Where is the dollar strong right now? This is a question all American travelers will be asking themselves right now, to make sure their vacation budget stretches even further.
The good news is the U.S. dollar is still strong in plenty of exciting destinations, from beautiful Canada on your doorstep to buzzy Portugal over in Europe, and even Australia in the southern hemisphere. Discover these 10 incredible destinations where the dollar is strong, with bite-sized fact files for each country to help you figure out your budget.
Where is the dollar strong?
1. Canada
Though it’s just on America’s doorstep, that doesn’t mean Canada isn’t worth visiting. The American dollar is at 20-year high against the Canadian dollar, meaning you can see the magnificence of the Rocky Mountains in Banff, the incredible French-Canadian culture of Montreal or witness the grandeur of Niagara Falls without breaking the bank – meaning more pancakes and maple syrup for you!
The facts & figures:
Value of $1 USD: $1.43 CAD
Average meal at a restaurant (USD): $30
Bottled water (USD): $1.81
Average budget hotel room/night (USD): $91
One-way train ticket (USD): $2.39
2. Australia
Slightly further afield, if you can spare the travel time then you’ll benefit from the American dollar being particularly strong against the Australian dollar. You can traverse countless different cultures and landscapes, from dazzling cities and shorelines on the East Coast to sunrise over Uluru rock, sacred to the indigenous people of the area and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The facts & figures:
Value of $1 USD: $1.56 AUD
Average meal at a restaurant (USD): $12.80
Bottled water (USD): $3.45
Average budget hotel room/night (USD): $20
One-way public transport ticket (USD): $2.56
3. Peru
“Now is a great time to consider visiting Peru,” says Melissa Da Silva, president of Trafalgar. “Not only can travelers expect to spend around $12 for a terrific meal, but its temperate climate and incredible marvels make it a bucket-list destination travelers cannot afford to miss.” You’ll tick off bucket list sites like Machu Picchu and ancient Inca ruins, but there’s also so much more than these icons to Peru – the culinary delights of Lima, the uninhabited Ballestas Islands (called a “mini-Galapagos”) and pisco-filled nights in the coastal town of Paracas.
The facts & figures:
Value of $1 USD: 3.68 sol
Average meal at a restaurant (USD): $7
Bottled water (USD): $0.78
Average budget hotel room/night (USD): $60
One-way public transport ticket (USD): $0.90
4. Costa Rica
Even though Costa Rica is the most expensive country in Central America, the American dollar is still strong against the Costa Rican colon. While many places in Costa Rica accept US dollars such as hotels and some restaurants, you’ll still need local colones for public transport and smaller restaurants in more rural areas – you don’t want to get caught out in the Monteverde Cloud Forest!
The facts & figures:
Value of $1 USD: ₡505 CRC
Average meal at a restaurant (USD): $15
Bottled water (USD): $2.46
Average budget hotel room/night (USD): $55
One-way public transport ticket (USD): $0.50
5. Japan
Since the pandemic, the Japanese yen has significantly dropped against the American dollar – which is great news for U.S. visitors wanting to get their fix of sakura and onsen baths. While Japan isn’t the cheapest destination (particularly compared with regions like Southeast Asia), the inflation seen in Japan means that American travelers can make their dollars go further in what is still a relatively affordable destination.
The facts & figures:
Value of $1 USD: ¥155 JPY
Average meal at a restaurant (USD): $15
Bottled water (USD): $0.93
Average budget hotel room/night (USD): $43
One-way public transport ticket (USD): $1.04
6. New Zealand
Though it has a reputation of being a relatively expensive place to travel, it’s certainly possible to visit New Zealand on a budget – made even easier by the high conversion of the American dollar against the New Zealand dollar. That means you can experience Fiordland National Park, visit famous wineries and see Māori culture firsthand – all in budget.
The facts & figures:
Value of $1 USD: $1.77 NZD
Average meal at a restaurant (USD): $16
Bottled water (USD): $1.12
Average hotel room/night (USD): $68
One-way train ticket (USD): $5.90
7. Poland
Where is the dollar strong in Europe? The answer has to be Poland. Eastern Europe is generally more afforable than its western counterpart, meaning your dollars will go further. Remember – though Poland is a member of the EU it’s not in the Eurozone and doesn’t use Euros, instead using the Polish złoty.
Poland’s southern city of Kraków ranked fourth among Europe’s most affordable places on the 2024 City Costs Barometer compiled by the U.K.’s Post Office, full of incredible experiences such as the Underground Salt Cathedral, Royal Castle and Cathedral, with many cobbled streets and medieval squares to wile away the hours in.
The facts & figures:
Value of $1 USD: 3.83 złoty
Average meal at a restaurant (USD): $9.27
Bottled water (USD): $0.64
Average budget hotel room/night (USD): $35
One-way train ticket (USD): $0.90
8. South Africa
South Africa is full of icons, from the Big 5 on safari to the wine country of Cape Town and dramatic coastline of Cape Peninsula – not forgetting the beloved penguins on Boulders Beach. Its currency is the South African rand, and Americans benefit from a favorable exchange rate that will give you the freedom to treat yourself to another glass of homegrown cabernet sauvignon.
The facts & figures:
Value of $1 USD: 18.59 rand
Average meal at a restaurant (USD): $15
Bottled water (USD): $0.91
Average budget hotel room/night (USD): $42
One-way train ticket (USD): $1.61
9. Vietnam
Vietnam is an affordable place to visit, but particularly for American travelers with a particularly advantageous exchange rate – U.S. visitors will be able to grab a beer for less than a dollar. Even in Vietnam’s capital, Ho Chi Minh City, tourists can spend an average of $60 a day including hotel accommodations, restaurant meals, and transportation (according to GoBankingRates).
The facts & figures:
Value of $1 USD: 25,530 dong
Average meal at a restaurant (USD): $5
Bottled water (USD): $0.49
Average budget hotel room/night (USD): $19
One-way public transport ticket (USD): $0.59
10. Portugal
In excellent news for U.S. travelers wanting to visit Europe, meaning you can benefit from a strong dollar in all countries that use the Euro including France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, and Spain. Portugal is particularly favorable for American travelers as it consistently ranks among the most affordable places in Western Europe thanks to cheap public transport, reasonably priced accommodation and affordable dining options, even in major cities like Lisbon, which came in second on the 2024 City Costs Barometer‘s value city breaks list.
The facts & figures:
Value of $1 USD: €0.88 Euro
Average meal at a restaurant (USD): $20
Bottled water (USD): $0.78
Average budget hotel room/night (USD): $50
One-way public transport ticket (USD): $1.70