This Is the No. 1 Trending Destination for 2026—and It Has Rain Forest Hikes and Pristine Beaches

If hiking through the rain forest, calypso bar-hopping, and swimming in crystal-clear waters sounds like your perfect trip, you’ll want to experience this Central American region ahead of the crowds.

For its 2026 trends report, Skyscanner examined which destinations saw the biggest year-over-year increase in search interest, compiling a list of the top 10 locations with the most growth. The travel search engine looked at flight searches from January 2025 to June 2025 compared to searches from the same period in 2024. The No. 1 trending destination is Limón, Costa Rica, with a head-spinning 286 percent increase from 2024 to 2025. 

Hugging Costa Rica’s Caribbean Coast, Limón province is rich with natural wonders, from its white-sand beaches to its multiple wildlife refuges and volcanic landscapes. The region’s invigorating multiculturalism also lures visitors with calypso music, island cuisine, and its history as a port of entry to the Caribbean.

Limón, the province’s capital city of the same name, is one of the country’s most culturally diverse areas, with influences from Indigenous, Afro-Caribbean, and other immigrant groups creating a unique, vibrant community. Guests should come hungry for aromatic cuisines featuring strong spices and coconut milk, a tapestry of live music, and sunset cocktails at laid-back bars. To experience the city’s culture at its most pulsating, visit during the annual Carnaval de Limón in October. 

Remote Tortuguero National Park is an enchanting eco-tourism destination. Only accessible by boat or plane, the park consists of canals, rain forests, and lagoons that are home to manatees, jaguars, and countless other wildlife species. It’s also a crucial area for sea turtle nesting. Between June and October, visitors accompanied by licensed guides can take nighttime excursions to the 20 miles of protected coastline where young turtles start their lives. 

Moving south along Limón’s coast, Cahuita National Park’s coral reefs and rain forest hikes provide even more opportunities for wildlife observation; laid-back, surf-centric Puerto Viejo can serve as an enriching yet relaxing home base nearby.

Limón is known for having some of the country’s best beaches, with a spot to suit every beachgoer’s preferences. Crystal-clear local favorite Playa Chiquita, striking black-sand beach Playa Negra, and calm, snorkel-optimized Playa Punta Uva are among the many scenic coastlines to explore. Ride the waves for the first or thousandth time at all-level Playa Cocles or test your surfing technique on the mighty barrels at expert-only Playa Brava.

According to Skyscanner’s report, other trending destinations around the globe include Jaipur, India; Bodrum, Turkey; and Madeira, Portugal. In the U.S., travelers are eyeing spots like Vail, Colorado, and New Haven, Connecticut.

Overall, Skyscanner’s data showed that Americans are leaning toward lesser-known destinations in the coming year, with an emphasis on personally significant experiences like “glomad” travel that incorporates beauty and wellness activities or trips inspired by literary interests.