The 5 Cheapest Countries To Visit In 2018

You can visit paradise while being frugal! Booking a vacation usually involves a ton of preparation and money, but you don’t need a lot of cash to visit some of the most exotic and exciting places in the entire world.

(For an updated version of this list, be sure to check out The 11 Cheapest Countries To Visit In 2019.)

Here are the cheapest countries to travel to in 2018:

Wat Mahathat Temple in Thailand. — Wat Mahathat Temple / cowardlion / Shutterstock

1. Thailand

Thailand is a country in Southeast Asia that has been getting a lot of attention in the world of wellness, but you don’t have to be attending a yoga retreat to enjoy its scenic landscape. From heavenly beaches to lush jungles to explore, this location is the perfect spot for those looking to go outdoors and get active. Delicious cuisine is plentiful and accommodations are impressively affordable, sometimes only costing $4 USD per night in more remote areas.

Although some accommodations in Thailand are on the pricier side due to increased tourism, your chances of sticking to a budget are high with plenty of affordable guest rooms and hotels to choose from. Munch on a local delicacy — such as spicy locust or fried grasshopper — or enjoy some authentic and delicious Pad Thai. Visit some of the many ancient ruins or temples, watch a snake charmer in action within the King Cobra village, or take the perfect sunset picture while wading in the waters of Mayan beach. Affordable adventure is around every corner.

Interested in traveling to Thailand? Check out 12 Things To Discover In Thailand.

Tsarevets Fortress in Bulgaria. — Tsarevets Fortress / Valentin Valkov / Shutterstock

2. Bulgaria

Although a trip to France or England may be a bit out of the price range, there are other vacation-worthy countries in Europe that won’t have you going broke. Eastern Europe is renowned for being insanely affordable, especially the country of Bulgaria. Rich in history, culture, cuisine, and coastline, Bulgaria is bustling with affordable activities for the entire family. It has yet to catch on in the tourism realm, so you don’t have to worry about long lines or huge crowds. Bulgaria is filled with ridiculously cheap eateries, such as bakeries serving up fresh pastries and restaurants pouring liters of beer for only $1.50 each. The price for a reasonable room with free breakfast and Wi-Fi runs a little over $30 per night on average, which is literally a steal when it comes to affordable accommodations. Visit Roman ruins, lay out a towel at one of the Black Sea beaches, discover a museum or one of the country’s medieval cities. Bulgaria is the perfect place for an exciting getaway on the cheap.

Pura Ulun Danu Bratan Temple in Indonesia. — Pura Ulun Danu Bratan Temple / Zephyr_p / Shutterstock

3. Indonesia

Comprised of over 13,000 islands, the Southeast Asian country of Indonesia has plenty of beautiful enclaves to discover. It’s the largest island country in the entire world and that comes with white sand beaches, volcanoes, and a wide assortment of indigenous animals.

Although the island of Bali is one of the more popular tourist hotspots in Indonesia, it is only one piece of the awe-inspiring scenery. After relaxing on the breathtaking beaches of Bali, make your way to the Gill Islands for an unforgettable dive or snorkel into the crystal-clear waters. Admire the Bromo volcano or interact with a Komodo dragon up close and personal. (Well, maybe not that close.)

The country’s cuisine is also extremely affordable. You can find dinner at most restaurants for around $1 USD! Private hotel rooms can be found cheap as they come, for around $15 USD per night with free breakfast and Wi-Fi. Looking for variety right in the middle of paradise? Be sure to put the country of Indonesia on your next itinerary.

Want to know more about Indonesia? Read 6 Things Everyone Should Do In Bali.

Cape Town in South Africa. — Cape Town / Benjamin B / Shutterstock

4. South Africa

Looking to take a trip on the wild side without emptying your bank account in the process? South Africa is the place to be — especially if you are on the hunt for a captivating landscape, inspiring culture, and affordable activities and accommodations.

