Beyond the Beach with Intrepid Travel
Take your next beach adventure off-the-beaten-path and discover the local surroundings. Go beyond the beach on a tour with Intrepid Travel and discover what lies beyond the warm shores of the Caribbean, the placid beaches in Bali, the infamous surf in Costa Rica, and more.
Cuba
While the beaches are magnificent – white slivers of powder curving around the warm turquoise waters of the Caribbean – the real magic happens off the sand in Cuba.
Havana, Cuba
From the crumbling candy-coloured buildings of Havana and Trinidad to the verdant tobacco fields of Vinales, admire colonial architecture as you stroll the cobbled streets, hire a vintage bike and cycle alongside vintage cars, learn to dance the salsa in a steamy bar, then enjoy a Cuba Libre with new friends.
Belize
With aquamarine water, fluffy marshmallow clouds and powder-white sand fringed by palm trees, the beaches here have got to be seen to be believed. But there’s SO much more to Belize than picture-perfect sunsets and getting sand in your swimsuit.
Pyramid in Belize
On Caye Caulker, don your goggles and fins and snorkel among colourful coral, Nemos and Dories, and, if you’re lucky, a gliding manta ray on the world’s second longest barrier reef. Head inland to the incredible Cahal Pech ruins, once a major Maya ceremonial centre, or to the eerie Actun Tunichil Muknal caves, a Maya burial site that can only be accessed by wading through waist-deep water.
Costa Rica
Home to some of the best waves on the planet, Costa Rica ticks all the beachy boxes, particularly if surfing’s your game. But there are plenty of other adventures to be had in the lush Central American country that don’t involve hanging ten, bro.
White water rafting in Costa Rica
Ride the rapids on Pacuare River, rated one of the world’s top ten best rivers for white water rafting (the area is famous for its pristine rainforest and waterfalls, too). In Cahuita, snorkelling is the order of the day, among turtles, sea urchins and more than 125 species of fish. And as the sun sets, there’s nothing quite like kicking back with a cold beer at a beachfront reggae bar.
Cambodia
Sun, sand, hammocks strewn between palm trees… this is the life, right? Dust the sand from your feet and get ready to see the real Cambodia: stunning temples, lush jungles, monks in saffron-hued robes, and the incredible Angkor complex.
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
It’s also a great place to get seriously active – we’re talking mountain biking in the Mekong, trekking in the mountains, splashing about under waterfalls…the list goes on. Beats working out in a resort gym any day.
Bali
After you’ve had your Vitamin D intake soaking up the sun on one of Bali’s volcanic black-sand beaches, soak up the all-round good vibes of Bali. Ubud, in the island’s central mountains, is rich in culture (and delicious food); check out traditional dance performances, immerse yourself in village life on a walking tour and visit painting and craft studios.
Beach in Bali
Get your heart rate up with a cycle through quaint towns and rice paddies, and hike to the summit of Mt Batur just in time to see the sunrise wash over the valleys below.
Go beyond the beach on your next sun vacation with Intrepid Travel. For more information contact a Flight Centre Travel Expert by connecting with us online, calling 1-877-967-5302, or visiting your closest Flight Centre store.
About the Author
Emma Hackwood a freelance copywriter, amateur glider pilot and full-time adventure seeker, has travelled extensively in pursuit of her lifelong dream of simply seeing it all. Up to over 50 countries, she lists American Samoa and the seldom visited Marquesas Islands as her current favourite destinations, with a wandering eye on Guam and Tonga to complete her Pacific escapades.
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