MUST VISIT COUNTRIES OF 2016 Post created 22 Jan, 2016 No comments

Welcome. Today is an exciting day, as NomadsNation is officially launching it’s first ever

Country Power Rankings – must visit countries of 2016. This is an idea I’ve had for a long time.

In some ways, it’s my go at a proper column. An attempt to do something interesting and fun;

with the intention of inspiring a few laughs, and hopefully a lot more travel plans.

The NomadsNation 2016 Country Power Rankings are like all of our other Power

Rankings; fun, subjective, and completely open for debate.

If you are unfamiliar with the concept of Power Rankings, a more detailed explanation of exactly

what they are can be found here.

I’m going to explain the background of this rankings system. If you are interested in the process

of configuring the rankings, read on. If you want to just jump into it, feel free to go ahead to

the meat and potatoes (rankings begin with the first picture).

These Power Rankings are not merely one man’s opinion sloppily splattered across the

backend of a WordPress page. No. This list is the accumulation of an immense amount of time,

research, blood, sweat, and tears. And when I say immense, I mean immense. I want the

Power Rankings to possess their subjective nature, while being backed up with an incredible

amount of statistics and data. Let me show you.

These rankings are NomadsNation’s highest traveling recommendations for 2016, and became

so by 1) isolating what is important to independent travelers, and 2) determining which countries

are currently catering to those needs.

These are the factors that helped me determine the order of the rankings…

Trends in Travel Blogs

I used NomadicSamuels Top 100 travel blogs, and go through the most influential sites,

observing where the top bloggers have been traveling to, living in, and writing about. These

blogs are a staple of budget travel, and are treated accordingly.

Tourism Data

UNWTO, WTTC, ITB and others all share statistics and trends about tourism over the world.

These trends will play an influence on the Power Rankings as well.

Currency

Obviously we are budget travelers, so the more bang for the buck the better. I look to highlight

which countries currencies have weakened recently, so independent travelers can enjoy

beneficial exchange rates

Inter­preneur Rating (Internet + Entrepreneur = Inter­preneur)

This is where I combine “Location Independence” with “Digital Nomadism”. This emerging

community, and it’s impact within budget travel cannot be ignored. Particular countries and

cities have become hubs for these digital entrepreneurs, and I intend to highlight the most

influential ones. Much of the information for this portion will come from NomadList.com.

Safety

Syria may have been a traveling option a few years ago, but now, not so much. I’ll take into

consideration political occurrences and general safety of the countries.

NomadsNation Contributions

Seeing what other members of the team and community think.

A Heavy Dose of Personal Opinion

To top it all off. I’ve been to about half the places on this list, but after all of the research I’ve put

in, I may as well have been to every single one of them.

Ok. That’s it. I’m done. Let’s do it.

11) USA

If you’ve lived in the USA or have previously visited, you know that while it’s possible, it is

extremely difficult to travel around ‘Murrica on a budget. It’s damn expensive. Damn expensive

and the budget traveler don’t go hand in hand.

But! There is one reason I couldn’t leave this country off the list.

Oil. Which reminds me of this Chappelle skit.

To be more specific. The reason I am recommending travel to the US is because of the

astonishingly low gas prices, enabling you to have that cross­country­US­road­trip you’ve

always dreamed of, at a semi­affordable price. As of writing this, AAA cites the average gas

price in the USA at $2.03. This is f­ing astonishing. I lived in Southern California in 2011, and

personally witnessed gas prices hover around the $5 a gallon mark. To see gas prices decrease

by 60% is A) utter insanity in the most amazing way possible, and B) inspiring for the yearning

US traveler.

One can certainly fly around America. It suffices. But it cannot compare to driving. One of the

greatest traveling experiences one can have is getting in a car, and hitting the open road in the

Great American West.

Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington.

Or more specifically.

The Grand Canyon, Seattle, Zion National Park, The Rocky Freaking Mountains, Los Angeles,

Death Valley, Denver, Yosemite, Lake Havasu, Austin, Pacific Coast, Redwood National Park,

Portland, Arches National Park, San Diego, Big Sur, Bryce Canyon, San Fransisco, Carlsbad

Caverns, Vegas (if you dare), and so, so much more.

And that’s just the West.

To do some math. If you rent a car with decent gas mileage (35 mpg highway), fill up the tank

(we’ll say an average 15 gallon tank), at $2.00 a gallon, you can drive (hypothetically) from The

Grand Canyon to Los Angeles (480 miles) on one tank of gas, or $30.00. I think my math is

right.

