The Top Destinations Americans Plan to Travel to in 2026, Ranked

From tropical escapes to classic European destinations, these are the places Americans are most eager to visit in 2026. A recent survey by Nomad eSIM found that 54 percent of Americans are planning to travel in Q1 2026, highlighting strong demand for international trips early in the year.

International travel is no longer an occasional splurge for American travellers. Instead, trips abroad are increasingly seen as meaningful investments in experiences, personal fulfilment, and lasting memories.

Americans are travelling further than before and planning their trips more intentionally. Rather than choosing destinations for convenience alone, many are prioritising places that offer something truly different from home, with nature, uniqueness, and cultural depth taking priority over familiarity.

By analysing destination preference data across all 50 U.S. states, we identified the international destinations each state is most keen to travel to in 2026. The findings go beyond a single national trend, revealing distinct regional patterns shaped by lifestyle, geography, and changing travel priorities.

America’s most popular international destinations for 2026, ranked by the number of U.S. states naming each as their top choice:

1. Costa Rica Total monthly search volume: 15,800

• Costa Rica ranks first nationwide, topping more U.S. state lists than any other destination. Its appeal lies in balance. Rainforest biodiversity, surf-ready coastlines, volcanic landscapes, and a mature eco-tourism infrastructure make adventure accessible without sacrificing comfort.
• For American travellers, Costa Rica offers high-reward experiences, reliable infrastructure, and expanding direct flight routes make it one of the easiest ways to access immersive nature travel. States from both coasts and the Midwest rank Costa Rica highest, signalling a nationwide shift toward outdoor-led, wellness-focused travel.

2. Maldives Total monthly search volume: 15,130

• The Maldives’ second-place ranking highlights a major change in American travel psychology. Distance is no longer a deterrent when the experience feels singular.
• Once associated almost exclusively with honeymoons, the Maldives now attracts families, milestone travellers, and solo visitors seeking privacy, wellness, and escapism. Interest spans geographically diverse states, reinforcing that long-haul complexity is increasingly accepted in exchange for once-in-a-lifetime value.

3. Greece Total monthly search volume: 13,430

• Greece continues to rank highly thanks to its versatility. It caters to multiple travel styles simultaneously, including cultural exploration, island relaxation, culinary tourism, and multi-generational trips.
• Southern and Eastern states show particularly strong preference for Greece, driven by direct flights, familiar infrastructure, and strong value compared to other European destinations. Its appeal now extends well beyond headline islands, with mainland experiences, shoulder-season travel, and regional food tourism sustaining demand.

4. Iceland Total monthly search volume: 4,950

• Iceland’s ranking reflects the growing appeal of short, high-impact travel. Despite its remote location and higher costs, it attracts travellers seeking dramatic natural environments and condensed itineraries.
• Interest is strongest in Western and Northern states where outdoor recreation is already a lifestyle. For these travellers, Iceland offers concentrated adventure. Glaciers, waterfalls, geothermal lagoons, and volcanic landscapes can all be experienced within a single trip.

5. Belize Total monthly search volume: 4,500

• Belize rounds out the top five, reflecting growing interest in destinations that feel accessible yet less crowded. While it does not dominate nationwide, Belize shows steady appeal among American travellers seeking a balance between familiarity and discovery.
• Its appeal lies in its ease of travel, use of English, and proximity to the U.S., alongside rich natural landscapes and cultural depth. These factors continue to make Belize an attractive international option for Americans, particularly for shorter trips and repeat visits.

Emerging Destinations:

At the bottom of the rankings are several destinations with very low current search volumes. Rather than indicating a lack of interest, this suggests these countries are still in the early stages of discovery among American travellers.

Destinations such as **Niger, Mauritania, Gabon, Burundi, and Guinea ** each record fewer than 100 searches per month. Their low visibility reflects limited exposure through airline networks, mainstream tourism campaigns, and travel media, rather than limited long-term appeal.

As global travel continues to evolve, these destinations are well positioned to benefit from growing interest in less crowded, more meaningful travel experiences. Their relatively low visitor numbers help preserve natural landscapes, cultural traditions, and a sense of authenticity that is becoming increasingly rare in more established tourist hotspots.

What This Data Reveals About American Travel in 2026

Distance matters less than experience. Long-haul destinations outperform closer alternatives when they promise uniqueness. Nature-led travel continues to dominate, with landscape and wildlife-focused destinations consistently outperforming city-centric trips. Americans are showing interest in a wider variety of destinations, pointing to a more diverse and exploratory approach to international travel.

Connectivity Is No Longer Optional

As Americans travel further and into more remote destinations, reliable mobile data has become essential. Navigation, translation, bookings, and real-time updates all depend on staying connected, especially in areas where WiFi is unreliable. Constant connectivity also plays a key role in personal safety, from accessing emergency services to sharing live locations and receiving real-time travel alerts. With Nomad eSIM, travellers get instant mobile data without the hassle of physical SIM cards, often at a lower cost than traditional roaming plans. This makes it easier and more affordable to find places to eat, get directions, and stay connected at all times, helping travellers feel safer and more confident wherever their trip takes them.

Methodology

This study analysed destination interest across all 50 U.S. states using aggregated search volume, travel intent signals, and booking behaviour indicators. Each state was assigned one primary international destination based on dominant interest patterns. Destinations were ranked by the number of states selecting them as their top choice, with search volume providing context for demand scale. This state-level approach highlights regional nuances that national averages often obscure.