🌍 Travel long-term without draining your bank account — here’s where your money goes the furthest in 2025.
💡 Why This Guide Matters in 2025
What if you could live in a new country every month — and only spend $1,000?
In 2025, rising flight prices and inflation have made travel seem out of reach for many. But the truth is: long-term travel is still possible — if you know where to go.
This guide reveals 10 real countries where $1,000 covers your rent, food, transport, and even a few adventures — based on 2025 cost data from Numbeo, BudgetYourTrip, and thousands of traveler reports.
No exaggerations. No fake “I traveled for $10” stunts. Just realistic budgets for real people who want to explore the world without going broke.
Let’s dive in.
🔍 How We Chose These Countries
To build this list, we analyzed:
- Cost-of-living data from Numbeo.com
- Average traveler spending from BudgetYourTrip.com
- Real-life feedback from Reddit (r/digitalnomad, r/travel), travel forums, and expat blogs
All estimates are for one person, excluding round-trip flights.
We focused on countries that are: ✅ Safe & traveler-friendly
✅ Have good internet (for remote work)
✅ Offer long-term visas or easy stays
✅ Are affordable right now in 2025
🌎 10 Countries Where $1,000 Lasts a Month (or More)
1. Vietnam 🇻🇳
Estimated Monthly Cost: $750–$950
- Accommodation: $200–$300 (private room in a guesthouse or shared apartment)
- Food: $150 (street food like pho, banh mi, and fresh fruit)
- Transport: $30 (scooter rental or public transit)
- Activities: $100 (Halong Bay cruise, Sapa trek, or island hopping)
Why it’s great: Vietnam is safe, friendly, and packed with culture. Cities like Da Nang and Hoi An have booming digital nomad communities and fast WiFi.
📌 Local Tip: Eat at street stalls — it’s cheaper, tastier, and safer than many restaurants – pho stalls or com tam shops for hearty meals under $2.
Suggested base: Hanoi for culture or Da Nang for beaches and expat hubs.
2. Thailand 🇹🇭
Estimated Monthly Cost: $800–$1,000
- Accommodation: $250–$400 (hostel private room or condo in Chiang Mai)
- Food: $180 (local markets, pad thai, mango sticky rice)
- Transport: $40 (songthaews and motorbike rentals)
- Activities: $120 (temple tours, cooking classes, island trips)
Why it’s great: Thailand has been a budget traveler favorite for decades — and for good reason. Chiang Mai and Pai are digital nomad hubs with coworking spaces and low costs.
📌 Local Tip: Avoid touristy restaurants — eat where locals line up. Street food in Bangkok’s night markets costs just $1–$2 per dish.
Suggested base: Chiang Mai for nomads, Koh Lanta for island living.
3. Portugal 🇵🇹
Estimated Monthly Cost: $900–$1,100
- Accommodation: $600–$700 (studio apartment in Lisbon or Porto)
- Food: $200 (cafes, grocery stores, local wine)
- Transport: $60 (public transit or bike share)
- Activities: $100 (museums, day trips, beach clubs)
Why it’s great: Portugal is Europe’s most budget-friendly gateway. With a digital nomad visa, you can stay legally for up to 1 year. Plus, the weather, food, and safety are top-tier.
📌 Local Tip: Rent outside the city center — prices drop significantly in suburbs. Skip Lisbon—stay in Porto or Coimbra for half the cost.
Suggested base: Porto for food, Lagos for beaches.
4. Mexico 🇲🇽
Estimated Monthly Cost: $800–$1,000
- Accommodation: $300–$400 (guesthouse or Airbnb in Oaxaca or Mérida)
- Food: $200 (tacos, markets, fresh juice)
- Transport: $50 (buses and local transit)
- Activities: $100 (pyramids, cenotes, festivals)
Why it’s great: Mexico is close to the US, has great food, and welcomes remote workers. Cities like San Cristóbal de las Casas and Tulum (outside high season) are affordable and vibrant.
📌 Local Tip: Use ADO buses — they’re cheap, safe, and comfortable. Eat at local taquerías for meals under $2.
Suggested base: Oaxaca for culture, Playa del Carmen for nomads.
5. Georgia (the country) 🇬🇪
Estimated Monthly Cost: $700–$900
- Accommodation: $400–$500 (apartment in Tbilisi or Batumi)
- Food: $150 (khachapuri, wine, fresh veggies)
- Transport: $30 (metro and marshrutkas)
- Activities: $100 (hiking, wine tours, mountain trips)
Why it’s great: Georgia offers a 1-year visa-free stay for most nationalities, stunning mountains, and some of the cheapest wine in the world. Tbilisi has a growing expat scene and fast internet.
📌 Local Tip: Learn a few Georgian phrases — locals love the effort. Enjoy khachapuri and khinkali at local bakeries for under $1.
