It’s no secret that the value of the dollar has changed over the past year or so. Once one of the most prized pieces of currency, the dollar has been surpassed in value by several other monetary notes.

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Fortunately, there are a few places in the world where you can make your dollar stretch a bit further than in others. So where can you go to experience a luxury vacation on an economists budget? Try some of these hot destinations.

9. South Africa

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South Africa is a beautiful country full of opportunities for those seeking a safari or a simple wine vacation. In 2008 the value of the Rand, the South African currency system, took a serious beating. When compared to the US dollar it is now worth only 50 %. This means you could book a luxury resort for what feels like half the cost.

8. Mexico

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The value of the peso has always been considerably lower than the dollar. In 2008 the value of the peso fell 25%, making Mexico a welcome place for tourists. Rumors about drug violence may be true, but these issues rarely extend out of the major cities. Most tourist attractions, such as San Miguel and Oaxaca, are unaffected.

7. Chile

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Chile is an incredible destination for those seeking architecture and culture in a quaint atmosphere. Wine lovers, skiers, and explorers flock toward Chile each year and now that the Chilean peso has dropped an extra 30% against the dollar it’s more affordable than ever before.

6. Turkey

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The value of the lira is rising but is still significantly lower than the dollar (approximately 30%). Turkey is bordered by three distinct seas, each with their own resorts, tons of archaeological sites and mosques, and a myriad of incredible spas. If you keep your eyes peeled you’ll be able to take advantage of additional hotel discounts as resorts attempt to boost tourism.

5. India

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Don’t let recent political unrest scare you away from India. There are several luxury hotel chains (for example, Neemrana) that offer the same high quality you’d expect form well known resorts at only a fraction of the price. The value of the rupee has gone down well over 25% against the dollar and continues to fall – making this a great time to visit India. Take a trip a bit further out towards Goa and you’ll see how the savings add up. India & Beyond, for example, is offering safaris starting at $380 per evening – a rate that most safari companies would definitely balk at.

4. Iceland

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Iceland used to be one of the most expensive destinations in Europe, but the value of the kronur fell significantly in the past year and tourism rapidly increased. This didn’t necessarily make locals happy, as they enjoyed the minimal amount of tourist traffic their high prices afforded them. Residents of Iceland have been protesting loudly, so if you want to experience a geothermal bath or explore the area you should do so quickly – the deals that are attracting tourists today may disappear soon.

3. Laos

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Laos seems to be struggling as far as its currency is concerned. On the one hand, the kip is currently listed as the 8^th least valuable currency on the planet. On the other, tourism is Laos has seen a significant increase as visitors from around the world flock to this incredible Buddhist destination. The kip may not be as valuable as the dollar right now, but we have a feeling it may give the dollar fair run in a few years.

2. Romania

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Romania is full of old world culture at a reasonable price. Unfortunately, tourism in Western Europe had actually caused prices to increase but the value of the Romanian leu fell significantly least year, earning it a new spot on the list of valuable vacation destinations.

1. Dominican Republic

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The Dominican Republic has long been known as one of the Caribbean’s most affordable islands. While the dollar is valuable and flights here are cheap, the idea of a “budget” island used to turn some tourists away. Fortunately, there are tons of high-quality luxury resorts on the Dominican Republic – many of which are offering spectacular discount packages to those willing to give the white sandy beaches a try.

There’s nothing wrong with trying to make your dollar stretch a little further, especially in today’s questionable economic times. Keep these destinations in mind as you plan your next vacation. You’re guaranteed to have an exciting vacation experience without breaking the bank!