California, with its beaches, parks, lakes, deserts, mountains, and bustling urban vibes, is a diverse metropolis for tourism. Yosemite National Park is a stunning landscape featuring huge cliffs and beautiful waterfalls among the sequoia trees. San Francisco is a foodie's paradise, and Laguna Beach has the best waves for surfing. But all the sights and activities come at a price. According to Budget Your Trip, a one-week trip for two people costs an average of $3,500, including hotel, transportation, and food. Luckily, apart from high costs like California, there are other great places to travel to. Here are a variety of places with average costs ranging from high to low.
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New Mexico
New Mexico offers plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities. White Sands National Park is a unique hiking spot where you can sled down sand dunes. You can raft or kayak on the Rio Grande River in both intense and gentle sections, and enjoy a free drink at wineries that are open to the public, according to Lonely Planet. The average cost of a week-long trip for two to Santa Fe is $2,200, while Albuquerque is $1,900.
Portugal
Located on the Atlantic Ocean, Portugal has plenty of great beaches. According to Hotels.com, Praia de Falesia is a spacious, family-friendly coast, while Praia São Rafael is a budget-friendly cove that's perfect for kayaking and paddleboarding. These beaches offer chair and umbrella rentals, so you don't have to go empty-handed. Portugal also offers great food, like francesinhas, bifanas sandwiches, and cozido a portuguesa stew (according to Food & Wine). What does it cost? The average cost for a week-long trip for two is about $2,000, which is $1,500 cheaper than in California.
British Columbia
Stanley Park in British Columbia is a striking forest with wooded trails perfect for hiking and biking, while Pacific Rim National Park has kilometres of beaches and lush woodland, according to Hello BC. Downtown Vancouver offers city lights, shopping and a variety of restaurants. Vancouver has something for every mood, whether you're looking for Japanese or Italian cuisine. A week's stay will cost around $1,950 for two people.
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