Between the mountains, national parks, deserts, amazing cities, and Vegas (if you dare), there

is enough to keep you busy for good 3­4 lifetimes. And with gas prices as low as they currently

are, it will be much more affordable than times past.

Unfortunately, excluding gas prices, the US still remains to be lacking in the budget­friendly

area. Food, lodging and drinks will come at a price.

Fun Facts

If you decide to take advantage of these gas prices, you won’t be alone. The US is currently the

second most visited country in the world with 74.8 million visitors, second only to Frances’ 83.7

million. But where France only saw a .1% increase in tourism from 2013­2014, the US saw a 6%

increase in the same period of time.

Currency

The dollar has been performing better in recent years, basically aligning itself with the Euro.

This is bad news for Europeans looking for a decent conversation rate, excluding those Brits

and their sterling pound.

Visa

For a country so hell bent on national security, entering the country isn’t too challenging. For

most people reading this blog, you will have to pay $14 and apply for an ESTA.

Work

If you are interested in getting some free lodging, the US’ work exchange scene is rapidly on the

rise. As of writing, there are 2,024 farms on WWOOF, 1,172 opportunities on WorkAway, and

1,197 opportunities on HelpX.

Safety

On the whole, safe, just be careful of seedy areas in larger cities. Chicago, LA, New Orleans,

Miami and the state of New Jersey have reputations for a reason. Stick with the tourists, stay

where it’s safe, just as you would anywhere in the world.

Conclusion

The U S of A is a world in itself. Some of the worlds greatest cities and sites exist here, but

unfortunately they do come at a cost. But, with gas prices as low as they are, if you were

debating taking a road trip in the States, now certainly is the time.

10) Hong Kong

HK is my favorite city on the planet. No question. The food, the clash of culture, the energy, the

locals, the skyscrapers, and did I mention the food?

But for all of it’s pros, HK still hasn’t fully embraced the independent traveler yet, as it’s hostel

scene, and overall budget­travel infrastructure, is extremely underdeveloped.

But, fear not. While HK is a bit behind, it is also on the rise, and is quickly getting on budget

travelers’ radars. Travel Bloggers are taking notice.

The entire city can be done extremely cheap, the only part that can get a bit pricey is the

lodging. With the aforementioned lack of (decent) hostels, one might think they have to spend

an arm and a leg to find lodging in this fine city. But, along with most of the world, AirBnb has

provided affordable alternatives, as there are hundreds of apartment listings in HK.

There’s so much to see in Hong Kong, none of which has to be expensive. Entrance fees, public

transit and food are all super affordable. And my personal favorite thing to do in Hong Kong

(walking around and making random turns until I am completely and utterly lost) is 100% free.

Inter­preneur Rating

Hong Kong has an emerging group of entrepreneurs, and it’s politics are slowly attempting to

make the city more “start up” friendly. I know this because I’ve been considering opening a

business in HK. I’ve done my research. Furthermore, NomadList currently puts Hong Kong as

the fifth best place in the world to be a digital entrepreneur. This is due to great weather, night

life, and fantastic wifi connection.

Fun Facts

Forbes ranks Hong Kong as the ninth most visited city on the planet. In 2013, 23 millions visited

HK, with the majority (66%) of them were Chinese mainlanders. This influx of tourism is due to

the Chinese Individual Visit Scheme, which for the first time, allowed mainlanders to visit HK as

tourists. In 2004, the Individual Visit Scheme allowed 2 million mainland Chinese tourists. 2014?

17 million.

Currency

The Hong Kong Dollar is pegged to the US Dollar. 1 USD = 7.5 HKD.

Visa

Free on arrival for most. Aussies, New Zealanders, Canadians and Americans get 90 days. Brits

get 180 days.

Work

Hong Kong has one of the best ESL markets in Asia. English teachers are in high demand, and

well compensated.

Safety

One of the safest cities in the world. Crime is basically non­existent. The only thing to fear is

eating too much.

Conclusion

For indie­travelers, Hong Kong is a monster. And as long as you can nail down some

semi­affordable lodging (preferrably through AirBnb) you will find yourself in the midst of one of the worlds greatest cities: an epicenter

of culture and food like no other. 9) Greece

The Acropolis. Santorini. Rhodes. Crete. Hummus. The reasons to visit Greece are too many to

list. Having just spent a few weeks there over summer, I can verify; it’s a beautiful place. Just

don’t expect to have it to yourself.

Although one might expect the recent economic and political turmoil in Greece to have lowered

prices, it unfortunately is not true. While Greece is still certainly a bargain by European

standards, it’s tourist infrastructure has remained very strong, and prices are just about where

they have always been.

