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!
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