Beach Alternatives: Trending Tropical Destination Dupes

Ditch the Crowds: Tropical Paradise, Remixed

Dreaming of turquoise waters and swaying palms, but not the tourist throngs or price tag of the usual spots? Enter destination dupes, lesser-known “hidden tropical getaways” that deliver similar magic as the famous places, often at a fraction of the cost and with a fraction of the crowds. Savvy travelers are swapping overtouristed islands for these alternative beach vacations, and the trend is on fire. In fact, travel sites are full of “Instead of X, try Y” suggestions, and more people are taking them. Why? To avoid overtourism, save money, and have a more authentic, brag-worthy adventure.

We’ve rounded up five trending tropical destination dupes that may even outshine the originals. Think of it as giving your vacation a cool twist, you’ll come home with discoveries your friends may not even have heard of!

1. Instead of Maldives → Try Palawan, Philippines

The Maldives’ overwater bungalows and neon blue lagoons are famous, and famously expensive. For a similarly jaw-dropping tropical paradise without the luxury resort prices, head to Palawan, Philippines.

Why Palawan Works: This island province offers the crystal-clear waters, pristine white beaches, and stunning limestone cliffs you crave. Areas like El Nido and Coron feature dramatic karst islands dotting turquoise bays (they’ll remind you of those Maldives atolls). You can island-hop to secluded beach coves, snorkel vibrant coral reefs teeming with fish, and kayak through emerald lagoons. Palawan consistently tops “world’s best” island lists, it’s that gorgeous.

The Difference: Cost and culture. In Palawan, your money goes a long way. On average, travelers spend around $107 per person for a three-day trip, about $36 a day for everything. Compare that to the Maldives, where a single night in a resort can run hundreds or thousands. Even budget options in Maldives are $50–$100 a night just for a basic room. In Palawan, you can find charming beach huts or guesthouses for a song, and local food (delicious seafood, tropical fruits) is cheap and fresh. Plus, you’ll experience Filipino hospitality and can engage with local communities, adding a cultural dimension to your beach time. It’s not as hyper-exclusive as some Maldivian resorts, but that’s part of the appeal. Palawan offers luxury to those who seek it, but also backpacker vibes and local life.

One traveler’s review captures it: “Palawan offers a slice of island paradise at a fraction of the cost”. And with tourism in the Philippines growing, now is a great time to go before it potentially becomes the next Bali.

2. Instead of St. Martin → Try Curaçao

St. Martin/Sint Maarten is a popular Caribbean escape known for its blend of French/Dutch culture and beautiful beaches. It can, however, get quite crowded with cruise ship visitors and peak-season tourists. A fantastic destination dupe here is Curaçao, another Dutch Caribbean island that’s just as beautiful but often overlooked.

Why Curaçao Shines: It’s got that Caribbean paradise with a Dutch twist vibe. Think colorful colonial architecture in the capital Willemstad, a UNESCO World Heritage site with candy-colored buildings along the harbor. The beaches in Curaçao are picture-perfect: turquoise waters, abundant marine life for snorkeling, and many hidden coves where you might share the sand with just a few locals. Curaçao’s culture is a rich blend, you’ll hear Dutch, Papiamentu, English, and Spanish spoken, and the food is a mix of Caribbean and European influences.

The Difference: Less touristy, more authentic. While St. Martin has essentially “tourist towns” in many parts, Curaçao feels more lived-in and laid-back. It offers a unique blend of cultures at a fraction of the cost. You can wander Willemstad’s vibrant street art scene and not feel like it’s all built for tourists, it’s a working city too. And importantly, Curaçao sits below the hurricane belt, meaning it’s generally a safer year-round choice weather-wise (no frantic hurricane season prep like some northern Caribbean spots).

If you like diving or snorkeling, Curaçao is top-notch (as is nearby Bonaire). And when it comes to nightlife or dining, it has options from beach bars to upscale restaurants, but without the frenzy of, say, St. Martin’s Maho Beach airplane photo ops or Grand Case high prices. Consider Curaçao the cool Caribbean cousin that’s finally getting the attention it deserves among those seeking alternative beach vacations.

3. Instead of Hawaii (Oahu/Maui) → Try Palau or Samoa

Hawaii is an American paradise, but it’s crowded, pricey, and very mainstream. For a truly off-the-beaten-path tropical escape with similar Polynesian beauty, look to the South Pacific. Two intriguing dupes: Palau (in Micronesia) or Samoa (Polynesia).

Why Palau: Palau is an archipelago east of the Philippines, and it’s like a lost world of lush green Rock Islands in crystal lagoons. It’s famous among divers for insane underwater life (sharks, manta rays, WWII wrecks) and has the gorgeous Jellyfish Lake where you can swim with harmless jellyfish, talk about bragging rights. Above water, expect empty white-sand beaches and waterfalls. It’s farther and not cheap to reach, but once there, it’s exclusive without being a flashy resort scene. Palau heavily promotes conservation, over 70% of its waters are a marine sanctuary. In a way, it’s even more pristine than Hawaii’s popular beaches.

Why Samoa: Samoa, in the heart of Polynesia, gives you that Hawaiian culture feel (they share ancestral heritage) without the commercialism. Think jungle-covered volcanic peaks, blowholes, and traditional villages where life moves slowly. Upolu and Savai’i are the main islands; on Upolu you’ll find the surreal To Sua Ocean Trench, a giant swimming hole that’s one of the most photogenic spots on Earth. Samoa has stunning beaches, and you can stay in beach fales (simple thatched huts) for a unique, low-impact experience. It’s quite affordable and incredibly welcoming, Samoan culture is warm and family-oriented.

