how to fits my back, it feels secure, and the back support does a decent job. It has plenty of space for all my stuff when I bring my work to a coffee shop or packed for a flight with them compared to my past laptop bags. I’ve never had a built-in zip coded locks, so, I’m pretty excited to try this one out.

Here are some things I don’t like a lot about this backpack and features that I wish are available:

• again, a loose sewn fabric – it made the backpack look cheap and unattractive inside
• laptop pocket best fit for 15″ – I have 13″ laptop
• laptop safety straps can’t be adjusted – with this, it feels like this backpack only accommodates those who have 15″ laptops and leave the smaller laptops unsafe
• hip belt – I wish Nayo Smart have thought about adding a hip belt even a removable one
• some small pockets in the front of the backpack – where I can put pens, wired headphones/earphones which I can easily access without opening the entire backpack

Weekend / Carry-On Backpack

Nayo EXP Backpack

Nayo Smart’s EXP Backpack

Nayo Smart’s EXP Backpack is a great daily backpack and a weekend backpack. The most important feature of this pack is how you can quickly expand it to a bigger backpack, from 25L to 40L one.

You can easily do this through zipping off some parts of the backpack, and voila, you get extra spaces. When I’m moving from the Philippines to Vietnam, I put my Anti-Theft Shell backpack inside this backpack to save some space!

Here are the specs of EXP backpack:

• Compressed size – Volume: 25L
• Weight: 1.1 kg (2.4 lbs)
• Dimensions: 50 L x 15 W x 31 H cm (19.6 x 5.9 x 12.2 in)
• Laptop: fit 17.3”
• Full-expanded size – Volume: 40L
• Dimensions: 50 L x 25 W x 31 H cm
• Equal to a standard carry-on size suitcase

Here are the things I like about Nayo EXP Backpacks:

OUTSIDE:

• the fabric has a waterproof coating – made of polyester and polyurethane
• it has a spacious pocket on the front
• USB charging port
• side straps – I’ve always found a use for side straps; attaching tents, yoga mats, and other things
• padded back for back support
• safety compartment on the bottom of the back for easy access of passport, bank cards, and other valuables
• 2 small pockets for on the shoulder straps

INSIDE:

• main compartment zipper opens up nicely so you can pack easier
• two mesh pocket – you can pack here your underwear, socks, smart shirts, it works great like a packing cube (but can’t be unattached)
• the main compartment is meshed up and spacious – from here, you can access the expanded area of the backpack
• I like how the main compartment is all mesh – it’s easy to see where things are so you can unzip whatever you need from the backpack conveniently 
• front compartment has all the pockets for everything – from here, you can also access the USB charging cord
• the back compartment is for the laptop – a 17″ laptop can fit here nicely, it also has an extra pocket for chargers and other work accessories

I honestly think that Nayo EXP Backpack is a great one; it’s a double purpose backpack. Either you are a person who carries your backpack everywhere, or if you go on a weekend trip once in a while, it’s a great pack to consider having.

Nayo EXP Backpack’s inside

Now, here’s the features that I didn’t appreciate from Nayo EXP Backpack or features I wish it has:

• better laptop compartment – it’s great that it has a big compartment, but it doesn’t do any excellent service for smaller laptops, safety-wise
• it doesn’t have a hip belt – personally, I always want a hip belt to help my back carry the weight
• wish they sew the inside fabric tighter or better to make it look nicer
• water bottle holder – I personally don’t use the water holder for bigger backpacks but I think many travellers may find it useful

Nayo Almighty

​This one might be the best backpack Nayo Smart has. The features it has perfectly fit to today’s type of traveller; bringing lots of gadgets, space for plenty of clothes, lots of pockets for better organising when packing. You can find them in either normal size or a Larger one.

Here are the specs of this backpack (Large):

• Capacity: Volume: 32L  
• Weight: 1.5 kg (3.3 lbs)
• Dimensions: 51 L x 17 W x 35 H cm (20 x 6.7 x 13.8 in)
• Laptop: fits a 17.3”

Here are the things I like about this backpack:

OUTSIDE:

• high tenacity polyester with waterproof coating
• front pocket – for any stuff that you want to access easily like headphones, eye mask, pen, paper, wet wipes, tissue, etc
• second front pocket – with two small pockets and main pocket, pen holders
• third front pocket – I’ve used it for laundry clothes, handy cam, contact lense and oral hygiene accessories
• USB charging port
• on the right side, an insulated pocket – you can place anything that you’re afraid might cause a mess (liquid) without ruining the rest of your things
• left side pocket – zip on and off water bottle holder
• back pocket (right at the bottom part) – a great place for passport, bankcards, wallets, and other valuables
• sunnies holder
• built-in whistle on the chest strap
• 2 pockets on the shoulder strap – a great place for keys, bank card, cash
• a decent padded back support

INSIDE:

The inside main compartment has two parts; meshed with built-in Velcro pouches (where you can pack your clothes) and the laptop or electronic gear area.

• 2 Velcro tape pouches – one has zip mesh, and the other is an insulated pouch (great for toiletries, in case you have an accident from any bottle or liquid, it won’t affect the rest of your stuff, this also have a small hook so you can hang it on the wall or bathroom)
• pocket for underwear or small accessories
• two side pockets – good for flip flops or water shoes
• USB charging cord
• more space for clothes
• the zipped mesh that separates two compartments can help very well on packing
• laptop pocket with safety strap – 15.6″
• iPad /tablet / ebook pocket with safety strap
• two expandable pockets – for laptop charger, camera lenses or chargers, extra battery, extra cords

I like how many pockets while still leaving lots of spaces for clothes and other accessories, I love that the fabric is soft, hence, easy to squeeze more stuff inside. The bottom base is hard enough to support the weight of the backpack.

Here are the things I don’t like a lot about Nayo Almighty backpack:

• loose sewing of the fabric inside the pockets and main compartment
• no hip belt – I always prefer hip belts
• laptop safety strap can’t be adjusted- only suitable for 15.6″ laptops since it you can’t adjust it, smaller laptops might not be as secure there
• expandable zipper – I wish there is an expandable zipper link EXP backpack even just 5cm wider
• built-in zip coded lock – it’s designed to carry expensive things like laptops and camera, it would be smart if Nayo added their built-in zip coded lack

NAYO SMART CABIN-SIZED BACKPACK VS OTHER CABIN-SIZE BACKPACK THAT I’VE USED

So far, I personally used and travelled with North Face Surge (2015-2019), Cabin Zero 40L (2017), Standard Luggage Carry-On (2019-present) and now with Nayo Smart EXP Backpack and Nayo Almighty (2019-present).

Cabin Zero 40L vs Nayo EXP Backpack

I’ve already given up my Cabin Zero two years ago because it feels like their version at that time was a beta, it was missing a lot of features, pockets, and sustainable features for backpackers. Nayo EXP Backpack definitely wins this round easily (in terms of features and price).

Cabin Zero 40L vs Nayo Almighty

Again, Nayo Almighty wins this round for its features, prices, and over-all durability. Cabin Zero is just a backpack when you can pack everything inside without having today’s features that are must be needed.

Standard Luggage Carry-On 40L vs Nayo EXP Backpack

Here’s the thing, I’ve only started travelling with Standard Luggage’s Carry-on backpack this year. Still, I’ve already taken it to three countries. That backpack is excellent for a full-time or long-term trip, but it’s too big for a weekend holiday.

While Nayo EXP is excellent for a short vacation but too small for a long-term trip. I’d say they are not comparable as you can use them for different kind of trips.

Standard Luggage Carry-On 40L vs Nayo Almighty

Same goes for Standard Luggage Carry-on vs Nayo Almighty, they are backpacks for an entirely different type of trips. Since I’m living in Vietnam now and planning to stay for a while and will do weekend or short-trips local and internationally, I’m keeping my Nayo Almighty and use it for those type of holidays.

NAYO SMART LAPTOP BACKPACK VS THE OTHER THAT I’VE USED

In my first year of travelling, I was using a Haglofs hiking backpack as a laptop backpack, last year, I got a Standard Luggage laptop bag and been using it since (although I still have my Haglofs, because it has a hip belt!).

Now, I’m comparing Standard Luggage laptop backpack vs Nayo Smart’s laptop bags.

Standard Luggage Laptop Bag vs Nayo Defensor

To be honest, Nayo Smart’s Defensor is my least favourite between 4 backpacks I ha from them. It didn’t impress me as much due to lack of pockets and how you the fabric is not expandable. It feels like it’s too limited and I’ve had a hard time placing all my Standard Luggage laptop backpack’s accessories and necessities inside the Nayo Defensor.

In this part, I recommend Standard Luggage laptop bag instead of Defensor.

Standard Luggage Laptop Bag vs Nayo Anti-Theft Shell

The moment I used Nayo Smart’s Anti-Theft Shell backpack, I knew I’m going to let go of my Standard Luggage laptop bag. Although I wish Shell backpack has more pockets like Standard Luggage, I think I’d prefer to use the Shell bag instead because of how nicely it fits on my back.

UPDATE: In the beginning I thought I want to keep the Shell backpack but after taking it for a day, it doesn’t fit my backpack but I can see that many might find it a good backpack.

SHOULD YOU BUY ALL NAYO SMART BACKPACKS

I don’t think you need to buy all of them, but if you are weekend tripper, get their carry-on backpacks which are super high for this kind of trip. If you work online or carry your backpack daily, I highly recommend you try out their laptop bags. I honestly think Nayo Smart is onto something here, they target modern travellers offering all features that are useful today.

VERDICT FOR NAYO SMART BACKPACKS

Nayo Smart’s backpacks are honestly suitable and are being sold for high prices too. Although it’s not great for long-term trips, for a weekend holiday or a short trip, it’s honestly a great deal.

The design of Nayo Smart’s backpacks are on point, it’s sleek, smart look, and minimalist, something that is in-trend right now. During my moving between the Philippines and Vietnam caused my Nayo backpacks to be on the floor, collecting dust always. Still, with a quick tap here and there, the dust marks are gone – I sure love that!For digital nomads like me, I think you’ll like their laptop bags, although I understand if you feel that their carry-on backpack needs improvement, I think the same way.

