Updated on
Popular destinations are popular for good reasons, but they also come with queues, high prices and crowded viewpoints. Lesser-known places can offer the same beauty with more space and more contact with local life. This guide covers seven underrated destinations, explains what each is best for, and shows you how to research and visit places like these responsibly.
The Seven at a Glance
| Place | Country | Best for | Often compared with |
|---|---|---|---|
| Osa Peninsula | Costa Rica | Rainforest and wildlife | Manuel Antonio |
| Filandia | Colombia | Coffee-region culture and slow travel | Salento |
| Luang Prabang | Laos | Temples, waterfalls, heritage | Chiang Mai |
| Essaouira | Morocco | Coast, art and wind sports | Marrakech |
| Lombok | Indonesia | Volcano hikes and quiet beaches | Bali |
| Chiloé Island | Chile | Folklore, seafood, wooden churches | Patagonia highlights |
| Quissico | Mozambique | Lagoons, beaches and music heritage | Tofo and Vilanculos |
1. Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica
The Osa Peninsula, on Costa Rica’s southern Pacific coast, is home to Corcovado National Park, one of the country’s most biodiverse areas. Visitors can see tapirs, macaws, monkeys and, with luck, big cats, along with beaches that are quiet compared with the more developed north.
📌 Read More
- Do: book a guided walk in the national park, which usually requires a licensed guide and advance permits.
- Stay: small eco-lodges, many with limited power and no air conditioning.
- Know: reaching the peninsula takes time and roads can be rough in the rainy season.
2. Filandia, Colombia
Filandia sits in Colombia’s coffee region, close to the better-known town of Salento. It has colourful streets, craft shops, cafes and a lookout tower, Mirador Colina Iluminada, that offers views over the valley at sunset. It suits travellers who want to walk, sit in cafes and visit coffee farms at an unhurried pace.
- Do: take a farm tour to follow coffee from plant to cup.
- Stay: family-run guesthouses or farm stays.
3. Luang Prabang, Laos
Luang Prabang is a UNESCO World Heritage town where Buddhist temples, French-era buildings and river views sit close together. Nearby are waterfalls with turquoise pools, such as Kuang Si, and villages reachable by boat.
- Do: watch the morning alms procession respectfully from a distance, without flash or close contact.
- Know: dress modestly in temples, with shoulders and knees covered.
4. Essaouira, Morocco
Essaouira is a walled port city on Morocco’s Atlantic coast, known for its blue fishing boats, ramparts, art galleries and steady winds that attract kite and wind surfers. It is calmer than Marrakech, with a medina that is easy to explore on foot. The city is also a travel option for Nigerians who want an African destination with direct flights to Morocco.
- Do: eat grilled fish at the port stalls and walk the ramparts at sunset.
- Know: the coast is windy, so bring a layer even in warm months.
5. Lombok, Indonesia
Lombok lies east of Bali and offers volcano trekking on Mount Rinjani, surf beaches in the south and small islands, such as the Gili group, off the north-west coast. It has a different culture from Bali, with a Muslim majority and quieter evenings.
- Do: hire a licensed guide for any Rinjani trek and check the trail status before you go.
- Know: facilities are simpler than in Bali, and the southern beaches are best reached by scooter or private driver.
6. Chiloé Island, Chile
Chiloé is the large island off southern Chile known for palafitos, wooden houses built on stilts over the water, and for its wooden churches, several of which are UNESCO World Heritage sites. Local folklore, seafood stews and misty coastal scenery make it distinctive.
📰 Similar Posts
- Do: try curanto, a traditional seafood and meat dish cooked in a pit.
- Know: weather is wet and changeable, so pack waterproof layers.
7. Quissico, Mozambique
Quissico lies on Mozambique’s southern coast between the Indian Ocean and a series of freshwater lagoons. The area is known for the Chopi people’s timbila xylophone music, recognised by UNESCO, along with quiet beaches and grilled seafood. Facilities are basic, so travellers should plan transport and lodging ahead.
- Do: look for a local music performance, if one is scheduled.
- Know: check the current travel advice for the region before you go.
How to Find Your Own Hidden Gem
- Start with a famous place, then look next door. Almost every popular spot has a quieter neighbour within a few hours’ travel.
- Read forum threads and local sites. Travel forums and regional tourism boards often describe places that guidebooks skip.
- Go in the shoulder season. Spring and autumn in many regions bring good weather and far fewer visitors.
- Check practicalities. Look up how you get there, where you stay, whether you can pay by card and what the health and safety advice says.
- Ask residents. Local guides and guesthouse hosts know which trails and restaurants are worth your time.
Visiting Without Spoiling It
- Spend money locally: family-run lodges, local guides and markets.
- Ask before photographing people, and follow local dress and behaviour norms.
- Do not geo-tag fragile places such as nesting sites or sacred sites.
- Carry out your waste, since small communities often lack collection services.
- Stay longer in one place instead of ticking off several.
Worked Example: Planning a Quiet Two-Week Trip
| Step | What to do (hypothetical traveller) |
|---|---|
| Choose the base | Pick Essaouira, the closest option to Nigeria on this list, for a week |
| Check entry | Confirm the visa rule for a Nigerian passport on Morocco’s official pages |
| Plan around the weather | Book shoulder-season dates and pack a wind layer |
| Add a second stop | Add a quiet coastal village or a day in the Atlas foothills rather than a second city |
| Leave slack | Keep two unplanned days for weather or tips from locals |
Frequently Asked Questions
Are hidden gems cheaper?
Often on the ground, since lodging and food cost less, but getting there can cost more in time and transport.
Are they safe?
Safety depends on the place and the season. Read your own government’s and the destination’s current travel advice, and tell someone your plans.
Do I need a visa?
It depends on your passport and the country. Check the destination’s official immigration pages before booking. Nigerians, for example, need a visa for many of these countries.
When is the best time to go?
The dry or shoulder season in each region. Check the local climate for your chosen place.
Should I book everything in advance?
Book transport to remote areas and national park permits ahead. Keep other days flexible.
👀 You Missed
You Might Also Like
No responses yet