Have you ever been somewhere so wild and untamed that it feels like you’ve landed in a Jurassic Park movie? You find these real-life “Lost World” locations all over the globe, from South America and Europe to the United States and beyond.
Wherever you encounter them, they showcase raw and untouched nature at such a scale they leave you speechless. Sound like your kind of place? Read on to discover 12 of the wildest and most beautiful nature destinations on Earth.
1. Angel Falls, Venezuela
Rising almost 1000 meters from the lush rainforest below, Angel Falls is the highest uninterrupted waterfall on the planet. Words don’t do it justice.
This sublime display of nature is atmospheric, captivating, and totally something you’d expect to see in Jurassic Park. Adding to the adventure is the fact you can’t drive or walk here. The only access is by boat from Canaima village.
2. Hawaii
You can’t write an article about Lost-World-esque destinations without mentioning Kauai, Maui, and Oahu. These iconic Hawaiian islands are where Steven Spielberg filmed the original Jurassic Park movies. With jagged cliffs coated in a carpet of forest, clouds drifting through steep ravines, and gorgeous emerald oceans all around, this magical place provided an ideal setting.
3. Norway’s Fjords
Norway is another country where Mother Nature shows her might. Powerful waterfalls roar down enormous cliffs. Rivers tumble and snake through paradisiacal valleys. And lakes sit around every corner. While Norway’s majestic fjords feel particularly worthy of a Jurassic Park scene or two, most of this magical Nordic country would suit the role.
4. Fiordland, New Zealand
Head to the southwest of New Zealand’s South Island, and you eventually arrive at the country’s Fiordland. Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound await – two wild and beautiful places characterized by giant cliffs covered in bush, steeped in mist, and dozens of raging waterfalls.
5. Iceland
Iceland has something ethereal and otherworldly about it. Expect dramatic waterfalls, volcanoes, black sand beaches, geysers, and misty mountains covered in forest. Iceland might be colder than you’d expect for Jurassic Park, but the diverse landscapes and scenery would fit the bill.
6. Machu Picchu Peru
For a long time, Peru’s most iconic tourist attraction, Machu Picchu, was an actual Lost World. A Yale University lecturer, Hiram Bingham III, stumbled upon it in his quest to find the Lost City of the Incas in 1911. Sure, the site may feel more like Indiana Jones than Jurassic Park. But the surrounding area? Those towering peaks covered in dense rainforest have definite Lost World vibes.
7. Papa New Guinea
Papa New Guinea is an island nation located in the South Pacific. It’s remote, wild, and precisely the kind of place you could imagine seeing a dinosaur. Expect striking mountain ranges, dozens of volcanoes, and dense tropical rainforests. Papa New Guinea also sits on the “Ring of Fire,” which sounds exactly like something you’d find in a Lost World. This 25,000-mile-long arc along the Pacific Ocean is renowned for its seismic and volcanic activity.
8. Vikos Gorge, Greece
When most people think of Greece, they picture ancient monuments, pristine beaches, and whitewashed buildings overlooking turquoise seas. However, venture northwest to the Pindus Mountains, and you’ll encounter something totally different. The mighty Vikos Gorge is 1000 meters deep and extends 32 kilometers through breathtaking terrain. This is Greece’s answer to the Grand Canyon – an awe-inspiring place that feels very much like a Lost World.
9. Krabi, Thailand
Vast swathes of Thailand belong in a Jurassic Park movie. Yet Krabi’s steep limestone cliffs, distinctive mountains, dense verdant vegetation, and picturesque islands deserve special mention. The entire region has a mystical, exotic, and otherworldly ambiance. It’s also insanely beautiful.
10. Nepal
If Steven Spielberg ever made a “high-altitude” version of Jurassic Park, Nepal would be the perfect location. This is as raw and untamed as nature gets. The country’s towering mountains, sweeping valleys, and lush forests are so impressive they make your jaw drop. You might not associate dinosaurs with snowcapped mountains. Still, there’s definitely a sense of age and mystery to Nepal that ignites a Lost-World-esque energy.
11. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
If you ignore the skyscrapers, the area around Rio de Janeiro feels very much like a Lost World. This bustling metropolis is surrounded by and nestled amongst nature. Lush forests, verdant mountains, and sandy beaches are everywhere. To the untrained eye, the entire city feels reclaimed by nature – much like Isla Nublar in the Jurassic Park movies.
12. Bali, Indonesia
Last but not least is the famous Indonesian island of Bali. Another diverse and exotic destination, it’s covered in volcanoes, waterfalls, rice paddies, and tropical rainforests. With glorious beaches, nearby islands, and age-old temples to explore, you can see why millions of people visit each year.
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