South Africa is the best place for nature-lovers on a budget to wander. Venture to the shoreline of KwaZulu-Natal, a province that contains the only formal form of conservation in the country. Take a guided walk through the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve to see elephants, lions, and rhino in their natural habitat.

Those looking for a more laid-back activity can visit the Cape Wine Routes and enjoy a glass of the finest wine from one of the numerous Fairtrade-certified wineries — with a view of the mountains or lush, green valleys.

Whether you plan to stay within the lively downtown of the South African capital of Capetown or by the water, you can find hotels for as low as $12 USD per night. Adventure, relaxation, and affordable accommodations await you in South Africa.

Thinking about a trip to South Africa? Take a look at Visiting South Africa: The Best Things To See And Do.

Busuanga Island in the Philippines. — Busuanga Island / Sean Hsu / Shutterstock

5. The Philippines

Another confederacy of Islands — 7,000 of them — this archipelago in Southeast Asia is anything but bland. Stunning beaches, exotic cuisine, and unforgettable geological sights await you in the Philippines. If spending some time in nature is your main goal, there is no shortage of outdoor adventure, no matter which islands you decide to visit.

The Philippines serves up a ton of authentic dishes, such as chicken adobo, oxtail stew, and a wide-array of cheap yet delicious seafood dishes.

Relax on one of the world’s most beautiful beaches in Palawan, or pay a visit to the Mayon Volcano on Luzon Island — the most active volcano in the Philippines. Your visit is not complete without a ride on one of the country’s famous Jeepneys, a quirky vehicle made from old military jeeps from WWII. A ride costs less than $1 USD, making it well worth the bumpy ride! You can find a single or double-bed hotel room for less than $30 per night, making the Philippines eminently affordable.

Also be sure to check out some of The Most Beautiful Places In The Philippines!

The 5 Most Expensive Destinations In 2018

If you’re planning a trip on a budget this year, you might want to exclude these destinations from consideration. But if you’d like to fantasize about the most extravagant, luxurious travel the world has to offer, or if you’re fortunate enough to be able to afford it yourself, you’ve come to the right place.

1. Bermuda

Bermuda has been described as being less like an island and more like an island-sized country club. It has some magnificent beaches, great restaurants, and friendly people, but it also comes with a big price tag.

While Bermuda is only a two-hour flight from New York City and you can get deals on the flight itself, it’s another story once you arrive on the island.

Accommodations can be very expensive due to lack of competition from hostels. The cheapest place you’ll find will likely still be higher than $100 per night, and that’s using sources like Airbnb, Bermuda Rentals, or HomeAway. There are a handful of Couchsurfing hosts who offer private rooms at a more competitive price, but since there are so few, you’ll want to book far in advance to secure a place.

Transportation can also be pricey with a short taxi ride costing $20 USD. Buses are a more affordable option, and visitors may also rent motorbikes to traverse the small island for a cheaper cost and on their own time.

2. Switzerland

While Switzerland has been called one of the most expensive countries to visit in the world, it’s also known as one of the most beautiful. It has rolling green hills, snow-capped peaks, and a lake in nearly every city. The architecture, food, weather — we could go on forever!

The flip side of the coin is that the World Economic Forum ranks Switzerland as one of the most expensive countries for visitors and that tourists will, on average, spend roughly $1,882 per person.

Dinner out for two can easily cost 150 francs, a near-equal conversion to USD. Transportation can be expensive, so visitors might want to consider a metro pass in more built-up cities like Zurich. It’s also wise to shop ahead for deals as they can be found from time to time.

3. The Bahamas

With 700 islands spread over 180,000 square miles of ocean, 2,000 rocks and cays, and some of the most crystal clear water you’ll ever see, it’s no wonder that many travelers look to the Bahamas for their next beach vacation.

Expenses come thick and fast, though, with accommodations usually costing a minimum of $100 USD per night, and that’s just for a two or three-star hotel. Airbnb has better prices at times, but again, due to the high interest from other travelers, you’ll want to book early.

