While popular destinations are nice, they’re often met with unruly crowds. Next time you’re looking to get away and venture beyond the usual destinations, head to these low-key spots instead.

San Ignacio, Belize

Tourist crowds follow the San Pedro that Madonna dreamed of in the song “La Isla Bonita,” but for a change of pace, head away from the beach and into the rainforest. Located west of Belize, San Ignacio allows travelers to revel in the rainforest from which the majority of the world’s medicinal botanicals derive. Other activities include the Mayan ruins at Xuanatunich and Cahal Pech, canoeing the Macal River and communing with green iguanas. Revel in the intimate 26-room san Ignacio Resort Hotel’s private 17-acre estate featuring a spa, plunge pool and lush foliage. This quaint spot is hours from the rest of the country and crowds.

Wales

While the stereotypical British Isles vacation consists of Stonehenge, Big Ben and the Tower of London, there’s brilliant culture to be found elsewhere. Wales is significantly less expensive and crowded than London. Wales is a principality ruled by the English crown for more than seven centuries, offering a distinct culture and language. Cardiff, the nation’s capital and hidden gem, is a center for arts and commerce, offering world-class culture and history in relative peace and quiet.

Waimea, Hawai’i

If you’re looking for the Hawai’i countryside, look no further than Waimea on the island of Kauai. While the Garden Isle is hardly urban, there has been a steady influx of development and tourism in the last 25 years. To escape the traffic often clogging the island’s single highway, head west to Waimea, the driest part of the often-rainy island. Sunset views over the privately owned island of Ni’ihau are sensational, and the pedestrian-friendly town hosts a wealth of laidback, locally owned shops and restaurants. The town is the closest base to Koke’e State Park, excellent for hiking and exploring the mountain valleys of the island’s interior. For a true getaway, rent a 19^th-centruy plantation cottage at Waimea Plantation Cottages.

Katmai National Park, Alaska

There’s a reason tourists flock to the north in the summer, with its 22-hour days, abundant wildlife and gorgeous scenery. Denali, the highest peak in North America, is a primary tourism draw, and the vast majority of visitors make their way through Denali National Park. For a more in-depth experience, consider Katmai National Park, southwest of Anchorage. Due to its remote location, it only sees a small portion of the traffic Denali does and some of the wilderness lodges, like Grosvenor Lodge, max out at six guests. In addition to its natural beauty, visitors enjoy fishing and bear watching.