For all of our awards, nominations are collected from Matador'The team of writers, videographers, content managers and travel professionals. The list is then refined based on a points system before being shared with readers. The votes are then counted and the winner gets first place. However, Matador staff is only a tiny fraction of the people who travel, so we always leave space for readers to write suggestions for places they think deserve national attention.
And our readers did not disappoint. In the 2024 survey, readers wrote nearly 100 alternative suggestions for the best adventure travel destinations of 2025. Some destinations received multiple write-in votes, such as the small Caribbean island of Saba, Chang Mai in the north of Thailand and all of Costa Rica.
Although none of the write-in Best Adventure Travel Destinations garnered enough votes to win, that honor went to Ecuador. Galapagos Islands – our editors enjoyed browsing the choices and discovering the destinations that most interest our readers.
Here are some of the best adventure travel destinations suggested by Matador Network readers who didn't make the cut, but inspired us to start planning next year's trip.
Aeolian Islands, Italy
The Aeolian Islands, off the northeast coast of Sicily, Italy, are a fascinating adventure travel destination for 2025. The volcanic archipelago of seven islands offers many unique hiking opportunities where visitors can observe first-hand volcanic action, as well as numerous beaches. , sailing trips, diving sites, snorkeling excursions and much more for travelers who love spending time in the great outdoors. As you would expect from the scenery, there are also beautiful black sand beaches and several thermal springs. Some of the most unique activities on the islands include public mud baths, night hiking opportunities on Mount Stromboli, and snorkeling above underwater fumaroles.
The Aeolian Islands Preservation Fund helps to ensure that tourism is both managed and beneficial to the natural environment, and the lack of air services helps reduce visitor numbers. The islands typically welcome around 200,000 tourists a year, compared to 15 million arrivals in Sicily in 2023. From Sicily, you'll need to take a ferry from Milazzo, Messina, or Palermo; the journey takes between one and four hours, depending on where you are going. From the mainland you can take a ferry from Naples. The quickest journey takes around five hours, via the SNAV high-speed ferry.
Saba, Netherlands
THE Saba volcanic island is only five square miles and has one of the scariest (but totally safe) airports around the world (although it is also accessible by ferry from Saint-Martin). It is sometimes called “The intact queen» because it is still poorly developed, partly due to the difficulties of construction on such a steep and small island. The island is world-famous for its exceptional year-round scuba diving, as well as its high-altitude hikes through various landscapes around the island. Mount Scenery Trail System.
Although the island has luxury hotels, these are not your usual all-inclusive packages. There are no large hotel or resort chains like those found in more commercial Caribbean tourist destinations. It also offers plenty of cottage-style accommodation set on cliffsides and gardens, giving the island a wilder, more natural feel that is becoming increasingly difficult to find as the tourist economy grows in the region.
Pokhara, Nepal
Pokhara is definitely one of the best adventure travel destinations in 2025 — at least if you ask Nepal, which officially designated the city as the country's tourism capital in March 2024. The city is located near the Annapurna, making it an unmissable destination. a hub for hiking and climbing, as well as a popular place to stay before or after starting the famous Annapurna Trek. Paragliding is also popular, as is “ultralight flying” in small open-air planes. Both allow visitors to experience the famous mountain range without the need for a multi-week hike. There are also opportunities for potholing, Mountain bikingand even visit monks or learn traditional skills from local indigenous groups, e.g. people who are not interested in trekking.
Pokhara is accessible via a quick flight to the brand new Pokhara International Airport or via the daily tourist bus from Kathmandu. Several new hotels have just opened or will open soon, including the luxurious lakeside hotel. Glacier Hotel Pokharathe family business Blue Planet Lodgeand the mountain view New Elia Hotel. Accommodation is extremely affordable, and mid-range rooms are typically found around $20 to $30 per night. The Nepalese government is currently investing in infrastructure to make travel easier and more accessible in the region, and the new Shanti Banbatika Botanical Gardenfeaturing meditation spaces and an herb garden, is also underway.
Nikko, Japan
Autumn views from Akechidaira Observatory, Lake Chuzenji, Nikko, Japan. Photo: Taweep Tang/Shutterstock
Nikko is a natural and cultural site that has managed to preserve its ancient character, despite being one of the most important historical sites in Japan. The town serves as the gateway to Nikko National Park, where spectacular volcanic landscapes provide a wild playground for guests who don't mind exploring on foot. The area is famous for its historic Toshogu Shrine complex, but venture beyond and you'll discover a year's worth of mountain hiking trails, thundering waterfalls and steaming hot springs.
The area's extensive trail network winds through ancient forests and ancient shrines, while Lake Chuzenji, formed 20,000 years ago by volcanic activity, is a beautiful spot for kayaking and lakeside walks. of the lake. And in Nikko, it's easy to combine adventure activities, whether you want to hike to the hot springs or kayak between beaches for a point-to-point outdoor excursion.
You won't find large international hotel chains in Nikko. Instead, it's mostly historic ryokans and boutique hotels nestled in the mountains. Many are family-run and have been for generations, offering a taste of old-fashioned Japanese hospitality that can be increasingly difficult to find in more touristy areas. Even if Nikko is just two hours by high-speed train from Tokyo, which makes it feasible as a day tripit's like a world apart — and a lot less people.
Tarapoto, Peru
Tarapoto, Peru, is an interesting candidate among the nominees for the best adventure travel destinations of 2025, with a blend of natural beauty, cultural richness and diverse activities. It is in the jungles of northern Peru and is the unofficial gateway to the upper Amazon region. It is located at the foot of Cordillera Escaleraa natural conservation area full of dense rainforests and impressive waterfalls. This makes it attractive to bird watchers and anyone who wants to stay in eco-lodges among the trees. Rappelling and canyoning tours are also growing in popularity.
In addition to exploring the conservation area, visitors can raft and canoe on the Mayo and Huallaga rivers, or hike to sites like Ahuashiyacu Falls or Palestine Cave. Tarapota is also involved in cocoa growing and agriculture, creating many opportunities to visit farms and even learn traditional chocolate-making skills. 
