THE LIST >> FIVE TOP UNDER-THE-RADAR TRAVEL DESTINATIONS

Splugen, an alpine village in Canton Grisons in Switzerland, is worth visiting any time of year because of its natural beauty. WIRESTOCK — DREAMSTIME/TNS

The beachy Cyprus town of Pissouri offers outdoor activities such as the Cape Astrot hiking trail and winery tours. GETTY IMAGES

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The appeal of offbeat vacations continues to grow, as a year of travel marked largely by overtourism protests in Barcelona, Oaxaca and Venice draws to a close.

So, consider these spots you’ve likely never heard of: Guatemala’s ancient Mayan site of Uaxactún instead of tourist-crammed Tikal National Park, for example, and snowy Swiss Splügen instead of San Moritz.

They’re among the 55 small, rural escapes around the world that earned a spot in the 2024 edition of U.N. Tourism’s “Best Tourism Villages.”

The initiative, started in 2021, aims to raise awareness of lesser-known places worth visiting — and also reward responsible tourism management.

Among this year’s worthy escapes are rural villages in Panama and Guatemala, two countries appearing on the list for the first time.

Panama’s historic northern port of Portobelo, for example, draws smaller crowds despite its tranquil Caribbean beaches and significant colonial past, and tourism there helps fund cultural heritage preservation activities for youth and coral reef restoration projects.

Here are five great destinations that may be off-the-beaten path but are still easily accessible. Find more information at www.unwto.org.

Splügen, Switzerland

This Swiss Alps getaway is a quiet winter sports vacation destination, as well as an under-the-radar spot in spring and summer, with access to Alpine lakes and Beverin nature park.

San Rafael de la Laguna, Ecuador

Sitting in the foothills of the Andes, less than two hours from Quito, this area offers birdwatching tours aboard traditional reed boats, cycling routes and Andean festivals

Gharb Suhayl, Egypt

Set on seeing the Grand Egyptian Museum in 2025? Stop off in Aswan and take a 30-minute boat ride south to this peaceful, ancient Nubian village on the banks of the Nile.

Pissouri, Cyprus

You’ll have your pick of outdoor activities in this coastal town, including the Cape Astrot hiking trail with its jaw-dropping vistas, then tour a winery and stroll the village’s cobblestoned square, which is lined with tavernas.

Uaxactún, Guatemala

Hike uncrowded forest trails to observe the area’s temples, including a ceremonial complex, stelae and an astronomy observatory that the Maya once used to mark celestial events.

— Lebawit Lily Girma, Bloomberg News