Winter Destinations Where The Pound Goes Furthest In 2023

With the cost of living crisis still gripping thousands of UK households as we enter the winter months, any holidaymakers setting their sights on some last-minute sunshine before Christmas are likely to be looking for the best bargain for their money.

Our experts at MoneyTransfers.com have analysed over 100 currencies around the world to find where the pound will stretch furthest this winter compared to 2022 - so you can seek out some sunshine without breaking the bank when converting your cash.

“This data reveals where in the world Brits can get the most for their money - with Indonesia taking the top-spot as the most favourable destination for budget-seeking travellers this winter.

The cost of living has made luxuries such as vacations difficult for many Brits - but our hope is that this comparison will at least enable anyone with their heart set on a winter holiday to pick a destination that will allow their pound to stretch that bit further.”

Jonathan Merry, travel and expert expert at MoneyTransfers.com

Best Destinations for Making Your Pound Go Further This Winter

The data analysis revealed the following countries to be the top 10 most favourable destinations for making your pound stretch further in 2023:

1. Indonesia

The Indonesian island of Bali has skyrocketed in popularity with holidaymakers over the last 10 years, offering stunning sunsets, amazing food, and a laid back culture that most Brits can’t resist.

Winter holidaymakers will be pleased to know that the local currency, the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR), strengthened by 7.80% in 2023, making it the best destination for getting the most from your money this winter!

2. Paraguay

Certainly a destination for more adventurous travellers, this little-travelled country in South America offers plentiful wildlife and a truly authentic taste of South America at its rawest. The Paraguayan Guarani (PYG) strengthened by a significant 11.74% between 2022 and 2023, meaning travellers here can make their pound go a long way.

3. Colombia

Another gem of South America, Colombia is rich in history and culture, offering travellers here a vast number of experiences. The Colombian Peso took the third spot in our ranking of the best currencies for your pound to go further in!

4. Mongolia

Does rugged landscapes, nomadic cultures, and getting well and truly off the beaten path sound like your kind of vibe? Then budget-savvy Brits will be pleased to know that this stunning Asian country is fourth on our list. The Mongolian tugrik, the local currency, strengthened by an impressive 18.60% year-on-year, making Mongolia an intriguing option for those seeking adventure in its vast landscapes.

5. Tanzania

Fifth on our list is Tanzania, the largest country in East Africa and home to some of the most diverse, “big 5” safari parks in the whole world. Travellers hoping to go on safari and catch a glimpse of elephants, lions, leopards, and more might be drawn to the vast landscape of Tanzania, bolstered by the knowledge that your pound will stretch further here than many other destinations!

6. South Korea

South Korea really does have something for everyone; from jaw-dropping national parks to a thriving nightlife in the country’s capital, Seoul. South Korea takes the sixth-spot of the top 10 countries where your pound will go furthest this winter, and is certainly not a country to be overlooked in your travel planning!

7. Chile

Widely considered one of the safest countries to travel in South America, Chile is home to a vast and varied landscape. From volcanoes and glaciers, to a world class surf scene, Chile can provide the perfect wonderland for adventures - all at budget-friendly prices!

8. Costa Rica

Another gem on many adventurer's bucket-lists, Costa Rica takes the eighth spot for winter destinations where your pound will go furthest in 2023. This beautiful and peaceful country, known for its stunning scenery, incredible wildlife, and world class beaches, is a great place for budget-minded travellers this winter.

9. Jamaica

Jamaica is the ninth best country to visit and get the most out of your pound this winter - and this small island country offers a lot for Brits visiting! From a rich and exciting culture, amazing food, and incredible beaches, now couldn’t be a better time to tick Jamaica off your travel bucket list.

10. Kenya

Finally, Kenya rounds out the tenth spot on this ranking. With a gorgeous coast line, sensational National Parks for safari adventures, and a host of other exciting travel adventures awaiting you, anyone heading to this exciting gem of East Africa this winter will find your pound stretching further in 2023.

Countries Where Your Pound Won’t Go As Far

At the other end of the spectrum, there are countries on our ranking that will not offer such a budget-friendly trip for Brits returning this winter (particularly if you visited this time last year!).

Interestingly, there are only 24 countries out of the 104 we assessed that have weakened against the pound - for the remaining number, visitors would be pleased to find their pound goes further than it did last year.

Countries where Brits may find their pound falling short compared to 2022 this winter include:

1. Egypt

2. Turkey

3. Namibia

4. South Africa

5. Japan

6. Norway

*Please seek out official travel advice from the government before opting to visit any of the countries listed here.

Methodology

We used data from https://www.exchangerates.org.uk/ to find 2022 and 2023 exchange rate data, and then calculated the gain or loss year-on-year to calculate where the pound has strengthened or weakened most out of 100+ currencies worldwide.

If any of the above is used, please credit MoneyTransfers.com