Travel Tips

Tired of the mundane, nine-to-five, rush hour traffic and cold weather? Hungry for adventure? Nothing broadens your mind like travel. For those with an adventurous spirit, travel allows for embracing new cultures and ways of doing things, and leads to a happier, richer, fuller life.

International Living’s editors and correspondents travel the world searching for the best retirement destinations. They clock up a lot of air miles and in their time on the road (and in the air) and by doing so have found the best ways to travel for less in interesting places overseas.

Maybe you’d like to shop in chic markets in Paris…golf on Ireland’s famous links…have a suit custom tailored in Bangkok (and delivered to your hotel) …experience a fiesta in Mexico, or surf some great waves in Costa Rica.

Well, good news: You can afford all of that…even on a modest budget.

It might surprise you learn that it doesn’t take a fortune to enjoy a rich travel experience abroad. Traditionally, travel was prohibitively expensive due to high air fares and accommodation costs, but not anymore. The truth is you simply need to know where and how to do it. And we can show you how.

So, there is no need to put off that dream around the world trip any longer, because now you can make it a reality.

The articles below will give you new ideas about places to visit…and live. Find out more about ways you can save money when you travel, where to find the best hotels in the world at affordable prices, and get some insider knowledge to take you off the beaten track. Our writers also reveal their top travel ideas that won’t cost the earth, but will make you feel like a millionaire and inject some excitement into your life.

Travel Tips Archives

The 5 Best Towns in Latin America

By Jason Holland |

July 13, 2016

What makes for a good retirement destination? For those on a budget (and those who aren’t) a place with a lower cost of living is key. But it’s not only about the money. You want to be comfortable and feel safe. Modern services like high-speed internet, top-notch medical care, and good value real estate are also important. And if you’re from a northern climate, the benefit of warm weather year-round (no more coats, no more snow tires) might be the biggest motivator.

Visiting the “Dynamic Duo” of Costa Rica’s Central Valley

By Greg Seymour |

July 9, 2016

There are many places in Costa Rica’s Central Valley where you can experience what the country is all about, maybe too many. When my wife and I have friends visit, we often have a hard time deciding what to show them. That being said, we always save one day for what I call the dynamic-duo of the Central Valley—Poas Volcano and La Paz Water Gardens. These two iconic destinations are close enough to each other to visit in the same day and they provide a wonderful experience.

Hair-Raising Drives and Terrified Cats in the Jungles of Costa Rica

By Jason Holland |

July 6, 2016

I was hurtling down a mountain, on a narrow two-lane road, surrounded by jungle…while avoiding the deadly scratches of a terrified animal. How did I get here? Let’s go back to the beginning. I had traveled to Costa Rica’s southern Pacific coast to check out the expat communities there.

In Pictures: Corozal, Belize–A Subtropical Haven for Active Expats

By Ann Kuffner |

June 25, 2016

Corozal sits on the expansive Bay of Corozal. This traditional Belizean family town is a throwback to the 1950s, with residents that are friendly and a pace that’s laidback. A growing number of expats are choosing to relocate to this region, appreciating the simple, serene, and relaxed Caribbean lifestyle. A major attraction is the reasonable cost of living...

Chiriquí, Panama: Your Perfect Climate Awaits

By Linda Card |

June 15, 2016

There are plenty of valid reasons to rent a home before you buy when you relocate overseas. For those who choose to live in Panama’s Western-most province, Chiriquí, one major reason is to check out the weather in various locations to find what suits you best. Despite being a small country in the middle of the tropics, you’ll find Panama has a variety of climate zones and even within the province there are variations in temperature, rainfall, wind, and cloud cover.

Appreciating the Beauty in Our Back Yard in Costa Rica

By Greg Seymour |

June 3, 2016

There are many reasons my wife Jen and I love living in Costa Rica. We enjoy the slower pace compared to the busy lives we led in the U.S. We enjoy the pleasant temperatures provided by living in the mountains of the Central Valley. But mostly, we love the abundance of nature and wildlife that exists all around us. I enjoy taking a hike each morning. I usually do one of three hikes I have found that take me through coffee farms, over rivers, and up into the mountains that surround Poas Volcano, near where I live.

Quiet Beach Town Living on Panama’s Pacific Coast

By Linda Card |

May 30, 2016

Santa Catalina is one of those out-of-the-way beach towns with its own quiet charm. As you walk through town along one of the two narrow streets you pass young men with their surfboards under their arms, headed for the break. Kids on bicycles roll past, avoiding a dog or two. The bus from Santiago arrives and a few backpackers get off, hoisting their loads as they're passed down from the top of the bus.

Living an Affordable Beach Lifestyle in Placencia, Belize

By Ann Kuffner |

May 29, 2016

With 17 miles of continuous golden-sand beaches, a low key, laidback Caribbean lifestyle, a small population, and plenty of top notch restaurants and funky beach bars, it’s not surprising that expats are pulling up stakes to move to Belize’s Placencia peninsula… In February of 2014 Laura and Dave Diffendal left Cleveland, Ohio, for Placencia Village...

Captivating Mountain Views in Cerro Azul, Panama

By Jessica Ramesch |

May 29, 2016

To sit on a porch in the tiny mountain town of Cerro Azul is to experience true serenity. That's how I feel as I relax in an old Adirondack-style chair, gazing at hillsides carpeted in green. A single pick-up truck is the only vehicle that trundles past. Though I don't know him, the driver gives me a friendly wave. Earlier in the day I took a mini-hike to a hilltop mirador (lookout point) and caught far-off glimpses of both the Pacific and the Caribbean. Now I sit sipping my coffee and watching a pretty blue tanager swoop around the garden.

Top 5 Things to Do in Hoi An, Vietnam

By Kirsten Raccuia |

May 4, 2016

When visiting Hoi An, Vietnam there are some obvious must sees and do's. You must visit some of the old cultural sites in the Unesco World Heritage Ancient Town and you must have couture clothing and shoes made for a fraction of the price it would cost you to buy them back home. But how do you get off the beaten path in a town so well-trodden by tourists? Check out these five out of the ordinary experiences: