| Summary |
| Trip of 17 months around the world. |
| Daily budget of 50 dollars. |
| Departure from Peru, followed by a route to Mexico and Asia. |
| Tracking expenses was crucial to stick to the budget. |
| Low costs in Peru thanks to home cooking and extended stays. |
| Budget overflow in Japan and Singapore. |
| Surprises with high costs in Belize and Mexico. |
| Memorable experiences: trekking and gastronomy. |
| Priority on adventure despite a tight budget. |
| The budget made it possible to fulfill a travel dream. |
Preparation and Beginning of the Adventure
A project as bold as traveling for 17 months with a budget of 50 dollars per day requires rigorous planning. Every detail was carefully crafted, from destination choices to accommodation options. The beginning of this journey took place in Peru, a country where prices remain affordable, offering an ideal setting to test our initial budget.
A Successful Stay in Peru
The first two months spent in Peru proved fruitful. With an expenditure of $1,370.29 in July and $1,179.96 in August, we adhered to our budget. The key to this success lay in a slow travel pace, favoring long bus journeys over expensive flights. This approach also allowed us to save on lodging thanks to discounts for extended stays.
Taking the time to explore local cuisine and cook for ourselves proved wise. Avoiding costly excursions, we enjoyed nature through hiking and ground explorations.
Challenges and Expenses Abroad
Despite this good management, the budget was inevitably tested in more expensive countries. After a short getaway in Peru, the adventure continued to Mexico and then to Asia. In these destinations, expenses increased, especially in Japan and Singapore, where every outing seemed significantly more costly.
Cost of Living in Asia
In Japan, total expenses amounted to $3,288.28 over 27 days. This expenditure far exceeded our daily budget. Meals, transportation, and even accommodations are known for their high prices. Each memorable experience, like learning to prepare sushi, was a true investment, but the memories often make it worthwhile.
Expense Management: The Sacrifice of Experience
Maintaining a budget in affordable countries is not always enough. In El Salvador or Costa Rica, where we adhered to our $50 daily cap, the situation was different. Costa Rica was slightly skewed as lodging expenses were covered by a family gift. Obviously, without this assistance, the costs would have been much higher.
Budget Surprises and Travel Realities
Countries like Panama proved to be unexpected. Note that this destination required a daily budget of $98.38. Meal and activity costs were quite high, which is not always the norm in Central America. Thus, the budget was sectioned across a few travel days, promoting a real balance.
Reflections on the Adventure
At the end of these months of travel, introspection was necessary. The strict management of our budget provided us with an invaluable experience, despite occasional overspending. The sacrifices made for memorable experiences, like excursions deep into rivers in Indonesia, were often justified by their priceless value. Life memories, unique adventures.
This challenge of traveling for such a long time at a reduced cost opened the doors to a different way of life, full of learning and discovery. Cultivating an open and adaptable mindset enhanced our ability to appreciate every moment. The reality of budget travel, while sometimes demanding, brought its own richness and beauty. Each visited country added a new dimension to our understanding of the world.
