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Gone are the days of travel jail due to closed borders from the COVID pandemic. As the world opens up to welcome tourists across the globe, the number of options for vacation also increases. Forecasted to rise over 30% in 2023, traveling has taken the world by storm. No longer a luxury, the way people take vacations is changing society.

In this article, discover the best destinations painstakingly chosen to help you create memories that last a lifetime. Inclusive of hiking, oceanic views, and incredible food, you are spoiled for choices.

Here are the eight off-the-beaten-track venues to add to your travel bucket list.

El Nido, Philippines

Entalula Island, El Nido, Philippines

Entalula Island, El Nido, Philippines

An ocean haven tucked away in the Asiatic Mediterranean, the Philippines is hailed as a gem in South East Asia. Renowned for its Bacuit archipelago of 45 islands, El Nido sets itself apart as a simple yet stunning tiny beach town in Palawan. The best part? Each boat tour group is kept small to cater to your needs on board fully. Even though the traveling journey is taxing, the views rewarded make it all worthwhile. Start by flying into Puerto Princesa Airport to begin. With buses that run every two hours till 10 pm, your arrival time would fit in snugly with this schedule. Book accommodations beforehand, as they tend to run out faster than expected.

Koh Tao, Thailand

A tiny island off the Western coast of the Chumphon Archipelago, it is a dreamboat for divers. Koh Tao is a backpacker’s dream filled with incredible food, people, and the ocean. Despite being small, it makes up for being big on activities. As a hotspot for incoming tourists to take diving courses, Koh Tao remains affordable compared to its neighboring islands: Koh Phangan and Koh Samui. With easily accessible motorbike rentals, transport on the island can be simple yet inexpensive. A pro safety tip is to prevent accidents by driving slowly and keeping your eyes on the road. Non-experienced drivers should never rent a bike. Instead, opt for cheap taxis to get to the next destination.

Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia

Sunrise at Angkor Wat in Siem Reap

Sunrise at Angkor Wat in Siem Reap

The hidden gem of Cambodia is Angkor Wat. Culturally rich with a plethora of space of over 150 hectares, this Buddhist temple is often a country highlight. In addition, Cambodia is close to Vietnam. If you prefer covering more bases, consider combining Vietnam and Cambodia in a single trip. This ensures that your itinerary is fully packed as you get more done within the same time. One of the best ways to do that is by booking trips with a professional such as Exotic Voyages’ tour packages in Cambodia that you can customize to fit your needs.

Zadar, Croatia

Sun Monument in Zadar, Croatia

Sun Monument in Zadar, Croatia

Zadar is a quaint little city with much to offer; it is also known as one of the oldest towns along the Adriatic Sea. With a historical setting of stone-set beach houses, Zadar is a sight to behold. As part of the newest member of the European Union, its main source of revenue is tourism. In addition, it also uses the EUR (€) currency. Not just a little countryside venue, Zadar is famous for its sea organ. A self-made musical, the sea organ captures incoming waves from the ocean and plays a harmonic tune as nature directs. Located in the city center, the city also has dozens of delectable Mediterranean dishes guaranteed to satisfy your taste buds.

Saranda, Albania

Get the best of both worlds with Saranda – a little town in the Mediterranean Sea across Greece and Italy. Relatively unknown due to its obscure position, Albania is fast becoming one of the top destinations for Europeans. Highly affordable yet breathtaking, it is a traveling haven due to its azure blue waters and close proximity to a UNESCO World Heritage: the Butrint National Park. 

Due to its archaeological background and significance, it is one of the highlights of Albania. In addition, Saranda is also close to Ksamil, a Bora-Bora lookalike at a fraction of the price. Simply fly into Corfu in Greece to take a ferry or fly into Tirana, then take a bus straight to Saranda.

Machu Picchu, Peru

For your next adventure, consider Peru for its rich heritage, culture, and forests. Begin by setting foot in a 15th-century citadel on a high mountain range, 7000 feet above sea level. Once home to the Incan Empire, it is one of the world’s seven wonders. As a famed UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983, Machu Picchu is always open. From rainy seasons to the middle of the night, it never closes. In addition, hiking with a guide or other tourists helps to keep you safe. Unlike the rest of the country, Machu Picchu is often free from petty theft and pickpockets. This keeps your mind at ease and your valuables intact as you explore the country.

Florida Keys, USA

Key West, Florida Keys

Key West, Florida Keys

Consider heading to the Florida Keys the next time you plan your holiday. With ocean-blue waters and a myriad of tropical islands, it is the perfect family destination. One of the best ways to enjoy it is by ensuring you spend a few days in the Florida Keys. Discover history in The Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum as you top it off with the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory to get a dose of something different. In addition, you can charter a boat to snorkel, like Key West Snorkeling, to explore the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. With history, nature, and the ocean on a trip, it can be a fulfilling experience for the entire family.

