Travel may feel like it’s getting more and more expensive; however, there are still plenty of destinations where Americans can stretch their budgets further—especially when looking beyond airfare alone. “Affordability this summer isn’t limited to one region: we’re seeing strong value from easy-to-reach Canadian cities to destinations across Latin America and the Caribbean,” said Sarah Kennedy, Kayak‘s travel trends expert. “With international airfare down about 10 percent compared to last year, travelers can think beyond just the ticket price and focus on overall trip value.”
Some destinations, in particular, stand out for offering both memorable experiences and strong value. “Cities like Calgary serve as gateways to bucket-list experiences like Banff, while destinations like Quito and Lima offer lower on-the-ground costs that make a big international trip feel much more accessible,” Kennedy added.
To determine the most affordable international trips Americans can take this summer, Kayak analyzed flight and hotel search data collected between Nov. 1, 2025, and Feb. 26, 2026, for travel between May 21 and Sept. 8, 2026. Flight prices represent average round-trip economy tickets, while hotel prices reflect the average nightly rate for a double room, highlighting destinations where travelers can find strong overall value. Prices may vary, and savings cannot be guaranteed.
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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Average combined flight and hotel price: $583
Summer is one of the best times to visit Calgary, thanks to its jam-packed festival calendar. The biggest draw is the Calgary Stampede (July 3–12, 2026), the legendary rodeo and fair often called the “Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.” The celebration overlaps with other major events, including the Cowboys Music Festival and Badlands Music Festival (July 2–12), Mexifest (July 3–5), Chamberfest West (July 14–19), and Fiestaval Latino (July 17–19). When you’re not festival-hopping, locals take advantage of the long sunny days by floating down the Bow River, hiking nearby trails like Weaselhead Flats Natural Environment Park, or heading up the Calgary Tower for views that stretch toward the Rocky Mountains.
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
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Average combined flight and hotel price: $621
The Dominican Republic’s capital city offers a cultural counterpoint to the country’s beach resorts. The city’s historic Zona Colonial, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is home to some of the oldest colonial-era buildings in the Americas, including the Alcázar de Colón. Summer brings warm evenings ideal for exploring the neighborhood’s plazas and cafés or walking the seaside Malecón, a popular gathering spot for locals. Plus, many of the city’s highlights—wandering the cobblestone streets, visiting historic churches, and taking in waterfront views—are free. When it’s time to refuel, pop into one of the neighborhood’s casual cafés or traditional Dominican restaurants for local staples like mofongo.
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
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Average combined flight and hotel price: $682
Set along Canada’s Atlantic coast, Halifax blends maritime history with a lively waterfront and easy access from the U.S. East Coast and New England. The compact capital is known for landmarks like the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site and the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, while the Victorian-era Halifax Public Gardens offer a peaceful green space in the city center. Summer is an especially good time to visit, when events like the Halifax Busker Festival and Halifax Jazz Festival fill the city with live music and street performances. The region is also known for fresh Atlantic seafood—especially lobster, oysters, and scallops—served everywhere from casual wharfside shacks to acclaimed restaurants. For a true local specialty, try the Halifax donair, a pita stuffed with spiced beef and sweet sauce that’s become the city’s official food. Leave time to venture beyond the city—the iconic Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse, about a 50-minute drive from downtown Halifax, sits along a dramatic rocky Atlantic shoreline. Nearby, Crystal Crescent Beach offers one of the region’s best sandy stretches for swimming, walking, and ocean views.
Panama City, Panama
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Average combined flight and hotel price: $731
Panama City blends sleek skyscrapers with centuries-old history, making it one of Central America’s most dynamic capitals. The city’s Casco Viejo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is filled with colorful colonial buildings, lively plazas, rooftop bars, and restaurants. Just outside the city center sits one of the country’s biggest draws: the Panama Canal, about a 20–30 minute drive from downtown, where visitors can watch massive cargo ships pass through the locks at the Miraflores Visitor Center. With consistently warm tropical temperatures, the city also makes a convenient base for summer escapes to nearby islands in the Gulf of Panama. Just offshore, Taboga Island—often called the “Island of Flowers”—is an easy ferry ride away and known for its beaches and waterfront cafés, while the Pearl Islands offer some of the region’s best white-sand beaches and clear water for swimming and snorkeling.
