This post is about a quick and easy way to calculate and compare values of slow travel destinations. Value is the last category on my Destination Checklist.
This post is about evaluation of slow travel Destination Value which is one of seven categories on my Destination Checklist.
Let’s agree that:
Destination Value = Quality ➗ Cost
The quality part of the equation is a subjective summation of all Destination Checklist categories except Value. Only destinations of similar high quality are considered for slow travel.
Therefore: Destination Value ≈ Cost
The only cost data needed are high-season monthly rental rates because they are by far the largest expense for slow travelers.
Therefore: Destination Value ≈ Monthly Rent
High-season rental rates are easy to find and compare at online rental aggregators like Airbnb and Booking.com. For example, I reserved a high-season rental in Costa Rica that scored high on all categories of my Destination Checklist. I compared this to available rentals for a similar high-season period in Honolulu, HI. There were acceptable accommodations in Honolulu but they started at 2.5 times the Costa Rican rental rate. Costa Rica’s lower rent makes it a better Value than Honolulu for a slow travel destination.
Rental rates overshadow all other slow travel costs like airfare and food. High-season monthly rental rates are the only data necessary to determine Destination Value. I am unaware of any destination in United States with high enough Value for me to slow travel to. There are many places outside of the United States that score high in all Checklist categories including Value.
Plan Ahead
Locations with high Destination Checklist scores are very desirable during Ideal Weather windows that span high tourist seasons and shoulder months immediately before and after. Comparing rents and making reservations must be done well in advance of high-season to insure there are lots of vacancies to choose from. I compare rents and book accommodations at least six months in advance of anticipated arrival dates. Booking late or after arrival does not work well for me.
Choosing high Value destinations is a vital part of a slow-travel lifestyle that works well for me in my late seventies. I am confident it will continue working well into the future.
See my other posts for in-depth explanations of the all seven categories on my Destination Checklist.
Please submit questions, comments and suggestions about slow travel and nomad living beyond 70.
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