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With overtourism plaguing many popular destinations around the world, simply feeling welcome abroad should be a new travel trend, along with the rise in solo travel and digital nomadism.
In many places the welcome mat has disappeared from under travelers’ feet, but there are a handful of places that have actually become more welcoming and therefore more attractive for Americans to visit.
Some off the beaten path, some iconic, and some on the up-and-up as trendy escapes, these 5 exciting destinations are now embracing American travelers with relaxed entry requirements.
Algeria: the next Morocco of North Africa?
There are certainly regions in Africa that are considered a no-go zone for all travelers.
Morocco, a place I just had the opportunity to visit, is certainly not one of them.
And it seems that neighboring country Algeria has gotten a taste of how nice it is to welcome travelers, as they recently dipped their toes in the water to become much more traveler-friendly.
Although Americans will still need a visa to visit the sprawling historic capital of Algiers, along with the beautiful Mediterranean coastline in Annaba, there is a loophole to visit Africa’s largest country.
Algeria is even aiming for five times more tourists by 2030, no longer wants to be isolated from the Western world and is investing heavily in the restoration of almost 250 historic sites.
Americans will have to pay more than $160 for a standard tourist visa for most of the country, but there is a loophole for Saharan diamonds, Djanet.
Here travelers can visa on arrival to explore this unknown desert mystery with easy connections from Paris.
Gaze at the stars, immerse yourself in Tuareg culture and let deep-rooted history and otherworldly landscapes reveal themselves in Tassili n’Ajjer National Park.
Sri Lanka: Asia’s trendiest country says goodbye to visas
Bali, Thailand and Japan may tend to steal the spotlight for Asia, but Sri Lanka has certainly earned a place at the table.
Sri Lanka, perhaps Asia’s trendiest destination, has faced some controversy in recent weeks as a new travel advisory and additional safety warning were issued.
Good news is that the latter has been removed due to threats around Aragum Bay, while the recently issued advisory remains.
But it is only listed as Level 2comparable to many popular destinations such as the Dominican Republic.
Sri Lanka is one of the most diverse islands in the world, where you can be walking elephants one moment and discovering virtually untouched coastlines the next.
No matter how many Americans choose to explore Sri Lanka, which many recommend by train, you can enter visa-free for a maximum of 30 days as part of the new ‘One Chop’ system.
Cuba: so close and yet so far
Remember before the Covid-19 crisis, when Cuba finally became more lenient towards the Americans and it was so tense?
Well, they gave me hook, line and sinker. I immediately booked tickets. Since then, the country has been questioning security, among other headaches (quite literally).
The selling point of visiting Cuba as more and more airlines began launching flights was to see “old Cuba” before more cruise lines and restaurant chains invaded the timeless streets of Havana.
The good news is that this never actually happened. For example, there are no Starbucks on the island. The bad news is that Cuba is experiencing it right now, with government controversies and frequent power outages.
Don’t let this put you off though; somehow Cuba always pulls itself up by the oars and forges on.
Since it’s only 90 miles off the coast of Florida, it’s an easy flight. Better yet, Cuba has reduced bureaucratic processesmaking arrivals easier for US travelers with new eVisa rulesWhen allowing applications up to a week before travel.
In addition, the validity of the tourist card has been extended until June 2025.
Travelers can apply for the Cuba eVisa here.
Thailand: Embrace American privilege with longer stays and ease of customs
There’s a reason why many foreigners want to become U.S. passport holders, and Thailand’s new rules are Exhibit A.
There’s no shortage of breathtaking places to visit and unforgettable experiences, from Bangkok, Chiang Mai to the country’s seemingly endless string of islands.
Getting to Thailand has never been the problem; it is the desire to stay longer. Thailand recently said “your wish is my command!”, giving Americans an extra 30 days of visa-free access.
Now Americans can stay a total of 60 days and take advantage of eGates for faster lines through border patrols.
The downside is that there is also a new requirement that every American have the Electronic Travel Authority Form (ETA).
Bhutan: Asia’s complicated hidden gem
Remember Facebook’s relationship statuses? Bhutan would say “It’s complicated” if it had one.
Bhutan may not be on the 2025 bingo card, but if there was ever a time to visit one of the least visited countries in the world, now could be it.
With the economy in a slump, the small Asian country is turning to tourism for a boost.
One of the reasons Bhutan is one of the least visited areas is because of its strict regulations and exorbitant fees. If you thought Vegas resort fees were bad, Bhutan says, “Hold my beer!”.
Before the recent announcement to halve the daily tourist tax, visitors had to pay $200 for each day they spent in the country.
It’s now $100. Moreover, the small, and some say desperate, country has done just that implemented a new system for tourists to choose their preferred tour operator to guide them through the peaceful monasteries and untamed nature of this remote country.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and 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 in the post.
