Getting from point A to point B is only part of the equation now: You need to know how far your cash will take you. 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.
Calgary, Alberta (Source: Tourism Calgary; www.tourismcalgary.com)
- Daily newspaper: 93¢-$1.87
- Bus fare: $2.58
- Cup of regular coffee: $1.60
- Pint of local beer in a bar: Big Rock, $4.69-$5.63
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $93.02-$135.30
- Moderate, three-course meal for one, without alcohol or tip: $47.91
- $1=C$1.06
Culebra, Puerto Rico (Source: Puerto Rico Tourism Company; www.gotopuertorico.com)
- Daily newspaper: 45¢-50¢
- Public vans: $1-$2
- Cup of regular coffee: 75¢
- Bottle of local beer in a bar: Medalla, $1.25-$1.50
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $150-$180
- Moderate, three-course meal for one, without alcohol or tip: $35
Georgetown, Malaysia (Source: Tourism Malaysia; www.tourism.gov.my)
- Daily newspaper: $1.20-$1.40
- Bus fare: 43¢-87¢
- Cup of regular coffee: 30¢-58¢
- Bottle of local beer in a bar: Tiger, $1.75
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $29.27-$58.54
- Moderate, three-course meal for one, without alcohol or tip: $11.13
- $1=3.41 Malaysia Ringgits
The Hague, Netherlands (Source: Netherlands Board of Tourism and Conventions; www.holland.com)
- Daily newspaper: $1.39-$2.79
- Bus fare: $2.23
- Cup of regular coffee: $2.51
- Bottle of local beer in a bar: Dommelsch, $3.07
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $139.81
- Moderate, three-course meal for one, without alcohol or tip: $39.14-$43.33
- $1=€.71
Hong Kong (Source: Hong Kong Tourism Board; www.discoverhongkong.com)
- Daily newspaper: 77¢
- Bus/subway fare: $1.09
- Cup of regular coffee: $1.28-$1.92
- Bottle of local beer in a bar: San Miguel, $1.93-$2.57
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $65.27-$106.72
- Moderate, three-course meal for one, without alcohol or tip: $20.59-$27.03
- $1=$7.76 Hong Kong Dollars
Kribi, Cameroon (Source: Cameroon Tourism Office; www.cameroon-tourism.com)
- Daily newspaper: 85¢
- Mototaxi: 42¢
- Cup of regular coffee: $1.06
- Bottle of local beer in a bar: 33 Export, $1.27-$1.70
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $74.60-$95.91
- Moderate, three-course meal for one, without alcohol or tip: $10.65-$21.31
- $1= 469.18 Central African Francs
Leuven, Belgium (Source: Flanders Tourist Office; www.visitflanders.us)
- Daily newspaper: $1.67
- Bus fare: $1.67
- Cup of regular coffee: $2.50-$2.79
- Glass of local beer in a bar: Stella Artois, $2.35
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $125.75-$209.60
- Moderate, three-course meal for two without alcohol or tip: $34.93-$41.92
- $1=€.71
San Jose, California (Source: San Jose Convention and Visitors Bureau; www.sanjose.org)
- Daily newspaper: 75¢
- Bus/rail fare: $2
- Cup of regular coffee: $1.70
- Pint of local beer in a bar: Gordon Biersch, $5.25
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $142
- Moderate, three-course dinner for one, without alcohol or tip: $33-38
San Pedro de Atacama (Source: Chilean Tourism; www.chile.travel)
- Daily newspaper: 56¢
- Bus fare: 75¢-95¢
- Cup of regular coffee: $1.41-$3.78
- Bottle of local beer in a bar: Cristal, $1.89
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $189
- Moderate, three-course dinner for one, without alcohol or tip: $47.25-$56.71
- $1= 529 Chile Pesos
Springfield, Illinois (Source: Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau; www.visit-springfieldillinois.com)
- Daily newspaper: 75¢
- Bus fare: $1
- Cup of regular coffee: $1.50
- Bottle of local beer in a bar: Bud Light, $3.50
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $69-$150
- Moderate, three-course meal for one, without alcohol or tip: $15-$25
