Sometimes when you travel, it's all about endless scoops of gelato, easy strolls through air-conditioned museums, and ultralazy pool days where double duty simply means soaking up the sun and a novel. Other times, though, it's heart-racing adventure you're after. Think epic hikes through the world's most extraterrestrial landscapes, swinging high above a rain forest abyss, camping out in the snow with a glittery Milky Way above you, or swimming among a school of floating jellyfish. Whether you're in the mood for a getaway in the humid tropics, dry desert, snowy landscapes, or lush forest, you'll surely find a destination that speaks to you and gets your adrenaline going on this list.
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You can be your own Tasmanian Devil in Tasmania, Australia. Yep, this city is home to that famous animal the cartoon was inspired by (they look more rat-like and less "furry tornado" in real life, though), but it offers so much more. Tasmania's 19 national parks boast rugged, sweeping landscapes with some of the most breathtaking, remote hikes in the world, complete with far-reaching eucalyptus fields, towering mountains, and glassy lakes.
There's no shortage of wildlife sightings in the Galápagos Islands, which is the very place that helped inspire Charles Darwin's theory of evolution. This volcanic archipelago, located within the Pacific Ocean near Ecuador, is home to the blue-footed booby, albatross, marine iguanas, sea lions, flamingos, and, of course, the Galápagos turtle.
If you really want to challenge yourself with an adventure, head over to one of the most astounding places in the entire world: the Amazon rainforest. There are a few ways to get there — including through Manaus, Brazil; Iquitos, Puerto Maldonado; and Cusco, Peru — and each requires an investment of your time. But once you're there, you'll be fully immersed in the rainforest's glory.
It's best to go with a very experienced tour guide who can help you navigate the territory safely. From piranha fishing on a river boat to pink dolphin sightings to wet hikes where you may encounter tarantulas, howler monkeys, and sloths, there's no shortage of adventure.
Lazy beach days may be the first thing you think of with Aruba — and, yeah, there's a lot of opportunity for that — but this tiny, colorful Dutch island in the Caribbean offers so much more. It's a hotspot for adventurous water sports, including some of the best wind surfing in the world, which isn't easy to come by. There's also no shortage of snorkeling (you can even snorkel above a shipwreck), jet skiing, sailing, and incredible scuba diving.
Another fun fact about Aruba is that the center of the island is a freaking desert! You will not be disappointed spending half your day on a UTV tour scoping out the incredible contrasting landscape of tropical ocean meeting dusty, cactus-speckled desert.
The rainforest and the beach have their fair share of adventure, but if you're looking for a vacation that pushes you somewhere even more out of the box, perhaps a plane ticket to the Atacama Desert in Chile will sate you. It's considered one of the driest places in the entire world (pack your lip balm!), and almost looks like it's a mystical new planet, with its erupting geysers, salt lagoons, multicolored strata, and jagged cliffs. In fact, it's often compared to Mars.
Iceland has been a major travel destination over the years, but for good reason. It's essentially a theme park for nature enthusiasts. There are countless stunning waterfalls to explore, glacier lagoons (and yes, you can do boat rides or glacier tours during certain times of the year), black sand beaches, and hidden hot springs.
Both Winter and Summer have their own pros. The Winter means there's a pretty high chance you'll see the incredible aurora borealis (aka the Northern Lights) and everything is covered in a pristine blanket of white snow. The Summers are very green, though still chilly, and you'll have a bit more flexibility in terms of driving and seeing more throughout the day since the sun stays out up to 21 hours per day.
When you think about Arizona, one of the first things that comes to mind is the dusty desert and sky-high temperatures. But did you know that the Grand Canyon state is home to six major biomes, including desert, grassland, chaparral, woodland, forest, and tundra? That's pretty epic. At certain times of the year, you can spend your morning skiing and then drive a couple hours and go for a nice swim under the hot sunshine.
Arizona is probably best known for its incredible hiking, though. From the massive Grand Canyon to the swirling sandstone of Antelope Canyon to the hidden oasis of Havasupai Falls and Fossil Creek, there's no shortage of adventure.
Bali is the place to go if you need some tropical revitalization. It also belongs on your list if you're seeking a tropical utopia adventure. This tiny island in the Indonesian archipelago is ripe with hidden beaches, remote jungle temples, numerous caves, forested volcanic mountains, and stunning coral reefs. If you're feeling brave — and if your heart can take it — try swinging on one of Bali's famous wooden swings.
The entire country of New Zealand is basically an adventure-lover's playground, but we're focusing on Queenstown because of its high adventure offerings. For example, daredevils can try free-solo bungee jumping, paragliding with a serious view, action-packed whitewater rafting, or catch some serious speed on a jet boat.
Another desert destination that promises grand adventure is Mongolia's Gobi Desert, which translates to "waterless place." It's home to some of the rarest animals on Earth — including snow leopards and Bactrian camels — and boasts a rich culture that's been preserved through the centuries. Staying in a yurt is a must, as is riding a camel, exploring caves and rock pools, and checking out ancient petroglyphs.
Idyllic beaches and sweeping lagoon views are just some of the draws of Palau, an archipelago made up of 500 islands in the Micronesia region of the western Pacific Ocean. Here you can live out your fantasy of being a mermaid by swimming in their famous Jellyfish Lake (Eil Malk Island), diving with rainbow-colored fish in the Mandarin Fish Lake (Koror Island), and swimming through natural pools and under waterfalls (Babeldao Island).
South Africa is a must-visit for extreme adventure enthusiasts. Here you can go cage-diving among a school of Great White Sharks and then later with toothy crocodiles, go whitewater rafting in the Western Cape, and catch a glimpse of wild zebras, giraffes, and elephants at Kruger National Park.
The United States is known for its epic road trips, and the Pacific Coast Highway is arguably one of the country's greatest. Highway 1 stretches 655 miles from San Diego to San Francisco and can take as little as a couple days to several weeks to drive depending on how many stops you make. We recommend paddle boarding in San Diego, walking the famous Santa Monica Pier, peeping Monterey's gorgeous Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, and dipping into some hot springs in Big Sur.
You didn't think you'd get through this list without seeing one of the most remote and least-traversed destinations in the world, did you? With its opportunities for polar plunging, glacier exploration, and ice camping under the Milky Way, Antarctica is a no-brainer for adventure travel. The only thing is that it's pretty time-consuming (and yes, expensive) to get to, so plan ahead.
Costa Rica is a genuine paradise for adventure-lusters. There aren't many places in the world where you can hang out with a sloth, go ziplining through the forest (the Costa Ricans invented this sport), try your hand at waterfall canyoning, and then swim across an inactive volcano (Cerro Chato). And that's only the beginning of what this tropical country has in store for its visitors.
