100 Bucket List Ideas for Travelers
100 Bucket List Ideas for Travelers
If you’re an avid traveler, chances are you have your own bucket list ideas you’d like to accomplish in your lifetime.
If you don’t, this list will help add some serious bucket worthy goals to your list.
Some of the items are this list are much harder than others, but many are far more achievable than one may think.
Just keep an open mind, you never know where life will take you.
100 Bucket List Ideas for Travelers
Map of continents
1. Visit all 7 continents
This is one of the most popular bucket list ideas, especially among frequent travelers and travel bloggers. To accomplish this, one would need to visit all of the following 7 continents:
Of course Antarctica is the most expensive destination on this list. Antarctic cruises can be taken allowing you to step foot on the continent but cost upwards of $7.000 USD per person.
2. Visit all 195 countries in the world
Another popular, yet far more challenging and time consuming travel bucket list idea is to visit all the countries in the world. The list of countries currently stands at about 195. I say about because this number varies slightly depedning on the criteria you use.
Most that achieve this are individuals that have taken time off from their jobs to travel the world. However, for those of us who can’t leave our jobs to travel, one could achieve this goal by visiting about 10 countries a year over a course of 20 years.
3. Visit every National Park in the United States
The United States is currently home to 62 National Parks covering all 50 United States.
4. Visit the new 7 wonders of the world
The 7 wonders of the new world are as follows:
5. Visit the 7 natural wonders of the world
The 7 wonders of the natural world are as follows:
6. Swim in all the world’s oceans
The world’s 5 oceans are as follows:
7. Fly completely around the world
Flying completely around the world will obviously require some serious planning and of course, several stops along the way. But the jist of this is that you will start and stop in the same city by flying in one direction, completely around the world.
For the majority of those attempting this challenge, it will require at least three stops, most likely in North America, Europe, and Asia.
A quick Google search tells me that the fastest flight aoround the world via commercial flights so far has taken 52 hours and 34 minutes. This was completed by an airline executive so I’m guessing money was no object. For those on more of a budget, you may need to take extra time to coordinate more affordable flights.
8. Sail around the world
For those of you who like sailing, perhaps you’re interested in a sail around the world.
You’ll likely need a boat, above average sailing skills, and someone to sail with you to accomplish this goal. I’m also told the average trip around the world via boat typically takes around 3 to 5 years. This is due to all the stops along the way.
For thos uninterested in sighseeing along the way, one could likely get this trip completed in a few months.
9. Climb Mt. Everest
A successful summit of Mount Everest requires time, money, physical training, and patience.
It is estimated that it will cost each climber anywhere between $35,000 to $100,000 to climb Mount Everest. Just the permit alone costs around $11,000.
It is estimated to take approximately 2 months to complete the climb to the peak of Mount Everest and return to Base Camp.
Photo by Pixabay
10. Hike Mount Kilimanjaro
Mount Kilimanjaro is one of the easiest of the 7 summits to complete, making it one of the most popular.
The hike up to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro takes anywhere form 5 to 9 days, depending on your chosen route.
You’ll need to be in good shape, but the ascent does not require technical climbing skills. The cost to climb Mount Kilimanjaro is around $4000.
11. Summit the highest mountain on each continent
The highest mountain on each continent is as follows:
12. Travel above the Arctic Circle
To travel above the Arctic Circle you’ll need to visit one of the following 8 countries:
13. Travel below the Antarctic Circle
To reach the Antarctic Circle you will need to take an Antarctica cuise that sails below the Antarctic Circle. These start around $6,000 and can go as high as $13,000.
Northern Lights
14. See the northern lights
There are many places from which to see the Northern Lights. Some of the most popular destinations are Canada, Iceland, and Norway. You’ll also need to time for your visit to these destinations for the winter months.
15. View a solar eclipse
A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon completely covers the central disk of the sun. A total solar eclipse can be seen from somewhere on earth about every 18 months.
To view a true full solar eclipse, you will simply need to be in the right place at the right time. You can find a solar eclipse timetable online.
16. Go skydiving
For those of you not afraid of heights, you may wish to give skydiving a try. Skydiving is one of the most popular bucket list items for adventure seekers.
First time skydivers are typically required to jump tandem first. This menas an experienced skydiver will be harnessed to you. There is also a course you can take in order to be able to jump solo in many locations.
Prices for skydiving typically range from $120 – $300. Those interested in skydiving can find opportunities all over the world.
17. Go bungee jumping
Another popular item on many bucket lists is bungee jumping.
Bungee jumping requires jumping off a high surface with a bengee cord attached to your ankle. This activity if freqently done from bridges.
Bungee jumping is a popular activity world wide and can be done for anywhere from $100 to $500 depending on where you are.
Photo by Pexels
18. Learn to surf
One of my own favorite bucket list ideas is to learn to surf. This is something I’ve always wanted to learn to do.
