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Looking for an exotic escape to make the most of your passport? Chances are you’ve set your sights on Asia.
While Phuket is one of the most recognizable beach destinations in all of Asia, one could argue Bali and ever-so-trendy Koh Samui certainly belong in the chat.
Rather than go with the obvious choices like every other regurgitated list, U.S. News & World Report named some of the most beautiful places on Earth ahead of Thailand’s top getaway for sun, sand, and luxury—and it was decided by their readers and editors who have visited.
Ultimately, Phuket ranked 9th in Asia as an overall destination and 4th for beach vacations.
Finishing ahead is a trio of postcard paradises spread out across the continent, ranging from up-and-coming islands, bucket-list atolls, and the stunning coastline of Asia’s hottest destination right now.
3) Sri Lanka: By Plane, Train, Or Tuk-Tuk — Just Reach The Beach!
Sri Lanka has a rough timeline, but this diverse island nation fortunately came out the other side as a booming tourist destination for those seeking adventure, sun-kissed shores, and some of the most scenic train rides imaginable.
While Sri Lanka’s vibrant shores are worthy of being a bucket-list destination in their own right, it’s Sri Lanka’s trains that sit atop many travelers’ must-do’s.
If that’s you, you gotta hop aboard the ‘Coastal Line‘ from the sensory-overload inducing streets of Colombo to the quieter atmosphere of Matara.
You’ll chug along through numerous beach towns, such as Mirissa and Galle, to name a couple of the most notable.
Sri Lanka is a popular gathering place for surfers, but even if you’ve never caught a wave before, the beaches are enjoyable in other ways, whether it be lounging seaside with a cold beer in hand, or other water activities, such as snorkeling, diving, and going inland to explore tranquil lagoons.
Of course, Sri Lanka isn’t solely a beach destination. You could spend a month here and not see all this trendy country has to offer, but to narrow some of it down, make sure you visit one of Sri Lanka’s 26 national parks, take a train ride, even if it’s a short day trip, and pencil in some downtime at the beach.
Check out Conde Nast’s recent feature of Sri Lanka’s top hotels.
My fave? Galle Face Hotel, Colombo.
2) Maldives: A Once-In-A-Lifetime Beach Vacation
Is there anyone on Earth who hasn’t dreamt of taking a trip to the Maldives? Believe it or not, I once scored round-trip airfare from L.A. to Male, the Maldives capital for just $400… but then this little thing called Covid happened.
Oh, to dream again…
The Maldives offers visitors nearly 1,200 islands for the vacation of a lifetime, yet only 200 are inhabited.
Some are public; some are privately owned by resorts. While it’s possible to save some serious cash by booking vacation rentals, there are more rules to abide by and why come all this way to such an astoundingly beautiful island getaway just to penny-pinch?
There’s truly not enough adjectives in Merriam Webster, or for AI to generate, to accurately describe the Maldive’s unparalleled white-sand beaches, pure, clear waters and dreamlike atolls.
U.S. News & World Report recommends booking one of the island nation’s famous overwater bungalows.
There are dozens of traditional posh resorts as well, which is the top selling point for visiting such a place.
For bungalows, check out Ayada, holding a 4.8 Google rating (who complains about the Maldives?!).
For name-brand resorts, check out Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa.
Know Before You Go: Maldives practices Sharia Law. It is illegal for unmarried couples to stay in the same accommodations together, although this is widely considered unenforced for Western tourists at hotels and resorts. Questions may arise at private vacation rentals owned by locals.
1) Grand Hotels & Stunning Beaches: Palawan Is Asia’s New Hotspot
If you thought the Maldives had a ton of islands to offer, Palawan puts them to shame with over 8,000.
Palawan is all the rage as the Philippines’ trendiest destination, no matter if you’re a couple looking for a romantic escape, a solo traveler embracing solitude, or anything in between.
Regardless of what type of traveler you are, we all like to save some coin, but that’s exactly the issue driving Palawan’s prices up as it’s no longer feasible to find $80 stays like we previously reported.
Think more in the upper $160’s minimum for luxurious stays this spring, like Sheridan Beach Resort and Spa.
This island has sky-rocketed in popularity but still below the radar enough to not hold household recognition.
There’s no time like the present to book a trip to the Philippines’ top paradise in what many call their own “Maldives”.
U.S. News & World Reports recommends finding a translucent lagoon for snorkeling, such as El Nido and Coron.
Palawan is a nature lovers’ dream, whether it be lounging seaside on gleaming white sand and turquoise waters crashing ashore, renting a canoe and venturing through limestone sea caves, or trekking inland for numerous waterfalls.
Plus, if there’s one more selling point to add, filipinos are amongst the happiest people in the world and certainly the most welcoming and hospitable people you’ll cross in your travels.
Sam Sears
Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 36 countries and written over 1000 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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