One great way to see Greece with lowered prices is to go in shoulder season. My sister and I

went in May, and the prices were much lower than my research had indicated. I mean I knew it

was going to be a bit cheaper, but I was pleasantly surprised to have my expectations

exceeded. If you do go in shoulder season (May/June and September/October) expect a big

drop in prices, but also expect much less action. The islands in particular get a bit sleepier

outside of the peak of summer, and there isn’t always as much to do.

Having said that, Greece is on everyone’s radar. The political turmoil has not curbed tourism

numbers at all. In fact, Greece is breaking records.

According to an article by telegraph.com, fear of terrorism has lead European tourists to cancel

trips in Turkey, Egypt and Tunis, and many of them are looking to Greece instead. So the slight

tourism Greece is losing in fear of political and economic instability, is being compensated by

fears of terrorism in Arabic countries. 22 million people visited Greece in 2014, and in 2015 year

they are projected to have 25 million visitors. I’m sure the Greeks aren’t complaining.

So why did Greece make the list?

It’s still a bargain by every stretch, and the country has so much to do. The mainland of Greece

is a historical monster, as it basically is an artifact in itself. Athens in all of it’s gritty charm, has

everything to offer. And the 1,200 islands are versatile and unique, each catering to a different

type of tourist. Gay, rich, young, party, chill, backpacker, family… Oh yea, and the food is

outrageous. Whatever you like, the Greek Islands got you.

Notable Travel Bloggers

LegalNomads spent a month on the Greek Island of Syros and Ms. AdventerousKate also spent

time on the islands and wrote this fine article.

Visa

Easy peasy lemon squeezy (Having just re­watched Austin Powers, prepare for a lot of subtle

quotes.)

Currency

The Euro is down and the dollar and pound are reaping the benefits.

Work

Ok, here’s the deal. Greece (particularly the islands) is one of those many places in Europe,

where it’s easier to find gigs that pay under the table. This is common for

super­seasonal­touristy places that reallllyyyy like to party. Bars and hostels in Lagos,

Barcelona, Budapest, and such will hire backpackers to watch the front desk and serve drinks.

The Greek Islands, particularly Ios and Mykonos, are no exception. Why are these jobs

available? Because the labor is cheap.

Safety

Shut up.

Conclusion

While Greece is no “under the radar” destination, it’s fucking Greece and it’s beautiful. While

prices are not drastically low, compared to it’s European counterparts… Greece is a steal.

8) Morocco

Enormous snow capped mountains, endless stretches of African desert, exotic cities, beaches,

and historical sites. Morocco’s really got it all. But this is no secret.

Bringing in over 10 million visitors every year sine 2013, Morocco (barely) edges out South

Africa as the most touristed country on it’s continent. This is for three distinct reasons. 1) It is far

and away the safest country in North Africa. 2) North Africa has an enviable proximity to Europe.

3) There’s a seemingly endless amount of things to do, for travelers of every type.

Morocco is aware of their exoticism and glamour as a traveling destination. It is a country that

takes it’s tourism very seriously, and has invested an incredible amount of time and money to

ensure that their tourism sector is flourishing. And the investment is paying off.

Notable Travel Bloggers

NomadicMatt has written not one, not two, not three, but FOUR articles on Morocco this year,

his article here is a great guide and source of inspiration for those interested in traveling there.

Also, WanderingEarl has stated that, due to high demand, he intends to create a Morocco tour

for his Wandering Earl Tours.

Currency

The Dirham has performed well this decade, but has had a rough 2015… Yet another reason to

travel to Morocco ASAP.

Conclusion

There isn’t much to say about Morocco, because it’s Morocco. It speaks for itself. There aren’t

any new travel trends, no current financial gains. It is here, simply because it deserves to be

here.

7) Brazil

Brazil, similar to the States, is a traveling destination that has so much upside, but a few things

that also make it annoying as f**k.

The first thing that makes it annoying – The dreaded pre­arrival Visa.

The second thing that makes it annoying – The cost.

But! The cost of traveling to Brazil has decreased dramatically over the past few years, and the

trend looks poised to continue through 2016. This is the reason it is so highly ranked this year.

Why? Because their currency, the Brazilian Real, is, as ForexLive so eloquently put it, “torched”.

Political turmoil and economic pressures have basically sunk the currency, and the exchange

rates are going mental. In October, the Real had lost 29% of it’s value against the dollar on the

year, and the immediate future looks just as bleak. In 2011, you could get 1.5 Real’s per one

USD. Now? You can nearly get nearly 4 Reals per one USD, and many economists predict the

rate might jump as high as 5 Reals per USD by 2016. This is huge.

