Travel has finally opened up again and the people are jet-setting again.
There are plenty of places in the world open to see with a lot of exciting bucket list opportunities that you might have held off going to for the last couple of years.
So, what are the best places to visit as 2023 comes to a close and 2024 is upon us? Here are the best countries that we recommend.
Mexico
Located on the same continent as Canada, this country can be one of the more convenient ones on this list for Canadians to visit.
Why Visit
Mexico is an affordable country to go on vacation that many Canadians do not have to travel too far to enjoy. There is something for everybody whether you are looking for a more cultural experience, looking for a place that has some of the best food in the world, resorts to relax and enjoy the beach or even taking a stab at scuba diving.
This is also a very large country so for those of you looking for a longer trip, this is certainly a place with enough options to keep you from getting bored.
Where to Go
One of the most famous and historical sites to see in all of Mexico is Chichén Itzá. It is an archaeological site that dates back to the Mayans and offers you a view of the step pyramids.
Best of all, this can be done with a day trip from Cancun, one of the most popular resort towns in all of Mexico. Plenty of spring breakers come here to party in their youth but it can also be a good area for families along with its neighbour just south Playa del Carmen.
For those of you who are looking for a world-class scuba diving scene, the best spot in Mexico is to go to Tulum. Part of the reason this is so famous is because it has the Mesoamerican Reef, which is the second-largest reef in the world after the Great Barrier Reef.
Finally, if you are looking for a bigger city that has good food, good nightlife, and the cultural fix you are looking for, perhaps check out Mexico City or Guadalajara.
Who Should Go
Mexico is generally recommended for young adults if they wish to enjoy the resorts or spend a longer period of time in the bigger cities. However, if you go to the right parts of the country or have the right itinerary, it can be enjoyed by those of all ages.
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United Kingdom
Next up on the list is the United Kingdom, a historical country located in Western Europe. It is made up of four areas including England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Why Visit
The United Kingdom is considered one of the best road trip countries in the world with its wide-open landscape for travellers alike to enjoy. History buffs will also appreciate this country with symbols of its past in every direction.
Of course, for those that prefer to travel to bigger cities, the UK has you covered there too with one of the most famous cities in the world.
Where to Go
The most obvious destination for most travellers to visit in the UK is London. You can see some famous sites like Big Ben, the London Eye, and of course Buckingham Palace.
Another popular tourist attraction is to see Stonehenge, which is a prehistoric monument located in Salisbury.
For those of you who are sports fans, a few destinations that might be on your mind are to see a football match in Wembley Stadium or play a round of golf on the oldest golf course in the world: the Old Course at St. Andrew's.
Who Should Go
This country is geared towards families, friends, and couples that wish to enjoy their time away together. The landscape offers a wide variety of activities for everybody and it is easily accessible.
France
This next country is France and before the pandemic, it had the most visitors of any country in the world.
Why Visit
France is known to be a very romantic country and on top of that, has some of the best food and wine in the entire world. History buffs and people seeking cultural experiences will appreciate this country for its world-class museums in Paris.
If you go a little outside of Paris, you can even get some wonderful nature escapes as well.
Where to Go
Like the UK, France has one of the most famous international cities in the world with Paris. That tends to be where the majority of tourists go and for good reason with its food and wine, the views all around the city of the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral, and more.
Just a couple of hours outside of Paris is Normandy. For those of you who appreciate the history of France, this can be a rewarding day trip to take in what their soldier had to go through during WWII. Then, you will be rewarded with a spectacular view of the Etretat Cliffs.
In the south of France, you can experience the city of Cannes. It is not only home to one of the world's biggest international film festivals but it is also home to pristine beaches for tourists to enjoy.
Who Should Go
If you are focusing on Paris, then couples are most recommended for that city. However, anyone has the ability to enjoy the country and older travellers may appreciate the history of it a little more.
Dominican Republic
Another popular country for Canadians to visit is the Dominican Republic. Like Mexico, this one is nearby, being located in the Caribbean.
Why Visit
The main reason to visit the Dominican Republic is for its resorts and world-class beaches. If you want to relax and have beautiful views of the Atlantic Ocean with clear water, this is the part of the world for you.
