5 Bucket List Destinations for Travelers Who Thrive Off the Beaten Path

Nuuk, Greenland (Photo: Aningaaq Rosing Carlsen)

It’s certainly not everyone’s cup of tea, but there’s just something about a far-flung destination that gets my juices flowing. If you are here reading these words, I am gonna go out on a limb and assume the same could be said for you. You look at the resorts in Cancún, the congested streets of New York City, the colorful souvenir shops in places like Key West and Niagara Falls, and say to yourself, “Not today, Satan.”

Because today is all about finding a new remote destination that is perhaps not so easy to get to. The following is not a list of the “most remote” places on the globe by any stretch, but it may just give you some new ideas or inspire you to seek out another faraway place. Even if you don’t plan on traveling to the ends of the Earth, hopefully you’ll learn something new.

Without further ado, here are five remote destinations that may be worth a deeper dive:

São Tomé and Príncipe

São Tomé and Príncipe, a pair of volcanic archipelagos near the equator in the Gulf of Guinea, can be found in what might be considered the “armpit” of Africa. Don’t let geographic profiling creep in here, though; these two are anything but the pits. They are also an incredibly well-kept secret, or possibly just difficult enough to get to, that they ranked 142nd in tourist visits in 2021, topping out at just over 15,000. That figure, which was up from the major Covid-related downturn in 2020, is perhaps not truly representative of the way in which tourism is growing there, but it’s still fairly safe to say you won’t be wading through crowds to find a spot on the beach.

Instead of tourists, it is nature, and lots and lots of it, that you’ll run into here. Trees cover 90% (!!) of the small island nation, which is also rife with steep mountains and rock formations, 130 miles of combined coastline, and picturesque waterfalls within hiking distance.

Before you dive head first into all of that nature, though, your first taste of this two-island nation will be the city of Sao Tome, the sole international entry point by air, which has been described as both charming and decrepit, with a travel writer for The Telegraph once dubbing it “Africa’s own miniature Havana”. Traces of Portugal, from whom the island nation declared independence in 1975, are everywhere — the most obvious being the national language, Portuguese, which 98 percent of Santomeans speak.

Specific sites to see on São Tomé Island include Lagoa Azul, a picture-perfect lagoon with baobab trees and clear blue waters near the northern tip of the island; Praia Micondo, a cozy beach encircled by black cliffs and plenty of lush foliage found along the eastern shore; and São Nicolau Waterfall, found along a winding and bumpy mountain road only a half hour from the capital.

To get the true Santomean experience, however, you really need to make your way up to Príncipe Island, which sits 99 miles to the northeast. Home to a population of just 8,000 people (compared to São Tomé Island’s 200,000), it’s a place that can feel almost abandoned at times. The few tourists that visit Príncipe have the option of staying at isolated eco-resorts which sit on some of the most pristine beaches found anywhere on earth. These include the sites of former plantations, or roças, such as Roça Belo Monte and Roça Sundy, as well as the island’s oldest resort, called Bom Bom, and the newer five-star luxury tent complex Sundy Praia, which boasts an infinity pool right on the ocean.

Further Reading: Let's All Just Escape to These Beautiful, Off-the-Radar African Islands

Küste, Oman (Photo: Lena Balk)

Oman

While not necessarily remote in some of the ways the other places on this list are, you could certainly make a case for Oman being an oft-overlooked destination. One of seven nations found on the Arabian Peninsula, Oman, I imagine, is much less well-known than some of its immediate neighbors, which include Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and the United Arab Emirates. But far from being a diamond in the rough, the country shines in several areas.

From gorgeous mountain views in the northeast, to pristine beaches all along the coastline, and ancient architecture in cities like Muscat, Seeb, and Bawshar, there are all kinds of sights and sounds to tickle your fancy in this Middle Eastern oasis. In Muscat, the capital, you’ll find stone forts, boutique-style museums in restored houses, blue-domed mosques, a seafront promenade, and so much more. The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, the largest mosque in all of Oman, is largely considered one of the most beautiful structures found anywhere along the gulf. Non-Muslims can visit in the mornings, Saturday through Thursday, at no cost. Also not-to-be-missed in the capital are the Royal Opera House, where you can catch a show or simply take a tour, and Mutrah Souq, one of the oldest markets in the Arab world.

Elsewhere in Oman (is that a great name for a podcast or what?!), you have the Hajar Mountains, where both Jebel Akhdar, famous for its maze-like collection of wadis, or river valleys, and Jebel Shams, the country’s highest peak, stand out. The former, which translates to “Green Mountain”, is surrounded by quiet Omani villages, slopes covered in terraced farms, and marked trails of varying difficulty. It’s also home to the Saiq Plateau, which sits about 6,500 feet above sea level, surrounded by craggy mountain summits, its temperate Mediterranean climate allowing for the cultivation of various fruits, such as peaches, grapes, and pomegranates, which cannot survive the heat of Oman’s lowlands.

According to Lonely Planet, the best time to visit Oman if you’re looking to take advantage of the great outdoors is October to March, but prime time for budget travelers is April to May.

Greenland

Greenland has long been one of those “out there” kinds of destinations, requiring Americans to jump through a few hoops before they could even think about landing on its oft-frozen shores. That’s set to change in 2025 when, in June, United Airlines will begin operating twice weekly nonstop flights between Newark, New Jersey, and Greenland’s capital, Nuuk. This is truly a game-changer, as getting to Greenland previously required traveling to one of four cities in either Denmark or Iceland first.

