12 Best Places for Adventure Travel in the World
Matthew Perez How would you design your dream travel itinerary? Maybe you’re the type to check off every major monument and museum along the way. Maybe you’d prefer leisurely strolls along city streets, or you're eager to discover a beach or pool for some international lounging.
Or maybe it’s tons of activity, opportunities for cultural immersion, and a daily adrenaline rush (or two or three) you’re after. In that case, you might just be an adventure-seeker at your core.
Planning an adventure trip? Here are the top destinations to consider!
Adventure travel can cover a wide range of experiences, and the best places for adventure travel help you pack an array of heart-pounding, goosebump-raising possibilities into your trip. In fact, any time you push yourself to your limits, you’re embracing adventure travel.
For you, that could be hurtling from planes, scaling the world’s tallest peaks, or swimming hand-to-fin with sharks. Even immersing yourself in the local language or connecting with nature can offer meaningful adventure travel experiences.
And that means you’ll find opportunities for adventure just about everywhere. Picking the first place to visit might be your hardest task!
12 best places to travel for adventure seekers
You can’t go wrong with any of these action-packed destinations if you’re debating where to go for adventure travel:
1. Thailand
Grab your backpack and do a little island hopping in Thailand!
Put Thailand on your personal map if you’re looking for one of the best adventure trips in the world. A wide range of adventure opportunities exist in the midst of a tourist-friendly country, making Thailand a great destination whether you’re just getting into adventure travel or you’re a seasoned expert.
Gorgeous beaches, stunning temples, and bustling cities are just the start. Thailand lures in backpackers who want to explore wildlife (and wild nightlife), taste delicious food, surf for the first time, and do so much more. You can’t beat the affordability factor, either, making Thailand ideal for short-term adventures and longer stays alike.
Recommended program: Grabatour Thailand: 8-Day Thailand Experience
2. New Zealand
There’s good reason why New Zealand is home to the adventure capital of the world (for the uninitiated, just google Queenstown). You’ll find opportunities to live out all your adventure-travel dreams across the country. With everything from glaciers to hot springs to snowy mountains, New Zealand’s breathtaking landscapes make it the go-to land of adventure for travelers worldwide.
Zorbing, bungee jumping, flying by wire, jet boating—yep, Kiwis invented it all. Whether you’re after a water-based adventure (think: class 5 rapids for white water rafting) or prefer your adventures high above the ground (skydiving anyone?), New Zealand has you covered.
Recommended program: 12 Weeks Adventure Guide Program in Queenstown, New Zealand
3. Costa Rica
Hike in Costa Rica and meet jungles bursting with wildlife!
The country known for pura vida, a.k.a. the pure, simple life, is also one of the best places for adventure travel. You’ll find adventure around every corner, whether that’s on a sandy beach, in a dense jungle, or even high above a cloud forest or deep down in a cave spelunking.
Pound the waves and then lounge on the beach, or zipline above cloud forests and take in the natural beauty while getting your adrenaline fix. You can even go more hardcore with bungee jumping and extreme hiking. Costa Ricans really know how to embrace that pura vida lifestyle, so if you’re looking to enjoy life and earn some adventure points along the way, this Central American country is the place to go.
Recommended program: GVI: Wildlife Expedition in Costa Rica
4. India
India draws in plenty of travelers thanks to its reputation for adventure and its vast land. You can sign up for camel rides or skydiving, mountain trekking or watersports. India is also one of the world’s best places to go white water rafting, and there’s no lack of foodie tours, photography opportunities, and an impressive assortment of landscapes to keep things interesting.
There’s something here for those seeking laid-back days and top-notch adrenaline rushes alike. You’ll find deserts in Rajasthan and beaches in Goa, not to mention bustling cities like Delhi and Mumbai. Prefer your adventures in the mountains? Head off to the Himalayas, or better yet, make time for all of it on an extended adventure trip.
Recommended program: Oyster Worldwide: Backpacking Tour of India
5. Australia
When it comes to adventure travel, Australia has it all!
Scuba diving? Check. Bush hiking? Check. Snowboarding? Yeah, you can do that in Australia, too. Boasting mountain ranges, rainforests, outback, and even the Great Barrier Reef, this continent truly has the landscapes and activities to please any adventure-seeker.
The species count in the hundreds of thousands (you read that right) will have wildlife enthusiasts ready to book a plane ticket. Australia is well-known as a home to kangaroos and koalas, but you might also catch a glimpse of a cassowary, kookaburra, or echidna. When it’s time to really get your adrenaline pumping, white water rafting, bungee jumping, or learning to surf at an iconic spot like Bondi Beach or the Gold Coast should do the trick.
Recommended program: Pacific Discovery: New Zealand & Australia Gap Year Semester
6. Morocco
Morocco brings together cultural influences from Africa, Europe, and the Middle East, making it a unique landscape for all travelers. That’s especially true for the adventurers among us. Colorful souks, camel rides, mountain hikes, and delicious foods kick off an itinerary essential for those who love trips off the beaten path.
