By Cory Beach

2020 was a weird year for travel. With many of the world’s most popular vacation destinations shut down or hard to reach, most people opted to stay home and explore their own backyards. So with a year of backed-up and postponed travel plans, 2021 is shaping up to be a bumper year for tourism.

What better way to celebrate being able to travel freely again than by exploring parts of the world you’ve never been to before? With that in mind, here are some of the most exciting under-the-radar travel destinations to visit in 2021.

Costa Rica

Costa Rica has long been a hidden gem tucked away in Central America, loved by adventure travelers for its astonishing rainforests and remarkable cloud-touching ziplines, and by everyone else for its gorgeous beaches and warm welcome. This year it is set to become a popular destination a little off the beaten path, thanks to its excellent pandemic response. As an added bonus, Costa Rica has been a constant leader in conservation and sustainability, making it a great option for sustainable travelers too.

Slovenia

A small country in Eastern Europe often overlooked in favor of its bigger, flashier neighbors like Austria and Italy, Slovenia is well worth exploring. The eye catchingly picturesque Lake Bled is worth the trip alone, and the country offers a wonderful combination of the best of Eastern and Western Europe, with stunning landscapes, beautiful architecture, and fascinating culture. Best of all, food and accommodation are incredibly reasonably priced in comparison to more popular Euro destinations.

Mexico Beyond the Beach

Mexico’s coastline has been a major cruise destination for years, but the country’s interior remains largely undiscovered. However there is a world of amazing destinations to visit, with Mexico boasting an astonishing variety of cultures, traditions, and scenery to explore. From Oaxaca and San Cristobal de las Casas in the southwest, via Merida in the Yucatan, to the mountains and volcanoes of Puebla and the deserts of Chihuahua and Sonora in the North, this extraordinary country is well worth a much more detailed exploration.

Botswana

When planning African adventures travelers often gravitate towards places like Kenya, Zimbabwe, or South Africa, but Botswana is a charming under-the-radar option as well. One of the African countries least affected by the pandemic it offers some wonderful and varied experiences across the country, from the Kalahari Desert to the Okavango Delta.