Where you’re traveling has a huge effect on the amount of money you’ll spend every day. Going to places where the dollar is over-valued will help immensely to extend your trip as long as possible.

Generally speaking, your first-world money tends to deliver best results in developing nations, places like Central America, South East Asia and destinations such as Eastern Europe and India, where the local economy must support people who make less money. Of course some will argue that traveling to these places creates an ethical disparity since you may be contributing to the economy only to take advantage of it, but even with those uneasy philosophical arguments, in terms of traveling experiences, these places really can’t be beat.

Average daily expenditures for the 10 best countries to visit with American dollars (as of January 2010):

• India: $22 – the dollar has been a steady decline against the rupee but things are starting to pick up again. Plus India has been a bullet on many top places of late.
• Laos: $23 – More and more developed due to word getting out, Lao can be insanely cheap for people looking in the right places. Sidestep the backpacker parade and enjoy the fact that 80% of Laotians are Buddhist.
• Cambodia: $24 – the Cambodian currency is widely sidelined for the dollar, and that dollar will go a long way. Rooms can still be as cheap as ten bucks a night (in the city) and meals can be $20 for an entire party of 5.
• Indonesia: $24- Outside of Bali (which is 99% of the country) things are easy on the pockets.
• Bolivia: $24 – the dollar has held steady here, so trust in affordable prices for some time. The country is an adventure lover’s playground.
• Honduras: $24 – The political situation is still relatively unsteady, but for tourists the coast is clear.
• Peru: $26 – Outside of the major tourist areas (Machu Picchu for one) your money’s going to go far. Try exquisitely pretty places like Puno or Arequipa.
• Vietnam: $26 – Travel should be a very affordable in Vietnam for quite some time. The dong has been devalued by more than 5 percent recently and the dollar is stronger than ever against it.
• Bulgaria: $26 – Probably the cheapest eastern European destination. Plus it’s just lovely.
• Croatia: $28 – A growing tourist trade has made the resort towns more expensive over the last few years, but meals, accommodations and transportation is a breeze. Flying in and out can be dicey, though. Check for nonstop flights from London or Barcelona, or take the ferry from Italy!

Here are a few industrialized countries’ costs for comparison:

• France: $44
• USA: $46
• UK: $57

Even with these levels, the dollar has been making some headway against the euro and pound from its low point in November. Look for the trend to continue this year.

For further reading pick up Tim Leffel’s book, “The World’s Cheapest Destinations, 21 countries where your dollars are worth a fortune”. The 3rd edition came out last year. Also here’s some more great destination suggestions by Budget Travel Magazine.