With 82% of travel plans changed or canceled due to COVID-19, international travel is at an all-time low. Social distancing and health practices are understandably at the forefront of people’s minds. However, when the world regains a sense of normalcy and planes begin to fly, travelers wary of disease will likely avoid highly populated areas. From Croatia to Peru, these affordable and isolated destinations are ideal for travelers seeking adventure and safety.
1. Banff National Park, Canada
Moraine Lake, Banff National Park. Florian Fuchs. CC BY 3.0
Banff National Park is home to turquoise lakes, glaciers and dense forests. In the winter, common activities include skiing, ice skating and dog sledding. When temperatures reach below freezing, the geothermally heated Banff Hot Springs provide soothing warmth. During warmer months, travelers can enjoy horseback riding, rafting and hiking.
Nestled between 10 mountain peaks, Moraine Lake is a secluded getaway. Glacially fed, the pristine waters reflect lush evergreens and snowcapped mountains. One visitor raved, “It can and will take your breath away more than once.” During winter, cross-country skiers can access the lake by trekking nine miles through snow-covered trails. In the summer, many visitors hike to these picturesque waters to kayak and swim.
In 1984, Banff National Park was included in UNESCO’s list of protected natural environments. The Canadian government has implemented several conservation initiatives, such as wildlife crossing structures across highways. For pure mountain air and undisturbed landscapes, visit Banff.
2. Tikal National Park, Guatemala
The Temple of the Great Jaguar at sunset. Schizoform. CC BY 2.0
Concealed by dense rainforests in northern Guatemala, Tikal is one of the largest Mayan cities to be discovered. Travelers to this undisturbed land will seemingly step back in time and gain a greater understanding of the rich Mayan culture.
Tikal’s historical ruins are the main attraction. Archaeologists have unearthed 250 stone monuments and thousands of artifacts dating back to 200 B.C. Through such findings, historians believe Tikal was a political, economic and military center. Museums like Sylvanus G. Morley exhibit various archaeological remains to explain ancient customs and traditions. Travelers often need several days to thoroughly explore the area’s many temples, plazas and artifacts.
Local legend says that magic spreads across Tikal around sunrise and sunset. Hoping to catch a glimmer of this mystique, travelers flock to the temples and patiently await the sun. Other activities include climbing the 230-foot-tall Temple IV, the tallest pre-Columbian structure in the Americas.
Visitors can also witness the wildlife of Tikal. The national park is home to 54 species of mammals and 333 species of birds. Common species are toucans, parrots, howler monkeys and jaguars. With the help of UNESCO and its biosphere reserve, Tikal receives environmental monitoring and reforestation programs in order to conserve this rare habitat.
3. Huacachina, Peru
Huacachina, an oasis in the Peruvian desert. Edubucher. CC BY-SA 2.0
Huacachina is a remote oasis thriving in the arid Atacama Desert. Formed by underground aquifers, the lagoon provides water to the village’s 225 residents. According to Incan legend, the water and mud of the natural spring are therapeutic. Hoping to cure ailments such as arthritis, asthma and headaches, locals and travelers often bathe in the blue lagoon. Whether healing or not, the water provides a refreshing respite from the relentless heat.
Among the vast Peruvian sand dunes, travelers can partake in ATV tours, sand boarding and hiking. For a more tranquil experience, rent a paddleboat and explore the calm lagoon waters.
With the motto “leave only footprints,” Huacachina advocates sustainability and conservation. Due to climate change and increased well drilling, the lagoon’s water supply has gradually declined since the early 2000s. Although the Regional Conservation Area continuously pumps water into the lake, this paradise is in danger. Visit this natural phenomenon, which locals call “The Emerald of the Atacama,” before it disappears.
4. Perhentian Islands, Malaysia
Crystal-clear waters of the Perhentian Islands. Chris. CC BY 2.0
Live as a local islander in Malaysia’s Perhentian Islands. Far away from crowded resorts, these barren coastlines and soft sand beaches offer an idyllic experience. One traveler even compared the islands to “the kind of place where you come for a few days and stay for a week, where barefoot living is easily embraced and all concept of time is quickly lost.”