Your Next Adventure – Final Thoughts

Planning for your trip can be fun yet tedious. The key is to select a location that resonates and move forward. Focus on keeping your itinerary sparsely spread so you have time to enjoy it fully. One main tip is to check visa entry requirements and travel advisories to prevent being turned away at the border when you fly in. Your next adventure can be incredible from Asia to the Balkans, provided you plan it intentionally and carefully.

If you are someone who loves to travel as much as I do, you’ll be familiar with the traditional advice on how to travel inexpensively. Hostels, couch surfing, camping… and eating nothing but buttered pasta for weeks on end. What if I told you that there is an easier way to travel the world, save money, and have a memorable once-in-a-lifetime experience? Imagine summiting Machu Picchu, getting a tan on the beaches of Lima, or dancing in Rio. Worldpackers makes finding volunteer work while backpacking South America more accessible than ever!

Volunteer in South America via a Reputable Agency

If volunteer work in South America sounds like something you want to do, it’s best to do it via a reputable agency. An agency will help screen volunteer programs and hosts in South America to make sure you have support every step of the way.

Finding a Host on Worldpackers

Worldpackers is a service that connects travellers with volunteer work in South America and around the world. Travellers and hosts use the service to find each other, and each provides an integral part of the exchange.

The hosts will offer a place to stay. Perhaps a hostel, camp, family home, farm, or NGO to a traveller in exchange for hours worked or volunteered on the property. A traveller works on the property a set number of hours per week in exchange for free accommodation, and sometimes other perks such as free food, free bike rentals, free tours… the list is endless!

How to build your Worldpackers profile

To begin on Worldpackers as a traveller, all you need to do is sign up, pay a yearly membership, USD $49.99 and begin searching for your dream volunteer program in South America. You can apply to as many experiences you like. If a host thinks that you’ll be a good fit, you’ll be pre-approved. All that’s left to do is book your flight and pack!

The Worldpackers interface is extremely intuitive and easy to use. You can search experiences by destination, purpose of the trip, availability, skills you offer, style of travel, hours of collaboration, trip length, additional benefits and more. That makes searching through their thousands of experiences easy and manageable. You can also read all reviews from other Worldpackers who have lived that experience, so you have the peace of mind that you’re making the right choice in applying. 

The site also offers hundreds of articles, videos and courses about how to stand out as a volunteer. You can earn badges and certificates for your profile which will make you a more desirable candidate and can increase your chances of being selected by the hosts you want! 

Long Term Volunteer Work in South America

Most Worldpackers volunteer trips in South America require the volunteers to stay between 2-4 weeks. However, you will find a huge variety of minimum time commitments on the site. 

The benefits of long-term travel are plenty. Connecting to a location, immersing yourself in a different culture, contributing to a local community and making lifelong connections are just a few of the highlights past Worldpackers shared in their reviews. 

There is also value in establishing a home base with a volunteer program when you are backpacking South America. When travelling and living out of a backpack for long periods of time, it can be a great reset to feel at home for a while. 

Your hosts and fellow travellers can become a family away from home and they can be a great resource for planning for your next destinations. 

Volunteer Trips In South America

Let’s look at some current volunteer opportunities for those backpacking South America. 

There are over 1500 volunteer positions available in South America at the time of writing this article. Some require as short of a time commitment of only one week! I’m happy to highlight just a few opportunities available this spring & summer.

Volunteer at the reception of a hostel in Bogotá, Colombia

This position is looking for a warm and friendly individual to work behind the counter greeting guests at their hostel. As a volunteer, you’d work 32 hours a week. You would also be asked to give a hand in the kitchen. 

Aside from a free bed, this experience also offers you free breakfast each morning, use of their kitchen, bikes at your disposal and discounts on drinks. This hostel has achieved top host status, meaning that they have consistently received great reviews from travellers who have lived this experience. 

Past Worldpackers have said this experience excels in helping them immerse themselves in the culture, meet locals, develop social awareness, and meet other international travellers. 

Explore more volunteer work in Colombia

Share your knowledge in Catuama, Brazil

Share your knowledge and experience on skills that you have developed or learned.

Do you have a special skill or talent? Why not bring yourself to Brazil to teach in a hostel! Whether it be teaching a sport, organizing events, or running a craft workshop – this experience may be for you!

This host is asking Worldpackers to stay at least 15 days. In exchange you get 3 days off per week, pickup, and transport to the hostel when you arrive, access to the kitchen and discounts on accommodation for your stay in other hostels as you continue with your travels.   

Other Worldpackers recommend this experience for getting in touch with nature, learning about sustainability and developing greater environmental awareness. 