Inter­preneur Rating

While you’ll find a healthy location independent scene in Brazil, it’s a small one. Even with the

Real down, it’s still an expensive country to live in. Plus Brazil is known as a country of fun, but

too much fun. Such fun can be a distraction. TheWanderingTrader even mentioned this in a

post where he highlighted why he chose to live in Medellin over Rio Di Janeiro, ultimately

choosing Columbia.

Visa

For the record, I get angry when countries require pre­arranged visas. It makes my blood boil. I

know my own country is guilty of it. I know as an American I have an exceptional amount more

traveling freedoms than people from other countries do. But it still makes me angry. I support a

visa­less traveling world, and Brazil is pushing my buttons.

Brazil, in an apparent effort to curb high profit international tourism, have placed traveling

restrictions on Australians, Canadians and Americans, requiring them to pay and wait for

pre­arranged visas. Europeans and New Zealanders are cool to enter visa free.

Work

By South American standards, Brazil probably has one of the best ESL markets. But it’s no Asia

and it’s no Middle East. No no. Yes, ESL jobs are available, but they don’t pay great, and many

teachers have expressed inability to live comfortably with Brazil’s high cost of living.

Work Exchange opportunities do exist, and the country has a reputation for easily finding work

in hostels. You might not get paid, but you’ll get a bed and food and hopefully a few caipirinhas.

Safety

Some parts of Brazil are extremely dangerous. Other parts of Brazil are extremely safe. Do your

research. Use your smarts.

Conclusion

While the depreciation of the Real is unfortunate for the people of Brazil, it is absolutely

delicious for travelers of all kind. If you were considering a Brazil trip sometime soon, avoid the

Summer Olympics in August (where prices will unavoidably inflate), and get your bunda down

there immediately.

6) Cuba

In honor of the Cuba section, I’m going to take the opportunity to surreptitiously slip in a small

Tony Montana quote. Let me know if you spot it.

Cuba has made headlines this year with it’s newfound political relations with the United States.

Sanctions have been lifted, which has opened up a new chapter of relations between the two

countries, and now, traveling to Cuba as an average American tourist is possible!

A pain in the ass. But possible.

But, even with the visa hassles, even with the lack of budget travel infrastructure, even with

people telling me “the food sucked”, I still have to say… Get to Cuba ASAP.

Cuba is used to international tourism, but on a much smaller level. About a million Canadians

and hundreds of thousands of Europeans and South Americans visit every year. But Cuba

(similar to the next country on the list) is about to get a facelift. The hand holding the scalpel will

be the Cuban government, and the force driving the operation will be an influx of tourists Cuba

has never seen before. It will start slowly. But I guarantee that as the Cuban government starts

seeing the money American tourism can generate, so will it loosen it’s travel restrictions.

So, although the visa is annoying, and there isn’t much installed by means of transit, in some

ways, it kind of adds to the glamor of the trip. We all know deep down inside, we are a bunch of

snobby, pretentious travelers, that are dying to tell other people “I went to ______ before it was

popular”. Cuba is your chance, particularly if you are American.

Fun Facts

1. Many people presume Cuba to be a small Caribbean island, when in fact it’s actually quite large. Cuba, at 109,000 sq kilometers, is larger than South Korea (100,000 sq km), Portugal (92,000 sq km) and Austria (83,000 sq km).

2. Contrary to public perception Cuba can actually get quite cold in the winter, with Havana hitting 35 degrees in January 2010. So dress warm.

Currency

There are two currencies in Cuba, the Cuban convertible peso (CUC) and the Cuban peso

(CUP). 98% of tourists will deal exclusively with the CUC, as it is what is exchanged at the

airport. But! The Cuban government also takes a 10% “penalty” for the exchange process, and

a 3% foreign translation fee. This means you are actually losing 13% of your dollar with every

exchange. It’s a truly terrible system, but there seems to be little we can do about it.

Visa

Most non­communist countries need visas. US citizens? Strap in. Not only do we have to obtain

the dreaded pre­arrival visa, but we also have to oblige within the law that only allows us to visit

with “special permission from the government for trips such as those involving family visits,

professional, religious or cultural programs and humanitarian projects.” I’ve read/heard varying

opinions about how easy or difficult this is to do.

One great way to get a guaranteed trip to Cuba as an American is to do so on with a tour

operations company. I won’t name any in particular, but if you goodle ‘cuba tour’, dozens of

different options will appear, as this enables people to legally travel to Cuba under the means of

a “cultural program” or some similar educational experience. It won’t be as cheap as traveling

independently, but group tours certainly have their benefits.

