20 Best Places to Experience Pantone's 2020 Color of the Year

by Alex Temblador
Last updated:: 6:00 AM ET, Wed December 25, 2019

Primorsko Town, Port, Bulgaria Black Sea. (photo via cdm-primorsko / iStock / Getty Images Plus)

Dorado Beach, Puerto Rico. (Photo via Arrangements-Photography / iStock / Getty Images Plus)

The Great Blue Hole of Belize. (Photo via Lomingen / iStock / Getty Images Plus)

Blue coloured medina in Chefchaouen, Morocco. (AnetteAndersen / iStock / Getty Images Plus)

The colorful waterfront and harbor of Bonaire. (photo via dbvirago/iStock/Getty Images Plus) (dbvirago / iStock / Getty Images Plus)

Kenai Lake is loved for its blue waters. (photo via iStock / Getty Images Plus / A&J Fotos)

PHOTO: A reef shark and coral fish in Fiji. (photo via Torchuck/iStock/Getty Images Plus)

PHOTO: The Blue Lagoon on the tiny island of Comino, with Gozo in the distance. (Photo via Charlton Buttigieg / iStock / Getty Images Plus)

Jodhpur is known as the 'Blue City' of India. (photo via iStock / Getty Images Plus / Meinzahn) (iStock / Getty Images Plus / Meinzahn)

Chile's Marble Caves are often a stunning blue color. (photo via iStock / Getty Images Plus / Nektarstock)

See the blue flames of Kawah Ijen Volcano at night. (photo via iStock / Getty Images Plus / mazzzur)

PHOTO: Bora Bora viewed from a helicopter. (photo via noblige/iStock/Getty Images Plus)

Quark Expeditions' sailing to Antarctica. (Quark Expeditions Media / Acacia Johnson)

PHOTO: Gorgeous Crater Lake on a summer day. (Photo via Dendron / iStock / Getty Images Plus)

Santorini's blue ocean matches the blue roofs of some of the white buildings. (photo via E+ / spooh) (E+ / spooh)

The Waipu Cave glows blue. (photo via iStock / Getty Images Plus / MarcelStrelow)

The Blue Lagoon, Iceland. (photo via elkaphotos/iStock/Getty Images Plus)

Juzcar is a blue town in Spain. (photo via iStock / Getty Images Plus / VYCHEGZHANINA)

The Nemophila flowers that grow in Hitachi Seaside Park are a vibrant blue. (photo via iStock / Getty Images Plus / PonAek)

Zanzibar's coastline is a blue paradise. (photo via E+ / golero) (E+ / golero)

Buck Island is a fabulous spot for snorkelling and diving off the coast of St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands. (Jim Byers/TravelPulse Canada)

Classic Blue

1/21

Pantone, one of the world's top color creators for products, has announced its Color of the Year: Classic Blue. Pantone describes Classic Blue as "suggestive of the sky at dusk" and is a "restful color" that "brings a sense of peace and tranquility to the human spirit, offering refuge." In that spirit, we put together a list of 20 destinations around the world where you can experience Classic Blue in all its glory in 2020.

Puerto Rico

2/21

Puerto Rico is a fantastic Classic Blue destination. Not only is the island surrounded by the blue waters of the Caribbean, but you'll also find Classic Blue inspirations in the national flag, the historic buildings of Old San Juan and in the colors of the street art found in Santurce es Ley. Plus, you can't miss an opportunity to see glowing bluish dinoflagellates in Puerto Rico's three bioluminescent bays in Vieques, Parguera and Fajardo.

Belize

3/21

Dive into Classic Blue in Belize's Blue Hole, a large marine sinkhole that's world-famous for being a spectacular scuba diving destination. Get your fill of Classic Blue between dives in the Blue Hole and snorkeling in the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, and be sure to check out Caye Caulker, a trendy Belizean island, with some charming blue buildings. For those staying in San Pedro, keep in mind that you can walk directly into the blue waters around Belize when you book a stay at Ramon's Village Resort.

