Hiking And Beach Vacation
People flock to the beach every year in order to relax, but sometimes all you really want to do is get away from the crowds and enjoy some time hiking. This leaves you with two options: go where the crowds go, or find a place that is both scenic and peaceful. The locations below are those beautiful places that will not only make your vacation more enjoyable but will give you sights that people who choose another option may never even see.
We take a break from hiking the previous week due to rain. This time we decided to carry on despite rainy weather. We decide to head for Penang Hill. We had to climb up about 30 ft and many stairs to reach the top of Penang Hill. The peak of Penang is about 1500 ft above sea level. It was chilly and windy at the top end of the hill but we had good time walking around the hill with my wife and kids enjoying ourself doing little races with them as well as taking some snaps of us. Scenery from this place was beautiful with waterfalls everywhere below us, Berapit 3 waterfalls (Sam Poh Tong Falls), Kek Lok Si Temple (Temple of Supreme Bliss), Telok Bahang Dam nearby, Bukit Bendera Penang Island on one side, Georgetown on the other side and Bayan Lepas in the far distance.
Hiking And Beach Vacation
Vacations are about having fun, enjoying time off from work, or just simply rewarding yourself for a job well done. When you start making plans on where to go, you will realize that you have countless options on where to go. So it is a matter of ticking the list down to one location that would tickle your imagination and match your personality and psyche.
One of the best goals you can make for upcoming travel is to come home feeling healthier than when you left. Beach vacations aren’t always conducive to staying active — it’s all too tempting to order a mai tai with lunch and then spend the rest of your day lounging poolside. That said, hiking, biking, snorkeling, and boating are the perfect way to truly experience everything your preferred beach destination has to offer. Not only does staying active allow you to feel healthier on vacation, promoting less drinking in the sunshine and more exercise and sleep, it helps you further appreciate the destination.
We’ve scoured the globe and come up with some of the best active beach destinations around the world, from yoga retreats in Bali beach towns and over-water rock climbing in Thailand, to hiking in Acadia National Park and jet skiing in Costa Rica. Here, nine active beach vacations for the travelers who love outdoor adventure just as much as they love life on the beach.
Canggu, Bali
Bali’s beach towns — from Seminyak to Jimbaran — each have their own character. Canggu is one of the newer beach towns, and while the area is still being developed, there is already a community of expats and locals who have honed a culture of healthy eating, surfing, and yoga galore. If you’re looking for a yoga retreat in an idyllic Bali beach town, look into training at The Practice Bali. Their main yoga studio is open-air with a gorgeous thatched roof — and the perfect place to strengthen, restore, and savasana.
Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Costa Rica’s northwestern coast boasts incredible beaches and an active culture — which isn’t surprising considering every water sport imaginable is popular in Guanacaste Province. This area is a major windsurfing destination, as well as a perfect destination for jet skiing, swimming, snorkeling, surfing, and diving. No resort in the area nails the detox-retox culture, pairing an active lifestyle with a happening nightlife scene, quite like W Costa Rica – Reserva Conchal. Here, you can snorkel, kayak, bike, trail run, and get in daily gym workouts, all on property.
Todos Santos, Mexico
About 50 miles north of Los Cabos, on the west coast of Baja California Sur, is the fast-growing surf town of Todos Santos. While Todos Santos has surged in popularity over the last five years, it’s retained the laid-back charm of a still-undiscovered destination. In terms of staying active, Todos Santos is the perfect place to take a week of surf lessons, whether you’re a first-timer or a sage surfer honing your technique. While Los Cabos is known for choppy waters that aren’t necessarily inviting to swimmers, Todos Santos has a number of great beaches for swimming and snorkeling (try Playa Los Cerritos and Punta Lobos, for starters). If you’re looking for a Todos Santos resort, you’ll love the boutique vibe of the hotels in this area, from the fan-favorite San Cristobal Hotel or the newly opened Paradero Todos Santos.
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If you’re looking for a domestic vacation that promises just as much time on the hiking trails as it does time on the beach, you can’t do better than a trip to Acadia National Park. The dog-friendly park is home to more than 150 miles of trails, some of the most anticipated hikes being Cadillac Mountain (easy), Gorham Mountain (more challenging), and even iron rung routes like the Beehive Trail. As beaches go, unwind after a strenuous morning of hiking at Seal Harbor and Echo Lake beaches.
Railay Beach, Thailand
Railay Beach isn’t just known for soft white sand and a laid-back Thai atmosphere, it’s also known for rock climbing. The area, just outside the city of Krabi in southern Thailand, is flanked by limestone cliffs that climbers of all skill levels come to scale. While novices can try climbing on beginner courses, more experienced thrill-seekers might want to try deep water soloing — which is where you free climb on cliffs jutting out over the ocean, plunging into the water if you miss a hold. Take a boat from Krabi to spend the day in Railay Beach, where you’ll find a number of guided rock climbing excursions to choose from.
