11x bucket list destinations to nourish your adventurer's spirit

Maybe you’re sitting at your cubicle at work, walking your dog, or at home watching television when something in your gut reminds you you weren’t made for routine, monotony, or the familiar. Comfort is, well, comforting, but the true soothing balm for that ache inside of you is excitement – adventure. With 195 countries spanning 7 vast continents, your choice of destinations is immense and sometimes overwhelming. It’s easy to become paralyzed by indecision or bogged down in planning, but our inner adventurers weren’t made to be constrained by the restrictive logistics of modern travel culture. Rather than throwing a dart at a map, read on and discover 11 of our favorite destinations for creating lifelong memories and how best to enjoy them the way only you can.

1. Buzzing cities, zen temples and untouched jungles in Thailand

Popular for its electric nightlife and world class cuisine, Thailand has a knack for transporting you to the past and then slingshotting you back into the future so quickly it’ll make your head spin.

Sample street food while strolling through the streets of Bangkok, visit temples – like The Sanctuary of Truth, a massive, intricately carved, completely nail-free wooden temple overlooking the gulf of Thailand, with four impressive wings dedicated to Thai, Khmer, Chinese and Indian iconography, respectively –  let the waves of one of Thailand’s many majestic waterfalls beat down on you, or challenge yourself to hike up one of its mountains and enjoy a top-down view of the vast jungle below.

Don’t let this infinitely layered country be reduced to just what you’ve heard about it: until you’ve marveled at its glittering temples, stood on the soil of its ancient jungles, and learned the stories of its locals from their own mouths, you won’t be able to wrap your mind around what it truly means to visit Thailand.

Check out these amazing trips to Thailand > 

^{Photo: Wiang Kum Kam, Chang Phueak, Thailand. By: Mathew Schwartz/Unsplash}

2. Tangible history and rejuvenating beaches across Vietnam

Vietnam, a long, Southeast Asian country separating its neighbors from the South China Sea, is often spoken of in more theoretical contexts than practical ones. A shame, really, since relegating this seaside nation to the “maybe-someday-but-not-really” list is a disservice to both its rich history and to yourself as an explorer of all things new and exciting.

Experience the traditions of the north: museums, like the Museum of Ethnology, so captivating you’ll forget how learning could ever feel like a chore, and hiking routes like those in Cao Bang Geopark, through mountains and along waterfalls, like the Geopark’s Ban Gioc Falls, that’ll make the adventurer inside you feel newly baptised. Venture down and embrace the excitement of the south: electrifying city centers where nightlife isn’t restricted to a time of day, and breathtaking beaches like the quiet, untouched Ca Na Beach, where the ocean before you feels so endless that you may as well be one of the grains of sand beneath your feet.

Prospective visitors will inevitably find that Vietnam has so many experiences making it a must-visit, it’s almost baffling.

Check out these amazing trips to Vietnam > 

^{Photo: Phu Quoc, Vietnam. By: Chris Slupski/Unsplash}

3. Cambodia: Asia’s hidden gem along the mighty Mekong

Though beloved by its frequent visitors, Cambodia has, historically, not received nearly enough enthusiasm from the travel community at large. In a way, this Southeast Asian nation is something of a cult classic of countries: appreciated passionately by those who’ve been, but sorely lacking as an entry on the must-visit lists of many other globetrotters.

A visit to Cambodia isn’t complete without seeing Angkor Wat: the famed Hindu temple in Siem Reap that’s stood for nearly one thousand years, and holds the Guinness world record for largest religious structure. Try to wrap your mind around the sheer length of the Mekong River during a boat tour, absorb the splendor of Phnom Penh’s Royal Palace with your own eyes before taking a Cambodian cuisine cooking course in the evening, and sit for a while, looking out over the land’s vast plains at sunset, while the intricacies of this country’s consuming history settle within you.

A trip to Cambodia will leave you wondering why it took you so long to go, and you’ll be planning your next visit before your flight home has even finished boarding.

Check out these amazing trips to Cambodia > 

^{Photo: Ta Prohm Temple, Banteay Chhmar, Cambodia. By: Raph Howald/Unsplash}

4. Mountains of Buddhist history in Laos

Nestled snugly between Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar and China, this landlocked Southeast Asian gem is a sorely underappreciated destination worthy of more than just passing consideration. Laos’ fascinating history and mountainous landscape isn’t just another stamp for your passport as you cross through it from one of its more popular neighbors to another: it stands on its own merits as a lively and captivating destination.

Its royal capital, Luang Prabang, is home to a labyrinth of quiet streets surrounded by colonial architecture and punctuated by ancient Buddhist temples. Visit Kuang Si Falls for a day and take in its many cascading tiers, limestone formations, and the clear pools gathered around its base, perfect for cooling off in after a long hike. Take a tour of Tham Phu Kam Cave after climbing a steep mountainous path up to its mouth, and enjoy the reward of a dip in the natural pool within after exploring its many cavernous chambers.

