Nicaragua
Nicaragua certainly deserves to be noted as an up-and-coming destination for 2013, especially thanks to entrepreneur Carlos Pellas and his new luxury Mukul Resort and Spa. Nicaragua offers a diversity of virtually untapped adventure, the splendor of hiking volcanos, canopy tours and zip-lines, biking, scuba, and the best surfing in Central America. Plus, easy access from the United States. Enjoy Lake Nicaragua, with numerous fresh-water islands and views of Mombacho Volcano, howler monkeys, and an abundance of  tropical birds. Visit the colorful colonial city of Granada, dating back to 1524, with immaculate, colorful historical buildings. —Susan Sparks, Points of Interest Travel/Brownell Travel