Planning a romantic getaway doesn’t have to drain your savings account. Many incredible destinations around the world offer amazing experiences, delicious food, and beautiful scenery without breaking the bank. From tropical beaches to historic European cities, these budget-friendly spots prove that love and adventure don’t require a fortune.
1. Mexico 🇲🇽
Mexico offers unbeatable value with world-class resorts, authentic cuisine, and rich cultural experiences.
Tulum combines ancient Mayan ruins with stunning coastline, while Puerto Vallarta delivers classic beach vibes and vibrant nightlife. Mexico City surprises couples with incredible museums, street art, and food scenes that rival any major city.
Your dollar stretches incredibly far here, with delicious tacos costing under $2 and beachfront accommodations starting around $50 per night.
2. Portugal 🇵🇹
Europe’s best-kept secret offers Old World charm without the hefty price tag of neighboring countries. Cobblestone streets, colorful tiles, and ocean views create the perfect romantic backdrop for budget-conscious couples.
Lisbon enchants with its historic trams and hilltop viewpoints, while Porto charms visitors with port wine cellars and riverside dining. The Algarve region provides stunning beaches and cliff-top walks that cost nothing but create priceless memories.
Accommodation averages $60-80 per night, and fantastic meals with wine rarely exceed $30 for two people in most local restaurants.
3. Costa Rica 🇨🇷
Adventure-loving couples find paradise in this Central American gem where zip-lining through cloud forests and spotting sloths becomes surprisingly affordable. Eco-lodges offer unique stays that connect you with nature without luxury resort prices.
La Fortuna provides spectacular volcano views and natural hot springs, while Manuel Antonio combines national park wildlife with beautiful beaches. Both destinations offer activities like hiking, bird watching, and waterfall swimming.
Budget accommodations start around $40 per night, and the famous “casado” meals provide hearty, authentic dining for under $8 per person.
4. Colombia 🇨🇴
South America’s rising star surprises visitors with its safety improvements, incredible diversity, and wallet-friendly prices. From Caribbean beaches to coffee plantations, Colombia offers experiences that feel luxurious without the cost.
Cartagena’s colonial walls and colorful buildings create Instagram-worthy moments, while Medellín’s spring-like climate and innovative culture impress year-round. Salento provides coffee farm tours and stunning valley views in the heart of coffee country.
Street food costs under $3, quality hotels run $35-50 nightly, and domestic flights between cities rarely exceed $100, making multi-city trips totally doable.
5. Thailand 🇹🇭
The Land of Smiles delivers five-star experiences at two-star prices, making it a budget traveler’s dream destination. Luxury resorts, professional massages, and gourmet meals cost a fraction of what you’d pay elsewhere.
Chiang Mai offers temple tours, cooking classes, and mountain adventures, while Krabi provides limestone cliffs and crystal-clear waters. Pai attracts couples seeking a laid-back mountain town vibe with hot springs and scenic drives.
Professional Thai massages cost $8, elaborate meals rarely exceed $15 for two, and beautiful bungalows start around $25 per night in most areas outside Bangkok.
6. Guatemala 🇬🇹
Hidden gems await couples willing to venture off the beaten path in this Central American treasure. Ancient Mayan ruins, volcanic lakes, and indigenous markets provide cultural richness that money can’t buy elsewhere.
Antigua captivates with its colonial architecture and volcano backdrop, while Flores serves as the gateway to incredible Tikal ruins. Lake Atitlán offers stunning scenery surrounded by traditional villages and volcanic peaks.
Comfortable guesthouses cost $20-35 per night, traditional meals run under $5 each, and guided tours to major attractions typically cost less than $25 per person.
7. Vietnam 🇻🇳
Motorbike adventures, floating markets, and pho for breakfast create unforgettable experiences in Southeast Asia’s most budget-friendly destination. Every dollar stretches incredibly far while providing authentic cultural immersion.