Explore more volunteer work in Brazil

Volunteer at our Zoo in the Peruvian Andes Valley, Lima Peru

Join us as a Zoo volunteer! Work alongside skilled veterinarians and staff, at our local Zoo in the Peruvian Andes. As a volunteer, you will learn about each species and support by feeding animals, spending time/sharing loving energy with animals, helping veterinarians administer medications, cleaning, gardening, and maintaining the atmosphere for the animals.

If cost isn’t a limiting factor during your travel, there are even more opportunities available to you. This experience, and a select few others, may charge an additional fee. For instance, are you an animal lover? While backpacking South America, you could volunteer at a local zoo, helping to care for animals. 

This position only requires 3 hours of work each weekday, which frees up the rest of your time to explore this beautiful country! This position also provides breakfast and lunch each day. 

They accept couples as well as single volunteers, so if you are travelling with a partner or friend, they are welcome too. 

Those who have volunteered here say this experience was great for meeting locals, immersing in the local culture, and getting in touch with nature. 

Explore more volunteer work in Peru

Community Manager & Web Programmer in Cordoba, Argentina

If you’re looking for volunteer work in South America that would also look great on your resume, why not consider helping out as a community manager and web programmer during your backpacking trip?

 We are looking for a creative person who has knowledge in digital marketing, social networks and can also help us advertise the hostel organically and using digital ads.”

For anyone with tech skills to spare, this position could be not only fun, but also a great career opportunity to bolster your resume. 

This stunning hostel in Argentina is seeking a talented person to run their social media accounts, and the minimum time requirement is only one week.

You would work 32 hours a week which leaves plenty of time for exploring and spending time with your new friends from around the world.

Explore more volunteer work in Argentina

Multiply and cultivate ornamental plants in Chile

“We reproduce and research ornamental plants, especially the native ones… We’re 5 km away from the touristic city of Valdivia, close to national parks and other attractions. Come help us with different activities in our vivero.”

If you’ve got a green thumb and would love to be surrounded by nature while backpacking South America, why not volunteer in beautiful Chile on a working farm? You’d work farming, gardening, and helping with general labour around the property. 

This experience includes all meals, free laundry, and 2 days off a week. You can also use the on-site bicycles to get into town on your days off.

Explore more volunteer work in Chile


In conclusion, you don’t have to pay a ton of money to travel around the world or have unique experiences. Worldpackers is an incredible resource for backpackers, budget travellers, or those searching for enriching volunteer programs in South America. 

Their site’s search functions make it so easy to find the best volunteer work when backpacking South America. Regardless of your unique travel itinerary, I cannot recommend Worldpackers enough.

When choosing your next vacation destination, you might crave a scenic mountain escape, a beach vacation, or an adventurous road trip. However, cultural legacy also plays a decisive role in choosing a travel destination. If you’re interested in history, world heritage, geographical wonders, and traditional customs, choosing one of the world’s cultural destinations can be an unforgettable vacation experience.

Culturally-rich destinations not only offer tangible delights like traditional food, museums, archaeology, and architecture, they also have an intangible element that makes the place special, like customs, rituals, and historical significance.

On top of that, connecting with different cultures helps open your eyes in ways that a typical holiday might not achieve. So without further ado, here are seven such cultural destinations for world heritage travelers and explorers.

1.   Cambodia

Cambodia - on the best cultural destinations in the world

Bayon Temple in Angkor Wat, Cambodia

Cambodia has an impressive history of civilizations and lucrative trade routes that really come alive when you visit the country. The iconic Angkor Wat temple, the world’s largest Buddhist temple complex of the early 12th century, reveres Lord Vishnu.

You will be able to take in the magnificence of Hindu god statues in the many temples in this architectural monument. Cambodia also has a rich tradition of handicrafts like golden silk, cotton textiles, and clay pottery. While visiting Cambodia, be sure to hop on the famous two-wheeled carriage Tuk-tuk, which ferries around people of all cultures and nationalities in Cambodia.             

Cultural Highlights:  

  •     Royal Ballet in Phnom Penh (Khmer classical dance featuring apsara dances in brightly colored costumes)
  •     Krama (traditional Cambodian checkered scarf)  
  •     Battambang (known for French colonial buildings and architecture, artist-run galleries)
  •     Arts and crafts (stone carving, silversmithing, lacquerware, kite-making) 
  •     Pin Peat (percussion instruments)
  •     The Reamker (Cambodian version of the Indian epic Ramayana)
  •     Nang Sbek (Shadow Theatre)

2. Japan

Japan, a country rich in heritage and tradition

Japan is known for its historic shrines, temples, and cultural celebrations. Travelers will also have plenty of opportunities to learn about other Japanese traditions like Manga art and hand-drawn computer animation.

