Best places for budget travelers in Oceania
Best places for budget travelers in Oceania
Budget island beach stays and cheap transit hubs in Oceania
Australia and New Zealand can be expensive once you look past the backpacker scene, which makes Samoa, Vanuatu and the Cook Islands worth considering as more budget friendly alternatives in the Pacific.
Samoa is known for its beach fales, simple open sided huts set right on the sand that often include meals in the price, making them one of the more distinctly affordable ways to stay anywhere in the Pacific. Vanuatu offers a similar mix of small guesthouses and local homestays, though imported goods can push up the cost of packaged food and drink compared to what is grown or caught locally. The Cook Islands lean a bit more upscale overall, but Rarotonga still has a range of smaller guesthouses and self catering options for travelers watching their budget.
Costs climb quickly once you head beyond the main island or hub in each country, since transport and supplies both become more limited. Eating at local markets and choosing a homestay over a resort remain the most reliable ways to keep a trip here affordable.
Lists by region
Country
Cook Islands
Tropical paradise with year-round warmth
The Cook Islands offer one of the more affordable ways to enjoy a Pacific lagoon. Rarotonga has a single ring road and a bus that circles the island in both directions. Guesthouses and self catering apartments help travellers save on meals. Snorkelling in the lagoon costs nothing.
Country
Samoa
Tropical paradise with volcanic mountains
Samoa is a relatively low cost Pacific country with a warm welcome for visitors. Beach fales are simple open huts that offer cheap beds right beside the sea. Local buses run around the islands of Upolu and Savaii at low fares. Swimming and hiking make free entertainment.
Country
Vanuatu
Tropical paradise with cultural diversity
Vanuatu is one of the more affordable island nations in the Pacific. Guesthouses and family bungalows give travellers cheap places to stay from Port Vila to the outer islands. Local minibuses on Efate carry passengers at very low fares. Volcano visits and village stays bring adventure without a large bill.
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