The Difference: Both Palau and Samoa see a fraction of Hawaii’s tourists, so you’ll experience more genuine local hospitality and far fewer McDonald’s or ABC Stores (read: hardly any). These are for travelers, not just tourists. Of course, these destinations require more travel savvy, flights are longer (and not bargain basement), you might need to rent a car or go with local guides to see everything, and don’t expect Disneyland-level convenience. But that’s the point for many.

If you crave that Mana (spiritual energy) of the islands and to see tropical nature at its best, these dupes deliver. As one travel expert might say, they offer similar landscapes and seascapes — turquoise waters, rich culture, epic waterfalls — “without the drawbacks of mass tourism”.

4. Instead of Cancun, Mexico → Try Belize’s Ambergris Caye or Roatán, Honduras

Cancun and the Riviera Maya are go-to tropical getaways for North Americans. But maybe you want Mayan culture, palm-lined beaches, and coral reefs without the resort strip and spring break vibe. Head a bit further south to Belize or Honduras.

Ambergris Caye, Belize: This is Belize’s top island, adjacent to the world’s second-largest barrier reef. It has that laid-back Caribbean feel (golf carts are the main transport in town), with plenty of beach bars and dive shops. Snorkeling with nurse sharks and rays at Hol Chan Marine Reserve will rival any experience in Cancun’s crowded cenotes. Plus, English is the official language, so it’s easy for Americans to navigate. You also have access to amazing mainland day trips (Mayan ruins like Lamanai, cave tubing, jungle treks) that can surpass what Yucatán offers, and with fewer people.

Roatán, Honduras: Part of the Bay Islands, Roatán is another reef paradise that’s been growing in popularity. It’s like Cozumel was 30 years ago, still relatively undeveloped in parts, incredible diving, and lodging that ranges from backpacker to luxe, generally at lower prices than Cancun’s big hotels. The vibe is casual; you’ll find expats and locals mingling at beach BBQs and small live-music joints. It’s also a short hop to some of the best snorkeling straight from shore. And you won’t be sharing those fish sightings with dozens of tour boats at once.

The Difference: Overdevelopment vs. chill development. Cancun’s coastline is dotted with mega-resorts, beautiful, sure, but a bit cookie-cutter. Ambergris Caye and Roatán give you more of a barefoot luxury or backpacker’s paradise choice. They aren’t empty, these are trending, but still way less crowded. Your dollars also directly support smaller local businesses more often. Safety-wise, they’re generally safe islands (always exercise normal caution). Not to mention, costs: You might pay $1,000 a night for all-inclusive in Cancun’s Hotel Zone, while a lovely beach cabana in Belize or Roatán could be under $200 (and tasty street tacos or fresh-caught seafood dinners for a few bucks).

5. Instead of Santorini, Greece → Try Paros or Puglia, Italy (Mediterranean Twist)

One “tropical” dupe that’s actually not in the tropics but fits the spirit: Santorini is that iconic white-and-blue island everyone flocks to. It’s gorgeous but extremely touristy and pricey. Two alternatives: Paros, Greece or Puglia, Italy (specifically Salento peninsula).

Paros, Greece: In the Cyclades like Santorini, Paros has charming whitewashed towns with blue domes, without the overwhelming cruise ship crowds of Santorini or Mykonos. It has lovely beaches, a hip scene in Naoussa town, and even some surf on the Golden Beach. Paros nails that Cycladic charm, “think whitewashed villages, turquoise waters, and golden beaches — without Santorini’s higher prices or tourist crush”. It’s also a great hub to ferry to smaller, lesser-known isles like Anti-Paros. Sunsets here: just as spectacular, but you won’t have to reserve a spot hours ahead like in Oia, Santorini.

Puglia’s Salento (Southern Italy): For a different culture but similar Mediterranean paradise vibes, Puglia is Italy’s “heel” and the Salento area has been called the Maldives of Italy for its clear aqua sea and white sands. Places like Torre dell’Orso or Pescoluse (nicknamed “Maldives of Salento”) will make you double-check if you’re in the Adriatic or the Indian Ocean. Plus, Puglia offers incredible food (orecchiette pasta, olive oil, primitivo wine) and baroque towns like Lecce, all at generally lower costs than, say, the Amalfi Coast. It’s still somewhat under the radar internationally, but Europeans are catching on.

The Difference: Santorini and Amalfi have become victims of their own fame, crowded and expensive. Paros and Puglia are trending up but still retain a more authentic feel. As an AAA article put it, “swapping overcrowded hotspots for hidden gems lets you skip crowds, save money, and have a more authentic experience”. Exactly the aim of a destination dupe.

By considering these alternatives, you align with a smarter, more sustainable way to travel. Destination dupes not only help you avoid overtourism and high prices, but often deliver richer experiences, you become an explorer discovering a gem, rather than the millionth visitor that day.

Next time you’re about to book that ticket to the same old tropical resort, pause and think of the dupes. Your Instagram will still be stunning, your wallet happier, and you might even feel good about supporting a less-trafficked community. The world’s a big place, the “real deal” is often just around the corner from the overcrowded one. Happy travels, and enjoy being a trendsetter in finding the next Santorini or Maldives... before everyone else does!

Traveling with family or solo? We’ve got more unique ideas, see our Solo Traveler’s Guide for road trip tips and Family-Friendly Weekend Getaways for kid-approved escapes away from the usual spots.