34 First-Class Destinations You Can Actually Afford
17. Yogyakarta, Indonesia: Javanese Soul & Ancient Wonders

Discover the cultural heart of Java in Yogyakarta (often called Jogja). This city is your affordable gateway to the magnificent Borobudur and Prambanan temple complexes – UNESCO World Heritage sites that rival any ancient wonder. Beyond temples, Jogja offers rich Javanese arts like batik making and shadow puppetry (wayang kulit), a lively student atmosphere, and incredibly low costs for food, transport (becak rickshaws!), and lodging. Explore the Sultan's Palace (Kraton), sample sweet Gudeg stew, and experience Indonesia's artistic soul without stretching your budget, offering a deeper cultural dive than tourist-heavy Bali.