Another option as an American, is flying into Cuba from a different country, like Mexico or

Canada. Apparently this is a fail­proof tactic, as the international city you last flew from

somehow thwarts the customs guard, and magically negates the nationality of your passport. I

haven’t done this personally, but apparently it works. Clint from Travelhackr has a great article

about it here .

Conclusion

Cuba is really only a new traveling experience if you are an American. But, with the gates now

open between the countries, expect the influx of American tourists to negatively effect the

authenticity of the country.

5) Myanmar

Otherwise known as Burma, but let’s be honest, regardless of the name, many people don’t

even know this country exists. But it Myanmar is gaining in popularity. In 2011, less than a

million tourists visited Burmanmar. In 2015 they expect to finish with around 4 million tourists!

Why the drastic improvement?

It’s extremely new on the the travel radar, as the country was ruled by a military dictatorship that

ended in 2011. Since then, the country has established a new­ish government, and has seen an

exponential new wave of tourism. This is anenormous increase in numbers, and the trend is

only going to continue it’s progression north.

Hence the traveling recommendation.

Myanmar made the NomadsNation Power Rankings because it is new. It is fresh. It is a country

that has basically just opened it’s borders, and if you want to have a truly authentic travel

experience, now is the time. The country will eventually sell out to mass, hyper­tourism, and will

lose that special glimmer in it’s eye. It’s just a fact. You hear that Mr. Anderson?

It is inevitable.

But what exactly is Myanmar? How to explain Burmese culture?

Think Thai, add a bit of Indian, add a little bit less Chinese, and boom, you’ve gotten closer to

starting to understand this country. It is a nation of devout Buddhists and thousands of temples,

complimented by a diverse landscape. It will delight travelers of every type.

Myanmar is a big country. At 678,00 sq km, it’s larger than Thailand (513,000 sq km) and larger

than France (643,000 sq km). But unfortunately, tourists are not free to roam anywhere in the

country. Just because Myanmar has opened it’s borders, doesn’t mean you can backpack freely

throughout their entire territory. We are still in a tourist­transitional process with this country, and

there a some rules…

Issued in 2013, this is where you can and cannot travel in Myanmar. The areas in green are

go’s. Knock yourself out. The areas in not­green, are no­go’s. The non­green portions of the

map require “prior permission”, which although might sound promising, is basically a nice way

for the Myanmar government to say “not gunna happen.” It’s different, and definitely unfortunate

for the traveler who really likes to get down and freely explore a country. But even with these

restrictions, the pros greatly outweigh the cons, and the recommendation remains.

Fact Stuff

The United Nations considers Myanmar to be an LDC (Least Developed Country) which is

basically the new and politically correct term that has replaced the outdated term “Third World

Country”. Myanmar is one of 34 African countries, 1 American country (Haiti), 4 islands in

Oceania, and 9 Asian countries labeled as LDC’s. Some of the other Asian countries on the list?

Laos, Cambodia, and Nepal.

Currency

While Myanmar isn’t quite the bargain that Vietnam or even Thailand is, it’s still Asia, and it’s still

stupid cheap. The dollar and pound have been performing particularly well against the Kyat.

Two years ago, 1 USD would get 960 Burmese Kyats. Now? 1 USD gets you nearly 1300

Burmese Kyats. How big of a change is that? I really have no idea. But the fact is the country is

cheap.

Visa

It’s a pre­arrival, $50, but it’s an e­visa and is quick and fairly painless.

Conclusion

Traveling to Myanmar now is a chance to really get some travel­cred to your name. And don’t

act like you don’t want it. Stick it to those hardcore­backpacker types. You know the type…

“Oh you’ve been to Machu? Me too, I spent a month hiking the Inca trail with just my pet iguana.

No big deal”

“You hitchhiked for a week in Iceland? Awesome. I hitchhiked through eleven countries in

Eastern Europe this past February.”

“You’ve traveled to seventeen countries? That’s great. I’m on my one hundred and twenty

seventh. But great for you!.”

“You like Thailand? Oh. I don’t care for any part Thailand. Northern Cambodia is the only place

in South East Asia worth going to anymore.”

You know. Shit like that.

So while these guys are out there, writing in their moleskins probably somewhere in Laos, you’ll

be breaking new ground, dominating your travels, and be able to say “I traveled to Myanmar in

2016 motherf****!”.

But seriously, all jokes aside. Myanmar is the new Laos.

The new country that will be on everyone’s radar. Imagine yourself, 10, 15 years down the line.