There is a high regard for tradition in Japan, so pay attention to the customary bowing while greeting, removing your shoes upon entering a home, or eating with chopsticks.

Cultural Highlights:  

  •     Manga art (comic books in woodblock print)
  •     Anime (hand-drawn and computer-animated works)
  •     Geisha (traditional Japanese music sung by women at high-class banquets)
  •     Shodo (flower calligraphy)
  •     Ikebana (flower arrangement)
  •     Kimono (traditional Japanese clothing) 
  •     Bunraku and Kabuki (puppet theatre featuring stylized masks, costumes)
  •     Sushi, Teriyaki (Japanese dishes)

3. Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu - one of the best cultural wonders of the world

As one of the new Seven Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu is a stunning cultural destination

The magnificent site of Machu Picchu is the world’s most famous ancient city and a top tourist attraction. Scenic backpacking routes, like the Inca Trail, lead up to this classic mountain ridge tucked in Peru’s Andes Mountains. Machu Picchu, declared a UNESCO heritage site in 1983, is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007 (per an internet poll).

This architectural city delights you with its stone blocks, temples, monuments, walls, steep mountains, water channels, and varied flora and fauna.

Cultural Highlights:

  •     The Temple of the Sun (for the Sun God worship)
  •     Intihuatana (astronomic solar clock and monolithic structure)
  •     The Sacred Rock
  •     Huayna Picchu
  •     The Temple of Condor (well-known Inca temple)
  •     The Ocarina, the Antara, and The Charango (ancient Andean musical instruments)

4. Egypt

The Great Pyramids of Giza - the last remaining Wonder of the Ancient World

The Great Pyramids of Giza – the last remaining wonder of the ancient world

The ancient Egyptian culture has left its mark on the world with magnificent monuments, scientific advancements, and fascinating treasures that are still being unearthed today. But a visit to Egypt will also teach you about mythology, religion, civilization, and architecture.

Egypt’s beauty is unparalleled, as even the folk paintings on rural house walls depict Egypt’s strong artistic focus. The Great Pyramids of Giza built for three Egyptian pharaohs are the oldest Wonder of the Ancient world, and in fact it’s the only one that remains intact today.

For a unique viewing experience, you can take a camel or horse ride to enjoy the view of this last remaining wonder of the ancient world.

Cultural Highlights:

  • Great Pyramids (481 feet tall made with 2.3 million limestone blocks)
  •     The Great Sphinx at Giza (world-famous sculpture with a lion’s body and a human head)
  •     Pharaohs (Egyptian art)
  •     Tomb of Tutankhamen
  •     Bread loaf and falafel for daily and ceremonial occasions
  •     Perfume and minerals for makeup

5. Rajasthan, India

Hawa Mahal palace in Jaipur, Rajasthan

Hawa Mahal palace in Jaipur, Rajasthan

Camel fairs, royal palaces and rulers, festivals, handicrafts, and The Thar Desert make this state Northern state of India one of the top cultural destinations in the world. While there, be sure to enjoy the traditional folk music and dance that convey the heroic tales of battles fought on Rajasthani soil.

Cultural Highlights:

  •     Pushkar Camel Fair (held every November)
  •     Langas and Manganiars (folk musicians)
  •     Ghoomar dance from Jodhpur
  •     Dharohar dance performance (earthen pots stacked on the head)
  •     Kathputli (puppet show)
  •     Choki Dhani (resort village experience of Rajasthan folk dance, cultural skits, and eating platter meal while seated on the floor)

6. Russia

Saint Basil's Cathedral in Moscow, Russia

Saint Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow, Russia

Russia is so much more than freezing tundra and imposing castles. It has colorful cathedrals, gilded fountains, ballet, painting, literature, and cuisine to awaken your cultural spirit.

Culture Highlights:

  •     St. Basil’s Cathedral (Moscow’s famous work of architecture)
  •     Peterhof Palace and Gardens (check the spectacular fountains)
  •     Bolshoi ballet (renowned classical ballet)
  •     Food and drinks (sample beef stroganoff, borscht soup, caviar, vodka)

7. Cuba

A typical street in Havana, Cuba - one of the best cultural destinations in the world

A typical street in Havana, Cuba

Cuba excites visitors for its unspoiled beaches and its lively music and dance. It is also the birthplace of several music genres. Interestingly,  Cuba has nine UNESCO-approved World Heritage sites for the heritage explorer in you.

Cultural Highlights:

  •     Baroque architecture
  •     Moorish-inspired arched walkways
  •     Art deco style, as seen in the Bacardi building in Havana
  •     Salsa and Cha-cha-cha (local music)

Final Thoughts

Before planning your trip to these cultural destinations of the world, be sure to check guidance around the pandemic. To protect yourself and the local population, be sure to wear and carry reusable masks and sanitizer for a safe journey.