There are several countries around the world that are considered rather expensive, especially with their strong currency. However, that should never be a red sign for you to travel and explore cheaper options.

Many nations are affordable and their currency rate will make you feel well-heeled... even when you only have a few Saudi riyals. 

Here are eight countries where you can enjoy using and spending your hard-earned Saudi Arabian Riyals (SAR):

1. Indonesia (1 SAR = 3,712 Indonesian Rupiah)

Sip on cocktails while you lay back in the sun at one of the country's many island escapades. There are Halal food outlets, mosques at almost every corner, and so much more to see.

Things to do:

  1. Surfing in Kuta beach.
  2. Trekking in Bukit Lawang.
  3. Visit and camp near Kelimutu volcano in Flores. 

2. Philippines (1 SAR = 13.8 Philippine Peso)

Over the past few years, the Philippines has been growing into a tourist hotbed, with many of its hidden areas surfacing on the radar of visitors. 

Bonus point: Saudis do not require a visa while visiting the archipelago... so you can save much on those visa fees as well.

Things to do:

  1.  Visit the Banaue Rice Terraces.
  2.  Explore the Hinagdanan Cave.
  3.  Shop till you drop in Manila.

3. Paraguay: (1 SAR = 1,481 Paraguayan Guarani)

If the low currency rate doesn't stir you up, guess what? Its capital, Asunción, is one of the cheapest cities in the world. 

So whether it's hotels, food, or transportation, you're going to save lots of cash. Apart from it being pretty economical, the picturesque landscape does help to lure in tourists.

Things to do:

  1. Get to know the country's history at the Palacio de López.
  2. Admire the beauty of the Iguazu Falls.
  3. Wander in the Ybycuí National Park.

4. Russia (1 SAR = 16.8 Russian Ruble)

The FIFA World Cup is happening in Russia this year and Saudi Arabia is participating. If these two aren't good enough reasons, then don't worry, there's a lot more the country can offer. 

If you're planning a long vacation, be sure this is the kind of place that will never bore you as there is plenty to see in Russia. 

Things to do:

  1. Traverse the Red Square.
  2. Hike by Lake Baikal.
  3. See the dreamy Winter Palace.

5. Mexico (1 SAR = 5 Mexican Peso)

Tangy cuisine, palm-lined beaches, breathtaking ruins, dense jungles, snowcapped volcanoes, and the list of things to do in Mexico goes on. 

The flight from Saudi Arabia is a long one, but it is sure worth every bit of it once you make the journey.

Things to do:

  1. Visit the ruins of Coba.
  2. Go snorkeling at Xel-Ha Park.
  3. Chill by the beach at Playacar.

6. Ethiopia (1 SAR = 7.3 Ethiopian Birr)

Flight tickets to Ethiopia from Saudi are dirt-cheap, largely due to the geographical distance between the two countries. 

Once there, you can immerse yourself in African history, wildlife, and culture for a fraction of the price you'd probably have to shell out elsewhere.

Things to do:

  1. Trek the Semien Mountains.
  2. Understand African history at Gondar.
  3. Go boating at Lake Tana.

7. Egypt (1 SAR = 4.7 Egyptian Pound)

Though a causeway between Egypt and Saudi Arabia is underway, you can easily take a two-hour flight for now. 

The historic monuments the country is famous for look 10 times better in real life than they do in photos.

Things to do:

  1. Stroll in the grandiose remains of Luxor.
  2. Cruise down the Nile.
  3. Sunbath at Sharm El Sheikh.

8. India (1 SAR = 17.7 Indian Rupee)

For first-timers, India may come as a shocker with all the chaos that goes around, but eventually, the more you stay there the more you fall in love with it. 

From hotels and food to shopping and guided tours, almost everything other than petrol is pretty cheap and you can easily spend your vacation with your entire family taking the ultimate travel plunge without burning a hole in your pocket.

Things to do:

  1. Gorge on delicious roadside snacks in Delhi.
  2. Go tiger spotting at the Corbett National Park.
  3. Take a sojourn at one of the many palatial hotels.