Nearly every activity that visitors will want to partake of (at least the guided ones) come with a price tag that starts around $150 USD, making excursions one of the fastest ways to burn through cash.

Taxis can be pricey, but transportation around Freeport or Nassau is relatively easy with minibus trips at minimal cost. Uber is another good option.

The Bahamas — Tha Bahamas. Unsplash / Ishan @seefromthesky

4. Norway

Norway won second place in the United Nations’ 2013 World Happiness Report, and it’s likely for reasons such as safety (Norway has a ridiculously low crime rate), ability to pitch a tent on any uncultivated land, lush scenery including epic mountains and fjords, and well-designed urban spaces.

The price of having some of the highest living standards in the world is high, and travelers will experience that with hotels easily charging north of $300+ per night, car rentals that can be as high as $500 per week, and taxi rides that are often expensive, especially from the airport.

The cheapest options are local ferries, trains booked well in advance, hotels in the summertime (although flight prices can go up around this time), and worst case scenario, you do have the option to tent anywhere as mentioned.

5. Iceland

Despite ranking as the third-most-expensive country in the world, Iceland has increased in popularity as a travel destination. It’s likely due to the natural beauty it encompasses, such as the massive Blue Lagoon outdoor spa, abundance of waterfalls, a mythical history including Vikings, elves, etc., and whale watching.

How expensive is it? Research shows that a hotel in Reykjavik, the capital, is 10-32% more expensive than staying in other Nordic capitals and that restaurant bills are about 44% higher than the EU average. Buying a drink is a whole other story as it also exceeds the average by about 123%.

As is the case with some other destinations, camping is actually the most affordable way to stay in Iceland and totally doable in the warmer summer months. Hitchhiking is extremely common in Iceland and known for being very safe, so if you’re really traveling on a budget, this might be another option at times.

Since eating out can be so pricey, it’s recommended for visitors to plan a couple special occasions out on the town, but eat primarily food that they buy at local grocery stores and cook themselves.

There you have it: the most expensive places to visit in 2018! Of course, the fact that they’re so beautiful might have you ignoring the cost altogether…

7 Countries With Cheap, Delicious Food

The first tip to having a great local dining experience is to embrace street food. On city streets and rural farm stands, you will find tasty and cheap food that you will remember for years. Here are some of the best places in the world to find cheap, authentic, delicious food!

1. Guatemala

Visitors to Guatemala can experience central American cuisine at bargain prices. The focus here is on fresh seafood, tropical fruits and vegetables, and traditional Mayan ingredients. Cheap beach eats include chili dusted mangoes, Guatemala’s take on classic ceviche with bracing citrus flavors, habaneros and fresh shrimp.

And a trip to Guatemala City is only complete when you taste elote loco, which is barbecued corn on the cob with spices for less than a dollar.

2. Serbia

Cheap eats can be found all over Eastern Europe, especially in Croatia, Hungary (hungry?), and Serbia. Every country has its version of the street cart vendor — in the United States it’s the hot dog stand, Mexico has its taco trucks, and Japan is famous for yakitori. Similarly, in Serbia, street vendors hawk grilled cevapi, which is a casing-free sausage. Spread these sausages with spicy ajvar, a roasted red pepper condiment, and make sure to have lots of lepinja, or Serbian flatbread, as well. Prices are around $2-3 for a full meal at one of these stands.

cevapi and lepinja — Cevapi and lepinja. Flickr / Brenda Annerl

3. Vietnam

The cuisine of Vietnam is steeped in tradition, including an amalgamation of Chinese and French cooking techniques applied to local ingredients. Although world-class dining is available throughout the country (especially in major cities), Vietnam’s culinary spirit is found on its street food scene. Vietnam practically invented street food, its ubiquitous beef and chicken satays served with a peanut sauce redolent of coconut and lemongrass. A more filling snack is the Bahn Mi sandwich, a preparation that can include pate, pickled vegetables, cilantro and sriracha on a crisp rice-enriched baguette. Oh, and the cost for this tasty meal in Saigon is about 50 cents.

