Tired of crowded tourist spots and long lines? There are amazing places on Earth, rich in beauty and culture, that see very few visitors. These destinations offer unique experiences away from the usual hustle. Let’s explore 20 of the least visited countries that might deserve a place on your travel list.
20. Mongolia
With only about 301,000 visitors, Mongolia is a vast land where time seems to move slower. Imagine wide-open steppes, striking deserts like the Gobi, and tall mountains. You can experience nomadic life by staying in traditional gers (yurts) and riding horses. The Gobi Desert is famous for its Bactrian camels and the Flaming Cliffs, where dinosaur fossils have been found. Key attractions include the Gandantegchinlen Monastery in the capital, Ulaanbaatar, the ancient capital Karakorum with the Erdene Zuu Monastery, and beautiful national parks like Gorkhi-Terelj and Altai Tavan Bogd. For a unique cultural experience, visit during the Naadam Festival in July to see traditional wrestling, horse racing, and archery.
19. Guyana
Guyana, often called South America’s secret jungle escape, is seeing more visitors as flights to its capital, Georgetown, increase. This nation stands out with its Caribbean-influenced culture and colonial architecture. Its main draw is its stunning nature. Highlights include the incredible Kaieteur Falls, the world’s tallest single-drop waterfall, and deep Amazonian rainforests. These forests are home to rare wildlife, such as the vibrant Guianan cock-of-the-rock. Guyana offers a mix of cultural experiences and wild, natural beauty.
18. French Polynesia
Receiving just 261,000 visitors, French Polynesia is more than just Bora Bora. Think clear lagoons and unique Polynesian culture. Islands like Mo’orea, Taha’a, and Rangiroa offer similar beauty with fewer crowds. You can dive with manta rays, explore lush volcanic mountains, hike to waterfalls, or relax on white-sand beaches. Enjoying traditional Tahitian dances by firelight is another memorable experience. Activities like snorkeling, kayaking, and exploring ancient temples (marae) are popular.
17. Trinidad and Tobago
This twin-island nation often gets overlooked compared to other Caribbean destinations. Trinidad, the larger island, is famous for hosting the Caribbean’s biggest Carnival celebration. Tobago offers a more relaxed pace with white-sand beaches, coral reefs, and the Main Ridge Forest Reserve, the oldest legally protected rainforest in the Western Hemisphere. It’s a place offering both vibrant energy and peaceful relaxation. Note that there has been a recent travel advisory due to crime, so checking current travel advice is recommended.
16. Dominica
Known as the ‘Nature Island’, Dominica attracts travelers looking for rugged nature instead of large resorts. It received 233,000 visitors. The island features unique sights like Boiling Lake, a flooded fumarole that’s the second-largest of its kind globally, volcanic peaks, and numerous waterfalls hidden in the rainforest. Hiking to Boiling Lake through the Valley of Desolation is a challenging but rewarding trek. Dominica also offers chances to swim with sperm whales offshore. It’s a destination prized for its raw, natural state.
15. Myanmar
Despite receiving only 233,000 visitors, Myanmar offers visitors incredible sights. Key attractions include the ancient city of Bagan, home to thousands of temples and pagodas. Inle Lake provides a unique view of life on the water, with floating gardens and villages inhabited by the Intha people, known for their leg-rowing technique. You can explore ancient pagodas at Indein village near the lake. Other highlights include the U-Bein Bridge near Mandalay and observing traditional life, like lotus weaving. The country is rich in history and spiritual atmosphere. (Note: Check current travel advisories before planning a trip).
14. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
This Caribbean nation, made up of 32 islands and cays (only nine inhabited), saw just 210,000 visitors. It’s known for quiet coves, harbors filled with yachts, and great island-hopping opportunities. Popular spots include the Tobago Cays Marine Park for snorkeling with turtles and exploring coral reefs. On the main island, Saint Vincent, you can hike the La Soufrière volcano (guide required), visit the historic Fort Charlotte for views, or stroll through the old St. Vincent Botanical Gardens. Bequia offers relaxed beaches and plantation tours, while Mustique is known as a private escape.
13. Moldova
Located between Romania and Ukraine, Moldova welcomed only 162,000 visitors. It’s a peaceful country known for its extensive vineyards and wineries, like Cricova and Mileștii Mici, which has one of the world’s largest wine cellars. Moldovan cuisine features traditional dishes often using walnuts. The capital, Chișinău, offers parks and museums. Visitors can enjoy wine tours, explore monasteries, and experience the country’s rustic charm. The annual National Wine Day celebrates its winemaking heritage.
12. Djibouti
This small nation on the Horn of Africa received 145,000 visitors. Djibouti boasts diverse and striking landscapes, from the salt flats and lowest point in Africa at Lac Assal to the otherworldly limestone chimneys of Lac Abbé. Volcanic areas, hot springs, and rugged canyons add to its unique scenery. It’s a place that offers incredible photographic opportunities and a chance to see geological wonders often compared to lunar landscapes.
11. New Caledonia
Welcoming 139,000 visitors, this French territory in the South Pacific is surrounded by the world’s largest coral lagoon, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This marine ecosystem is vital to the indigenous Kanak people. Visitors can experience a blend of French influence and Kanak culture. Explore the capital, Nouméa, visit the Tjibaou Cultural Centre to learn about Kanak traditions, hike in Blue River Park, or enjoy water activities like snorkeling and diving in the lagoon. Respecting Kanak customs, like the ‘customary gesture’ (la Coutume) when visiting tribal areas, is important.
