With the world’s economy in shambles, affording the cost of travel for an exotic getaway is proving to be a challenge for the average household. The dollar may have stabilized compared to the Euro and the Pound; but the latest Congress-approved tax laws isn’t exactly peachy (although the new inheritance and gift exemptions will make any Warren Buffet wannabe jump for joy).

Europe’s top travel and tourism destinations can cost one somewhere around $3,000 per head a week. Australia isn’t getting cheaper anytime soon. And Japan, my dream destination, can cost anyone their life savings.

The rule of thumb is “if you can’t afford to travel, then don’t”…or use those credit cards you’ve been holding out on since the bubble burst. But having debts, especially credit cards debts, isn’t as practical as it used to be. But what if there are quality destinations you can afford left in this planet?

Welcome to the list of the most affordable tourist destinations you probably didn’t know in the age of the new tax law. This is a list of some popular exotic places in the planet that won’t cost you more than $100 a day.

Egypt

When you think about this African paradise, you imagine pyramids, camels, bazaars and sand -- lots of it -- all under the scorching Mediterranean sun. Sounds fun and expensive, right? Think again. What we didn’t expect is the cost of living in the land of Pharaohs and one of the world’s first cradles of human society.

Egypt’s hotels far outnumber the demand for it thus the price for a room won’t cost you an arm and a leg. For $60 a night, you can get a deluxe double room in Luxor with a view of the Nile River and free breakfast. A private room by the Mediterranean Sea in Dahab will only cost you $20. The entrance for the pyramids is dirt cheap with prices ranging from $3 to $17, and some already includes a guide. A train ride from Cairo to Luxor for only $20. In terms of food, you can’t go wrong with street foods only costing you less than 5 cents to restaurant servings at $5 a plate. The best part about Egypt is that it’s not hard to spot a place to eat, stay or guides in the city because they will come find you.

Mexico

This Canadian favorite winter getaway is already a bargain even before the economy broke down in 2008. With the current exchange rate as it is, Mexico remains quite the deal. The tremendous bargaining power the U.S. Dollar has over the local Peso makes visiting truly worth it.

Accommodations and tour packages is affordable especially if you find a local colonial age themed city or a beach resort where natives are the dominant visitors. A three-course meal will cost you $5 to $8 at the local market. A nice hotel room is around $70 with breakfast and free wi-fi. A round of good ole’ fashioned cerveza for $5.

Thailand

This country is a popular destination for travelers of all budget levels. With the amount of deals on airfare, tours and hotels, Thailand remains to be one of the best bargains in the world. Everything is easy to find and there’s an abundance of coast lines for the ocean-loving tourist.

A standard double at a 5-star hotel in Bangkok will only cost $250 or less each night. Much affordable accommodations are also available for the intrepid tourists. If you are looking to satisfy your gastronomic cravings, Thailand is popular for its delicious street foods and oriental-style restaurants – and they’re literally dirt-cheap, for a lack of a better-term. A plate of pad-Thai is only $2, no kidding. Admission to the ruins in Sukothai is under $2 and it’s practically the same for most popular Buddhist temples. With the savings, you can take a train ride up north to Chi’ang Ma-i for only $40.

Everyone I asked about Thailand only have good things to say about visiting the country. With the cost of living in the country, you can get way much more bangs for your buck and more places to see.

Philippines

Our very own country boasts some of the best tourist destinations in the world but the lack of exposure means that there aren’t that many foreigners visiting and the cost of travel at a minimum. The country’s conversion also helps. The U.S. Dollar currently stands around $40 against the Peso and there’s quite a mileage for each buck spent.

The only drawback in the Philippines is that tourist destinations and traps are spread throughout the county but if you like to hop islands ala Amazing Race it can be paradise. Hotels are the same rate or just a few clicks higher than those in Thailand. Budget accommodations are also available. A jeepney (local transportation mode) is only 2 cents a way and inter-provincial travel won’t cost you more than $50 from Manila. Admission to public beaches is at $2 per head. There’s plenty of everything here with the country being one of the most diverse culturally and gastronomically in the world. It is also considered as the one of the most-tourist friendly. A burger meal at a local fast food like Jollibee or McDonald’s is at $3 and most three course servings at restaurants won’t cost more than $10. What about the beer? A bottle of beer is only a buck for most pale pilsner brands.

Czech Republic

The costs of living in Europe’s big cities are often double that in the countryside. The Czech Republic is no different. While hotel and restaurant prices have gone up in Prague, it’s outside of the capital where one can truly find value. Yup, it’s a taste of Europe without the Euro price.

If you are looking to head outside the capital, visit a hilltop castle and stay in a hamlet close by. Most accommodations are $100 or less with breakfast. A 12-bottle wine tasting, my favorite, is only $20. With the savings, you can go on a cross country tour by train for $12 or less per way. Eastern Eurpoe is known for its exotic locally brewed beer and you can get a bottle for a dollar. Speaking of hill crest castles, the average entrance fee is only at $20. That’s quite the deal.

Peru

The temples of Machu Pichu aren’t the only destination of note in Peru. The country boasts its capital city, Cuzco, as one of the most beautiful cities in South America. But do you know that Peru offers guided trips to the Andes, the Amazon River and Nazca?

This country has the cheapest deals on this list. You can find some of the best quality rooms and hostels at $4 to $10 per night. The entrance to the Cuzco Inca Museum is only $2. When it comes to food, a big traditional lunch with beer is $7 while a simple meal at a countryside restaurant for two is only $6. That’s not the only offering. As mentioned, there are guided treks and tours to the Inca ruins, the Amazon, the Andes and Nazca lines. All of which won’t cost you more than $40 a head. Now, that’s a deal!

The Congress-approved fiscal cliff deal may have taken more out of some people’s pockets. The only shining light is the new estate and gift tax exemptions that allow one to gift a much larger portion of their inheritances without paying the taxes. At least with this deal, a regular employed American can still afford to travel the destinations I listed.  

Before you talk to your estate planner, consult with a travel agent first.

Visit these local travel related websites for great travel deals:

Arlene's Travel and Tours

Bataan Buenalink Travel

Book Below Zero

Tags: estate planner, travel agent, estate, new tax law, African paradise, travel and tourism, fiscal cliff deal, estate and gift tax exemptions, inheritances, winter getaway, cost of living, best tourist destinations in the world, a taste of Europe, beautiful cities