Overall, I’m satisfied with Nayo Smart’s backpacks, they are affordable, well-designed, and high for organised packing. Like what I mentioned in my past reviews, it will take some time (or trips) before I can make a great judgement. I’ll have to take it out on a couple of trips for even for at least a year to see its durability.

I’ll keep this post updated once I have more to add.That’s it from me on this Nayo Smart Backpack review. I hope you found some insights useful and help you decided if these backpacks fit your need as a traveller or digital nomad.

If you have any questions or insights, let me know in the comment section below.

Travelling to Japan is a staple dream destination in most people’s bucket list. There are plenty of reasons to visit Japan from its historic landmarks and beautiful sceneries. Filled with flavorful cuisines and unique experiences, this Japan 3 week itinerary will surely be an unforgettable trip.

Others might think that three weeks in another country might be too long. But in Japan, you might even wish to stay longer. Deeply rooted in tradition and culture, but also modern in technology, you will never run out of exciting activities to do here.

WHAT ARE THE THINGS TO REMEMBER

When travelling to a different country, especially for the first time, it is best first to research the country’s ways and norms. This will help make your trip more enjoyable and help you maximize your time and lessen your expenses. Here are some things to remember when travelling to Japan:

• Have enough yen in your wallet because cash is the usual mode of payment. Cards may be accepted in hotels and big stores, but this is not always the case. If you run out of cash, you may find ATMs in 7Eleven stores.
• Tipping is not practised in Japan. If you feel the need to express your appreciation for an excellent service, small tokens in kind such as trinkets or keychains from your country will be accepted.
• Tattoos, while they show your artistic side, are not highly regarded in Japan. These are usually associated with law-breakers so you might want to hide yours if you have one.
• Menus and signs in less touristy spots may not have English translations; hence it is better to know a few Japanese words or have a translation app on your phone or have a translation book at hand
• Buy a Rail Pass and rent a pocket WIFI to make navigating Japan easier.   

ALSO READ: Important things to know before travelling to Japan

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO GO

The best time to go to Japan will depend on where you want to go, and what you want to do because the different regions have unique experiences to offer during Japan’s various times of the year. But generally, most people would rank Cherry Blossoms season as the best time to visit Japan. This occurs from late March until early May depending on the location or region.

• When is the summer: June to September
• When is the typhoon season/winter season: December to February
• Biggest national holiday: New Year (Shogatsu) when businesses are usually closed until January

ALSO READ: Beginner’s skiing guide to Japan

JAPAN VISA

For American and British citizens, a Japan Visa is not required if staying for less than 90 days. But passports should be valid during the whole period of stay in Japan, and a return or onward ticket should be presented upon entry. 

This “Visa-free” arrangement is granted to more than 50 countries. If your country is not included in the list, then you may visit your nearest Japanese embassy for the Visa application.

AVERAGE COST PER DAY (per person): $80 USD/€70

Known for its superb quality of goods and services, it is often a misconception that Japan is an expensive travel destination. But in reality, most foreign tourists who visited the place find it inexpensive.

You may buy Bus and Rail Passes to lessen your transportation expenses. Opting for dormitories, hostels, and budget business hotels is also good to cut costs on accommodation. But if you have the money for it, then this is also a great place to splurge.

• On the budget: 54-96 USD or 49-87 Euro
• On the mid-range: 96-167 USD or 87-151 Euro
• On luxury: over 167 USD or 151 Euro
• What’s the most expensive cost: Accommodation
• What’s the cheapest price: Transportation

WHAT TO PACK FOR THE TRIP

Pack as lightly as possible and bring only the essentials because most trains and buses don’t have enough rooms for bulky luggage. Plus, Japan has plenty of great shopping hubs.

Thus, you surely would want to have more space for your new items. Aside from your Visa, Passport, Tickets, toiletries and comfortable shoes, here are some of the essentials that you should bring:

• translation book/ebook
• bank cards
• winter clothes – if coming this season

WHERE TO GO: JAPAN 3 WEEK ITINERARY

Visiting different places in Japan can be surprisingly easy. They have a fantastic transportation system, and its islands are well connected by ferries, bus services, and railways. You may want a refreshing onsen bath and explore authentic shrines.

There are also temples and castles to explore as you walk the busy Shibuya crossing. Surely, you are amazed at what Japan’s cities/towns have to offer.

Tokyo

As Japan’s capital, Tokyo is a mix of modernization and tradition. Here you can find busy shopping districts, skyscrapers, top-rated restaurants, entertainment centres as well as historical landmarks, museums, temples and beautiful landscapes.

You may also have day trips to popular destinations nearby such as Kamakura and Nikko. Both places have temples and shrines, but Kamakura has the beach while Nikko is home to hot springs, lakes, and waterfalls.

Day trips to Hakone from Tokyo are also available, and this is one of the best spots to view Mt. Fuji. 

• Location (address if applicable): Tokyo Prefecture, Kantō Region
• How to get there: Take the JR Narita Express from Narita Airport to Tokyo Station or a book an airport pick up
• What to see: Tsukiji Market, Akihabara, Digital Art Museum, Tokyo National Museum, Tokyo Skytree, Asakusa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Tokyo DisneySea
• How many days to stay: 7 days

Nagoya

The fourth most populous city in Japan, Nagoya is known as a world-class manufacturing and industrial district. This is where you can find the giant Toyota Motors Corporation.

You may also want to visit the very famous Asahi Beer Factory. It is home to museums, shrines, and well-maintained parks. And the beautiful Nagoya Castle is one of its prominent landmarks.

• Location (address if applicable): Aichi Prefecture, Chūbu Region
• How to get there: Take a Shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo to Nagoya for a faster trip.
• What to see: Railway Museum, Tokugawa Art Museum, Nagoya Castle, Atsuta Shrine
• How many days to stay: 2 days

Kanazawa

As the capital city of Ishikawa Prefecture, Kanazawa is home to historical landmarks. It is also unparalleled to the Kenrokuen, one of the most beautifully landscaped gardens in Japan.

• Location (address if applicable): Ishikawa Prefecture, Hokuriku Region
• How to get there: Take the Limited Express Shirasagi from Nagoya to Kanazawa
• What to see: Kenrokuen, Ninjadera, 21st Century Museum, Kanazawa Castle, Omicho Market
• How many days to stay: 2 days

Kyoto

Used to be Japan’s capital, Kyoto is an ancient city with exceptional historical value. Here you can find samurai castles, world heritage sites, and the serene Zen gardens.

Get the chance to spot real Geisha and Maiko in real life. Side trips to Mount Koya and Nara are also highly recommended if you will be visiting Kyoto. 

• Location (address if applicable): Kyoto Prefecture, Kansai Region
• How to get there: Take the Limited Express Thunderbird from Kanazawa to Kyoto
• What to see: Nijo Castle, Sento Palace, Nishiki Market, Kyoto Imperial Palace, Pontocho, Higashiyama, Fushimi Inari Shrine, Daigoji Temple, Arashiyama, Katsura Villa, Geisha District
• How many days to stay: 6 days

Osaka

Known as the “snack capital of Japan,” Osaka should be on your list of cities to visit for mouthwatering Japanese food. In addition to being known for its culinary treats, Osaka also boasts of its unique form of entertainments such as spa theme park and eating street with gigantic neon lights, and an alive music scene.

• Location (address if applicable): Osaka Prefecture, Kansai Region
• How to get there: Take the Shinkansen (bullet train) from Kyoto to Osaka
• What to see: Universal Studios, Osaka Aquarium, Osaka Castle, Minami, Sumiyoshi Taisha, Shinsekai, Spa World, get a Hop-on, Hop-off pass
• How many days to stay: 4 days

WHAT TO EAT

Japanese cuisine is one of the best in the world. You would probably say “Oishi” (meaning delicious) several times during your stay here. Here are some of the food that you should not miss while in Japan for an amazing gastronomic experience.

The best way to try out all the must-eat Japanese dishes is to book a food tour.

Ramen

One of the most popular Japanese dishes, ramen is made of wheat noodles in a flavorful broth. It can be topped with thinly sliced pork, corn, preserved bamboo shoots, seaweeds, chopped green onions, marinated hard-boiled or soft-boiled egg, and many more. Depending on your preference, vegetarian ramen is also widely available in Japan.

• Where to try: Ramen restaurants, also known as ramen-ya, are located everywhere in Japan. You may also head over T’s Tantan in Tokyo Station if you prefer a vegan ramen shop.
• How much does it cost (typically): 500-1200 Yen

Tempura

Known as deep-fried seafood or vegetables which are smothered in a light batter, Tempura is sometimes paired with a light dipping sauce. This staple dish can be eaten on its own or as toppings in rice meals.

• Where to try: This dish is widely available, but it is best to try it in a Tempura-ya, which is a restaurant that specializes in this dish.
• How much does it cost (typically): 100-400 Yen per piece

Okonomiyaki

This dish is pan-fried and is made with cabbage and batter as the base. Then, you get to choose the toppings that you like, hence the name “okonomi” (to one’s liking). 

Toppings can range from meat, seafood, vegetables, and seaweeds, then zigzagged with mayonnaise on top for a filling snack that you will surely love.

• Where to try: Available everywhere in Japan, but best to try in Hiroshima and Osaka
• How much does it cost (typically): 300-600 Yen

With all the attractions, exciting activities and delectable cuisines, Japan is indeed a dream destination. But what you will love more is the friendliness of the Japanese people. Plus, you will surely be in awe of how safe it is to walk its clean streets.

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Most travellers heading to Southeast Asia prefer to visit Bangkok and Phuket. Phuket is the largest island in Thailand. Every year 5 million travellers flock to Phuket to experience the turquoise waters, white sandy beaches, tropical climate, adventures, thriving nightlife, and luxury spas.

Phuket caters to the needs of all holidaymakers travelling in a group, family or with special someone. If you are visiting Thailand for the first time, you may want to get as much information as you can – read about Thailand visa.

Best Time to Visit Phuket

The climate in Thailand can vary depending on where you are going. The best time to travel to Phuket is from December to March. The weather is comfortable with a cool breeze and no humidity. The months of May and April are the warmest.

While in June, July and August, there are heavy showers every now and then. In September and October, you can expect non-stop rains, which can disrupt your sightseeing and exploring plans in Phuket.

