Budget Travel: 6 Affordable Destinations in 2026 and How to Get There with Points
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As traditional destinations become increasingly expensive, some countries still offer excellent value for the Canadian dollar. Having traveled and lived in destinations where the cost of living is lower than in Canada, I will share some countries where you can have memorable experiences at an excellent value for money, while explaining how I used my points and rewards to travel at a very low cost.
Colombia: An Accessible Tropical Paradise
Colombia – Caribbean Coast
Colombia’s diversity is impressive: from Caribbean beaches to Andean mountains, and picturesque colonial cities. The Caribbean coast will attract nature lovers: Cartagena for island and nightlife enthusiasts, Tayrona Park, and Palomino for those who prefer to stay off the beaten path.
In this part of the country, my favourite is Minca, a village nestled in the mountains and easily accessible from Santa Marta. I spent a wonderfully relaxing week there, working in nature and drinking coffee produced entirely at the nearby plantation.
Colombia – Medellin and Surroundings
Nicknamed the “City of Eternal Spring” for its ideal climate, Medellín perfectly symbolizes Colombia’s renaissance. The neighborhood of El Poblado attracts visitors with its trendy restaurants and designer boutiques, while Comuna 13, once infamous, is now quite impressive with its outdoor escalators and colorful murals.
Just a two-hour drive away is Guatapé, a colorful gem dominated by El Peñol, a 200-meter monolith offering breathtaking views of a labyrinth of emerald lakes. To enjoy it, I recommend this day trip with GetYourGuide including a boat tour. For a more authentic experience, the charming village of Jardín, with its colonial houses featuring flowered balconies and coffee plantations, offers an immersion into traditional Paisa culture.
Save in Colombia With Points
Some Marriott Bonvoy hotels are accessible with your Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card points, including:
- Santa Marta Marriott Resort Playa Dormida
- AC Hotel Santa Marta
- Medellin Marriott Hotel
- Four Points by Sheraton Medellin
And many more! So you can enjoy free nights thanks to your points, whether for more budget savvy options at City Express hotels, or more luxurious experiences like at the W Bogota.
- Annual fee
- $120
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$600Total$600Plus $100 of bonus paid after the first year, not counted in this total.Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $600
- Welcome offerAfter $3,000 in 3 months
- Up to 70,000 points
Apply Now
on American Express's website
Apply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).
Since I spent over two months in Colombia in 2023, I opted for economical accommodations found on Booking.com. I used my Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite+ Card to pay for them, as well as for all my expenses during this trip. This allowed me to save 2.5% on foreign transaction fees, one of the card’s prized benefits. Back in Canada, I was able to redeem some of my travel expenses with my Scene+ points accumulated during the trip, at the optimal exchange rate; this is one of the benefits of the Scene+ program.
As a bonus, I was able to enjoy airport lounges on my many domestic flights thanks to the card’s six annual accesses, which saved me money on food expenses.
- Annual fee
- $150
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$350Total$350Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $350
- Welcome offerAfter $2,000 in 3 months
- Up to 35,000 points
- Ends Nov 1, 2026
Apply Now
on Scotiabank's website
For flights, the most accessible in points are with the Aeroplan program, whether it’s a direct flight between Montreal and Bogota on Air Canada, or a stopover with an airline partner such as Avianca or Copa Airlines.
Authentic Mexico: Beyond the Tourist Zones
Forget Cancun and its US dollar-aligned prices. The truly affordable Mexico can be found in less frequented, yet equally spectacular, regions.
For a trip rich in discoveries while managing your budget, Oaxaca City, Bacalar, and Puerto Escondido offer an ideal combination of culture, nature, and relaxation at accessible prices. Oaxaca, a true colonial gem, captivates with its historical heritage, lively markets, and renowned gastronomy, where you can savor local specialties, such as mole or tlayudas, at a lower cost.
In Bacalar, the famous Seven-Coloured Lagoon offers a heavenly setting without the high prices of the Riviera Maya, with affordable waterside accommodations and accessible natural activities, such as kayaking or visiting the cenotes.
