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Contents1. Belize: Big Barrier Reef Energy, smaller crowds2. El Salvador: from “No Way” to Surf City3. Guatemala: the ‘real’ Mayan world that feels the glow4. Dominica: Nature Island finally gets its moment5. Peru: Restoring trust and making visiting easier6. Colombia: selling you the ‘land of beauty’7. Panama: “Please don’t just fly over us”How you can actually benefit from this

When it feels like every American you know goes back toCancunorPunta CanaNext year again, you won’t be wrong.

But behind the scenes, a slew of countries are actually waving at the US and saying, “Hey… choose us instead.”

We atTravel off the pathhave looked at which destinations are being builtreal moneymarketing and new infrastructure to attract American tourists by 2026.

The seven below not only welcome you, they actively compete for you.

Here’s who’s “begging” for more American visitors next year, and how you can actually benefit from them:

1. Belize: Big Barrier Reef Energy, smaller crowds

If you want Caribbean water without Cancun-level chaos,Belizewill be hot for 2026. It has already been voted one of the best off the beaten track destinations for 2025, thanks to its rainforest,Mayan ruinsand that’s crazythe second largest barrier reefin the world.

The country’s tourism board has been pushing for new flight routes, including growthcheap and regional connectionsfrom the US, making it easier (and often cheaper) to swap the beaches of Mexico for the cayes of Belize.

On the practical side, Belize has updated its entry rules with a new digital form and an upcoming travel authorization, and we’ve already explained how that works for Americans in our simple guide to Belize entry requirements.

Why go now:It still feels like a “how do more people not know about this?” destination – especially places likePlacenciawhich we just listed as one of two “unknown paradise” Caribbean getaways for 2026.

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2. El Salvador: from “No Way” to Surf City

No country has changed its tourism image more thanEl Salvador. Once synonymous with crime news, it is now one of the fastest growing destinations in the world, with tourism growth reaching approximately80% since 2019and a big push around it“Surf City”Pacific coast.

TheUS Department of Stateeven El Salvador upgraded toLevel 1 – Take normal precautionsputting it in the same safety category as classic ‘easy’ destinations. We discussed that shift when the advice was updated earlier this year.

Why go now:You getworld class wavesblack sand beaches and prices still well below neighboring surfing hubs. If you like saying, “I went before it blew up,” El Salvador is currently firmly in that window.

3. Guatemala: the ‘real’ Mayan world that feels the glow

Just south of Mexico,Guatemalahas quietly broken all-time tourism records3 million visitorsand maintain that momentum into 2025.

Rather than trying to copy Costa Rica, Guatemala leans on its own strengths:The ruins of Tikal on the next levelcolonialAntiguaand the volcano-lined banks ofLake Atitlán. Tourism campaigns are pushing culture and nature trips over the usual “sit at a resort for seven days” model, and it’s working — especially with Americans who’ve visited Mexico a few times.

We’ve already highlighted Guatemala as one of the most underrated Latin American countries breaking tourism records, and honestly, that’s still an underestimate.

Why go now:The trend is increasing, but not yet ‘over’. Thinkboutique hotels on the lakesunrise volcano hikes and Mayan markets where you still feel like a traveler, and not just an all-inclusive wristband.

4. Dominica: Nature Island finally gets its moment

Not Dominican Republic —Dominica. This lush, volcanic“Nature island”has been selected byNational Geographicas a top destination by 2026, and the tourism board is fully leaning into that spotlight.

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The biggest game changer? Anew cable car– set to thelongest in the world– on the way to theBoiling lakearea, making one of the island’s most legendary hikes accessible to non-hardcore hikers.

Why go now:Dominica still has very limited cruise traffic and a true“wild Caribbean” atmosphere: hot springs, waterfalls, jungle treks and epic dives. Go before the cable car turns it into an Instagram pilgrimage.

5. Peru: Restoring trust and making visiting easier

PerusTourism was hit by protests and security warnings, especially in the areaMachu PicchuAndLima. We’ve discussed the embassy warnings and what they mean if you’re planning to visit.

Now Peru is working to win back the Americansmajor infrastructure improvements. LimasJorge Chávez International Airportis rolling out a massive new terminal and “airport city” expansion designed to handle much more international traffic and smooth out some of the chaos that greeted long-haul travelers.

At the same time,Machu Picchucontinues to break attendance records and remains firmly on most bucket lists, alongside up-and-coming sites like the recently opened Peñico Ruins and classic favorites likeCuscoAndArequipa.

Why go now:If you scared off Peru because of past disruptions, 2026 will be the comeback period – with better infrastructure and more clarity around entry rules and security.

6. Colombia: selling you the ‘land of beauty’

Colombiais everywhere right now – especially if you have adigital nomador external employee. The government is big“Land of Beauty”The campaign is going strong in the US and fits in perfectly with one of the world’s most accessible visas for digital nomads, which we’ve already broken down in detail.

From fincas in coffee countries to Caribbean hubsCartagenaAndSaint MarthaColombia offers a much cheaper version of the European-style city break plus beaches. It’s also central to our guides to why Latin America is the number one destination for digital nomads.

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Why go now:If you want to go somewhere where you can both go on holiday and stay for a longer period of time, Colombia is actively rolling out the red carpet – especially if that’s possiblebring your laptopand stay a while.

7. Panama: “Please don’t just fly over us”

PanamaIt’s done because it’s just a canal and a stopover.Copa Airlines’The Panama Stopover program allows you to maximize your stay in Panama7 days without extra plane ticketswhen you fly further, and we discussed new nonstops, like San Diego-Panama City, that will make traveling there even easier.

At the same time, Panama is increasing its meetings and events activities. Major 2026 conferences like Vet Evolution are part of a broader effort to fill new hotel rooms and convince attendees to spend extra days in the city, on theCaribbean sideor at beach hotspots such asBocas del Toroand theSan Blas Islands.

Why go now:You can turn a cheap Copa itinerary into a mini-vacation in a country that is mixedskylines from rooftop poolswith shipwreck-style islands – without flying halfway around the world.

How you can actually benefit from this

When countries aggressively court American tourists,you win: cheaper flights, softer visa rules and more benefits.

A few smart moves before you book:

If you’re even thinking about deviating from the usual locations in 2026, these seven countries are basically rolling out the welcome mat – you just have to decide which one you getpassport stampFirst.

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