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Average combined flight and hotel price: $731
Canada’s largest city offers plenty to see and do—and it’s especially lively in the summer. Visitors can take a ferry to the Toronto Islands for beaches, bike rides, and skyline views, catch a Blue Jays game at Rogers Centre, or head up the CN Tower for sweeping views over Lake Ontario. The city also comes alive with major summer events, including Pride Toronto in June—one of the largest Pride celebrations in the world—and the Toronto Caribbean Carnival (Caribana), which fills the streets with music, parades, and Caribbean cuisine from mid-July through August. In between, locals make the most of the warm weather with rooftop bars, patio dining, and outdoor spots like High Park and the scenic Scarborough Bluffs.
Quito, Ecuador
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Average combined flight and hotel price: $799
Set high in the Andes, Quito pairs dramatic mountain scenery with one of the best-preserved historic centers in Latin America. June through September marks the city’s dry season, making summer an ideal time to explore its cobblestone streets and colonial landmarks. Highlights include the ornate Basílica del Voto Nacional, the colorful La Ronda—one of the oldest streets in Quito, lined with historic buildings, small workshops, and cafés—and the Mitad del Mundo monument, where visitors can stand on the equator at the “Middle of the World.” For sweeping views over the city and surrounding volcanoes, ride the TelefériQo cable car up the slopes of Pichincha Volcano, or take a day trip to nearby Cotopaxi Volcano, one of Ecuador’s most famous natural landmarks.
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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Average combined flight and hotel price: $801
Montreal is one of the few places in North America where you can feel like you’ve stepped into Europe without crossing the Atlantic. French is the primary language, historic stone buildings line the streets, and cafés spill onto sidewalks—especially in Old Montreal, where cobblestones and centuries-old architecture give the neighborhood its distinctive character. During the summertime, parks, terraces, and plazas fill with locals and visitors enjoying long days and a packed festival calendar. Major events include the Montreal International Jazz Festival and Just for Laughs, a massive comedy festival that draws performers from across the globe.
San Jose, Costa Rica
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Average combined flight and hotel price: $903
Often skipped in favor of beach destinations like Manuel Antonio, Tamarindo, and the Guanacaste coast, San José offers a look at Costa Rica beyond the resorts. The capital is home to several standout museums, including the Museo del Jade y la Cultura Precolombina, the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum, and the National Museum of Costa Rica. Summer also coincides with the country’s “green season,” when brief afternoon rains help create lush landscapes and smaller crowds—making it well worth a visit, as long as you pack accordingly. Also: Within an hour or two of the capital, visitors can reach Poás Volcano National Park, explore the coffee farms of the Central Valley, or head into Braulio Carrillo National Park for rainforest hikes and waterfalls.
Lima, Peru
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Average combined flight and hotel price: $810
Lima is known for one of the world’s most exciting food scenes. Much of the culinary action centers in Barranco, filled with galleries, bars, and acclaimed restaurants such as Central, as well as nearby Miraflores, known for its oceanfront parks and clifftop views. Visitors can also explore the UNESCO-listed Historic Center of Lima, home to the Plaza de Armas and grand colonial landmarks. Other highlights include the renowned Larco Museum, set in an 18th-century mansion, and the ancient Huaca Pucllana pyramid. Even during Lima’s winter months—which coincide with summer in the Northern Hemisphere—temperatures stay mild, making it comfortable to explore the city and nearby Pacific beaches like Playa Waikiki.
Liberia, Costa Rica
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Average combined flight and hotel price: $830
Located in Costa Rica’s Guanacaste province, Liberia is the main gateway to the region’s beaches and national parks. The city’s Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport serves travelers heading to the Nicoya Peninsula and Guanacaste’s Pacific coast, including Tamarindo, Playa Hermosa, and Papagayo. While many visitors pass through on their way to the beach, Liberia itself has a few cultural highlights, including the Museo de Guanacaste and the whitewashed Ermita de La Agonía. It’s also a short drive to Rincón de la Vieja National Park, known for its volcano, waterfalls, and hiking trails.
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