With the rand in a not-so-great state at the moment, we totally understand why you might feel like a holiday overseas is out of reach. But the truth is, there actually are some foreign shores well within your grasp! To help you out, we’ve done some careful research, kept our eyes on the exchange rates, and found these 10 affordable international holiday destinations!
1 Russia
From rich cultural heritage sites to emerald green forests of Siberia to subtropical desert plains, Russia has so much to offer.
Flight costs: From R6 808
Exchange rate:1.00 ZAR = 4.51 Russian Ruble
Average hotel room: R800 per day
Eating costs: Eating out in Russia is 34% cheaper than in SA
Top attractions: St Petersburg, a Volga cruise with onboard music and Kazan – the ‘third capital of Russia’.
Visa info: Visa required
2 Serbia
An ideal spot for travellers who want to steer clear of tourists, Serbia’s attractions include its beautiful mountains and pampering spas.
Flight costs: From R6 314
Exchange rate:1.00 ZAR = 7.57 Serbian Dinar
Average hotel room: R800 per day
Eating costs: Eating out in Serbia is 27% cheaper than in SA
Top attractions: Djavolja Varos (or Devil’s Town), the Nikola Tesla Museum and the Nis Fortress – an 18th-century fort that was built on a medieval foundation.
Visa info: Visa required
3 Lithuania
Head to Lithuania for breathtaking views, hectares of greenery and a gorgeous mix of medieval, gothic, Renaissance and baroque architecture.
Flight costs: From R9 354
Exchange rate:1.00 ZAR = 0.21 Lithuanian Litas
Average hotel room: R700 per day
Eating costs: Eating out in Lithuania is 23% cheaper than in SA
Top attractions: The St Anne and Bernardine Churches, The Devil’s Museum – a one-of-a-kind exhibition, and the open air museum of Lithuanian ethnic culture in Rumšiškės.
Visa info: Visa required
4 Brazil
Apart from the Amazon, Brazil is also known for its magnificent mountains and oceanic archipelagos, as well as its vibrant music and tasty cuisine.
Flight costs: From R8 286
Exchange rate:1.00 ZAR = 0.24 Brazilian Real
Average hotel room: R800 per day
Eating costs: Eating out in Brazil is 22% cheaper than in SA
Top attractions: The Teatro Amazonas opera house, the Fernando de Noronha archipelago off the northeastern coast and the Rio Carnival which attracts two million people per day.
Exchange rate:1.00 ZAR = 201.70 Colombian Peso
Average hotel room: R700 per day
Eating costs: Eating out in Colombia is 36% cheaper than in SA
Exchange rate:1.00 ZAR = 923.55 Indonesian Rupiah
Average hotel room: R450 per day
Eating costs: Eating out in Indonesia is 48% cheaper than in SA
Eating costs: Eating out in the Philippines is 45% cheaper than in SA
Visa info: No visa required if your stay does not exceed 21 days
Visa info: No visa required if your stay does not exceed 30 days
No visa? No problems! Check out these 10 amazing visa-free travel destinations. And if you’d prefer to stay local, check out these 6 spectacular winter adventures you can have in South Africa.
