11 exotic places to travel to around the world

Most of the time, our trips are filled with visits to sights, museums, castles, art galleries, temples, beautiful buildings with impressive architecture, and generally a rush to fit everything in. But sometimes, the sun, sea, and sand are all one needs to relax and recharge their batteries.

Exotic places like Fiji and Maui are at the top of many travellers' lists, offering everything you could want for the perfect exotic holiday: a tropical climate, stunning palm trees, and clear beaches with white sand and crystal-clear waters.

Closer to home, the Canary Island of Fuerteventura and Vis in Croatia make escaping from it all incredibly easy. Whether you want to get away from everyday life or marvel at Mother Nature, we've selected some of the most exotic places to travel to around the world.

What are you waiting for? Search for flights on Travelo.gr and head off to your next exotic destination!

 

1. Maui, Hawaii

This island, with its golden beaches stretching for over 120 miles, is a paradise for all aspiring surfers. Attractions abound everywhere in Hawaii. Maui, known as 'the Valley Isle', is famous for its mountains, beautiful sunsets, and bamboo forests. Relax on Kaanapali Beach or see the red sand at Kaihalulu - it's unlike any other beach in the world.

 

What to do

• To stay active: Maui is a tropical wonderland, dotted with vast trails and hiking routes. Book a 5-hour waterfall and rainforest hike. You'll have the opportunity to swim in natural pools, enjoy a fresh picnic lunch, and learn all about the area's culture, flora, and fauna from your experienced guide.
• To relax: A luxury sunset cruise is a magical way to see Maui in its colourful evening hues. Enjoy the sunset views from a luxurious catamaran while your chef prepares your dinner.

 

Where to stay

• The best hostel: The Friendly Tiki Beach Hostel is the perfect haunt for surfers in Maui. The beach is a stone's throw away, and the communal areas are ideal for connecting with other guests. Various group activities are organised – such as the Friday night BBQs, which add to the fun.
• Best beachfront hotel: The Napili Kai Beach Resort is a dazzling beachfront property where you can eat, sleep, and enjoy life to the sound of the ocean. The resort features four swimming pools, two hot tubs, outdoor barbecues, and two shuffleboard courts. Whether you want to unwind or spend your days on more active pursuits, anything is possible here.

 

2. Puerto Rico

With a tropical climate, secluded palm-fringed beaches, and unique natural beauty, Puerto Rico is arguably the most exotic island in the Caribbean. Spot tree frogs in the dense El Yunque jungle, swim at night in Mosquito Bay, and admire the country's beautiful golden sandy beaches.

 

What to do

• For water lovers: Active travellers shouldn't miss the chance to kayak in Fajardo and dive into the waters of the Bio Bay Laguna Grande Nature Reserve. After a full safety briefing, you'll head out in your kayak for an unforgettable sunset – once darkness falls, the magic begins. Marvel at the bioluminescent bay as the water's surface comes alive with glowing flashes created by microscopic organisms. It's the perfect reminder that Puerto Rico is one of the most exotic holiday destinations in the world.

 

• For hiking: El Yunque is the only tropical rainforest registered by the US National Forest System. You can hike through dense foliage and past waterfalls cascading into rushing rivers. The best way to experience the area and its endemic flora and fauna is to take a guided tour of El Yunque.

 

Where to stay

• Best for spa and golf: The Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Puerto Rico Golf & Beach Resort is a luxurious four-star hotel with all the amenities you'd expect from a world-class resort. There are two golf courses, while the Mandara Spa is Bali-inspired and features meditation areas, a lounge, and several steam rooms. The bedrooms are bright and airy.

 

• Best budget option: Chalet Olas del Sol boasts excellent sea views. There's also a garden, as well as a number of wonderful hiking routes in the area. With two bedrooms, a living room, and a fully equipped kitchen, Olas del Sol is a great choice for families on a budget.

 

3. Fuerteventura, Canary Islands

If you're looking for exotic destinations close to home, this one's for you! Fuerteventura might be the most intriguing of the Canary Islands, thanks to its wild beaches, crystal-clear waters, and a distinct bohemian vibe. The winds make it ideal for water sports, and there are also many renowned nude beaches.

 

What to do

• Best for spectacular landscapes: Book a Dune Buggy tour to enjoy Fuerteventura's beautiful scenery in a PGO 600 buggy. Most of the tour is dedicated to off-road exploration.

 

• Best for ocean excursions: If the Dune Buggy tour sounds a bit too high on adrenaline, opt for swimming with dolphins and whales. Seeing these beautiful animals cross the waters is a breathtaking experience.

 

Where to stay

• Best for families: The all-inclusive AluaVillage Fuerteventura is the ideal base for families in Fuerteventura, with a children's pool, a kids' club, and a packed entertainment programme. Adults can visit the spa – with a steam room, whirlpool, and sauna.

