Okay let's be real – scrolling through Instagram seeing everyone's vacation pics while you're stuck deciding where to go? That's the worst. I've been there too, wasting hours comparing destinations without getting anywhere. But after visiting 47 countries (and making plenty of planning mistakes along the way), I've nailed down what actually makes a place worth your hard-earned vacation time. Forget those generic "top 10" lists copied everywhere. We're going deep on the genuine best countries to travel to based on real logistics, costs, and those magic moments you can't Google.
Quick reality check: On my last trip to Bali, I met tourists who blew $800 on terrible villa bookings because they trusted random blogs. Don't be that person. What follows is everything I wish I knew before booking my first international flight.
Cutting Through the Noise: How We Chose These Destinations
You're probably wondering why some popular spots didn't make this list. Simple: I selected places where your money goes further, logistics aren't a nightmare, and you get maximum experience diversity. We're weighing:
- Bang for buck (that $5 bowl of pho in Vietnam versus $30 sandwich in Switzerland)
- Travel ease (navigating Tokyo's subway vs. renting a 4x4 in Iceland)
- Seasonal sweet spots (when to avoid monsoon season or tourist swarms)
- Experience range (can you surf, hike ancient ruins, and feast at night markets in one trip?)
Honestly? France almost got cut because Paris is absurdly crowded nowadays. But the countryside? Still magic.
The Gold Standard: Top 5 Best Countries to Travel To
These earned their spots after surviving my brutal "would I go back tomorrow?" test:
Japan: Where Future Meets Tradition
Landing in Tokyo still feels like arriving on another planet. Bullet trains whisking you to bamboo forests, ancient temples next to robot restaurants – Japan packs more contrasts per square mile than anywhere I've been. But it's not cheap. My biggest regret? Not buying the JR Rail Pass before arriving. Paid nearly double buying locally.
Non-negotiable spots:
• Fushimi Inari Shrine (Kyoto): Open 24/7, free entry. Go at sunrise (5:30AM) unless you want your photos photobombed by 500 people. Take Keihan Line to Fushimi-Inari Station.
• TeamLab Planets (Tokyo): $30 entry, book 3 months ahead. Closest station: Shin-Toyosu. Wear shorts – you wade through knee-deep water!
• Dotonbori (Osaka): Free to explore, best 6PM-midnight. Try takoyaki (octopus balls) at Kukuru ($4) near Ebisu Bridge.
• Fushimi Inari Shrine (Kyoto): Open 24/7, free entry. Go at sunrise (5:30AM) unless you want your photos photobombed by 500 people. Take Keihan Line to Fushimi-Inari Station.
• TeamLab Planets (Tokyo): $30 entry, book 3 months ahead. Closest station: Shin-Toyosu. Wear shorts – you wade through knee-deep water!
• Dotonbori (Osaka): Free to explore, best 6PM-midnight. Try takoyaki (octopus balls) at Kukuru ($4) near Ebisu Bridge.
Why it rocks: Spotless, safe trains running on time. Mind-blowing food at all price points.
Annoyances: Cash still rules many places. Small hotels have tiny bathrooms.
Portugal: Europe's Best-Kept Secret (Barely)
Lisbon stole my heart with its yellow trams and $2 espresso with pastel de nata custard tarts. But heads up: the Alfama district's hills will destroy your calves. Worth it for the fado music drifting from open windows at dusk.
Can't-miss experiences:
• Pena Palace (Sintra): $14 entry, 9:30AM-6:30PM. Take train from Rossio Station (40 mins). Buy "Park + Palace" ticket online to skip massive queues.
• Livraria Lello (Porto): $8 entry (redeemable against book purchase). Opens 9:30AM. Said to inspire Harry Potter's library. Get there before opening or expect 2-hour lines.
• Benagil Caves (Algarve): Kayak tours from $35. Go before 10AM when boats overcrowd the caves. Check tides – swimming in is dangerous.
• Pena Palace (Sintra): $14 entry, 9:30AM-6:30PM. Take train from Rossio Station (40 mins). Buy "Park + Palace" ticket online to skip massive queues.
• Livraria Lello (Porto): $8 entry (redeemable against book purchase). Opens 9:30AM. Said to inspire Harry Potter's library. Get there before opening or expect 2-hour lines.
• Benagil Caves (Algarve): Kayak tours from $35. Go before 10AM when boats overcrowd the caves. Check tides – swimming in is dangerous.
