37 Destinations Where You Can Unplug from the World

As our lives get busier and busier, filled with technology and a seemingly endless list of responsibilities, it becomes even more important to find time to truly unplug. Whether you're looking for a quiet romantic getaway as a couple, or want to give the whole family a chance to ditch their devices for a digital detox, we spoke to travel experts to discover some of the best restorative options out there. From peaceful island retreats and remote mountain villages to rugged wilderness and private sanctuaries, here are 38 places across the United States and the globe where you can slow down, go off grid, and recharge your body, mind, and soul.

Prices and availability are subject to change.

Related: The Best Remote Vacation Spot in Every State

An ocean-wrapped region with no major roads, California's Lost Coast is best explored on foot, which is what most visitors do. The nearly 25-mile-long Lost Coast Trail is a bucket list hike for many backpackers, showcasing sweeping views of the King Range and its 4,000-foot peaks towering above the Pacific Ocean. Visitors can also explore the shores of Black Sands Beach, and see wildlife at Sea Lion Gulch. Accommodations can be found at the Inn of the Lost Coast, where rates start at about $255 per night.

Related: The Best of California For Budget Vacations

Between its island location and the lack of televisions and phones in the 21 guestrooms, Chebeague Island Inn offers a place to get away from it all. The quaint inn is located in the heart of Maine's Casco Bay and has been a three-season (open May through October) haven for travelers since the late 1880s. It was completely restored in 2004. Popular pastimes here include enjoying the fireplace in the Great Room and admiring the bay from the property's wrap around porch. Croquet, corn hole, biking, and exploring the nearby beach are still more options. Prices start at $249 per night.

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A 200,000 expanse of protected lands, Shenandoah National Park is known for its waterfalls, quiet wooded expanses, wildlife, and 500 miles of trails. Located in the heart of this pristine greenspace, Lewis Mountain Cabins has one and two-bedroom cabins include electricity, but there's no phone or internet access on the premises. The property opens April 8, but the best time to visit is mid-October when the foliage is on full display. A handful of dates are listed for as low as $48 per night, but most cost $155 or more per night. A pet-friendly cabin is also available. 

A small, unincorporated community, Stehekin sits at the northwest end of Washington's Lake Chelan. The region is an unspoiled frontier forgotten by time. There are no roads to Stehekin, a community that's home to just 95 year-round residents. The only way to reach the village is by boat, seaplane, or small personal aircraft. There's also a local ferry, Lady of the Lake. Camping and fishing are popular activities in this magical place, which is surrounded by mountains and glaciers and is known for its blue-green water and sub-alpine timber. Stehekin Valley Ranch is a solar-powered ranch located in the North Cascade Mountains. Prices for tent cabins begin at $130 for adults and $95 for kids, per night.

The Finger Lakes region has a relaxing retreat with the Springwater Center, which offers silent, meditative retreats on 212 acres of country land that encompasses streams, meadows, forests, a pond, and miles of walking trails. Retreat costs, which include accommodations and all meals, start at $107 per night.

A more than 1-million-acre expanse in Montana's Rocky Mountains, Glacier National Park is home to 700 miles of hiking trails, pristine forests, alpine meadows and an abundance of wildlife including mountain goats and grizzly bears. Those who want to get even further off the grid can sleep under the stars at Under Canvas, a luxury glamping retreat where prices start around $220 per night.

Less than one hour from San Juan's airport, the Yuquiyu Treehouses are a world away from civilization and glitzy resorts, says Roberta Kravette, founder of Destination: Wildlife. The artisan-crafted treehouses (there's only four of them on the property) are located in the foothills of Puerto Rico's El Yunque rainforest surrounded by a tropical garden and a cascading river. Each one offers a view of El Yunque Peak. "What better place to unplug but a comfortable treehouse in a tropical rainforest in the heart of the last section of tropical rainforest in North America?" says Kravette. Prices start at about $225.

Related: 31 Things You Didn't Know About Puerto Rico

Perched 5,506 feet in the sky, Beech Mountain is the highest town in eastern America. In the winter, the area is a busy ski town, but when the snow melts it becomes the sleepy mountain town that off-season visitors love (the off-season population is about 321 people). Those who visit come to bike down the mountain, enjoy local brews, and hike. Stay at the Beech Alpen Inn where rooms start at about $130 per night.

