cheapest city on earth - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

**pinknic38** · 09-28-2007, 12:30 PM

So I was on lonely planet's website today and saw that Asunction, Paraguay is the 5 time winner of the cheapest city on earth.

Examples... (Prices are quoted in Paraguay Guarani at current exchange rate of approx US$1 to PYG5000.)

One empanada - 15-20,000 (US$3-4)
Burger King burger and coke - 6000 (US$1.20)
Monthly rent on large downtown apartment - 750,000 (US$151.00)
Pilsen beer - 3000 (US$0.60)
1GB MP3 player - 300,000 (US$60.00)
Room at mid-range hotel - 22,000 (US$4.45)
Meal of steak, salad and mandioca - 15,000 (US$3.00)
And the average monthly wage for Paraguayans? 1,500,000 (US$303.00)

I was kind of surpised that it was the cheapest city in the world... anyone ever been to Paraguay?

Anyhoo, here's the whole article if you're interested:
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/journeys.../asuncion_0907

**TheJake** · 09-28-2007, 01:02 PM

Thanks! Now I know where I need to move to!

**benna2** · 09-28-2007, 01:04 PM

Wow, that is cheap! Since I have no cash and a need to travel, that may just be the perfect destination. I can eat at Burger King for a few bucks a day and stay at a hotel for 5 bucks!

**lost in texas** · 09-28-2007, 01:08 PM

Cheap is cool. Since the survey just ranks countries' capitals, think about how cheap it must get out in some of the more rural areas! When the cost of living is that low, I guess you just have to use some restraint on your spending. I think that's why you hear about Westerners getting kidnapped in places like that, if you show up and start throwing money around, you're asking for trouble.

By the way: European punks planning on taking advantage of the US and our dollar woes-- you're on notice.

**voyd** · 09-28-2007, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinknic38

Room at mid-range hotel - 22,000 (US$4.45)
Meal of steak, salad and mandioca - 15,000 (US$3.00)

Wow, $4.50 for a hotel room? DAYMMM.

I think food may be a bit cheaper in China though. But definitely not hotels. I mean, $4.50 is just INSANE!

Who the hellz can beat that?

Ah, the wonderful joys of ex-patting...

**mbo108** · 09-28-2007, 02:56 PM

Meetup? I'll even splurge for the room if someone will cover my beers...

**florencia9699** · 09-28-2007, 03:41 PM

Well, Paraguay is the land of the cheap and the fake. You can get anything for nothing really. But I think the information there on the empanadas is a bit off... 1 empanada can't cost 4US$, actually, Buenos Aires is terribly expensive and one empanada here in a nice restaurant (not super cheap street joint) is 2.20 pesos, and that's 0.70 US$. but Buenos Aires is e-x-p-e-n-s-i-v-e for latinAmerican standards.

Paraguay and Bolivia are exremely cheap, but then Bolivia is the poorest country in South America, so you gotta take that into account.

**pinknic38** · 09-28-2007, 04:59 PM

yeah I wondered about that too. you can get a caramel apple one at taco belll for 99 cents!

the downside to the cheap costs is the airfare... out of curiosity I went on kayak and checked Columbus to Asunction and O'Hare to Asunction, and both are just under 1200 bucks. Ouch. But it's only like 600-700 bucks to fly to say, ecuador. but if you're staying in Paraguay for a bit of time this could add up.

**Esterina** · 09-28-2007, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by voyd

Wow, $4.50 for a hotel room? DAYMMM.

I think food may be a bit cheaper in China though. But definitely not hotels. I mean, $4.50 is just INSANE!

Who the hellz can beat that?

My hotel room in Kathmandu was $1.50, but it wasn't middle range... Ok, clean, but one star at the most !

In Hué (Vietnam) it was $5, and $7 in Vientiane.

The plane ticket to Kathmandu is $$$ though !

Thanks for the tips Nicole.

**freespiritz** · 09-28-2007, 08:51 PM

I really want to visit South America after bumming around Central America...affordable and gorgeous places = great for me. Oh well, I'll get there someday!

**aliz** · 09-29-2007, 06:47 AM

can we organise a 'cheapest Tpunk meetup on earth?' i love cheapness.

**mbo108** · 10-04-2007, 05:43 AM

Just to add to this thread...

http://www.cnn.com/2007/TRAVEL/getaw...eru/index.html

**marc873** · 10-04-2007, 05:51 PM

Just when I thought I had every reason to go to Peru, now its gonna be even sweeter. I also

Cheapness.

**LostFarmboy** · 10-04-2007, 07:33 PM

A motel I stayed at in Copacabana on the Bolivia side of Lake Titicaca was $2 USD a night. It was a pretty nice place, with 2 double beds, a bathroom, and beautiful lake views. I also remember getting a big feed of fresh fish and a beer for around $2 USD as well.

Gotta love South America