Those interested in learning to surf can do so on their own time or take lessons. Prices for lessons will vary depending on where you are in the world.
In general, you can expect it to take a few weeks to get the basics down, and much longer to become skilled.
Popular surfing destinations include Hawaii, Costa Rica, Australia, Morocco, and South Africa.
19. Learn to Dive
Scuba Diving is a popular item on many bucket lists, and for good reason. Who wouldn’t want to see the incredible life living beneath the world’s oceans?
In most cases, Scuba Diving will require a certification (PADI) that takes about a week to get if done all at once. On the low end, a PADI certification will cost around $300. On the higher end, this will cost closer to $1,000.
20. Go Scuba Diving at the Great Barrier Reef
The world’s most famous Scuba Diving spot is the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. If you haven’t gotten certified before your visit, it will cost you around $1,000 to do so here. Though, as the world’s largest coral reef system, it is likely one of the most beautiful places to do so.
Photo by Pexels
21. Walk the Camino de Santiago
The Camino de Santiago is a religious pilgrimage in Europe that runs from Saint Jean Pied de Port, France, to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain.
Those who complete the pilgrimage cover over 500 miles of trail aross northern Spain. It takes the average pilgrim about 30 to 35 days to complete the Camino de Santiago.
22. Hike the Pacific Crest Trail
The Pacific Crest Trail runs 2,653 miles from the southern United States border with Mexico to the northern United States border with Canada. It runs through the states of California, Oregon, and Washington.
Completion of the entire Pacific Crest Trail takes the average hiker about 5 months and can cost anywhere from $4,000 to $8,000.
23. Hike the Appalachian Trail
Similar to the Pacific Crest Trail, the Appalachian Trail runs 2,200 miles from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine. It runs through 14 U.S. states including Georgia, North Carolina, Tenessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Cennecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine.
Completion of the entire Appalachian Trail takes about 5 to 7 months and can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000.
Photo by Trevor Fenwick
24. Hike the Inca Trail
The Inca Trail in Peru runs 26 miles along the stunning Andes Mountains. This four to five day hike leads hikers up to Machu Picchu.
25. Go on a safari in Africa
While there are many places to go on safari in Africa, here is a list with some of the most popular:
26. See the big 5 on a safari in Africa
The big 5 refer to the following animals:
Map of Africa
27. Visit all the countries in Africa
There are currently a total of 54 countries in Africa. Below is a list of those countries:
28. Visit all the countries in Europe
There are currently 44 countries in Europe. Below is a list of those countries:
Map of Asia
29. Visit all the countries in Asia
There are currently 48 countries in Asia. Here is a list of those countries:
Countries in Central America
30. Visit all the countries in Central America
There are currently 7 countries in Central America. Below is a list of those countries:
31. Visit all the countries in North America
There are currently 23 countries in North America, which technically include the 7 countries of Central America. I have listed Central American countries separately, so these are the remaining 16 countries that make up North America:
32. Visit all the Countries in South America
There are currently 12 countries in South America. Below is a list of those countries:
33. Visit all the Hawaiian Islands
The 6 Hawaiian islands are as follows:
CR Backpackers Hostel
34. Stay in a hostel
Staying in a hostel while traveling abroad is a right of passage for most young travelers. If you began traveling when you were a bit older, you may have missed out on this experience, but it’s never too late.
Hostels are affordable, fun, and one of the best ways to make friends while traveling.
I stayed at Costa Rica Backpacker’s Hostel in San Jose, Costa Rica on my first international solo trip, and have recommended them ever since.
35. Stay in an over water bungalow
A stay in an over water bungalow in a tropical destination is one fo the most luxurious bucket list ideas on this list.
Over water bungalows are popular in destinations like Tahiti, the Maldives, and Bora Bora. These luxury experiences often cost upwards of $800 per night. Which of course does not include flights to get to these far away tropical destinations.
As you can imagine, a vacation that includes a stay in an over water bungalow can easily cost in the thousands of dollars.
36. Attend The Yacht Week
The Yacht Week is described as an annual floating festival that takes place at various destinations around the world, and at various times throughout the year (depending on location).
The Yacht Week consists of you and a group of friends booking a spot on a yacht and traveling around via boat to various islands and ports. This is all done in groups of 10 – 50 other yachts, filled with people doing the same as you, drinking and partying for a week straight.
Locations for The Yacht Week are Croatia, Polynesia, the Caribbean, Montenegro, and Greece. It will cost about $1,000 per person, but other expenses add up quickly. However, if you looking for a unique experience to party and meet some new friends, The Yacht Week is for you. Solo travelers are also welcome.
37. Attend Burning Man
Burning Man is one of the world’s most famous, and most unique annual events. Burning Man is held annually in Black Rock City, Nevada during the month of August.
38. Attend all the world’s major film festivals
While there are oer 3,000 film festivals held annually around the world, these are the most popular: