7 countries you can travel to where the rand is stronger in 2024
In 2024, South African travellers can take advantage of the strengthening rand to explore various international destinations where their currency stretches further.
Countries like Argentina, Colombia, Czech Republic, Egypt, Hungary, Mauritius, and Thailand present ideal opportunities for South Africans looking to maximize their travel budgets.
Over the past few months leading to October 2024, the South African rand (ZAR) has shown signs of improvement against several global currencies.
This has been influenced by a combination of factors, including lower inflation in South Africa, improved fiscal policies, and a relatively stable economic environment.
Additionally, external factors such as slower growth in certain economies and geopolitical tensions elsewhere have made emerging market currencies, like the rand, more attractive to investors.
As a result, the rand’s buying power has increased in several key travel destinations.
Argentina is one of the most striking examples where the rand is performing well. The Argentine peso has experienced significant depreciation due to long-standing inflation and economic instability in the country.
For South Africans, this means that once-pricey experiences in Buenos Aires, Patagonia, and Mendoza are now far more affordable.
Dining in world-class restaurants, exploring vibrant cultural scenes, and indulging in outdoor adventures can all be done on a tighter budget, thanks to the favourable exchange rate.
Similarly, Colombia has seen its peso weaken, offering South African travellers an excellent opportunity to explore its diverse landscapes, from the Caribbean coast to the Amazon rainforest.
South Africans will find that their rand goes further in accommodation, dining, and tours in cities like Bogotá, Medellín, and Cartagena.
Colombia’s appeal is further enhanced by its rich culture, vibrant history, and famous coffee regions, all of which can be explored at a more budget-friendly cost.
In Europe, destinations like the Czech Republic and Hungary are also attractive for South Africans.
While the Czech koruna and Hungarian forint have not weakened as dramatically as some Latin American currencies, they still offer better value for the rand compared to more traditional European destinations like the UK or France.
South Africans can enjoy Prague’s Gothic charm or Budapest’s historic thermal baths without the hefty price tags typically associated with Western Europe.
Additionally, the cost of dining, transport, and entertainment remains relatively low in both countries, making them appealing to budget-conscious travellers.
Egypt, another destination where the rand is stronger, has become increasingly affordable for South Africans.
The Egyptian pound has struggled in recent years due to the country’s economic challenges, particularly after the pandemic.
This opens up opportunities for travellers to explore iconic landmarks like the Pyramids of Giza, the Valley of the Kings, and the Red Sea coast, all at a fraction of the cost compared to previous years.
Closer to home, Mauritius remains a favourite holiday destination for South Africans.
Though not as dramatic as other countries, the slight gains of the rand against the Mauritian rupee still make a difference in the overall cost of accommodation, meals, and activities in this tropical paradise.
Whether lounging on pristine beaches or exploring the island’s lush landscapes, South African travellers can enjoy a more affordable vacation experience.
Thailand, a long-time favourite among budget travellers, continues to offer great value for South Africans.
The Thai baht has remained relatively stable, but South Africa’s improved currency strength means cheaper experiences overall.
Whether it’s enjoying street food in Bangkok, island hopping in Phuket, or visiting ancient temples in Chiang Mai, the rand can cover more experiences than before.
Due to the rand’s recent gains, BusinessTech compared the cost of food, drinks and travel in these countries to what you would pay locally.
The costs of food, drinks and travel in these countries were done using data from Numbeo – one of the world’s largest database of user-contributed data regarding cities and countries worldwide.
The base cost of the various measures at restaurants in South Africa are listed below for comparison purposes:
- Eating out at a restaurant for one: R150.00
- Cappuccino: R34.71
- Draught Beer (500ml): R40.00
- Average taxi trip (per kilometre): R20.00
Note: These comparisons focus more on travel and touring rather than general living costs, and conversions were done on 15 October 2024.
Argentina
- R1 will buy you: 55.82 Argentine pesos
- Eating out at a restaurant for one: R156 ($8,708)
- Cappuccino: R39.90 ($2,227)
- Draught Beer (500ml): R30.25 ($1,688.69)
- Average taxi trip (per kilometre): R17.40 ($971)
Colombia
- R1 will buy you: 240 Colombian pesos
- Eating out at a restaurant for one: R78.75 ($18,914.61)
- Cappuccino: R25.89 ($6,218.40)
- Draught Beer (500ml): R20.72 ($4,976.64)
- Average taxi trip (per kilometre): R26.90($6,461)
Czech Republic
- R1 will buy you: 1.32 Czech korunas
- Eating out at a restaurant for one: R150 (198.28 Kč)
- Cappuccino: R49.62 (65.59 Kč)
- Draught Beer (500ml): R37.60 (49.70 Kč)
- Average taxi trip (per kilometre): R22.50 (29.74 Kč)
Egypt
- R1 will buy you: 2.78 Egyptian pounds
- Eating out at a restaurant for one: R71.70 (E£199.29)
- Cappuccino: R24.70 (E£68.65 )
- Draught Beer (500ml): R25 (E£69.49)
- Average taxi trip (per kilometre): R5.38 (E£14.95)
Hungary
- R1 will buy you: 20.94 Hungarian forint
- Eating out at a restaurant for one: R189 (3,958 Ft)
- Cappuccino: R35.60 (745.53 Ft)
- Draught Beer (500ml): R37.90 (793.69 Ft)
- Average taxi trip (per kilometre): R20.80 (435.59 Ft)
Mauritius
- R1 will buy you: 2.64 Mauritian rupees
- Eating out at an inexpensive restaurant for one: R113.20 (Rs299.39)
- Cappuccino: R40 (Rs105.79)
- Draught Beer (500ml): R37 (Rs97.86)
- Average taxi trip (per kilometre): R45 (Rs119.02)
Thailand
- R1 will buy you: 1.90 Thai baht
- Eating out at an inexpensive restaurant for one: R52.55 (฿100)
- Cappuccino: R36.30 (฿68.94)
- Draught Beer (500ml): R36.70 (฿69.70)
- Average taxi trip (per kilometre): R21 (฿39.88)
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