Top 10 Budget-Friendly Backpacker Travel Destinations for 2009

See The World Without Putting A Dent In Your Pocket

The year 2009 may already be half-over, but it’s never too late to catch up on your traveling.


How long has it been since you treated yourself to a well-deserved break from work? When was the last time that you spent some quality time with your friends or family in a place where you can get away from it all?

Where did you and your significant other have that romantic getaway? If it’s taking you too long to come up with an answer, then it pretty much means that it has been just that: too long since you had a break.

And you don’t even need to use the tough economic times that the entire world is facing as an excuse not to travel. In fact, the opposite is true. Since lesser people are booking for leisure or even business flights, the airlines are coming up with great deals to attract customers to actually go out and travel [Cheap air travel deals].

You might even be lucky enough to grab a travel package deal at a luxury hotel without having to bust your budget. Read on to find out which places are considered to be the top 10 budget travel destinations for the year 2009.
A Look at the Top 10 Budget-Friendly Backpacker Travel Destinations for 2009

Whether your ideal vacation is lounging by the beach on some exotic, tropical island – or exploring the ruins of a romantic city – there is a travel destination which is suited specifically for you.

Here’s a quick look at the best travel destinations that you can explore and visit:

1. The Lassen Volcanic National Park

Location: California, USA


If you’re looking forward to having a better appreciation for nature, there is no better place to be than the Lassen Volcanic National Park in California [Romantic getaway to California].

Located about 50 miles east of Redding, the park boasts of four types of volcanoes, mud pots, steam vents and painted dunes.

The Lassen Volcanic National Park attracts almost half a million visitors per year – and the vista is such a sight of splendor. With the Cascades range to the north; the Sierra Nevada Mountains to the south; and the Great Basin desert to the east, you will not be lacking for a magnificent background during your stay.

And why did it become a destination for budget-conscious travelers? Basically, you don’t have to spend a fortune booking a hotel because there are 8 campsites, a lot of bed and breakfasts and chain motels which surround the park.

2. Waikiki Beach

Location: Hawaii, USA


BudgetTravel.com dubbed Hawaii as one of the best places to be in the year 2009 – and with good reason. Now that the nation is experiencing an economic downturn, what tour operators are doing is to bundle up the rooms which are not booked into affordable travel packages.

Volcanoes, luaus and the Waikiki Beach in particular are what draw tourists to Hawaii – so learn how to say “Aloha!” the local way when you book a visit to this budget travel destination.
3. Berlin Wall

Location: Berlin, Germany


This capital of Germany has come a long way from its dark, haunted past. Berlin itself is a huge city where a traveler will not be lacking for sights to see and places to visit.

Naturally, you can’t pay this city a visit without stopping by the Berlin Wall, which is a large stretch of intact wall located to the east of the city which has been preserved as a gallery.

For a historical tour, you can even stop by the site of the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, the St. Hedwig’s Cathedral and there’s a multitude of galleries and parks to choose from.

So what’s in Berlin for the budget-conscious travelers? You can take your pick from one of the many 3-star hotels scattered within the length and breadth of Berlin.

4. Angkor Archaeological Park

Location: Northern Cambodia


Also called the Angkor Wat, this is a famous tourist destination in Southeast Asia. The Angkor Archaeological Park is where you will see the famous Angkor Wat temple, the Bayon Temple and a myriad of other great architectural wonders. The site was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992.

In terms of affordable accommodations, you can choose from the many newly opened 3-star and 4-star luxury hotels in the area between the airport and Siem Reap. Aside from the Angkor Wat temple itself, you can extend your explorations in Cambodia by taking a boat trip up the Mekong River and soaking in the local culture at Phnom Penh.

5. Belfast

Location: North Ireland


If you’ve never been to an authentic Irish pub before, now is as good a time as any to sample a local brew in one. Belfast is the second city of Ireland next to Dublin which is its capital – and it has been transformed into a hot tourist destination.

You can take the usual tour of the city with the Titanic Boat tour, or stop by the Botanical Gardens, the Ulster Museum, the Belfast Castle and even the Belfast Zoo!

If you’re looking for somewhere affordable to stay, you can take your pick from hostels, mid-range hotels, a backpacker’s haven and a couple of travel lodges.

6. Cartagena

Location: Bolivar, Colombia


This South American destination is one of the most visited cities in the country of Colombia. What serves as a major attraction in the area is the fact that it is facing that Caribbean Sea so you will get to enjoy a beach holiday at its finest – especially in Playa Blanca which is one of the best destinations there.

It goes to say that “you don’t have to bust your budget when visiting Cartagena, either”. The ciudad amurallada is the place to be if you want to know what makes Cartagena unique as a city – but you also have a myriad of colonial houses turned into hostels, as well as budget hotels where you can stay.

7. Cape Town

Location: Cape Town, South Africa


Also known as the “Mother City” of South Africa, Cape Town is the most southern city of Africa which offers a variety of great places to visit.

You can visit the Cape Town City Hall which is an exemplary structure of Victorian architecture, have a tour of Robben Island, commune with nature with the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens or sample the modern amenities provided at the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront.

Swimming, taking a cable car to the top of Table Mountain, exploring the Cape Peninsula and a lot more are the activities that you can indulge in when visiting Cape Town. There are a lot of bed and breakfasts, hotels, hostels, guest houses and backpacker’s accommodations – so there’s something for every budget.

8. Waiheke Island

Location: Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand


Situated just 35 minutes by ferry from Auckland, the Waiheke Island in New Zea land is an ideal traveler’s getaway [New Zealand travel]. What makes New Zealand famous for travelers from around the world is their wine and olive industry – something that you can sample once you go on a wine-and-olives tour.

There are also plenty of affordable accommodations to choose from, so make sure to check for great deals online or call your travel agent.
9. Puerto Peñasco

Location: Sonora, Mexico


Puerto Peñasco or Rocky Point is a beach city which is located in the northwestern part of Sonora, a state in Mexico. It’s a mere 70 miles south of the border with Arizona – making it a perfect holiday getaway for those who live nearby.

You can get great deals at the Riviera Nayarit and the resorts along Puerto Peñasco which serves as a virtual oasis in the middle of the desert.
10. Waterton Lakes National Park

Location: Southern Alberta, Canada


Yet another national park which serves as a crowd favorite among the tourists and locals alike is the Waterton Lakes National Park in Canada [Canada travel].

If you’re looking for somewhere to travel that’s really affordable [Budget travel tips], this is the place to be with its icy-blue lakes, ancient gullies and magnificent glaciers.

So what are you waiting for? Check out your daily planner and schedule a long weekend – or perhaps even a month-long vacation to any of these budget-friendly travel destinations!

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