FX.co ★ Top 10 affordable resorts for winter escapes

Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam

Phu Quoc is the largest and most popular island in Vietnam. In addition to equipped beaches and centers for marine recreation, the island is also popular for incredible natural attractions and ancient shrines.

Prices on the island are the cheapest among all Asian destinations. Accommodation in 3* hotels or modest apartments costs from 95 euros per week, although you can find cheaper options. Bike rental ranges between 5-10 euros. Lunch at the cafe costs 1-3 euros. The average budget for two people to stay on the Phu Quoc Island starts from 350 euros per week (food + accommodation).

The marine entertainment and excursions cost from 18-20 euros.

Phuket, Thailand

Thailand is rightfully considered one of the most affordable places to go on vacations in winter. Phuket is one of its best resorts for families, newlyweds, and lovers of exotic places. The average budget for two people for a week starts at 450 euros.

This price includes food and accommodation. The main costs: lunch or breakfast in a cafe starts from 2-4 euros, a ticket for public transport can be purchased for 1-4 euros, scooter rental costs from 60 euros (per week). You can take surfing or diving lessons, which cost starts at 35 euros. All sorts of spa treatments can cost from 20 euros.

With all the benefits of the resort, tickets to Thailand are not cheap, but if you constantly monitor the "burning" offers, you can find very profitable options.

Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka

Tourists visiting Sri Lanka in winter claim that island resorts combine best prices and high quality. You can check it yourself by going to Hikkaduwa.

The average budget you will need to stay for a week in one of the most popular resorts on the island will start from 500 euros, including food and accommodation.

Tourists can choose among a variety of cheap hostels, 2-3* hotels, and apartments at affordable prices. Food prices will depend on whether you eat in tourist places or not. In inexpensive cafes, a lunch will cost 1-4 euros, prices in restaurants range between 3-10 euros.

The resort of Hikkaduwa, famous for its coral reefs, is one of the best places in the world for diving. And you can find a lot of sunken ships off the coast. An underwater excursion to such places will cost 45 euros.

Calangute, India

North Goa is another little piece of paradise. Here you can see an unprecedented mixture of cultures, traditions, as well as travelers from around the world. Calangute used to be called the "hippie capital", the spirit of freedom has preserved in this town to this day.

Tourists will find here exotic, noisy parties and affordable prices. Accommodation in a bungalow on the shores of the Arabian Sea will cost 10 euros (for double occupancy). You will spend almost the same amount for food in local cafes (per day), although this option will suit the most budget tourists.

But in general, if you do not have a limit, then your budget in Calangute will start from 350 euros (food + accommodation for two people).

Benaulim, India

Travelers who admire more relaxing vacations can go to the southern part of the country where Benaulim is located. It is quieter than the North Goa but a little more expensive.

This is a typical beach resort where there are practically no bars, restaurants, or nightclubs. But it is full of small cozy cafes and sports grounds.

The average budget for two people in Benaulim starts at 500 euros per week (food + accommodation). You can rent a scooter for a day for 10-15 euros, and a surfing lesson here costs from 42 euros.

Dahab, Egypt

Thanks to its proximity, this direction differs from the others by affordable prices for flights. Dahab is a place nothing like all the other resorts in this country. In addition to a typical hotel, you can stay in a campsite or in one of 5* hotels that delight guests with their prices. The average budget for two people in Dahab starts from 300 euros for a week (food + accommodation).

There are a lot of interesting activities in this town: diving lessons (from $25), windsurfing lessons (from $20 per hour), surfing board ($85 per week).

Kuta, Bali

The resort town of Kuta in Bali is another place often visited by young people. More recently, it was a shabby village, and today this place, located along the Indian Ocean, is very popular thanks to many inexpensive cafes, bars, budget hotels, and noisy nightclubs.

Cocktails on the beaches cost around 1-2 euros, prices for lunch at a cafe range between 2-5 euros, spa treatments start at 8 euros, and surf lessons with an instructor cost from 30 euros.

Kuta is an ideal place not only for professionals but also for novice surfers. Smooth, wide coast and calm low waves are what beginners need.

The average budget for two people in Kuta starts at 400 euros per week (food + accommodation).

Zanzibar, Tanzania

This country is not the most popular because of its distant location. Tanzania is a great place for secluded relaxation. Clean beaches of Zanzibar, its beautiful scenery and the tranquil Indian Ocean captivate travelers from all over the world.

Diving and surfing are in great demand here. And if surfing is more suitable for beginners (waves are not really high), then everyone can go diving. The cost of a dive starts from 40 euro, and you will pay from 50 euros for a night dive.

Prices for exotic cuisine range from 4 to 24 euros. It all depends on where you eat in the city. Basically prices are high in hotels and central restaurants.

The average budget for two people in Zanzibar starts from 500 euros per week (food + accommodation).

Penang Island, Malaysia

Penang Island is a popular center of Malaysia, and especially its northern part with a great concentration of the best beaches and recreation areas. Penang has it all: amazing nature, ancient sights, and islands. Active tourists will find a lot of places to see outside beaches.

By the way, tours can be bought at very reasonable prices. Journey to the temples of the island will cost from $25, the cost of trips to the park of birds or butterflies also starts from $25, and you will pay from $35 for hiking in the jungle.

The average budget for two people in Penang starts from 450 euros per week (food + accommodation).

Koh Tao, Thailand

Koh Tao is just a small island in the Gulf of Thailand. But over the past 10 years, it has been occupied by divers from around the world. The island has a relaxed atmosphere that is very much appreciated by families with children.

There are many options for accommodation on Koh Tao: from romantic bungalows on the sand (from 8 euros) to nice apartments (from 30 euros). The most convenient way to travel around the island is a scooter which costs from 9 euros per day. You will pay 2-3 euros for lunch, and a massage will cost 7 euros.

There are about 50 diving schools on the island. Here you can not only learn how to dive but also take a course to become a dive master yourself. The cost of one dive starts at 35 euros.

The most convenient and fastest way to get to Koh Tao is from the Koh Samui island.