Nosara, on Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula, is a laid-back coastal town known for its strong connection to wellness, nature, and surf culture. Unlike some of the country’s busier resorts, Nosara has kept development low-key, with no large beachfront hotels and a community that values sustainability.

Fakarava, a hidden paradise in French Polynesia, is an ideal destination for those seeking unspoiled natural beauty and adventure. This atoll, part of the Tuamotu Archipelago, is known for its pristine coral reefs and crystal-clear lagoons.

Brasília may be a World Heritage Site, but it is only of interest to town planning and architecture students, and those keen to witness the folly of man on a metropolitan scale. It must have looked good on paper, and still looks good in photos, but in the flesh, forget it. Designed by architect Oscar Niemeyer, urban planner Lucio Costa, and landscape architect Burle Marx, the city was built in an incredible three years between 1957 and 1960.

Morelia, the capital of Michoacán, is a city that wears its history in stone. Built in the 16th century and recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, its historic center is filled with over 200 colonial-era buildings made from pink cantera, a soft volcanic stone that gives the city its distinct look. The centerpiece is the Morelia Cathedral, a massive baroque structure that features twin towers that light up every Saturday night with a fireworks and music display.

Gamboa, Panama, was originally built to house employees of the Panama canal. The small town's main attractions are its proximity to significant tracts of relatively undisturbed rainforest, and Pipeline Road, considered one of the best bird watching sites in Central America.