Book Tickets in Advance

From Bangkok, you can reach Phuket via a flight. Then you can either travel within Phuket by train or bus. Road transportation is very well connected here.

Car rental is costly, and thus travellers choose to travel by bus from Bangkok to Phuket. While you can also get on a bus and travel your way around.

Some things to now before reaching Phuket

• Majority of tourists buy lots of clothes, bags, shirts, pants, etc. at the Jungceylon Shopping Mall because it is affordable. Unfortunately, the goods claimed to be branded are NOT. It is not a place to do bulk shopping, but choose some of the funky branded apparel for your wardrobe. Do bulk shopping in Bangkok!
• Phuket offers a plethora of services, including massage, pedicure, manicure, massage, and hairstyling at affordable prices. You can pamper yourself with a Thai massage!
• Thailand is popular for its authentic food. However, you’ll find international cuisine served more than the local dishes in the restaurants. If you are keen on trying some traditional Thai food like Pad Thai, Tom Yam, Green Curry, or Thai Pancake, then street stalls are placed to feed your hungry soul. 
• Phuket is a travellers’ heaven, so you will find all kinds of accommodations around suitable for every budget ranging from backpackers to luxurious resorts. 
• Be cautious about your expectations to enjoy the popular nightlife. You will be amazed to read the menu, ‘Buy a drink and watch the show for free’. You’ll need to pay for 45 to 100 USD for the drinks, not in Thai Baht, so drink wisely. 

ALSO READ: How to get from Bangkok to Siem Reap

Which Beaches to Visit

Now, let’s learn about all the places to explore in Phuket, so you can carefully plan your itinerary. The overall enjoyment will not be only the number of sites you get to see, but even how you will visit it counts!

The popular Patong Beach

It is the very first place travellers flock to as soon as they land on the island. Patong beach is always crowded and bustling. At night, the area turns into a party hub. It is a hot and happening place, but someone looking to relax and stretch needs to visit Karon and Kata beaches.

The recommended Karon and Kata Beaches

Both are a short drive from the Paton beach. The sand is white, water is clean, and the environment is laid-back. These peaceful beaches allow travellers to relax and enjoy the remarkable sunset on the horizon. Kata beach bars are perfect for a beautiful evening.

Unbeaten path of Laem Ka Beach

It is a kind of private beach and hidden gem with stunning offshore island views. The sparkling blue water is crystal clear and perfect for some refreshing splash! It is a little remote from the central region with an ideal backdrop.

Other similar beaches are the Paradise beach, Nui beach, and the Freedom beach.

Temples to Explore

A trip to Thailand is never complete without exploring and discovering the temples which is the centre of the religion of most Thai people. Here are some temples we recommend you see while in Phuket.

Big Buddha and Wat Chalong

Phuket’s most famous landmark is the 45-meter massive statue of Buddha. This white marble figurine is perched on top of a hill, which offers stunning views of the Chalong Bay. For serene and prayer offerings, many travellers visit Wat Chalong, the most important and colourful worship place.

Wat Khao Rang

This temple hosts many golden Buddha figurines and other Hindu Gods. The incredible temple Wat Khao Rang was constructed by Luang Pu Supha, a monk. He is stated to be the world’s oldest man. A massive statue guards the entrance and a dragon slides down its stairway.

Natural Attractions to See

For those who are very outdoorsy, don’t worry, there are also places you can visit that will bring you closer to nature while travelling in Phuket. Here are some places to add on your itinerary:

Karon viewpoint

Although this point is called Karon, it is in Kata. On a clear-day, travellers can get picture-perfect ocean views and the three beautiful beaches.

Promthep Cape

Nature lovers can experience the majestic sunset from this viewpoint. The Nai Harn beach and several offshore islands can be seen from this point. Evenings are crowded here as many people take a hike towards the southernmost point. If you too want to join them, then it is recommended to wear comfortable hiking shoes.

Bang Pae waterfall

The waterfall has a steady flow of milky white water, which is perfect for enjoying a swim after a memorable hiking experience across the scenic beauty.

Other Activities

If the above suggestions are not enough or there is still some activities you want to add on your Phuket itinerary, check out these other ventures:

Art museums

The trick eye museum, as well as the upside-down house, have impressive displays but are both quirky. The first one exhibits life-size 3D paintings, which appear to pop out anytime. The latter one is designed with everything upside-down.

Cultural shows

Thai folklore is told uniquely at cultural shows Phuket Fantasea & Siam Niramit. You can enjoy gravity-defying stunts at the circus-style show Phuket Fantasea. Other things to enjoy are the tigers performing jumps and leaps, adorable elephants, fireworks, and magical illusions.

Siam Niramit takes guests back in time with hundreds of artistes adorned in glitzy costumes displaying an entertaining and educational show. The popular ladyboy show at Simon Cabaret is glamorous. Guests get captivated with the graceful dancing, celebrity parodies, and performance revealing boundless energy.

Island tours

Phang Nga Bay Cruise

You get to visit the popular James Bond Island. You can enjoy your lunch at Koh Panyee. It is a fishing village built on pilings. You can canoe leisurely along the well-known limestone cliffs.

Phi Phi Island tour

Thailand’s most Scenic Island is the Koh Phi Phi. People are mesmerized with Maya Bay, a green lagoon enclosed by rocky cliffs. You sail along Pileh Covers, Monkey Beach, and Viking Cave. You get to snorkel and explore the diverse marine life under emerald green waters.

Other water activities

• Scuba diving or snorkelling
• Bungee jumping
• Ziplining 

Have a refreshing experience and explore the underwater and the wilderness!

Nightlife

Thailand is easily the heart of Southeast Asia when it comes to partying, our tip? Never miss that! Even if you are not into this kind of thing, check it out and see who travellers and locals party, it’s nothing like any other parts of the world.

Here are some areas we recommend:

• Bangla Road is a crazy party street jammed with neon-lit bars and flowing music at night-time
• Walk along with Phuket’s Night markets for an authentic experience of shopping cheap clothes, funky souvenirs and savour best street food
• WWF fans can watch the Muay Thai, a compelling martial art match involving hard elbow strikes and kicks at stadiums

If you plan to spend more than 4 days in Phuket, then visit an overnight trip to nearby Khao Sok National Park!

We hope that this article about planning a Phuket itinerary is helpful for you. If you have questions or more tips to add, feel free to write them in the comment section below.

Since travelling is now very trendy especially backpacking in Southeast Asia, cheap ways to travel are getting more and more attention. If you are on a budget, Southeast Asia is a perfect destination for you and I’ll tell you later why.

Travelling is constantly developing, nowadays, this is something that other people see as a lifestyle. Companies in the tourism industry are everywhere and a lot of them are competing who can offer the cheapest flight tickets, accommodations, tours, and other services.

Even you are half the world away, travelling is very possible now without spending too much. Find out what are the top destinations in Southeast you should explore next.

RELATED ARTICLES: 

• ​Visa guide for Southeast Asia
• When to visit Southeast Asia
• ​Ultimate Southeast Asia travel budget
• Where to surf in Asia; best surfing spots, cost, tips
• Vaccinations for Southeast Asia
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NOTE: All prices are in US Dollars

HERE ARE THE TOP DESTINATIONS IN SOUTHEAST ASIA FOR YOU TO EXPLORE

Make sure you already have a passport, because after reading this article, you will not be able to stop looking at cheap flights, accommodations, food to try, and of course, blue beaches to swim.

VIETNAM TRAVEL COST

Forget about the Pho they offer to your favourite Vietnamese restaurant, get on the plane and try the tastiest, freshest and cheapest Pho you will ever have! Vietnam has a crazy number of tourist every day, and it keeps growing. Because of this, cheap hostels and affordable tours can be found in every corner of the streets.

Why Is This One Of The Most Affordable Destinations Outside The Philippines?

Daily Budget

Accommodation and food alone should not cost you more than $10-$15 a day, which means you can survive with $20 a day. There are tons of budget-friendly hostels around, while cheap and tasty food can be found almost everywhere. Even beers cost next to nothing!

Flight Tickets

$500 or less, I managed to fly from Denmark to Hanoi for $350 for one-way ticket most of the time, it’s cheaper if you get a return flight. Most affordable flights are leaving from Helsinki, London, Copenhagen, Warsaw. Turkey, Rome, Frankfurt, and Paris in Europe, make sure to check the flights from big cities or capital of the country to find the best flight. Check for cheap flights.

Hostels​

$4-$5 – Sharing a room with 2 or more bunk beds. If you are travelling with a friend or someone else, it’s cheaper to get a private room which starts at $10. Check these Best Vietnam Hostels or my recommended hostel in Vietnam that I personally stayed at

Meal​​​​

$1-3 from street food to a casual restaurant or fast-food chains. There is also convenient stores like VinMart, Family Mart, and Circle K that offers ready to eat meals for great prices.

Transportation

$12 for an 8-hour bus ride. Local buses around the city are around $0.20 but the traffic is pretty bad, you can take a motorbike taxi for as cheap as $.50. Maybe motorbiking in Vietnam sounds appealing to you as well.

Tours​

Tours start about US$25 up depending on what you are looking for to do. There are also free things to do like visiting Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum in Hanoi. I joined the Mekong Delta tour in Ho Chi Minh City for $12. Check the super cheap tours here. or here.

CHECK FOR SUITABLE TOURS FOR YOU and CHECK FOR AFFORDABLE TOURS

Visa​

Southeast Asian nationals and a few Europeans are free to enter between 14-30 days. If you want to stay longer than that or if you need a visa, you can do it check this Vietnam visa guide too or  Apply here

RELATED ARTICLES:

• A guide for the things you MUST do in Vietnam
• A border crossing between Vietnam and Laos
• 50 travel tips if you decide to go backpacking in Southeast Asia

CAMBODIA TRAVEL COST

The beautiful Angkor Wat, the markets in Battambang, the beach in Koh Rong, and not to mention the happy pizza (Oops!). Whatever your reason is, Cambodia is definitely worth a visit. With its affordable food, hostels, and beers, there is no excuse not to travel here anytime soon.

Why is it one of the top destinations in Southeast Asia? 