Situated in the Gulf of Thailand, travelers will enjoy swimming and snorkeling in the warm waters. Sea turtles, cuttlefish, clownfish and blacktip sharks swim freely among these coral reefs. Small trails connect the beaches to lush jungles where diverse wildlife, like lizards and monkeys, thrive. Venturing inland, travelers will find Fisherman’s Village, the main residence of locals. Although islanders are friendly, it is vital to respect Perhentian culture. Visitors must cover their skin around the village’s mosque, meaning swimsuits and bikinis are prohibited.
Local Perhentians also encourage travelers to respect their environment. In an effort to enforce a zero waste lifestyle, reusable bags, recycling and biodegradable plastic are common.
5. Koh Kradan, Thailand
Traditional boat in Koh Kradan. Alessandro Caproni. CC BY 2.0
Koh Kradan, an island in the Andaman Sea, is reminiscent of a postcard. With white sandy beaches and transparent water, it is considered the most beautiful island in Thailand. Koh Kradan also offers an intimate experience, as there are no villages, roads or markets.
To explore these tropical waters, there are daily boat tours which include fishing, kayaking and snorkeling. Ao Chong Lom Beach is located on the western edge of the island. Known as “Sunset Beach,” travelers flock to this stretch of land to watch the sun disappear behind iridescent waters. Most of Koh Kradan is managed by Hat Chao Mai National Park, meaning that these expansive coral reefs and diverse wildlife are protected.
6. Foula, Shetland Islands
Cliffs of Foula. Mike Pennington. CC BY-SA 2.0
Foula is yet another secluded island, with a population of 30. Due to its dramatic cliffs and peaks, this narrow Scottish coastline is deemed “the edge of the world.”
As a former Viking stronghold, the island is strongly influenced by Norse customs. The Foula community prides itself on continuing traditional folklore, music and celebrations. Many islanders even maintain the Nordic dialect.
Geographically, Foula boasts the second highest sea cliffs in the United Kingdom, providing rock climbers and hikers with ideal terrain. Outdoor enthusiasts also enjoy cycling, angling and sailing. With 19 hours of daylight in summer, travelers can prolong their experiences in this varied scenery. During the winter, visitors will even witness the Northern Lights, or aurora borealis.
Meaning “Bird Island” in Old Norse, Foula also attracts zoologists and bird-watchers from across the globe, hoping to study the multitude of rare birds. Teeming with seals, otters, porpoises and orcas, the island’s waters are diverse as well.
7. Dubrovnik, Croatia
Dubrovnik, the “Pearl of the Adriatic.” Brenski. CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Located on the southern shores of Croatia, Dubrovnik is known for its well-preserved 16th-century architecture. The Old Town, entirely surrounded by a stone fortress, includes medieval churches, fountains, monasteries and palaces. Enchanted by this walled oasis, George Bernard Shaw, an Irish playwright, wrote, “Those who seek paradise on Earth should come to Dubrovnik.” Due to its pristine beauty, he also described the city as “the Pearl of the Adriatic.” In 1979, Dubrovnik was placed on UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites, ensuring its historic structures are protected.
For a small fee, travelers can traverse the 1.2-mile-long city walls. These walls date back to the 13th century, consisting of 17 towers, five bunkers and multiple cannons. Throughout the Old Town, tour guides explain the history behind the Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture. These tours visit Placa, Dubrovnik’s main street, as well as Sponza Palace, a 16th-century building which houses the town’s archives. The Rupe Museum and Dominican Monastery contain thousands of artifacts showcasing Dubrovnik customs and traditions.
For travelers seeking an adrenaline rush, cliff jumping is a popular attraction. Many companies host scuba diving lessons and sea kayaking tours to further explore the Adriatic Sea. Dubrovnik is also ideal for television fanatics as it is the main filming location for the HBO series “Game of Thrones.” Extras from the show provide guided tours of the sets and often share behind-the-scenes stories.
8. Gásadalur, Faroe Islands
Sunrise at Gásadalur. Hans J. Hansen. CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Amid soaring mountains and lush green fields, Gásadalur is a serene, secluded village in the Faroe Islands. With a mere 13 residents, it feels entirely disconnected from the outside world. In recent years, however, an increasing number of travelers have ventured to Gásadalur for its unaltered landscape and unique adventures.
