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Travel off the beaten path offers a deeper, more rewarding, and enriching travel experience. With travel becoming increasingly accessible, many travelers are searching for unexplored and hidden destinations in order to fulfill their love for travel and exploration. However, more people traveling means many countries experience overtourism, consequently harming their environments and affecting local people. Inapparently, the world is still full of hidden gems waiting to be explored by adventurous travelers daring to go off the beaten track. Read on to discover six of my favorite unique off-the-beaten-path destinations around the world!
This is a guest post contributed by Joanna from Blondie Roams Free. Joanna is a full-time traveler that loves exploring off-the-beaten-path destinations and is focused on ethical travel.
Off the beaten path travel destinations around the world
Travel off the beaten path is traveling to lesser-known places that are off the tourist trail and largely unexplored. Although usually more challenging to get to and move around in, this challenge gives the thrills that adventure lovers need! Those destinations are usually tucked away in natural places, linking off-the-beaten-path travel to rural or community-based tourism. Those types of travel bring great benefits to the environment as well as local people and its small, local economies and should be at the forefront of every conscious traveler.
The benefits for the traveler include a richer experience, better encounters with locals, immersion in their culture and customs, more exciting journeys, and being away from crowds.
Benefits for the host countries and their inhabitants include greater job opportunities and consistent income, cultural immersion, culture and heritage preservation, and wildlife and environment conservation, among many other benefits.
Many travelers that are traveling long term, eventually start craving more profound encounters so they begin to look further than ‘bucket list’ destinations.
Off-the-beaten-path travel destinations
The biggest reason to ditch very touristic destinations and go off the beaten track is to avoid contributing to overtourism and its complications. Tourism, although seemingly positive, puts a massive strain on the countries that we visit, their inhabitants, and the environment.
A temporary visitor to a destination, will not experience any of the bad consequences that tourism has created, but the destination’s local people and the ecosystems will. That’s why we need to be more aware of our actions.
It should go without saying that all travelers should aim to be as responsible as they can be and should always consider the impact that they make, followed by making the impact as positive as they can.
Overtourism in Venice, Italy.
Overtourism, or unsustainable tourism, occurs when a place becomes very popular and starts attracting excessive numbers of people, consequently creating negative impacts on the environment and its local communities.
Defined simply by the Oxford Dictionary in 2018, overtourism is basically ‘too much tourism’. Places that have more tourism than the economy, environment, and inhabitants can support fall under this category.
Dubrovnik, Croatia
The list does not end here. Other countries include France, Iceland, the Czech Republic, Denmark, and more.
Bali, a relatively freshly ‘overtouristed’ destination, with the boom of digital nomadism, received 2.1 million tourists in 2022, and Machu Picchu alone receives 1.5 million visitors a year, on average.
Over tourism in some countries stays condensed in small areas. For example, solely Spain’s Barcelona receives as many tourists a year as the whole of Mexico!
Overtourism and the environment
Travelers, inherently, love nature and the world. This is why we travel: to spend time in nature, to be among the world’s most beautiful natural places, and appreciate what our planet has got to offer.
Our planet never needed more help and care than it does now. As travelers, we should take greater care of nature. After all, what will we explore if we destroy the ecosystems and the flora and fauna? Additionally, how unfair it is that we will simply leave the place and go back to our homes, whilst the destination is left to deal with the repercussions?
The environment is sadly at the forefront when it comes to the negative consequences. The trotted paths destroy ecosystems. For example, The Great Barrier Reef in Australia is slowly disappearing as scuba divers cause pressure on this unique and very important ecosystem. Similarly, Maya Bay in Thailand also dealt with massive pressures caused by tourists taking boat tours around the bay.
Another great consequence of overtourism is waste accumulation. This is especially problematic for developing countries that do not have the infrastructure or systems to deal with the waste.
Trash
Tourists are responsible for 1.3 billion tons of waste a year.
Unbearable amounts of rubbish lead to it being badly managed, or not managed at all, leading to landfills and overflow of sewage plants.
Additionally, businesses that cater to tourists are known to overuse resources that might be already scarce in some areas, such as water. Fancy hotels or resorts use unnecessary amounts of water for pools or water decorations such as fountains and so on. Research shows that 100 hotel guests will use as much water in 55 days as 100 residents of developing countries, in three years!
Water is just one of the valuable resources that is overconsumed in the name of tourism. Pollution and land use are others.
Street food stall in Vietnam
Unsustainable travel also badly affects the local communities. The countries that we visit are inhabited by people that often make our visits special. It is them after all, that welcomes you warmly, cook your food, lead your tour group, or accommodate you in their houses or businesses. It makes sense that travelers will care about the communities during their visit.
