1 The US

The US is the second most preferred tourist destination in the world, and with the majority of its own inhabitants choosing to holiday in their own nation, it shouldn’t be a surprise there’s so much on offer.

From hiking in Las Vegas to exploring the Rocky Mountains in Montana, there’s also the country’s stretching coastlines which offer some of the best surfing spots and water sport activities in the world.

The Grand Canyon offers hiking, camping, mule riding mule and much more while the country’s National Park System encompasses 423 sites. They span across more than 84 million acres, with parks in each state and extending into the territories including Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and Guam.

2 Brazil

Brazil boasts plenty for adventure enthusiasts and explorers. South America’s largest country, it contains the world’s largest waterfall system (Iguazú), biggest wetlands (Pantanal) and then, of course, there’s the Amazon. Just a few activities you can do in Brazil’s section of the rainforest include jungle walks, local community visits, swimming with pink river dolphins, kayaking and canopy bridge walks.

Other activities to try in the country include boating under the Iguazú Falls, riding dune buggies in Natal and snorkelling in Fernando de Noronha.

3 Nepal

The most famous of the Himalayan nations is Nepal, and with the world’s highest mountains it is a favourite destination for the most avid hikers, climbers and trekkers.

There are also a number of epic things to do in Pokhara, especially for those chasing adrenalin, with white water rafting and some of the best paragliding on earth all available there.

4 Thailand

Thailand has long been considered the backpacker’s capital but as well as lush beaches, world-renowned street food stalls and dozens of ancient temples to explore there is much, much more.

You can choose to island hop the jungle-covered islands of the coast where diving and other sea sports are on offer, zip line through thousand-year-old rain forests and even try your hand at caving in Pang Mapha.

5 Costa Rica

A quarter of Costa Rica’s 19,730 square miles is protected jungle and the list of activities you can get involved with in the country is endless.

From hot-air ballooning over, zip lining through or climbing in the jungle, visitors also get their kicks from  pursuits including horseback riding on the country’s stunning beaches, stand-up paddleboarding on Lake Arenal and attempting to take on the rapids of Pacuare.