6 Vacation Spots to Stretch Your Dollar

Consumers looking to stretch their dollar farther may want to leave the country.



After plunging in value some 40% between 2002 and 2008, the U.S. dollar is on the rebound – since April of last year, the U.S. Dollar index has climbed more than 20%. Meanwhile, the global recession has weighed heavily on other currencies across the globe, including the Euro, peso and pound.

Combined with slashed international airfares, the more favorable exchange rate is allowing travelers a chance to visit destinations that were prohibitively expensive in the past, such as England and Western Europe, and creating downright bargains in places where the currency has traditionally been weak in comparison to the U.S. dollar, like South and Central America.

But these great deals may not last long. As the U.S. government continues to print money to fund its $787 billion stimulus plan and the country's debt continues to grow, the dollar is sure to start losing its value. “The dollar is probably going to get weaker against the Euro and other currencies in future years, so now is the time to travel, rather than in a year or two,” says Michael Woolfolk, a currency specialist at the Bank of New York.

Here are six places to get the most bang for your U.S. buck — and some sample deals worth taking advantage of.





Buenos Aires, Argentina

Often called the Paris of South America, Buenos Aires is a much cheaper version of its European counterpart. And, after six years of growth, Argentina’s economy is slowing down, says Woolfolk. The exchange rate has recently climbed to 3.8 Argentinean pesos to the U.S. dollar from an almost one-to-one exchange in November of last year.

Sample deal: Fly on Delta Airlines to Buenos Aires from Washington, D.C. in mid-July and stay in the four-star Park Chateau Hotel for five days for $973 a person when you book on Expedia.com.



Cancun, Mexico



Last year, 100 U.S. Dollars would have bought you just 98 Mexican pesos. Today, you get 135 pesos — almost 40% more. In addition, hotels and airlines are eager to get tourists back into the country, so they're offering all sorts of deals, says Tom Parsons, CEO of Bestfares.com, a discount airfare site.

Sample deal: Liberty Travel is offering a three-night stay at the four-star Fiesta Americana Condesa Cancun hotel for $379 per person including round-trip airfare,. (Must book by April 27. Kids under 17 eat and stay for free).



Dublin, Ireland

The U.S. dollar now has 25% more buying power in Europe than it did last year. And, in Ireland the airlines have dropped their fuel surcharges, making it among the cheapest places in Europe to fly into from the U.S. Round-trip tickets to Dublin from New York City cost just $315 in April and May on Delta right now. Last year, that airfare would have cost $1,141, says Parsons. Irish discount airline Ryan Air makes trips from Ireland to other destinations like London and Scotland affordable as well. A round-trip ticket from Dublin to Glasgow can cost just under $20 on this no-frills airline.

Sample deal: On Travelocity.com, we found a seven-night stay in the four-star O’Callaghan Davenport Hotel and airfare on Delta for $781 a person, taxes and fees included. (Travel dates are between May 1 and May 9.)



London, United Kingdom

Traveling to England and Scotland is cheaper than it's been for generations, says Woolfolk. The U.S. dollar has increased in value 36% to the British pound since last year, making it a great time to visit the normally pricey London. Puddle jump from Dublin to take advantage of great fares if you’re flexible, sug

gests Parsons.

Sample deal: Those traveling from Boston to London can book a five-night stay at the four-star Hilton Olympia during mid-May and a round-trip flight on American Airlines for $835, including taxes and fees. (Package offered on Travelocity.com).



Reykjavik, Iceland

Previously one of the most expensive countries to visit, the collapse of Iceland's banks has turned the country into a bargain-seeker's paradise. Last year, the Kroner traded for about 74 to one U.S. dollar. Today, that exchange rate is 128 — up more than 70%.

Sample deal: Iceland Air is offering free stopovers in Iceland on your way to other destinations in Europe. Match that with a three-night stay at the Hilton Reykajavik Nordika, a four-star hotel, for only $115 a night.



Sydney, Australia



Last year, just flying to Australia from Los Angeles would have set you back close to $1,800. Now you can fly there and stay five days for under $1000. "These are some of the best fares and packages to Australia we've seen in years," says Parsons. To top it off, the U.S. dollar is 40% stronger compared to the Australian dollar than last year, so you'll have a lot of buying power when you're there.

Sample deal: Fly from Los Angeles to Sydney on Qantas Airways and stay five days in a four-star hotel for $949 a person, including taxes and fees. (Package offered on Bestfares.com.)