The 5 Best Tropical Destinations for a Cultural Travel Experience

Tropical travel destinations usually get chosen for their exceptional beach weather. But if you stick to the coast then you often miss some of the best attractions that these countries have to offer.

Behind the depictions of white sand beaches and clear blue water, plenty of tropical parts of the world also have incredibly rich and interesting cultures which you can easily uncover if you travel further inland and take the time to explore locations that are off-the-beaten-track. If this sounds like what you’re seeking on your next travel experience, here’s a guide to five of the best tropical destinations for the ultimate cultural travel experience.

Mauritius

Located east of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean, Mauritius is a volcanic tropical island with a history of various colonial inhabitants, which has created a diverse culture that is fascinating to explore. The small size of the island means that visiting various different regions in one stay is easy, and allows you to see more of the country to get a full picture of its people, landscape and past.

Many people visiting on holiday just come to the island for the picture-perfect beaches and luxury resorts in Mauritius. Granted, they are pretty spectacular. But if you want to get a taste of the culture on the island, the cuisine and specifically the street food are a great place to start. With flavours from China, India, East Africa and Europe all merging to create a range of delectable dishes, exploring a city like Port Louis with an empty stomach is a great way to engage with Mauritius’ history.

You can also connect with the island’s culture by learning about its plantation history and visiting the remaining farms and houses from the colonial era. The Tea Route outlines several of the most important historical sites on the island and is a good place to start if you want to learn more.

Cambodia

Cambodia is an incredibly popular cultural travel destination, with centuries of rich history that has given the country layer upon layer of stories to share with its visitors. Khmer culture is perhaps the most tangible influence that you can engage with today, evident in everything from the food to the architecture across the regions.

Theravada Buddhism is the most common religion in Cambodia and is a significant influence on life for many people in the country, so a great way to connect with the culture is by visiting a temple. And of course, the impressive temple complex Angkor Wat in Siem Reap is a fascinating collection of preserved structures originally built to be the spiritual home of a Hindu god, which attracts thousands of tourists every year.

After Siem Reap, take a trip to Phnom Penh to sample some of the best Canadian cuisine in the country and enjoy how modern culture blends with more traditional practices here. Once the sun sets, take a trip to at least one cocktail bar and embrace how the locals like to spend their time dining, drinking and dancing once the sun goes down.

Thailand

When it comes to travel destinations in Southeast Asia, Thailand tends to be a country at the top of everyone’s lists. There are so many contrasts to be discovered here, with modern cities like Bangkok drawing just as many visitors as the sedate and luxurious beach resorts down in the south coast. In fact, one of the best ways to embrace as much culture as possible here is on small group tours to Thailand that show you all of the highlights of the country across a range of different destinations.

Thailand is another tropical destination with both Buddhist and Hindu influences in its culture, which is evident in the impressive array of ancient temples still dotted around the country. The White Temple in Chiang Rai is one of the most iconic, whilst Wat Chaiwatthanaram in Ayutthaya is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was originally built for a royal family.

To feel more connected to Thai culture, why not visit a local market where you can not only pick up food and souvenirs but also engage with the people and learn why the country is often referred to as ‘The Land of Smiles’?

Bali

Bali has gained a reputation as being a haven for yoga enthusiasts and spiritual seekers. But even if you don’t know your downward dog from your sun salutation, it’s a fantastic tropical destination for culture outside of its status for meditation and movement practices. Although, if yoga is your thing, it’s one of the best places in the world to learn from outstanding teachers and practitioners.

One of the biggest hubs for tourism in Indonesia is Bali, but the island’s authentic culture is still accessible by visiting the temples, engaging with local music and dance, observing significant festivals and travelling to the less touristy areas of the island.

Kauai

Hawaii is a wonderful tropical travel destination if you want to engage with a truly unique culture, and the island of Kauai is one of the best places to see the state at its most authentic. The fourth largest island in the archipelago, it’s often overlooked in favour of the Big Island, Maui and Honolulu, which means that it's one of the best unspoiled destinations on this list of recommendations.

The undeveloped nature of Kauai means that when it comes to food and drink, you’ve only got local and independent restaurants to choose from, so whatever you sample will have been cooked traditionally and from the heart. Travel to the south coast of the island and you’ll discover pristine beaches and luxurious resorts, whilst the west is a haven for deserted hiking trails and incredible lush scenery.

Summary

Engaging with local culture is one of the best ways to have a more authentic and meaningful experience when you travel somewhere. Plenty of tropical destinations have histories that are steeped with tradition and all kinds of settlers, blending together to create cultures that are still vibrant and unique today. When you take the time to discover them and appreciate the local customs, ideas and traditions that make each of these places special.