Vietnam crab exportersoft-shell crab exporter
Share your disability story with us She moved for her health What is TSA Gold+? Commemorate America's 250
Tourist Destinations

These US cities are among the happiest destinations in the world

Portrait of Eve Chen Eve Chen
USA TODAY
Updated July 30, 2026, 8:18 p.m. ET

Disneyland is known as the Happiest Place on Earth, but travelers may have somewhere else in mind.

Irish travel insurance specialists JustCover analyzed more than one million online reviews of tourist venues in 155 global destinations to see where visitors felt happiest.

Based on how often travelers expressed joy and happiness in reviews of places like local attractions, restaurants and hotels, the study named Tulum, Mexico, as the happiest destination worldwide and ranked Las Vegas highest in the U.S.

"Six U.S. destinations ranked among the top 15, showing there’s no single formula for the perfect vacation. Happiness can come from the energy of cities like New York City and Las Vegas or from slowing down and reconnecting with nature in places like Maui," JustCover Director Peter Clark told USA TODAY by email.

The skyline of Las Vegas, Nevada, including hotels and casinos on Las Vegas Boulevard, known as the Las Vegas Strip, is seen from an airplane, February 5, 2024.

Where people feel happiest on vacation

  1. Tulum, Mexico
  2. Soufrière, Saint Lucia
  3. Oaxaca, Mexico
  4. Las Vegas
  5. Maui, Hawaii
  6. New York City
  7. Cappadocia, Turkey
  8. Rio de Janeiro
  9. Chicago
  10. Toronto
  11. Maldives
  12. Austin
  13. New Orleans
  14. Bora Bora, French Polynesia
  15. Positano, Italy

As much as travelers appear to enjoy these destinations, it's worth noting the State Department advises Americans to exercise increased caution in many of those international locations, due to safety concerns. A worldwide caution was also issued earlier in July, amid heightened tensions in the Middle East. Travelers can find the latest travel advisories and country-specific guidance on the State Department's website.

If you purchase through our links, the USA Today Network may earn a commission. Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change.

Featured Weekly Ad