Whats the Thailand and Laos of SA

Thailand, everybody comes to Bangkok

cheap accomodations, convenient transport to other cities, backpacker market, language schools, great food, modern city and most of all NOT EXPENSIVE.

1. So what is the Thailand of the Latin world and what is the Bangkok?

Is it cheaper than Thailand? Is it like China? I assume that Japan, Singapore and Korea are more expensive than most destinations in S.A.?

2. What place will you compare to Laos? Ultra Laid back, provincial ambiance, and nothing like Bangkok. Or Laos is in a league of its own.

I am only interested in the Spanish speaking countries.

Is Columbia more expensive than Thailand? I ussually go to Mc.donalds and decide if a place is expensive or cheap.

I assume that countries with a developed TOURISM industry are cheaper than developing countries that rely too much on tourist, but they are still building an industry, is that right? Coz I thought Bangkok is cheaper than Laos and Cambodia, Vietnam.

Just to say....I don't want to do that comparison. In fact, I'm against it. Places are themselves. They are not anywhere else.

[ Edit: Edited on 01-May-2010, at 21:49 by Piecar ]

Its more like economics and not cultural...

Nations are always compared and through the discipine of comparative studies...

Hainan is said to be the Hawaii of Asia.

Shanghai is supposedly, the Paris of the Orient. If that is really true, then Paris is the most over rated city in the world.

Peru and Ecuador are similar, although the food is not as good as S.E.A. Argentina is a little more expensive at the same time the food is great, although beaches are not as good there.