Lonely Planet has released its annual list of travel destinations for the upcoming year. To mark its 50th anniversary, Best in Travel 2024 has expanded from the top 10 cities, countries, and regions to include two new categories: “best value” and “best sustainable destinations,” recognizing a total of 50 places around the world that offer incredible experiences to enjoy in 2024.
“Our choices for this year aim to inspire and follow the instincts of the traveler in 2024. With new approaches to iconic destinations and 50 new ideas across five categories, we are confident that Best in Travel opens a year of incredible adventures,” commented Nitya Chambers, senior vice president of content and executive editor.
Among the best cities to visit in 2024, Lonely Planet included Manaus, the capital of the state of Amazonas in Brazil, in 6th place.
Manaus, a charming and cultural city, is the gateway to the Amazon Rainforest. The local vegetation, the dark waters of the Rio Negro, the muddy waters of the Rio Solimões, the exotic local cuisine, the diverse architecture, and the very welcoming people are some of the city’s treasures.
As the capital of the State of Amazonas, Manaus is the main metropolis of the region and the natural gateway for those wishing to visit the rainforest. Boats are the primary means of transportation to the rainforest hotels, as well as to see the meeting of the waters of the Rio Negro and Solimões, observe Amazon river dolphins in Anavilhanas, and visit places like Praia da Lua (Praia da Lua).
Also known as the Paris of the Tropics due to its intense modernization during the Amazon Rubber Boom (a period of significant economic and social growth in Brazil), Manaus inherited beautiful buildings constructed with fine materials imported from Europe. The Teatro Amazonas stands out the most, with a colorful dome made of 36,000 glazed tiles.
Check out Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2024 below
Best Sustainable Destination:
1. Spain
2. Patagonia, Argentina and Chile
3. Greenland
4. Trails in Wales
5. The Portuguese Way, Caminho Português de Santiago
6. Palau
7. Hokkaido, Japan
8. Ecuador
9. Baltic Trails of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania
10. Eco Lodges of South Africa
Best Value Destination:
1. Midwest, USA
2. Poland
3. Nicaragua
4. Danube Delta, Bulgaria and Romania
5. Normandy, France
6. Egypt
7. Ikaria, Greece
8. Algeria
9. Southern Lakes and Central Otago, New Zealand
10. Night Trains of Europe
Best Cities:
1. Nairobi, Kenya
2. Paris, France
3. Montreal, Canada
4. Mostar, Bosnia
5. Philadelphia, USA
6. Manaus, Brazil
7. Jakarta, Indonesia
8. Prague, Czech Republic
9. Izmir, Turkey
10. Kansas City, Missouri
Best Country:
1. Mongolia
2. India
3. Morocco
4. Chile
5. Benin
6. Mexico
7. Uzbekistan
8. Pakistan
9. Croatia
10. Saint Lucia
Best Region:
1. Trans Dinaric Cycling Route of the Western Balkans
2. Kangaroo Island, South Australia
3. Tuscany, Italy
4. Donegal, Ireland
5. Basque Country, Spain
6. Southern Thailand
7. Swahili Coast, Tanzania
8. Montana, USA
9. Saalfelden Leogang, Austria
10. Northernmost Scotland
Source: Lonely Planet and Visit Brasil