Simone del rosario: here’s the good news: summer’s right around the corner and covid restrictions are practically a thing of the past. the bad news: now it’s inflation putting a damper on those travel plans. never fear – we’ve got ways to beat it with your best and cheapest summer adventures in this week’s Five For Friday.

Coming in at number five, Vietnam. one of Asia’s fastest growing economies is also one of its cheapest. and because the dong is weak compared to the dollar, Americans have more purchasing power – something we can all use these days. An amazing bowl of pho  costs under two dollars and this highly rated villa in resort town Hoi An an is a ridiculous $39 a night.

 In the fourth spot – Kyrgyzstan. also shockingly cheap and super rugged. trekkers, hikers and campers use the inexpensive marshrutka bus system to access some of the free entertainment: 88 mountain ranges, 40,000 rivers and streams. after accounting for the $1200 emirates flight, a backpacker could spend less than $600 over an entire summer month. 

Number three on our list – Peru. Youtuber fast-fred-ruddick claims his total spend for a 90-day stay cost him what one week at an all-inclusive resort would. book a family-run hospedaje, hire a colectivo instead of a taxi, and consider skipping Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail. i know, it’s on your bucket list but after the flight to Cusco, train to the base and all the “gotcha” fees – it’ll blow your budget.

At number two, Tenerife. It sounds uber-fancy but the largest of the Canary Islands is now serviced by discount Icelandic airliner Play. Once there, skip the tunnel tours and cable cars for the beautiful free beaches and inexpensive cafes.

And the cheapest and best destination this summer – India – if you can handle the heat. You can get by on three to six dollars daily for meals and eight dollars nightly for a local guest house stay. Getting there will be the priciest part so when fare surfing, use a private internet browser. travel sites track you and jack up prices once they see your activity. 

I can vouch for India. When I lived there 10 years ago I paid about $500 a month and that came with a driver, a chef and a housekeeper. Boy do I miss that right now. That’s your Five For Friday. I’m Simone Del Rosario – see you next week!