Budget tip: Porto's €10 "Francesinha" sandwich (meat, cheese, beer sauce) feeds two. Avoid touristy Ribeira Square restaurants – prices triple after sunset.
| Country | Daily Budget (Mid-range) | Best Time to Visit | Visa Complexity | Top Experience You Can't Google |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | $100-150 | Late Mar-Apr (cherry blossoms) | Low (eVisa available) | Onsen hopping in Beppu |
| Portugal | $70-100 | May-Jun / Sep-Oct | Low (Schengen visa) | Sunset at Cabo da Roca (Europe's edge) |
| Vietnam | $35-50 | Feb-Apr / Aug-Oct | Medium (visa approval letter) | Overnight cruise in Lan Ha Bay (less touristy than Ha Long) |
| Costa Rica | $80-120 | Dec-Apr (dry season) | Low (90-day visa-free) | Sloth spotting at Manuel Antonio before 8AM |
| Greece | $90-130 | Late May / Sep-Oct | Medium (Schengen visa) | Secret beaches on Milos accessible only by boat |
Vietnam: Sensory Overload on $30/Day
Ho Chi Minh City's motorbike swarm terrified me for 10 minutes... then became addictive. Vietnam delivers insane value, though crossing streets feels like playing Frogger. My favorite memory? Sipping $0.50 iced coffee overlooking rice paddies in Mai Chau.
Street food must-tries: Bun cha Ha Noi (grilled pork/noodles) at 34 Hang Than ($2), banh mi from Banh Mi Phuong in Hoi An (Anthony Bourdain’s pick, $1.50).
Costa Rica: For When You Need Nature Therapy
Waking up to howler monkeys outside my jungle cabin? Priceless. But warning: "pura vida" means relaxed timelines. My shuttle to Monteverde showed up 90 minutes late.
Pro hack: Skip Manuel Antonio's crowded main beach. Walk 10 mins left to Playa Biesanz - calmer with local vibe.
Greece: More Than Postcard Islands
Santorini at sunset is everything... until 5 cruise ships unload. My solution? Stay in Pyrgos village – authentic, quiet, 15 mins from Oia. Bonus: family-run tavernas charge half the price.
Underrated: Naxos island. Giant Zeus temple ruins, empty beaches, and cheese pies that'll ruin supermarket feta forever.
Budget-Boosting Alternatives to Popular Spots
| Overhyped (and Overpriced) | Smarter Swap | Why Better | Savings Estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bali, Indonesia | Lombok, Indonesia | Same volcanoes/beaches without traffic jams | 40% on accommodations |
| Amalfi Coast, Italy | Puglia, Italy | Similar cliffs + trulli houses, half the tourists | 35% on food/lodging |
| Dubrovnik, Croatia | Kotor, Montenegro | Identical medieval walls, minus Game of Thrones crowds | 50% on tours |
Actual cost hack: Booked a week in Puglia last fall. Got a masseria (farmhouse) with pool for $110/night via local rental site "Summer In Italy." Comparable Amalfi digs? $350+.
Timing is Everything: When to Visit These Best Countries to Travel To
I learned this the hard way in Thailand. Went during "shoulder season" – got monsooned on for 5 days straight. Some key windows:
- Japan: Late March-April (cherry blossoms) OR November (fall colors). Avoid Golden Week (early May) – everything booked/super expensive.
- Portugal: May-June or September-October. July-August means heat + cruise crowds in Lisbon.
- Costa Rica: Dry season (Dec-Apr). "Green season" (May-Nov) brings cheaper rates but daily downpours.
- Greece: Late May or September-October. August = European holiday crowds + 40°C heat.
Your Burning Questions Answered (No Fluff)
Which best country to travel to is safest for solo females?
Japan and Portugal hands-down. Felt safer walking Tokyo at 2AM than my hometown. Portugal's low crime + friendly locals make it stress-free. Still, avoid empty alleys in Lisbon's Bairro Alto late night.
What's the most overrated destination?
Bora Bora. Yes, the water's unreal. But dropping $1,500/night for an overwater bungalow with mediocre food? Insane. Same turquoise waters exist in Fiji or Seychelles for way less.
How early should I book for these best countries to travel to?
Critical for Japan: Flights 6-8 months out, hotels 3-4 months. Portugal/Greece? 4-5 months for peak season. Last-minute deals rarely happen now.
Any destinations that disappointed you?
Marrakech. The medina's fascinating but the hassle... relentless. Got quoted $100 for a rug later bought for $22 after bargaining. Exhausting. Chefchaouen (Blue City) was calmer and stunning.
Which country offers the biggest cultural shift?
Vietnam. From chaotic Hanoi alleys to hill tribe villages near Sapa. More jarring than Thailand. Try crossing streets without flinching – it's an art form.
Final tip: Saw travelers glued to phones documenting every meal. Put it down. The best countries to travel to reveal magic when you engage locals. My favorite travel moment? Helping a Tokyo shopkeeper sweep leaves despite zero shared language. Don't just consume places – connect.