June 1, 2020
Due to travel restrictions, plans are only available with travel dates on or after
Due to travel restrictions, plans are only available with effective start dates on or after
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Jamaica
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You want to visit a place as beautiful as the Maldives, but less touristy.
A destination similar to Hawaii, but closer to home.
A city as exciting as Tokyo, but cheaper.
What you’re looking for is a destination dupe! Popularized on TikTok, destination dupes are simply places that are similar to high-demand tourist destinations. Same vibe, fewer crowds… at least in theory.
Not everyone is a fan of the alternative travel destination trend. “Destinations aren’t commodities,” as travel writer Scott Laird points out. “Sure, they’re a product of demand for tourism consumers, but these consumerist comparisons strip them of their individual identities, reducing communities to little more than their value to the visitor.”1 If you want to see London, then see London, Laird says. Other cities in England have their charms, but they’re not the same.
However, choosing a destination dupe can be the right choice when your first-choice destination is under threat from overtourism. Fodor’s No List names nine areas that travelers should avoid—not because they’re unsafe, but because the destinations are being profoundly hurt by tourism. On the No List:
When choosing your alternative travel destination, first define exactly what you’re looking for. Is it a vibrant cultural scene? Natural beauty? Adventure and excitement?
Also, consider the obstacles to visiting your dream destination. If crowding or cost is the issue, perhaps you can visit in the shoulder season or off season. Look at other towns in the same country, if you want to experience the culture. If it’s simply too far, seek a place closer to home that gives a similar vibe. Here are our suggestions for destination dupes for five popular vacation spots.
Just remember: There is no dupe for Allianz Travel Insurance! Find out why more than 70 million American travelers each year trust Allianz to protect their biggest adventures. Get a quote for your next trip!
This tiny island in French Polynesia is pretty much paradise, with its shimmering blue lagoon and the overwater bungalows you’ve seen in a thousand Instagram photos. But it’s also far (about 10 hours total flight time from the West Coast) and can be very expensive. Also, the isolation of Bora Bora isn’t for everyone. If you’re not into sailing, sunbathing and snorkeling, there’s not a whole lot to do.
Searching for an alternative closer to home that offers tropical beaches, abundant marine life, and high-end resorts? Try Turks and Caicos. This Caribbean nation is made up of more than 100 islands, providing ample opportunities to explore and play. Snorkel with stingrays, learn to kiteboard, and enjoy lazy afternoons on the beach. For luxury seclusion (like Bora Bora), stay on one of the outer islands, such as Ambergris Cay or Pine Cay.
Santorini is the most famous of the Greek islands. Its whitewashed houses clinging to cliffs and its blue-domed churches are instantly recognizable. However, this beauty has a downside: Santorini is wildly overtouristed. You won’t experience authentic Greek hospitality and culture, just overpriced restaurant meals. We’ve even heard about tourists shoving each other to get the perfect sunset photo.2
If you’re searching for an alternative to Santorini, don’t worry! There are plenty. For iconic architecture, visit Ios. There, you’ll find “snow-white little houses, picturesque arcade-covered alleys (stiyadia), the twelve windmills, churches with arched belfries and light blue domes.”3 For romantic exploration, explore the olive groves and hot springs of Iraklia. For Greek food that’s fit for the gods, your destination dupe is Crete. You’ll see stunning sunsets wherever you go.
You love swords and sorcery. You’re enchanted by medieval history. You dream of wandering the red-roofed Old City of Dubrovnik… but unfortunately, so do thousands of other people. This Croatian city has been dubbed Europe’s most overtouristed city.4 It’s plagued by “Game of Thrones”-themed souvenir shops and the clatter of wheeled suitcases on cobblestones.
If you want to experience a picturesque Croatian city without the crowds, Lonely Planet recommends Šibenik. This smaller city also has Venetian-style architecture, Adriatic coastline, and awe-inspiring churches. Krka National Park is nearby.
Did you know that Indonesia has 17,500 islands? Bali is just one—yet it gets more than 5 million visitors every year. Bali’s popularity as a tourist destination began to grow in the 1970s, when western adherents to the hippie lifestyle became fans of the island’s batik clothing, Balinese hospitality and culture, and affordable hotels. Today, Bali is better known for luxury hotels, high-priced villas, and snarled traffic.5
So, what’s a destination similar to Bali? You don’t have to look far. The neighboring island of Lombok also has gorgeous beaches, waterfalls, rice paddies and forests. Just be aware that Lombok is less developed and has a quite different feeling, compared to Bali. While Bali is majority-Hindu, Lombok is predominantly Muslim (like the rest of Indonesia), and more culturally conservative.
The Galápagos Islands truly are like nowhere else on earth. The geographic isolation of these volcanic islands off Ecuador makes them home to animals and birds that are totally unique, including blue-footed boobies, giant tortoises and marine iguanas.
While tourism is controlled, its impact on the Galápagos can’t be denied. Cruise ships pollute the water. Tourists unwittingly introduce invasive species. More hotels and restaurants are being constructed to meet the growing demand.6
If your dream is to see rare wildlife and remote landscapes—in an ecologically sensitive way, of course—then consider a trip to Mauritius. This island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar, is also a long journey from the United States. But if you’re willing to make the trek, you’ll get the chance to see Aldabra giant tortoises, ebony trees, and maybe even the pink pigeon on the protected Île aux Aigrettes. Hike the Black River Gorges National Park and keep an eye out for the Mauritius kestrel: once the world’s rarest bird and now rebounding, thanks to conservation efforts.7 Visit the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Gardens, browse the lively markets, and savor cuisine that melds Indian, French and Chinese flavors.
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