Looking for a cheap getaway, but want to avoid civil war and strife? Check out our list of top 10 bargain countries. These are countries where your American dollar will go the farthest, and you'll have tons of ways to spend it. The more attractions each of our bargain countries have and the better their exchange rates, the higher they rank on our list.

Up Next: Number 10

Location: South Africa

Highlights: Do you want to see a great white shark, watch a pride of lions close in on a pack of water buffalo, drink wine at a world-class vineyard, then wake up early to surf some of the best waves on earth? Few countries have this kind of itinerary, much less for this kind of price. Currently, 1 U.S. dollar goes for about 7.5 South African rands. You'll find some areas that are pricier than others, but overall this country gives you a lot more bang for your buck.

Up Next: Number 9

Location: Turkey

Highlights: From classic architecture to culture to cuisine, this country has plenty to offer travelers. And thanks to the U.S. dollar exchanging at 1.259 Turkish new lira, you can take advantage of a lot more of it. Visit its largest city, Istanbul, where you can shop at its grand bazaar -- a huge outdoor series of shops, some consider the oldest of its kind in the world. At its cafes and restaurants you can snack on kebabs, smoke a hookah, and finish with a caffeine upper cut from a strong Turkish coffee.

Up Next: Number 8

Location: Estonia

Highlights: Look north to find Estonia on a map. It's a Baltic state that shares land borders with Latvia and Russia, and sea borders with Finland and Sweden. Its strong high-tech culture has inspired people to give it the nickname "E-stonia;" this means you shouldn't have much trouble finding an internet connection. Also its capital, Tallinn, is considered one of the nuttier party spots in the region. Just make sure to visit in the summer for its Beer and Music Festival.

Up Next: Number 7

Location: Ecuador

Highlights: Thanks to the nearby Galapagos Islands, its chunk of the Amazon and the Andes, this country is one of the most bio-diverse in the world. And since Ecuador has adopted the dollar, you can take in its diversity without worrying about the exchange rate. Check out Quito, Ecuador's capital and World Heritage city that offers museums, plus the world's second highest cable car that tows you up to a summit to look down on the city.

Up Next: Number 6

Location: Philippines

Highlights: Dive off the island of Boracay or Palawan, then kick back at one of its postcard white-sand beaches for a massage and some fresh fruit. The best part: 1 U.S. dollar exchanges for about 42 Philippine pesos. Not only can you live like a king in the Philippines, one of the top bargain locations in the world, but you can do it for a while. Other spots to see include the country's capital city, Manila. Here join in the hustle of activity and check out one of its sections, Quiapo, to strike deals over local food.

Up Next: Number 5

Location: Vietnam

Highlights: Right now 1 U.S. dollar goes for about 16,215 Vietnamese dong. That means you get to see every aspect this country has to offer for a good price. Visit the capital, Hanoi, to check out its many museums ranging from fine art to historical. Here you can also see a Downed Aircraft memorial plague that commemorates a U.S. Navy aircraft crew that was shot down. Read closely and you'll notice U.S. presidential candidate John McCain's name on the plaque.

Up Next: Number 4

Location: Mexico

Highlights: With a landmass that stretches from the Pacific to Atlantic Ocean and a capital city with over 19 million people, Mexico offers a wide variety of things to do. Crave the sun? In this bargain country it's a permanent ingredient at a Pacific beach resort in Cabo San Lucas, snorkeling in the Mayan Riviera or anywhere else you're walking in the country.

Up Next: Number 3

Location: Honduras

Highlights: Already revered for great scuba diving off its island of Roatan, Honduras has a packet of great attractions. One of the biggest is The Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve. This is a World Heritage site with a huge section of undisturbed rain forest that's home to some of the world's rarest and most endangered species. In this region called La Moskitia ("the mosquito coast") you can visit several fishing lodges to fish in one of the best spots on the planet for tarpon.

Up Next: Number 2

Location: Thailand

Highlights: Want to party like it's 1999 every year? Here's your spot. Plus you can do it on the cheap: 1 U.S. dollar trades for around 32 Thai baht. Stop in Bangkok to experience the city's fast pace, then Phuket for a slower pace, but for no less of a party. Kick back at any one of the beaches in Phuket and just soak in the sun during the day and blow out with fun at night. Plus you'll enjoy great food from curries to fresh fish to shrimp and meat, all for next to nothing.

Up Next: Number 1

Location: Chile

Highlights: The diversity and depth of this country's attractions, activities and culture are extraordinary. Like wine? Sample some of the world's best at its vineyards. Surf? Visit the beaches to surf the same waves professionals surf. Ski? Hit one of the snow peaks in the Andes. Like to hike? Go to any of the country's national parks to see lakes, glaciers and walk a Patagonian trail. Like to party? Go to the country's capital, Santiago.

Up Next: Cheap Travels

Some countries have a weak currency, but Herculean attractions for budget travelers. From the land of the sun in Mexico to Honduras' scuba diving to great wine and waves in Chile, our top 10 bargain countries hit the mark. Make sure you book your trip quickly, however; the more people who know about them, the less chance they'll stay a bargain for long.

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