With its more than 3.3 million acres of forested hills and majestic mountains, Gila has been dubbed New Mexico's most remote spot. Within the forest is the Gila Wilderness, which was the first Congressionally designated wilderness in the United States. Visitors can spend time bicycling, hiking, horseback riding, and taking scenic drives. There are more than 40 campgrounds within the forest, many free. 

Related: Best National Parks to Visit in Winter 

There's no bridge to the mainland, and the island itself only contains a few roads. Welcome to Daufuskie Island, a place accessible only by boat, but ideal for those in need of an unplugged getaway. Explore white sand beaches, ancient oaks, Spanish moss, and various historical landmarks on foot or bicycle. Stay at Haig Point, where you'll find a sprawling, 3-acre equestrian center that allows you to ride horses on the beach. Prices range from $300 to $1,400 per night.

Located in the Strait of Georgia between mainland British Columbia and Vancouver Island, Salt Spring Island offers coastal, pastoral, and forest scenery. There are also sheltered waterways and mountains, and cell reception here is sporadic at best. Hastings House Country House Hotel is a country resort, spa, and restaurant located on 22 acres of waterfront property overlooking Ganges Harbor. Rates start around $425 per night in low season.

There are few better places to unplug than at the bottom of the Grand Canyon, says James Kaiser, author of Grand Canyon: The Complete Guide. "Whether you hike there, ride a mule, spend the night at Phantom Ranch (the only lodge at the bottom of Grand Canyon), or go on a river trip, you will be 100 percent disconnected from the modern world," says Kaiser. Note: Because of repair efforts, the hiker dormitories are closed, and campsites are reduced by half through at least September 2022.  

Three-hours via ferry from Ketchikan, Prince of Wales is a rugged island where visitors can explore 990-miles of coastline dotted by bays, coves, and saltwater straits. There are also chains of inland lakes ideal for canoeing. For those who want to spend a night in the wilderness, there are public-use cabins available in Tongass National Forest (the nation's largest national forest), where visitors may spot eagles, bears, and spawning salmon. Cabin rentals start at $25 per night.

Related: 21 Places to Safely See Wild Animals Up Close

A remote swath of northern Maine about the size of Connecticut, the Maine Highlands are a wild and unspoiled region home to the state's highest peak, Mount Katahdin. The northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail is also located here. Whitewater rafting, canoeing, and kayaking deep into the remote wilderness are among the activities available. AMC operates several wilderness lodges in the region, including Gorman Chairback Lodge & Cabins. Rates start around $210 per night.

A 40,000-square-mile region in southwest Alaska, Bristol Bay encompasses tundra, wetlands, and rivers. As many as 40 million sockeye salmon arrive in the Bristol Bay watershed annually. The area is also inhabited by grizzly bears, wolves, moose, and caribou. Tikchik Narrows Lodge is a pricey retreat reached by privately chartered floatplane. Days at the lodge are filled with curated fishing excursions and boat tours to view snowfields and green peaks. Rates for this pricey getaway start at $9,700 per week, per person, which includes all meals and all fly-outs.

Located in Maine's farthest reaches, Acadia National Park is home to the highest rocky headlands along the Atlantic coastline in the United States. There's also a variety of habitats, rich biodiversity, and 158 miles of hiking trails. Visiting during off season without the crowds is the best way to experience the true beauty of this park. There are a variety of campgrounds offering both off-season and in-season camping. Prices range from $22 to $60 for sites. Book well in advance to secure a spot.

Sitting on more than 300 acres of untouched nature in the Peten region of the Guatemalan jungle, Las Lagunas Boutique Hotel is a secluded getaway and one of the region's best kept secrets. Located in the town of Flores not far from the ruins of Tikal, the property includes 19 bungalow suites hovering over the Quixel Lagoon, each with a private deck offering unobstructed views. Rates start at $292 per night.

Related: 18 Things You Must Do While Traveling Central America

A small island located north of the Yucatan, Holbox (pronounced Hol-bosh) is both budget friendly and under-the-radar. With only 2,000 full-time residents, Holbox offers the beach town vibe of Tulum, minus the crowds. An added bonus, the island is entirely car-free. Instead, there are quiet beaches, authentic shops, and pristine nature. Getting to the island requires a short ferry ride from Chiquila. Visit during whale shark season (May through September) to see these large creatures migrate to the Quintana Roo waters. Las Nubes is an oceanfront, eco-friendly boutique hotel where prices start at $272 per night.