For those of you who are baseball fans, you may want to stop at the former to catch a baseball game here. The sport is very popular in this country and almost every MLB team has a minor league team in the Dominican Republic.
Where to Go
Two of the most popular resort beach towns in the country are Punta Cana and Puerto Plata. You can find one of many resorts located in these areas to stay in for a few days or even a week then just sit back and relax.
Of course, those who are feeling a little more adventurous do have the option to check out some of the country's larger cities such as Santo Domingo and Santiago. You can get a better idea of what the country is really like in these cities and taste some authentic local dishes.
Santo Domingo has a baseball stadium called Estadio Quisqueya Juan Marichal that you may be able to watch a baseball game in if you go during the right time of year. Santiago uses one called Estadio Cibao.
Who Should Go
Couples who are looking to get away would love the resorts but there are several that cater to families as well. An avid group of baseball fans may trek to this country as well.
Costa Rica
One of the first countries that became popular in Central America for tourism was Costa Rica. Canadians looking for more developed tourism in this part of the world may seek this out.
Why Visit
Costa Rica is truly one of the most beautiful countries in the world. It has a very diverse landscape for nature lovers of all kinds including beaches, volcanoes, and rainforests.
Most of the open land is known to be biodiverse and you have a chance to see some unique wildlife by visiting this location. This country has been on the beaten path for decades now as well so it may be a less intimidating experience for more novice international travellers.
Where to Go
One of the most popular sights to see in the country is the Arenal Volcano. It is 1600 meters high with plenty of green grass and trees with it being an active volcano. Not far from that area is the Catarata Río Fortuna which offers a waterfall that drops about 75 meters in the middle of a rainforest.
You can explore some beautiful national parks as well such as Tortuguero to see the sea turtles or Corcovado, which is the largest national park in the country located on the Osa Peninsula.
If you want to see what a bigger city in the country looks like, perhaps you would like San Jose. The city has plenty of museums full of art and historical notes for culture seekers to enjoy.
Who Should Go
Families that are open to outdoor vacations would enjoy Costa Rica as well as couples and young adult travellers. Costa Rica can be enjoyed by almost anybody that is open to exploring the great outdoors.
United States
The last country on this list is our neighbour and closest country: the United States. For some, this would be a very easy destination to get to for convenience.
Why Visit
First of all, the United States is a vast country and it is one of the biggest in the world after our own country. It is such a big country that you likely cannot do everything at once but like the UK, it is one of the best countries in the world to take a road trip in because of its gigantic size and open landscape.
The United States also offers a few large international cities for those seeking a bigger city environment and several different regions of the country available to discover.
Also, the US is arguably the entertainment capital of the world and it certainly has a plethora of options when it comes to amusement parks and sports.
Finally, it has a lot of diversity in what it can offer partially due to its size but also because of the culture in every region. So, it makes it a very flexible country for all kinds of traveller desires.
Where to Go
One of the best recommendations for the United States is to rent a car and knock out a few national parks. It can be a beautiful country and you can knock off popular national parks such as the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Zion, Yellowstone, and Yosemite all in one trip.
For those of you who love big cities, go to the city that never sleeps in New York, the entertainment capital in Los Angeles, or the one with the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. Then, there are those of you searching for a casino party in Las Vegas or even a party on the streets like in New Orleans.
As for sports, Fenway Park in Boston for baseball and Lambeau Field in Green Bay for football are two stadiums that stand out.
For theme park fans, look no further than arguably the theme park capital of the world in Orlando. That city has all of the major theme parks including Walt Disney World, Universal, SeaWorld, and Busch Gardens just south in Tampa Bay.
Who Should Go
The United States can truly be for all ages. It can be a great family road trip destination and it can be a great young group destination for a Bachelor Party depending on your itinerary.
Always Make Sure You Pack Your Travel Insurance!
These are some places to visit that could be good tourist attractions for Canadians. But, before you book your vacation in Europe or the Caribbean, do not forget to get travel insurance with Insurdinary.
In these times, you never know when you might need it so better to be prepared and let us have you covered while you enjoy a needed vacation.