Travel
Find Cheap Accommodations While Traveling
Hotels and resorts are often expensive, so what’s a traveler on a budget to do? I’ve found plenty of cheap and sometimes free options to sleep while on vacation. You don’t have to be rich to see the world; you only have to be innovative and strict on your budget. Travel accommodations are often the […]
Hotels and resorts are often expensive, so what’s a traveler on a budget to do? I’ve found plenty of cheap and sometimes free options to sleep while on vacation. You don’t have to be rich to see the world; you only have to be innovative and strict on your budget. Travel accommodations are often the biggest price tag on your trip, so here are some ways to lessen that burden.
Traveling around can be very affordable if you make it so. I’m not just going to list off roach trap hotels or run down half-way homes, instead I’ll provide a valuable resource for all your retreat needs.
Short-Term Apartments
AirBnb.com or VRBO.com
These sites have become increasingly popular over the last few years, providing local apartments and spare rooms at a fraction of the cost of hotels. Much like the Uber and Lyft movements, these services rely on individuals who have extra accommodations and want to make a profit off of them. I fully support these options as they are affordable and offer the renter a homey feel. Usually the host will offer suggestions for local restaurants, sites to see and nightlife. Staying in one of these places makes you feel like you actually live in the city instead of just visiting. I also like these because most hotels are so similar and sterile that you don’t get a sense of the local community.
How Much: $25-100 USD generally
Tips:
-Look for places with reviews form past visitors and positive evaluations.
-Look up the apartment’s location to see if it fits in your travel plans
Hostels
Hopefully these don’t bring up memories of the horror film of the same title, they are actually fun places to stay. Partying backpackers from Europe and Australia usually inhabit hostels. You are sure to here “AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE!” chanted by drunken Australian revelers at some point during your stay.
You won’t be the only vacationer on a budget here, these are well known for their affordability and overall enjoyable experiences.
Hostels are great because they give you options; if your budget allows it many offer private rooms. The majority of people staying at hostels are in dorm style bunkrooms. Every guest gets a complimentary locker so you can leave your luggage and explore the city at your leisure. The better hostels also include a very basic breakfast.
How Much: $5-25 USD generally
Tips:
-Avoid hostels that don’t offer lockers
-Sleeping masks and earplugs are highly recommended.
House Sitting
House sitting is an incredible way to travel on the cheap. Homeowners around the world are always looking for someone to watch their house and sit their pets. Who wants to trust their house, all their belongings and their pets to a stranger? That’s why the website TrustedHouseSitters is such a valuable tool. This website does all the legwork for you, including background checks and arranging accommodations.
How Much: FREE
Tips
-Make sure you have a written document proving you’re allowed to stay at the residence.
-Allow flexibility, you never know when an opportunity like this will pop up.
Couch Surf
This is my preferred mode of travel sleeping. The website CouchSurfing.org is an incredible community of like minded people who offer their couch up in return for yours being offered. Couches or spare bedroom await you and all you have to do is be an open minded sharing person. Don’t worry; there is a vouching and verification process that weeds out the weirdos and unfavorable people.
How Much: FREE
Tips
-Hang out with your hosts, this will ensure that they rate your favorably
-Supply as much information as doable to acquire faith
Train Stations and Airports
These are always my last options but they are free and safe. Airports and train stations allow people to stay there for free and won’t bother you. They have bathrooms and sometimes free WiFi. Check out this website Sleeping in Airports.
How Much: FREE
Tips
-Bring a blanket
-Earplugs and eye-mask
-Secure your valuable to yourself
Travel safe and on the cheap friends.
Destinations
Best FREE Things to do In Las Vegas
What many of you may not be aware of is there are plenty of ways to have fun in Vegas without spending any money at all.
Las Vegas is the capitalism capital of the world, where huge corporations vie for the opportunity to take all your money. Once you step foot in the city you are surrounded by ways to spend your money. What many of you may not be aware of is there are plenty of ways to have fun in Vegas without spending any money at all.
Check out these awesome ways to have fun for free in sin city.