4. The Philippines

Filipino cuisine is experiencing a major moment globally right now. Restaurants in New York City and Los Angeles have capitalized on this trend, charging diners exorbitant fees for delicious, but straightforward, rustic food. In Manila, the Philippine capital, favorites including pancit, which is a type of fried noodle; sisig, a sizzling meet concoction; and lumpia, which is kind of like a Filipino egg roll. A simple meal of rice adobo will only set you back a dollar, and all over the Philippines, travelers can cover their entire food costs for a day for as little as $10.

5. Portugal

Europe is home to many overly expensive dining options. Not so with Portugal. While the street food scene is not as lively as in other countries, sit-down meals at bargain prices abound. Specialties include caldo verde, a kale/potato/sausage soup, and lots of fresh seafood. In Lisbon, two-course meals can be enjoyed for about $6, and multi-course meals with wine are easy to find for $10-15. The cuisine is homey and familiar. Some of the restaurants might look rough on the outside, but Portugal is not focused on pretence, but flavor and conviviality. Try the bacalao, too — the national dish of salted cod that you can find everywhere.

For a sweet ending to your meal, try pasteis de nata, a sweet egg custard pie that goes well with porto and coffee.

6. Egypt

If you are looking for super cheap food, you can grab a filling authentic meal for as little as a dollar in Egypt. In Cairo’s bustling city streets, vendors sell everything from bags of dates at bottom dollar prices, to mombar mahshy, a type of sausage stuffed with spiced rice, for $0.50. Substantial meals include ful, a bean stew with rice, and Egypt’s own version of shawarma, a hearty middle-eastern meat and pickle sandwich wrapped in Arabian bread. If you want to splurge, $3 will get you a whole roasted chicken with side dishes.

Egypt also has a surprising variety of sweets, from basbousa, a semolina cake, to the baklava-like kanoufa. A plate of these sweets can be bought for a dollar as well.

mombar mahshy — Mombar mahshy. Pinterest

7. Indonesia

If there’s any further need to cement southeast Asia as the cheap dining capital of the world, Indonesia’s Thousand Islands each have their own low-cost dining options. One of the world’s most magnificent breakfasts, second possibly only to the bacon egg and cheese sandwich of New York City bodegas, is nasi lemak. Technically this dish hails from nearby Malaysia, but Indonesian variants, which often include a rich rendang meat stew, pervade the islands. The dish starts with sweet coconut rice that has been cooked with the fragrant pandan leaves, pickled onion, chili mixture, sliced fresh cucumbers, and hard-boiled egg. Add a big piece of toasted bread with palm sugar and butter and a mug of Indonesian coffee and you have the best way to start your day!

Food is a big part of any vacation, so if you’re looking for an exotic place and don’t mind saving a few bucks filling yourself up, these options will be kind to both your appetite and your wallet.

The 8 Fanciest Airlines On Earth

When you fly with some of the fanciest airlines in the world, all the problems of the common man are forgotten. Here are some of the most luxurious airlines on earth. If you manage to get a ticket, then lucky you.

1. Etihad Airways

Etihad Airways has come to be known for one thing: pure luxury. Forget everything you hate about typical air travel — Etihad will surpass your wildest dreams.

Etihad Airways’ top planes are like a flying 5-star hotels. Travelers can choose “The Residence” which means a top-deck cabin complete with a living room, shower, two bedrooms, a gourmet chef, and a freakin’ personal butler! It’s the crème de la crème. Flying at 40,000 feet with your own personal butler may just make you wonder what planet you’re really on.

It’ll cost you about $30,000 for “The Residence” style accommodations on a trip from New York City to Abu Dhabi. While that might be a yearly salary for some people, Etihad has done everything they possibly can to make it worth your while. They’ve won awards such as “World’s Leading Airline – Business Class”, “World’s Leading Cabin Crew”, and “World’s Leading Airline – First Class.”

2. Singapore Airlines Suites

It can be pretty difficult to get comfortable on an airplane, but Singapore Airlines Suites does everything they can to make air travel as soothing as lounging at home (if your home is amazingly decadent).

