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With winter looming in the northern hemisphere, we don’t blame you if you’re thinking of heading abroad to escape the cold!
If you’re thinking of heading abroad this winter, then safety is probably on your mind. It’s important to choose somewhere that you’re going to feel comfortable and secure so you can relax without a worry.
The last thing you want is for your vacation to be ruined by safety concerns!
In this article, we’ve rounded up the 5 safest places to travel this winter, so that you can enjoy the sea, sun, and an outdoor lifestyle while staying safe.
1. Costa Rica
Costa Rica is known as one of the happiest countries in the world, and it’s not hard to see why.
With its abundant wildlife, pristine beaches, and dramatic landscapes, there are so many beautiful places to enjoy. From exploring cloud forests to kayaking through mangroves and ziplining through stunning national parks, there are so many adventures waiting for you here – we would go back there in a heartbeat!
And one of the best things about Costa Rica is that it’s super safe. In fact, it’s the safest country in Central America!
Here, you can experience all of the biodiversity, magnificent wildlife, and gorgeous coastline that the region is known for, without needing to watch your back.
Costa Rica is ranked #39 on the Global Peace Index, and the US State Department ranks it at Level 2, which is the same as many countries that are generally considered safe, like the UK, Denmark, and Germany. But of course, Costa Rica gets WAY more winter sun!
You can also use our preferred travel insurance here (and at all the countries on the list), which is just another reason to relax while you travel. Check out our experience and review of SafetyWing travel insurance here and enjoy your vacation in peace.
Related Read: For a fun beachside destination, check out all of the fun things to do in Jaco, Costa Rica!
2. New Zealand
New Zealand regularly tops lists of the most beautiful countries in the world, and we wholeheartedly agree.
In fact, if we had to describe New Zealand in just one word, it would probably be “wow!”
With mountains, glaciers, beaches, fiords, and islands, the country’s scenery is incredibly well preserved and protected. Go on a wine tour on the tiny Waiheke Island, go on a jet boat ride in Queenstown, or cruise through the glacier-carved valley in Milford Sound! You could spend years exploring here and never get bored.
But New Zealand is not only renowned for its dramatic and diverse landscapes, it’s also known for its friendly people, who place a big emphasis on hospitality. And if all that weren’t enough to encourage you to travel to New Zealand this winter, it’s also incredibly safe. In fact, it’s currently ranked as the second safest country in the world!
3. Australia
If you want to escape the winter this year, then we can think of few better places to travel than the land down under. Known for its beautiful beaches, friendly locals, and laid back lifestyle, it’s hard not to fall in love with Australia.
Cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth offer buzzing nightlife and a cosmopolitan vibe alongside plenty of natural beauty. Even if you only have 3 days to spend in Sydney or another major city, there will be plenty of diverse activities to enjoy. Or, you can explore the country’s wild bushland in its amazing national parks.
Or if you have a bit more time, rent a campervan to road trip around Australia!
Australia is an absolute dream for adventure travelers like ourselves. From bungee jumping to scuba diving at the Great Barrier Reef, there are so many exciting ways to experience this beautiful country.
It’s also home to so much unique wildlife like swimming with wild dolphins, and Rottnest Island off the coast of Perth is one of the only places in the world where you can see quokkas.
And if all that wasn’t enough to convince you, Australia is also super safe. It’s got a low crime rate and common tourism related crimes like pickpocketing are pretty rare here. Australia takes care of its visitors!
4. Mexico
It might surprise you to see Mexico on this list, but Mexico is actually a safe place for tourists. Sure, you do have to be a little more cautious than you do in somewhere like New Zealand, but we’ve been here so many times and never had any issues.
Plus, it’s the ideal place for some winter sun. With its Caribbean beaches, amazing scuba diving opportunities, Mayan ruins, and vibrant nightlife, there is so much to love about Mexico.
From the famous tourist hotspots on the Riviera Maya to sleepy beach towns like Sayulita, there is so much to explore here. Cancun is one of safest places for tourists in the country, but so is Puerto Vallarta on the Pacific Coast!
And we haven’t even mentioned the best part: the incredible food!
Mexican food is beloved all over the world but no matter how good your local Mexican restaurant is, nothing compares to eating authentic Mexican cuisine. Going on a food tour in a place like Cancun is a must!
Tourists are sheltered from many of the social issues in Mexico, so there’s really no reason you can’t enjoy a safe and carefree vacation here.
Related Read: It’s pricier than Mexico, but Europe is also a great place to escape the cold. Check out our favorite things to do in Cefalu, Sicily for a bucket list to do in this dreamy Italian town!
5. Patagonia
Patagonia is a gorgeous region at the southern end of South America, and it’s split between Argentina and Chile. It’s a huge area with a lot of remote wilderness to explore, and it’s home to some of the most jaw-dropping scenery we’ve ever laid eyes on.
On the Argentine side, you’ve got the Perito Moreno Glacier, which is one of just 3 growing glaciers left in the world, and you can actually walk on it! There’s also Mount Fitz Roy, which you may recognize from the Patagonia clothing brand logo, and the charming town of Bariloche, which feels like a Swiss village and is the gateway to the Patagonian Lake District.
Meanwhile, in Chile, there’s the epic Torres del Paine National Park which is home to a multitude of breathtaking hikes, as well as the spectacular Marble Caves, which look like they were painted by Vincent van Gogh. You can also get your heart racing with white-water rafting in Futaleufu or visit a King Penguin colony on Tierra del Fuego island.
We could go on and on, but you get the gist. Patagonia is heaven on Earth for adventure travelers, and it’s also the safest place to travel in South America. It’s incredibly peaceful because there just aren’t that many people around!
Related Read: For more tips and tricks, read our guide to traveling South America safely!
Thanks for reading!
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