One of Australia's (and the world's) last true wilderness areas, Arnhem Land in Australia's Northern Territory has remained the property of the Aboriginal people and requires a special permit for visitors to enter. Arnhem Land is home to unforgettable scenery, rugged coastlines, remote islands, rainforests, and the most authentic culture in all of Australia. Among the most notable places to stay is BanuBanu Beach Resort, which features eco-lodges on the beach. The resort features chef-prepared meals, five beach-front bungalows, and a penthouse. Rates start at $1,300 per night.

Located in the Mombo Concession of the Okavango Delta, Mombo and Little Mombo are sustainable, luxury retreats focused on offering an authentic bush-camp experience. There is no Wi-Fi here, so days can be spent focusing on the enormous number and variety of animals that inhabit the area. Activities include game drives, presentations on rhino conservation and in-room massage treatments. Rates for both camps start at $2,470 per night.

Magashi Camp is located in the diverse north-eastern corner of Rwanda's Akagera National Park. The six-tent camp features a luxurious lounge and pool and sits amid an area that's home to one of Africa's highest hippo densities (as well as some very large crocodiles.) Akagera underwent a transformation in recent years. Poaching has been eliminated and wildlife is now thriving. There's a healthy population of lion, which were reintroduced into the park in 2015 after a 20-year absence, as well as black rhino. Rates start at $610 per person per night.

Ian Ropke, founder of Your Japan Private Tours, says there are plenty of places in Japan to unplug, particularly in the countryside. Top suggestions include the Tango Peninsula northwest of Kyoto on the Japan Sea, the Noto Peninsula northeast of Kyoto, and Iwate Prefecture in the far north. The Noto Peninsula is known for being rugged and remote. "Of particular interest are the thousands of rice terraces, known as senmaida, facing the sea, halfway up the East Coast," said Ropke. And don't miss the tiny fishing villages en route to the terraces. Ropke suggests staying at Noto Kanko Hotel Ishikawa.

Tasmania's remote Maria Island, accessed only by ferry, is a natural wildlife sanctuary and off-shore retreat featuring historic ruins, sweeping bays, and painted cliffs. Among the abundant wildlife here are wombats and kangaroos. What you won't find on Maria Island is cell phone or internet coverage. The best times to visit include summer (September through November) and also April through May. There is free camping throughout the island.

In some parts of Papua New Guinea, local people did not have contact with the outside world until the early 1900s. Known for being home to more than 750 tribes, Papua New Guinea offers the ultimate off-the-beaten path trip. Located on a ridge overlooking the Karawari River and a vista filled with tropical lowlands, Karawari Lodge offers 10 cottage accommodations for visitors. The lodge's private airstrip and the Karawari River are the only way to access this remote property. There are no roads, no shops, and no phones. Prices start at $599 per person for a triple room and range to $853 per person per night for a single room.

A hidden mountain village about 90 minutes outside of Dubai, Hatta is known for its serene setting and beautiful scenery. The community, which dates back several centuries, is nestled amongst the peaks of the Hajar Mountains. Activities here include mountain biking, kayaking, hiking, and adventure rope courses. In the heart of the town is Hatta Heritage Village, which has been preserved and reconstructed by the government in order to showcase rural living traditions that date back centuries. Lodging can be found at Hatta Damani Lodges Resort, where prices start at about $260 per night.

The picturesque Thai island of Koh Samui welcomes all types of visitors. But those who are truly looking to get away from it all should head to the Absolute Sanctuary. Located on a peaceful corner of the island, Absolute Sanctuary features a Rest and Rebalance program designed to offer participants digital detox regimes, healthy life balance techniques, and coaching sessions to alleviate stress. The best time to visit is during the dry season, between November and early April. Prices for a seven-day program start at around $511 during low season.

Sitting on 30 acres of land deep in the heart of Chile's famed Patagonia region, The Singular allows guests to explore pristine reserves and trek mountainous expanses. The 1915 cold storage warehouse that became the hotel was declared a national heritage site in 1996. Rates start around $295 per night, breakfast included.

During a road trip across Morocco, author and world traveler Barbara Ali discovered Ferma Jebala Ecolodge, a farm stay property located at the top of a mountain, overlooking the city of Tetouan. The northern Morocco retreat offers comfortable but basic accommodations. Guests can hike nearby, go on horse rides through the forest, and during the summer enjoy the property's pool. "At night the stars were amazing overhead and the air was fresh and pure, says Ali. "It was a great place to unplug and relax." Rooms can be found for about $55 per night.