Hanoi buzzes with street food culture and historic charm, while Hoi An enchants with lantern-lit streets and tailor shops. Ha Long Bay’s limestone formations and overnight boat trips offer romantic splendor at reasonable prices.
Delicious street food costs under $2, comfortable hotels range from $15-30 nightly, and domestic transportation remains incredibly affordable throughout the country for adventurous couples.
8. Nicaragua 🇳🇮
Central America’s best-kept secret offers everything Costa Rica provides at half the price, with fewer crowds and more authentic experiences. Volcanic landscapes and surf towns create the perfect romantic adventure setting.
Granada showcases colonial beauty with horse-drawn carriages and lakeside dining, while San Juan del Sur attracts surfers and sunset lovers. Both destinations offer volcano boarding, island tours, and beachfront relaxation.
Charming colonial hotels cost $25-40 per night, fresh seafood dinners run under $12 for two, and adventure activities like volcano tours cost significantly less than neighboring countries.
9. Belize 🇧🇿
English-speaking convenience meets Caribbean paradise in this small but mighty destination. The world’s second-largest barrier reef and ancient Mayan ruins provide adventure without language barriers or budget strain.
Caye Caulker embodies the “go slow” lifestyle with incredible snorkeling and lobster dinners, while San Ignacio offers jungle lodges and cave exploration. Both locations provide easy access to world-class diving and cultural sites.
Simple beachfront accommodations start around $35 per night, fresh lobster meals cost under $15, and snorkeling trips to the Blue Hole region offer once-in-a-lifetime experiences affordably.
10. Ecuador 🇪🇨
The Galápagos Islands on a shoestring budget? Absolutely possible from this compact South American nation that offers incredible biodiversity and cultural experiences. Mountain towns and coastal villages provide romantic settings at unbeatable prices.
Baños offers adventure sports, hot springs, and the famous “Swing at the End of the World,” while Montañita provides surfing and beachfront nightlife. Both destinations serve as affordable gateways to unique ecosystems.
Comfortable hostels and hotels cost $20-35 nightly, hearty meals rarely exceed $6 each, and even budget Galápagos tours start around $400 per person for multi-day experiences.
11. Morocco 🇲🇦
Exotic souks, desert camps, and riad courtyards transport couples into Arabian Nights fantasies without breaking the bank. North Africa’s cultural crossroads offers experiences that feel priceless while remaining surprisingly affordable.
Marrakech dazzles with its bustling medina and rooftop restaurants, while Chefchaouen charms visitors with blue-painted streets and mountain views. Both cities offer traditional hammams, spice markets, and architectural wonders.
Beautiful riads start around $40 per night, tagine dinners cost under $10 for two, and guided tours through markets and historical sites provide incredible value for cultural immersion.
12. Croatia 🇭🇷
Mediterranean beauty without Italian prices makes Croatia a smart choice for budget-conscious couples seeking European romance. Crystal-clear waters, medieval towns, and island-hopping adventures create unforgettable experiences during shoulder seasons.
Split combines ancient Roman architecture with modern café culture, while Dubrovnik offers Game of Thrones filming locations and stunning city walls. Both cities provide easy access to nearby islands and national parks.
Off-season accommodations drop to $45-65 per night, local restaurants serve excellent seafood for under $25 for two, and ferry trips between islands cost just a few dollars.
13. Peru 🇵🇪
Machu Picchu dreams become reality without lottery-winning budgets in this South American wonder. Ancient civilizations, diverse landscapes, and incredible cuisine create bucket-list experiences at developing-world prices.
Cusco serves as the perfect base for Sacred Valley exploration and Inca Trail adventures, while Arequipa offers colonial beauty and volcano views. Both cities provide excellent acclimatization for high-altitude adventures.
Comfortable hotels cost $30-50 per night, amazing ceviche and pisco sours run under $8 each, and even guided Machu Picchu tours can be arranged affordably through local operators.
14. Hungary 🇭🇺
Europe’s most underrated capital city offers thermal baths, ruin bars, and Danube River cruises at prices that seem too good to be true. Budapest combines Eastern European charm with Western European sophistication affordably.