Daily Budget

You can easily survive with $15-$20, tours and visit to Angkor Wat are excluded. It’s very easy to find budget food and hostels. Transportation should not be expensive too and remember to always bargain when you use tuk-tuk. Check for cheap flights.

Flight Tickets

The flight are about $600 or more, it’s rare to find a direct cheap flight to Cambodia, the best is to fly to Bangkok and then take a bus for $12 to Cambodia. Check for cheap flights

Hostels

Dorm beds in a mixed room are about $4-$6. Again, sharing a private room is also cheaper. 
Check Hostels in Cambodia that I personally stayed at

Meal

You can find $1.5 or less for street food or $2 for side street restaurant that can leave you full. While the restaurant is about $3-$5.

Transportation​

A taxi should cost you around $1-$2 per 5 kilometres. For a short ride with tuk-tuks, it should not be more than a dollar. Buses are around $10-$12 for 9-10 hour bus ride. Local buses are $5-$6 or less.

Tours

You can find cheap tours in Phnom Penh for about $3, these are some tours that you only need to pay for transportation.  Find more information about affordable tours here or here.

CHECK FOR SUITABLE TOURS FOR YOU and CHECK FOR AFFORDABLE TOURS

Visa

Cambodia is only visa-free for Southeast Asian countries, however, Europeans and travellers from other parts of the world can get a visa on arrival or an evisa online – Cambodia Visa Guide: Apply here!

THAILAND BUDGET COST

Wait, what?! I thought Thailand is supposed to be expensive? Well, that’s quite accurate, unless you budget and plan well. Perhaps turn your focus up in the north instead of the islands? Both of us know that we have more than enough islands in the Philippines.

Thailand is one of the main destinations in Southeast Asia, because of the growing number of backpackers here, Thailand offers affordable hostels and food to its travellers. If you are going alone (because your friends are “puro drawing”) no need to worry, you will meet heaps of solo travellers here.

RELATED POST: But watch out for the lady in the Red Dress!

Why is it one of the top destinations in Southeast Asia? 

Daily Budget

If you stay out of the restaurants and private rooms, $20-$35 will be enough for your daily budget. To be honest, you could even spend less if you will look harder for cheaper food and accommodation. Consider putting your feet to use instead of taking a taxi or tuk-tuks. Chiang Mai should definitely be on your list because it’s somehow cheap than Bangkok and its nature is a must explore.

Flight Tickets

Flying from major airports in Europe to Bangkok, there are flights from $350. While from North America, flights is not so cheap, they start at $800 if you get lucky. Many travellers from this part of the world take a flight to Europe then flight to Southeast Asia.

If you are located either in Australia or New Zealand, there are flights starting at $600 from budget airlines. Every now and then, look out for a promo for cheap flights well.

Hostels​

For as cheap as $5-$8 for dorm beds and $10-12 for private rooms. Check Hostels in Thailand.

Meal

$1-$4 for street food and casual restaurants or fast-food chains. Look out for those local restaurants on the side streets, they are the affordable ones.

Transportation

Taking buses around Bangkok should be around $0.50 while taking taxis, the fair starts at $1.5. Motor taxis and tuk-tuks are around $1 as well for a short ride. Bangkok also has a metro, they are cheaper than taxis for sure, however, they don’t cover many areas of the city yet.

Tours

$12 can be found all-over Thailand. There are actually cheap but great tours in Thailand. or even Bangkok tours for $22 or here for less.

CHECK FOR SUITABLE TOURS FOR YOU and CHECK FOR SUITABLE TOURS FOR YOU and CHECK FOR AFFORDABLE TOURS

$12 can be fond all-over Thailand. There are actually cheap but great tours in Thailand. or even Bangkok tours for $22 or here for less. CHECK FOR SUITABLE TOURS FOR YOU or CHECK FOR AFFORDABLE TOURS

Visa

Thailand offers free-visa for 30 days to a lot of nationalities – you can more information about Thailand visa here.

INDIA TRAVEL COST

Hello, Taj Mahal and Indian food, who can resist these two? Pack your bags and head to India to try the real curry, perhaps an epic shot of your Instagram on Taj Mahal? India is a huge country, most travellers need more than three months to have a good grip on this country. Most Indians also speak English, which made it a lot easier to travel around.

Why is it one of the top destinations in Southeast Asia?

Daily Budget

A backpacker could easily survive in India with $20-35 a day excluded the tours. While a backpacker with a great talent for budgeting can survive with $18.

Flight Tickets

You can find as cheap as $250 if you are smart enough to spot the cheap flights and coming from Europe. While again, North Americans and travellers from Oceania will have to spend a more. Remember to look for flights leaving the major cities from your home country and landing in a major city in India.

Hostels

You can book a mixed dorm room for $5-$7 Check Hostels in India

Meal

There are $1 or less for street food. India is very well-known for its amazing but affordable food. India is a good place for vegetarians as well, however, you can, of course, find places that offer meat dishes.

Transportation

$0.50 to $1 are the starting rate for rickshaws and taxis. Local buses around the country are from $10-$12, that is for 12-15 hour bus trip. Some travellers even say that you can get on a train for a lot cheaper if you don’t mind to be cramped with the locals on the lowest cabin of the train.

Tours

$5 or less, depending on the tour you want to do and where in India. Check out some tours for India while you can find the cheap ones here.

CHECK FOR SUITABLE TOURS FOR YOU and CHECK FOR AFFORDABLE TOURS

$5 or less, depending on the tour you want to do and where in India. Check out some tours for India  while you can find the cheap ones here. CHECK FOR AFFORDABLE TOURS

Visa

You must apply for an e-visa before arriving –   Apply here! or find out how you can apply for India visa online

MALAYSIA TRAVEL COST

Always wanted to see the famous Twin Tower in Kuala Lumpur? Or the vibrant city of Malacca? Even though Malaysia is not very cheap compared to other destinations below, it is possible to travel cheaply. Planning in advance, you can find cheap hostels and flight tickets.

Affordable meals can be found in the local eateries and street food stalls as well. You should also keep in mind that Kuala Lumpur can be pricey but doesn’t mean the entire country is.

​Why is it one of the top destinations in Southeast Asia? 

Daily Budget

Daily budget in Malaysia is around $25-$30, however, if you keep yourself away from restaurants and taxis, and dig down for cheap hostels, you can easily go for $20-$25 a day. Street stalls are everywhere, you can easily run into a good meal for $6, or an affordable one for $2-$3.

Flight Tickets

Malaysia is actually a popular transit hub to Southeast Asia, there are direct flights from Australia, New Zealand, Europe, and sometimes even from North America.

However, these direct flights are not the cheapest, which is about $1,000 and up. While flights with a connection can be as cheap as $700.

Hostels

In Kuala Lumpur, hostels are not very cheap, still affordable though but in Langkawi, you can find ones for $7 Check Hostels in Malaysia that I personally stayed at

Meal

You can score a $2  for cheap eats like street food, while casual restaurants are about $4. Some hostels have their own kitchen, which means, you can cook and save money.

Transportation

For transportation, prepare to spend about $2-$7. Buses are relatively cheap, if you take a bus from the airport to George Town that should cost $0.78, renting a bicycle is also affordable, it’s around $2.50 per day, while renting a motorbike is quite popular and should be around $7.50 per day.

You can also cross the border from Melaka to Singapore by bus.

Tours

There are free things to do around Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Malacca, and Langkawi. There are actually very affordable tours in Malaysia, as low as $8!

CHECK FOR TOURS and CHECK FOR TOURS

Visa

Free visa for 30 days –  Apply here or find out if you need one on this Malaysia visa guide post.

WHERE ELSE

Laos – Free Visa for Southeast Asian (30 days). A bit less touristy compared to Thailand and Vietnam, you can find spots where it’s more laid back and chill. Most prices are like Vietnam and Cambodia, maybe a little bit higher. Daily Budget is around $20-$25. Here’s a Vietnam-Laos Border guide.

Indonesia– Free Visa for almost all nationalities (30 Days). If the mountains and beaches in the Philippines are not enough for you, why not enjoy Indonesia’s active volcanoes and badass beaches? Indonesia may be a bit more pricey than the others, however, it is still possible to enjoy the country with good budgeting. 

I hope this list of top destinations in Southeast Asia can help you feed your travel bug even just for a week or two. Travelling is not cheap, that’s for sure, but it is affordable!

RELATED POST:

• Things to Know Before Travelling to Asia

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Photo Credit: Oberlehner via Pixabay.com

Riga is the capital of one of the Baltic States, Latvia. Mysterious and fascinating to many travellers coming from Europe itself, North America, Oceania, and other parts of the world. Many wonder how expensive it is to travel around Europe. What many don’t know is that there are parts of Europe that are affordable, full of history, and of course, stunning just as many other corners of this continent.

Latvia is super affordable compared to central, north, and south of Europe. I’ve personally lived in Vilnius, Lithuania, another Baltic State and was very amused by how budget-friendly it was. I also lived and travelled in Denmark, which was super expensive. Did I also mention that it is located right on the Baltic Sea?

If you are heading to Riga and planning to travel on a budget, this article will show you the best hostels in Riga, from party hostels, cheap hostels, and of course, to help you decide which one to stay depending on your preference.

​ TIP: Use the table of contents to navigate faster

NOTE: Prices may change without prior notice.

BEST HOSTELS IN RIGA: COMPARISON TABLE

REMEMBER: Hostels listed here are all equipped with working common kitchen where you can store your food and cook for yourself. Most of these hostels offer a private room as well.

PARTY HOSTELS IN RIGA

When it comes to the party, Riga will not let you down. From affordable beers and hard liquors, hip and cool bars, and awesome music, there is a place for any party lover. These party hostels in Riga hold parties in the hostels and also take the guests to a fun and all night long pub crawls in the city.

However, if you have been in Southeast Asia and stayed in party hostels there, it might not be as crazy as that. Party hostels in Europe follow more strict rules, which restrain them from making noise after certain hours of the day or night.

Naughty Squirrel Backpackers Hostel

Through its name, you can already feel the vibe of crazy parties from any day of the week. Not only it’s located perfectly right in the heart of the Old Town, but this hostel also hold happy hours and epic pub crawls that will make your visit to Riga memorable. This is the place to go if you don’t know where to stay in Riga especially if you’re travelling solo.

