Everyone dreams of the perfect tropical island getaway: a place of white sandy beaches, turquoise water, and palm trees gently swaying in the breeze, where you can relax and decompress far away from the hectic routines of your ordinary life. With a little bit of searching, you will be glad to hear that this perfection does exist in several locations around the world. To help you plan your dream vacation, here are four tropical island getaways you need to add to your travel bucket list.
1. Ilha Grande, Brazil
Ilha Grande is a small island off Brazil’s Costa Verde; several hours drive away from Rio de Janeiro. Accessible only by boat, no vehicles are allowed on the island, and development has been kept to a minimum to protect the natural beauty of the island. There are several great hiking trails leading you through the dense rainforest, and you may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of wildlife, such as parrots, butterflies, and marmosets. One of the most popular trails leads to Lopes Mendes beach, a beautiful stretch of wild beach that has been left completely untouched by development.
2. Maui, Hawaii
The island of Maui is perhaps at the other end of the spectrum, having been developed with tourism in mind, though this does not mean that the island’s natural beauty has been destroyed. Maui, Hawaii resorts are some of the islands’ most glamorous, and as such, are a great choice if you dream of some luxury on your vacation. Spend long days on the beach or by the pool and long nights sampling the famous Hawaiian hospitality and delicious cuisine in a top resort restaurant. For those looking for an activity-packed vacation, the island has world-class water sports and hiking, as well as unmissable whale watching experiences.
3. Corn Islands, Nicaragua
The Corn Islands consist of two islands, Big Corn and Little Corn, off the coast of Nicaragua in the Caribbean Sea. You can fly to Big Corn from Managua airport, traveling between the two islands by boat; however, you can also get to the islands by boat, on an epic journey that will be a highlight of your trip. With motor vehicles being forbidden on the islands, limited Wi-Fi, and electricity being turned off between 6am and 1pm, it is a great opportunity for you to fully disconnect and recharge on one of the stunning unspoiled beaches.
4. Rarotonga, Cook Islands
Rarotonga is a volcanic island in the South Pacific Ocean, the largest of the Cook Islands. However, this by no means that the island is large and overdeveloped, and you easily drive around it in just half an hour. With pristine beaches, clear waters, and dense rainforest, this is the perfect place to visit to get away from it all. It is easiest to get to Rarotonga from New Zealand, so a few days spent relaxing in this island paradise would make a perfect end to a Kiwi backpacking trip.