The World's Cheapest Destinations: 21 Countries Where Your Money Is Worth a Fortune

We used the 3rd edition of this book as planning for an around-the-world trip and we went to the following countries reviewed in the book: Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, India, Egypt and Turkey. Later we went to Hungary and the Czech Republic. So it was with much interest that I read through his fourth edition to see how our experiences stacked up. And I would say his guidelines and suggestions are spot-on! Use this book as a guide to where to go and you'll save a ton of money and have a great time. He doesn't mention this a ton, but the choice of when you go is also a big consideration for saving money. We traveled during "shoulder season" (i.e., Monsoon) in Malaysia and found deserted resort areas for $10 a night, in our own little bugalow with A/C, TV and breakfast included. We lucked out in that the weather was just perfect. The deals he talks about do indeed exist. I'd also like to reiterate that India is an amazing bargain. He's exactly right that it's a "love it or hate it" country, but we loved it. Kerala and Goa are just amazing - yes the beaches have cows and Indian tourists in saris playing in the waves but it just adds to the flavor. And the food just cannot be beat. The only quibbles I have are on his Egypt and Vietnam chapters. He somewhat downplays the tourist/local price disparity in train fare and other expenses. We found Egypt to be infuriating in trying to get a good deal, things like charging us to use a backgammon set at a cafe, or telling us we must buy first class tickets to ride. However, I took a little exception to his comment about Egyptian food; we found the food in Egypt to be some of the best of the entire trip. Of course, we lived on fuul, falafel and fresh pita. But the variety of fresh produce is amazing for a desert country. I hope to someday use the advice in this book for a Central/South America trip, that was one continent we didn't make it to on our trip, and I'm sure his advice there is just as good as the rest of the other countries.

I'm about halfway through the Kindle version of this book and I'm really enjoying it. I imagine you could find most of this information on your own by scouring the Internet (including the author's own website and blog) but this book pulls it all together in one convenient and inexpensive (under $9 for the Kindle version) place. The author is often blunt when there are things worth criticizing (or praising) in the countries he's covering, e.g., "the post offices [in Morocco] are so slow and inefficient that you may feel like you're being filmed for a comedy skit." In contrast, if you're shopping for souvenirs, "craftsmanship is universally high in Morocco... and craftsmen (and women) take great pride in their work."The book is an easy read, with fairly short chapters. He doesn't go into exhausting detail as a regional guidebook would, but he gives a broad overview of about two dozen countries, focusing (obviously) on the general costs of traveling there, and with some specific money-saving tips for each place. The targeted audience, as you might expect, seems to be the low and mid-range budget travelers, but he also occasionally addresses the desires of the high-budget traveler or those traveling with children (now that he has a daughter).I'm starting to plan my own round-the-world travels and still haven't figured out where my first destination will be. Leffel's book is making that dreaming process more fun (and providing lots of valuable advice that I'm sure will help me keep my expenses down).

It covers the fundamentals in short-speak structure without over bite rhetoric. The notations on the the variables is clear and compels one to do all the wise independent due-diligence and prep before embarking on a visit trip or leaping to a full-fledged move. Cheapest is as cheap relative to time and place, twists to the up side or down side of an economy, destination economics and extent of tourist dependency of supply and demand. It is not a another target selling book nor ad for a given place as a retirement target or any age dreamer's of paradise... as it points out it much depends on personal temperament where one wishes to root inland or shore front,be it in an feather-less natural cultural community or the more upscale metro vibes a country has to offer with the conveniences at hand of need or want - can be yours with in a budget minded cheap cost but get quality experience for price. Straight talk about comparing the this for this and that for that place by place. No shrinking from the mentioning any issues to consider from the best, better, not so good to the overtly bad in the current play of things are put on the table to muse upon. No hype, just fun read with a vital sign check list of life's horizons of possible quest.

I thought that the book was useful - not systematic in that it covers countries based on the author's experience rather than those selected on more objective criteria - but useful. It gives a clear understanding of what it is like to experience a country on the ground. It may be valuable to note the perspective of the author. It appears that he used to travel quite frugally (potentially more frugally than for my tastes), but now prefers interesting budget accommodations appropriate for his small family.

Good book for use in planning for journeys. I have read everything Tim Leffel has published on travel and find his writings to be insightful, balanced, and positive in spirit. He tells the truth without launching into (Fox News type) horror stories about the countries he covers.

Tim does an incredibly effective job in this book via his informative and no nonsense style. He is a credentialed and experienced traveler and writer. If you are a budget traveler or backpacker do not hesitate for one second to spend a few bucks on this book. I am so grateful that I came across this and am hoping for frequent updates. This will be my "go to" budget travel resource for years to come. Thank you Tim. What a blessing to find this book!

Terrific book with great information about where to go on a budget. We are thinking of taking a year off and traveling with kids. This book started it all for us.

As a well travelled men it did'nt tell me much new stuff but was still interesting to read,if you're looking for a cheap destination this will give you a good basic idea....

Very good book! Very informative.

As described