Booking a cabin on Singapore Airlines comes with certain amenities such as pyjamas and bedroom slippers, world-renowned aesthetic designs by Jean-Jacques Coste, LCD televisions, Italian upholstery, and pocket doors that can give you full privacy if you so desire.

It’s a magnificent yet surreal experience to be aboard Singapore Airlines Suites, but we don’t require realism from our airlines.

3. Cathay Pacific First Class

Cathay Pacific’s First Class cabins are literally a work of art. They feature creations that have been designed by some of the finest artists in the world and the delightful aesthetics will have you wishing it took longer to get to your destination.

The first class cabin is ultra-intimate, with only six seats. That makes it one of the smallest first class cabins in the world. That intimate setting allows for top-of-the-line service and a top-of-the-line price tag to match. The average one-way first class ticket is $10,000.

4. Emirates

Based in Dubai, Emirates has developed a stellar reputation as one of the top luxury airlines in the world that services roughly 141 destinations.

Amenities are out of this world and will not leave customers with anything to complain about. There’s an onboard shower spa to ease those mid-flight nerves and a bar and lounge that will finish the job.

Any airline that serves its meals on fine china knows what fancy really is!

Emirates — One Mile at a Time – BoardingArea

5. Qatar Airways

At Skytrax’s annual awards ceremony, known as “the Oscars for the airline world”, Qatar Airways have won the World’s Best Airline award four times in ten years, which gives you an idea of how top-shelf the service and quality of aircraft they provide really is.

The business class seating is plush, spacious, and comes complete with airline-provided pyjamas. The onboard amenity kit provided to passengers comes with high-end products such as Giorgio Armani, another testament to the experience Qatar is trying to provide for its passengers.

6. British Airways

No one likes their pores getting clogged while they’re flying at 40,000 feet, and British Airways has come to the rescue with luxury facial treatments for First Class passengers flying to New York JFK from London Heathrow. A relaxation massage is also an option.

First Class also comes complete with lavish seating and relative privacy from fellow passengers while you enjoy your afternoon tea.

7. Korean Air

Korean Air has been another contender for “World’s Leading Airline – First Class” at the Skytrax awards, and their top-of-the-line Kosmo Suites provide flyers with the ultimate privacy and comfort.

The airline has also created the all-new Celestial Bar which is a trendy airborne establishment done up in Chelsea, New York style.

They offer an assortment of menu options ranging from Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Western. Some of the highlights are Korean-style dongchimi noodles and the Korean ginseng chicken soup.

8. All Nippon Airways

Riding First Class in Japan’s All Nippon Airways feels reminiscent of riding the Orient Express. Each traveler is provided an international phone, private cabin, and a dedicated jacket closet.

Even business class passengers are greeted with technology like the Nishikawa Sangyo’s Air Cyclone which allows guests to enjoy premium sleeping comfort and staggered seating for excellent privacy.

The amenity kit comes with relaxing facial mists, hand creams, and organic shea butter lip cream.

It might take some serious saving to afford a ticket on one of these luxurious airlines, but if you manage to book one, you won’t ever want to get back on solid ground!

6 Festivals For Your Bucket List

Not all festivals require uncomfortable camping and minimal hygiene. Here are some of the best cultural evens in the world that everyone should experience if they can.

1. Carnaval, Rio de Janeiro

Brazil’s carnival (“Carnaval” for the locals) is one of the most lively celebrations in the world. Held annually at the end of the Brazilian summer, this week-long festival was initially intended to observe the beginning of Lent. However, this originally religious festival is now more of a cultural showcase, as well as a chance for Brazilians to cut loose for a few days. (Looser than usual, that is!)

The highlights of Carnaval are the parades, filled with larger-than-life floats, scantily-clad dancers, and the pounding drum beats of dozens of samba schools. Rio’s carnival attracts about 5 million people every year, with only half a million of these being tourists: indeed, Carnaval is truly beloved by Brazilians of all ages and all walks of life. While the carnival at Rio is the largest and most iconic, major cities throughout the country all have their own celebrations, each with their own distinctive touch.

