For the last few Fridays (minus last week), I've been writing some travel articles, and so far, most of y'all seem to enjoy them. So I'm going to try to do more of them, at least through the summer. The mainstream media narrative is very down on travel, both domestic and international — it's all Donald's Trump fault, of course — so I want to do what I can to encourage people to get out there and enjoy what the United States and the rest of the world have to offer, despite the negative headlines.
Today's article is for the adventurer —the people who like to get out and go kayaking, rock climbing, hiking, and rafting.
CEO World magazine has ranked the best countries in the world for "adventure tourism" in 2025 by analyzing and comparing "44 countries across seven key categories, including adventure resources, safety, natural resources, infrastructure, cultural resources, adventure image/brand, and government policies supporting sustainable development."
To find the top spot on the list, you'll have to travel to South America. For the fifth year in a row, Brazil has topped CEOWorld's list of "The World’s Best Countries For Adventure Tourism." The magazine says, "Brazil offers a wide range of adventurous activities such as extreme sports, hiking, and sea kayaking. It is considered to be a playground for adventure seekers."
I've never been to Brazil myself, but I can only imagine what a country that size with those sorts of landscapes has to offer. You've got the Amazon Rainforest, the Pantanal wetlands, the massive Iguazu Falls, and approximately 4,654 miles of coastline, among many other exciting destinations.
Brazil is also seeing a tourism boom in 2025. In the first three months of 2025, the country saw 3.74 million international visitors. That's a 47.8% increase from the same time in 2024, and a little over half of the number of tourists who visited the country for the entire year last year.
As you can imagine, the Brazilian government is thrilled about this and is doing what it can to encourage people from all over the world to visit. Part of that included launching a digital platform last month called "Feel Brasil," which highlights some of the nation's activities beyond the traditional tourist destinations. I took a look at it to determine what might appeal to the adventure set, and here's some of what I found (keep in mind that this is translated from Portuguese):
- Safari trip in the Pantanal: "In addition to being home to one of the largest concentrations of wildlife in the world, the Pantanal is also the heart of a unique culture shaped by the harmonious coexistence of man and nature." For this adventure, you'll take a plane or 4x4 vehicle (depending on the season — it's inaccessible any other way) to a farm where you'll stay and immerse yourself in the wildlife, nature, and culture of the area.
- Kayaking on the Camurupim River: "Along more than 500 kilometers, travelers will find everything from the perfect waves for kitesurfing in Jericoacoara and the dunes of Lençóis Maranhenses to the splendid Parnaíba Delta, the only one in the open sea in the Americas. This route offers unforgettable experiences, combining the charm of the northeastern nature with the cultural richness of the local communities, in a journey for those who wish to feel the soul of the Brazilian northeast."
- Recreational diving in Recife: "Recife, the vibrant capital of Pernambuco, exudes charm, beauty and authenticity. Its warm, crystal-clear waters, in shades ranging from turquoise to emerald green, are the perfect invitation to explore a true underwater treasure. Considered the Brazilian capital of shipwrecks, Recife is undoubtedly the most visited destination by divers from Brazil and the world, and the Pernambuco Artificial Shipwreck Park is its main attraction."
- Experience in the Anhumas Abyss: "Dive into a partially submerged cave, with a crystal clear lake and an incredible forest of limestone cones."
Those are some of the ones that appealed to me anyway. If Brazil is not your thing, other destinations on the list might appeal to you. My beloved Costa Rica is number two, and I can attest that you can't turn a corner in that country without seeing a sign for some kind of adventure — zip lining, ATV jungle rides, waterfalls, surfing, hiking, hot springs, volcanoes, wildlife experiences, kayaking... the list goes on. I actually have a pretty good story about an ATV ride and waterfall hike in the jungle that I took a couple of years ago that I may have to write up for y'all one day. It was a turning point in my life, but it was also pretty humorous.
If you prefer Europe, Greece ranks at number three, and Portugal is number five (Argentina comes in at number four). The United States is all the way down at number 22. Italy, New Zealand, Spain, Indonesia, and Norway round out the top 10.
Personally, I'm not sure I fall into this category of "adventure traveler." Hiking is fine, but you won't find me rock climbing or zip lining or anything like that. I'm way more comfortable in the water or on a boat than I am up in the air. You can find me snorkeling or even just swimming miles across the ocean at any given time when I'm on a trip, and I've been toying with the idea of learning how to surf and scuba dive, but I'll leave those other activities for the rest of you.
What about y'all? Any adventurers in the audience? Tell me about the cool places you've been!