See Art
There are opportunities all over the city to see free art installations from some of the best artists in the world, alive or dead. Some art highlights include the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas which houses one of the best free art exhibits in the city and the Wynn Las Vegas which has a huge 7-foot-tall Popeye sculpture.
My favorite place to see art for free in the city has to be at the Louis Vuitton flagship store in Crystals city center mall. This mega installation allows visitors to enter the womb like structure and floods the area with an array of lights that dazzle the mind. You must get an appointment at the store.
Eat Chocolate
Free chocolate, sign me up. Yes sir, there is free chocolate just for the taking at Ethel M. The local chocolatier has a really cool factory tour filled with free samples and it sits in the largest botanical cactus garden in the world. That’s a sweet bonus for checking out some awesome cacti.
You can also check out M&M World and Hersey’s Chocolate World, both on the strip. These mega candy stores are free to enter and always have free samples to snack on. Warning, if you take kids here, they will bug you until you buy them something.
Look at lots of money
Check out the World’s largest gold nugget, which obviously sits in the Golden Nugget Casino in Downtown Las Vegas. The 61-pound chunk of gold was sold for over a million dollars and is available for pictures 24-7-365.
Drink for Free (Kinda)
Everyone knows that casinos fill you with alcohol for playing games but is that really a deal?
Usually you end up playing mega bucks for a few drinks, so how can you really get free drinks in Las Vegas. Answer: nowhere, but you can get free-ish drinks at cheaper downtown casinos. Simple play penny slots at downtown Vegas casinos like El Cortez and The D. Always tip your server or they will simply disappear.
Fountains at Bellagio
The fountains at the Bellagio put on a show every half hour and at night the shows are more frequent. Find a nice spot to view the entire show and you won’t be disappointed.
Cruise the strip
Walking from one end of the strip to the other can take over an hour easily and you will have plenty to check out for free. There are so many photo opportunities that you will need to make room on your memory card.
People watch
My favorite thing to do in Las Vegas is people watch. Visitors from all over the world come to Las Vegas and they sure do amuse me. You can have hours and hours of fun just find a nice place to sit and enjoy as thousands of people stroll past you and you just have the time of your life.
Downtown Container Park
Check out the cool shopping and entertainment center located downtown that’s completely built out of shipping containers. You’ll find shops, shows, street entertainers, awesome art installations and all the people watching you could ever need.
There are plenty more things to do in Vegas for free but these are just our favorite, so save some money and check out these awesome spots.
Destinations
The Best Tourist Destinations…Period
Checkout our favorite tourist destinations in the entire world that are worth standing in lines all day for.
The world is full of extraordinary tourist destinations but which ones are truly worth the hassle? Some tourist attractions are incredibly busy so what makes them worth the trouble? Sometimes you experience something so amazing that it is worth whatever you had to go through to enjoy it. These top tourist attractions are so special they are worth long lines, expensive fees and headaches. Checkout our favorite tourist destinations in the entire world that are worth standing in lines all day for.
Great Wall of China
The sheer size of the wall can’t be experienced through photographs; you must see it in person. Spanning over 13,000 miles, this man-made structure is such a memorable experience. When you see the wall in person you are taken back and in total awe. It’s an inspiring piece of architecture with interesting twists and turns and uneven steps. The wall was built to keep out ravaging hordes of Mongols but now boasts over 10 million visitors yearly. Tourist are everywhere, the lines are long but it’s all worth it. You won’t be disappointed with this destination and you may return one day.
Petra
The ancient city of Petra is one of the Seven Wonders of the World and truly a special place. The city dates back to 312 B.C. and is preserved immaculately. Take a donkey ride around the ancient city to see more than you could on two feet. The vibrant colors of the surrounding rocks and the incredible details of the 2,000+-year-old city are remarkable.
Blue Lagoon
The Icelandic hot spring has long been a popular tourist destination, but is it worth all the hassles involved? This magical geothermic pool has healing powers because of its high levels of sulfur and silica. Long lines and high entrance fees scare some tourists off but this place is worth the hassle. The one of a kind spa features the incredible milky blue waters and is known to cure people of multiple ailments.
