As a fellow self-identifying hippie, I have to say that I get a special kind of joy at venturing to travel destinations with a large hippie population. These amazing hippie places always have a unique vibe– one of freedom and magic and love. 

There have been a few stand-out places that are forever ingrained in my memory. Some of these were expected, while others were surprising. 

Here is my list of 8 amazing hippie places around the world:

1. Pai, Thailand 

I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t put Pai on this list; I cannot even begin to describe the magic I felt in this town in northern Thailand. I spent about one week there and it might have been the best week of my life.

If I could relive one week of my life, it would be the one I spent in Pai. 

Pai has everything a hippie could ask for. Small town vibes with adorable cafes and coffee shops, beautiful waterfalls and forests, fields to lay in and run through, fun bars and local hangouts filled with backpackers and nomads. 

I have never in my life felt more present than I did in Pai. 

2. Finisterre, Spain

This is one of those places I would put on the ‘surprising’ list– I did not expect to find Finisterre, Spain to be a hippie hotspot. I also didn’t expect the magical vibes that I felt in my too-brief time there. 

Many people visit Finisterre after they walk the Camino de Santiago to Spain (you can read about that journey here). For this reason, it just so happens to be the tail end of a 1.5-month long trek for most people. They are exhausted, and yet so thoroughly alive. 

Every night when I was there, a giant group of hippies would flock down to the beach and build a giant bonfire against a cliff-side. They would drink wine and play different sorts of odd instruments for hours, singing and soaking in the brilliance of the night sky. 

Lots of people even slept on the beach in tents or sleeping bags! 

On the left is the big hippie bonfire on the beach!

3. Banos, Ecuador

Banos is one of my most favorite travel-adventure destinations, not just because of the hippie vibes, but also because there is SO MUCH TO DO. 

You want to go white-water rafting in the Amazon? Check. Jungle tour? Check. Canyoning? Check. Bungee jumping? Check. And the list goes on and on… Not only that, but everything is super affordable. 

I also must mention the nightlife… You wouldn’t expect this small town on the edge of the Amazon Jungle to have a good nightlife scene, but oh it does indeed. I met local Ecuadorians who even make the trip from Quito just for the nightlife scene. Incredible. 

I fondly remember dancing around my hostel with fellow travelers, basking in the sunshine, playing card games, exploring the incredible jungle, and visiting local tribes in the area. Banos is forever at the top of my favorite hippie places list. 

4. Bali, Indonesia

Who can blame me for putting Bali on this list? I think this is one of those hippie places that everyone knows– so many foreigners move here to live a life of natural scenery, organic fruits and veggies, and ocean-jungle living. 

Honestly, Bali has the best cafes with fruit bowls and smoothie bowls and yummy hand-crafted coffees. The wilderness is astounding, everything is super cheap, and the nightlife is so much fun. 

I would love love love to move to Bali for a few months and live that same kind of life. It’s even on my bucket list! 

5. Goa, India

I think Goa must be the hippie capital if there ever was one. One walk along the beach would tell you that. 

I’m going to be entirely honest; I’ve not yet had the fortune to visit Goa. But oh how I am itching to go. I’ve met lots of people that have gone and commend its hippie scene with absolute love and affection. Just go check out Youtuber Author Moore’s Goa videos and you’ll see. 

If you want to be utterly surrounded by hippie vibes, definitely hit up Goa. You won’t be disappointed. 

6. Pokhara, Nepal 

Many might put Kathmandu, Nepal on a list of hippie places to visit. I think I might too if I hadn’t had a chance to visit Pokhara. 

Magic. Bliss. Heaven. All words you could use to describe Pokhara. 

Situated on a large beautiful lake, Pokhara operates as a base for the Himalayas. It has a serene energy that is difficult to describe and some of the best views of the Himalayas you can get without going there. 

Amazing cafes, solid coffees, and fellow adventure travelers and hippies will greet you in the beautiful little town. Rent a boat and drift on the lake, go for a hike in the nearby mountainside, or paraglide with devastating Himalayan views. You’re going to be happy here. 

7. Taganga, Colombia 

I have to say, I probably could have put Medellin and Cartagena, Colombia on this list, too. However, there was something extra special about Santa Marta and the nearby town Minca. 

Both were much more small village vibes than city and these types of places have a more specific kind of adventurous soul. They are also both incredible entry points to Tayrona National Park, which is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen. It looked like a desktop screensaver. For real. Look:

Tayrona National Park, Colombia

I really loved the cozy hostels I stayed at and the great energy from other travelers. There were adorable local places to eat (I went to the same smoothie maker guy every morning, loved him so much!) and lots of self-exploration opportunities. I highly recommend adding this area to your Colombia itinerary. 

8. Cat Ba, Vietnam 

Cat Ba is the biggest island in Halong Bay and is a bit more untraveled because you have to take a one-hour boat ride to get there. Trust me, it’s totally worth it!

You’ll find spectacular beaches with some of the best Bay views, adorable local restaurants, and the beautiful Cat Ba National Park. Hippie vibes = immaculate. 

If you want a more off-the-grid place to add to your Southeast Asia itinerary, do not hesitate in Cat Ba. I think it’s one of the best experiences in Vietnam when it comes to hippie places.