The United States has some spectacular natural spaces. Yellowstone, Yosemite, the Rockies ... they’re all routinely on the list of incredible national parks. But as incredible as our wilderness is, the U.S. doesn’t have a monopoly on natural beauty.
National parks outside the U.S. protect vast amounts of wildlife, plant life, and other natural resources. The next time you find yourself traveling internationally, be sure to check out some of the best national parks in the world.
1. Corcovado National Park — Costa Rica
Best For: Animals
Costa Rica is home to 29 national parks, and Corcovado is one routinely called out for its rich biodiversity. Its forests are home to countless forms of plant life as well as jaguar and cougars, sloths, giant anteaters, and other wildlife. You can even find every type of monkey in Costa Rica in this single park.
If sea life is more your style, there are several types of sea turtles and crocodiles in Corcovado National Park’s rivers. Sharks, whales, and dolphins are also in nearby marine habitats with open water.
2. Killarney National Park — Ireland 
Best For: Families
Unlike some parks on this list, Killarney National Park isn’t hidden away in some remote, hard-to-reach region. And with an array of trails for hiking or horseback riding, mountains, wildlife, even castles and mansions to explore, everyone in the family, from the young to the young at heart, is likely to find something to pique their interest.
Ireland’s first national park, Killarney was also the first to join the United States’ Sister Parks Program, getting paired with Glacier National Park on the Canadian border.
While you’re exploring Killarney, take in the mountain views on horseback, see if you can spot some red deer, and check out the 15th-century Ross Castle.
3. Vjosa River National Park — Albania
Famous For: Water and Wildlife Conservation
All national parks aim to protect the natural resources that are unique and so vital to our environment. In 2023, Vjosa River National Park became the first wild river park in Europe, prohibiting mining and dams.
The decision that designated the Vjosa (pronounce vee-YO-sa) river basin as a park also includes initiatives focusing on water use and pollution, deforestation, and preserving wildlife, including the endangered Balkan lynx.
Recreational rafting is a good way to experience the river (be aware of risks and travel insurance exclusions if you decide to go rafting). There also are calmer ways to enjoy the park, like thermal baths and mountain drives.
4. Cinque Terre National Park — Italy
Best For: Culture
Imagine cliffside villages of vibrantly colored buildings seemingly carved right out of the rock. These are the seaside towns — Corniglia, Manarola, Monterosso al Mare, Riomaggiore, and Vernazza — that essentially make up Cinque Terre National Park.
What makes this park noteworthy is that it’s less about wildlife, and more about human life. Cinque Terre covers less than 15 square miles dedicated to demonstrating the intersection of agriculture, human history, and natural history.
Each town on its own is worth a visit, but the most popular way to see the park is by hiking from one village to the next.
5. Valley of Flowers National Park — India
Best For: Botany
India has more than 100 national parks, and it seems like the best ones are the hardest to reach. With the right training and guides, though, you might find that the effort makes the accomplishment — and the views — that much more incredible.
Valley of the Flowers National Park is in the Himalayas, so expect a high-altitude trek. You’ll be rewarded with an alpine valley blanketed with (unsurprisingly) flowers in all manner of colors.
It’s not just about being beautiful, though. Many of the plants in the region are medicinal or are used in offerings to the Hindu goddesses Nanda Devi and Sunanda Devi.
Like we said with Vjosa River National Park, check your travel insurance plan to see if trekking is covered or listed among the exclusions. Pay close attention to the definition of “trekking” as different plans have different takes on the activity. If you’re unsure if your activity will be covered, talk to a licensed travel insurance agent.
6. Lençóis Maranhenses National Park — Brazil
Best For: Sand Dunes
Brazil typically conjures up mental images of rainforests. You’re forgiven if Lençóis Maranhenses National Park catches you off guard, then. This almost-600-square-mile park is known as the largest field of sand dunes in South America.
Ranging along the northeast coast, Lençóis Maranhenses is a sea of sand with freshwater lagoons and the occasional oasis with shrubby plants that have adapted to the unusual soil.
While it has relatively little vegetation, you will find a huge variety of birds and reptiles. Plus, some of those lagoons and mangroves make prime habitat for otters and manatees.
