20 Things that are Cheaper than a New York Cocktail
As a traveler, it bothers me SO much that drinks in a city like New York can be SO expensive (sometimes up to $20!!) SO, for all my New York friends that think I’m “fancy” and think they can’t afford to travel, yet somehow manage to justify a $19.99 drink in Manhattan.. here are just 20 awesome things you can EASILY afford to do when traveling:
1. A bus ticket from Paris to London
In general, getting around Europe once you’re there is REALLY affordable. Often even more affordable than a cocktail in New York.
ouibus.com
2. A luxurious mountain view room at a Homestay in SaPa, Vietnam during high season (breakfast included, of course)
Here’s an example found on Booking.com. This is during high season and you should note that there were MANY options that were cheaper, with King size beds and even better ratings, but we’re featuring this one ‘cause it has the mountain view ⛰
3. A full night of drinks & food for 2 in Madrid
Taberna Almería, Sidrería Casa Parrondo, El Respiro, El Tigre and many more offer FREE tapas with a purchase of a drink (beers & wine cost around 1-2 euros) –also FYI, Madrid is considered “expensive” compared to the rest of Spain.
4. Renting a car for a week in Mexico
These $1 /day deals can be found all over Mexico. Sure, you’ll have to pay for insurance, but this is still ridiculously cheap!
5. Entry to a top-rated Korean Bathhouse in Seoul
Full-day entry is usually around $2-$10. I’m convinced it’s the secret to Koreans’ silky soft skin.
6. Entry to ALL these museums:
The National Gallery in London, Smithsonian Museums in Washington DC., the Met. / MoMa museums in New York, Museo del Prado in Madrid, Spain, The Louvre or Musee d'Art Moderne in Paris, Nationalmuseet in Copenhagen, National Museum of China, in Beijing and MANY more are totally FREE on certain days. Some have limited free time slots, check this list for details.
7. Access to cool coworking spaces around the world
Most places will offer a 1-3 day free trial, so OFTEN this can be 100% free. Google Startup Campuses offer free coworking for startups that apply and also MANY places offer day passes for $6 or less. So STILL, significantly less than a NY cocktail.
Google Campus Madrid (HIYO founders worked from here for a while and LOVED it)
8. An enormous Stein at Oktoberfest
Bear in mind this is THE event of the year in Münich, the home of Oktoberfest. Although in this special event, an entire liter (that’s 33.8oz!!) of beer is around 10 or 11 euro, your average half-liter of beer any other day in Germany costs about €2.50
My recommendation: wear a wristguard – those things are heavy!
9. A week’s worth of meals in Northern Thailand
OK when I was there in 2015 the prices were cheaper. It was about a dollar per meal. Now I hear it’s gone up a bit, but it’s still like $3-$5 per meal.. and the food is AMAZING.
I could definitely eat Khao Soi every day for the rest of my life and be SO happy ❤️🍜
10. A plate of “Parrilla” in Buenos Aires
In a place like Don Niceto, you can get a full, delicious parrilla meal for 2, appetizers and drinks for about half of what some New York cocktails cost.
In some places, you just can’t be vegan..
11. A surf lesson in Bali
A surf lesson from a local beach boy is usually around $15, but most of times it's negotiable. Make some friends and have some fun! My friend Yaya can probably hook you up 😉
HIYO founder Cristi with her surf friends in Kuta, Bali.
12. A spiritual Ayahuasca ceremony
OK the price DEFINITELY varies depending on where you are and whether you’re doing a full multi-day retreat, but there are Ayahuasqueros / shamans that charge by donation, so if your “will” says that you should not pay anything, the session is free. It’s obviously recommended to give at least $10-$15 worth.
An Ayahuasca altar
13. A Day of Bike Riding in Viñales, Cuba
Renting a bike for the day or going on a bike tour around Viñales is about 5-10 CUC, which is 5-10 USD.
Viñales, Cuba
14. Renting a canoe or kayak in Hamburg, Germany
Kayaking through the Hamburg canals is absolutely MAGICAL. A must-do. I recommend renting from Supperclub and then getting lunch or dinner there after!
15. A 2 hour personal guided tour though Tonina Mayan Temples in Chiapas, Mexico
This is one of the most important preserved historical Mayan sites. It’s a seven-tiered pyramid acropolis that is much harder to get to then it’s more popular (and more touristy) counterpart, Palenque.
16. Five caipirinhas in Rio
A delicious caipirinha in Rio can cost about 3-4 USD.
17. Entry to a classy music festival in one of the most beautiful cities in Croatia
The clubby, lightshow festivals might be a tiny bit more expensive (cheap still, often around 30 euros per day) but this classy Dubrovnik’s Summer Music Festival is just about 15 euro and it’s SO magical.
18. Delicious, giant pancakes in Amsterdam
SO so so delicious. About half the price of a NY cocktail.. but worth so much more in my mind 🤤
Upstairs Pannenkoekenhuis, our fave in Amsterdam
19. A bottle of really nice Prosecco in Italy
Your average glass of Prosecco costs about 3 euros. A bottle of a good Prosecco is about 10-13 euros but you can get a cheaper (and still delicious) bottle for as little as 3 euros in some supermarkets.
