Social media has turned certain destinations into bucket list essentials, but the reality doesn’t always match the Instagram feed.
These seven places get more hype than they deserve while equally stunning alternatives sit empty and affordable just down the road.
Instead of Iceland, Visit the Faroe Islands
Iceland welcomed 1.8 million tourists from January to September 2025 despite high costs and the closure of budget airlines like Play. The country faces housing shortages driven by tourism, with locals priced out by Airbnb conversions and inflated rents.
Iceland expects even more visitors in 2026, with the government proposing higher tourist taxes to manage environmental impact. Hotels cost $200-plus per night, meals run $50 to $70 at restaurants, and rental cars start around $100 daily.
The Faroe Islands offer Iceland’s dramatic cliffs, waterfalls and moody weather with a fraction of the crowds. Located halfway between Scotland and Iceland, the 18-island archipelago has only 50,000 residents and far fewer tourists.
Flights from Copenhagen cost around $300 round-trip, and from Reykjavik about $200. Ferry service from Denmark starts at $120 one-way. Car rentals run about $80 to $90 daily, comparable to Iceland, but accommodation costs less. Hostels start under $30 per night off-season, and subsidized ferries between islands cost as little as $3.
The Faroe Islands charge hiking fees to preserve trails, but ferries and public buses remain affordable thanks to government subsidies. You won’t find Iceland’s massive tour infrastructure, which means fewer crowds at natural sights and more authentic interactions with locals.
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Instead of Tulum, Visit Bacalar
The hotel occupancy in Tulum, Mexico, hotel dropped to 49.2% in September 2025 compared to 66.7% the previous year, while Cancun and Bacalar stayed above 65%. The problem isn’t lack of interest but uncontrolled overdevelopment.
Tulum transformed from backpacker haven to luxury destination over the past decade. Exclusive beach clubs charge $20-plus for day access to beaches that used to be free. Boutique hotels push $300 to $500 per night. The town struggles with traffic, limited public beach access and environmental degradation.
Bacalar sits 100 miles south of Tulum on the Lagoon of Seven Colors, a freshwater lake with crystal-clear water and seven shades of blue and green. The small town offers the laid-back vibe Tulum had 15 years ago without the crowds or inflated prices.
You can reach Bacalar on the Tren Maya from Tulum for $7 to $50 depending on class or take a three-hour ADO bus. The town remains walkable, taxis are affordable and food costs significantly less than in Tulum.
Hotels and guesthouses start around $40 to $50 per night compared to Tulum’s $200-plus. Restaurants serve meals for $10 to $15 instead of Tulum’s $30 to $50 plates. Bacalar is all about sustainable tourism with no massive hotels or all-inclusive resorts.
Instead of the Maldives, Visit Zanzibar or Palawan
The Maldives sells overwater bungalows and crystal water at absurd prices. All-inclusive resorts run $333 to $2,000 per night. Each resort occupies its own island, trapping you with limited dining options and activities. Getting there requires expensive flights and seaplane transfers.
The country faces severe environmental threats from rising seas. Coral bleaching damaged many reefs. The experiences feel sterile and artificial despite the natural beauty.
Zanzibar has Indian Ocean beaches, Arabic architecture, spice plantations and Stone Town’s UNESCO-listed old city at manageable prices. The island sits off Tanzania’s coast with regular flights from Dar es Salaam.
Beaches on the north and east coasts rival Maldives beauty with white sand and turquoise water. Hotels range from $50 budget guesthouses to $200 to $300 boutique resorts.
Palawan in the Philippines provides another alternative with El Nido’s limestone cliffs, Coron’s shipwreck diving and endless island-hopping opportunities. Hotels cost $45 to $83 per night. The people remain welcoming and the islands feel adventurous rather than packaged.
Instead of Machu Picchu, Visit Kuelap or Choquequirao
Machu Picchu requires advance permits, costs $50 to $70 for entrance and suffers from Disney-level crowds despite visitor caps. The town of Aguas Calientes exists almost solely to extract money from tourists with inflated hotel and restaurant prices. Altitude sickness affects many visitors who fly directly to Cusco.
The ruins remain spectacular, but you’ll share them with thousands of other people taking the same photos. The experience feels rushed and commercialized.
Kuelap in northern Peru offers equally impressive pre-Incan ruins without the tourist infrastructure or crowds. The Chachapoyas culture built this fortress city around 900 AD on a mountain ridge at around 10,500 feet elevation.
The site features massive stone walls, circular buildings and llama sculptures. Cable cars now provide access, but visitor numbers remain low. You can explore without time limits, crowds or feeling like cattle moved through checkpoints. The surrounding cloud forest region offers waterfalls, hiking and traditional villages.
Choquequirao requires more commitment as the “other Machu Picchu.” The ruins sit across the valley from Machu Picchu but receive only a few thousand visitors annually versus Machu Picchu’s million-plus. The trek takes two days minimum, keeping crowds minimal. The site covers a larger area than Machu Picchu with extensive terraces and structures still being excavated.
No permits required, no time limits, no crowds. Just you and Inca ruins in their natural setting.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Here Are the 4 Most Overrated (and Overpriced) Travel Destinations — And Where To Go Instead
