Top 10 Under-the-Radar Destinations From Travel Experts for 2026

Beat the crowds in 2026: 10 under-the-radar picks from The Points Guy — and how to experience them like a local

Feeling overwhelmed by crowded bucket-list cities, stale guidebook tips and uncertain travel logistics? You’re not alone. As travelers in 2026 want deeper local connection, sustainable choices and seamless planning, the smartest trips are the ones that dodge the obvious and stay rooted in community. Below I’ve curated the 10 most exciting lesser-known picks from The Points Guy’s 2026 list and translated each into a practical, slow-travel roadmap you can actually use. For sustainable choices and credentials to watch, see last‑mile sustainability thinking.

Travel less, stay longer, connect deeper — the new travel playbook for 2026.

Quick take: Why these 10 matter in 2026

The world of travel in 2026 is shaped by three forces: sustainable tourism (policies and traveler demand), connectivity improvements (new routes and better rail), and the rise of slow/local experiences (longer stays, community-driven tours). Each destination below is rising because of one or more of those trends — new flights, the launch of boutique stays, targeted conservation wins, or local scenes that have matured past the tourist façade.

How to use this guide

• Start with the destination overview for the 2026 trend to watch.
• Follow the "Experience like a local" steps for itinerary, transport, food and sustainability tips.
• Note the practical tips (best months, visa/entry, safety, money) at the end of each pick.

Top 10 under-the-radar destinations (and local plans)

1. Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico — Baja’s slow-wine revolution

Why it’s rising in 2026: Valle de Guadalupe has quietly matured from a weekend wine escape into a full-fledged slow-food and boutique-stay region. Improved seasonal ferry and short-haul flight connections from California in late 2025 made the valley far easier to reach for international travelers. Local winemakers have doubled down on regenerative viticulture, making the valley a model for sustainable wine tourism.

Experience like a local:

• Spend 4–6 nights. Base yourself at a family-run estancia (many accept direct bookings now) and schedule winery visits in the late afternoon — harvest activity is best then. Consider coastal entrepreneurship models like a sustainable surf lodge or community stays when exploring nearby fishing villages.
• Eat with locals: book a table at a chef-run “cuenta” (home-style pop-up); ask for recommendations from your host to skip touristy tasting rooms.
• Slow travel tip: rent a compact car and avoid weekend rushes. Explore coastal fishing villages at sunrise for freshest seafood.

Practical: best months March–June and September–November; carry pesos for small stands; minimal safety concerns for daytime travel, but avoid driving at night on rural roads.

2. Puglia, Italy — sun-soaked villages and regional revival

Why it’s rising in 2026: Puglia’s renaissance accelerated after a wave of hospitality renovations and new regional train services rolled out in 2025. Travelers seeking authentic Italian rhythm — local markets, farm-to-table olive oil tastings, quarry-to-kitchen cooking classes — now find Puglia accessible without the crowds of Rome or the Amalfi Coast.

Experience like a local:

• Stay in a masseria (restored farmhouse) and learn olive-picking practices if visiting in autumn. Pair tastings with a practical guide on how to taste olive oil like a pro.
• Use trains and local buses for short hops between towns: Bari–Monopoli–Ostuni–Lecce forms a perfect slow loop. Pack light and adopt carry-on micro-adventure habits from the Carry‑On Micro‑Adventures field guide.
• Join a neighborhood festa or a small-town Sunday market to taste local taralli and pasticciotti.

Practical: best months April–June and September–October; cash useful at markets; no special visas for Schengen-area visitors — check entry rules for 2026.

3. Madeira, Portugal — year-round green escape

Why it’s rising in 2026: Madeira’s eco-friendly positioning and the rise of remote work hubs made the island a top pick. In late 2025 the island expanded its coastal protection and hiking-route upgrades, drawing travelers looking for active, low-impact tourism. New boutique hotels and local culinary labs have popped up in Funchal and smaller parishes.

Experience like a local:

• Stay in a converted quinta or a family guesthouse outside Funchal to avoid cruise-day influxes — consider membership-style hotel options for work-friendly rooms (memberships & micro-subscriptions for hotels).
• Walk the levadas early (guides support conservation fees). Try a multi-day coastal hike with luggage transfer service — again, pack light following the Carry‑On Micro‑Adventures method.
• Attend an island market and look for bolo do caco and local espetada cooked over wood fires.

Practical: great year-round climate; best for nature-focused travelers; bring layered clothing — microclimates change quickly.

4. Tbilisi & Kakheti, Georgia — wine, art and resilient hospitality

Why it’s rising in 2026: Georgia’s sustained investment in tourism infrastructure, combined with global interest in qvevri winemaking and resilient cultural programming, has propelled Tbilisi and the Kakheti wine region into travel conversations. In 2025 new regional cultural exchanges and boutique rail options made connection to countryside wineries easier.

