Where Does the Dollar Do Best? Frommer's Global Price Index for December 2008

Getting from point A to point B is only part of the equation now. To demonstrate where you can get the most bang for your buck, this monthly index compares the costs of common consumer goods around the globe. Conversions are calculated using www.xe.com/ucc/convert.cgi.

Albuquerque, New Mexico (Source: Albuquerque Convention and Visitors Bureau; www.itsatrip.org)

• Movie ticket: $9.50
• Bus fare: $1
• Cup of regular coffee: $1.75
• Pint of local beer, in a bar: Jackrabbit IPA, $4.25
• Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $70
• Moderate, three-course meal for one, without alcohol or tip: $26

Alofi, Niue Island (Source: Niue Tourism Office; www.niueisland.com)

• Movie ticket: N/A
• Taxi fare: $3.84
• Cup of regular coffee: $1.37
• Pint of local beer, in a bar: Lion Red, $1.37
• Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $38.40-$82.22
• Moderate, three-course meal for one, without alcohol or tip: $10.68-$15.34
• $1= NZ$1.82

Cape Town, South Africa (Source: South African Tourism; www.southafrica.net)

• Movie ticket: $4.20
• Bus fare: 34¢
• Cup of regular coffee: 90¢
• Pint of local beer, in a bar: Castle Lager, $1.20-$1.50
• Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $82.22-$85.15
• Moderate, three-course meal for one, without alcohol or tip: $14.53-$22.04
• $1= 9.97 South Africa Rand

Huatulco, Mexico (Source: Mexico Tourism Board; www.visitmexico.com)

• Movie ticket: $3.33
• Bus fare: 22¢
• Cup of regular coffee: 90¢
• Pint of local beer, in a bar: Sol, $1.13-$1.51
• Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $37.93
• Moderate, three-course meal for one, without alcohol or tip: $7.58-$12.89
• $1= 13.17 Mexico Pesos

London, England (Source: Visit London; www.visitlondon.com)

• Movie ticket: $12.33
• Bus/subway fare: $2.31
• Cup of regular coffee: $2.31
• Pint of local beer, in a bar: London Ale, $3.39-$4.62
• Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $123.39-$185.08
• Moderate, three-course meal for one, without alcohol or tip: $27.76-$44.72
• $1= £ .64

Esch-Alzette, Luxembourg (Source: Luxembourg National Tourist Office; www.visitluxembourg.com)

• Movie ticket: $11.66
• Bus/subway fare: $1.94
• Cup of regular coffee: $2.59
• Bottle of local beer, in a bar: Bofferding, $2.59
• Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $90.68-$103.63
• Moderate, three-course meal for one, without alcohol or tip: $32.38-$62.18
• $1= € .77

New York City, New York (Source: NYC & Company; www.nycvisit.com)

• Movie ticket: $12
• Bus/subway fare: $2
• Cup of regular coffee: $1.60
• Bottle of local beer, in a bar: Brooklyn Brewery, $5-$7
• Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $395
• Moderate, three-course meal for one, without alcohol or tip: $24

Niagara Falls, Ontario (Source: Niagara Falls Tourism; www.niagarafallstourism.com)

• Movie ticket: $6.88
• Bus fare: $1.61
• Cup of regular coffee: 84¢
• Bottle of local beer, in a bar: Niagara Best Brewing Company, $2.42
• Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $71.95-$104.29
• Moderate, three-course meal for one, without alcohol or tip: $27.48
• $1= C$1.23

Tokyo, Japan (Source: Japan National Tourism Organization; www.jnto.go.jp)

• Movie ticket: $19
• Subway fare: $1.68
• Cup of regular coffee: $2.64
• Pint of local beer, in a bar: Asahi Super Dry, $5.06
• Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $246.05
• Moderate, three-course meal for one, without alcohol or tip: $31.68
• $1= ¥94.71