By this time, Myanmar will be on pace for 10 millions visitors, and the country will inevitably be

swarmed with indie travelers and their overstuffed backpacks. Get in before the crowds, before

the hyper­tourism, before it loses it’s charm. And then, in all of your backpacking glory, and be

able to say… I was there before anyone else.

4) Taiwan

When researching about travel in Taiwan, I often come across different variations of a similar

phrase, all of which usually involve the words “best kept secret in Asia”. Similar to The

Philippines, due to Taiwan’s geographical proximity, the country is typically off the backpackers

trail. And again, similar to The Philippines, it is at the loss of those who miss it, and at the gain

of those who visit. (Rhyme points)

Taiwan’s relationship with China is in a word… complicated. They’re kindof like a couple that

broke up, so Taiwan moved out, but they never made the breakup official, and Taiwan just

wants it’s shit back, but China realllllyyy wants to get officially back together and make things

like they used to be, and Taiwan isn’t down but also isn’t necessarily opposed, it just wants

some more freedom… You know, that old chestnut.

Like I said, it’s complicated. If you are looking for a more historically and factually accurate

description of Chinese/Taiwan relations, you can do so here.

When visiting Taiwan, it is impossible to avoid Taipei, a city that seems to be universally adored

by those who personally encounter it’s charm. In terms of cost, Taipei is right in the middle of

grandiose Asian metropolis’, and while it is nowhere near as cheap as cities on the lower end

(like Ho Chi Minh), it is also nowhere near expensive as cities on the higher end (such as

Singapore).

ThePriceofTravel.com puts the daily cost of Taipei at a a moderate $32 a day, sandwiched in­between Beijing ($29 a day) and Phuket ($33

a day).

While Taipei is a beast in itself, the entire island of Taiwan is a gem, and the further you get

from the beating heart of the metropolis, the more authentic the experience becomes, as most

tourists are typically consolidated in and around Taipei. As you head south you’ll see a change

in landscape and language, and observe a quieter version of the same country. The west varies

from flat to somewhat rolling hills and plains, and as you head east, you hit the mountain

ranges, where dramatic peaks can reach as high as 10,000 feet.

Taiwan isn’t that large of an island, and most of the sites are very convenient as the country is

quite compact. One can drive the entire island, top to bottom, in about five hours, or can do the

same in public transit in eight hours. Traveling around is easy as it is affordable; high speed

trains connect the entire island and all of the major cities.

As previously stated, Taiwan is a relatively small island, and at 14,000 square miles, is roughly

the size of Switzerland. But even given it’s compact size, it still brings in nearly 9 millions tourists

every year. These tourists region mostly from China (4 million), Japan (1.6 million) and Hong

Kong (1.3 million).

So how does a small island saturated with so many tourists still somehow feel off the beaten

path? It’s because of the type of tourism Taiwan receives. According to Taiwan’s Tourism

Bureau, the average tourist in Taiwan, spent an AVERAGE of $224.00 per day. This is an

AVERAGE, PER PERSON. Remember, ThePriceofTravel put average daily spending in

Taiwan’s most expensive city at $32 a day. Backpackers can spend around 30$ a day. The

average tourist actually spends $224 a day. (I’ve been doing this for years, and the dichotomy

between typical travel, and budget travel never ceases to amaze me.)

But this is because the majority of Taiwan’s Asian tourists are doing what Asian tourists do best.

Spending money. They are in the expensive hotels, luxurious resorts, and spending their money

in Taipei’s lavish and ultra modern shopping malls. What does this mean for the budget

traveler? The rest of the island is quieter, inexpensive, and ripe for the picking.

Are there other backpackers? Of course. We’re f**cking everywhere. But the island will feel

more or less yours, particularly the further you deviate from Taipei.

Currency

Taiwan’s currency, while not strong, has been consistent. It’s in the perfect mix between

I­can­get­a­great­bang­for­my­buck and the­economy­is­stable­as­f**k­if­I­want­to­live­here!

Speaking of which…

Inter­preneur

Taiwan is really starting to gain traction as a premiere digital nomad destination And why not?

Affordable living, great food, modern cities, and lightning fast wifi. NomadList puts Taiwan as the

third best country, and Taipei as the seventh best city, in the world for digital entrepreneurs.

You heard it here first. Look out for Taiwan to become an increasingly important hub for digital

nomads. It won’t be a “best kept secret” for too much longer.

Visa

Unlike it’s ex to the west, Taiwan is a tourist­friendly country, as no pre­arranged visa is needed

for entry into the country. 45 jurisdictions (USA, NZ, EU, Australia, and Canada included) are

granted a free 90 day visa upon arrival.