Experience like a local:

• Base in Tbilisi for 2–3 nights and then slow down in Sighnaghi or a family-run winery for 2–3 nights.
• Book a hosted supra (traditional feast) with a local winemaker — this is how you access authentic food culture. Family-run stays and cooperative guest journeys are worth prioritizing; read about membership-style guest flows at Membership Experience.
• Use maršrutka (shared minibuses) for short hops or hire a local driver for a day to visit smaller producers.

Practical: best months May–October; visa-free stays depend on passport — check 2026 entry rules; carry local Lari for markets and tip small operators directly.

5. Albanian Riviera — crystal beaches without the crowds

Why it’s rising in 2026: The Albanian Riviera has quietly improved access (upgraded coastal roads and more seasonal flights to Tirana in 2025), while keeping prices and visitor numbers lower than neighboring Croatia or Greece. Local entrepreneurs have launched boutique guesthouses and small-scale ecotours focused on marine conservation and traditional cuisine.

Experience like a local:

• Stay in family-run homes in towns like Himarë or Dhermi and ask hosts to arrange boat trips to lesser-known coves. For coastal business and sustainable lodging models, see lessons from sustainable surf lodge operations: sustainable surf lodge case study.
• Try behind-the-scenes experiences: olive oil pressing, small-batch ouzo tasting, and fisher-family breakfasts at dawn.
• Support community-run tourism projects — many offer conservation fees that fund beach cleanup and heritage restoration.

Practical: best months May–June & September; cash-based economy in small villages; respect conservative local dress codes in inland towns.

6. Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica — regenerative rainforest stays

Why it’s rising in 2026: Osa’s profile grew as conservation tourism matured into community-led regenerative stays. New charter and regional flight options in 2025 reduced travel time from San José, and investment in community tourism projects made stays more meaningful and benefit-driven.

Experience like a local:

• Choose a community-lodging model or a small eco-lodge that directly supports conservation and indigenous programs.
• Book guided biology walks with local scientists (many lodges coordinate night walks to spot endemic species).
• Include time for slow beach days and community-led cultural exchanges — don’t rush the jungle experience. If you plan to unplug, pack a mobile capture kit for field photography: mobile capture kits are useful for low-connectivity trips.

Practical: best months December–April for dry weather; pack insect protection and quick-dry gear; expect more limited connectivity — the point is to unplug.

7. Salta & Northwest Argentina — highlands, vineyards and salt flats

Why it’s rising in 2026: Post-pandemic flight realignments and the maturation of regional food and wine circuits have put Salta and the nearby Quebrada de Humahuaca on the map for travelers seeking cultural authenticity and dramatic landscapes. Boutique train and caravan-style tours have launched to connect remote villages sustainably.

Experience like a local:

• Combine Salta city’s colonial charm with road trips to Cafayate’s high-altitude vineyards and excursions into the puna and salt flats.
• Eat at local bodegas and learn about tortilla and empanada traditions — book a cooking class with a family-run host.
• Use local cooperatives for guided hikes to ensure fees support conservation and villages. If you’re preparing for altitude and multi-day hikes, the Carry‑On Micro‑Adventures guide has practical packing and acclimatization tips.

Practical: best months April–November for clear skies; altitude considerations above 3,000 meters — acclimatize and hydrate.

8. Madagascar — biodiversity with improving visitor stewardship

Why it’s rising in 2026: Madagascar’s long-term conservation projects bore fruit in late 2025: several reforestation and endangered-species programs opened tourism partnerships, making visits more impactful. Limited tourism infrastructure still keeps visitor numbers low — for many travelers that’s the draw.

Experience like a local:

• Choose small operators that pledge a percentage of profits to local conservation; consider multi-day stays with local guides.
• Focus on a region (e.g., Andasibe or the southwest spiny forest) rather than trying to cross the island quickly — transport is slow but scenic.
• Engage with community tourism initiatives: language classes, craft workshops, and guided village walks provide income beyond extractive tourism. Bring a good photography kit to document wildlife responsibly — see curated kits in this field test: curated photography kits.

Practical: best months April–November (drier); travel costs higher due to distances and limited flights — budget accordingly and plan longer stays.

9. Kyushu, Japan — hot springs, coastal towns and rural revival

Why it’s rising in 2026: Kyushu’s regional revitalization programs and increased domestic tourism in Japan have spurred investment in rural ryokan and onsen towns. In 2025 targeted rail and bus upgrades improved access to Beppu, Yakushima and smaller coastal communities, and sustainable tourism programs encouraged longer stays by offering curated local experiences.