Tourism brings economic benefits to local communities, as tourism creates job opportunities. In many cases, tourism is very important to national and local economies. Many places, predominantly the Caribbean Islands or Malta and Belize, rely on tourism as their main income. Travel and tourism contribute 5.8 trillion USD to the global GDP.
However, this number isn’t spread evenly across the country. Whilst some places are most visited in the countries, many places are left out. Those people never benefit from tourism in their home countries.
Overtourism in cities
For example, it might come as a surprise that Hungary is the 3rd most ‘overtouristed’ country in the whole world. This is due to tourists flocking to its main tourist attraction – the capital, Budapest. A very popular city break destination, especially for Europeans due to cheap flights offered by budget airlines such as Ryanair or EasyJet, making this destination easily accessible. It is the same case with Barcelona, Tulum or Cancun, Venice, Bali, and so on.
Additionally, tourism is also responsible for the increase in housing prices. Platforms like Airbnb and its users are mainly to blame for the high inflation. This has been most predominant in European cities, such as Barcelona, Rome, Venice, and Amsterdam.
The dispersion of tourists in the country would contribute to the solution to overtourism. Travelers that go off the beaten path allow other communities to gain an economic boost, among other positive consequences of tourism.
Slow travel to off-the-beaten-path travel destinations is better!
With so many bad consequences of overtourism, it is clear that ditching ‘bucket list’ or ‘insta-famous’ destinations is necessary for those that truly care about nature, local communities and aspire to be responsible travelers.
With so much of the world seemingly explored, it might seem like there are no unexplored areas left. But, lucky for us, the world is very vast and full of beautiful places. Even touristic countries such as Thailand, Mexico, or France still have hidden gems that are waiting to be explored.
If you care about being a conscious traveler, consider going off the beaten path and traveling further.
Here are six of my favorite off-the-beaten-path travel destinations around the world to inspire your travels!
England is a popular travel destination but not many people get out of London. With England’s 10 National Parks and 46 Areas of Natural Beauty, nature lovers visiting England will have plenty to choose from and will enjoy traveling outside of the capital. Chiltern Hills is Europe’s hidden gem. Cuddled between England’s most touristic cities – London and Oxford, it’s a great alternative to the very popular and overcrowded Cotswolds.
Chiltern Hills, UK
One of the most wooded places in England that get complimented by gorgeous fields of bluebells in the spring, surrounded by traditional, sleepy British cottages and market towns. A place full of history that reaches the Bronze Age and an incredible place to observe local life and the rich British culture, the Chiltern Hills is very easily accessible. Since it is full of pathways, trails and has an advanced cycling network system it is easy to travel around, even for foreigners. It can be explored by train, car, bicycle, or foot.
It is full of cozy guesthouses, traditional bars serving fish and chips, burgers or artisan beers, and breathtaking views. And the best thing about visiting this Area of Natural Beauty is that it is not crowded at all! It is also way cheaper than the overpriced Cotswolds, and mostly visited by the Brits, making it a great opportunity to mingle with locals and immerse yourself in British culture.
Poland, in general, does not get the vibe it deserves. Foreign tourists will usually spend their time in cities like Krakow, Gdansk, or Warsaw, with little foreign tourism in other places. Polish people, on the other hand, admire this region and often flock there for their summer holidays or long weekends.
Mazury, Poland
Mazury is a great destination for travelers that like active holidays, enjoy learning more about history, and explore lesser-known countries and unique natural places.
Mazury is a nature-rich region in northeast Poland. Known as the ‘Green Lungs of Poland’ or ‘Land of Thousand Lakes’, it consists of over 2,600 magnificent lakes among many other rivers and canals, forests, farmlands, castles, and fortresses. Unsurprisingly, it is also home to the largest lakes in the country.
Activities and things to do in Mazury, include water sports such as swimming, kayaking, canoeing and sailing trips, cycling, and hiking as well as exploring the rich history of Poland by touring museums and remainders of World War II such as bunkers, shelters, trenches and even Adolf Hitler’s headquarter.
It is well connected with Poland’s capital – Warsaw, making it easily accessible. Above all, it is affordable and full of unique B&B or guest houses that reflect Poland’s incredible hospitality.
Although Europe’s Balkan region is lately experiencing a tourism boom, North Macedonia still remains unvisited and unexplored.
This landlocked country in southeastern Europe has a very rich history and unique, multicultural heritage. Some of North Macedonia’s monuments and archaeological sites date back further than the Middle Ages. In fact, Skopje – North Macedonia’s capital city is known to be 7,000 years old!
