If you need some travel inspiration for the rest of the year, we’ve got you sorted! We’ve rounded up some of our favourite beach discoveries from the past few years of travel. Not the major beach holiday destinations or the places that everyone already knows about, but some of the ones you might never have heard of, or simply never thought of as a beach destination. From Mexico to Vietnam to Finland, these are a few of our favourite alternative beach destinations for 2020.
Mazunte, Mexico
Cancun and the Mayan Riviera along Mexico’s Caribbean side tends to get all the love as the best beach destination in Mexico. But if you’re looking for somewhere a bit alternative, quieter and just as beautiful, head to the Atlantic coast. Specifically, to Oaxaca state. Puerto Escondido and the surrounding towns have some beautiful little beaches and rocky coves. Our favourite was the sleepy, hippy town of Mazunte, one of the few places we’ve visited where we’ve been able to watch the sun both set and rise over the sea.
Åland Islands, Finland
Beaches probably aren’t the first thing you think of when you picture Finland. But the idyllic Åland archipelago, an autonomous region between Finland and Sweden, is full of them. The archipelago has a unique culture that’s a distinct blend of the two countries, but the main draw is the area’s natural beauty. We fell in love with the rocky, pine-covered islands when we visited. The beaches are small and the water is chilly, but this is the perfect place for watersports like kayaking, SUP, and sailing. And it’s definitely an alternative destination to consider for 2020.
Asturias, Spain
When it comes to Spain, the south coast has all the glory as a beach destination. But along the north coast you’ll find plenty of untouched coastal towns and near-deserted beaches. The region of Asturias is full of historic fishing villages, rocky coves, and serene beaches. We rented a bike and cycled from Llanes to Niembro along some of the area’s most beautiful coastline. Along the way, we stumbled across plenty of beaches that were totally empty…didn’t seem real.
Nusa Penida, Indonesia
Off the coast of Bali, the islands of Nusa Lemongan and Nusa Penida were two of our favourite discoveries in Indonesia. Both are still fairly off the beaten track, but Nusa Lemongan is growing and plenty of tourists make their way there. During the day we spent zipping around Nusa Penida, however, we only met one other foreigner. The rocky cliffs and amazing natural highlights of the island are not to be missed, and off the coast you can snorkel with manta rays or watch dolphins leaping in the waves.
Scilly Isles, England
Want a beautiful and alternative beach destination without having to leave the UK? Off the coast of Cornwall in England, the picturesque Scilly Isles have seas so clear and beaches so pretty you’d be forgiven for thinking you were much further abroad. We visited Tresco and Bryher a couple of years ago and was absolutely spellbound. The islands have a very small amount of accommodation so they never feel too crowded or full of tourists. And not only are the beaches stunning and the nature incredible, but the local food scene was absolutely delicious. Easily one of our favourite places in the British Isles.
Porto Seguro, Brazil
The Colonial town of Porto Seguro in Brazil is really popular with local tourists, but when we visited it was still very much off the gringo trail in South America. All we had to do was hop on a bus heading north and wait until we spotted a beach with no one on it. Mutari beach was our favourite; we spent a full day there with not a single other human in sight.
Phu Quoc, Vietnam
Thailand tends to get all the credit for dreamy beach getaways in South East Asia. But the often overlooked island of Phu Quoc in Vietnam is a great choice for a slightly more off the beaten path island retreat. The main area around Long Beach (picture on top) feels pretty touristy and the strip is lined with resorts, but head to the north of the island and you’ll find plenty of deserted beaches. We loved the eco-resort Bamboo Cottages in a small bay on the west coast, which was perfect if you really want to switch off and get away from it all.