Riga Old Town Hostel & Backpackers Pub

Just by reading its description and name – this hostel is not the place to have a quiet time and read a book on the corner. Riga Old Town Hostel & Backpackers Pub encourage all its guests to socialise and meet co-backpackers and more or less have a beer together.

If you survive the pre-game drinking, next to it is to hit the Old Town and around the area for popular and coolest bars.

AFFORDABLE OR CHEAP HOSTELS IN RIGA

This section is not the only driven by the cheapest dorm bed price, I also considered its reviews (must have a decent number of reviews and good ratings), I also made sure that these hostels are still well located. You can find a hostel that is as cheap as $5, however, it’s not in the Old Town and it doesn’t have the most encouraging reviews and ratings.

Central Hostel Riga

The best cheapest hostel in Riga, for $7 you will have a bed in a 6-dorm room, there are free tea and coffee 27/4. Right outside the hostel, there are affordable places to eat and convenience stores where you can find a quick snack or food which is only a few minutes walk. It has also thousands of reviews both on Booking.com and HostelWorld.

Yellow Hostel Central

Newly refurbished hostel located in the Old Town, for $7 a bed in a 10-mixed dorm room with a comfortable and clean area, plus a continental breakfast is included, there is nothing better deal than Yellow Hostel Central. The shops are only a few minute walk, so are the public transportation.

Riga Hostel

For only $7, a comfortable bed in a 10-bedroom dorm room and a free cancellation if you book at Riga Hostel. It is located on the 4th floor which is still PWD friendly since there is a service lift to take. The kitchen facility is amazing too, there is enough space for everyone to store their food and cook for themselves.

Amalienhof Hostel Riga

If you don’t mind to be 1.4 kms from the Old Town, Amelienhof is not a bad choice. For $5, you get a dorm bed in an old but exquisite building. They also have a terrace/garden to enjoy breakfast on a sunny morning. The reviews on Booking.com is pretty good although this hostel didn’t charm the HostelWorld users for its one sharing bathroom for 14 people. Still, you get what you pay for.

MOST REVIEWED HOSTELS IN RIGA

Many travellers like me rely on reviews from the trusted platforms when deciding where to stay, especially if we are looking for well-located ones, clean hostels, affordable, and of course a place where we can meet people and socialise. This section is all about hostels in Riga that are well or most reviewed.

Both number of reviews on Booking.com and HostelWorld will be combined, the total must be at least 1,500 reviews while the rating must be minimum of 14.0 out of 20.0 (added ratings from Booking.com and HostelWorld).

Note: The total number of reviews and ratings are updated on Sept 28, 2018

Naughty Squirrel Back​​packers Hostel

Naughty Squirrel Backpackers Hostel is not only popular for being a party hostel. Many guests who have stayed here loved how comfortable their beds are and how well-maintained their bathroom and common areas. Their staffs are also are impeccable, always friendly, happy to help, and gives the best advice and tips. They are also located beautifully in the Old Town or 900 m from the middle of the city.

Total number of reviews: 5,850

Total rating: 18.7 out of 20.0

Price: $14

Distance from the Old Town: 550 m

Central Hostel Riga

The renovation of Central Hostel gave a total boost, however, even before this, the hostel is already doing an amazing job accommodating thousands of guests. Located within the Old Town, this hostel is still very close to the main attractions, must-sees, and places to eat and drink. The staffs are also well-praised for their services and keeping the hostel and common area tidy.

Total number of reviews: 4,607

Total rating: 17.2 out of 20.0

Price: $7

Distance from the Old Town: 1.4 km

Cinnamon Sally Backpackers

Cinnamon Sally Backpackers is a very cosy place with a very cute common area where guests gather around, share stories, and play music together. The rooms are very spacious with big lockers to put all your stuff. The staffs are very friendly and sociable, they give the best tips and advice about the city itself. The price is not the cheapest, but the comfortable beds, clean common areas, and a great location – it’s worth every penny.

Total numbers of reviews: 2,436

Total rating: 18.8 out of 20.00

Price: $15

Distance from the Old Town: 900 m

Tree House Hostel

If you are more into chill vibe hostels, Tree House is the one for you. Located in the Old Town but in a quiet area. For only $9, you get not just a room but a free breakfast too. The rooms are modern, spacious, and well-maintained and cleaned throughout the day. The staffs speak great English, helpful, and always present whenever you need anything.

Total numbers of reviews: 2,376

Total rating: 18.9 out of 20.00

Price: $9

Distance from the Old Town: 300 m

Riga Hostel

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Very close to the public transportation which sometimes can distress those who don’t enjoy noise from the busy street. Riga Hostel is located not far from the middle of the city. It’s very affordable which is why many guests preferred to stay here. It has everything you need, it’s probably not the fanciest hostel you can find in town but it can deliver the basics. For $7, you get a bed in a dorm room and free coffee and tea any time of the day.

Total number of reviews: 3,126

Total rating: 17.2 out of 20.00

Price: $7

Distance from the Old Town: 900 m

Wicked Weasel Hostel

Wicked Weasel Hostel is Australian owned backpacker’s place in Riga. It’s pretty laid back and chill, but still, a great place to meet people. The staffs speak great English and are very helpful in whatever question you have. The hostel is clean, with enough space for everyone and well-maintained common areas.

Total numbers of reviews: 2,039

Total rating: 18.3 out of 20.00

Price: $16

Distance from the Old Town: 600 m

Yellow Hostel Central

This hostel is not only one of the most reviewed hostels in Riga, but it’s also very affordable, it’s $7 for a dorm bed including a continental breakfast. The rooms also have a balcony view which is pretty sweet. If you are looking to meet other travellers and get great tips from them or do activities around the city together, you can easily meet them here.

Total numbers of reviews: 1,549

Total rating: 14.2 out of 20.00

Price: $7

Distance from the Old Town: 900 m

WHAT TO DO IN RIGA

To give a quick must see during your stay in Riga, here are some that you should not miss on your visit. Either you are coming on the weekends or here for a few days, there are plenty of things to do, history to learn, and places to see in the capital of Latvia.

Vecriga and Freedom Monument

On your first full day, why not spend your time wandering around the Old Town, explore Vecriga and pay respect on the Freedom Monument which holds as a symbol of a very historical moment for Latvians. If your hostel in Riga will be at the Old Town, it should be easy to walk and find these two locations.

If you like old churches, cathedrals, and medieval alleys, Vecriga is the place. It is also located right at the east side of Daugava River. Go visit the popular churches such as Riga Cathedral and St. Peter’s Church.

The Freedom of Monument is 42 cm statue which was dedicated to Latvians who lost their lives fighting for the independence between 1918 to 1920.

House of the Blackheads

This place is probably not something you see in most places you have been or going. This building was built in the early 14th century, it was built in the memory of unmarried merchants, shipowners, and foreigners lived and worked in Riga. Personally, I don’t see something like this very often that is dedicated to foreign nationals. It was opened in 1999.

Address: Rātslaukums 7, Centra rajons, Rīga, LV-1050, Latvia

Working hours: Tuesday to Sunday between 11am-6pm

Architectural Style: Baroque

Located: Old Town

Three Brothers, Riga

These Three Brothers in Riga are three fascinating houses in the city. The area of these three houses forms or stand as the oldest complex of dwelling houses in Riga. Each house represents the development of dwelling houses. IT was first built in the 15th century, the design shows a Gothic and early Renaissance design while in 1646 to 1746, a change was applied most on the neighbouring houses where you can see a touch of Dutch Mannerism.

Address: Mazā Pils iela 17, Centra rajons, Rīga, LV-1050, Latvia

Working hours: 24 hours a day unless there will be a Pope’s visit

Location: Old Town

Powder Tower, Riga

Exactly what its name was driven, the Powder Tower was one of the defence towers of Riga. In 1937 to 1940, it was reconstructed to be part of the Latvian War Museum.

Address: Smilšu iela 20, Centra rajons, Rīga, LV-1050, Latvia

Working hours: all week from 10am-5pm unless there will be a Pope’s visit

Location: Old Town

WHAT TO EAT IN RIGA

Here are the places to eat in Riga depending on your budget and what you feel like eating during your visit. From affordable places to grab a bite to must-try restaurants, let’s make sure that you are not leaving Riga without trying any Latvian food.

Cheap Eats and Affordable Restaurants

• Big Bad Bagels – Baznicas Street
• Folkklubs Ala Pagrabs
• Lido Atputa Centrs
• Lido
• Wok To Walk

WHERE TO GO AFTER RIGA

From Riga, you can go to plenty of neighbouring cities in East Europe. Hope on a bus and wake up in another city or even country without spending too much money. For Schengen visa holders, you can go to other 25 Schengen States while to EU citizens, you can go any part of Europe without a visa.

From Riga, most travellers would go to:

• Aluksne: close the the borders with Russia and Estonia; castles, historical places, waterfalls, outdoor activities
• Bauska: historical town south of Latvia
• Cesis: a town from 1206
• Tallinn, Estonia: 4.15-hour bus ride for €9 with Lux Express – best hostels in Tallinn
• Klaipeda, Lithuania:  4.50-hour bus ride for €18 with Lux Express
• Vilnius, Lithuania: 4-hour bus ride for €5 with Lux Express – best hostels in Vilnius

I hope you found this best hostels in Riga useful and that I’ve helped you decided where to stay in Riga during your visit here. If you have any concerns, let me know in the comment section below.

Before leaving, feel free to visit out our visa guides.

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In this increasingly globalized world, many people are now considering themselves citizens of the world, choosing not to remain tied to a single nation or culture. Also, with the likelihood of people intermarrying on the rise, each generation’s ancestral roots look poised to become ever more enjoyable.

In addition to getting an ancestry DNA test they can find, people are also looking to travel to the places their ancestors originally came from. This is especially true in settler countries like United States, Australia, and Singapore, where family trees can have many and different branches.

Mapping out your Family Tree

Taking a DNA test is becoming increasingly fashionable in this day and age. People take these tests for a variety of reasons, whether it be medical reasons in order to check their susceptibility to certain heritable diseases or just plain curiosity in order to know where your family comes from.

