Longing for an out-of-country excursion but feeling a little poor because you have only dollars in your pocket? Even with the fast-eroding value of the dollar against other currencies, you still can find international destinations where your buck goes a long way.

And you won't have to forgo choice sightseeing or comfort. All you need is a little latitude -- and longitude -- in selecting your next vacation spot.

In 2006, I wanted to take one long trip before I had to ease into professional life. Like many new college grads, I had little money. And even though I'm an Anglophile, the exchange rate ($1.88 to the British pound in May 2006, when I traveled), would have pummeled my savings. (The rate is even worse these days: $1.97 to the pound.).

I hadn't seen enough of mainland Europe either, but I couldn't deal with the drooping dollar. I needed a destination where I could spend a month comfortably for less than $2,000.

On the recommendation of a friend, I went to Vietnam, a country where I spent the first three years of my life but that I regarded with caution because it is developing and off the radar of most Western travelers.

But at the end of my five weeks there, I didn't want to leave. It was the best vacation I've had -- and the most cost-efficient too.

On average, I spent $30 a day (or less) in Vietnam, and I wasn't living like a backpacker. In Hanoi, Vietnam's capital, my room at the centrally located Asia Hotel had a private bathroom, air-conditioning, cable TV and maid service -- for $12 a night. I spent $3 or $4 on nice dinners. I walked out of one restaurant because the entrees were more than $5.

Entertainment was inexpensive too. At Nha Trang, a beautiful coastal city in southern Vietnam, I took a half-day cruise for about $10. Our boat made several stops and included a tasty lunch.

Access to many of Vietnam's most alluring locales, such as its pristine beaches and Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is free.

Although Vietnam remains a poor country, it is fairly safe and its people are friendly. Taxi drivers and shopkeepers might overcharge you, but those are the chief nuisances you'll encounter.

There are other nations that offer adventure and world-class sightseeing on a budget, although some might be undeveloped and lack the tourist infrastructure of more modern nations. Explore and stay within budget, but not at the risk of your safety. Careful research and planning should help you craft a safe, memorable trip. Check the U.S. State Department, www.travel.state.gov, for travel advisories before you go. Read the department's consular information sheets.

Here are five countries where tourism has yet to reach critical mass but where travelers will feel safe and find their trip well worthwhile.

MOROCCO

Bordering the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea in northern Africa, Morocco has an eclectic identity that has been shaped by its location and long history. This Arab nation has many European influences because it's so close to the continent. Arabic is the official language, but French is spoken widely.

Although it's a developing nation, Morocco has accessible transportation and a range of lodging and eating options to fit many budgets. With a dollar worth almost 8 Moroccan dirhams, you can easily buy meals for less than $5. Many cafés offer breakfast for about a buck.

In Tangier, you can stay at the Hotel El Muniria, whose former guests include Beat writers Allen Ginsburg and Jack Kerouac. A room for two goes for less than $30 a night. You'll find comparable rates throughout the country, although the accommodations might be modest.

Join the discussion

The Miami Herald is pleased to provide this opportunity to share information, experiences and observations about what's in the news. Some of the comments may be reprinted elsewhere in the site or in the newspaper. We encourage lively, open debate on the issues of the day, and ask that you refrain from profanity, hate speech, personal comments and remarks that are off point. In order to post comments, you must be a registered user of MiamiHerald.com. Your username will show along with the comments you post. Thank you for taking the time to offer your thoughts.

     Showing: Oldest first Newest first Most-recommended first Least-recommended first

@Nyx.AuthorDisplayName@ wrote on @Nyx.PostedAtTime@:

@Nyx.repliedToText@

@Nyx.replyAnswerText@

Reply to this Comment @Nyx.Recommender@ @Nyx.AbuseReporter@