The Buda side provides castle views and romantic hilltop walks, while Pest offers vibrant nightlife and architectural wonders. Lake Balaton adds summer beach vibes just hours from the capital.
Elegant hotels in central Budapest cost $40-60 nightly, hearty goulash dinners with wine rarely exceed $20 for two, and thermal bath entry fees cost less than a movie ticket.
15. Indonesia 🇮🇩
Bali’s reputation for luxury doesn’t have to mean luxury prices for smart travelers. Private villas, infinity pools, and temple visits create honeymoon-worthy experiences at backpacker-friendly costs throughout this island paradise.
Ubud offers rice terrace views, yoga retreats, and monkey forest adventures, while the Gili Islands provide snorkeling, cycling, and car-free relaxation. Both destinations offer incredible value for tropical luxury.
Private villas with pools start around $35 per night, elaborate Indonesian feasts cost under $10 for two, and island-hopping boat trips provide full-day adventures for reasonable prices.
16. Bolivia 🇧🇴
The world’s most surreal landscape awaits adventurous couples willing to venture to South America’s highest capital. Salt flats that mirror the sky and indigenous cultures provide once-in-a-lifetime experiences at rock-bottom prices.
La Paz amazes with its cable car system and witches’ markets, while Sucre charms visitors with colonial architecture and chocolate tours. Both cities serve as gateways to the famous Uyuni Salt Flats.
Basic but comfortable hotels cost $15-25 per night, traditional meals run under $4 each, and multi-day Uyuni tours including transportation and meals start around $100 per person.
17. Romania 🇷🇴
Dracula’s homeland offers medieval castles, mountain villages, and wine regions that rival Tuscany at a fraction of the cost. Transylvanian charm and Carpathian Mountain beauty create romantic European adventures affordably.
Brasov provides fairy-tale architecture and easy access to Bran Castle, while Sibiu offers cobblestone squares and traditional festivals. Both cities showcase Romania’s rich history and natural beauty.
Charming guesthouses cost $25-40 per night, traditional Romanian meals with wine rarely exceed $15 for two, and castle tours cost just a few dollars with incredible historical value.
18. Philippines 🇵🇭
Seven thousand islands provide endless opportunities for beach-hopping adventures and tropical romance. Crystal-clear lagoons, underground rivers, and friendly locals create Southeast Asian paradise experiences without the Thailand crowds or prices.
Palawan offers the famous Underground River and island-hopping tours, while Siargao attracts surfers and beach lovers with its laid-back island vibe. Both destinations provide world-class diving and snorkeling opportunities.
Beach bungalows start around $20 per night, fresh seafood dinners cost under $8 for two, and island-hopping tours provide full days of adventure for very reasonable prices.
19. Poland 🇵🇱
Medieval squares, hearty cuisine, and rich history make Poland one of Europe’s best-value destinations for culture-loving couples. Beautiful architecture and tragic history combine to create deeply moving and romantic experiences.
Krakow enchants with its massive market square and nearby Auschwitz memorial, while Gdansk offers Baltic Sea charm and Solidarity movement history. Both cities showcase Poland’s resilience and beauty.
Comfortable hotels in city centers cost $35-50 per night, traditional pierogi dinners with beer run under $12 for two, and historical tours provide incredible educational value affordably.
20. Turkey 🇹🇷
Where Europe meets Asia, couples discover incredible value in a country that bridges continents and cultures. Hot air balloons, ancient ruins, and Mediterranean beaches create diverse experiences that satisfy every travel desire affordably.
Antalya provides Turkish Riviera beaches and ancient Roman theaters, while Göreme offers Cappadocia’s fairy chimneys and sunrise balloon rides. Both destinations showcase Turkey’s natural and historical wonders.
Cave hotels in Cappadocia cost $45-70 per night, delicious kebab dinners rarely exceed $10 for two, and even famous hot air balloon rides cost significantly less than similar experiences elsewhere.
