Global Price Index for December 2011

By Carrie Havranek

If you're looking to stretch your vacation dollars, it can help to know how much basic expenses such as a bottle of beer, cup of coffee, or a three-star hotel will cost in destinations around the world.

Use this monthly index to compare the costs of common consumer goods around the globe and to find out where you can get the best travel exchange rate. From Anguilla to India, discover where you can find the best value for your dollar. Travel currency exchange conversions are calculated using www.xe.com/ucc.

Photo Caption: Shiva statue in Bangalore, India

(Source: India Ministry of Tourism; www.incredibleindia.org)

Daily newspaper: 5¢
Bus/autorickshaw: 15¢/32¢
Cup of regular coffee: 15¢
Bottle of local beer in a bar: Kingfisher, $1.54
Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $86.50
Moderate, three-course dinner for one: $11.53
$1 = 52 Indian Rupee

Photo Caption: Vegetable markets in Bangalore, India

(Source: Edmonton Economic Development Corporation; www.edmonton.com)

Daily newspaper: $1.45-$1.94
Bus/light rail fare: $2.76
Cup of regular coffee: $1.94
Bottle of local beer in a bar: Alley Kat Brewing Company, $5.33-$6.78
Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $145-$194
Moderate, three-course dinner for one: $40.72
$1 = C$1.03

Photo Caption: The skyline of Edmonton, Alberta

(Source: Tourist Office of Spain; www.spain.info)

Daily newspaper: $1.59
Bus fare: $1.59
Cup of regular coffee: $1.46
Bottle of local beer in a bar: San Miguel, $1.73
Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $66
Moderate, three-course dinner for one, without alcohol or tip: $26.65
$1 = €.75

Photo Caption: View from the fortress in Malaga, Spain

(Source: Costa Rica Tourist Board; www.visitcostarica.com)

Daily newspaper: 60¢
Bus fare: 26¢-86¢
Cup of regular coffee: 80¢-$1
Bottle of local beer in a bar: Imperial, $1.40
Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $40-$60
Moderate, three-course dinner for one, without alcohol or tip: $20-$30
$1 = 497.6 Costa Rican Colones

Photo Caption: Dominical Beach in Puntarenas, Costa Rica

Source: Sacramento Convention and Visitors Bureau; www.discovergold.org)

Daily newspaper: 75¢
Bus/light rail: $2.50
Cup of regular coffee: $2
Pint of local beer in a bar: Rubicon Monkey Knife Fight Pale Ale, $4
Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $129
Moderate, three-course dinner for one, without alcohol or tip: $30

Photo Caption: Tower Bridge in Sacramento, CA. Photo by sac53701/Frommers.com Community

(Source: Anguilla Tourist Board; www.ivisitanguilla.com)

Daily newspaper: $1.11
Taxi fare: From $10
Cup of regular coffee: $3.70
Bottle of local beer in a bar: Heineken, $2.96
Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $240
Moderate, three-course dinner for one, without alcohol or tip: $50
$1 = $2.70 East Caribbean Dollar

Photo Caption: St. Gerard's Catholic Church in The Valley, Anguilla

(Source: Malta Tourism Authority; www.visitmalta.com)

Daily newspaper: 79¢
Bus fare: $3.32
Cup of regular coffee: $1.33
Pint of local beer in a bar: Cisk, $2.66
Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $79-$133
Moderate, three-course dinner for one, without alcohol or tip: $24-$30
$1 = € .75

Photo Caption: Fortifications and city perimeter walls along the harbor of Valletta, Malta

(Source: Delaware Tourism Office; www.visitdelaware.com)

Daily newspaper: $1
Bus fare: $1.15
Cup of regular coffee: $1.55
Pint of local beer in a bar: Iron Hill Brewery, $3-$5
Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $129
Moderate, three-course dinner for one, without alcohol or tip: $29.21

Photo Caption: Cherry blossom trees in Wilmington, Delaware