To celebrate the release of Jurassic World, which hits our screens today, we rounded up the most Jurassic-esque destinations you can get in today’s world (without the dinosaurs, obviously). Here are the top seven destinations for people with a passion for the prehistoric.
Komodo Island, Indonesia
Komodo Island is located in the Wallacea Region of Indonesia and is best known for its resident species — the Komodo dragon. Rugged hillsides of dry savannah and pockets of thorny green vegetation contrast starkly with the brilliant, white sandy beaches and blue waters. The variety of marine life you can see in Komodo makes this island one of the world’s best dive destinations.
Flights from S$ 415 return (departing from Singapore 19 June, and returning 3 July)
Hotels from S$ 42 per night (3 star rating)
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Khao Sok, Thailand
For those keen to traverse terrain that ignites the imagination, Khao Sok National Park in southern Thailand should fit the bill. While there’s nothing to suggest prehistoric predators once scaled the jungle surrounding the park’s jaw-dropping limestone karsts, the park boasts an array of fauna including elephants, leopards, and a variety of monkeys. The world’s largest flower, the Rafflesia kerrii, can also be found here. The dry season between December and April is considered the best time to visit.
Flights from S$ 202 return (departing from Singapore 19 June, and returning 3 July)
Hotels from S$ 20 per night (3 star rating)
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The Tarkine, Tasmania
Remote and rugged, Tasmania’s Tarkine wilderness region is a land lost in time. Home to Australia’s largest cool temperate rainforest, visitors are sure to be blown away by the prehistoric tree canopy that towers above the many walking trails. A hub for biodiversity, the world’s only blackwood sinkhole, Dismal Swamp, can also be found here.
Flights from S$ 1,180 return (departing from Singapore 19 June, and returning 3 July)
Hotels from S$ 229 per night (3 star rating)
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Alberta, Canada
Home to a vast concentration of dinosaur bones, Dinosaur Provincial Park in the Canadian Badlands is a destination that should feature on every dino-lover’s ‘must visit’ list. Located in Alberta, a province in western Canada, over 500 specimens and approximately 40 species have been unearthed at this Unesco World Heritage Site. If fossicking for fossils isn’t your thing, the unusual wildlife and stunning landscapes are sure to get you reaching for your camera.
Flights from S$ 1,803 return (departing from Singapore 19 June, and returning 3 July)
Hotels from S$ 103 per night (3 star rating)
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Kaua’i, Hawaii
The smallest of Hawaii’s four main islands, Kaua’i is dubbed the ‘island of discovery’. Breathtaking natural tourist sites such as the Wailua River and Waimea Canyon are complemented by cascading waterfalls and native fish ponds.
Flights from S$ 2,109 return (departing from Singapore 19 June, and returning 3 July)
Hotels from S$ 106 per night (3 star rating)
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Cocos Island, Costa Rica
For adventure seekers with a stomach to withstand sea sickness, Cocos Island in the Pacific Ocean west of Costa Rica is the ultimate Jurassic journey. A 35-hour boat journey from the Costa Rican mainland, it’s easy to imagine dinosaurs roaming this tree-lined Island. Often referred to as ‘Little Galapagos’, Cocos Island has an abundance of rare wildlife both above and below the water. Keen divers can expect to encounter hammerhead sharks, whale sharks, sailfish, and giant manta rays. Given there are no accommodation options or facilities here, most visitors make their way from San José and stay on live-aboard boats.
Flights from S$ 1,730 return (departing from Singapore 19 June, and returning 3 July)
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Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
The Galapagos Islands are located off the coast of Ecuador. A mecca for exotic reptiles, mammals, plants and marine life, Galapagos is home to a diverse range of species – many of which are native to the volcanic archipelago. While Galapagos land iguanas, sea lions and flightless cormorant birds draw a lot of attention, the giant land tortoises are likely to be the main drawcard for dinosaur fans. While these endangered giants – the largest kind in the tortoise family – can be encountered in the wild, a captive breeding programme is also operated from the Charles Darwin Research Station.
Flights from S$ 11,261 return (departing from Singapore 19 June, and returning 3 July)
Hotels from S$ 76 per night (3 star rating)
Harald Toepfer/Shutterstock.com
