In the west, we’ve gotten used to over-paying for things: expensive housing, rip-off gas prices, beers that cost as much as your pay check, the list goes on.. Thankfully, there are plenty of countries where your money goes much further. They all share common characteristics: cheap accommodation, lots of activities to keep you occupied, and tropical climates that make food bountiful.

Of course, the tropical climate also offers the not-insignificant benefit of gorgeous weather and often pristine beaches on which to while away the hours. And if you do a TEFL course and find a job in one of these babies, you’ll find that life in paradise can actually become a reality.

5. Thailand

The Land of Smiles needs no introduction. More than probably any other South-East Asian country, it knows how to make us farangs (foreigners) feel welcome.

If you’ve visited, you’ll know the satisfaction of strolling up to a street stall, paying 25 baht (about $0.50) for a plate of fried rice, then sitting on a little plastic chair and watching the world go by. Then there are the cheap, comfortable guest houses (or beach huts!), the dollar-a-bottle beers and the cheap buses that can take you half the length of the country for the same price as getting to the next town at home.

And you know what, living here is even cheaper than visiting. Even in Bangkok, a long-term studio apartment is only $140 per month; move somewhere like Chiang Mai, and you could pay as little as $30! So you can budget just $450 for the whole month and have a lifestyle just as comfortable, but infinitely more satisfying than you’ve got at home.

» GO! Teach in Thailand

4. Cambodia

It may have a troubled history that could give most countries a run for their money, but there are few places in the world where it’s cheaper to live than Cambodia. Even in the capital city, you could live on just $450 per month.

An air-conditioned apartment will only set you back $180 per month. This might be slightly more expensive than Bangkok, but you can easily trim your outgoings further by sharing with others.

But the added bonus is that food and drinks are probably even cheaper than in Thailand. You can have a whole meal in a local restaurant for just $1.80 where a beer will be just $1; these costs can again be slashed even more by venturing into the markets and street stalls, which will also add a bit of excitement to your daily routine.

» GO! Teach in Cambodia

3. China

Could this $450 budget ever become boring? We certainly don’t think so! Especially when you have fascinating cities and such a massive country to explore! An apartment comes in as low as $70 per month in the smaller cities, rising to $230 in big cities like Shanghai and Guangzhou.

Once again, the food is probably even cheaper than in Thailand, as large beers come in at only $0.20 (and 10 cents of that is a deposit for the bottle!), while meals at local restaurants cost just $9 per person, and significantly less at smaller, local places.

Throw in the fact that Chinese people see it as a matter of national pride that you have a good time, and you’re pretty much guaranteed to be well looked after.

» GO! Teach in China

2. Ecuador

While Ecuador is rich in natural beauty and wildlife, you won’t need to be earning a fortune to have a good time there.

Once again, our magic number of $450 per month appears, although expect your costs to be slightly higher in Quito, even if you do share accommodation with another person. However, venture outside of the capital and prices drop off quickly, with homestays available for around $120 per month, including food.

Food is very reasonable, with a good meal costing just $1.80 in a locally-run restaurant, and a bunch of bananas from an outdoor market costing $0.50.

These prices may be slightly higher than in other Latin American nations, but what sets Ecuador apart is just how much is available to you for the still negligible prices. There’s hiking, wildlife-spotting and some incredible beaches, making it an amazing location to explore for a couple of years.

» GO! Teach in Ecuador

1. Vietnam

Live and teach in Vietnam

Vietnam is a popular budget travel destination and should be high on your list of places to stay for a one year, two years, maybe longer. It offers a scintillating mix of beautiful scenery, unrivaled food and some of the most spirited people you’re ever likely to meet.

So, once you’ve taken into account the $180 per month for your apartment, what should you expect to spend on a typical day in Vietnam? You can wake up and head down to the nearest street stall for a nutritious breakfast of Pho Bo (Hanoi Beef Soup) for just $1; hop on a bus for less than $0.80; pick up some fried rice for lunch at about the same price; pay a similar amount for a fruit shake when you get peckish later on; have a Vietnamese Curry in a local restaurant for $3, then finish it off with a few glasses of Bia Hoi for $0.15p each.

Sounds good? Well, this 1,600km-long country offers a stunning array of landscapes and almost as many different cuisines to go with them, so you can be sure that life in Vietnam will never get boring.

» GO! Teach in Vietnam

So the question is, how do you get a job so you can stay in these amazing places? The answer is TEFL. Want to find out how to do it? Download your free copy of TEFL Uncovered: How to Teach Your Way Abroad with TEFL. It’ll give you the lowdown of where you could be working, which course to do to get there, and what to do once you’re in the classroom.