Taitung is a city on Taiwan’s southeastern coast, backed by the Central and Coastal Mountain Ranges and facing the Pacific Ocean. Its setting gives the city a distinctive relationship with both mountains and sea, while a slower pace of development has preserved broad open spaces and coastal landscapes.
El Tunco is a small coastal village in the department of La Libertad, on El Salvador's central Pacific coast. It is named for the distinctive rock formation that sits offshore and is often described as resembling a pig, giving the beach its local name. The shoreline consists of dark volcanic sand, rocky outcrops, and strong Pacific surf, while low hills and tropical vegetation surround the village.
Weligama is a coastal town in Sri Lanka’s Southern Province, centered on a broad, gently curving bay between Galle and Matara. The sheltered shape of Weligama Bay creates relatively manageable waves along much of the beach, making the town especially well known for beginner-friendly surfing. Fishing remains an important part of local life, with traditional boats operating from the shoreline and the surrounding coast still associated with stilt fishing. The town combines a working coastal setting
Ponta do Sol is a small coastal town on the northern shore of Santo Antão, one of Cabo Verde’s most mountainous islands. The settlement sits between steep valleys and the Atlantic Ocean, with colorful buildings clustered around narrow streets and a waterfront used by local fishermen. Its position makes it an important starting point for exploring Santo Antão’s rugged northern coast and inland valleys.
It's the largest of the three U.S. Virgin Islands, lying 40 miles south of St. Thomas and St. John. While its history is laced with tales of pirates and privateers, the island today maintains a slower, more quiet pace than its sisters to the north.
Photo Credit: Photo by David Stanley from Wikimedia
Besides being one of the largest and most remote of the Galapagos Islands, Fernandina Island is home to the area's most active volcano. It also boasts the most pristine ecosystem; unlike other islands in the Galapagos, Fernandina has thus far avoided the introduction of any non-native mammal species.
Relatively little vegetation is found here, thanks to the volcanic activity, but endemic wildlife is abundant. Large populations of marine iguanas and flightless cormorants inhabit the island, as well as sea lions, penguins, pelicans, and more.
Visitors to Fernandina Island have just two destinations to choose from: Punta Espinoza and Punta Mangle. The former is more popular, offering fascinating tidal pools and a short hike ideal for viewing mangroves and lava formations, while the latter is an excellent site for snorkeling or diving.
Other Popular Destinations in Ecuador
Quito
Situated on the equator and nestled beneath an imposing volcano, the rugged, sprawling, and vibrant city of Quito offers adventure galore. A South American gem and Ecuador’s capital, Quito combines the best of its Incan and Spanish influences in fascinating cultural attractions, and the city’s surrounding natural beauty will surely astound you.
Santa Cruz Island
Santa Cruz Island is the beating heart of the Galápagos and is home to the largest town in the archipelago, Puerto Ayora, and a key access point for travelers exploring this unique region. But beyond its small port and shops, the island reveals a surprising range of ecosystems, from black lava shores to lush highlands where giant tortoises roam freely.