Work

Taiwan has a phenomenal ESL market that pays very well. Mix the compensation with the low

cost of living, and ESL teachers can work a contract and save a decent amount of money. Not

quite South Korea ESL money, but still great money.

Conclusion

Taiwan’s low cost, compactness, authenticity, high digital nomad rating and fabulous ESL

market make it one of the highest traveling recommendations for 2016. This country is making

moves. I’ll be traveling to Taiwan for my first time in April. You’ll be hearing more from me about

this country very soon.

3) South Africa

Another country highlighted by currency problems, South Africa is high on the list because it is

difficult to ignore such beauty at such a historical bargain. South Africa is a cool place, and quite

unique. It has a rich and dark past, which is further emphasized by it’s rich and dark present. It’s

a contrast of incredible extremes. The beauty of Cape town, the safaris, the beaches, all mixed

with atrocious poverty… it’s almost overwhelming.

Also, another reason to go… South Africans have the coolest accents, and in my opinion, the

most difficult to impersonate. It’s extremely difficult. Leo nailed it though.

Not to sound like South Africa is an undiscovered gem. It is a very well traveled country with one

of the best backpacking infrastructures in the world. It is wired for backpackers, with a

world­class line of hostels and transportation to get you anywhere you need, and cheaply.

But on to money. The South African Rand has hit the panic button. Alarm bells are ringing. It is

quickly losing ground, and there have never been such beneficial exchange rates against the

dollar and the pound. In 2011, one USD would get you seven South African Rands. Now? One

USD will get you fourteen Rands.

Notable Travel Bloggers

I’m not the only one taking notice. The top travel blogger in the world, NomadicMatt, has

employed the writing skills of Kristin Addis from BeMyTravelMuse. She has spent serious time in

South Africa, and contributed three guest posts to Matt’s site about South Africa .

ExpertVagabond, another top ten travel blogger in the world, also traveled to South Africa and

was emphatic about his experiences.

Fun Facts

Over 70% of South Africa’s tourism is derived from bordering African countries, in particular,

Zimbabwe (2.1 million), Lesotho (1.5 million) and Mozambique (1.2 million). Yanks, Brits and

Germans combine to make up 50% of overseas tourism.

Work

Similar to other popular backpacking countries, South Africa has a reputation for backpackers

being able to pick up work at hostels, bars, clubs, etc. Start with your hostel, they’ll be the most

likely to point you in the right direction.

Safety

South Africa can be rough around the edges, but trouble can be easily avoided. While there

have been a few isolated incidents of murder and rape involving foreigners, most of the trouble

directed at tourists is petty theft, or worst case, assault. The high numbers of murder and rape

that do plague South Africa, are nearly exclusive within impoverished neighborhoods that

tourists will never see, and many of the cases involving theft likely could’ve been avoided with

the application of some street smarts. Traveling in South Africa will certainly require a

heightened sense of diligence, but nothing you wouldn’t apply to Brazil, Honduras, Los Angeles,

and other similar places.

Conclusion

Go to South Africa now.

2) Turkey

Turkey. Where Europe meets Asia. A one of a kind travel experience that leaves most in

wonder and marvel. Turkey is no stranger to international tourism, as it is the sixth most visited

country in the world, behind France, USA, Spain, China and Italy. An impressive list to be a part

of. Turkey has everything to offer; one of the worlds greatest cities, gorgeous beaches,

enchanting deserts, and everything in between.

The typical backpacker trail starts in Istan­tinople, heads south along the coast, and then East to

Cappadocia. It is a well traveled country, and is no surprise to place highly on this list.

But, giving it an extra push, is their struggling currency, the Turkish Lira. rt.com claims that the

Lira “is already this year’s worst performing currency outside Latin America.” Ouch. This is due

to a few things. First off, the Lira has been struggling in recent years, performing poorly next to

the dollar, losing half of it’s power in the past four years. The second reason is because of

Russia.

On November 24th 2015, Turkish missiles shot down a Russian military jet. The Turkish are

claiming it was defense. The Russians are calling foul play. Regardless of sides, Russia

responded by approving lethal economic sanctions against Turkey, including the cancellation of

free­visa travel between countries, and a national recommendation for Russians to not travel to

Turkey. For perspective, Russians annually account for nearly 10% of Turkish tourists, and this

move could lose Turkey upwards of 4.5 billion dollars. The lira has since suffered greatly, and

might take some time to recover.

So! The exchange rate for the Lira is currently the best it’s been… ever. Been thinking about a

Turkey trip? Nows the time.

