I've visited over 100 countries - the paradise destination where your dollar will go furthest

I've been to more than 100 countries, and I'm here to tell you, travel isn't as expensive you think.

The world is awash with affordable destinations, and even some places viewed as expensive are pretty affordable if you know the right tips and tricks.

I've spent my entire adult life helping people travel on a budget. And since travel has gotten more expensive in the last few years (heck, life has gotten more expensive), it's more important than ever to find destinations where you can stretch your dollar without sacrificing comfort.

Here's my list of destinations where you can do a lot without spending a lot.

So, with those three tips out of the way, here are my top 8 best value destinations to visit:

Thailand holds a special place in my heart. It was the place I was in when I decided to quit my job and travel the world. It's the place I lived for two years teaching English. And, despite being one of the most popular countries in the world to visit, it still is also one of the best value destinations.

You can get by on between $50-100 per day thanks to inexpensive guesthouses, street food (which can be found for as little as $1), affordable buses and lots of free attractions.

Even if you're spending time on its world-famous islands, like Koh Samui, where the current White Lotus season was filmed and where things are generally more expensive, you still likely won't spend more than $150 a day.

The secret to these numbers is avoiding western food (you didn't come all this way to have a burger) and expensive chain hotels. Sticking to Thai food and eating the delicious street food adored by locals is a much tastier way to travel, anyway.

I think Cambodia deserves a special shout out.

Cambodia is less pricey than popular Thailand, but it's just as beautiful and filled with some of the nicest people in the world. Plus, it's home to the incredible ancient wonder that is Angkor Wat.

The country is very affordable for those traveling on the US Dollar right now. You can get a private, air-conditioned room for $25, street food for $2-5, and buses between cities for $10-15.

If you are spending close to $50 per day on average, you'll be very comfortable.

There's more to China than its big cities, and heading out into the countryside can afford you some big savings.

If you're visiting Shanghai, Beijing or Hong Kong, you're probably looking to spend $150 per day, even by sticking to inexpensive hotels or hostel private rooms.

If you're staying in western chain hotels, you're going to be paying double that per day.

But once you get out of the cities and head into the country side you can drop your costs by half.

Budget hotels begin around $20 for a twin room in the countryside and start at $40 to $50 per night in larger cities.

For food, a meal from a street vendor usually goes for $1 to $2 while a meal in a sit-down restaurant will cost between $3 and $8.

Outside of the big cities, you can eat for under $5 per day.

You can travel well here for very little USD, and increasing your budget by just a few dollars can often lead to substantial increases in luxury.

For example, on a budget of $30-45 per day, you can do the typical backpacker thing: guesthouses, inexpensive food, sleeper trains and overland buses.

In the larger cities of Mumbai, New Delhi and Bangalore as well as beach destinations like Goa, you can expect to spend around $45-55 per day.

But, if you double that, there's virtually nothing you couldn't do, from private tour guides and three or four-star hotels to opulent meals and internal flights.

Not all Eurozone countries are created equal, and Portugal is definitely one of the best value.

I fell in love with Portugal the first time I visited. With beautiful beaches, a rolling wine country, stunning seaside cliffs, delicious food, jovial locals, and historic cities all at bargain prices, it's an often overlooked destination by American travelers.

You can expect to get by on about $150-200 per day here, staying in two-star hotels or an Airbnb, eating at non-touristy restaurants, and taking public transportation.

Accommodation will be your biggest expense, with hotels in Lisbon costing $80-100 per night but everything else? Super affordable. I'm talking $4 glasses of wine, huge meals for $20 and coffee for $3.

It's much cheaper than any other country in the Eurozone.

But the real secret to visiting on a budget is to get out of Lisbon where prices are about 30% lower than the capital and you see far fewer tourists and digital nomads, who tend to drive up prices.

I've absolutely fallen in love with Mexico over the last couple of years.

No matter your interests - beaches, partying, food, history, nature - there's a corner of the country that you can enjoy safely without breaking the bank.

The trick to having an affordable trip to Mexico is to get out of the tourist regions. Leave Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Cabo San Lucas, Cancun and all the other resort towns filled with American hotel brands and tourists.

Go explore the towns in the Yucatan, hang out in Mexico City, Baja, the state of Chiapas or the city Oaxaca. There you will find affordable food, accommodation, tours and an authentic experience.

If you stick to street food (nothing beats a taco from a stall on a street corner) as well the little mom and pop bars and guesthouses, you can easily visit the country on $75-100 per day.

For years, I put off visiting Japan because I was scared by rumors that the country was expensive.

But when I decided to finally go, I found those rumors were wrong.

Yes, the bullet trains are pricey and, yes, the international hotel chains will blow the bank, but everything else is very . Bus, train, food, activities, and locally owned accommodation are all very affordable.

As long as you avoid any imported food, you can easily eat for about $30-50 per day. An amazing bowl of ramen will cost you $7, a curry will be around $5 and some mind-blowing sushi will be about $25.

Avoiding western chain hotels in favor of Japanese-owned guesthouses will have your accommodation costs hovering around $75-100 per day.

And, once you leave the big, famous cities, costs drop by about 30% so you'll have an even more affordable trip.

I went skiing in Japan and the cost for my rental skis, boots, gear and lift ticket for three days was $300 - the same cost for one day's lift pass in the US.

Albania is one of Europe's best-kept secrets. Though it increases in popularity each year, the country is largely ignored by tourists.

Yet this is a land of untouched natural beauty, with a rich history dating back to the ancient Illyrians and Greeks. It's a country full of good food and welcoming people. I enjoyed my visit so much that I extended my stay there.

Budget hotels cost around $35 per night, sit-down restaurants cost between $10-20 per night, alcohol is $3 and most tours cost between $30-40. You can easily get by on $75 per day without sacrificing comfort.

I think it's truly a hidden gem though, thanks to a growing digital nomad scene, I doubt it will stay hidden for too long.

Now, let me say a little thing about flights. While the below destinations might be cheap when you get there, the thousand dollar question is: 'OK, but how do I fly there for cheap?'

For all the destinations I've included, the following general principles on finding a budget flight apply:

1. Be flexible with your travel – The difference of a day can mean the difference of hundreds of dollars. Use websites like Google Flights to look at their calendar view and find the cheapest travel dates. The more flexible you can be, the more money you will save.

2. Use points – If you can collect points and miles, you'll save a ton of money on flights. There's usually always space available in economy, especially if you want to book a last-minute flight somewhere, as that's when airlines open up the most seats. Using points is the number one way to save.

3. Subscribe for deals – There are always deals if you know where to look for them. My go-to websites are Going, Secret Flying, The Flight Deal, and Thrifty Traveler. Subscribe to them and never miss a sale.

How to Travel the World on $75 a Day: Travel Cheaper, Longer, Smarter by Matt Kepnes is published by BenBella Books, March 25