Live the life of a cast away at Turneffe Island Resort, a property located on a private island 30 miles off the coast of Belize. Guestrooms and villas are scattered along the Caribbean coastline and offer panoramic views of the sea. The island is surrounded by 32 diving sites, making scuba diving one of the most popular activities. Additional options include fly fishing and snorkeling. The island also charters guests on weekly excursions to the renowned Great Blue Hole. Three-night packages at the all-inclusive property start at $3,090 per person.

Nestled on the side of a mountain near the fishing village of Sayulita, the Haramara Retreat Center sits on 12 acres of private tropical jungle. The accommodations, all built by hand to preserve the surrounding nature, are cabanas made of thatch that only have three walls, allowing guests to wake up and view the nature around them. The property also includes an infinity pool and private beach, but there is no electricity and no Wi-Fi. Prices start at $216 per night for a basic package retreat.

Croatia's most remote inhabited island, Lastovo is carpeted with forests and is home to a population of less than one thousand people, says Jeanne Oliver, creator of CroatiaTraveller.com. As for what to do here, Oliver recommends taking long walks, as there are more than 120 miles of well-marked trails that weave through the forests and small villages on the island. Don't miss snorkeling and scuba diving, either. The remoteness of Lastovo island has left the waters teeming with fish. Consider staying at the Struga Lighthouse on the southern side of the island, which offers four apartments. Prices start at about $57 per night in off-season.

Offering the ultimate off-grid escape, Tabacon Thermal Resort is located amid 900-acres of lush rainforest. There are also thermal springs onsite, naturally heated by the magma inside the Arenal Volcano. Don't miss the outdoor spa bungalows, where spa treatments take place amid the sounds of local wildlife. Want to unwind even more? Opt for a yoga or meditation session, which takes place in a secluded rainforest bungalow. Prices at the resort start at $352 per night.

Prana del Mar is a beachfront retreat and wellness center at the southern tip of Baja, Mexico, that focuses on guests unplugging. Each season, the property offers up to 40 different health and wellness retreats focused on yoga, healthful eating, digital detox, and more. There are no televisions or phones in guest rooms, and the property actively encourages guests to step away from their devices. Prices start at around $1,850 per person for a five-night stay that includes three daily meals, and daily yoga.

For those hoping to escape mass tourism and experience pioneering travel, Madagascar, located off the coast of Africa, offers a remote tropical getaway. Evolving in isolation for 80 million years, 90 percent of Madagascar's biodiversity is endemic to the island. Don't miss staying at Tsara Komba Lodge, which is located on the island of Nosy Komba, otherwise known as Lemur Island. The ecolodge hotel offers eight lodges amid a wild nature reserve. Rates start at about $330 per night.

Blogger David Wills says Laos is his favorite country to go offline and escape the madness. "It is an incredible, charming country full of lovely people," says Wills. "The pace of life is slow and peaceful and you'll forget all about Instagram and Twitter while you're there." He recommends visiting the north of the country, which is even more off-the-beaten path, and use Luang Prabang as a base for exploring. There are a variety of small lodging options in Luang Prabang, among them Mekong Riverview Hotel, where rooms start at about $100 per night.

If money is no object in your pursuit of unplugging, consider a yoga and Ayurveda retreat in Sri Lanka, which comes highly recommended by Tara Povey, creator of the site WhereIsTara. Povey strongly recommends Ulpotha. "It's located in a sacred place in the middle of the Sri Lanka hills," says Povey. "Unless you have a local guide with you, it is virtually impossible to find. There's only one tiny area in Ulpotha that gets a phone signal, and there's no internet at all." The property is only open for half the year, from November to March and then again from June through August. Prices currently start at $2,352 for a two-week retreat, which includes accommodations, meals, two yoga classes daily, one full-day excursion each week, and one massage per week. Look for deals on the Ulpotha website, too. 

One of the most isolated places in Greece, Zagori is a region in the Pindus Mountains that is home to about 46 stone villages, says Chrisostomos Kamberis, creator of Trip & Trail. The area is known for its towering mountains, virgin forests, and stunning gorges. You'll also find stone bridges and monasteries carved into the mountains. "Many of the villages here are deserted, or have less than a dozen people living in them," says Kamberis. The region is home to many guest houses and some exclusive resorts. Kamberis recommends Zissis Hotel, which is a small, traditional property in one of the region's picturesque villages. Prices start at about $65.