Top Alcohol-Free Holiday Destination
Sober tourism is on the rise. More and more people are choosing to go on alcohol-free holidays. So where should you visit on your next dry holiday? Do you want booze-free beaches, stunning landscapes or sober glamour? Well, fortunately, there are many top holiday destinations around the world that are perfect for your next alcohol-free trip!
What is Sober Tourism?
Sober tourism is the name given to the rising trend of people planning holidays where they do not drink at all. There is a growing industry of travel agents, resorts and group trips springing up to support the rise in alcohol-free travel. But you don’t need to use an alcohol-free travel agent to plan your own sober holiday.
Sober Tourism does not refer only to people who are already sober going on holiday. It also refers to those who are sober curious and want to test out how enjoyable dry holidays might be.
Why Does Your Alcohol-Free Holiday Destination Matter?
The holiday destination you choose to visit is going to impact your dry holiday experience. Some holiday destinations, such as Ayia Napa, Magaluf and Mykonos, are more set up for boozy partygoers. This makes avoiding alcohol somewhat harder and means that a lot of tourist activities are likely to revolve around alcohol. Other places are more set up to enjoy with or without alcohol!
Our Top Favourite Alcohol-Free Holiday Destinations
Here are some of our favourite alcohol-free holiday destinations that are perfect to enjoy on your next dry holiday.
Malaysia
Alcohol is highly taxed and highly restricted in Malaysia. Whilst it is still available, and in some places such as Kuala Lumpur and Langkawi easier to find, in other places it can be hard to come by. In some states (Kelantan and Terengganu) there is a complete ban on alcohol.
This means that there is not a strong alcohol culture in Malaysia and you can easily avoid it. Instead of drinking, there are endless beautiful places to explore, stunning beaches to relax on and delicious foods to eat. On top of that, there are so many different alcohol-free drinks available. My personal favourite is Kopi-ais - which is iced coffee made with condensed milk!
So why not enjoy all the alcohol-free attractions such as visiting the Batu Caves, diving in Perhentian and searching for pygmy elephants in the state of Sabah?
Morocco
Alcohol is not readily available in Morocco and does not play a strong part in its culture. You cannot consume alcohol in public or somewhere without a license. This makes it the perfect place for sober tourism because most tourist activities are completely free from alcohol here.
Morocco has many incredible ancient cities that are stunning to wander around. You can watch the stars from the Saharan desert or hike in the Atlas mountains. And, after a long day of haggling in colourful markets in the Medina, you can sit back and relax in a traditional Hammam where you can steam, soap, scrub and get a massage.
If you are unsure what to drink they consume a huge variety of different alcohol-free drinks in Morocco. From Moroccan coffee (which is strong with a hint of cardamom), rose or mint tea, Amlou, Sharbat or Jus de Bissap, you will have plenty of alcohol-free drinks to choose from.
Peru
Whilst alcohol is easy to get hold of in Peru, it is still a very exciting place to visit on a booze-free holiday due to the amount of traditional alcohol-free drinks available there. There are many unique, traditional alcohol-free drinks in Peru made from fruit. You can try some of the following:
Huitochado - a syrup made from fruits that have fallen from the Huito tree. It is known as “the aphrodisiac of the Peruvian jungle”.
Aguajina - This is made from the mashed, filtered, and sweetened fruit of the aguaje palm tree.
Siete Raíces (seven roots) - This is a herbal formula used as an energy drink and an aphrodisiac as it stimulates the pleasure centre of your brain.
Mate de coca - This is a herbal infusion that is made by steeping coca leaves. It is not the same as Mate found in Argentina.
Chicha Morada. This is an incredibly commonly found drink made of boiled purple corn and pineapple rinds.
And many, many more drinks.
As you can see Peru is worth a visit for its delicious alcohol-free drinks alone. Not to mention the stunning nature, the Amazon Rainforest, the rich archaeological history in places like Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley and Cusco, and the buzzing cities like Lima.
Sweden
Although alcohol is readily available in Sweden, it is more difficult to purchase and more expensive than in many other European countries. Alcohol must be purchased from very specific shops called Systembolagets and can only be purchased at specific times. It is also highly taxed. All of this means that it is easy to avoid purchasing alcohol and you are less likely to stick out by choosing not to drink. This is actually similar in many parts of Scandinavia.
For alcohol-free connoisseurs, Sweden is a great place to visit because it is very much at the forefront of the growing alcohol-free movement. In fact 1 in 3 Swedes give up alcohol for at least a month a year, and as such, there is a huge and growing alcohol-free industry.
But, beyond its delicious alcohol-free drinks, Sweden is a top destination. It offers a stunning coastland, incredible inland lakes and beautiful glaciated mountains and forests. It is the perfect place for a cycling, hiking or kayaking holiday, or to enjoy a chilled fika.
Parts of the USA
It may surprise you that we have included the USA on a list of top sober holiday spots. But more specifically in the USA, we can recommend visiting Utah and LA among other places.
Utah is an excellent dry holiday destination. Nearly 60% of the state belongs to the Mormon church which does not allow its members to drink alcohol. This means that alcohol is not nearly as common as in other states. So it is easy to explore places like Salt Lake City or Moab without feeling any pressure to drink. Utah is also home to 5 stunning national marks Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon and Zion. These are beautiful hiking, biking, climbing and even slacklining locations!
Los Angeles is another excellent and maybe more glamorous sober holiday destination. Whilst this is a city filled with alcohol, it is also a place where many people are very health conscious. So it is a haven of delicious vegan restaurants, exciting alcohol-free drinks and healthy living. Here you can enjoy the glamour of Hollywood or the laid-back vibes of Venice Beach whilst embracing a fully healthy and conscious lifestyle.
For the Perfect Sober Holiday Drinks Sign Up for the JOMO Club
Want something nice to bring on holiday or drink on your staycation? Or will you bring your favourite alcohol-free beverage with you? Then make sure to sign up for an alcohol-free subscription box with the JOMO Club now.
Your JOMO Club alcohol-free subscription will get you a box filled to the brim with alcohol-free goodies, directly to your front door. Each box is thoughtfully curated using hand-selected products that we personally think taste amazing and interesting.
So if you want to explore the world of alcohol-free drinks, and discover the small brands you can’t find in the supermarket, then make sure to sign up for a JOMO alcohol-free subscription. It will take your alcohol-free holiday to the next level!