The World’s 7 Best Adventure Destinations

Does the idea of lying on a sun lounger for two weeks send you off to sleep? Us too.

The best trips involve getting out there, seeing the sights and getting your adrenaline pumping.

So we’ve pulled together some of the world’s best adventure destinations, spanning all corners of the globe and a wide array of activities.

This isn’t an exhaustive list – you can find opportunities for adventure anywhere if you look hard enough – but the following guide should help you to kick-start your journey.

Yellowstone National Park, USA

Best for: 

• Hiking
• Rock climbing
• White-water rafting
• Kayaking on Yellowstone Lake
• Horseback riding

 

Often missing out in the rankings to its better-known little sister – the Grand Canyon – Yellowstone was the world’s first national park, and actually sits atop a super-volcano.

Once you’ve paid your entrance fee ($15 per person or $30 per vehicle), you can make the most of the park’s activities and natural wonders at your leisure.

Marvel at the hot springs and mudpots, explore forests and lakes, or look out for bison, bears, and moose, amongst others.

If you want to take your adventure to the next step, you can climb one of the vast rock faces and take in the views from a height or grab a paddle and head to the lake.

Try horseback riding in this fantastic location for an unforgettable adventure on some new friends.

A popular stopping off point on most American road trips, this is also the perfect destination for active families.

La Fortuna, Costa Rica

Best for:

• Wildlife spotting
• Hiking / Climbing volcanoes
• Zip-lining
• White-water rafting
• Canoeing/kayaking

 

Typically famed for its beautiful beaches and lush forests, Costa Rica is not just for the birdwatchers and honeymooners among us.

Head to La Fortuna, the town at the base of Arenal Volcano to get your fill of outdoors activities.

With no previous experience needed, and the ability to sign up for everything the day before, your adventure is flexible and customisable.

You can literally go as big or as small as you like.

Outdoor activities cover everything from hiking the active volcano and zip-lining through jungles, to walking over hanging bridges, heading to local hot springs or checking out the monkeys on a nature walk.

To get your heart racing, have a go on the 760 metre zip-line that shoots through the forest, overlooking Lake Arenal, and then go rafting down the river, dodging rapids as you go.

For a family-friendly adventure, explore the town then catch a jeep to the Lake and take in the views from a kayak.

Snowdonia National Park

Best for:

• Zip-lining 
• Hiking / Walking
• Cave stuff
• Surfing (yes really!)

 

This one is slightly closer to home and far easier on the budget, but no less exhilarating!

Snowdonia National Park combines the best of natural and man-made formations.

Mount Snowdon is one of the UK’s most beautiful hiking destinations all year round and you can decide how far/fast you go and how much you want to challenge yourself.

And the best part? It’s totally free!

Families can now turn their trip to Snowdonia into a mini adventure getaway, with Zip World having opened up an activity park at Llechwedd Slate Caverns.

They offer the first four-person zip line in Europe, so you can race your friends and family across the landscape. They’ve also developed a network of enormous caverns hidden underground, with industrial slides and indoor nets to roll and bounce through.

On top of this, nearby Surf Snowdonia even offers you a chance to surf in their awesome 300-metre surf lagoon.

So whatever your budget, and whether you’re taking the kids or are just a big kid yourself, you definitely won’t be short of things to do.

Queenstown, New Zealand

Best for:

• Skydiving
• Bungee jumping and bridge swings
• Water sports (incl. waterskiing, jet-boating and white-water rafting)
• Snow sports (incl. snowboarding, skiing and heli-skiing)

 

Undeniably one of the adventure capitals of the world, Queenstown is a hotspot for adrenaline junkies!

Whether it’s heli-skiing down snow-capped mountains or catching a tan whilst waterskiing across Lake Wakatipu, you can get your fill of adventure sports here.

The town sits on the shores of Lake Wakatipu but the Shotover and Dart rivers are the real attractions, offering unrivalled jet-boating experiences.

Anyone with a head for heights can try bungee jumping off Kawarau Bridge, where the activity was actually developed in 1988 and remains the safest place in the world to do it.

After a few big days of adventure activities, visitors can unwind in the region’s vineyards and historic mining towns or sample an infamous Fergburger.

Algonquin Park, Canada 

Best for:

• Camping
• Hiking
• Canoeing and kayaking
• Biking

 

Algonquin is the oldest provincial park in Canada, and covers an area a quarter the size of Belgium. As a result, it has plenty of space for all sorts of activities.

The park’s amazing trails include the Whiskey Rapids Trail, along the Oxtongue River, and the Barron Canyon Trail, with views from the north rim.

One of the most popular options is to take part in a three-day adventure tour that combines camping, canoeing and hiking your way through the park. Toast marshmallows over a fire then burn them off as you canoe across one of the vast lakes surrounded by mountains.

Another option is to stay in park lodgings and sign up for a daily bike tour to see if you can catch sight of moose, deer, beavers and bears in their natural habitat.

Topped off with swimming, picnicking, stand-up paddleboarding adventures and wildlife watching, this is a strong contender for number one family adventure destination!

Leon, Nicaragua

Best for:

• Volcano boarding
• Surfing 

 

On the west coast of Nicaragua, this one is a little off the beaten track, but an unmissable destination for anyone visiting Central America.

It was here that volcano boarding – essentially sliding down volcanic ash on a wooden board whilst lying on your stomach – was born.

Don a jumpsuit, climb the side of an active black volcano and get ready for the ride of your life.

The ash of Cerro Negro Volcano will warm your feet up on the climb then provide you with a spectacular view over the surrounding landscape.

With the ability to reach speeds of up to 95kph, this one is not for the faint-hearted but is definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Recover with a cold beer, then jump on a bus to Las Peñitas beach for a spot of sea and surf. Waves here are perfect for beginners who are looking to build their way up to the bigger swells further south and over the border in El Salvador.

Depending on when you visit, you might even catch some baby turtles being released!

Zanzibar, Tanzania

Best for:

• Surfing
• Diving
• Swimming
• Whale-watching

 

Fascinated by life underwater? Then head to Zanzibar for some of the world’s best diving.

Whether you are a Padi pro, or just a beginner, you’ll have the chance to see dolphins, sharks, turtles, octopus, and multi-coloured fish and corals.

Not ready to take on the ocean floor? Zanzibar also has boundless opportunities to catch sight of these creatures in other ways, including snorkelling trips or glass-bottomed boats.

Alternatively, grab your board and head out to one of the island’s surf spots – with options for all levels and abilities.

Tanzania is renowned as one of the world’s best locations to combine terrestrial wildlife with tropical marine life.

So catch a ferry back to the main land and head to nearby Selous Park, or catch a flight to Serengetti National Park, for a few days of safari and see if you can spot the big five!

 

Summary

So whether you’re an adventurous individual, a thrill-seeking couple or an active family, there are plenty of options.

A trip to any of these locations will allow you to fill your boots with a variety of activities, and what’s even better is that they’re all in the perfect surroundings for further exploring or relaxing.

If you’re just looking for a day out or weekend away, take a look our range of adventure activities and find something a little closer to home.