Additionally, this small Balkan country has spectacular mountains and charming countryside villages. The Matka Canyon is the jewel of North Macedonia with its emerald green waters and drastic cliffs. It is also a great place to hike, among many other incredible hiking opportunities in the country.
Matka Canyon, Macedonia
Famous for its high peaks, this country is very mountainous, which makes it a great destination for hikers and nature lovers. The national parks are full of untouched natural beauty that resemble North America’s Rocky Mountains in some places. Cultural accents can also be found during hikes, as many trails pass through traditional cottages and small, hidden churches.
Apart from the gorgeous natural spots, rich history, and culture, North Macedonia’s cuisine is simply divine. Full of diverse and colorful ingredients and spices, and above all, this country’s wine industry produces great red wines that complement the meals very nicely.
Even, as someone that does not drink a lot, I couldn’t help myself to have yet another glass of the tasty Macedonian wine, in the cozy, family-run restaurants of Skopje’s Old Bazaar!
Central Asia consists of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Those countries rarely make it to the tops of popular bucket list destinations. Extremely remote and rugged, exploring Central Asia is the true definition of ‘off the beaten path’ travel and the perfect adventure travel destination.
Travelers can expect very generous hospitality and warm welcomes from excited and kind locals.
The natural places are simply mind-blowing, with their high mountains, blue lakes, immense deserts, and areas of vastness. Additionally, Central Asia is home to the largest grassland belt in the world, meaning it is also home to some spectacular animals like antelopes, gazelles, wild sheep, and more.
Central Asia
Apart from its natural beauty, the culture of this region is extremely unique. Reflecting the nomadic lifestyles of many tribes, yurts can be found all over Central Asia, especially in Kyrgyzstan. On the other hand, Kazakhstan’s long-lasting dance culture reflects this important part of the life of Central Asia’s inhabitants.
With Turkmenistan’s ‘Gates to Hell’ and Registan Square in Uzbekistan, the ‘stan’ countries also possess jaw-dropping architecture.
Above all, this vast and diverse region is extremely safe to travel in!
Mongolia, a country that resembles Central Asian countries, due to its similar culture, history, and landscapes, is a dream for travelers that enjoy off-the-beaten-path travel destinations.
With the lack of infrastructure, visitors will need to get creative when choosing their modes of transport around the country. Horse riding and bikepacking are great ways to explore this hidden gem.
Mongolia is known for its immense countryside and vast fields and hills. Only 1% of the land is used by humans for habitation or agricultural purposes, making this country feel completely empty. Mongolia is also home to the Gobi Desert.
Mongolia
With around 97% of the population being nomadic, Mongolia is one of the best places in the world to observe nomadic communities that still practice eagle hunting.
The intriguing culture can be observed in a very authentic and local way, during the annual Yak and Naadam Festivals, both taking place in July. Mongolians get together to celebrate by competing and playing traditional games and sports, displaying pride in their heritage, traditions, and nomadic customs.
An exciting way to get to Mongolia is by taking the epic Trans-Mongolian Railway Route, leaving from Moscow, which offers multiple days of appreciating the beautiful landscape that the train passes through.
Nicaragua, a beautiful country in Central America is full of hidden gems, as many parts still remain unexplored.
On the far ends of the country, there is a river that borders Costa Rica. It is situated in the pristine primary forest of Central America. Completely untouched by tourism, this is an incredible place to observe the unique flora and fauna of the region.
The journey down the San Juan River is a journey into Nicaragua’s dire history. This river was used by Spanish colonizers on their feat to colonize this Central American country, as well as British pirates, whose bodies are buried in 18th-century cemeteries on the far east Caribbean beaches of Greytown. Hundreds of American ships used the river San Juan as a passage on their way from San Francisco to New York, during the California Gold Rush.
San Juan River, Nicaragua
Mark Twain, a famous American writer and a passenger on one of the boats, was absolutely mesmerized by this region and even wrote poems about it!
This adventure includes traveling down a 200km long river, where the river is the highway and local boats filled with locals running errands, chickens and geese is the main mode of transport.
Unsurprisingly, this place remains one of the most fascinating places that I visited!
Traveling to destinations off the beaten path is my favorite part of travel. The memories that I made in those unique places are among my favorite ones! I encourage everyone to try getting off the tourist trail to experience deeper travel encounters.
ENJOY!
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Hi! I am Annelies and this is Travelers & Dreamers, a blog about conscious travel which means traveling in a more mindful way, with a positive impact on the world and yourself!
On this website, I cover different topics like slow travel, plant-based food guides, responsible travel, sustainable packing, eco-travel, and more!
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Nilkanth Patil
Excellent choice of off the beaten path! The post is very encouraging, and I have chosen North Macedonia as my next destination as it perfectly suits my choice of adventure.