Experience like a local:

• Stay in a ryokan or a minshuku and follow local etiquette for onsen; attend a neighborhood matsuri (seasonal festival) if schedules align. Membership-style hotel offers and local guest flows are growing — see hotel membership models for ideas on work‑friendly accommodation options.
• Use regional rail passes and rent a bicycle in smaller towns to access coastal views and local fish markets.
• Book guided forest walks on Yakushima with certified local naturalists to understand biodiversity and conservation work.

Practical: best months March–May and September–November; cash useful in small town shops; Japanese etiquette basics will go a long way.

10. Northern Colombia (Minca & Sierra Nevada) — coffee, cloud forest and indigenous cultures

Why it’s rising in 2026: Northern Colombia’s quieter mountain and coastal interior — notably Minca, Sierra Nevada and Tayrona hinterlands — have benefited from improved safety perceptions and community-led tourism projects. Small lodges and coffee farms now emphasize ethical partnerships with indigenous communities and conservation organizations.

Experience like a local:

• Stay with a coffee cooperative or small mountain lodge and book a farm-to-cup coffee tour with the farmers.
• Plan slow hikes into the Sierra Nevada, staying in community-run villages and respecting sacred sites — hire indigenous guides. Pack light and use carry-on micro-adventure habits from the Carry‑On Micro‑Adventures playbook.
• Combine beach time on the Caribbean coast with mountain days to see the ecological contrast in a single, slow-paced trip.

Practical: best months December–April for coastal dry season; small cash purchases common; respect local community rules and photography restrictions around sacred sites.

Across all picks: 2026 travel trends to plan around

• Slow travel stays winning out: Plan longer itineraries (7–14+ nights) rather than quick city hops. Many small operators now offer luggage transfer, flexible check-ins and work-friendly rooms for remote workers — consider membership hotel options like hotel memberships.
• Sustainability credential matters: Prioritize operators with clear conservation or community benefit policies. Your travel spending in these places is often a meaningful investment in local economies — read more about sustainability design at last‑mile sustainability.
• Connectivity improvements: Many under-the-radar places are becoming accessible thanks to seasonal flights or improved rail/bus links launched in late 2025 — check schedules and book early. For travel rewards and airport decisions, consult airport lounge reviews and rewards strategies.
• Points & miles: If you use travel rewards, these destinations often require connecting flights — look for award space to secondary hubs or use credit-card travel partners to book regional charters when direct award flights aren’t available.

Practical planning checklist (actionable takeaways)

1. Choose one region and plan for at least 7–10 nights to get the local rhythm and avoid rush travel.
2. Book accommodations that work with local communities — prioritize family-run stays or certified eco-lodges (see membership & guest journey patterns).
3. Research and reserve local guides, supa/cooking experiences, and community tours in advance — these often have limited capacity.
4. Check updated 2026 entry requirements (visas, e-gates) and domestic transport times — recent route changes can alter your best approach.
5. Pack light but smart: daypack, local-currency cash, reusable bottles, and any speciality gear for hiking or water travel. The Carry‑On Micro‑Adventures guide is a helpful resource for lightweight systems.

Safety, money and sustainability notes

Safety: Under-the-radar doesn’t mean risky — it often means limited infrastructure. Travel with local operators or trusted hosts, inform someone of your itinerary, and carry a basic medical kit. Keep digital copies of travel documents.

Money: Many local spots remain cash-forward. Withdraw larger sums in regional hubs and use a card that refunds foreign transaction fees. Tip small community guides directly — it makes a difference.

Sustainability: Respect carrying capacities — buy local, avoid single-use plastics, and ask your host how fees support conservation or community projects.

Final thoughts — the new promise of offbeat travel in 2026

In 2026, the smartest trip isn’t necessarily the farthest or flashiest — it’s the one that leaves both you and the place better off. These 10 picks from The Points Guy’s broader list stand out because they offer depth: slower pace, meaningful local ties and tangible conservation wins. Travel that focuses on staying longer, learning more and spending purposefully creates the kind of trip you remember for a lifetime.

Ready to pick one? Start with your timeline (weekend, 10 days or 2+ weeks), pick one region above, and plan to stay longer than you think. Book community experiences first — they fill fast — and use this guide’s local tips to avoid tourist traps and connect with real people.

Call to action

If you want a custom 7–10 day slow-travel itinerary for any of these 10 destinations — with local contacts, suggested stays and step-by-step transport plans — sign up for our free itinerary starter pack. Travel smarter in 2026: fewer places, deeper experiences.

Related Reading

• Microcations & Yoga Retreats: Why Short, Intentional Retreats Will Dominate 2026
• Field Guide: Carry‑On Micro‑Adventures for Runners — The Termini Method
• How to Taste Olive Oil Like a Pro in 2026
• Best Olive Oil Dispensers & Storage Solutions 2026
• Building a Sustainable Surf Lodge Business Model: Lessons from Coastal Entrepreneurs