 

• Best for spa and wellness: The Royal Palm Resort & Spa – Adults Only welcomes guests aged sixteen and over, making it an excellent choice for couples seeking peace and relaxation. The spa includes an indoor pool, a landscaped sauna area, a gym, and even a salt cave. As expected, an extensive menu of beauty and wellness treatments is also offered.

 

4. Tayrona National Park, Colombia

Azure waters, swaying hammocks, and hidden beaches can be found in Colombia – a country that until recently was off the beaten tourist path. Hike through Tayrona National Park, a dream destination for eco-travellers and undoubtedly one of the most exotic places to travel to in the world. It's the ideal place to stay in a beachfront hut, taste exotic fruits, and explore beautiful lagoons.

 

Where to stay

• Best for beachfront ambiance: With an outdoor pool and a sun terrace that literally overlooks the beach, Senda Casa Tayrona Los Naranjos is stunningly located. The distinctive thatched roof and dark wooden shutters give the whole place a tropical tiki vibe.

 

• Best hostel: At Viajero Hostel, there's an amazing pool, hammocks hanging under the palm trees, and bookable activities like surfing lessons. The restaurant, meanwhile, serves delicious fresh seafood dishes.

 

Vis, Croatia

This Adriatic gem is a short ferry ride from the Croatian city of Split, yet its secluded coves feel as if they're in the tropics. Take a boat to Stiniva, a hidden beach often hailed as the best in Europe.

You could take a sailing trip along the Adriatic coast or explore the shores of Dalmatia.

 

Where to stay

• Best for staying in the historic centre: Hotel San Giorgio is a friendly place with kind and helpful staff and a charming garden courtyard. The rooms are clean, colourful, and include standard double rooms as well as junior and deluxe suites. The latter features a jacuzzi – perfect for special occasions and anniversaries.

 

• Best seafront spot: Mira Sea Front Guesthouse offers a good range of self-catering apartments in Vis. The studios and apartments are located in two different spots, both in the small village of Komiza. True to their name, all have sea views.

 

6. French Polynesia

French Polynesia is undoubtedly one of the most exotic holiday destinations, where emerald lagoons sparkle and the scents of vanilla, coconuts, and Tiare Tahiti flowers fill the air. Yes, it's as beautiful as you've heard. You won't be able to cover all five archipelagos (a total of 118 islands), so head to Maupiti: "the untouched island". Its beaches are whiter than white, it's scattered with mystical caves, and Mount Te'urafa'atiu offers breathtaking views.

 

What to do

• In Bora Bora: Explore the underwater world of Bora Bora on a safari with sharks, eels, stingrays, and other tropical marine life. Experienced guides will help you spot the colourful fish. Warning: shark encounters are, of course, not for the faint-hearted.

 

• In Moorea: Booking a half-day 4x4 safari tour will allow you to discover a range of the island's highlights in style. From visiting a tropical garden to admiring an old volcanic crater from the island's pineapple fields and visiting a distillery, travellers will be captivated from start to finish.

 

Where to stay

• In Bora Bora: The Maitai Bora Bora offers a range of accommodations, from classic overwater bungalows to beachfront bungalows and rooms with ocean and garden views. The hotel is close to Matira Beach, Bora Bora's only public beach, and also features two restaurants and two bars.
• In Tahiti: Vanira Lodge, in the village of Teahupoo on the Tahiti peninsula, overlooks the ocean on one side and dense forest on the other. Choose between 'nature', 'spa', or 'veranda' bungalows. All are exquisite, but the Maara nature bungalow is particularly atmospheric – raised on stilts at the edge of the forest, it's a world away from your average bungalow.

 

7. Yucatán, Mexico

This southeastern corner of Mexico, separating the Gulf of Mexico from the Caribbean Sea, has all the ingredients for an exotic holiday. Explore the wide beaches of Tulum, cool off in unique limestone cenotes, and swim with whale sharks off Isla Holbox. The Mesoamerican Reef just offshore – the second largest in the world – boasts abundant marine life. Consider combining Yucatán with a visit to Mexico City or heading to Chiapas and the famous Sumidero Canyon before relaxing on the white sandy beaches of Playa del Carmen.

 

What to do

• In Tulum: Tulum isn't just about white sand beaches. The region's long history and rich culture are showcased in the wealth of Mayan ruins here – best explored with the help of a local guide. Visit the archaeological zone and a cenote on a guided tour to experience the area's culture, before cooling off in a beautiful cenote.

 

• In Playa del Carmen: It would be a crime to stay in Playa del Carmen without visiting the world-famous Chichén Itzá. The massive El Castillo pyramid, which once dominated the ancient Mayan city, remains its undisputed landmark. On a guided tour, you'll not only benefit from your guide's knowledge but also save time by skipping the queues.

