Article prepared for Doorways International by Kayla Flournoy

Traveling the world is something that’s probably on everyone’s To-Do List. Traveling with family, on the other hand, sounds terrifying. But what if I tell you that you’ll find places that would make the experience less frightening and more memorable in this article?

Thailand

Thailand comes in at number one for “more bang for your buck.” Also known as The Land of Smiles, Thailand is one of the most comfortable places. Seeing as it has been open to travelers far longer than other countries, the people here are more receptive and have found unique ways to bring their culture to newcomers, whether roadside food carts or floating markets. But that’s not all this country has to offer. You can visit “The Beach,” yes, you read that right. You and your family can visit Maya Bay, the original location in the movie set starring Leonardo DiCaprio, and spend a day out in the sun. Sounds fun, right? Now let’s talk about pricing. USD 30-50 covers the cost of hostel rooms, street food meals, a couple of drinks, and a spot for sightseeing.

Vietnam

It is coming in hot at number two for budget-friendly vacations in Vietnam. This underrated country has its perks that are rarely on any traveler’s spectrum. This backpacker favorite has something for all ages in the family, such as visiting Halong Bay and its turquoise waters, hiking through Cat Ba Island to reach the stunning sight of lush green mountains all around you, or searching through the world’s largest cave! The diversity of this beautiful country makes this destination a must for families, and it also comes with a pretty price tag. For a midrange experience, USD 75 would cover expenses for the entire day.

Albania

This country is entirely underrated, from its history to its untouched beauty. In between northern Greece and the Azure waters of Italy, this place should be packed with tourists, but it’s tucked away and forgotten from most traveling must-see places. When a tourist is present, the people here go out of their way to spoil them. Albania also boasts 30 percent of plant life in Europe, and most of it can be found in its national parks, making the sightseeing astronomical. The southern coast of this country has plenty of unexplored caves and diving areas for those ocean lovers in your family, and maybe you could get lucky enough to find a Roman-era shipwreck. This peaceful location could be just what your family needs to regather everything from today’s insanity going on, or it could just be a stunning escape from reality. With USD 48 per day, that would cover food and transportation costs which is pretty cheap compared to other countries’ transportation costs.

Brazil

The fifth-largest country in the world, maybe the farthest thing from a budget-friendly family vacation that pops into your head, but here’s why you should add it. Number one, it has enormous waterfalls that you and our family could picnic at and spend all day admiring under the warm rays of the sun. With more than 1500 beaches, Brazil offers a coastal getaway for beach lovers and some fun family time while listening to the waves. Another plus is that you and your family would be accepted into Brazil as if you were a long-lost friend to them, they welcome tourists as one of their own, and that boosts the experience tremendously, in my opinion. But if sitting under the warm sun just catching rays all day isn’t something that interests you or your family, how about a hike through the Amazon Forest? With the highest biodiversity of plant species globally, Brazil is home to about 1km of beautiful greenery and plant life known for taking people’s breath away. People’s average cost is approximately USD 70-80 per day. From the cost of food (USD 14) to transportation (USD 9) and the average price of a hotel in Brazil being USD 61, this tops it off as one of the most stunning, family-friendly, and bank account-friendly places.

Laos

We spoke about Thailand in this article; now think of it without much tourism. With 70% of forest coverage, this lightly populated place is perfect for outdoor adventures: kayaking, hiking, zip-lining, all on a budget. Or if you want to do a bit of history diving, you and your family could visit one of the many temples there that hold so much history and culture of the country itself. But that’s nothing compared to the mountainous beauty that awaits you here, and the adventure must be calling your name. Do you hear it? With meals for one entire day sitting at just USD 8, transportation at UDS 3 and hostels cost USD 25, and it’s safe to say this spot is most definitely budget-friendly.