Top 10 cities where travelers are likely to roam this summer

Visa arrival data reveals the global travel spots trending with North American travelers

North American travelers may be heading south for the summer. Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires and Colombia’s Aburra Valley are the top trending travel destinations, according to Visa International Travel (VISIT) data.* The Rio 2016 Olympic Games could explain the lift for Rio and neighboring cities but the top 10 paints a more global picture. Take a visual trip through our slideshow via Chiang Mai, Thailand, Salerno, Italy and beyond for a closer look.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Rio’s generous boost in tourism during the Olympic Games might explain its #1 status according to Visa arrival data. Still, this view of the city and Sugarloaf Mountain, declared a Unesco World Heritage Site in 2012, hint to another reason North American travelers are loving it most.

Buenos Aires, Argentina

The European charm of the Recoleta neighborhood combined with the cosmopolitan vibe of Palermo Soho never disappoint visitors to Buenos Aires. Add a dash of tango on the streets of San Telmo to your travel menu and now you’re cooking.

Aburra Valley, Colombia

Travel by bike or hike through Colombia’s Aburra Valley, the third destination seeing arrival growth from North American travelers. Explore the Andean Region for outdoor adventure (bird-watching, mountain biking and more) and Spanish colonial charm.

Salerno, Italy

Located between the Amalfi Coast and Cilento National Park (a paradise of jagged coastline and lush hillside), the coastal town of Salerno has more to offer than a ferry ride to Capri. Enjoy fun nightlife, seafood galore, museums and more.

Lisbon, Portugal

Built over seven hills, Lisbon has become a rising destination with affordable appeal. Hop on an antique streetcar through cobbled streets for a ride-by view of Spanish-tiles homes, castles and cathedrals. Growing green spaces are the perfect spots to take in the city’s world-renowned live music. Rock, jazz and classical? Take your pick.

Tulum, Mexico

Unplug on the chill beaches of Tulum, arguably one of the most beautiful on Mexico’s east coast. Eco-friendly hotels, massages and yoga on the beach and talk-of-the-world restaurants make this destination a dreamy anytime getaway. Awe-inducing Mayan ruins included.

Krabi, Thailand

Pristine beaches, caves, jungles and 200 little islands to explore (if you have the time) are just some of the treats Krabi has to offer. Buddhist shrines in the famous Tiger Cave make the trip more than a typical beach vacation, though scuba diving and rock climbing are still within reach.

Cartagena, Colombia

This colorful fishing village turned travel hotspot charms tourists with colonial architecture, outdoor cafes and coral reefs (the latter reachable by boat to Islas del Rosario). It’s also one of the safest areas in Colombia, according to the U.S. State Department. A must-see and can’t miss is Cartagena’s historic San Felipe de Barajas castle.

Naples, Italy

Travelers embark on the road to Naples for its epicurean superiority—the birthplace of the Neopolitan pizza is noted on countless “best pizza in the world” lists—and architectural treasures. Naples historic center is a Unesco World Heritage Site with grand palaces, castles and churches that rival Rome.

Chiang Mai, Thailand

Get lost exploring 30 temples at the heart of Thailand’s Chiang Mai, which feels more like a country village than the country’s northern capital city. On weekends, the Night Bazaar attracts thrifty shoppers while restaurants deliver live music and traditional Thai dancers. Just outside the city are rainforests, waterfalls and hot springs and plenty of relaxing vacation delights.

*Visa International Travel (VISIT) database is a proprietary model that combines Visa's cardholder data with publicly-available cross-border arrival statistics. The database provides a comprehensive view into high-frequency cross-border travel flows, currently encompassing the top 82 origin and destination countries, which collectively account for more than 80 percent of global travel.

VISIT combines unique counts of Visa cardholders that register a face-to-face transaction at a merchant outside their home country in a given calendar month with other transaction data such as average spend per cardholder, card usage patterns at lodging merchants and others. Visa uses this data to econometrically model official arrival statistics compiled by various government sources and to generate estimates that fill in the large gaps existing in the cross-border travel data.

Sources: Visa Business and Economic Insights analysis based on VisaNet data and VISIT. Additional sources include Haver Analytics, the United Nations World Tourism Organization, Ministries of Tourism and other government agencies in selected countries.

Top 10 cities where travelers are likely to roam this summer

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