Top 5 Favorite Travel Destinations of 2012: Our Insider Picks
What an incredible year 2012 was! We explored India, Singapore, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, the U.S., Mexico, Costa Rica, Buenos Aires, and Santiago de Chile. To inspire your 2013 adventures, we're sharing our 'top five favorites' lists. We previously highlighted our favorite beaches of 2012, and now we're revealing our standout overall destinations. We hope these spark ideas for your travels. As always, we're happy to answer questions in the comments to help with your 2013 trip planning.
5. Arenal, Costa Rica
We thought we knew Costa Rica inside out—except for the remote Osa Peninsula, which deserves its own expedition. After housesitting on a quiet beach, we didn't plan much travel, but we made a quick stop at nearby Samara Beach and headed to La Fortuna for our first visit to Arenal Volcano. In an unusual move for Central America, we rented a car and drove from the Pacific coast through national parks and jungles, winding around Lake Arenal. We expected the scenic drive to be the highlight, but we were wrong. Arenal's setup captivated us: the dormant volcano dominates the skyline from anywhere in town. Along the road out, nearly every hotel features hot springs; we chose the exceptional Tabacon Grand Spa for a full day of relaxation amid massive waterfalls. Day hikes around the volcano suit all fitness levels. Skip the overpriced tourist restaurants—opt for authentic Costa Rican 'sodas' for great value, like a healthy vegetarian casado.
4. Kampot, Cambodia
Kampot isn't Cambodia's top draw—that's Angkor Wat near Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, or Sihanoukville's beaches (one of our 2012 favorite beach spots). Further down the list is this sleepy riverside city, renowned for its salt and pepper production. Kampot Pepper graces Paris's finest tables. A day tour took us to salt fields, pepper plantations, a fishing village, and a stunning countryside hike. Everything's bikeable, and the restaurant scene surprised us with Cambodia's best coffee right here.
3. Mexico City, Mexico
We've loved Mexico City before, including a two-week stay in 2010, but 2012 brought fresh magic. The city's genius lies in being everything to everyone—yet reinventing itself each visit. In August, we pounded the pavement for a long weekend: one day at San Ángel's art market, another in Ciudad Satélite at the charming Casa Roa Bed & Breakfast, and a walking tour of San Rafael. Two months later, a 12-hour layover led us to Centro Histórico for iconic tacos on Calle Uruguay and pastries at La Ideal bakery. Amid families, lovers, artists, vendors, and tourists, the smiles were infectious. Despite Mexico's reputation, this vibrant capital stole our hearts again.
2. Chiang Mai, Thailand
Chiang Mai charms tourists and expats, adapting visitors to its relaxed rhythm—far from Bangkok's chaos. Inside the historic walls and beyond, it blends Thailand's best: ornate Buddhist temples, saffron-robed monks on motorbikes, tuk-tuks, and bicycles, all with warm smiles that feel both exotic and familiar. Modern coffee shops, lively walking markets, fast internet, trendy locals, and digital nomads thrive here. Best of all? Gourmet organic meals under $4 and fruit smoothies for under a dollar. We miss Chiang Mai dearly.
1. Buenos Aires, Argentina
Buenos Aires wins by a landslide. Initially, it echoed Lisbon, Barcelona, or Paris—not wowing us at first. But its romance, cuisine, culture, architecture, street art, passionate protests, tangled history, late dinners, melodic accents ('playa' as 'plaisha'), Italian rhythms, and gestures slowly won us over. Imperfections like street litter, corruption, and inflation add allure. Unexpectedly, it grounded our nomadic souls. You must visit—endless depth for years of returns.