We are going to focus on the curiosity part here. There are a lot of people who have very mixed ancestry who simply wish to all the components to satisfy the need to know simply for the sake of understanding. Many people end up being quite surprised by the results.

All people need to do is to follow the instructions on the DNA kit mailed to them and wait for a while for the result to come back to them. Most testing facilities match the genetic markers obtained from the sample to genetic markers in their database known to be distinct to certain regions of the world to get the most accurate assessment.

There have been many people who obtain a whole new perspective about the world from these tests. Some people go all their lives having a prejudice against a specific part of the world only to find out that part of their ancestry hails from that very region!

Plan a Trip

After getting a pretty decent idea on where you are from, maybe it is time to look at some travel brochures. It is becoming increasingly popular for people to make travel plans to visit their ancestral homelands as some sort of personal pilgrimage back to their roots.

Some people take the extra step of going through public genealogy records in order to find exactly where their ancestral hometowns are in order to have a specific place they can visit once they get to the country.

Of course, it always pays to plan in advance for you to take advantage of various early-bird travel offers to your destination. Another good tip to keep in mind is to have a short list of common questions such as “Where is the bathroom?” in handy especially if you are going to a country with a language you have no familiarity with.

Another idea you might want to consider is to go with a tour group. This is an optional method of touring a place for those who wish to see all the mainstream sites. Obviously, for the adventurous ones, they might want to go it all by themselves to visit the holes in the wall all for themselves.

How Travelling Can Change You as a Person

Many people have come back from ancestry travelling with a wholly changed worldview. Those who might have had some previous reservations about certain parts of the world end up going there and having all their prejudices contradicted, causing them to have to rethink so many things in their life and how they treat people.

If you are travelling to a place with very different religious practices than what you have, it might be an interesting thing for you visit the places of worship there if only to sample the different ways people around the world practice their religion.

Some people might prefer to take a tour of the unique landscapes that the country has to offer. For example, for those going to Norway, besides visiting your ancestral hometown, you might consider taking a tour of one of the many fjords the country has.

For those with very diverse ancestry, you might consider a multi-country tour around that covers most if not all the countries that your ancestry derives from. Assuming this is within your budget, you could then compare which one you fancy the most.

Walk the Grounds of Your Ancestors

While travel plans, attractions, food, and other aspects of culture are amazing to partake in, the best aspect of travelling through your roots is likely to see where your ancestors lived. Many people have become disconnected with their original culture as globalism has raved on. This has led to a mashup of different cultures, and separation from the unique identity.

Following, walking the grounds that your ancestors once did might be a fantastic experience. This way, you not only get an insight into who they are but also who you are, genetically speaking, of course. It is truly an experience that allows you to connect with the history that lies within your genetic makeup.

Some might think that this will not be impactful, as the chances are meagre that you ever personally knew the ancestors in questions. However, that really does not matter, as the mere idea of them being your ancestors is what makes this such an interesting practice.

With a tour comes several perks, including the exploration of landscape, cultures, food and drinks, and many attractions. However, few things beat walking in the footsteps of your ancestors, and discovering your roots allows you to do just that!

The World is Your Oyster

In this increasingly mobile world, our ability to go to different places, experience different cultures, and meeting different people has dramatically increased over the years. Unfortunately, ignorance can breed a negative mindset towards all of what the outside world has to offer.

So why not take that test, find out where your roots are and give those places a visit. Like working out, it might seem uncomfortable at first, but next to no one has ever regretted it.

When you were younger, and your parents handed you a $20 bill, that seemed like all the money in the world. With your first job, you were just happy to receive payment regularly.

Once you moved onto the real world, bills and other obligations started flying at you. You have calculated your salary to see how much you were earning per hour. A full tank of gas could be one hour of work. Going to the movies was 20 minutes of work.

For some people who find hobbies and passions, they start equating all other living expenses to their amusement. “All that money for a going-away party? I could get a round-trip ticket to Miami with that!”

That’s when you know someone has been bitten by the travel bug. Everything in their life revolves around travel. For these people, some may grow and evolve where a trip every few months isn’t good enough. They want to take the long road trips, bouncing from city to city, and see everything there is to see out in the world. 

Travelling that often though means you’re going to have some kind of income while on the road. Teaching English or working locally may not be possible for you, so you turn to the idea of becoming a remote worker. You might work for some business, or you could set out on your own, creating your own.

Many nomads turn to ecommerce, one of the fastest-growing industries in the world. In fact, the global ecommerce market is expected to be worth $5 trillion by the year 2021. That’s a lot of cash!

Going into ecommerce is full of positives, but it would be unwise to tell you at least the other side as well. Below, we’re going to run through the pros and cons of this great industry.

THE PROS

Let’s start with the positives, shall we? Always better to begin on the right foot!

Low Overhead

With ecommerce, you’re not going to have to spend a ton when it comes to getting your business started. Of course, you’ll need to have partners, your own capital, or investors to get everything off the ground but by no means do you have to be flushed with cash.

With dropshipping, you can serve as the middleman in many interactions. You’ll be the point between the consumer and the manufacturer. You’ve got an “unlimited shelf” as you won’t have to handle the inventory yourself.

Global Potential

Amazon has just about touched every corner of the globe and ecommerce is something just about everyone is used to. That means you have unlimited markets and target audiences to explore when it comes to growth and expansion.

You can be successful in selling to customers in Europe or North America and everywhere in between.

Marketing Made Easier

When it comes to marketing the business, it’s all going to be online. That means you’ll be able to track customer behaviour and improve your website and products. In-push notifications, personalized newsletters, exclusive coupons, referral programs, and other features are all possible. Moreover, if you need help choosing a name for your company, you can use a name generator. When clients search the web, choosing the right name could enhance your website’s visibility.

There are plenty of free tools out there for getting you started with web analytics and tracking information as well.

A Ton of Tech Experience Not Required

You might be thinking this won’t be for you as you’re not the savviest computer person around. But don’t worry, you won’t be having to code every line on your website. Your big tech projects will be big decisions like the domain name and website look. 

So don’t fret if you feel like you have the most significant grasp on technology. Of course, it does help to have somewhat of a background, but indeed not necessary. 

Major Future Potential

When it comes to job security and prospects, you should know that the ecommerce industry isn’t going anywhere soon. There’s significant growth here, and it’s a job that you’ll be able to take with you for the years to come.

When you combine all the facets of the ecommerce market, you will not only grow your business but also grow your personal skills as you’ll be wearing many hats over time.

THE CONS

Not everything can be all sunshine and roses, and it’d be a disservice not to run through some of the cons with you.

Lack of Personal Touch

As remote jobs rise around the world, many workers notice the lack of significant personal interaction. The same will be right with ecommerce, as you’re likely to only interact with customers and others in the business through electronic means. 

Security Risks

As with anything online, there is always a massive risk in publishing anything. Before you only had to watch out for your personal information is online, but now, you’re going to have the knowledge of all your customers to protect as well.

A major security breach can result in the death of your business or a lawsuit.

Red Tape

While ecommerce is global, you might run into some issues in where you’re working. If you plan to set up shop in one area, there might be new regulations, taxes, and rules that you weren’t aware of.

You may also run into issues selling into various markets, being hit with specific tax penalties or running into previously unseen problems.

You May Not Ever See Products

No one wants to spend a handful of money to receive something that is of low quality. With ecommerce and dropshipping primarily, you may never get to see or physically touch the products you’re selling.

While that may not be bothersome, you don’t want to attach your store to low-quality products. You may not get to sample what you sell.

Tough Competition

Even though we’ve mentioned the rapid growth, the industry is going to see over the next few years, that’s also because there is a lot of competition out there and more competition with every passing day.

You might have the perfect idea to enter the ecommerce business, but market research and surveys may show you’ll have to approach from a different angle entirely.

The first city I explored in the Baltics – Vilnius. I honestly feel like the Eastern Europe is underrated, it is beautiful, it’s easy to travel around because locals especially the young people speak good English. There are a lot of history to learn, food to try, and beer to taste! Not to mention how affordable it is. I’ve lived in Denmark, travelled in France, Italy, and Sweden – Lithuania or Vilnius is a lot cheaper.

Here, I will be listing the best hostels in Vilnius. From homely feel like accommodations to party hostels – you will find them here and why they are the one of the best hostels in the city. Here are some tips if you don’t know what to do in Vilnius during your first visit.

NOTE: Most of the hostels in Vilnius are equipped with a functioning kitchen. City tax will also be effective starting July 1, 2018 upon checking in.

QUICK ANSWER TO THE BEST HOSTELS IN VILNIUS

• Best party hostels – B&B&B&BB
• Cheapest hostel – 5 Euro Hostel
• With best reviews – Jimmy Jump Hostel
• Cosiest Hostel – Downtown Forest Hostel

You can read below the comparison table of these hostels and further below to read each hostel’s best features and find more hostels to choose from.

BEST HOSTELS IN VILNIUS – COMPARISON TABLE

Check out the comparison table below for your preferred hostel in Vilnius. If you need more information about these hostels, scroll past the table.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR A HOSTEL IN VILNIUS BEFORE BOOKING

To determine faster which hostel in Vilnius you should book and stay, remember to check and ask yourself these related questions. During your research, find out which hostel suits best your needs and expectations.

Location

If you don’t enjoy walking too much just to explore the city or get from public transportation, you should highly consider that the hostel is in the Old Town of Vilnius. If you are only staying for a night waiting for a connection flight, you should consider getting a hostel next to the bus station or to the airport.

Staying in the Old Town will take you to the main attractions in the city faster and easier. In the Old Town, exploring Vilnius will be a more convenient because most of the places to see and explore are just walking distance while the popular bars, restaurants, and clubs are also not far from here.

The train and bus station is not in the Old Town, however, one or two airport buses stop walking distance from the Old Town. The bus and train schedules are well-integrated with Google Maps.

Type of Hostel

The type of a hostel you are going to stay affects your experience in Vilnius. Read carefully is this hostels is a full-on party hostel, many travellers also prefer a chill vibe hostel, while others wants a place where they can meet other travellers.