Situate yourself in the Mediterranean or in the Sahara. Maybe settle in for a homestay experience perfect for honing your Arabic or French skills. Morocco offers an assortment of ways to up your adventure game.
Recommended program: Desert Discovery Tours: 4 Days Desert Trip – Marrakech to Fes
7. Switzerland
Treat yourself to some Swiss chocolate while skiing in the Alps.
If the thought of Alpine adventures gets your pulse racing, you’ll want Switzerland on your list of destinations. Sure, this crossroads country in central Europe is known for delicious chocolate and luxurious spas. It’s also the place to take in unbeatable views of the Alps—whether you’re hiking, skiing, or hurtling high above the mountains (no surprise, Switzerland is a top skydiving destination).
From backpacking to snowboarding, paragliding to kayaking, there’s an adventure for anyone in Switzerland. Book a bike trip in the countryside, backpack through the Alps, and adventure on to your heart’s content.
Recommended program: Vivid Snowboarding: Snowboard Instructor Course
8. Peru
Peru lands squarely on adventure-seekers’ lists thanks to Machu Picchu. This Inca citadel is both the stuff of legends and the ideal setting for a heart-pumping trek. You’ll find a whole lot more to explore in Peru though. The diverse country features habits that range from the tropical Amazon basin rainforest to Andes mountain peaks to a Pacific coastal region complete with arid plains.
Whether it’s hiking, island hopping, Amazon rainforest tours, or a homestay experience you’re after, you’ll find it all in Peru. Check out the unique towns, learn about the area’s folklore, and take in the views from a canopy bridge. Machu Picchu is only the beginning of an amazing adventure.
Recommended program: Linguistic Horizons: Internship in the Sacred Valley, Peru
9. Greece
Greece is a go-to hub for adventure travel in the Mediterranean.
Stunning scenery and a plethora of adventurous activities make Greece a top choice when you’re wondering where to go for adventure travel. On land, you’ll have various chances to go hiking, biking, or mountaineering. By sea, try sailing or scuba diving.
Greece is even one of the top spots for snorkeling in the Mediterranean thanks to over 9,000 islands and islets and an underwater landscape chock full of species like the loggerhead turtle and Mediterranean parrotfish. Time to rest and recharge after a day of electrifying activity? Stroll along the cobblestone streets in a quaint village for a different kind of adventure.
Recommended program: GoEco: Greece – Sea Turtle Conservation
10. Nepal
Adventure bragging rights are yours for the taking once you hop a flight to Nepal. The home of Mount Everest (you know, the world’s tallest mountain) is actually the place to find a whopping eight of the ten tallest mountains on the planet. In other words, extreme adventurers can find plenty of challenges here.
Adventures in Nepal go far beyond mountain climbing, too. White water rafting, biking, and paragliding, all against the backdrop of hospitable people and mouthwatering food, makes for a memorable adventure trip. Sign up to volunteer, go birdwatching, or set off for the hike of a lifetime in Nepal.
Recommended program: Glorious Himalaya Trekking: Annapurna Base Camp Trek
11. Iceland
Between the northern lights and magnificent waterfalls, Iceland will take your breath away.
Iceland’s unique geography makes this island nation a dream for adventure travelers. Gorgeous glaciers, stunning waterfalls, and active volcanoes (the country is situated on the Mid-Atlantic ridge as well as over a hot spot, after all) mean an abundance of outdoor activities amidst the dramatic and diverse Icelandic landscape.
DIY-adventurers can’t go wrong by renting a car and road tripping along the Ring Road. You can also go for a soak in a natural hot spring, hike in a lava forest, or snorkel in the fissure where the American and European tectonic plates meet. When you’re not in full-on adrenaline mode, exploring the charming towns will keep you busy.
Recommended program: Travel For Teens: Iceland Adventure
12. United States
Hiking and kayaking in national parks like Yellowstone, dogsledding in Alaska, foodie tours in New York or LA. You don’t have to book a flight halfway across the globe to experience adventure travel at its finest. The United States is vast, it’s diverse, and it’s ready to deliver pretty much any adventure you can dream up.
Whether you visit Alaska, Hawaii, or any of a number of action-packed destinations in the continental U.S., you’re sure to find an adventure worthy of sending that postcard home…even if home is just a short drive rather than an hours-long flight away.
Recommended program: The High Desert Center: 3 Affordable Months of Adventure, Travel, Community & Growth
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Are you ready for some of the best adventure trips in the world?
Time to step out of your comfort zone!
No matter how you define adventure, the best places to travel for adventure seekers all have one thing in common: They offer the chance to get out of your comfort zone and embrace exploring the world around you. Start checking off destinations on your adventure bucket list and experience the power of transformative travel.