 

Where to stay

• In Tulum: If you love art and design, you simply must visit Casa Malca. This luxurious hotel exudes contemporary charm. The spacious suites are works of art in themselves, making the hotel a popular spot for weddings.

 

• In Playa del Carmen: The philosophy of Palmaïa – The House of Aïa Wellness Enclave All Inclusive is harmony with nature. This concept is played out in everything from the 'vegan suites' to the handcrafted dishes in their restaurant and the innovative 'Architects of Life' programme that promotes spiritual growth. Yoga, meditation, healing ceremonies, or astrology.

 

8. Koh Rong Sanloem, Cambodia

This paradisiacal island off Cambodia's southern coast is one of the most exotic places to travel to in the Gulf of Thailand. It contrasts sharply with the tourist town of Sihanoukville (where you'll catch the ferry), as you'll find no traffic and very little development, apart from a few rustic beachfront huts. Go night swimming with bioluminescent plankton in M'Pei Bay, hike through the rainforest, or sip a coconut in a hammock on Saracen Bay.

 

Where to stay

• Best for families with children: One Resort features a playground, as well as a range of fantastic activities for the whole family, such as snorkelling and fishing. The resort's two pools and private beach are ideal for cooling off. Family rooms and bungalows complete the picture.

 

• Best budget option: The white and blue beachfront huts of Sarasea Resort are utterly charming, with small verandas out front to sit and watch the world go by. Facilities include a restaurant, bar, garden, and private beach. The bungalows may look simple, but each has a flat-screen TV – not that you'll want to watch it, with the ocean lapping at your door.

 

Whitsunday Islands, Australia

The glittering white and blue hues of the Whitsunday Islands have become an iconic exotic location for travellers exploring Australia. Located off the coast of Queensland, they are home to the Great Barrier Reef, a World Heritage Site – a dream for serious divers. With hiking trails and secluded beaches, they are equally beautiful above water. Visit between July and September to catch a glimpse of migratory whales.

 

What to do

• Best for active travellers: There's a plethora of exciting activities to get thrilled about in the Whitsundays. For an unforgettable day, why not combine several experiences into one, venturing to snorkel, raft, and hike through a forest – all in one day.

 

• Best views: The Whitsunday Islands may look superb from the ground, but the view from the air is something else entirely. Book a scenic flight from Airlie Beach and take in the stunning marine landscapes of the Whitsundays and the Great Barrier Reef. In-flight commentary helps travellers identify key landmarks from above.

 

Where to stay

• Hamilton Island beachfront: Large rooms – with private balconies – and magnificent views are the hallmark of the Reef View Hotel. To make the most of the hotel's beachfront location, ask for a room overlooking the sparkling Coral Sea, although the garden rooms are also delightful.
• Best for those on a budget: The Palm Bungalows may be reasonably priced, but there's nothing else 'budget' about them. The stylish interiors are bright and airy, and private balconies overlook lush, tropical gardens. With a gym, pools, and tennis courts, the facilities are also excellent, and Catseye Beach is just a two-minute walk away.

 

10. Fiji

When it comes to exotic holiday destinations, the Fiji Islands are hard to beat. A country blessed with gorges, mangrove forests, waterfalls, and natural pools, it's the jewel of the South Pacific. There are over three hundred islands in the archipelago, and its marine parks offer incredible coral diving. It's also home to five different species of turtles, dolphins, and the rare Fiji iguana.

 

What to do

• Best for culture lovers: The Untold Broadway Show is a modern tale of ancient Fiji through song and dance. It's a well-choreographed performance, staged in a 450-seat arena by the internationally renowned VOU Dance Fiji company. Prepare to be amazed.

 

• Best for a nature experience: The Fijan Nature & Waterfall Experience includes the glorious rainforests of the Colo-I-Suva Nature Reserve, where your experienced guide will highlight all the local flora and fauna. The jungle hike will thrill you as you pass natural pools and waterfalls along the way – the perfect excuse to jump in and cool off.

 

11. Madagascar

Home to otherworldly landscapes and one of Earth's most unique ecosystems, few places can remind you of Eden like Madagascar. Explore the Tsingy forests, a series of vertical limestone pinnacles known as the 'Forest of Knives', or head to Masoala National Park, filled with unique plant and animal species found nowhere else on earth. What could be more exotic than being in the middle of the ocean, surrounded by stunning nature and sights?

There are so many places in the world waiting for you to discover! Whether you're looking for adventure or simply to relax with your partner or by yourself, there are countless options! All you have to do is choose one of the destinations we've mentioned above!

And how much do flights to these exotic places cost?

Certainly, flights are a major cost for these trips – perhaps even higher than accommodation. However, through Travelo.gr you can search and find dates with cheap tickets so you can take advantage of airline offers and save a good amount of money on your flights!

You just need to plan your trip within a range of dates and continuously search for flights with a ± few days to find the right offer!