Chefchaouen, Morocco

4/21

Take a look at Chefchauouen's old town and you'll see why it's a must-visit destination to experience Pantone's Color Of The Year. The old town is painted entirely in blue, making for a striking scene that draws tourists from all over the world to see the "blue pearl of Morocco." Spend your time browsing local markets and shops in Chefchauouen to truly experience all that this blue destination has to offer.

Bonaire

5/21

As the world's first 'Blue Destination,' we couldn't leave Bonaire off the list. Blue Destinations are those that have put forth a significant commitment to protecting the oceans, and that's exactly what Bonaire has done by being the first Caribbean island to create a marine park and enforcing sustainable laws to protect it. Experience Classic Blue with a visit to Goto Lake, shore diving around the island and with a tasting of "The Cadushy of Bonaire," a locally-made liqueur at the Cadushy Distillery. And if you can, stay in one of the cute blue bungalows at Courtyard by Marriott Bonaire Dive Resort.

Kenai Lake, Alaska

6/21

You don't have to visit an island to bask in Classic Blue. Formed by glacier water, Kenai Lake in Alaska is a majestic blue color. Travelers can fish, kayak, raft, boat or paddleboard on Kenai Lake, as well as hit the trails around it on horseback or mountain bike. In the winter, snowmobiling around Kenai Lake is a popular activity. With campgrounds, cabins and lodges along the lake, there are plenty of places to stay and enjoy Kenai Lake's Classic Blue beauty.

Fiji

7/21

A visit to Fiji ensures that you'll be enveloped in Classic Blue. You'll want to take some time to explore the blue ocean that surrounds Fiji's best islands like Mamanuca Islands, Malolo, Mana Island and Tavarua. Also, check out the blue waters of Sawa-i-Lau Caves and visit the Sri Siva Subramaniya Temple, a colorful Hindu temple on the island with beautiful blue accents.

Comino, Malta

8/21

See one of the most beautiful blue places in the world by taking a trip to Comino, Malta. Here you'll find the Blue Lagoon, a small bay with spectacular blue waters where people snorkel, swim and relax. If the Blue Lagoon is too packed for your liking, the island of Comino is surrounded by blue waters and lagoons you can explore or admire from atop the island's famous watchtower, St. Mary's Tower.

Jodhpur, India

9/21

Located in the Thar Desert of India is a blue-colored destination called Jodhpur. Nicknamed the 'Blue City,' Jodhpur offers a blue-tastic vacation where you can explore the winding medieval streets, stopping to buy incense, saris and other items in the city's bazaars and shops. Don't miss a chance to take a picture of the Blue City from above by visiting the Mehrangarh Fort.

Marble Caves, Chile

10/21

The Marble Caves is a natural wonder that reflects the blue waters of Chile's Lake General Carerra, making the cave walls appear blue. The caves are only accessible by boat and showcase the blue color between September and February. It's not an easy feat to see these caves, but well worth a visit if you're up for some adventure.

Kawah Ijen Volcano, East Java, Indonesia

11/21

Most volcanoes spew fiery red and orange lava, but that's not the case with Kawah Ijen Volcano in East Java, Indonesia. At night, visitors can witness a unique phenomenon: blue flames of molten sulfur emitting from the volcano. The blue flames are not the only Classic Blue experience you can have at the volcano. It is also home to the world's largest acidic lake filled with turquoise-blue water.

Bora Bora, French Polynesia

12/21

The blue waters of Bora Bora are best experienced with a stay in an overwater bungalow at Conrad Bora Bora Nui. When you're not basking in the blue that surrounds your bungalow, scuba dive and swim with the manta rays of Bora Bora or book a whale watching tour from July to November. Adventurists should also hike Mount Pahia to admire 360-degree views of the blue waters of Bora Bora.