Reviews

Reviews are very important, both a traveller and hostel owner know that. Reviews reflect the hostel’s situation, quality, and many other things. Every person is different, some may be liked that the hostel has a curfew while others don’t. Don’t make your decision out of total ratings, read the negative and positive reviews. Believe me, sometimes, the negative reviews are just something out of control of the hostel or the guests didn’t read the hostel description well enough, therefore their expectations weren’t met.

However, personally, if the hostel has thousands of reviews but still managed to keep a good rating, that’s already a great sign.

Price

Price – a very important topic to consider for many travellers. In this list, you will see hostels that are very cheap while others are just pretty pricey. Remember that it is often you get what you pay for.

In Vilnius, you can find a hostel for $6 or one for $15, my best advice would be, if it’s only for one night transitioning to another destination, I can live with a cheap one. While if I’m expecting to meet people, have a great sleep, and be comfortable, I would be willing to spend a little.

BEST HOSTELS IN VILNIUS

Jimmy Jumps House

Why is it one of the best hostels in Vilnius?

Jimmy Jumps House has the highest and most postivie reviews online. When I came to visit them, I totally understand why they are on the top. The staffs are very friendly, the location is perfect (right at the Old Town), they are also close to the top attractions in the city of Vilnius. Since it’s not very big, it is very easy to meet people in the hostel.

• Best feature: Location, cosy common areas, clean bathroom
• Dorm bed per night: $11
• Private room: Available

Hostelgate

Why is it one of the best hostels in Vilnius?

If you are looking for a little more affordable but with good location, Hostegate is for you. Although there is not much atmosphere in the hostel, it serves it purpose. There is a cosy common area and the staffs are noted to be very helpful. There are some issues in the cleanliness

• Best feature: Affordable and helpful staffs
• Dorm be per night: $9.50
• Private room: $35

Mikalo House

Why is it one of the best hostels in Vilnius?

If you are looking for something that feels more like a guesthouse or home-stay, Mikalo House is for you. Also located perfectly, Mikalo House is walking distance to most tourist attraction. If you prefer to take a bus around or to the next city, the staffs are very helpful. The common areas are also kept tidy most of the time.

• Best feature: cosy and homely hostel, well located
• Dorm bed per night: $11.50
• Private room: $33

Downtown Forest Hostel & Camping

Why is it one of the best hostels in Vilnius?

If you like to be in the forest like atmosphere but not far from the city centre, Downtown Forest Hostel can surely accommodate you. They are not located in the city centre per se but still very accessible. Nesting just down the hill at the area call “Uzupis”, this hostel is probabl one of teh coolest I’ve ever seen. Their whole property is surrounded by trees and garden. They also have their own camping ground.

• Best feature: unique hostel atmosphere, outdoory type of hostel
• Dorm bed per night: $8 for dorm bed in a tent – $14 for regular dorm bed
• Private room: $30

Hostel Jamaika

Why is it one of the best hostels in Vilnius?

For a little bit of a party scene and a place to easily meet people, Hostel Jamaika will be the right place. The location is not in the city centre but not bad either at it’s only a few minutes walk to the bus station and about 10 minutes to the Old Town. This hostel has a bar below the actual hostel but the are the same business. Locals also love to hang out here in the afternoon or weekends. The dorm rooms are decent however, there are not enough toilets and shower area to accommodate everyone especially when it’s fully booked.

• Best feature: bar and garden at the ground floor
• Dorm bed per night: $14
• Private room: $37

B&B&B&B&B

Why is it one of the best hostels in Vilnius?

B&B&B&B&B is perfect for you if you down to a party all night and don’t mind drunk hostelers. It is located a little far from the city centre but the bus station is not much of a walk. The dorm rooms itself are not the most comfortable and convenient but the common area especially downstairs where the restaurant and bar is located is very cosy and well-decorated. The shops like supermarkets are just around the corner and are open until late.

• Best feature: great party, beautiful interior design
• Dorm bed per night: $11
• Private room: $25

Fortuna Hostel

Why is it one of the best hostels in Vilnius?

If you are not very picky and only needed the basic, Fortuna Hostel is loved for this. They are located between the train/bus station and the Old Town. Although the kitchen is a little small, it is functional. The amenities are not in the best shape but will do the job. The staffs are helpful if you need anything, they also speak good English and can give you a lot of insider tips.

• Best feature: simple but well located
• Dorm bed per night: $10
• Private room: not available

5 Euro Hostel Vilnius

Why is it one of the best hostels in Vilnius?

It’s not a drill – there is a 5 Euro hostel in Vilnius and that exactly what it is called. Even the hostel is pretty basic, it is still very well located. Literally a few steps away from the bus/train station or 15 minutes to the Old Town. The staffs are also very helpful. Note that there is a small fee for bed linens.

• Best feature: affordable and well-located
• Dorm bed per night: $6
• Private room: available but it will be bunk beds in the private room – $21

I hope you found this article about best hostels in Vilnius, Lithuania useful. If you have any questions, let me know in the comment section below.

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• Visa Free Countries for US Passport Holders

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How many countries can U.S citizen visit without a visa if you may ask, and the answer is 166 countries. Passport from the United States of America is probably one of the strongest passports in the world for travelling. Travelling for citizens of the US is quite easy as they can simply book a flight, accommodation, and go. 

If you are on the planning stage of your trip, here, I will discuss the countries where US citizens do not need a visa to enter the country. I will also list down the countries where you can a visa on arrival, evisa, how to extend a visa easily, and how to apply for a visa for the countries you need it.

You may use the table of contents to navigate faster, I categorised the countries as handy as possible.

LEGEND: VOA (visa on arrival). All prices are in US Dollars.

VISA FREE COUNTRIES FOR US PASSPORT HOLDERS & CITIZENS 

We already know that U.S. citizens can travel to countries without a visa are Canada, the UK, Germany, Japan, Greece, Australia, and all European countries. But do you know that a U.S. passport holder can go to so many countries as well?

In this section, you will find the countries where U.S. citizens with a passport can travel without a visa. I categorised them based on the continents and sub-continents. You can use the table of contents above to navigate faster or keep scrolling to see the entire list.

Here are some travel tips that you may find useful:

• Visa guide for New Zealand citizens
• Visa free countries for Canadian passport holders
• Australian passport visa free countries
• British passport visa free countries
• ​Get a low-cost travel insurance before you go
• Visa free countries for Philippines passport holders
• German passport visa free countries

TIP: Check these best books to read when travelling

HOW MANY COUNTRIES CAN AMERICAN CITIZEN TRAVEL WITHOUT A VISA

US citizens can travel without a visa to 116 countries, while they can get a 47 visa on arrival, and 35 countries require them to obtain a visa before arriving in the country. US passport is on the top 10 most powerful passport in terms of travelling the world. This article listed not only visa free countries for US passport holders but also those countries that a US citizen can get an eVisa and visa on arrival.

ALSO READ: Which countries that require visa for US citizens

VISA GUIDE FOR ASIA

This section is divided into four demographic categories; East Asia, Southeast Asia, Central Asia, and West & Middle East Asia mentioning all US visa free countries and listing down those with eVisa and countries that require a visa before entry.

RELATED POST: Fun and educational trips to add on your Asia bucket list and Best travel jacket with hidden pockets – for men and women

East Asia

VISA FREE:

• Hong Kong – 90 days
• Japan – 90 days – things to know before travelling to Japan
• Macau – 30 days
• Mongolia – 90 days
• South Korea – 90 days
• Taiwan – 90 days – things to know before travelling to Taiwan

VISA REQUIRED:

• China – visa must obtain before leaving the US. You can apply for a US visa from other countries depending on the Chinese embassy’s policy or you can get a visa that is valid for 10 years online. 

TRAVEL RESTRICTION:

• North Korea

Central Asia

VISA FREE:

• Kazakhstan – 30 days
• Kyrgyzstan – 60 days
• Uzbekistan – evisa for 30 days, free transit for 5 days in an international airport but must show an onward ticket – apply for an evisa

VISA REQUIRED:

• Tajikistan – 45 days evisa for BUT if you are arriving from a country which has a Tajik diplomatic mission, you must obtain a visa in advance, get your evisa here
• Turkmenistan

Southeast Asia

RELATED POSTS: Visas for Southeast Asia, Ultimate Southeast Asia travel route and itineraries and best time to travel to Southeast Asia and shots for Southeast Asia

FREE VISA:

• Brunei – 90 days
• Indonesia – 30 days – read this Indonesia tourist visa
• Malaysia – 90 days – Malaysia visa guide
• Philippines – 30 days or a visa on arrival for 59 days for $50 fee – Visa guide for the Philippines or read this retire in the Philippines
• Singapore – 90 days – Singapore visa guide
• Thailand – 30 days, maximum of visit is twice a year if not arriving by air – Thailand visa guide

VISA ON ARRIVAL/EVISA:

• Cambodia – 30 days, you can obtain either an evisa or do a visa on arrival – you can apply  for an evisa here – Cambodia visa guide
• East Timor / Timor Leste: 30 days, visa on arrival, must arrive by air
• Laos – 30 visa on arrival or evisa – apply here or read this Laos visa guide
• Myanmar – 28 days evisa must arrive by air or through three land borders Tachileik, Myawaddy, and Kawthaung – you can apply for an evisa here – Myanmar visa guide
• Vietnam – 30 days evisa – you can apply for an evisa here  – Vietnam visa for US citizens

For backpacking in Southeast Asia, you may find this article about Southeast Travel Budgetthat I wrote thoroughly, motorbiking in Vietnam,  and Important things you need to know before arriving in Myanmar,  hostels in Cambodia that I personally stayed, and best hostels in Vietnam.

