Tell me somewhere thats better than Bali

[VogueVVague]

I want to go away for 2 weeks over new year, somewhere that ISNT in europe.

I basically want to go on a bit of a dream holiday.

Views, chilling on a beach, mindblowing setting, fascinating culture and weird and wonderful wildlife.

Ive become obsessed with Bali but just thought id ask MN for your recommendations of amazing long haul destinations youve been to, bearing in mind as i say it will be in january.

Im open to the idea of africa too but just dont know where.

I dont want to go anywhere posery or glam so please dont recommend the non-European version of st tropez.

Bali is beautiful, but as someone else said, careful where you go. Cut a is truly awful. Australian Magaluf. I also didn't like Seminak(not sure on spelling). If you hire a car you can explore further but the roads are a bit crazy. I really loved going to Bali but it felt very crowded in places.
Other suggestions:
Vietnam some amazing beaches great culture and very friendly
Thailand (still plenty of not too spoilt places to get to)
Argentina could be great. It'll be summer, and it has everything on your list and loads more
Colombia is brilliant. so much to see, some stunning beaches and mostly quite safe.
Costa Rica Pacific side
Panama also stunning.
What about Africa? South Africa or Namibia?
Southern India?
A lot of it depends on your budget and how much you want to have arranged/arrange yourself.
Have an amazing New Year!

If you're into history, the Riviera Maya in Mexico. Lots of beaches and even more history with the Mayan sites all over the Yucatan.

We had our honeymoon in Bali and it was lovely. Best holiday ever was Sri Lanka. It's our 20th anniversary next year and thinking of going back.

BELIZE BELIZE BELIZE

No one else will come on here and say this because it isn't very touristy and isn't somewhere most brits go to but it is fantastic.

We went over Christmas and the weather was perfect.

Mayan ruins that you get to see almost by yourself. Howler monkey jungle walks, river floats in tubes, making chocolate in the rain forest, snorkelling with sharks and rays, warm water boat trips and island hopping, zip lining in the jungle.

go somewhere different not where every other brit goes.

Agree with Vietnam - phu Quoc island is gorgeous and pretty unspoiled when I was there (10 years ago).
Brazil, some lovely islands and beaches near Salvador (probably elsewhere too but I didn’t go there). I would love to go diving in Isla de noronja, maybe one day.
Wouldn’t knock Thailand either if you research it properly.

What about St Lucia? The Pitons and rainforest are wonderful, interesting history, great music and culture that’s easy to find if you stay on the west coast (the north is full of hotels and less interesting). It’s really beautiful.

Maldives. Breathtaking.

Agree about costa rica being great

We recently had an unexpectedly fab time in St Lucia. Where we were wasn't overly developed, was very beautiful and we spent most of it hiking/snorkeling/pottering about in boats. Would definitely go back!

Grand Cayman.

Barbados

Costa Rica. Honestly the most beautiful place I have ever been. The wildlife is fascinating, you can travel from the Caribbean side to the Pacific fairly easily and the people are beyond kind. I'd go back tomorrow if I could.

Another for Costa Rica. Ticks all your boxes.

Zanzibar!

I agree with pps about Bali. There are some stunning 5 star resorts but lots of the island is Aussie kids getting very drunk and rich westerners trying to “find themselves”.

...really want to add my comments here, but just out to work.

Will get back later and sure the op will of had a zillion suggestions!

What about South Pacific Islands? French Polynesia, Fiji, Samoa, Cook Islands?

Costa Rica. Although apparently Panama and Nicaragua are great alternatives that are cheaper and less touristy.

Sri Lanka combined with Maldives - far better than Bali!

Mauritius is on my bucket list!

Zanzibar, couple of nights in Stone Town and then out to one of the beaches, Fundu Lagoon on Pemba is gorgeous, if money no object then Mnemba Island instead of Fundu or even try for a couple of nights at each. Personally much as those mentioned are amazing (and there are loads of lovely hotels/lodges to chose from) my fav is Pongwe Beach, fab value for money, fab food.

Another one for vietnam. What’s so great about it is that internal flight r ridiculously cheap!! We started out in the city of hoi Ann and really got to appreciate their culture! We then flew to Da nang (for just £14 each!) where we got a villa . We were surrounded by the most beautiful scenery... beaches and mountains! But there was also a chance to experience city life. The best holiday ever!

Wow so many votes for costa rica!

Am also investigating borneo

I can highly recommend Moorea in French Polynesia, more to do than Bora Bora. Absolute paradise.

I am really keen to go to Cuba & Tokyo, I’ve heard Tokoyo has some great beaches not too far.

Sri Lanka- so much to do there

I've been to Bali and it doesn't compare at all to Maldives.

Having been to both, I totally agree. Maldives is our favourite destination. Sri Lanka is fabulous too.

Kerala is in India, near Goa. Over Christmas and new year it’ll be busy.

Like others have said, Bali go was a complete let down for me. For the reasons others have said and also the water quality - it was full of plastic! Lombok (the next island over) was far nicer.

I 100% second Vietnam. Stunning beaches, bath-water warm ocean, amazing scuba diving, history, culture, nature, delicious food ... perfect! It’s also very easy to travel around so you really can see a bit of everything.

I second St Lucia, or Antigua; both are very safe and very pretty.

Also love Cuba, but you need to stay in Havana & embrace its quirks

I'm looking for non-Caribbean ideas for November, so thanks everyone.

Ecuador!