Exotic travel destinations are places you just cannot resist visiting. They keep calling you at their doorsteps. Traveling during your holidays to one of these exotic travel destinations is like a dream come true as they are a slice of paradise on earth.
At number 10… Koh Lanta
It is unheard of that one wants to visit Koh Lanta. It is one in the archipelago of islands in Thailand. You walk barefoot and go around seeing its amazing beauty. There are more than 50 well-protected marine parks in the archipelago. Koh Lanta presents a softly tuned vibe with the rubber-tree plantations and the rustle of the breeze.
Koh Lanta’s very first backpackers were largely Scandinavians and Germans who went around the island exploring it. When hungry and tired, they’d halt at poorly-lit roadside shacks and eat king-sized prawns and drink beer.
Today, Koh Lanta has become more tourist-friendly. Take a moped and cruise around enjoying the lovely beaches, tangled green interiors, dark woods and a never-changing rustic Koh Lanta that is truly one of the most exotic travel destinations in the world.
9. Nicaragua
Only recently has the true beauty of Nicaragua been discovered. In the words of Rafe Stone, Nicaragua expert at Journey Latin America, Nicaragua is one of those countries that has it all. It is flanked on one side by the rugged Pacific coastline and on the other by the white sandy Caribbean beaches and islands.
Nicaragua surrounded by rainforests is full of exotic animals. The cities of Granada and Leon leave a charming colonial impression on your mind. The volcanic range here is nothing but dramatic.
8. Bialowieza Forest
Visiting this forest takes the tourists back to the pre-14th century Europe. Bialowieza Forest is where King Arthur often went exploring. It is one of the best-preserved forests in the world. Bialowieza Forest situated on the watersheds of the Black Sea and Baltic Sea is a World Heritage Site. It lies on the border between Poland and Belarus and has an exceptional biodiversity.
Bialowieza Forest dates back to 8000 BC. There are several trails that go through the forest. Bialowieza Forest is truly a wild place to visit.
7. Tropical Islands of Indonesia
The remote islands of Indonesia are one of the most exotic travel destinations in the world. You can visit the port of Labuan Bajo on the Indonesian island of Flores and watch the bright and busy twin-hulled boats on the blue surface of the bay.
Indonesia is one of the world’s largest archipelago with more than 18,000 islands. Each of these islands has a different setting; misty, volcanic, rainforest green, full of exotic wildlife, unbelievable beaches and simple people. Weh Island, Bali, Sumba, Borneo, Papua, Lombok, Flores, Komodo, Java, Bintan are a few of the islands in an endless list of exotic islands.
6. Bora Bora
Bora Bora is a six-mile-long and 2.5-mile-wide island. It is brimming with unmatched beauty and dormant volcanoes. In Tales of the South Pacific, James Michener called Bora Bora “the most beautiful island in the world.” Bora Bora has exotic resorts, warm waters, sunny skies, and friendly people. All of this makes this French Polynesian Island one the most exotic travel destinations in the world.
The best time to visit Bora Bora is November and April. May to October is the peak tourist season, but the weather is warm year round, so any time is a good time to visit Bora Bora.
5. Belize
Once the destination of the pirates, Belize is today one of the most exotic travel destinations in the world. The great Belize Blue Hole lies off the coast of Belize. It is a large submarine sinkhole that is circular in shape. The blue hole site was made famous as one of the top 10 scuba-diving sites in the world by Jacques Cousteau.
In Belize, your gaze meets the beautiful beaches, reefs and mangroves. The calm waters are perfect for you to sail. You dive, drift and land on its sandy beaches. Home to freedom lovers, Belize is the quietest corner in the Caribbean and has an innocent, toy-town feeling.
4. Kawachi Fuji Gardens
The tourists hop on to the Nozomi high-speed train from Tokyo to visit the Kawachi Fuji Gardens. In April, this 15-km-long tunnel is indescribable. It is like a pastel-colored fairyland tunnel. Here, you will find 150 wisterias in shades of pink, violet-blue, white, purple and blue.
The garden bloom depends on the weather each year. You are awe-struck as you walk down the flower-covered pathway of this truly exotic travel destination.
3. Mount Roraima
Mount Roraima is ‘the lost world.’ Situated in South America, it is simply out of your imagination. It is the highest peak of the Pakaraima Mountains. Mount Roraima is one of the most extraordinary natural geological formations in the world.
Its tabletops are some of the oldest on the earth. Mount Roraima, one of the most exotic travel destinations in the world, is simply mind-blowing.
2. Galápagos Islands
A group of 19 islands, the Galápagos Islands are like a unique ‘living museum.’ Here, you can witness the ongoing seismic and volcanic activities, which formed these islands.
The natural environments on the Galápagos Islands standout from those seen in other parts of the world. Charles Darwin was inspired to write his Theory of Evolution after seeing the unusual animal life on the Galápagos Islands during his visit to the islands in 1835. The Galápagos Islands in the Pacific Ocean are indeed one of the most exotic travel destinations in the world.
And at number one is… Caño Cristales
Caño Cristales, ‘the liquid rainbow of the world,’ is one of the most beautiful rivers in South America. You can take a swim down the river and have fun. Caño Cristales, also known as ‘the river with five colors’, is a breathtaking beauty in Columbia. It is a natural phenomenon as the river blossoms in vibrant colors when the water level is just right.
The Caño Cristales river is about 100km long and over 20m wide. During the periods when its colors are absent, it is full of fantastic rock formations. A unique plant species lines the river floor giving it a brilliant red hue. You see the blue water with a mix of yellow and green sand and innumerable shades of colors in between. Some call it ‘the river that ran away from paradise.’
These exotic travel destinations are only a few of the many amazing places on earth. Share with us your travel experiences. Let us know if there is some place you would like us to feature on this website.