Laos’ unique cuisine, Buddhist traditions, natural wonders and architectural marvels – shaped both by and in spite of its French colonial history – have a wealth of knowledge that runs deeper than a quick “huh, that’s neat”  to impart on adventurers from all walks of life.

Check out these amazing trips to Laos > 

^{Photo: Luang Prabang, Laos. By: Swapnil kulkarni/Unsplash}

5. Innumerable experiences across Indonesia’s islands

Further to the South, you’ll find the vast and endlessly diverse Indonesia, comprised of a jaw dropping 17.000+ islands and woven through and around 7 seas and 2 oceans. Bali, Java, Borneo and Sumatra are only a few of this republic’s many idyllic islands. White sandy beaches spilling into vivid turquoise waters, inhabited by creatures of every size, shape, and color imaginable. Warm, balmy air tempered by cool breeze as it flutters against the vibrant green foliage that’s never more than a short few steps away. Breakfasts of perfectly ripe, fresh fruit, bursting with sweet and tangy juice, invigorating in a way your morning cup of coffee back home could never measure up to.

See the breathtaking Borobudur Temple in Java, the world’s largest Buddhist Temple, or meet living dinosaurs on the Indonesian Archipelago by seeing komodo dragons in their natural habitat on the eponymous Komodo Island. Spot unique flora and fauna, such as orangutans and proboscis monkeys, in the vast Tanjung Puting National Park, or head to Ubud, Bali, to visit one of its vibrant markets and purchase local, one of a kind art pieces.

Check out these amazing trips to Indonesia > 

^{Photo: Rice Fields Tegalalang, Indonesia. By: Jamie Fenn/Unsplash}

6. Costa Rica: Mother Nature’s playground of biodiverse pura vida

Costa Rica is a destination known for its vast biodiversity and sustainability, accounting for around 5% of all species of flora and fauna on earth. Speaking of borders, this country is uniquely located between the Caribbean Sea to the east, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. Between its roughly 600 beaches spanning two coasts, and its innumerable acres of jungle, home to sloths, jaguars, howler monkeys, and thousands of other species, Costa Rica is a true nature lover’s paradise.

Trek across volcanoes, both active and long-extinct, come face to face with wild cats, zipline through the clouds in the Cloud Forests nestled quietly within Costa Rica’s jungles, snorkel through vibrant coral reefs off the Caribbean coast, and see the nesting places of green sea turtles up close on the Pacific coast: all you have to do is pack your bag and head to the land of pura vida.

Check out these amazing trips to Costa Rica > 

^{Photo: Drake Bay, Costa Rica. By: Traveling Tall Girl/Unsplash}

7. Belize’s crystal-lined caves and unreal underwater sinkholes

You could say that Belize’s wildlife-filled jungles and idyllic Caribbean beaches rival those of its bordering countries. It would be better to say, though, that these things live in harmonious balance with their neighboring counterparts, complementing each other in their differences both big and small, each offering unique and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. A near-utopia for nature and history lovers alike, Belize is home to Mayan ruins that’ll have you standing face to face with the lives of people just like you, separated only by time.

If the thrill of standing in existential awe isn’t enough for you, Belize has plenty more to get your adrenaline pumping: scuba dive 400ft down into a sinkhole filled with unique underwater life and stalactites in the Great Blue Hole by Lighthouse Reef, or head back to Blue Hole National Park on the mainland and float through intricate cave networks on an inner tube, bobbing past crystal formations and ancient cave paintings after making your way down Hummingbird Highway, where you can stop to enjoy freshly picked oranges or locally made chocolate against a scenic backdrop.

Check out these amazing trips to Belize > 

^{Photo: Ambergris Caye. Belize, By: Meritt Thomas/Unsplash}

8. Mayan history meets baroque architecture in Guatemala

The through line of Mayan culture – both in ancient ruins and modern, tangible practices by its very much alive and well people – continues into Guatemala, a country often considered the most diverse in all of Central America. Here, bustling cities and peaceful nature reserves aren’t in contrast to one another, but exist in a harmony so intrinsic that it erases any border where the natural ends and modernity begins.

See baroque architecture in Antigua against a mountainous volcanic backdrop of active lava domes, or stroll through the endless colorful stalls of the continent’s largest craft market in Chichicastenango. Walk a natural limestone bridge in Semuc Champey and swim in its vibrant turquoise pools, or visit a vast lake in a volcanic crater after browsing traditional, handcrafted textiles sold by the Mayan community in the town at its base.

