Top 10 countries tourists most want to return to: an unexpected leader in the ranking

Some countries leave such a strong impression on tourists that they want to return again and again. Find out which destinations topped the ranking of the most popular countries for repeat trips and why the first place came as a surprise

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Some trips leave behind not just memories, but a feeling that you haven't seen enough. These are the destinations that make up the list of countries that tourists most often want to return to. It's not just about famous capitals or popular resorts, but also about the atmosphere, culture, and diversity of experiences that cannot be contained in a single trip.

To find out which countries travelers most want to revisit, SCS Chauffeurs, a company specializing in luxury airport transfers, analyzed more than 8,000 online reviews and mentions. The results of the study were published by Time Out.

How the ranking of countries for repeat travel was formed

Analysts studied not only the ratings, but also the content of the reviews: whether tourists recommend the country to others, whether they plan to return themselves, and how emotionally they describe their experience. The focus was on various aspects — from nature and cities to cuisine, pace of life, and the feeling of “unfinished business” when it is impossible to cover everything in one trip.

This approach yielded a rather unexpected result: the country that took first place in the ranking was not one that everyone expected to see at the top of the list.

Costa Rica — the country people most want to return to

Costa Rica became the absolute leader of the ranking with 895 mentions and votes. This destination regularly appears in selections of the best places to travel in 2026, but this time it was not only the variety of routes that was decisive, but also the depth of impressions.

The north of the country has long been known for its popular backpacking route: from San Jose to the cloud forest of Monteverde, the beach town of Tamarindo, and Manuel Antonio National Park. At the same time, the Osa Peninsula has become a real discovery for experienced travellers — a wild and remote region that has consistently topped the rankings of the world's most underrated destinations since September.

Time Out travel editor Grace Beard calls Osa “one of the best eco-adventures in the world.” According to her, this region is located far from tourist flows and allows you to experience the true pura vida — “pure life,” which is Costa Rica's national motto.

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Who else made it into the top three

Italy took second place in the ranking — a country that reveals something new even to experienced travelers. The authors of the study note that Italy has so many cultural, gastronomic, and regional differences that one trip is never enough.

Japan took third place. Tourists are advised to pay attention not only to Tokyo and Kyoto, but also to lesser-known cities and regions that provide a deeper understanding of Japanese culture and everyday life.

Full list of countries tourists want to return to

The top 10 destinations that travelers most often recommend for repeat trips include:

● Costa Rica

● Italy

● Japan

● United Kingdom

● Portugal

● United Arab Emirates

● India

● New Zealand

● Ireland

● Iceland

The list combines both classic European destinations and distant countries with unique nature and culture that are difficult to “read” in one trip.

Tip: The desire to return to a favorite country is often associated with longer routes, more active travel, and less touristy regions. In such cases, it is especially important to take care of safety and access to medical care. That is why, when planning a trip abroad, it is worth taking out medical insurance for travel abroad in advance. For Ukrainians, this service is available at Visit Ukraine.

We remind you! Traveling the world is gradually becoming more expensive due to new tourist taxes and fees. Read about which countries and cities will experience an increase in the cost of living or entry for tourists in 2026 and how this will affect your travel budget.

Photo: Shutterstock

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