Múlafossur, a waterfall cascading from rocky cliffs, is the main attraction, described by the Huffington Post as “The World’s Most Breathtaking Waterfall.” A stone staircase built into the cliff allows easy access to the icy Atlantic waters. Cliff jumping, diving, fishing and surfing are popular activities among the quiet seafaring people of Gásadalur.
Interestingly, there are no trees on the island, offering hikers panoramic views from all 23 trails. With 305 bird species, including the famous puffin, Gásadalur is also a bird-watcher’s paradise.
In order to protect this fragile ecosystem, the community strongly opposes overtourism and industrial development. “Nowadays in our globalized world, destinations are getting more and more alike,” says Gudrid Hojgaard, director of tourism for Visit Faroe Islands. “We don’t have any McDonald’s, Starbucks. We don’t sell Louis Vuitton. You really feel like you’ve come to a different place. And we try to keep it that way.”
Denmark recently imposed a temporary ban on all foreign travelers due to COVID-19. Because Copenhagen is currently the only entryway to the Faroe Islands, the region’s government has urged travelers to refrain from visiting Gásadalur until 2021. In the meantime, however, Visit Faroe Islands has launched the first remote tourism technology, allowing those in quarantine to explore Gásadalur. Through phones and computers, people can traverse mountains, walk through waterfalls and interact live with local Faroese.
9. Sossusvlei, Namibia
Dunes of Sossusvlei, Namibia. RX Coolpix. CC BY-SA 2.0
Located in the Namib Desert, Sossusvlei is characterized by red sand dunes and white salt flats. Adventurers can hike and ride ATVs through five of the highest sand dunes in the world. Due to its archaic, vibrant red sand, Dune 45 is the most photographed dune in the world. To view this landscape from a different perspective, visitors can soar above the dunes in a hot air balloon. Flights depart early in the morning, allowing those aboard to witness a spectacular sunrise.
Deadvlei is another unique attraction. This clay pan was once an oasis with several budding acacia trees. Over time, the arid climate caused the water to dissipate and the trees to be permanently blackened.
Despite harsh desert conditions, animals and plants have adapted to flourish in Sossusvlei. As the temperature drops, foxes, ostriches and hyenas emerge. Beetles and reptiles, such as geckos, dwell beneath the sand. Sossusvlei’s most common flora are nara melons, which produce yellow fruit. Only found in the Namib Desert, the welwitschia plants, known as “living fossils,” are thousands of years old and survive by extracting moisture from the air. As part of Namib-Naukluft National Park, the largest conservation area in Namibia, such biodiversity is secure.
10. Morondava, Madagascar
Walking the Avenue of the Baobabs. Gavin Evans. CC BY-SA 3.0
Morondava is a calm, seaside village with sandy streets and towering trees. The most notable attraction is the Avenue of the Baobabs. Known by locals as “The Tree of Life,” the baobab can contain 30,000 gallons of water, historically sustaining the indigenous people. Most baobabs are more than 800 years old and grow upwards of 98 feet, giving them the name “mother of the forest.” By renting a rickshaw or simply walking, travelers can traverse this narrow corridor and gaze in astonishment at the ancient trees. Along the path, visitors will also witness the Baobabs of Love, two intertwined trees resembling lovers.
At the nearby Kirindy Forest Reserve, travelers will encounter Madagascar’s famous animals, such as lemurs, tortoises and chameleons. Unfortunately, Kirindy is one of Madagascar’s most threatened ecosystems. Deforestation, charcoal production and slash-and-burn agriculture jeopardize already endangered species. The Rainforest Trust and National Geographic have funded a series of scientific expeditions to preserve this ecologically diverse area for years to come.
Shannon Moran
Shannon is a Journalism major at the University of Georgia, minoring in English and Spanish. As a fluent Spanish speaker, she is passionate about languages, cultural immersion, and human rights activism. She has visited seven countries and thirty states and hopes to continue traveling the world in pursuit of compelling stories.