Puerto Escondido is a true surfer’s paradise, recently selected as the 14th World Surfing Reserve, an international recognition of its world-class waves and cultural importance to the surfing community. This bohemian coastal town offers magnificent beaches, affordable prices, and a relaxed atmosphere. Perfect for combining relaxation and adventure. Sunsets viewed from Zicatela beach never disappoint, and excursions in the surrounding areas are also offered.
Two activities I highly recommend in Puerto Escondido:
Save in Mexico With Points
City Express hotels, now part of the Marriott Bonvoy group, are common in Mexico and offer an affordable accommodation option, both in points and cash.
In the mentioned destinations, it is better to opt for independent accommodations. A credit card like the TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card offers an excellent welcome bonus, allowing you to earn numerous free nights when booking through TD’s Expedia portal.
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0 | |||
| $120 |
Regarding flights, there are numerous options with several direct Air Canada flights departing from Montreal or Toronto to various cities in Mexico; Cancun, Mexico City, Puerto Vallarta, etc. However, many of the destinations mentioned here are less easily accessible by direct flights, which, in my opinion, contributes to their affordability.
You can also transfer your American Express Membership Rewards points or your Avion Rewards points to other airline programs, such as American Airlines AAdvantage (Avion Rewards) or United MileagePlus (Membership Rewards points).
Brazil: A Giant at Affordable Prices
Brazil impresses with its diversity and surprisingly affordable prices for Canadians, especially outside of carnival periods. Whenever I am asked about this country, I am asked about safety. While some cities, like Rio de Janeiro or Sao Paulo, require caution, they are still worth visiting.
After that, other destinations are considered much safer. I spent several weeks in Floripa (Florianopolis) and Paraty, among others, where I always felt safe as a solo traveler.
Like Canada, Brazil’s territory is immense! Here are a few recommended destinations for a first trip:
- Florianópolis for its beaches
- Paraty for its colonial charm
- Iguazu Falls
- Bonito region for ecotourism
Save in Brazil With Points
A remarkable asset in Brazil: credit cards are accepted almost everywhere! Even vendors walking on the beach often carry a payment terminal. Even better; American Express is also accepted everywhere you can pay by card.
The card of choice for traveling to Brazil is therefore the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card. By using it, I save 2.5% on conversion fees and continue to earn Scene+ points on every dollar spent.
- Annual fee
- $120
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$500Total$500Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $500
- Welcome offerAfter $7,500 in 12 months
- Up to 50,000 points
- Ends Nov 1, 2026
Apply Now
on Scotiabank's website
And thanks to the simplicity of the Scene+ program, I can use the points accumulated during my trip after it’s over to reimburse my travel expenses. In my case, this is used directly to receive a statement credit for my Airbnb expenses.
For flights, Air Canada offers non-stop flights departing from Montreal and Toronto to Sao Paulo, and now also a flight between Toronto and Rio de Janeiro. I managed to find a good deal a few months before my departure for the YUL-GRU flight in Business Class on Air Canada, for only 58,000 Aeroplan points.
For my return flight, I’m considering several options:
- Aeroplan
- Using Avion Rewards fixed-fare chart; a one-way ticket costs around 50,000 Avion points with the fixed-fare schedule, and the fees are reasonable (between $50 and $120).
- Transfer my Avion Rewards points to the American Airlines AAdvantage program at a ratio of 1:0.7
In my experience, it’s possible to get good points fares with Aeroplan and AAdvantage if you plan ahead, but since I’m more of a last-minute flyer, Avion Rewards fixed fare structure is an excellent option that doesn’t cost me an exorbitant amount in points. I can therefore use the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card welcome bonus to cover this flight.
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0 | |||
| $120 |
Morocco: Accessible Allure and Luxury
Morocco perfectly combines exoticism, rich culture and very competitive prices for Canadian travellers. From North to South, the variety of landscapes and the richness of the culture will enchant you.
Chefchaouen, the blue city nestled in the Rif mountains, charms with its picturesque streets and peaceful atmosphere. On the Atlantic coast, Essaouira reveals its bustling port, historic ramparts and bohemian atmosphere. Further south, Taghazout is a surfer’s paradise, with its perfect waves and laid-back spirit.