Carnaval Brazil woman red feather costume — Happy Lent! Pixabay / 489327

2. Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Scotland

Every August, hordes of tourists from around the world descend on Scotland’s capital for the largest performance festival in the world. During this month, the city comes alive with entertainments of every kind: dance, theatre, comedy, music, literature, and politics are all represented. Practically every bar in the city — and there are plenty — becomes a venue for the thousands of shows happening all day, every day.

Meanwhile, Edinburgh’s friendly people, charming cobbled streets, and towering castle provide the perfect backdrop to the activities. Every night, the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo takes place in the castle esplanade, a one-of-a-kind spectacle performed by military bands from Britain and Commonwealth countries such as India and Canada.

3. Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival, China

Harbin is a city in the north of China, meaning it tends to receive freezing Siberian winds in the winter — a fact it celebrates every January in truly spectacular fashion. The Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival is exactly what it sounds like: a display of the largest and most extravagant ice sculptures in the world. These are not your average snowmen. Instead, picture towering structures over 20 feet high, intricately carved and illuminated at night with a variety of bright colors.

While the statues are the main draw, particularly the ice-lantern display as it lights up at night, the festival also includes a variety of winter activities such as skiing and swimming in the freezing river.

Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival.YouTube

4. Desert Festival of Jaisalmer, India

India is a country famous for its colorful and lively festivals, from the brightly-hued clouds of Holi to the lights and fireworks of Diwali. However, for those seeking something a bit different, the Desert Festival of Jaisalmer is a great option. This festival differs from the more popular ones in that it is not religious in nature, and is not a long-standing tradition: in fact, it was created by the tourism board of Rajasthan.

However, this does not mean that it is not worth the trip. Jaisalmer is a fortress city, most popular as a base for trips to the nearby Thar desert. The Desert Festival, held every February, celebrates these longstanding desert traditions in a three-day flurry of color, dance, and food. Activities include camel racing and mustache competitions, with performances of Rajasthani folk dance and entertainment.

5. Oktoberfest, Germany

Although many cities around the globe hold their own version of Oktoberfest, there is no topping the real thing. Stretching from mid-September to the first week of October (hint!), Oktoberfest in Munich is the largest beer festival in the world. Almost 7 million liters of beer are served every year during the festivities in huge tents and traditional drinking halls.

It’s not swill, either: Munich’s breweries are iconic, serving high-quality beer brewed according to the “German Purity Law,” which sounds a tad Third Reich for our tastes, but actually regulates the manufacture of beer. The law states that the only ingredients allowed are water, barley, and hops.

If spending a few days drinking large quantities of some of the world’s best beer in a beautiful city sounds like your idea of fun, you can’t do much better than Oktoberfest.

Oktoberfest ride Munich — Oktoberfest in Munich. Pixabay / rawpixel

6. Pingxi Lantern Festival of Taipei, Taiwan

Lantern Festivals are a popular way of marking the end of Chinese New Year celebrations by illuminating a variety of paper lanterns, from simple floating ones to huge complex models in the shape of animals and buildings. The Pingxi Lantern Festival in Taiwan is just one of these celebrations, but it is one of the prettiest: every year, residents send up thousands of sky lanterns to carry their wishes for the new year, igniting the sky over the Pingxi district of Taipei.

Meanwhile, in the Yanshui District in the south of the country, the lantern festival is celebrated in a more explosive fashion, with a series of notoriously dangerous fireworks. Both celebrations are cultural institutions in Taiwan, and are referred to collectively as “Fireworks in the South, Sky Lanterns in the North.”

Whether these festivals were already on your bucket list or whether you are adding them just now, remember that these events tend to be a huge draw for tourists. Do your research well ahead of time and book in advance for the best prices and hotel rooms, and prepare for crowds. If you do this, you are guaranteed an unforgettable time at any of these amazing celebrations of humanity.