South Asia

VISA ON ARRIVAL/EVISA:

• Bangladesh – 30 days
• India – 180 days evisa – YOU MAY APPLY FOR AN EVISA HERE – how to apply for an Indian visa online
• Maldives – 30 days extendable up to 90 days
• Nepal – 90 days visa on arrival
• Pakistan – evisa for 30 days, single entry – CHECK HOW TO APPLY
• Sri Lanka – 30 days evisa or visa on arrival – APPLY FOR AN EVISA HERE

VISA REQUIRED:

• Bhutan
  

ALSO READ: Best walking shoes on concrete for your travels

West Asia / Middle East

FREE VISA:

• Armenia – 180 days
• Georgia – 365 days – ​recommended hostels in Georgia
• Israel – 90 days
• Palestine

VISA ON ARRIVAL/EVISA:

• Azerbaijan – 30 days, evisa, read this guide about Azerbaijan visa or you may apply for an evisa here
• Bahrain – 14 days evisa or visa on arrival, can be obtained online – you can apply for an evisa here
• Jordan – 30 days visa on arrival or apply for Jordan Pass to maximise your visa fee with the visit to popular places – apply here
• Kuwait – 90 days – a guide on how to get your Kuwait evisa – check for prices
• Lebanon – 30 days extendable up to additional 60 days
• Oman – 30 days evisa or visa on arrival, can be extended for another 30 days – you may get your evisa here
• Qatar – 30 days evisa or visa on arrival
• Saudi Arabia – 90 days stay for evisa that is valid for 1 year – apply here
• Turkey – 90 days evisa or visa on arrival – you can get your evisa here or read this Turkey visa guide
• United Arab Emirates – 30 days visa on arrival free of charge

VISA REQUIRED:

• Iran
  
• Syria
• Yemen

ALSO READ: Best quick dry towels for backpacking and travelling

VISA GUIDE FOR EUROPE

Schengen States

FREE VISA:

US Passport holders can enter any Schengen state for 90 days on a 180-day period and can freely travel in this area without obtaining a new visa unless the visa is expired or the visa time is all consumed. 

RELATED POST: Schengen Visa Travel Insurance

SCHENGEN MEMBERS:

Non-Schengen

FREE VISA: Non-Schengen

• Albania – 365 days
• Andorra – 90 days
• Belarus – 30 days must arrive via Minsk Airport
• Bulgaria – 90 days within 180-day period
• Croatia – 90 days within 180-day period
• Cyprus – 90 days within 180-day period
• Ireland – 90 days, must show the purpose of travel, sufficient fund, return ticket, and accommodation booking
• Kosovo – 90 days
• Macedonia – 90 days
• Moldova – 90 days
• Monaco – 90 days within 180-day
• Montenegro – 90 days
• Romania – 90 days within 180-day
• San Marino
• Serbia – 90 days within 180-day
• Ukraine – 90 days within 180-day
• United Kingdom – 180 days must show return ticket and accommodation booking
• Vatican City

VISA REQUIRED:

• Russia – you need an invitation letter from a person in Russia or a travel agency if you are applying for a visa, you can get it online too

VISA GUIDE FOR AFRICA

Central Africa

FREE VISA:

• Central African Republic – 180 days, international certificate of vaccination required
• Equatorial Guinea – mus have an international certificate of vaccination if travelling from a country with high risky of yellow fever
• Sao Tome and Principe – 15 days

VISA ON ARRIVAL/EVISA:

• Angola – 30 days evisa
• Gabon – visa on arrival or evisa, evisa must arrive via Libreville International Airport
• Rwanda – 30 days evisa or visa on arrival

VISA REQUIRED:

• Burundi
• Cameroon – international certificate of vaccination required
• Chad – international certificate of vaccination required
• Democratic Republic of the Congo – hotel reservation required and international certificate of vaccination 
• South Sudan – two blank pages on passport required

ALSO READ: Filtered water bottle for travelling

East Africa

FREE VISA:

• Mayotte – 90 days
• Mauritius – 90 dyas

VISA ON ARRIVAL/EVISA:

• Comoros – visa on arrival
• Djibouti – 31 days evisa – how to apply for Djibouti evisa
• Ethiopia – evisa or visa on arrival which is obtainable at Addis Ababa Bole airport – you can get your evisa here
• Kenya – 90 days visa on arrival or evisa – get your evisa here
• Madagascar – 30 days visa on arrival – check how to apply for an evisa online – check prices online
• Malawi – 90 days visa on arrival or evisa – check this guide on how to apply for Malawi visa online or apply here 
• Mozambique – 30 days visa on arrival
• Reunion – 90 days
• Seychelles – 90 days visitor’s permit free of charge and can be extended for up to one year
• Somalia – visa on arrival
• Tanzania – 90 days visa on arrival for $100 fee
• Uganda – visa on arrival or evisa must be applied two days prior to arrival, get your evisa here
• Zambia – 90 days visa on arrival or evisa – arrival date must be exact, can be extended free of charge – GET YOUR EVISA HERE
• Zimbabwe – 90 days visa on arrival or evisa – apply for an evisa here

VISA REQUIRED:

• Eritrea

North Africa

FREE VISA:

• Morocco – 90 days
• Tunisia – 90 days

VISA ON ARRIVAL/EVISA:

• Egypt – 30 days visa on arrival or evisa – you can get your evisa here – or read this guide for Egypt visa application form
  

VISA REQUIRED:

• Algeria
• Libya
• Sudan

Western Sahara – undefined

South Africa

FREE VISA:

• Botswana – 90 days
• Lesotho – 14 days extendable up to 180 days
• Namibia – 90 days
• South Africa – 90 days
• Swaziland – 30 days

ALSO READ: Eco-friendly travel accessories and products to pack

West Africa

FREE VISA:

• Gambia – international certificate of vaccination required
• Senegal – 90 days international certificate of vaccination required

VISA ON ARRIVAL/EVISA:

• Benin – 30 days/8 days visa on arrival or evisa, international certificate of vaccination required
• Burkina Faso – 30 days visa on arrival
• Cape Verde – visa on arrival
• Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) – apply for an evisa valid for 30 days – Ivory Coast visa application online
• Guinea-Bissau – 90 days evisa or visa on arrival, must apply in advance online
• Mauritania – visa on arrival at Nouakchott–Oumtounsy International Airport, international certificate of vaccination required
• Saint Helena – visitor’s pass required
• Togo – 7 days visa on arrival 

VISA REQUIRED:

• Ghana
• Guinea
• Liberia
• Mali
• Niger – international certificate of vaccination required
• Nigeria – visa can be obtained online
• Sierra Leone – international certificate of vaccination required

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VISA GUIDE FOR AMERICA

While for the Americas, I’ve divided this section in three; north, central, and south of America. 

Central America

FREE VISA:

• Barbados – 180 days
• Belize – 30 days, can be extended p to 6 months
• Costa Rica – 90 days, must pay a departure tax of $29
• El Salvador – 90 days
• Guatemala – 90 days, the exit fee is required when leaving by air
• Jamaica  – 180 days
• Honduras – 90 days, depart airport tax must be paid in cash
• Nicaragua – 90 days, tourist card of $10 fee
• Panama – 90 – 180 days

VISA ON ARRIVAL/EVISA:

• Dominican Republic – 30 days, Tourist Card on arrival

North America

FREE VISA:

• Canada – 180 days, a traveller with a criminal record in the past 10 years may not be able to enter unless with a Temporary Resident Permit or Rehabilitation Approval
• Mexico – 180 days Tourist Card – you may obtain a Tourist card here

South America

FREE VISA:

• Argentina – 90 days, can be extended up to 180 days
• Aruba – 90 days
• Brazil – 90 days – starting June 17, 2019 –More tips on things to know before arriving in Brazil
• Chile – 90 days
• Colombia – 90 days, can be extended up to 180 days, must show a yellow fever vaccination record if coming from Brazil
• Curacao – 90 days
• Falkland Islands
• French Guiana – 90 days
• Ecuador – 90 days can be extended for another 90 days
• Guyana – 90 days
• Peru – 183, determined on arrival
• Uruguay – 90 days

VISA ON ARRIVAL/EVISA:

• ​Bolivia – 90 days visa on arrival, $160 fee for visa on arrival or pre-approved visa, the visa is valid for 10 years
• Paraguay – 90 days visa on arrival
• Suriname – 90 days, tourist card on arrival must obtain at Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport or online, read this guide on how to do it

VISA REQUIRED:

• Cuba – must get a Tourist Card that is valid for 30 days – get your Tourist Card
• Venezuela

VISA GUIDE FOR OCEANIA

FREE VISA:

• Fiji – 120 days
• Kiribati – 30 days
• Marshall Islands – unlimited days of stay and legal to work
• Micronesia – unlimited days of stay and legal to work
• New Zealand – 90 days – must get an Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) prior to arrival starting October 10th 2019
• Palau – 365 days and legal to work
• Vanuatu – 30 days can be extended up to 120 days

VISA ON ARRIVAL/EVISA:

• Australia – must apply for an ETA(Electronic Travel Authority) online – valid for maximum of 90 days for every 365-day period
• Papua New Guinea – 60 days and extendable up to 30 more days – read our Papua New Guinea evisa guide or apply now
• Samoa – 30 days, entry permit on arrival
• Solomon Islands – 90 days in 365-day period, visitor’s permit on arrival
• Tonga – 31 days visa on arrival
• Tuvalu – 30 days visa on arrival, can be extended up to 90 days free of charge

VISA REQUIRED:

• Nauru

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OTHER TERRITORIES

Apart from all these visa free countries for US citizens, these US territories can also be entered without a visa or permit.

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• United States Minor Outlying Islands – see the list here
• Puerto Rico, 1900
• Virgin Islands, 1936
• Guam, 1950
• Northern Marinas Islands, 1978

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TRAVEL TIPS

Here are my personal travel tips for travelling when it comes to travel arrangements online:

Accommodations:

• Booking.com – most of the time, your booking can be cancelled at no fee
• Agoda – popular around Europe
• HostelWorld – best search engine for backpacker’s youth hostel or affordable accommondation
• HotelsCombined – another search engine for accommodations, widely used and popular in Southeast Asia 

Tours:

• Get Your Guide – a tour booking site that has a wide coverage of tours for every destination
• Viator – great for Europe and North America
• Klook – the most affordable place to book tours in Southeast Asia

Visa:

• iVisa – the one and only visa processing website that I use and never had any issues

Flights:

• Skyscanner – definitely my favourite search engine for flights to anywhere in the world; its flexible compared to other websites.

I hope you find this about visa free countries for US passport holders and other countries that a US citizen can go without a visa, with visa on arrival, plus the countries that require a visa.

DISCLAIMER

A Mary Road is not responsible for any situation where the reader was denied admittance to the above-listed countries. Please refer to our Disclosure. We advise you to always double check visa information as they change quite often to avoid any hassles.

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