The Best Adventure Sports Destinations for Thrill-Seekers

Male hiker walking in nature
Male hiker walking in nature

More travelers are becoming interested in thrill-focused adventure, and there’s no shortage of global options that cater to this. For adrenaline lovers, there are lots of destinations that offer adventure sports and thrilling attractions. These four destinations are perfect for adventure travelers, from zip-lining and snowboarding to skiing, cave-diving, and more.

Queenstown, New Zealand

picturesque coastline with mountains in New Zealand
Photo credit: Rajagopalan Ramachandran

This New Zealand resort town is known for its lakes, mountain landscapes, and natural scenery. It’s home to several resorts and boutique hotels, as well as outdoor activities that bring crowds from around the world. The best time to visit is during New Zealand’s summer; from December through February the days are longer and there are more opportunities for outdoor activities. Queenstown offers a range of thrill sports, including biking the Arrow Trail, bungee jumping, water rafting, and hiking nearby mountains.

Interlaken, Switzerland

view of village town in Interlaken, Switzerland from the water
Photo credit: Robert Stokoe

Interlaken, Switzerland is a scenic town surrounded by lakes and mountains. The best time to visit is from June to August, and because the city is thought of as the country’s sports capital, there is lots to do for adventure seekers.

Hiking the Panorama Trail, paragliding, and skydiving are all popular things to do in the area. Visitors can also check out the various lakes in the area for watersports, including a visit to the nearby Trummelbach Falls. Interlaken is the perfect option for outdoorsy travelers.

Cape Town, South Africa

Photo credit: Nikilas Eichler
Photo credit: Nikilas Eichler

Cape Town is a diverse, vibrant city with beaches, mountains, and beautiful landscapes. The city has over 70 beaches and is known for its adventure activities like windsurfing and surfing at Muizenberg Beach and Big Bay. Cape Town also attracts many travelers for the opportunity to swim with sharks. Shark cage diving allows travelers to interact with the enigmatic creatures in their natural habitat.

Cape Town is home to several luxury hotels and affordable stays and has mild weather most of the year, with December through March being the warmest and driest time to visit.

Costa Rica

woman running on the beach with her surfboard
Photo credit: Agustin Munoz

Costa Rica is an adventure-seekers paradise. With a rainforest, beaches, and even volcano exploration, the country is home to ziplining, hiking, surfing, and other similar activities. Visitors can even try waterfall rappelling when climbers descend over a waterfall connected to a rope.

There are various regions of Costa Rica great for adventure, including Guanacaste, a popular tourist and resort area; the Osa Peninsula, a remote area known for its wildlife reserves and rainforests; and Central Valley, an area that’s mostly urban and filled with cultural sites.