Inter­preneurs

You don’t read much about digital nomads setting up base in Turkey, but I’ve started to see

trends that might soon indicate otherwise. Be on the lookout for Istanbul, Kas and Ankara to

start to receive more attention as hubs for location independents.

Visa

Turkey currently seems to be in a visa­transitioning process. A visa is needed to enter the

country, and an e­visa can be obtained pre­arrival fairly easily at the cost of $20. It seems that if

you arrive without a visa in Istanbul, you can purchase one at the airport for $30, but there might

be complications and delays. Unless that is, if you are from New Zealand. If you are, you won’t

have to worry about any of this because you are (again) exempt from this visa bullshit.

Work

Not the greatest ESL market. Jobs exist, it’s just a question of how much they’ll pay. Istanbul

should be good to find some hostel work.

Safety

Most of Turkey is fine. The only places in the country not recommended are where the country

borders Syria and Iraq. This should be obvious. ISIL/ISIS has been known to operate in these

areas, and it is better avoided. As stated earlier, this is the 6th most visited country on the

planet. The country on the whole is very safe, you just gotta avoid the bad parts.

Conclusion

The Lira is struggling, and and the struggles look as they will continue. With the possible loss of

ten million Russian tourists, the country will embrace any foreigners who fill the gaps with open

arms. And I’ll be one of them! Yes, I am fulfilling a lifelong dream by traveling to Turkey in

mid­May. I am beyond excited. More to come.

1) Portugal

Ladies and gentlemen. The winner of the must visit countries of 2016, is the one and only;

Portugal.

There’s a few reasons why Portugal is number one.

First off. One of the best parts of Portugal is how under­the­radar it can feel. Granted,

sometimes it can get very crowded and feel synthetic (cough, Lagos), but by European

standards, this gem of a country is very overlooked. In 2013, Portugal received only 8 million

visiting tourists. That is slightly less than the Czech Republic (9 million), Hungary (10 million),

and significantly less than it’s next door neighbor Spain, who in the same year brought in 60

million tourists.

Granted, Portugal is a smaller country, the 19th largest in Europe at 91,000 square kilometers.

But in contrast, The Netherlands is half the size of Portugal (41,000 sq km) and brings in 50%

more tourists (12 million).

Yes, you will meet plenty of tourists, and plenty of backpackers ­ they just don’t

suffocate the country way they do in Spain and France. The authenticity of Portugal rarely feels compromised the way it does in Italy or Greece. Portugal still has a magic to it, a flame

that still feels kept. What I’m getting at here is that Portugal is quieter and more authentic.

Second. Again, by European standards, Portugal is a steal. I’m talking look at Greece, subtract

some more euros, and boom! You have an incredibly inexpensive Portugal. Good hostel beds

can be found for 10 euros, taxis are more affordable, the metro is cheap, food is solid (I still

dream about #5), the attractions are affordable… Really, the only way you can splurge in

Portugal is by eating at expensive restaurants and drinking expensive alcohol. But with good

cheap wine and two euro Super Bock’s, even this seems challenging to accomplish.

Third. Portugal is the European city gaining the most traction in the location independent scene.

The plethora of activities, awesome weather, and great wifi connections mixed with an

affordable cost of living make it a fairly obvious choice. NomadList has five different Portuguese

cities in their top 20 list Braga (7), Lisbon (8), Averio (11), Funchal (15) and Porto (19).

Portugal holds a special place in my heart, as it was the first country I ever backpacked

throughout (2013). But, while Portugal might seem like it gets overshadowed by some of it’s

European counterparts, I am far from the only person who holds this country dear to my heart.

Notable Travel Bloggers

LegalNomads and TwentySomethingTravel, are two Goliath travel blogs that both spent time in

Portugal this year.

Visa

EU. EZ.

Work

Portugal reallllyyy has a reputation for being able to find backpacking work. I’ve witnessed first

hand. Many of the hostels I stayed in Lisbon and in the Algarve hired Americans or Aussies

working under the table. Same thing with most of the bars in the Algarve. I’d say 75% of the

bartenders were backpackers working cheap and seasonally.

There is a small ESL market, but I doubt you’ll find much compensation.

Conclusion

When I started writing this, I had no idea which order the countries would be. Deep down I had a

sneaking suspicion Thailand would get first place, but after a good 50 hours of writing and

researching, Thailand didn’t even make the list!

Portugal just made sense. The research was there, the numbers added up, the stars aligned,

and I will sleep soundly with it as the number one traveling recommendation for 2016. Obrigado.