Three exotic and ‘sort of’ visa-free travel destinations for South Africans

These days travelling overseas is expensive.  The value of the rand against major currencies is not helping matters.  Our geographical location means it costs a small fortune just to get to an exotic destination, let alone pay for the basic stuff like food and lodgings.

Take the time you spend getting from one place to the next – and we all know time is money – and travelling is more than dear, it is devastating on the meagre savings you have managed to accumulate over the past few years.

Thank goodness for helpful little aids and apps like Springbok mobile casino; they can get you through the longest day and the longest night – you know that slow moving time when you are stuck in an airport in Dubai or Singapore waiting for a low-cost connecting flight to wherever!

That’s all good and well but when you calculate the cost of a tourist visa – for you, your spouse and one or two kids – you are in for an extra R12k to R15k… and that’s if you are only visiting the EU or the UK.

The same sentiment applies to the likes of Australia or New Zealand – it is one or the other my friend or you will have to cough up a good few thousand more, just to pay for the darn paperwork!

Fortunately, there are places that invite us Saffers into their countries, either visa-free or as welcome guests eligible for a low-cost visa on arrival.

What is even better news is these countries aren’t in the middle of a civil war or recently decimated by a tsunami, typhoon or earthquake.  They are kind of cool places – not in terms of weather but in terms of scenery, culture, food and attractions.

Let’s take a look at three exotic travel destinations where you and I can visit right now and without the hassle of applying and paying for a visa up front or – in some cases – at all:

Laos 

Laos is one of the more remote and less visited countries in the Far East.  It is sandwiched between Myanmar, China, Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand.

Along with quintessential features of the Orient – Buddhist temples, thick tropical jungle, paddy fields and bicycles – Laos has a distinctly French colonial vibe especially in the capital, Vientiane.

It is an enigmatic land of great beauty and one that dates back to the deliciously named Kingdom of a Million White Elephants Under the White Parasol, a kingdom that was a prominent part of the Far East for more than 400 years.

Laos is largely untouched by the rapid development that has occurred in the likes of neighbouring China.  If you have got sufficient time to explore the county properly, you will discover waterfalls, ancient temple complexes and remote hill tribes that are more than willing to welcome visitors with open arms.

One of the standout attractions for wildlife enthusiasts is Nam Et-Phou Louey, a vast conservation area and biodiversity hotspot that is home to species like tigers, snow leopards, sun bears, Asian golden cats and dholes – the Far Eastern equivalent of foxes or jackals.

The great Mekong River with its rare and endangered Irrawaddy dolphins runs though the gorgeous city of Luang Prabang which itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Then there’s the Plain of the Jars, a mystical prehistoric landscape that stretches for as far as the eye can see.  Giant stone jars – some with their lids still intact – have been erected every few metres or so in what is thought to be an ancient burial practice that dates back to around 500 BC!

If you are looking for a real adventure in a country that is not only rich in culture and natural beauty but has happy, friendly people too, Laos is calling you – and you can get a visa on arrival at Luang Prabang airport.

Turks and Caicos 

The Turks and Caicos are an archipelago of tropical islands in the Caribbean.  Besides the island lifestyle, lipsmacking seafood, golden beaches and turquoise ocean, you will experience a smattering of West Indies culture in bright technicolour.

The Turks and Caicos are made up of the eight main islands – like Providenciales, East Caicos and the more exotically named Salt Cay and Parrot Cay – and more than 22 little islets, some of which are totally uninhabited.

What makes this collection of islands so special is it boasts one of the longest coral reefs in the world and we all know what that means – some of the best snorkelling and scuba diving on the planet.

The islands are a haven for water sports and when you tire of sea and surf you can head up the beach for a lobster or conch dinner and listen to ripsaw music ripping along in the background.  The best time to visit the Turks and Caicos is in late summer when the passenger boats have long departed and the legendary Turks and Caicos Music and Cultural Festival is in full swing.

The islands are a visa-free destination for savvy South Africans but you will have to plan your trip carefully to avoid the quagmire of visa regulations in the USA.

Costa Rica 

Costa Rica is the dazzling gem of Central America.  It is a jungle and beach paradise that has one the largest percentages of land in the world under conservation.

The country makes a huge amount of money from eco-tourism so you can expect the very best when it comes to infrastructure, adventure activities and accommodation.

There are volcanic hot springs, fabulous freshwater lakes, jaw-dropping waterfalls and fabulous beaches.  If you are into bird watching, the Monte Verde Cloud Forest Reserve supports more than 400 bird species and over 2,000 plants including rare and seldom seen orchids.

You can visit the breeding grounds of the endangered green turtle, check out sloths, tapir, jaguar and other big cats in the wild and take a dip in the Caribbean and the Pacific Ocean on one holiday in one country.

Costa Rica is the ‘Rich Coast’ – not in terms of how much it will cost you to enjoy the myriad of natural attractions but in terms of the attractions themselves.  It is a country you can visit time and again and without the hassle of applying for a tourist visa!