Last month, Skyscanner published its annual report on which destinations around the world will be trending in 2026.
To determine the rankings, Skyscanner looked at the destinations with the highest year-on-year increase in searches. This shows exactly where travelers want to go next year.
Skyscanner partnered with international market research firm Onepol to conduct a survey of 22,000 travelers between June and July 2025.
A Skyscanner report found that US travelers are looking to visit lesser-known destinations.
“Whereas 2025 was about collective experiences, 2026 is less about escape and more about self-expression,” Rudres Lozada, Skyscanner’s director of Americas, told CNBC Make It.
“Travelers are looking for places that matter, moving away from the hype and going to lesser-known places that still have a lot of value. It’s important to choose the experience, not just the destination.”
Two U.S. destinations made the top 10: Vail, Colorado, and New Haven, Connecticut. Vail saw a 78% increase and New Haven saw a 39% increase.
“Americans are discovering their own backyard. We’re not only looking at these as winter destinations, but also summer and fall destinations,” Lozada added.
#1 destination for U.S. travelers in 2026: Limón, Costa Rica
Limón, Costa Rica ranks as the top trending destination for U.S. travelers in 2026, up 286% year over year.
According to the report, Limón is an emerging ecotourism destination known for its national parks, volcanic landscapes, and lush rainforests.
“For travelers who have already been to Costa Rica, Limón is Costa Rica. Americans have been visiting Costa Rica for decades, but it’s more of the Pacific coast,” Lozada says. “This time I’m going to talk about the Caribbean coast. Limón is a port city and has very convenient transportation, but it’s not even listed in travel guides.”
Limón, Costa Rica
Krysia Campos | Moments | Getty Images
Limón, also known as Puerto Limón, is one of Costa Rica’s seven “medium cities” and is the main city outside the San Jose metropolitan area. Limón is known as one of the most culturally and ethnically diverse cities in Costa Rica.
Limón is home to Tortuguero National Park, a vast protected area in Costa Rica and a famous place to see sea turtles. Nearby is Cahuita National Park, a major tourist attraction where you can explore pristine beaches and coral reefs. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including sloths, birds, and monkeys.
Most popular destinations for US travelers in 2026
According to Skyscanner, Jaipur, India has been ranked second among popular travel destinations. Searches increased by 107%.
Known as the ‘Pink City’ for its terracotta architecture, Jaipur is home to historic landmarks like Amber Fort and modern attractions like World Trade Park.
“Jaipur attracts travelers seeking a blend of royal heritage, culture, and a colorful cityscape that seems straight out of a storybook,” Lozada says. “There are picture-perfect opportunities around every corner.”
jaipur, india
Paul Billis | Moments | Getty Images
Jaipur is a popular tourist destination in India and the capital of the state of Rajasthan in northwestern India. It is a bustling city of more than 3 million people and more than 100 miles from the capital, New Delhi. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and contains several important sites, including Jantar Mantar, an astronomical observatory built in the early 18th century.
According to Google Arts & Culture, the city’s economy is based on tourism, gem cutting, jewelry manufacturing, and information technology.
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