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11 Places to Visit Now Before They Get Too Expensive

Beautiful scenery of Coron, Palawan, Philippines
Beautiful scenery of Coron, Palawan, Philippines | © Kasia Soszka / Shutterstock

Looking for a bargain in 2018? Who isn’t? We’ve got you covered with this guide to the places you need to see before they become too expensive.

Havana, Cuba

Since Cuba and America resumed their international friendship, prices on the Caribbean island have slowly but surely started creeping up. If Havana is on your list of places to see in 2018, you’d better do it quick.

If you don’t mind sharing a car with other customers, shared taxis are a good, cheap option to move around Havana

Johannesburg, South Africa

People have traditionally avoided Johannesburg because of its reputation for violence. However in recent years large parts of the city have undergone impressive urban regeneration and it is now considered a much safer destination. The tourism sector is taking advantage – so find a bargain while you still can.

Johannesburg, South Africa

Taipei, Taiwan

Like other cities with burgeoning creative communities, Taipei is enjoying unprecedented growth and attention. But this also means that the city will soon become less attractive for tourists looking for a cheap getaway.

CKS Memorial Hall

You might also like: How to Spend 24 Hours in Taipei

Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Krygyzstan used to be a stopover for people heading further East but, recently, has become a popular destination in its own right. Visitors are coming to see life in a post-soviet city and to explore the wild hiking trails and mountains nearby.

Spices of Osh Market in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Bucharest, Romania

Romania is a destination that has flown under the radar for a long time. But with its growing popularity among young internationals, expect prices in Romania’s capital to start reflecting this shift.

Bucharest Old City

Palawan, Philippines

Although still a bargain, prices across the Philippines have slowly started to rise. A steady flow of international visitors from Australia, Europe and the USA has encouraged vendors to cash in. Palawan is still somewhat undeveloped but, after topping lists as the world’s most beautiful island, that could soon change.

Kayangan Lake, Coron, Palawan

You might also like: What It Was Like Growing Up On the World’s Best Island

Muscat, Oman

As one of the least oil-rich Gulf nations, Oman has turned its attention to tourism. It enjoys a healthy relationship with India and has started to see more visitors from Britain and across Europe. With the number of visitors growing year on year, go and see this unique city while it’s still affordable.

g in Muscat, Oman

Colombo, Sri Lanka

When one of the world’s biggest hotel groups says Colombo is a destination to watch in 2018, you’d better take notice. Wyndham Hotels is putting the spotlight on Sri Lanka’s capital not only as a place to find some winter sun but as a country looking to shed the baggage of it’s violent past and head towards a brighter future.

Jamiul Alfar Mosque in Colombo, Sri Lanka

Khartoum, Sudan

Luxury hotels began to establish themselves in Khartoum after Africa’s longest civil war ended in 2005. And ever since President Obama eased US sanctions on Sudan, the capital city has experienced a new wave of interest.

Religious gathering in Khartoum, Sudan

Astana, Kazakstan

In 2017, Astana was thrown into the spotlight as the host city for the International Expo, an exhibition in which nations from across the world can showcase their achievements (the 2017 theme was ‘Future Energy’). Astana is quickly becoming a popular destination with those looking for a city break with a difference and seems to be growing with the same fervour as Dubai a decade ago.

Astana, Kazakhstan

Tallinn, Estonia

This hidden gem on the Baltic coast won’t stay hidden much longer. The approximately four million visitors to Estonia last year convinced British Airways to launch new routes to the country’s capital, which offers a city break with unbridled natural and coastal adventures on its doorstep.

View of Tallinn

You might also be interested in 15 For the Bucket List: Europe’s Top Hidden Destinations from Travelettes!

About the author

Alex Jordan is a travel writer based in London.

If you click on a link in this story, we may earn affiliate revenue. All recommendations have been independently sourced by Culture Trip.
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