Travelers will find the country peaceful and affordable. You can get a meal of tamales or empanadas from street vendors for a buck or two, although higher-end and more expensive international fare is available in larger cities.

Budget lodging goes for about $5 a night on the low end, but expect to pay more if you want features such as a private bathroom. Luxury hotels in major cities charge a fraction of the price in more popular Central American destinations.

Nicaragua's natural features are its chief assets. Large tracts of rain forest and accessible volcanoes make for breathtaking wilderness excursions.

Nicaragua Online: www.vianica.com.

ALBANIA

Albania, in southeast Europe, is one of the continent's poorest countries. Isolated and communist into the 1990s, Albania is on its way to becoming a free-market economy.

The U.S. State Department classifies Albania as a ''high'' crime country, but it notes that crime against foreigners is ''rare as it is viewed as too risky.'' Albanians generally have a favorable view of Americans, so there's no need to wear your ''I Love New York'' shirts inside out.

Albania is not yet a member of the European Union, and its currency, the lek, is low against the dollar. You can find meals for less than $5, fancier fare for less than $20. Stay in dormitory-style hostels for about $20 a night.

Ruled by empires including the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman, Albania is rich in archaeological sites. Ruins from each of the civilizations can be found in cities across the country, particularly in Apollonia, an important settlement of the Greeks. Berat, a well-preserved ancient city, boasts a medieval fortress and beautiful churches.

Albanian Tourism: www.albaniantourism.com.

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