AMERICANS thinking about a cheap getaway should consider a South American city where it costs less than $10 to stay, according to a travel expert.
Travel enthusiast Sophia Lee has visited more than 130 countries and is striving to become a Guinness World Record holder.
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The filmmaker went on her first solo trip at 13, and racked up a full passport just five years later.
Lee, who grew up in Alaska, revealed her favorite places to travel.
“The top places I’d recommend are Central America, South America, and southeast Asia for budget traveling,” she told The U.S. Sun.
“Some of the cheapest days I’ve had are in South America – like Peru.”
Lee also revealed why it may be an attractive option for those who have an eye on their wallets.
“You can stay at a beautiful hostel in this historic district in the best part of the city and it’s only about $8 a night,” she said.
Another benefit of staying in a hostel is that it provides travelers with an opportunity to make friends, according to the expert.
“You can make friends there and then they can explore the place with you as well,” she added.
Lee believes the reputation of hostel-type locations has improved in recent decades.
But, one of the downsides of staying in a hostel is that travelers will have to share with others – potentially people they don’t know.
Lee also suggested that countries such as Mexico, Guatemala, and Nicaragua are potential alternatives for budget-conscious travelers.
She also spoke highly about Costa Rica.
In an Instagram post, she revealed the country has a “special place” in her heart.
She stayed in a jungle-bus like setting in Nosara – a village known for being a yoga center.
“It was one of the first countries I ever visited and I just keep going back because there is so much to see and do,” she wrote.
Airport travel tips
Sophia Lee, a 19-year-old world traveler, has shared some tips to keep in mind before boarding an international flight
- Arrive at the airport with plenty of time in case there is an issue with your visa or there’s an unforeseen form that you need to fill out.
- Make sure you have a return ticket or a ticket to an onward destination. If you don’t, most airports won’t let you board the plane.
- Don’t check your luggage, instead, use a carry-on to avoid your valuables from getting lost and to avoid unnecessary fees.
- You can put extra items in a pillowcase and carry it onto the plane or wear extra layers of clothes to lighten your luggage.
She shared a montage of idyllic snaps, describing the country’s nature as “stunning” and hailing its “pura vida” lifestyle.
Pura vida can be translated as pure life.
But, the travel aficionado shared some tips to travelers heading abroad on a budget.
She encouraged tourists to do as much research as possible before heading on a trip.
And, she stressed the importance of being near to somewhere that has Wi-Fi.
Lee admitted that it can be challenging for travelers if they don’t have a plan.
“Have somebody reliable that’s gonna pick you up at the airport…because some of the most challenging situations are when you land and you don’t have a good plan or you don’t have somebody reliable picking you up and you have to find a taxi and you don’t know the language,” she said.
She recommended that explorers should pick two countries that are geographically close as it helps save money.
It’s a more cost-effective option than doing two separate trips.
Throughout her teenage years, Lee has visited a raft of countries, including India, Nepal, Uganda, and Albania.
JET-SETTING TEEN
“Every moment here felt like a dream and the incredible warmth and hospitality is something I’ll never forget,” Sophia wrote on social media as she reminisced on her trip to Albania.
Lee visited Lviv in Ukraine last spring while the war in Eastern Europe raged.
She has also explored countries such as Iraq, India, Nepal, Haiti, and Albania.
“Every moment here felt like a dream and the incredible warmth and hospitality is something I’ll never forget,” Lee wrote on social media as she reminisced on her trip to Albania.
She previously revealed how travelers can avoid coming unstuck at airports.
The vlogger is trying to become the fastest person to visit all 197 countries and reach both poles.
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