Navigation Menu

Adrenaline junkies have always been faced with a problem; the next activity has to be slightly more exciting than the last, or what’s the point?

A decade or so ago, even a humble trip to Las Vegas to blow a month’s wages on the tables would have been the trip of a lifetime. But hardcore thrill-seekers now have to resort to throwing themselves off skyscrapers to scratch the adrenaline itch.

Happily, for those of us who aren’t yet completely addicted to this kind of craziness, the world is full of exciting stuff that you don’t need to be clinically mad to want to try! Here are the top 7 destinations in the world for thrill seekers!

Nepal

No, not climbing Mount Everest; that’s old news now, and everyone’s done it anyway.

To impress anybody these days you have to have sky-dived over it! You can do it as a tandem jump, so you don’t need to be an expert, though at $35,000 a go you might want to start saving now.

Chile

Here’s one for those with no head for heights; white water rafting in some incredible Patagonian landscapes, starting in Futaleufu. Rapids vary from Class I (ridiculously easy) to Class VI (absolutely insane).

Also consider white water rafting in Iceland.

Brazil

There are a thousand reasons to visit Rio de Janeiro, and the incredible views are just one. Perhaps the best, and certainly the most thrilling way to see the city is by hang glider.

Don’t panic! You don’t need any experience, just strong nerves. You’ll soar above the coastline in a tandem flight with an instructor and eventually land on the sandy beach at Sao Conrado.

Costa Rica

If you’re wondering where is Costa Rica, you’re missing out on adventure for sure! Costa Rica is an incredible country, offering long stretches of deserted white sand beaches, dense jungles filled with a rich diversity of exotic wildlife, lush rain-forests, raging rivers, and towering volcanoes.

You can spend your time white water rafting, hiking, abseiling, zip lining, mountain biking, horseback riding, bungee jumping, surfing, swimming, canoeing or on a canopy tour – your biggest challenge will be trying to fit it all in!

Once you get to Costa Rica pay a visit to your hotel concierge – Costa Rica resorts will often have local tour operators that they have specifically partnered with and can sometimes provide discounts for adventure tours.

Belize

Belize has a way of bringing out the best parts of you. You morph into “the you” you’ve always imagined yourself to be. The most adventurous you. The daredevil version of you.

Mountainous jungles bring out the hiker in you, and the inner zipliner. There are reefs for your inner snorkeler and diver. Ancient Mayan Ruins and Caves for your inner explorer. Waterfalls for your inner rappeller.

The sheer amount of outdoor adventure opportunities is overwhelming. Boasting the second largest Barrier Reef in the world, the diving here is second to none. The snorkeling and marine activities are definitely first class. And, between hiking, mountain biking, bird watching, fishing, exploring ancient ruins, all in a region with such diverse landscapes, you’ll find that it is unlike any other destination in the world.

New Zealand

New Zealand is, in some ways, the home of lunacy, having invented the bungy jump. The Flying Fox ride at Rangitikei Canyon is something else – a harnessed cable flight into the canyon that can reach speeds of 100mph.

The ground is a long way down, and you’ll fly (or plummet) downwards before looping upwards, falling back, and then floating around in mid-air while you try and calm down.

China

The good news about climbing Mount Huashan in Shaanxi province is that someone’s added a path, so you don’t need mountaineering skills. (Climbing Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania is similarly a non technical climb).

The bad news is it’s a one foot wide, rickety bunch of planks with no railings, so you have to chain yourself to the cliffs. Some people like to ascend in the dark, so they can’t see how astonishingly frightening it is.

Hear about new posts on Facebook: Please click “like”!

Megan is an Australian Journalist who has been travelling and blogging since 2007, with the main aim of inspiring others to embark on their own worldwide adventure. Her husband Mike is an American travel photographer, and together they have made the world their home.

Committed to bringing you the best in adventure travel from all around the globe, there is no mountain too high, and no fete too extreme! They haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on their list.

Follow their journey on Facebook, TwitterYouTube, Pinterest and Instagram.

Photo credits: Everest Skydive by Everest Skydive. Rio at night provided by LAN Airlines. Belize photos by Ka’ana Belize. Great Blue Hole photo as used in Belize compolation by Eric Pheterson. Wing walking in featured image by Marc Evans.

    22 Comments

  1. Outdoors and extreme activities are totally new to Spain, but fingers crossed I won’t have to go too far to find fun stuff! I really enjoyed the Via Ferrata even though I was terrified of falling the whole time!

    • Oh wow Cat! I’ve heard stories and seen photos of the Via Ferrata though have yet to make it there myself. I would love to do that climb!! Do you have any blog posts on your experience? Might have to stalk your website for photos :D!

  2. While I have been to three of these countries (well, I live in one of them) I have only been to one activity here – i did dive the Belize Blue Hole and it was a thrill.

    • That’s right, you’re from NZ right? Adventure capital of the world! We’re hoping to plan for two weeks in NZ next year, I think it’s a joke that I’m from Aus and haven’t yet made it over the Tasman Sea!! Can’t wait :)

  3. You picked some great spots. I think that skydiving over Nepal would be incredible. It’s a bit out of my price range, though!

    • Thanks Val! I agree with you on Skydiving in Nepal – that’s at the very top of my bucketlist – lol though out of my price range too at this point :D

  4. I guess I”m not as much of a thrill seeker as i thought I was! I love zip lining but a lot of the rest – yikes!

    • You might really love hang gliding if you enjoyed ziplining; it’s not as crazy as skydiving because there’s no free fall, but you still get that adrenaline buzz from flying through the air like you do in ziplining :)

  5. The only thing on this list that I would consider is zip lining. Maybe I’ll do that this year.

    • Zip lining is the best fun! You’ll love it Penny :)

  6. Such a fun list! When I was in Rio (LOVE that city) my friend had more guts than me and did hang gliding. She said it was one of the most incredible experiences of her life!

    • Hope you have the chance to get back to Rio to give it a go!

  7. Thanks for the great adrenaline suggestions! We’re huge fans of the jungles of Costa Rica and Belize. New Zealand is on our wish list, but I’m not sure I could handle the speed of the Flying Fox ride although I’m sure Bret would love it!

    • You’re welcome Mary! Costa Rica and Belize make for some of the best adventure destinations; awesome combination of adventure across air, land and sea :)

      I hope you have the chance to visit NZ soon – and let us know if you swing past Australia at the same time :)

  8. Superb i love to trekking in Nepal and Bhutan it was wonderful experience..

    • Glad to hear that Manoj!

  9. Nepal is high up on our bucket list!

    • Hope you have the chance to visit soon :)

  10. Hi. Megan! Lovely list and cool activities here! I loved Costa Rica and Nepal. Did white water rafting in Zambia on the Zambezi (with some class V rapids) and was terrified (but I survived, yay!). Would love to visit New Zealand and Chile, they’re on my bucket list, for sure!
    Wouldn’t know about the Mt.Huashan climb, though..I’d like to do that, but I think that maybe I wouldn’t be able to – even though I don’t have a fear of heights. It’s absolutely horrifying! Have you done it?

    • Hi Pritta! I haven’t done the Mt.Huashan climb yet myself … I’m fairly certain that even without a fear of heights, it’s still going to give me the heeby jeebies when I get to it!!

      Sounds like you’ve racked up some amazing adventures along your travels … white water rafting in Zambia on the Zambezi sounds amazing!! Clicking through to your post to check it out now :)

  11. Thanks for sharing your Wonderful experience and also about you.

    • You’re welcome, glad you enjoyed the post :)

Post a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *