We don't entirely believe what they say that says you can traverse the world and never find anyplace as hospitable as home.
Our earth is home to some incredibly friendly nations, ready to share the love they feel for their country with you, from the ever-bright people of Sri Lanka to the renown open-armed inhabitants of New Zealand.
In the Readers' Choice Awards for 2022, voters will once again select the nations they believe to have the friendliest populace.
10. Philippines
The inclusion of the 7,641 island nation of the Philippines in the top 10 is evidence that the famed Filipino hospitality is still very much alive and well. The nation has frequently been complimented for its seeming ease in showing genuine hospitality to guests, foreigners, or expatriates.
Despite the fact that there are many other stunning places in this region, the Banaue Rice Terraces are frequently referred to as the "Eighth Wonder of the World." Majestic mountain ranges, ornate churches, and expansive sandy beaches abound all over the islands.
9. Sri Lanka
Sri Lankans, young and old, are renowned for their warmth toward guests and their desire to assist. On the south coast, go whale watching in Mirissa, shop in the vibrant boutiques of Galle, or stay at the ultra-luxe Cape Weligama hotel, perched on a cliff right next to the water.
Climb Sigiriya Rock for sweeping vistas of the country's tea plantations or go to the Tea District for access to the country's tea farms through perilous curving roads.
8. Belize
Belize has a wide range of cultures, traditions, and histories, earning it the moniker "the melting pot of Central America" from educator and human rights activist Sebastian Cayetano.
Many tourists take advantage of the ideal snorkeling conditions by visiting Hopkins Village, on the coast of the Stann Creek District, where you can watch cassava bread being made (it takes two days to prepare), and hiking the waterfalls at Bocawina National Park.
Others head to the Belize Barrier Reef to see the coral garden or go underground to explore the caves, dripping with flora and fauna.
7. Peru
Peru is a country that seems to encompass every scenery you could imagine, as it is home to no less than 28 of the world's 32 climates. From the rough Andes, the world's longest continental mountain range, to the lush Amazon basin, and bordering the edges, some quite gorgeous, albeit unusual, shoreline.
Although the Lost City of Choquequirao is far larger, locals will tell you that the 15th-century Inca citadel of Machu Picchu is the most well-known site in the country (though harder to reach on foot).
6. Botswana
The inhabitants of this country are known as Batswanas, and they are always upfront about being proud of their culture, which places a strong emphasis on honoring the elderly and eye contact (avoiding this is thought to be suspicious).
Game reserves and safaris are significant business in this region, which is spread throughout the Kalahari Desert and the Okavango Delta. Open jeep trips take tourists past fossilized river gorges, undulating grasslands, and a variety of animals, including giraffes and hyenas.
5. Costa Rica
Whether they are drawn to Costa Rica by the promise of a hiking trip through sloth-inhabited rainforest, an adrenaline rush on the rapids of free-flying rivers, or, and this one is not to be understated, the promise of some of the best coffee in the world, the country is a popular destination for a wide melting pot of people.
4. Thailand
Thailand is a country of contrasts, taking visitors from streets where you can hardly move for people, tuk tuks, and street food vendors to sprawling spa resorts that feel almost deserted.
These contrasts range from the bustling hypermarkets and twinkling skyscrapers of Bangkok to the calm, azure waters of Khao Lak and Pranburi.
A quick visit may also take in Koh Phi Phi, made famous as the location for Leonardo DiCaprio's film The Beach, Phuket, an island crammed with flashy, opulent hotels that lure tourists in droves, and Chiang Mai's stunning ancient temples.
3. New Zealand
The indigenous Mori people of New Zealand, who are renowned throughout the world for their easygoing outlook on life, have only lived on the island for 800 years.
And it's possible that the Mori people were the ones to initiate the welcoming attitude toward outsiders, with the concept of manaakitanga (Mori meaning hospitality) serving to elevate the value of friendly giving among the locals. Manaakitanga is a show of mutual regard for others.
2. Colombia
Upon arriving, one can instantly sense Colombia's vibrant, audacious, and open-minded culture. Cities give way to expanses of lush jungle, accentuated by the peaks of mountains (whose paths weave in and out), and at the base, a developing marine ecology with beaches that are honey-hued and coral reefs that are multicolored.
In other words, it's tough to avoid getting sucked into the music, the upbeat environment, and the spirit of life here.
1. French Polynesia
According readers, French Polynesia, a grouping of more than 100 islands in the South Pacific, is the friendliest nation in the world. It is a year-round destination due to the pleasant climate, and the inhabitants are more than willing to make accommodations.
Divers love the coral-fringed lagoons here, hikers enjoy the imposing waterfalls, varied, mountainous terrain, and exotic plant life, and honeymooners love the over-water hotels that make it a popular destination. The archipelagos are divided into the Austral, Gambier, Marquesas, Society, and Tuamotu.