Suggested base: Tbilisi or Batumi.
6. Indonesia (Bali & Beyond) 🇮🇩
Estimated Monthly Cost: $800–$1,000
- Accommodation: $250–$400 (guesthouse or shared villa in Ubud)
- Food: $150 (warungs, smoothie bowls, nasi goreng)
- Transport: $50 (motorbike rental)
- Activities: $120 (yoga classes, temple visits, diving)
Why it’s great: Bali is a digital nomad paradise — but don’t stop there. Yogyakarta and Lombok are even cheaper and less crowded.
📌 Local Tip: Rent a scooter — it’s the cheapest way to get around. Eat at warungs for meals under $2.
Suggested base: Canggu (Bali) or Yogyakarta (Java).
7. India 🇮🇳
Estimated Monthly Cost: $600–$800
- Accommodation: $150–$250 (guesthouse or Airbnb in Goa or Dharamshala)
- Food: $100 (curries, chai, street snacks)
- Transport: $50 (trains and rickshaws)
- Activities: $100 (temples, trekking, yoga retreats)
Why it’s great: India is one of the cheapest countries on Earth. With a 6-month tourist visa, you can explore beaches, mountains, and cities on a tiny budget.
📌 Local Tip: Stick to vegetarian food — it’s cleaner and cheaper. Use train passes for affordable long-distance travel.
Suggested base: Rishikesh for spirituality or Goa for beaches.
8. Albania 🇦🇱
Estimated Monthly Cost: $700–$900
- Accommodation: $300–$400 (apartment in Tirana or Saranda)
- Food: $150 (grilled meat, fresh seafood, baklava)
- Transport: $40 (buses and local taxis)
- Activities: $100 (beaches, hiking, castle tours)
Why it’s great: Albania is Europe’s best-kept secret. The Albanian Riviera rivals Greece — but costs half as much. And the people are incredibly welcoming.
📌 Local Tip: Visit in May or September — summer prices in Saranda skyrocket. Dine at local tavernas for meals under $5.
Suggested base: Tirana or Sarandë for beaches.
9. Morocco 🇲🇦
Estimated Monthly Cost: $700–$900
- Accommodation: $250–$350 (riads in Marrakech or Chefchaouen)
- Food: $120 (tagine, couscous, mint tea)
- Transport: $50 (trains and grand taxis)
- Activities: $120 (desert tours, medina walks, hammams)
Why it’s great: Morocco feels exotic but is affordable and accessible. Fes and Essaouira are safer and cheaper than Marrakech for long stays.
📌 Local Tip: Haggle politely in souks — it’s expected. Stay in riads for budget-friendly charm.
Suggested base: Marrakech or Essaouira.
10. Colombia 🇨🇴
Estimated Monthly Cost: $800–$1,000
- Accommodation: $300–$400 (apartment in Medellín or Pereira)
- Food: $180 (arepas, empanadas, fresh fruit)
- Transport: $50 (Metro, bike share, buses)
- Activities: $100 (coffee tours, salsa classes, nature hikes)
Why it’s great: Colombia has warm weather, friendly people, and a booming nomad scene. Medellín is known as the “City of Eternal Spring” — and it’s surprisingly affordable.
📌 Local Tip: Use Rappi (like Uber Eats) — it’s fast and cheap. Take advantage of menu del día lunches for $3–$4.
Suggested base: Medellín for city life, Santa Marta for beaches.
💡 5 Tips to Stretch Your $1,000 Even Further
Want to make your money last longer? Try these:
- Eat like a local – Skip restaurants, eat at markets and street stalls.
- Travel in the shoulder season – April–May or September–October = lower prices.
- Use public transport – Trains, buses, and bikes beat taxis.
- Stay in hostels or guesthouses – Often cheaper than Airbnb.
- Work remotely a few hours a week – Even $10/day = $300/month extra.
🛡️ Tools Smart Travelers Use (Save Money & Stay Safe)
Many long-term travelers use these trusted tools to cut costs and protect their trips:
- ✈️ Expedia – Find the cheapest flights with flexible date searches
- 🏥 SafetyWing – Affordable travel insurance for digital nomads (recurring commission)
- 💸 Wise – Transfer money internationally with low fees
- 🌍 World Nomads – Great for adventure coverage and gear protection
👉 These are the same tools used by thousands of budget travelers — and they can help you save hundreds.
✅ Final Thoughts: Long-Term Travel Is Possible
You don’t need a six-figure income to see the world.
With smart choices, the right destination, and a little planning, $1,000 a month can fund a full month of travel in 2025.
Whether you dream of sipping wine in Tbilisi, surfing in Bali, or hiking in Colombia — your adventure is closer than you think.
📌 Bookmark this guide — and start planning your next move.
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