50 Awesome Things to Add to Your Bucket List
Have you created your list of bucket list items yet? Everyone has different things on their bucket list, and there are so many amazing things to do around this beautiful world!
We've been traveling around the world for years to find the most unique experiences to share with you. After some pretty epic moments, we're excited to let you in on some of the best ones to add to your list.
So without further ado, let's check out 50 awesome bucket list items to experience before you die.
*Please note that this blog post may contain some affiliate links, which we make a small profit on, at zero cost to you. Links are only used on products & services that we've used and believe in, to give you the best buying experience. Purchasing from these links helps us to continue providing free travel guides for you- so thank you for your support!
Bucket List Item #1: Ride in a Hot Air Balloon
Riding in a hot air balloon is a truly magical experience! Soar in the air for about an hour in a relaxing ride, and enjoy the scenery below. Some places offer this as an attraction every day for sunrise, and others have it as an annual event at a festival.
Best place to do this: Cappadocia, Turkey
Other places: Bagan, Myanmar/ Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA/ Colorado Springs, USA/Reno, Nevada, USA/Readington, NJ, USA/Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, Canada/ Bristol, England/ Igualada, Spain/ Loraine, France/ Chateau-d'Oex, Switzerland/ Taitung City, Taiwan/ Saga, Japan/ Canberra, Australia
Estimated cost: $100-$200.
When: Cappadocia & Bagan are year round/ Other destinations have yearly festivals, normally in the Summer and Autumn.

Cappadocia, Turkey
Bucket List Item #2: Celebrate Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras is one of the biggest festivals in the US, and a bucket list item for those that like to party.
The city is covered in green, gold, and purple, and characterized by fancy masks and parades. People party in the streets and collect as many beads as they can, typically most are by girls flashing people. While its surely not the classiest of events, it sure it one to check out, especially for those partiers!
Place to do this: New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.
Estimated cost: Free.
When: The two weeks leading up to the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday.
Bucket List Item #3: Attend Carnaval
Carnival is like Mardi Gras on steroids. Everyone is dressed in costumes, music is playing everywhere, and there are massive parties in the streets. People party almost 24 hours, so make sure you are ready for an intense few days! Carnival is celebrated most famously in Brazil, and also very popularly in Spain, Italy, and parts of the Caribbean.
Celebrations last a week, maybe sometimes two depending on which area you go. Many cultures take this time very seriously, preparing their costumes and venues the entire year up to Carnival period.

Best place to do this: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Other places: anywhere in Brazil/ Tenerife, Spain/ Gran Canaria, Spain/ Cadiz, Spain/ Venice, Italy/ St. Vincent & the Grenadines/ Georgetown, Guyana/ Trinidad & Tobago/ Notting Hill, London, UK/ Nice, France/ Barranquilla, Colombia.
Estimated cost: While parties in the streets are normally free of charge, some bars and clubs will charge $10-30 for entry, while large private celebrations will cost around $100-150/person.
When: End of February/ early March depending on the year.
Bucket List Item #4: Go to La Tomatina- a Tomato Throwing Festival
The festival of La Tomatina is a truly unique bucket list item. Welcome to the world's largest food fight. The streets fill will people while trucks drive by throwing of tons tomatoes. The food fight continues with around 20,000 people each year, and turns into a huge party afterwards.
Place to do this: Buñol, Spain (near Valencia).
Estimated cost: 28-40€.
When: last Wednesday of August.

Tomatina is a festival of the biggest food fight in the world.
Bucket List Item #5: Watch a Live Game of the World Cup
The World Cup is so much more than just football (or soccer if you're from the US). This event happens only once every four years, and brings people from all over the world. Going to a normal football game is fun, but the World Cup just radiates this energy like no other.
Place to do this: 2026 USA & Mexico
Estimated cost: $500- $1,000.
When: June 11th – July 29th, 2026.

The opening game of the World Cup in Moscow, Russia
Bucket List Item #6: Sleep in a Hanging Capsule
When it comes to accommodation, there are some pretty cool places out there. But Sky Lodge Adventure Suites are so more than just a place to stay, they are the ultimate bucket list item. Climb to the top of a mountain and sleep in a clear capsule hanging on the side of the mountain. Click below to hear more about this million-star hotel!
Place to do this: Sacred Valley, Peru (near Cusco).
Estimated cost: $500/ person.
When: Any time. *Book well in advance*.

Skylodge Adventure Suites are a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Bucket List Item #7: Visit One of the 7 Wonders
This one pretty much speaks for itself! There are seven world wonders- both new and old. Each one is unique and wonderful in its own way. We would say that each one of these classifies as a bucket list item. Here are all of the ones you can visit.
*Note: The Old wonders of the world (with the exception of the Pyramids of Giza) are no longer in tact, and just have very few remains. However, the new wonders of the world are all able to be seen to this day.
Estimated cost:
- Pyramids of Giza- 80 Egyptian pounds (about $5 USD) to visit, 200 pounds (about $12.50 USD) to enter inside the pyramid.
- Machu Picchu- tours vary from $150- $400 for 3-4 day treks, and up to 700 for the original Inca trail. Check out our guide for more details.
- Christ the Redeemer- $24 in the high season and $12 in the low season
- Chichen Itza- entry 480 pesos (about $21 USD)
- Taj Mahal- INR 1050 for foreigners (about $14 USD)/ !NR 45 for locals
- Great Wall of China- about $30
- Colosseum- 12 euros
- Petra- day ticket 50 JD (£57 / 70 USD), two-day ticket 55 JD, 3-day ticket 60 JD
When: Anytime/ most of these attractions have standard hours from 9-5, with some variations.





