While in Morocco, visit one of the omnipresent markets or bazaars that are hubs for everyday life. Morocco's rugged yet scenic landscape has made it an increasingly popular destination for adventurer travelers. You can hike the High Atlas Mountains or tour the starkly beautiful dunes at the edge of the Sahara.

In Africa, Dave Herbert, managing director and founder of the tour company African Travel Inc., recommends traveling in groups.

If you want to travel independently, ''Go on a tour and stay a week on your own,'' says Sylvia Frommer-Mracky, owner of Production Travel and Tours, based in Los Angeles.

Portail National du Maroc: www.maroc.ma.

BOLIVIA

Landlocked with many areas at high altitudes, Bolivia is often called the Tibet of the Americas, and like its counterpart in Asia, it's one of the poorest countries in South America. But Bolivia is relatively peaceful and offers basic facilities for travelers, such as lodging and transportation.

''Foreigners can generally walk the streets in most areas of Bolivia's major cities without the fear of becoming a victim of violence, if they observe reasonable precautions,'' the Overseas Security Advisory Council, a federal committee, notes. Air travel around the country is economical and meets International Civil Aviation Organization safety standards.

Largely undiscovered by tourists outside of South America, Bolivia is a feast for the adventurous spirit as well as a respite for the embattled wallet. In the past 10 years, the dollar has increased in value almost 45 percent against the boliviano.

With the favorable exchange rate, you can find single rooms with private baths for less than $10 a night at budget hotels or stay at top-tier hotels for less than $100 a night. The Hotel Radisson Plaza in La Paz, considered an upper category hotel, has single-occupancy rooms starting at $99 a night during the high season from June to September (winter there).

For its low prices, Bolivia has much to offer. Ancient ruins and a thriving indigenous population showcase a country that was a part of the mighty Incan empire. Bolivia is also home to the lush Amazon rain forests as well as the snow-capped Andes.

Republica de Bolivia: www.bolivia-usa.org.

CAMBODIA

After decades of unrest, stability gradually has returned to Cambodia after democratic elections in 1993. Although still a poor country, it is largely peaceful like its Southeast Asian neighbor, Vietnam. Underdeveloped Cambodia -- 66 percent of its land is forests and woodland -- attracts adventurers. The prices are similar to those you'll find in Vietnam, even a little less.

Modest meals cost about $2 to $3. Fancier meals are about $10. Expect to pay around $10 a night for a decent room, although less expensive accommodations are available. Upscale hotels cost about $50 a night. (Riels are the official currency of Cambodia, but dollars readily are accepted, so you won't have to worry about doing long division in your head.)

Cambodia's intricate temples are awe-inspiring. The most famous are the Angkor ruins, the pinnacle of Khmer architecture.

Tourism of Cambodia: www.tourismcambodia.com.

NICARAGUA

Although tourism is increasing in Nicaragua, it doesn't attract as many tourists as its more popular neighbors in Central America, such as Costa Rica. The civil war ended nearly two decades ago, and, ''Nicaragua has become a safer destination than it was 10 years ago,'' says Alicia Zablocki, director of Latin American programs at Mountain Travel Sobek.

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