In light of the struggling economy, fluctuating world currencies, and air travel cutbacks, traveling can be less fun than we'd like it to be -- and less predictable when it comes to your expenses. We've taken some of the guesswork out of the picture with this monthly index, which compares the costs of common consumer goods around the globe to demonstrate where you can get the best travel exchange rate. Conversions are calculated using www.xe.com/ucc/convert.cgi.
Arugam Bay, Sri Lanka Travel Exchange Rate (Source: Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau; www.srilanka.travel)
- Daily newspaper: 40¢
- Trishaw/sidecar: 40¢
- Cup of regular coffee: $1
- Bottle of local beer in a bar: Lion Lager, $2.64
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $30.85
- Moderate, three-course dinner for one, without alcohol or tip: $22-$25
- $1 = 113.45 Sri Lanka Rupees
Bassettere, St. Kitts Travel Exchange Rate (Source: St. Kitts Tourism Authority; www.stkittstourism.kn)
- Daily newspaper: 75¢
- Bus fare: 95¢
- Cup of regular coffee: $1.75
- Bottle of local beer in a bar: Carib, $2.50
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $110-$125
- Moderate, three-course dinner for one, without alcohol or tip: $25
- $1 = 2.67 East Caribbean Dollars
Chicago, Illinois Travel Exchange Rate (Source: Chicago Office of Tourism; www.explorechicago.org)
- Daily newspaper: 88¢
- Bus/subway fare: $2-$2.25
- Cup of regular coffee: $1.05
- Pint of local beer at a bar: Goose Island, $3.10
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $155.69
- Moderate, three-course dinner for one, without alcohol or tip: $34.64
La Ceiba, Honduras Travel Exchange Rate (Source: Honduras Institute of Tourism; www.letsgohonduras.com)
- Daily newspaper: 37¢
- Taxi fare: $1.05, shared ride
- Cup of regular coffee: 52¢
- Bottle of local beer in a bar: Salva Vida, 95¢
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $46.57
- Moderate, three-course dinner for one, without alcohol or tip: $5.55-$7.67
- $1= 18.89 Honduras Lempiras
Penghu, Taiwan Travel Exchange Rate (Source: Taiwan Tourism Bureau; www.eng.taiwan.net.tw)
- Daily newspaper: 31¢-46¢
- Bus fare: 71¢
- Cup of regular coffee: $1.24-$1.86
- Bottle of local beer in a bar: Taiwan Beer, 93¢-$1.30
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two, $31.04-$77.61
- Moderate, three-course dinner for one, without alcohol or tip: $7.76-$18.62
- $1 = 32.21 Taiwan New Dollar
Provincetown, Massachusetts Travel Exchange Rate (Source: Tourism Office of Provincetown; www.provincetowntourismoffice.org)
- Daily newspaper: $1
- Bicycle rental: $12 for two hours; $22 per day
- Cup of regular coffee: $1
- Bottle of local beer in a bar: Sam Adams, $5
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $150-$200
- Moderate, three-course dinner for one, without alcohol or tip: $25
Salamanca, Spain Travel Exchange Rate (Source: Tourist Office of Spain; www.spain.info)
- Daily newspaper: $1.50-$2
- Bus fare: $1.50
- Cup of regular coffee: $2
- Bottle of local beer in a bar: Estrella Damm, $1.50-$3.50
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $90-$100
- Moderate, three-course dinner for one, without alcohol or tip: $25 to $45
- $1 = €.81
Toronto, Canada Travel Exchange Rate (Source: Toronto Convention & Visitors Association; www.seetorontonow.com)
- Daily newspaper: $1.17
- Bus/subway/streetcar fare: $2.82
- Cup of regular of coffee: $1.14
- Bottle of local beer in a bar: Steam Whistle Brewing $2.58
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $122.23
- Moderate, three-course dinner for one, without alcohol or tip? $37.60
- $1 = C$1.06
Vladivostok, Russia Travel Exchange Rate (Source: Russian National Group; www.russia-travel.com)
- Daily newspaper: 16¢
- Bus fare: 4¢
- Cup of regular coffee: $2.24
- Bottle of local beer in a bar: Baltika, $1.28
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $128.05
- Moderate, three-course dinner for one, without alcohol or tip: $25.93
- $1 = 31.23 Russia Rubles