10. Angola
With 130,000 visitors, Angola is a large West African nation offering dramatic contrasts. From the moon-like landscape of Miradouro da Lua near Luanda to the powerful Kalandula Falls (one of Africa’s largest by volume), the scenery is impressive. The country has a rich history tied to the Kingdom of Ndongo and its independence from Portugal in 1975. Explore national parks like Kissama, discover colonial architecture in cities, or relax on coastal beaches. Angola presents a mix of culture, history, and natural beauty still largely undiscovered by tourists.
9. Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso attracted 116,000 visitors and is known for its cultural depth. Key sites include the striking Grand Mosque of Bobo-Dioulasso, an excellent example of Sudano-Sahelian mud architecture, and the Loropéni Ruins, a UNESCO World Heritage site consisting of ancient stone walls. Bobo-Dioulasso, the country’s second city, is a cultural hub, especially for traditional music. Near Banfora, you can find the Karfiguéla waterfalls and the unusual rock formations of the Dômes de Fabedougou.
8. Cook Islands
Receiving 121,000 visitors, the Cook Islands offer a classic South Pacific escape with turquoise lagoons and palm trees. A local rule states no building can be taller than a coconut tree. Located in the same time zone as Hawaii, these islands maintain strong ties to New Zealand but have their own unique Polynesian culture. Rarotonga is the main island with hiking trails and cultural villages. Aitutaki is famed for its stunning lagoon, ideal for snorkeling, kayaking, and boat tours. The islands pride themselves on a relaxed atmosphere – there are famously no traffic lights here.
7. Liechtenstein
This tiny principality, nestled between Switzerland and Austria, welcomed 101,000 tourists. As one of only two doubly landlocked countries, Liechtenstein offers Alpine beauty on a small scale. Vaduz Castle, the Prince’s residence, overlooks the capital, Vaduz. While the castle isn’t open to the public, the country boasts numerous hiking trails through mountains and forests, like the Princes’ Way Hike or the Liechtenstein Trail connecting its villages. Gutenberg Castle in Balzers is another historic site. It’s a place full of mountain charm.
6. Papua New Guinea
With only 69,000 visitors, Papua New Guinea (PNG) is one of the most culturally diverse places on Earth, home to over 800 distinct languages. It offers experiences like jungle trekking, observing unique tribal festivals, and world-class diving along its coastlines and islands. The famous Kokoda Track offers a challenging trek through rugged terrain significant in WWII history. Visitors can engage with diverse local cultures, explore volcanic landscapes, and discover remote natural beauty.
5. Vanuatu
Vanuatu, an archipelago of around 83 islands, saw 65,000 visitors. It’s a destination for adventure lovers. You can hike up to the rim of active volcanoes like Mount Yasur on Tanna, dive on famous WWII shipwrecks such as the SS President Coolidge off Espiritu Santo, or experience unique cultural traditions like the Naghol land diving on Pentecost Island. The islands offer lush rainforests, beautiful beaches, and vibrant coral reefs for snorkeling and diving. It’s a remote and welcoming place.
4. Samoa
Samoa, receiving 51,000 tourists, is known for its strong cultural pride and emphasis on Fa’a Samoa (the Samoan Way) – a lifestyle centered on family and respect. The islands offer stunning natural beauty, including lush rainforests, waterfalls like those in O Le Pupu-Pue National Park, and pristine beaches and lagoons. Visit the To Sua Ocean Trench, a unique swimming hole, or explore the lava fields on Savai’i. Samoa promotes a slower pace of life, inviting visitors to relax and connect with its rich Polynesian culture. Famously, Samoa shifted its time zone in 2011, skipping a full day to align better with Australia and New Zealand.
3. Tonga
The Kingdom of Tonga welcomed just 22,000 visitors. This Polynesian nation is one of the few places where you can swim with migrating humpback whales (from July to October). Comprising over 170 islands (many uninhabited), Tonga offers island hopping, diving, kayaking, and exploring ancient archaeological sites. Tongan culture is deeply rooted, and the country is unique in the region for never having lost its indigenous governance. It provides a chance to experience Polynesian traditions without large resort crowds.
2. Bhutan
Located high in the Himalayas, Bhutan saw only 21,000 visitors. The kingdom is famous for its philosophy of Gross National Happiness (GNH), prioritizing well-being over economic growth. It’s the world’s only carbon-negative country, emphasizing sustainability and environmental protection. Visitors can explore ancient monasteries like the iconic Tiger’s Nest (Paro Taktsang), witness colorful festivals (Tshechus), and trek through stunning mountain landscapes. Bhutan offers a unique spiritual and cultural journey. (Note: Bhutan has specific tourism regulations, including a daily sustainable development fee).
1. Kiribati
Topping the list as the least visited country is Kiribati, with just 2,000 visitors. This remote nation consists of 33 low-lying coral atolls spread across the central Pacific Ocean near the equator. Its islands, like Kiritimati (Christmas Island) and those in the Phoenix Islands Protected Area (a UNESCO World Heritage site), offer world-class fishing, diving, and birdwatching in pristine marine environments. Kiribati faces significant threats from climate change and rising sea levels, making a visit a poignant look at environmental vulnerability. Its remoteness and unique geography offer a truly off-the-grid experience.
These 20 countries show that incredible beauty, adventure, and authentic cultural experiences can be found far from the usual tourist trails. Exploring these less-visited corners of the globe can offer rewarding and unique travel memories.
Adrenaline junkie with a passion for exploring off-the-beaten-path destinations and finding unique ways to stay active. Expect stunning scenery, challenging workouts, awesome travel tips and a whole lot of fun. Let’s get sweaty and explore the world together!