Check out these amazing trips to Guatemala > 

^{Photo: Guatemala. By: Perry Grone/Unsplash}

9. Crashing waves and underwater wonders in Panama

Panama, nature’s bridge between Central and South America, is a vast tapestry of history, modernity, nature and culture, painted in blues and greens and spanning across underwater caverns and volcanic mountain tops. This invigorating country isn’t the perfect destination for any one kind of traveler, but rather the kind of place that takes all the labels and boxes away from its visitors, turning them simply into travelers, open to experiences of all shapes and sizes and without  limitations.

Go white water rafting on the Chiriqui river one day, see the historic Panama Canal up close and learn about maritime history at its accompanying museum the next, and then head out onto Lake Gatun for a boat tour of Monkey Island to meet white-faced capuchins, howler monkeys, and many more curious simian species face to face. Immerse yourself in the melting pot of cultures across the country throughout your visit, learning about the histories and lives of the Afro-Panamanian and Indigenous peoples that inhabit this diverse land in ways only possible when you’re really there.

Check out these amazing trips to Panama > 

^{Photo: San Blas Islands, Panama. By: Angel Silva}

10. More than Machu Picchu: Peru’s lost cities and mountaintop mummies

Few countries compare to Peru in terms of sheer quantity of historical sights. The Andes mountains that trail along the Pacific coast of Peru are dotted with archeological sites and ancient Incan relics, not least of which include the rightfully famous Machu Picchu, as well as the lesser known Lost City of Choquequirao: a hidden archaeological gem, shrouded in clouds, only reachable by a strenuous two-day hike, and still in the process of being fully uncovered.

Hike valleys and peaks where mountain meets jungle, discover perfectly preserved ancient mummies in remote caverns, and trek into the breathtaking expanse of the Amazon rainforest, where you’ll meet all manner of wildlife, from poison dart frogs and caimans, to the iconic macaw and capybara. Experience Peru from a different perspective by switching up your mode of transportation: see the mysterious Nazca Lines in the South Peruvian desert from above by taking a plane tour, or go sandboarding in the desert and slide down dunes on your stomach while the endless sand stretches out and whizzes past you. A trip to Peru is a trip not easily forgotten, and certainly never regretted.

Check out these amazing trips to Peru > 

^{Photo: Paron Lake, Peru. By: Willian Justen de Vasconcellos/Unsplash}

11. The magnificent Ecuadorian Andes and Galapagos Islands

Our planet’s ever-evolving geology knows no borders or country lines, and the Andes and Amazon of Ecuador command just as much respect as they do in Peru. Though less popular among tourists, Ecuador houses all the sights and activities that an adventurer could ever dream of adding to their bucket list.

Hike deep into the snow-capped heights of the Andes or discover Ecuador’s colonial history through its cities’ captivating architecture. And don’t forget to visit the Galapagos Islands: a marvel all of their own, inhabited by penguins, giant tortoises, marine iguanas, and many more fascinating species with unique stories to tell. Visit the country’s ancient Inca capital of Quito, bursting with centuries of history both pre and post colonial, and marvel at the Cotopaxi volcano after riding the cable car high up into the clouds. Ecuador promises a captivating experience of unforgettable sights, smells, sounds and tastes, each more vivid than the last in their splendor.

Check out these amazing trips to Ecuador > 

^{Photo: Pailón del Diablo Waterfall, Baños, Ecuador. By: Dan Romero/Unsplash}

Travel with Anywhere

Feeling ready to book your tickets to one – or more – of these vibrant destinations yet? We don’t blame you. Before you do, though, we have a tip to share that’ll change the game when it comes to planning your next adventure. If you’re used to compromising on your itinerary by following a pre-made schedule that doesn’t suit you, or spending so much time planning everything yourself that you don’t even have the energy to get excited about your trip anymore, you’re not alone. If you’re looking for a better way, then Anywhere, Inc. might be just the solution you’ve been looking for. Anywhere crafts unique, tailor-made trips, made to help you enjoy the moment and experience travel how you want to, so that you can have your adventurous cake and eat it (adventurously), too.

^{Photo by: Štefan Štefančík/Unsplash}

With Anywhere, your trip to Thailand, Costa Rica, or any of these other exciting bucket list destinations is planned by an expert who works with you one-on-one to craft an itinerary that meets all of your wants and needs – and elevates them with local, insider knowledge – so that all you have to do is be there, in the moment. Whether you already have a clear vision of your trip, or you’re still putting together a nebulous concept based on what feels right, you can throw all of your ideas at Anywhere, and sit back while they’re transformed into an itinerary that’s by you and for you, and you alone.

If you agree that vacations aren’t just something you do, but extensions of yourself that both reflect who you are and shape who you’re becoming as you grow and evolve, then don’t let the limitations of traditional vacation planning stifle you. Allow your adventures to be just as unique as you are, and don’t settle for sacrificing freedom or your ability to be in the moment.

Discover all the possibilities on Anywhere’s website now. Make memories, and let memories make you.