Exotic is a subjective word—and it usually correlates to how well-traveled you are. In other words, the more of the world that you’ve seen, the less exotic far-out destinations feel.
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Exotic often denotes a warm climate, likely a lush and tropical place. But it can also be used to discuss flavors, scents, and even sounds. Again, what makes something exotic is dependent on the traveler—not necessarily the subject.
Here’s an example: A man from Antigua travels to Dublin, where he hears trad music played live for the first time in one of the city’s old pubs. That’s an exciting and new experience for the Antiguan man. A trad musician would have a similar experience heading to a steel drum performance in Antigua.
Exotic is the novelty that makes travel so exciting.
If you’re on the hunt for something fresh and new when you travel this year, start with these exotic destinations. They’ll introduce you to something original and unexpected—from cuisine to clothing to natural wonders.
Exotic destinations to visit in 2026
Bazaars in Marrakech, Morocco
Step into a labyrinthine maze of some of the world’s finest spices, handmade goods, and delicious eats in Marrakech. Its tightly compacted bazaars (called souks) are some of the most famous in the world thanks to their colorful mastery of dozens of trades, from spices to textiles to dangling metallic charms. Don’t miss Jemaa el-Fna for food, Souk Semmarine for goods, and Bab El Kemis Flea Market for a little bit of everything.
Find a place to stay in Marrakech.
Reefs of Raja Ampat, Indonesia
What makes the coral reefs of Raja Ampat better than Australia’s Great Barrier Reef or Belize’s Great Blue Hole? They have more biodiversity. Raja Ampat is located smack in the middle of a zone called the Coral Triangle, where around 75% of all the world’s coral species can be found. That’s more than 500 species of colorful marine coral, along with over 1,500 species of marine life, from sharks to fish to shrimp.
Find a place to stay in Raja Ampat.
Beaches of Palawan, Philippines
You’ve seen the dramatic limestone structures of Ha Long Bay in Vietnam, and maybe even China’s Zhangjiajie National Park. But the Philippines’ Palawan region is on another level. The chain of islands has over 1,700 locations where dramatic limestone cliffs rise from the water. Many hide hidden, cotton-candy-colored lagoons within them, creating a tropical menagerie that you can only access by boat, in many cases.
Find a place to stay in Palawan.
Lava fields of Kilauea, USA
Come see the lava fields that never stop flowing. Kilauea is one of the world’s most active volcanoes, with around 90% of its total surface covered by lava flows. These unique geological formations look like something from Mars—and they even create ‘lava tubes’ that look like underground tunnels. You won’t remember you’re on a tropical, lush island at the lava fields.
Find a place to stay near Kilauea.
Opera at La Scala in Milan, Italy
Overwhelmingly, my list of exotic destinations to visit focuses on natural wonders. To me, there’s nothing more exotic than Mother Nature’s scents, sights, and sounds—but art forms can also be exotic, and they don’t need to originate in faraway places. If you’re visiting Milan for the Olympics this year, visit La Scala for an opera show. You’ll be treated to the exotic, alluring sound of opera—which isn’t normally dubbed exotic, but is a treat for the ears that you probably haven’t heard live often, if at all.
Find a place to stay in Milan.
Wildlife of the Pantanal in Brazil, Bolivia, & Paraguay
The Pantanal is a tropical wetland that covers parts of Brazil, Bolivia, and Paraguay. It covers a space of around 61,000 square miles or around 39 million acres, much larger than the 1.5 million acres of Everglades National Park. Similar to Raja Ampat, it’s a hub for biodiversity thanks to its seasonal flooding. It’s home to over 650 species of birds and close to 160 mammal species, including the easy-to-see jaguar. You can reach the Pantanal from the southern city of Campo Grande.
Find a place to stay near the Pantanal.
Reynisfjara Beach in Iceland
Reynisfjara Beach is one of the world’s most stunning black sand beaches. It formed due to volcanic activity and includes unique hexagonal basalt columns that rise like dark giants. It’s also one of the world’s most dangerous shores to visit. The rough Atlantic Ocean produces something called rogue waves, which are massive waves that seemingly come out of nowhere and can wash unaware travelers into the sea. The last death at Reynisfjara occurred in summer 2025.
Find a place to stay in Reykjavik, around three hours from Reynisfjara.
Nile River cruise in Egypt
What makes a Nile River cruise so exotic? It’s like wading into the past. Not only is the Nile River a lovely sight as the world’s longest river, especially if you want to watch ancient ruins pass by, but it’s also historically and culturally impactful. Many cruises let you take shore excursions where you can learn about rural life and catch performances like Nubian music and belly dancing. From the food to the sunsets to the incense commonly burned, it’s a treat for the senses.
Find a Nile River cruise from Avalon or Viking.
Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in Mexico
Care to join the monarch butterflies as they undertake the 2,000-odd-mile journey from Canada to Mexico? Every year, close to a billion butterflies congregate in Mexico’s central oyamel fir forests. There are so many monarch butterflies gathering along the trees that some actually bow due to the weight. The reserve, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Centre, is the only place in the world where monarch butterflies spend winter. You can visit the biosphere reserve as a day trip during your stay in Mexico City.
Find a place to stay in Mexico City.
Stargazing in the Atacama Desert in Chile
The Atacama Desert is the world’s driest and oldest desert. It’s so remote and brutal that it’s actually a prime spot for NASA and similar groups to perform Mars tests to develop rovers and complete other scientific research. Instead of gazing at the desert, I recommend staring up at the night sky. The Atacama’s remote nature has made it the world’s premier hub for dark skies and stargazing. You can easily take stargazing tours from the capital of Santiago.
