10 Best Value Destinations For 2011

Lonely Planet:

Worried that the economy might put a crimp in your travel plans next year? Never fear: travel doesn't have to break the bank. Your currency may be depressed, but that doesn't mean you have to be; there are still many destinations around the world that can be enjoyed on the cheap. If you let the global economic ups-and-downs work to your advantage, adopt some personal austerity measures in pricier destinations, and head towards up-and-coming destinations, you can stay on the road longer for less.

Read the whole story: Lonely Planet

Comments

[ZenCrusader]

07:57 AM on 12/02/2010

MANAGUA — President Daniel Ortega has asked Nicaraguan lawmakers to pass emergency laws to give him greater power to mobilize troops, amid a surge in tensions over a border row with Costa Rica. The move has alarmed some analysts who see it as a bid by Ortega to take advantage of the diplomatic spat to concentrate more power in his own hands. Nicaragua's constitution bars mandatory military service, but the proposed laws would allow Ortega to order a "national mobilization" during conflicts or natural disasters. The proposal would make "all human, technical and material resources that fall under the defense plan" subject to such mobilizations and any asset or public official considered useful for national defense "will be put under the control of the Nicaraguan Army." Former president Arnoldo Aleman said it appeared that Ortega was trying to reestablish the state security and mandatory military service that existed during the leftist Sandinista revolutionary government he led from 1979-1990. The move comes amid a border dispute with Costa Rica that has prompted Nicaragua to send troops to the San Juan River, which forms most of its southern frontier with Costa Rica. The Washington-based Organization of American States has called a meeting of foreign ministers for December 7 in Washington to try to defuse the tensions. The International Court of Justice last year ruled that Nicaragua had sovereignty over the river, but that Costa Rica also had the right to freely use the waterway for tourism and trade.

[Please-Play-Fair]

01:30 PM on 11/30/2010

Most of these places are a value for a reason.  Nobody would want to go there.

[OutAtFirst]

02:57 PM on 11/30/2010

No kidding, I hear Somalia is one heck of a bargain, too.

[GSR]

07:14 AM on 12/01/2010

Let me guess? You're American right? Namibia is a fantastic experience but you'd probably struggle with the general lack of America on offer there. Maybe you should consider getting yourself a passport.

[ZenCrusader]

02:34 PM on 12/01/2010

First of all, many Americans are among the best travellers in the world. You should not stereotype that many people. And are you aware of what they do to gay people in Namibia ? Many Americans travel with a social conscience - you should try it some time.

[ZenCrusader]

12:12 PM on 11/30/2010

There should be mention that homosexuality can be a death sentence in Namibia.

[GSR]

07:22 AM on 12/01/2010

No death sentence but definitely official homophobia. Given it's economic reliance and proximity to the very gay friendly RSA it's a bit of a shock. But you go there for the extraordinary environment and people not to tour the dark recesses of SWAPO

[ZenCrusader]

02:35 PM on 12/01/2010

how easily you excuse their darkness - just ignore it and see the Dunes ?

[KIVPossum]

12:01 PM on 11/30/2010

Gonna pass on the Bangladesh suggestion. For Ukraine, forget a hotel. Go to any train or bus station and ask around. Can always get a decent room for 12-15$ a night

[ZenCrusader]

11:43 AM on 11/30/2010

Nicaragua ? ? ? I live in Costa Rica and just returned from a visit to Nicaragua. If one visits remote areas and is overly cautious, perhaps Nicaragua is OK. Being very well travelled and used to Central America, I left Nicaragua with great sympathy for the people and no desire to return. The economic situation gets worse by the day. The population knows Ortega stole the last election and is poised to steal the next one as well. Honduras has proof that Ortega has training camps near the Honduran border to destabilize Honduras while Costa Rica has had to go to the UN bcuz there are Nicaraguan troops on Costa Rican soil. The news has generally not reported that Nicaraguan troops killed animals, burned buildings, cut trees, and beat farm works on a finca near the Nicaraguan border but clearly on Costa Rican soil. Gangs of radicalized Sandanista youth sometimes roam the streets of Managua at night and anyone suspected of being in the political opposition to Ortega is beaten and worse. Visit Nicaragua because it is inexpensive ? Sorry – not enough reason for me to return.

[Cacey]

11:52 AM on 12/01/2010

I also spend much of the year in Costa Rica and visit Nicaragua often.  I could not disagree more.  While I have no desire to visit Managua, Granada and San Juan del Sur are exception as is Leon and Masaya.  In the years I've been visiting, I've seen massive change for the good including a growing middle class, building restoration, and an increasing prosperous population.  Given the fact that much of your post is a harangue against President Ortega, Reagan's nemisis, and the current border situtation between Costa Rica and Nicaragua, there is value to both countries for the river project and I've seen no news reports of "killed animals, burned building..beat farm workers".

[ZenCrusader]

02:43 PM on 12/01/2010

I was just in Granada. Everyone set up in the square for the toursts who did not arrive. A depressing hopelessness is there that did not used to exist. Two friends were assaulted in the evening in town. Most of us got food poisoning and we ate at different restaurants, among the better available. A harangue against Ortega ? The " killed farm animals, burned buildings, beaten farmworkers " all happened on a Finca on Costa Rican soil and was done by armed Nicaraguan soldiers. It was detailed in the Tico Times and Inside Costa Rica. You should arm yourself with facts. Ortega is being aggressive and causing problems for both Costa Rica and Honduras. The fact that he was a nemisis to Ronald Reagan means what in this current situation ? stop being an apologist for Ortega. If you cared about the Nicaraguan people you'd be in opposition to him, not whitewashing what he is going to Nicaragua and to the neighborhood.