However, just because there will now be a direct flight from the U.S. to Greenland doesn’t mean it will necessarily be any cheaper to fly to the giant island’s icy confines. In fact, it will still be just as expensive, with round trip flight prices sitting right around $1,100. If you would rather be boiled in oil than shell out that kind of dough for a plane ticket, just remember that you are more likely to find a friendlier price if you travel in either the spring or fall. According to Greenland Travel, very few tourists make their way to the island nation during these two seasons, so you’re more likely to have the run of the place.

Once you’ve found a flight that you and your wallet can live with, the next thing to consider is where you’ll be staying. Whether you’ll be landing in Nuuk, Kangerlussuaq, or one of the four other international entry points, you’ll have options when it comes to accommodations. There are hotels, bed and breakfasts, campsites, and more, but if inexpensive is what you aim for, hostels are your friend.

In Nuuk, you might try one of the cozy cabins at Inuk Hostels, which run a flat rate of about $135 a night, or one of the many overnight options offered at Hotel Nordbo, where you can also find a place to rest your head for a fairly reasonable price. Of course, hostels can also be found in other “major” cities, such as Kangerlussuaq, Ilulissut, and Kulusuk, and in even more remote places like Oqaatsut and Nanortalik. You can find a comprehensive list of the country’s hotels and hostels at Visit Greenland.

Whether you plan to land in one spot and stay there or explore multiple areas, the great outdoors is your constant companion in Greenland. Hiking, fishing, and dog sledding are all popular activities that visitors can take advantage of, as is camping (which could help you save money re: lodging costs). Other favorites include kayaking, biking, cross country skiing, and snowshoeing.

Further Reading: How to Get to Greenland Without Taking Out a Second Mortgage on Your House

The (uber) remote shores of Pitcairn Island await (Photo: Chris Double)

Pitcairn Islands

The Pitcairn Islands, a group of four volcanic islands — Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie, and Oeno — that constitute the last British Overseas Territory in the Pacific Ocean, are certainly the most remote destination on this list. Located more than 3,400 miles southeast of Hawaii's Big Island; more than 3,600 miles west of Santiago, Chile; and more than 3,300 miles east of Auckland, New Zealand, these suckers are the epitome of isolation. The process required to visit the islands is proof enough.

For starters, you’ll have to get yourself to Auckland, Los Angeles, or Tokyo. From one of those three cities, you next need to book a flight to Tahiti, in French Polynesia. Once there, you need to hop an Air Tahiti flight that typically only runs Tuesdays and Saturdays over to the island of Mangareva, the largest of the Gambier Islands. And then comes the really fun part: boarding a ship called the Silver Supporter for a 32-hour ocean crossing that will at last see you to Pitcairn Island. Why a long-butt boat ride, you ask? It’s simple, Fred. Pitcairn Island, with its steep and hilly landscape, is not accessible by plane and has no airport to speak of.

According to EBSCO Information Services, Adamstown — the only settlement on Pitcairn Island — has a population of fewer than 50 people, making it one of the smallest national capitals in the world. What's more, most of the people who live there are descendants of British mutineers and Tahitians who overthrew the captain of the Royal Navy's HMS Bounty in 1789. The wreck of the vessel is an historical landmark located in the island's Bounty Bay.

Given everything it takes to get there, you can be certain that anyone who makes their way to the Pitcairn Islands is a very, very real one (did I do it right? Is that what the kids say?).

Further Reading: The Pitcairn Islands Are One of the Most Remote Destinations in the World

‘The End of the World’

All aboard for the end of the world! That is, for Ushuaia (pronounced “ooh-sh-why-uh”), a resort town on the southernmost tip of South America. Commonly regarded as the southernmost city in the world, Ushuaia is the capital of Argentina’s Tierra del Fuego province and home to roughly 82,000 people. Another great destination for nature fiends, here you’ll find the stunning beauty of Tierra del Fuego National Park, the majesty of Martial Glacier, take in the tantalizingly turquoise waters at Esmerelda Lagoon, and so much more.

“The End of the World”, as Ushuaia is known, is also the proverbial gateway to Antarctica, with a handful of outfits offering cruises. Atlas Ocean Voyages, Intrepid Travel, and AdventureSmith Explorations are among those who ferry passengers to the world’s largest hunk of ice, but be prepared: these cost a pretty penny. Prices can range anywhere from $5,000 to $15,000 for a single passenger depending on the length of the excursion.

SEE ALSO: How Difficult is it to Travel to Antarctica? And Why Would You Go There, Anyway?

Short of an Antarctic cruise, however, there is still much to see and do in and around Ushuaia itself. We’ve already name dropped a couple things, but a few others would include cruising on Beagle Channel, the body of water that separates Ushuaia from neighboring Chile; peeping the penguins on Isla Martillo; or taking a helicopter tour to see all of the natural beauty from another point of view.

Getting to the “End of the World” typically requires flying first to Buenos Aires, the cosmopolitan capital of Argentina, which is, of course, a destination unto itself. Planning to spend a day or two either at the beginning or end of your trip in the city — 17th largest in the world by population — is certainly not the worst idea.

-LTH