7. Torres del Paine National Park — Chile
Best For: Hiking
The largest national park in Chile, Torres del Paine once was named among the five most beautiful places in the world by National Geographic. This is in large part because of the mountains for which the park is named. These peaks, which have taunted professional rock climbers for decades, rise imposingly over glacial lakes.
Hiking the W Trek is a favorite way to see the park, but it’s certainly not the only way. And the mountains aren’t the only reason to visit.
Torres del Paine National Park is home to four different ecological zones, including a desert. With so many types of habitats, you’ll find plenty of wildlife, most notably birds like the Andean condor and Chilean flamingo.
8. Mana Pools National Park — Zimbabwe
Best For: Safaris
Safaris are on many of our bucket lists. If you’re looking for somewhere other than Kruger National Park in South Africa, the Serengeti in Tanzania, or Masai Mara in Kenya, then why not check out Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools National Park?
There’s no single way to experience this park, which is renowned for its hippos, elephants, and big cats like lions and cheetahs. Consider guided walking safaris, open-air driving safaris, or staying at this luxurious tent camp.
9. Kilimanjaro National Park — Tanzania
Best For: Hiking
At just over 19,000 feet, Mount Kilimanjaro in Kilimanjaro National Park is the highest point in Africa. Still, it’s also one of the most frequently climbed among the world’s major mountains.
Climbing Kilimanjaro is no simple endeavor, although there are several routes to the top, some of which are easier than others. Altitude sickness is a common ailment.
If you have the fitness, skill, and good guides, though, a visit to Kilimanjaro National Park is well worth the effort. Because of the altitude, you’ll experience a range of ecosystems, from arctic at the peak to cultivated flat land at the base with rainforests, desert, and more in between.
10. Zhangjiajie National Forest Park — China
Best For: Mind-Boggling Landscapes
Although Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is relatively small at less 19 square miles, it is arguably the most popular part of the much larger Wulingyuan Scenic Area in central-eastern China.
“Dramatic” is one word that comes to mind (and not even one that does the view justice) when taking in these epic pillars of rock rising out of the ravine. Dense forest covers the bottom of the ravine with the heartiest of trees climbing the rock formations.
When shrouded in cloud cover, the area has almost a sci-fi feel, which explains why Avatar used Zhangjiajie as inspiration for the Hallelujah Mountains. You know that when Mother Nature produces something so incredible that it appears not quite natural, you’re onto something truly special.
11. Komodo National Park — Indonesia
Best For: Dragons
As a kid, I was fascinated by the Komodo dragons at the Cincinnati Zoo, so if like me, seeing the world’s largest lizard in the wild is on your bucket list, you’ll have to head to Indonesia.
Komodo National Park is made up of 29 different islands. The dragons can be found on just five of them — Komodo and Rinca are the largest, but you’ll also find them on Gili Montang, Gili Dasami, and Flores.
Flores is also home to Wae Wuul Nature Reserve, which is renowned for its biodiversity. Because it’s not the most well-known of the Indonesia islands, it’s a great place to consider for getting away from the crowds and taking in the sunset on your own.
12. Great Barrier Reef Marine Park — Australia
Best For: Sea Life
Australia has more national parks than any other country in the world. Although it can’t also claim the largest — that honor falls to Northeast Greenland National Park — it still comes in an impressive second with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
The Great Barrier Reef is larger than all of Great Britain. It’s packed with thousands upon thousands of living creatures ranging from miniature mollusks to massive humpback whales and, of course, the living reef itself.
The reef is a vital habitat for numerous endangered species, making it that much more important for the marine park to protect the waters from pollution, fishing, and other manmade impact.
Don’t think you need to be on the water to experience the Great Barrier Reef. Consider a helicopter tour to see it from a completely new perspective.
Travel Insurance for International Adventures
The best national parks in the world offer something for everyone, from the most adventurous to those looking to absorb natural beauty at a more leisurely, luxurious pace.
Consider the types of activities you plan to do during your trip when purchasing travel insurance. Some travel medical plans exclude “adventure activities” from standard coverage, but they might offer additional benefits you can add to your plan if you want to do things like snorkel, scuba dive, backcountry hike, and more.
Review your plan carefully and talk to a licensed agent if you have any questions about what’s included in your coverage. You don’t want to overlook valuable protection for your health during an exciting international trip.