A visit to the desert is a must in the Merzouga desert, where golden dunes and starry nights offer an unforgettable experience after a fascinating journey through the valleys and kasbahs between Marrakech and the Sahara. The majestic Atlas mountain range on the roads of Morocco invites you to escape, between hikes and Berber villages clinging to the mountainside.
If you’re pressed for time, you can escape to the Agafay desert, just outside Marrakech. Finally, Marrakech, lively and effervescent, seduces with its busy medina, sumptuous palaces and the Jardin Majorelle linked to Yves Saint Laurent.
Save in Morocco With Points
Our guide to the Maghreb with points helps you set up your points strategy to travel there for free.
Regarding accommodation, there are a few Marriott Bonvoy hotels or major hotel chains, which are mostly located in large cities like Marrakech. Having stayed at Le Méridien N’Fis, I must say that it is an experience more akin to a resort style, compared to a riad which offers more traditional experiences.
In Morocco, there is something for every budget, from luxury hotels to economical accommodation, youth hostels, and desert camps. The good news: Moroccans are known for their hospitality.
My card of choice when I was in Morocco was the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite+ Card, since it was accepted everywhere credit cards were accepted as a payment method. Since I mostly opted for independent accommodations booked via Booking.com during this trip, it was easy to then reimburse part of my travel expenses with my Scene+ points.
Since it’s always a good idea to have cash on you in Morocco, I recommend the Wealthsimple Cash Card and the Wise Card for withdrawals at foreign ATMs.
- Annual fee
- $150
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$350Total$350Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $350
- Welcome offerAfter $2,000 in 3 months
- Up to 35,000 points
- Ends Nov 1, 2026
Apply Now
on Scotiabank's website
I detail my other money-saving tips in the article Europe and Morocco: Two Months of Travel and Remote Work on a Budget. .
Albania: The Secret of the Balkans
Albania is emerging as a destination offering excellent value for money, with Riviera beaches, UNESCO sites and legendary hospitality. After spending a full week in its capital Tirana working remotely, it made me want to return to explore the country’s natural wonders.
I had the chance to take this day trip to Lake Bovilla, which I highly recommend, and it only cost me 28 euros. If I had had more time, I would have also indulged in a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage city of Berat.
Here are some other gems to discover in Albania:
- The « Albanian Riviera” begins in Vlorë and extends to Saranda, offering crystal-clear beaches, especially in Ksamil, where a day at the beach with an umbrella and lounge chairs costs just about CAD 10.
- The ancient city of Butrint, a UNESCO site, bears witness to 2,500 years of history and can be visited for around CAD 8.
- Further north, the mountainous region of Theth offers spectacular hikes, particularly to the Blue Eye Spring and Grunas waterfalls, with traditional guesthouses offering full board for approximately CAD$35 per day.
- On the Ionian Sea side, Gjipe beach, accessible after a short hike, remains one of Europe’s last well-kept secrets. For an authentic experience, the villages of the Albanian Riviera, such as Dhërmi or Himarë, offer sea-view apartments for CAD$40 per night. The panoramic Llogara Pass road, with its hairpin turns overlooking the sea, offers some of the most beautiful viewpoints in the Balkans.
Save in Albania With Points
In Tirana, my colleague Marie-Claude and I particularly enjoyed our stay at the Tirana Marriott. I was there in October 2024, and it only cost me 71,500 Marriott Bonvoy points for five nights, taking advantage of the fifth-night-free perk.
Outside Tirana, you’ll be better off turning to independent hotels or Airbnb accommodation, for which it’s possible to get excellent value for money.
Albania is very well connected to the rest of Europe, but very little to the rest of the world in terms of direct flights. That said, it’s very easy to find very low-cost flights from Europe’s hubs. Thanks to our many airline partners, programs such as Aeroplan and Avios from the British Airways Club make it easy to reach Tirana from Canada by adding a stopover. Flying Blue’s Promo Rewards are another option for travelling to Europe without spending too many points.
So you can take the opportunity to visit a second destination on the way to or from Albania. This is what I did by booking a direct flight Montreal-Athens in economy class for 33,800 points, then adding as a separate booking a flight from Athens to Tirana, which I paid for with my points. For this kind of itinerary, the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card lets you transfer your Avion points to Avios in the British Airways Club, mentioned above.
