The Best Travel Destinations of 2019

The world is full of amazing places but some destinations stand out from the rest, whether it's because of their unique locales, friendly locals, remarkable sites and tourist attractions, tremendous value, accessibility or a little bit of everything. Here are the best destinations of 2019.

Easily one of the Caribbean's most overlooked islands, Saint Lucia boasts an array of diverse experiences for visitors of all ages. For example, you can immerse yourself in nature, lie on the beach, live it up during jazz and other festivals or achieve all of your wellness goals. Saint Lucia is also one of the top wedding and honeymoon destinations in the world.

While the Abaco Islands and Grand Bahama were hit hard by Hurricane Dorian this past summer, the Bahamas was largely spared by the Category 5 storm, with popular tourist areas such as Nassau Paradise Island remaining open for business. One of the best ways to help the country's ongoing recovery is with your tourism dollars so there's never been a better time to go and see what makes the Bahamas such a beloved destination for families, romance and adventure.

Las Vegas is doing more and more to cement itself as the undisputed Entertainment Capital of the World with each passing year. In 2019, Sin City's draw goes so far beyond gambling to include incredible restaurants from award-winning chefs, an unparalleled roster of entertainers and a plethora of one-of-a-kind venues such as the Park Theater and the recently-opened KAOS nightclub and dayclub at The Palms.

Not to be outdone by the equally-tourist-friendly Cancun-Riviera Maya region, Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit offer visitors an ideal blend of beauty and culture, including one of the world's most underrated foodie scenes, gorgeous beaches, amazing art and plentiful opportunities to partake in water sports, ecotourism and other activities.

One of America's most fun cities in 2019, New Orleans is never off and never boring. The Big Easy hosts festivals to mark seemingly any and every occasion and visitors have a variety of ways to explore the city, including on haunted walking tours and riverboat cruises along the Mississippi.

No list of the year's best destinations can be complete without the City of Lights. Paris isn't only one of the world's premier cities for romance or extraordinary landmarks and attractions like the Eiffel Tower and The Louvre. The world's second-most-visited city (behind Bangkok) is also a dream destination for foodies, history buffs and sports fans, among travelers of other interests.

Los Cabos is more accessible than ever before and is constantly elevating the visitor experience with the introduction of world-class hotels and resorts geared toward guests seeking relaxation, championship-caliber golf, adrenaline-pumping water sports and land adventures and so much more. The all-new Hard Rock Hotel Los Cabos is just the latest example of the destination's unwavering dedication to standing out.

"Not a lot of people know where Malta is. We're still in the education phase," Michelle Buttigieg, of the Malta Tourism Authority, told TravelPulse. If this Mediterranean archipelago is renowned for one thing it's certainly its history but beautiful beaches, lights-out food, seemingly endless sunshine and a plethora of festivals help elevate it to one of the planet's best places in 2019.

With marquee cities like Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver waiting just over the U.S.-Canada border, it's easy to overlook Northern Canada. However, places like Whitehorse in the Yukon Territory and Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories offer visitors unrivaled serenity in addition to access to nature and wildlife. How many other places can you experience the northern lights from a natural hot spring?

The Florida Keys is what most people think of when they think of vacation. Mouthwatering restaurants, world-class fishing experiences, eye-popping snorkeling spots and quirky locals help set this region apart. Places like Key West draw large crowds during the winter months, however, so plan accordingly.

The Big Apple draws visitors from far and wide and it's no secret why. New York City offers experiences you won't find anywhere else in the world and the city's attractions are second to none, from the new and improved Empire State Building to the Statue of Liberty. There's also nothing quite like celebrating the holidays in New York City, host of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting.

With the help of this year's hit HBO series "Chernobyl," Ukraine is attracting visitors from all over the map. While many are coming to satisfy their curiosity on a tour of the former Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant they are quickly uncovering what makes this Eastern European destination so great, including places such as picturesque Kiev and the ultra-charming Lviv.

Hawaii has never been more accessible following Southwest Airlines' debut in the Aloha State earlier this year. While it's definitely no hidden gem, Hawaii offers Americans a diverse range and, in some cases, otherworldly experiences that they can access without a passport, whether it's scenic hiking on Kauai, whale watching off of Maui or world-class shopping and pampering in Waikiki.

There are too many reasons to list when it comes to making the case for London. The U.K. capital has never been more accessible and it also offers Americans tremendous value. Similarly to New York City, there's something special about experiencing London during the holidays.

Travelers looking to venture from the beaten path will discover plenty of culture and adventure Down Under, especially in places like Auckland and Queenstown, New Zealand. If you missed out on New Zealand this year, the good news is that American Airlines just announced plans to launch the only nonstop service from Los Angeles to New Zealand in 2020.

Egypt's tourism industry continues to make an impressive comeback in the wake of the Arab Spring at the start of the decade. The country's unparalleled history sets it apart from any other place in the world and tour operators like Central Holidays make it easier than ever to experience the most important sites all in one trip.

Arizona's Grand Canyon National Park is celebrating its 100th birthday in 2019 and remains one of the world's most coveted destinations. Whether hiking, camping or flying over during a helicopter tour, the allure of this jaw-dropping natural wonder can't be denied.

India's City of Lakes has also been referred to as the Venice of the East. It was named one of the world's best cities for 2019 while The Leela Palace was recognized as the best hotel in the world, according to Travel + Leisure readers. Udaipur is typically at its busiest from November to January when tourists look to capitalize on mild temperatures.

Costa Rica is among the world's most biodiverse destinations and is renowned for its vast wildlife and nature, which include stunning beaches, volcanoes and natural hot springs that visitors can experience at places like the Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa.

For wildlife enthusiasts, there isn't a more sought-after destination than Ecuador's Galapagos Islands. After all, the Pacific archipelago helped inspire Charles Darwin's theory of evolution. Nearly two centuries later, its appeal remains as strong as ever, with visitation to the Galapagos up 14 percent in 2018 compared to the previous year.