As a traveler, it bothers me SO much that drinks in a city like New York can be SO expensive (sometimes up to $20!!) SO, for all my New York friends that think I’m “fancy” and think they can’t afford to travel, yet somehow manage to justify a $19.99 drink in Manhattan.. here are just 20 awesome things you can EASILY afford to do when traveling:

1. A bus ticket from Paris to London

In general, getting around Europe once you’re there is REALLY affordable. Often even more affordable than a cocktail in New York.

2. A luxurious mountain view room at a Homestay in SaPa, Vietnam during high season (breakfast included, of course)

Here’s an example found on Booking.com. This is during high season and you should note that there were MANY options that were cheaper, with King size beds and even better ratings, but we’re featuring this one ‘cause it has the mountain view ⛰

3. A full night of drinks & food for 2 in Madrid

Taberna Almería, Sidrería Casa Parrondo, El Respiro, El Tigre and many more offer FREE tapas with a purchase of a drink (beers & wine cost around 1-2 euros) –also FYI, Madrid is considered “expensive” compared to the rest of Spain.

4. Renting a car for a week in Mexico

These $1 /day deals can be found all over Mexico. Sure, you’ll have to pay for insurance, but this is still ridiculously cheap!

5. Entry to a top-rated Korean Bathhouse in Seoul

Full-day entry is usually around $2-$10. I’m convinced it’s the secret to Koreans’ silky soft skin.

6. Entry to ALL these museums:

The National Gallery in London, Smithsonian Museums in Washington DC., the Met. / MoMa museums in New York, Museo del Prado in Madrid, Spain, The Louvre or Musee d'Art Moderne in Paris, Nationalmuseet in Copenhagen, National Museum of China, in Beijing and MANY more are totally FREE on certain days. Some have limited free time slots, check this list for details.

7. Access to cool coworking spaces around the world

Most places will offer a 1-3 day free trial, so OFTEN this can be 100% free. Google Startup Campuses offer free coworking for startups that apply and also MANY places offer day passes for $6 or less. So STILL, significantly less than a NY cocktail.

8. An enormous Stein at Oktoberfest

Bear in mind this is THE event of the year in Münich, the home of Oktoberfest. Although in this special event, an entire liter (that’s 33.8oz!!) of beer is around 10 or 11 euro, your average half-liter of beer any other day in Germany costs about €2.50

9. A week’s worth of meals in Northern Thailand

OK when I was there in 2015 the prices were cheaper. It was about a dollar per meal. Now I hear it’s gone up a bit, but it’s still like $3-$5 per meal.. and the food is AMAZING.

10. A plate of “Parrilla” in Buenos Aires

In a place like Don Niceto, you can get a full, delicious parrilla meal for 2, appetizers and drinks for about half of what some New York cocktails cost.

11. A surf lesson in Bali

A surf lesson from a local beach boy is usually around $15, but most of times it's negotiable. Make some friends and have some fun! My friend Yaya can probably hook you up 😉

12. A spiritual Ayahuasca ceremony

OK the price DEFINITELY varies depending on where you are and whether you’re doing a full multi-day retreat, but there are Ayahuasqueros / shamans that charge by donation, so if your “will” says that you should not pay anything, the session is free. It’s obviously recommended to give at least $10-$15 worth.

13. A Day of Bike Riding in Viñales, Cuba

Renting a bike for the day or going on a bike tour around Viñales is about 5-10 CUC, which is 5-10 USD.

14. Renting a canoe or kayak in Hamburg, Germany

Kayaking through the Hamburg canals is absolutely MAGICAL. A must-do. I recommend renting from Supperclub and then getting lunch or dinner there after!

15. A 2 hour personal guided tour though Tonina Mayan Temples in Chiapas, Mexico

This is one of the most important preserved historical Mayan sites. It’s a seven-tiered pyramid acropolis that is much harder to get to then it’s more popular (and more touristy) counterpart, Palenque.

16. Five caipirinhas in Rio

A delicious caipirinha in Rio can cost about 3-4 USD.

17. Entry to a classy music festival in one of the most beautiful cities in Croatia

The clubby, lightshow festivals might be a tiny bit more expensive (cheap still, often around 30 euros per day) but this classy Dubrovnik’s Summer Music Festival is just about 15 euro and it’s SO magical.

18. Delicious, giant pancakes in Amsterdam

SO so so delicious. About half the price of a NY cocktail.. but worth so much more in my mind 🤤

19. A bottle of really nice Prosecco in Italy

Your average glass of Prosecco costs about 3 euros. A bottle of a good Prosecco is about 10-13 euros but you can get a cheaper (and still delicious) bottle for as little as 3 euros in some supermarkets.

20. A scenic bus trip around Hong Kong island