Sponsored
- Annual feeNo annual fee the first year
- $0 $139
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$800Annual fee rebated$139Total$939Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $939
- Welcome offerAfter $7,500 in 6 months
- Up to 160,000 points
Apply Now
on TD's website
Featured
- Annual feeNo annual fee the first year
- $0 $139
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$1,000Annual fee rebated$139Total$1,139Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $1,139
- Welcome offerAfter $12,000 in 12 months
- Up to 50,000 points
Apply Now
on TD's website
Guatemala: Mayan Treasures at Low Prices
Guatemala offers deep cultural immersion and breathtaking scenery, all at very competitive prices.
Antigua, a former colonial capital and UNESCO site, is enchanting with its cobbled streets, centuries-old churches and colourful facades, all framed by three majestic volcanoes.
Adventure enthusiasts will probably want to take the 2-day hike to the Acatenanga volcano, an exceptional experience.
Lake Atitlan, considered by Aldous Huxley to be « the most beautiful lake in the world”, is bordered by authentic Mayan villages, such as San Marcos La Laguna and San Juan La Laguna, where ancestral textile traditions endure.
In the north, the Mayan ruins of Tikal emerge from the tropical jungle, offering a breathtaking spectacle, especially at sunrise. For nature lovers, Semuc Champey offers natural turquoise pools in the middle of the jungle, accessible after an invigorating hike. The Chichicastenango market, the largest in Central America, brings the highlands to life every Thursday and Sunday, offering an explosion of colour and Mayan crafts.
Save in Guatemala With Points
There are plenty of options for getting to Guatemala. You can check out Aeroplan and its partners, whether you want to fly with Air Canada or United. Alternatively, many flights are available with American Airlines. A tip for paying for your flights with points is to transfer your Avion Rewards points to the AAdvantage program, or your Membership Rewards points to United MileagePlus.
Also keep an eye on cash prices; it is sometimes possible to find affordable round-trip flights and then use your points to pay off your credit card balance. When options are numerous, a good strategy is to turn to a flight award search tool like Roame to find the most advantageous option for you across different programs.
Bottom Line
There are of course a host of other destinations where the Canadian dollar is advantageous, but I particularly recommend these for the quality of the experiences (accommodation, cuisine, activities, etc.) that can be found there, and the friendliness of the population. These are destinations that I have had the pleasure of visiting at least once, and where I am already looking forward to returning.
Looking for more travel inspiration? Read our guide to alternative experiences in the United States.
- Annual fee
- $191.88
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$255Total$255Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $255
- Welcome offerGet 1,250 points after $750 in purchases per month for 12 months
- Up to 15,000 points
Apply Now
on American Express's website
Apply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).
What are the most affordable travel destinations for Canadians?
Our selection includes six: Colombia, Mexico beyond the tourist zones (Oaxaca, Bacalar, Puerto Escondido), Brazil, Morocco, Albania and Guatemala. Based on the daily budgets our author recorded, a boutique hotel, riad or pousada there costs CA$25 to CA$100 a night, and a meal CA$8 to CA$40.
How do I get to Colombia with points?
Aeroplan is the most accessible program: a direct Montreal-Bogota flight on Air Canada, or a trip with a stopover on Avianca or Copa Airlines. Once there, your Marriott Bonvoy points cover nights at the Medellin Marriott Hotel, the Santa Marta Marriott Resort Playa Dormida or the more affordable City Express hotels.
Which credit card should I use in these countries?
A card with no 2.5% foreign transaction fee. Our author used the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite+ Card, which also gives 6 airport lounge visits a year, and the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card in Brazil, where American Express is widely accepted. Scene+ points then reimburse your travel expenses.
Can I fly to Albania with points?
Yes, but there is no direct flight from Canada. First book a flight to a European hub with Aeroplan, British Airways Club Avios or Flying Blue Promo Rewards, then a low-cost flight to Tirana. Once there, the Tirana Marriott can be booked with Marriott Bonvoy points.
