A Selection of Cheap Activities on Your Travels

For many independent travelers, the real thrill of travel is not to be had in the art galleries and historical monuments of the big cities. Rather, it’s in the great outdoors through the thrills and spills of adventure travel.

And whether it’s diving in the warm blue waters of Egypt or hurtling down the snowy slopes of the Andes, there’s more than enough full-on, high adrenaline outdoor pursuits around the world that even the budget traveler can afford.

Cheap Diving

Diving isn’t exactly the cheapest of outdoor pursuits. It’s not like trekking (where you just need to put one foot in front of the other, essentially) or even surfing (where, once you’ve got a board, the ocean is free).

Dahab in Egypt, though, is slightly different. Here, in addition to the incredible coral reefs and the dizzying range of colorful marine life that clusters around them, the cost of equipment hire is minimal (at least compared to many other parts of the world).

But the best thing, if you’re a budget traveler looking to explore the underwater world, is that it’s got some of the cheapest accommodation around, with some outstanding diving hostels

Cheap Surfing

Up and down the mile after mile after of stunning coastline, there are plenty of hostels in South America and Central America that give backpackers access to some great surfing. Board hire’s usually really cheap, and the cost of living itself can be remarkably little.

In Central America, Costa Rica stands out as a fantastic surfing destination. Tamarindo (up in the north) mixes some great breaks with a lively nightlife, in an enticing package for backpackers. Mal Pais, Playa Hermosa, Jaco and the intimidating waves of Puerto Viejo also offer some of the best surfing around.

Down in South America, the waters of Chile, can be just that – a bit, well, chilly!
But there’s also some challenging wave-riding to be had in Arica, Punta Arenas and Pichilemu.

The Peruvian coastline is no less exhilarating: Near Trujillo, the coast is pounded by the mighty Chicama, one of the world’s longest waves. Just outside Lima, meanwhile, lies the small town of Punta Hermosa, another top surfing spot.

Cheap Skiing

Like diving, because of the need for expensive equipment hire (or purchase!) skiing is rarely the cheapest outdoor activity to do on your travels. With some careful planning, however, and the help of the odd cheap skiing hostel (especially in South America and Eastern Europe), it can be done.

South America is home to some of the most underrated (and cheapest) skiing to be found anywhere in the world. With over 7000km of Andean peaks (soaring well above those in Europe), it’s no wonder that more and more budget skiers and snowboarders are waking up to its possibilities.

Argentina particularly stands out, though, for its prices and its great snow. With Cerro Catedral to the fore, Bariloche is surrounded by fantastic slopes, while Mendoza is home to the excellent Las Lenas resort. Not far from San Martin, meanwhile, is the renowned Cerro Chapelco.

But there’s also some fantastic skiing in Central and Eastern Europe: Poland, Bulgaria and Slovenia all have plenty to be said for them.

They may not have the cachet of a Val d’Isere, say, but with hire costs and day passes coming in at about half the price, that’s unlikely to bother your average budget traveler!