Travelling to the US and European destinations such as London, Rome and Paris have left Canadians used to getting hammered on the exchange rate on the Canadian dollar in relation to the Euro and US greenbacks. Yet that isn’t necessarily the case everywhere, such as these 10 travel destinations where the loonie stretches farther than you’d think.

Russia
$1 CAD = $41.97 rubles
500 rubles = $11.91 CAD
The Russian ruble has had a tumultuous ride in recent years, and is currently at a very affordable $41.91 rubles to $1 Canadian. The average cost of a meal at a mid-range Moscow restaurant for two people is estimated at about $2,500 rubles — or about $60 Canadian, about $10 less than it would cost in Toronto.
You may be surprised to know that Russia is one of the top 20 countries with the most billionaires!
Japan
$1 CAD = 81.86 yen
1,000 yen = $12.22 CAD
While Tokyo has a reputation for being one of the most expensive cities in the world, the tumbling yen is good news for the Canadian dollar. A domestic beer in Tokyo, for example, will cost an average of about $300 yen, just over $4 Canadian, while a meal at McDonald’s will cost about $8 Canadian.
Going on a trip to Japan? Avoid these 19 major faux pas!
Brazil
$1 CAD = 2.33 real
100 real = $42.92 CAD
The strength of the Canadian dollar in Brazil means bargain travelling. For example, a three-course meal in a mid-range restaurant in Rio will run you about $42, while a cappuccino costs about $2.50 — a lot less than you’d pay in a Canadian coffee shop. Plus, we find Brazilian Portuguese one of the sexiest accents in the world, so you're in for a treat if you travel there!

Iran
$1 CAD = 24,359.20 rial
$100,000 rial = $4.10 CADThe cost of a typical dinner for two in the capital of Tehran is a whopping $650,000 Iranian rial — which converts to a very affordable $26 Canadian, indicative of how far the Canadian dollar goes when travelling in Iran. There's a reason we list it as one of the the 50 best countries to stretch your dollar.

Hungary
Another European nation with a rich history, Hungary offers galleries, museums and stunning architecture, at a fraction of the cost of other European nations. For example, the average cost of a domestic beer in the capital of Budapest is under $2 Canadian, while a three-course dinner at a mid-level restaurant will run just under $37.

Tanzania
$1 CAD = 1676.11 shillings
10,000 shillings = $5.97 CAD
The Tanzanian shilling hasn’t been doing well for some time now, and it’s dropped even lower than it was a couple of years ago, meaning the African nation is a great choice for a safari destination. In Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s largest city, the average cost of a nice dinner for two is about 64,000 shillings, or about $38 Canadian. Why not make it one of the trips you need to take before you die?

Colombia
$1 CAD = 2141.79 pesos
10,000 pesos = $4.69 CAD
The cost of travelling in Colombia remains low for Canadian travellers. There's a reason it's high on many lists for Canadians looking for places to retire if you hate the cold. The average cost of a domestic beer in the capital of Bogota is 31 pesos ($1.40 CAD), while a typical dinner for two will run about $30 Canadian.

Cambodia
$1 CAD = 2740.42 riel
100,000 Riel = $36.51 CAD
Cambodia remains a value destination for Canadian travellers (especially those looking for the best trips to take after retirement) as a great place in Southeast Asia to stretch the loonie. If visiting Phnom Penh, a domestic beer will cost about a buck and a half, while an average dinner for two will run less than $23 CAD.

Mexico
$1 CAD = 13.89 pesos
100 Mexican peso = $7.20 CAD
The low Mexican peso continues to be a draw for Canadian snowbirds, and why wouldn’t it? When a dinner for two at a mid-range restaurant costing an average of $32 in the resort city of Puerto Vallarta (where English is spoken pretty much everywhere) and the rental of a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre costing an average of $400, the Canadian dollar stretches far.
If you're heading over, don't miss this helpful packing list for Mexico.
Romania
$1 CAD = 3.20 leu
100 Romanian leu = $31.26 CAD
Romania is an ancient land, full of stunning castles and historical antiquities, and the exchange rate presents some serious bargains for Canadians. For example, a typical meal for two in the capital of Bucharest will run you under $35 Canadian, the cost of living is estimated to be nearly 40 per cent lower than living in Toronto.