Niagara Falls
One of the busiest tourist attractions in America, Niagara Falls is worth your trouble. The majesty of these falls is best-viewed from the Canadian side, where lines are shorter and the vibe is less touristy. Take the Maid of the Mist boat tour for the best views and most memorable experience.
Machu Picchu
The ancient Incan citadel high in the Andes Mountains is a pain in the butt to get to but worth all the trouble once you reach it. Incredible views mixed with some very cool relics, Machu Picchu is a special place that should be experienced.
Acropolis
The Acropolis is crazy during the peak summer months but even then it’s well worth any trouble. The views alone from its perch above Athens make this attraction so cool. The massive size of the Acropolis and the stunning remains make it a must visit.
Banff National Park
This wonderful example of nature at its most wild is a must see even if it’s near the top of the world. Take in Canada’s oldest National Park and see what the great white North is all about. See glaciers, intricate cave systems and some awesome wildlife.
Destinations
Incredible Vacation Ideas
We compiled the best travel experiences you could ever imagine, so take one of these adventures. Let’s cross some things off our bucket list with these incredible vacation ideas.
Summer vacation is almost here and you are probably mulling over your trip options. Are you tired of the normal vacation destinations and want something more out of your holiday? If so, you are in luck. We compiled the best travel experiences you could ever imagine, so take one of these adventures. Let’s cross some things off our bucket list with these incredible vacation ideas.
Tree Houses Hotel Costa Rica
Who didn’t want an awesome tree house when they were younger? I know I did. Now you can stay in one in this incredibly unique hotel experience in Costa Rica. This seven-room eco resort has high-end style accommodations mixed with rustic jungle designs. Stay in the trees with your new neighbors, a group of howler monkeys and banana trees. This super remote destination is only a 40-minute drive from tourist hub La Fortuna. You won’t find A/C or TVs in your rooms; instead expect bird feeders filled with fruit to entice the humming birds and monkeys to come to your porch.
Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat, Bahamas
Take a yoga adventure at the world renowned Sivananda Yoga Ashram. Don’t expect a high-end resort with yoga mixed in; instead expect yoga on all menus with resort life sprinkled in. Serious yogis only should attend this resort. Take advantage of some of the world’s best yogis and enjoy two two-hour classes each day. Each guest also gets two vegetarian meals a day after their class.
Witch’s Rock Surf camp, Costa Rica
Maybe surfing is more your cup of tea, so check out Costa Rica’s premier surf camp. Witch’s Rock Surf Camp sits on the pristine Tamarindo Beach and is the world’s surfing Mecca. The 18-room resort is more of a camp than hotel, with a bare bones approach to resort life. Guests will enjoy basic rooms with no frills but the best surfing the planet has to offer. You don’t come here to stay in a 5-star hotel; you come to learn to surf in the best waves around.
Elephant Safari & Lodge, Bali
Hang with some elephants at this 25-room safari park. This is a one-of-a-kind resort where the elephants are just as much of a guest as you are. This animal refuge has over 30 Sumatran elephants, a botanical garden and beautiful Balinese-style rooms. Each room has it’s own elephant pick up platform so your elephant chauffeur can take you around without you ever touching the ground. Yes, I said elephant chauffeur, need I say more?
Hidden Beach Resort, Riviera Maya (Nude Hotel)
Take a vacation from your clothes at this all-nude resort in Mexico. Obviously this is an adult only resort, can you imagine children running around with all the trouser snakes swinging to and fro. Warning most guests are over 50, which is odd but hey, don’t hate the player, hate the game.
Okavango Delta Camp, Botswana
Forget your normal resort, and come for the once-in-a-lifetime experience at the Okavango Delta Camp in Botswana. This safari lodge is an all-inclusive resort that will blow you away. Game drives, bush walks and river cruises are all included in the price and are so amazing you won’t want to leave. Located on an island in the Okavango Delta, guests can get close and personal with lions, hippos and giraffes. No hunting is allowed on this animal refuge so you won’t have to worry about being roasted on social media for pictures of you with bug game. This is truly a unique vacation experience.
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