Lonely Planet's Best Bang for Your Buck in 2015

Lists like this are always interesting to study, but I sometimes find myself wondering what their criteria area (besides being controversial).  South Africa is not a budget destination, even with a devalued Rand, at least not if you want to be assured of a safe environment.   I doubt Taiwan would be that cheap to visit either.  Lots of other places I can think of would cost much less, like rural Thailand or other places in SE Asia, or the Latin American countries.

But if putting a name on a list makes folks interesting in visiting it, the list has worked in my view.

My view of the list is suggestions of moderately priced options that many travelers may not have considered.  It doesn't say cheapest.  Taiwan, for instance, was offered as a less expensive alternative to Hong Kong, a place I've been several times and is far from a budget destination.  I have to say, after reading the comparison, I'll consider Taiwan, rather than another visit to HKG, which I love.  I think that was the point and why I chose to post it here.

It's an interesting list .I'd love to travel to Taiwan and Samoa. 

For short trips ,airfare is such a factor, it sometimes trumps the bargain prices of daily life.

Right now I'm curious about Russia because of whats going on with the Ruble.Hopefully someone will post.

Poland has been a great value for years and has some good airfares. Japan's weak yen has changed it and is now a good value destination also.

Everything on the list PortMoresby posted has some interest to me.

I was almost at the point of arranging a trip to Russia, Rob, until they invaded Crimea and the Ukraine.  I'm sorry, but with all the places in the world one might travel, I will in no way provide any support to the Putin regime.  Collectively we as travelers can send important messages to governments by withholding our monies from their economy.  It won't shake the world, but it is a message  that may or may not listen to them.