Bucket List Item #8: Witness Sea Turtles Hatching
Imagine an adorable army of baby sea turtles waddling their way towards the ocean. Watching sea turtles hatch and make it home is a truly magical experience.
In some places, the locals know at just which moment the turtles will climb their way out of the sand, and others have programs where you can dig them out and help them crawl out.

Baby sea turtles hatching in Pipa, Brazil
Best place to do this: Pipa, Brazil.
Other places to do this: Tortuguero National Park, Costa Rica/ Kosgoda, Sri Lanka/ Cozumel, Mexico/ Ras al Jinz, Oman/ Palau Tioman, Malaysia/ Tofu Beach/ Mozambique/ Port Barton, Phillipines/ Iztuzu, Turkey/ Puerto Vallarta, Mexico/ Cambutal, Panama/ Jekyll Island, Georgia, USA.
Estimated cost: Certain beaches are free of charge, and special reserves such as the ones in Central America and the US can charge from $20-55/person for tours.
When: Turtle hatching season is for a few months a year, normally in summer, and months vary depending on the country.
- Brazil: October to May
- Costa Rica: Caribbean coast: July-October & March-May.
- Pacific coast: October-February & July-November.
- Sri Lanka: November to May
- Mexico: March to November (height from July to September)
Bucket List Item #9: Walk on Water
Salt flats are not only mesmerizing for the endless plains of white, but they also provide a mirror effect during rainy season, making it look like you are walking on water! This bucket list item can be. experienced in several different countries throughout the world.
Best place to do this: Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia
Other places to do this: Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah, USA/ Atacama desert, Chile/ Lake Eyre, Australia/ Makgadikgadi Pan, Botswana/ Salinas Grandes, Argentina/ Salar de Arizaro, Argentina/ Chott el Djerid, Tunisia/ Namak Lake, Iran.
Estimated cost: Free to access on your own/ tours $100- $300 (multi day)
When: This effect is only visible after it has rained. Here are the best times to visit:

Uyuni Salt Flats, Bolivia
Bucket List Item #10: See the Northern Lights
The northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, are a spectacular natural light show visible at certain times of the year. Visible in just some Northern countries, these are rare to see and not guaranteed at any moment, but if seen are truly a dreamy experience.
Places to do this: Iceland, Canada, Alaska, Sweden, Norway, Minnesota (the more North and remote areas you go in any of these places are where you have the best chances)
Estimated cost: free on your own/ tours are around $75-250.
When: late August to mid April (best chances September to March).
Bucket List Item #11: Paraglide Off of a Volcano
Take a thirty minute flight with the best views. An exhilarating ride will take you from the summit of the volcano, through the clouds and finish on the beach. If you love adventure than this is for you! Don't forget to get the video on film with a GoPro.
Best place to do this: El Teide Volcano, Tenerife- Canary Islands, Spain.
Other places to do this: Mt. Haleakalā, Maui- Hawaii, USA/ Pico de Orizaba, Mexico/ Kamchatka, Russia.
Estimated cost: $100-$150.
When: Anytime.

Paragliding off of El Teide Volcano in Tenerife, Spain
Bucket List Item #12: Get Colorful at Holi Festival
Holi Festival is a popular ancient Hindu festival, also known as the Indian "festival of spring" or "festival of colors". The festival signifies the victory of good over evil, and is celebrated by the streets turning rainbow, as people throw different colored powders at one another.
Where to do this: Northern India- anywhere near Delhi/Mathura & Vrindavan.
Estimated cost: $10-15 entry + colors/ $30-35 with T-shirt & lunch.
When: March, when Spring starts, depending on Hindu Calendar.

Transform your photos
One click is all it takes to make your photos look stunning. Get our latest package of Lightroom presets, Into The Wild.
Bucket List Item #13: Go Sand-Boarding in the Desert
Sure snowboarding is fun, but have you ever tried sand boarding? It's exactly what it sounds like. Slide down the sand dunes on a board and enjoy the thrill of boarding all year round (without having to bundle up in a million layers)!
Best place to do this: Cerro Negro Volcano, Nicaragua.
Other places to do this: Huacachina, Peru/ Siwa, Egypt/ Mosca, Colorado, USA/ Natal, Brazil/ Tottori, Japan/ Hirshau, Germany/ Stockton Bight Sand Dunes, Australia/ Marina, California, USA/ Atlantis Dunes, South Africa/ Copiapo, Chile/ Florence, Oregon, USA/ Oostduinkerke, Belgium.
Estimated cost: $15-30 in Central and South America, $70 tours in South Africa, and $100- $150 to purchase board and go on your own.
When: Anytime.

