What’s the most beautiful country in the world? It must be one of these spectacular outdoor destinations.

If you’re like me and if you’re easily happy close to the mountains or the sea – these incredible destinations are ideal for outdoor travel adventures.

Let’s dive in and let’s take a look at the most scenic countries when it comes to outdoors and adventures! Where will you go next?

The Philippines

Mount Mayon, Philippines

Mount Mayon, Philippines

When I think about the most beautiful countries in the world, The Philippines instantly comes to mind. The crystal clear waters, captivating scenery, and adventure at every turn make it high on my list of adventure tourism hotspots.

A country made of up of over 7,000 islands makes for days full of island hopping, kayaking and paddleboarding.

The ultimate water sports destination! Swim with whale sharks and zip line in Puerto Princesa, kayak in El Nido, or trade-in your flippers for hiking boots and trek the Banaue-Batad Rice Terraces.

Canada

Moraine Lake, Canada

Moraine Lake, Canada

Look no further than the motherland for some of the best natural scenery in the world, Canada.

I could be biased, but I think Canada should be at the top of everyone’s travel bucket list, especially those that are looking for outdoor and travel photo opportunities galore.

A destination that is beautiful year-round — Canada offers mountainous backdrops, epic waterfalls and skiing opportunities aplenty.

With over 37 national parks, there’s no shortage of hiking, skiing fishing and canoeing opportunities across the many landscapes of Canada.

Switzerland

Oeschinen Lake, Switzerland

Oeschinen Lake, Switzerland

A list of beautiful countries in the world is not complete (or accurate) without Switzerland. This European destination is home to gorgeous lakes and the picture-perfect Swiss Alps.

One of the most scenic countries in the world is also a hotspot for adventure travel junkies.

Bungee jump from a 220-metres tall dam, paraglide over Lake Geneva or grab your skis and head to the slopes. Do you love to hike? No problems – head to the mountains for an Andermatt hiking trip.

Don’t forget to reward yourself for all the physical activity by consuming your body weight in cheese and chocolate!

India

Kashmir, India

Kashmir, India

This massive country is not lacking breathtaking landscapes. Mountains in the north, beaches in the south with desserts and green jungles in between. During my experience backpacking in India, I quickly realized what makes India worth the hype for adventure seekers.

Trekking in the northern Himalayan region, jet skiing and parasailing off the beaches in Goa and hot air balloon rides in Jaipur are just a few activities to partake in across the gigantic country. India is the perfect destination if you’re planning an adventure holiday.

New Zealand

Lake Tekapo, New Zealand

Lake Tekapo, New Zealand

The ultimate land of outdoor travel adventures: New Zealand. With rolling green hills, scenic mountain ranges and a coastline that photos can’t accurately portray — New Zealand has it all.

New Zealand is a popular destination for adrenaline junkies. Jump out of a plane over Queenstown, bungee jump off a bridge or whitewater raft at Lake Taupo.

What sets New Zealand apart for these heart-pumping activities is the incredible natural scenery you’re surrounded by.

The landscapes that New Zealand offers makes it one of the most scenic countries in the world. Not every country can offer such a diverse amount of mountains, lakes and beaches across such a small plot of land.

Costa Rica

Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica

Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica

Another hotspot for adrenaline junkies, Costa Rica.

A popular tropical beach getaway, Costa Rica is also full of rainforest dense jungle — perfect for ziplining, scenic whitewater rafting and waterfall rappelling!

The white-sanded beaches on the coast are well known for scuba diving with sharks, great for surfing or just laying around being a beach bum.

Argentina

Mount Fitzroy, Patagonia

Mount Fitzroy, Patagonia

Argentina, home to one of the most beautiful natural scenes of the world — Patagonia.

Okay, technically it’s shared with Chile but we’re talking the Argentinian side for the sake of this outdoor destination list.

The perfect destination for whale watching, mountain trekking, camping, swimming in glacial lakes all set amongst the most gorgeous backdrops in the world.

Outside of Patagonia, Argentina is a great outdoor destination for waterfalls, national parks and some pretty epic caves. Don’t forget to visit the wine country while you’re there.

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka

While Sri Lanka is picking up in popularity, I still think it’s one of the most unique countries in the world. While not on your typical Asian backpacking route, it’s got all the ingredients for a perfect outdoor and adventure travel recipe.

This affordable island country is perfect for scuba diving, seaplane tours, trekking and a hotspot for advanced mountain bikers.

Australia

Twelve Apostles, Australia

Twelve Apostles, Australia

Another country with no shortage of epic landscapes, the great land down under — Australia.

From scuba diving the great barrier reef, camping amongst the miles and miles of the outback, hiking the mysterious island of Tasmania and road-tripping the Great Ocean Road, it’s impossible to write a list of spectacular outdoor destinations without adding Australia.

South Africa

South Africa

South Africa

More than just a country to go on a safari, South Africa makes the list for being a country full of unforgettable adventures, both on land and off.

Snorkel with seahorses in Knysna, shark cage dive in Gansbaai, skydive and bungee jump or kayak amongst hippos and crocodiles in KwaZulu-Natal. Your time spent in South Africa will give you stories to tell for years to come.

Are you adventure travel-ready?

You booked your flights. Now what? Is it packing time yet?

If you’re planning your next adventure abroad, make sure you packed everything you could possibly need! 

Here are a few travel essentials you should bring with you on your next adventure holiday!

If you’re planning on going on a hike – check this list of 10 hiking essentials.

About Melissa Giroux

Melissa Giroux founded abrokenbackpack.com in 2015. She is been living abroad since 2014. Originally Canadian, she has been living and working online in many destinations around the world. She is passionate about traveling, technology, entrepreneurship, and CrossFit.

She has traveled extensively in Asia, Oceania, Europe, and North America. She is now living in Thailand.


☑ Book your flight: Who said you won’t be able to find cheap flights? My top saving tip is flexibility. If you're flexible, you should be able to find a cheaper flight. Check out Skyscanner or Google Flights for the hottest deals.

☑ Book your accommodation: Want the comfort of being at home or the luxury of a hotel? I love using Vrbo and Booking.com for those very reasons. If you're a solo traveler, Hostelworld offers a wide variety of hostels you should take a look at. Alternatively, if you're a budget traveler, sign up for Worldpackers to get FREE accommodation in exchange for work.

☑ Rent a car or an RV: Make your trip more comfortable by renting a car with DiscoverCars.com. This website allows you to compare car rentals around the world. If you're traveling in the United States, find an RV rental on RVshare.

☑ Stay safe: Travel mishaps happen – so, better be safe than sorry by covering your back with travel medical insurance. I would suggest SafetyWing, Genki or Heymondo as they offer the best rates, especially for long-term travelers.

☑ Pack the essentials: Universal charger, check; power bank, check; passport, check! What else could you forget? I've put together this ultimate packing list just for you!

☑ Do you need a visa? If you aren't sure if you need a visa, it’s highly recommended for you to double-check. You can use iVisa - it's super useful and easy to use.

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