9 Essential Desert Survival Tips

Maybe you just believe in always being prepared, or maybe you’re planning a desert trip. Either way, here’s what you need to know to survive the sand and heat in case of an emergency.

1. Give The Heat The Respect It Deserves

If you’ve never experienced blistering heat, you might not know what to expect from the desert. Depending on the location, temperatures can get as hot as 50 degrees Celsius, or 122 Fahrenheit. Without shelter or shade, that can go from being unpleasant to being dangerous pretty quickly.

If you’re short on water and feeling the heat, your best bet is to keep your mouth closed as much as possible. Don’t talk and try to control your breathing so as to avoid panting. That will only dehydrate you more quickly.

2. Don’t Leave The Vehicle

If your vehicle is broken down and you’re stranded, it’s usually best to stay with the vehicle so a) you have cover from the heat, wind, etc. and b) so that search parties can find you easier.

If you must leave your vehicle and feel relatively certain about your location and the way back to safety, leave a note for rescuers with important information i.e. who you are, when you left, the route you’re taking.

Again, if you don’t know where you’re going, it’s probably best to stay put! Important note: if you’re staying with the vehicle, only step outside during mid-day to avoid the peak heat.

3. Don’t Drink All The Water

If you have clean water, you should definitely drink it, but you shouldn’t drink it all at once. You’ll burn through your supply faster than if you took small sips throughout the day to maintain minimum hydration.

A good way to test your hydration level is to evaluate your urine color. Light colored urine means that you’re relatively hydrated, whereas dark urine means you need to drink water ASAP.

Any water sources found in the desert should be closely examined before drinking. If they have any kind of contamination, you might waste the water in your system by vomiting it all back up.

4. Maintain Your Hunger

It’s a similar principle for food as it is for water: eat very small portions at any single time to avoid hunger pains and maintain your energy. Eating too much too fast will actually make you thirstier and cause you to have hydration issues.

People can fast for up to 40 days, so your body can survive without food for an extended period of time. Much longer than without water.

5. The Ground Is Lava

When you were a kid, did you ever play the game where you pretend the floor is lava and you can’t touch it? If you’re trying to make it in the desert, avoiding sitting or lying directly on the ground might make a big difference for your survival chances.

The sand can be 30 degrees hotter than the air temperature, so think creatively and use supplies you might have like a car seat, windbreaker, etc. to keep your feet off the ground. This will also protect you from possible dangers like snakes and insects.

6. Keep Your Clothes On

It might seem counterproductive to keep your clothes on in the heat, but taking them off actually speeds up dehydration. By keeping your clothes on, you’ll also avoid sunburns better than if you were bare skin.

woman walking in the desert — Unsplash / Katerina Radvanska

7. Control Your Emotions

There’s nothing more useless in a dangerous situation than blind panic. Urgency might help you work with a purpose, but direct your energy into productive solutions as opposed to screaming for help or wasting energy on other pointless endeavors.

A calm person has a much better chance of rationally figuring out their survival plan.

8. Watch For Dust Storms

If you haven’t realized it yet, the desert has a number of different ways to get you. One of them is dust storms.

If you see clouds of dust approaching you, prepare by covering your face as best you can. That might mean ripping a small piece of excess clothing and wrapping it around your face like a breathing mask to filter out sand or simply covering your mouth with your arm.

9. Prevention is the Best Solution

As with most things, preventing the problem altogether is better than having to solve it. If you’re planning a trip into the desert, think ahead about items that might be useful if your car were to break down or you were to get lost.

First, share your plans with someone reliable before you embark on your adventure, especially if you’re traveling alone (not recommended). Don’t solely rely on your cell phone for communication and navigation — the battery could die or the service could dip out. Consider renting a satellite phone or bringing an independent GPS unit.

Finally, use a vehicle that’s meant for all-terrain driving and won’t easily get stuck. Make sure it has safeguards like a spare tire or a self-starting charger should the car break down.