Antarctica

13/21

Pull out your winter gear, you're heading south to one of the coldest spots on the planet-Antarctica. This landmass is home to blue ice, which is just as it sounds, blue-hued ice that visitors find to be quite beautiful. If you're lucky, you may spot a Blue Whale while in Antarctica, and while they're not super blue in color (more like grey-blue), it's a rare opportunity you won't want to miss.

Crater Lake, Oregon

14/21

One look at Crater Lake, Oregon, and you've got to wonder if the lake inspired the folks at Pantone to choose "Classic Blue" for 2020. As the deepest lake in the U.S., Crater Lake's intense blue color draws thousands of tourists who enjoy taking boat tours on the lake, driving the 33-mile Rim Drive which has 30 overlooks and swimming and fishing in Cleetwood Cove.

Santorini, Greece

15/21

Santorini may be known for its white-washed buildings, but you'll enjoy some Classic Blue on this Grecian island. Not only do some of the buildings have blue domes, like the Three Bells of Fira, but the blue waters that surround the island are quite relaxing. Enjoy views of the blue ocean from places like Ancient Thera, Skaras or the Santorini Cable Car, or get more up-close-and-personal by visiting a Santorini beach like Red Beach, Paralia Vlichada and Black Beach.

Waitomo Caves, New Zealand

16/21

Experience Pantone's Classic Blue in a unique way at the Waitomo Caves in New Zealand. This world-famous cave was originally explored by the Maori people who shared the cave's natural wonder with the western world in 1887. Thanks to a glowworm called the Arachnocampa Luminosa, which is unique to New Zealand, the Waitomo Caves glow a bright blue. Book a boat ride tour to see these rare blue-glowing worms light up the cave walls.

Iceland

17/21

Iceland offers two Classic Blue adventures that are perfect for 2020. First, head to Vatnajokull, the blue ice cave of Iceland. Take a tour through the blue crystal-like cave, and don't be surprised if the color is seared into your mind forever. Following your tour, get warm and cozy in the Blue Lagoon, a spot where you can soak in blue-colored geothermal seawater and come out feeling refreshed and anew.

Júzcar, Spain

18/21

Juzcar is yet another marvelous blue city and it can be found in the Malaga province in the southern part of Spain. The village's buildings were long the color white, but in 2011, the city turned blue for a promotional campaign by Sony Pictures which was promoting The Smurfs film. Juzcar originally planned to repaint the buildings white again, but the blue buildings brought with it a wave of tourism that inspired the town to remain blue.

Hitachi Seaside Park, Japan

19/21

Take a two-hour public transportation ride by train and bus from Tokyo to Hitachi Seaside Park in late April to mid-May to see the park covered in blue flowers. Known as the blue nemophila, the flowers are nicknamed "baby blue eyes" and are best admired from the top of Miharashi Hill. While you're at Hitachi Seaside Park, enjoy the on-site amusement park and the blue views of a nearby ocean.

Zanzibar

20/21

Africa will be a travel hot spot in 2020, so experience Classic Blue in one of the continent's best seaside places: Zanzibar. Take a dhow boat ride on the blue waters, book a scuba diving experience or learn to kitesurf at the Zanzibar Kite Paradise School at the White Sands Resort. And if you can afford to foot the bill, book a stay in the Manta Resort's Underwater Room which is exactly as it sounds: an underwater room with views of aquatic life swimming in the blue ocean.

St. Croix

21/21

See Pantone's Color of the Year in St. Croix, an off-the-beaten Caribbean destination. Scuba and snorkel in the blue waters that surround the island or check out the blue tide pools of Annaly Bay Tide Pools. You can also see the blue waters turn bright with lights in one of St. Croix's two bioluminescent bays. Don't forget to set aside some time to relax on one of St. Croix's beautiful beaches with a blue-colored cocktail made with rum from the local distillery, Cruzan Rum.

Next Slide > >

< < Prev Slide

For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.