After literal years of having to put plans on the back burner, we can all start planning our escape to a country that is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful in the world. Pack your hiking boots and LOTR citations, as New Zealand’s otherworldly landscapes are finally reopening.

On these islands, you can’t help but wonder how a small country with roughly the same land area as Colorado can be so breathtakingly beautiful in so many different ways. Travel from golden beaches along turquoise waters to tranquil valleys fringed by towering snow-capped mountains to majestic fjords where land and sea meet in the most dramatic way.

However, such a small piece of land is surprisingly difficult to cover in a short time. The most popular tourist destinations are split between the two largest islands in the country, the North Island and the South Island, which you will either have to fly or take the approximately 3.5 hour ferry between they. That being said, we’ll give you a good starting point. Here’s what you need to know to visit newly reopened New Zealand and some of the best places to go.

What you need to know to enter New Zealand now

After closing its borders in March 2020, New Zealand has implemented some of the strictest travel restrictions in the world throughout the pandemic, previously following a zero COVID strategy. Just over two years later, the country is finally welcoming international visitors. From May 1, the New Zealand border will open to visa-exempt travellers, i.e. passport holders from countries and territories who do not have to apply for a visa before traveling to New Zealand. -Zealand. This includes the United States, but keep in mind that visa-exempt travelers still need to obtain a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority before travelling, which is like a mini-visa you get by filling out a form in line. Travelers from other countries and territories not on the visa waiver list can visit New Zealand from October.

To enter the country as a non-New Zealand citizen, you will need proof of vaccination, unless you meet one of the other exemption criteria. This means proof of a full course (may be one dose or two depending on the vaccine) of a COVID-19 vaccine that is on the list of 35 approved vaccines. You will also need a negative COVID-19 test before departure, so either a PCR test taken within 48 hours of boarding your flight, or a rapid antigen test or LAMP test taken within 24 hours following boarding. Finally, you will need to complete a New Zealand Traveler’s Declaration prior to check-in.

Once you arrive in New Zealand, there is no requirement to self-isolate, but you are obliged to take two rapid antigen tests: one on the day of your arrival and one five days later. You will receive the pack with these tests at the airport along with instructions on how to communicate your results by email or telephone. It’s definitely on the extra security side – and well worth it considering the wonders that await you.

Places to visit in the North Island

Culture-hop then island-hop in Auckland

Anyone flying to New Zealand will most likely land first in Auckland, the country’s largest city. Here, you can stroll through top-notch museums like the impressive Auckland War Memorial Museum, take in the views from the top of the 328-meter-tall Sky Tower, and enjoy plenty of shopping and dining in neighborhoods hipsters like Ponsonby and Britomart. If you’re ready to be pampered, stay at the Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbor hotel, which offers luxurious and iconic views of the city. For something more affordable, there are no shortage of hostels aimed at backpackers, of which Haka Lodge is a favorite.

But while in Auckland, you shouldn’t limit your time in the city center. There are a few gorgeous islands in the Hauraki Gulf perfect for day trips just a ferry ride away. Discover Waiheke Island, nicknamed “Wine Island” because of its dozens of vineyards and wineries, and Rangitoto Island, where you can hike to the top of a dormant volcano.

Hang low on the beaches or high on the peaks of the Coromandel Peninsula

Just east of Auckland is the Coromandel Peninsula, and here you can really kick off your outdoor explorations among stunning sandy beaches and densely forested mountains. For the first, head to Cathedral Cove to see the photo that’s all over Instagram: a view from inside a vaulted cavern overlooking white sand and a craggy rock formation rising out of blue waves. Nearby is Hot Water Beach, where you can dig a hole in the sand until naturally heated mineral water flows, creating your own personal hot pool.

After hanging by the water’s edge, head up into the mountains on the Pinnacles Walk or the Kauaeranga Kauri Trail, considered one of the country’s most popular night walks. Technically, you could hike the 12 kilometer trail in a single day, but a good reason to split the hike into two is so you can watch the sunrise from the jagged peak.

Places to visit in the South Island

Get the adrenaline pumping in Queenstown

Thrill seekers should make a pilgrimage to Queenstown, which lays claim to the title of “Adventure Capital of the World”. This bustling center next to Lake Wakatipu is full of tourists, and for good reason. From here you can go bungee jumping, skydiving, paragliding, rafting, river surfing (yes, surfing! on the river rapids!), jet boating, canyoning, and more. Of course, there’s no shortage of hiking options, and if you only have time for one trail, make it the Queenstown Hill Loop, which gives you great views of the mountains, lake, and river.

After all that exertion and excitement, there’s no better way to relax than a visit to the Onsen Hot Pools, where you can relax in a private cedar hot tub overlooking the canyon. To refuel, many people will point you to Ferburger, a burger joint that always seems to have a queue outside its door. Other delicious options include Botswana Butchery (hello, duck fat potatoes) and Pedro’s House of Lamb (come hungry to eat every last bite of the tender, slow-roasted shoulder of lamb).

Dazzle yourself with the watery cliffs of Fiordland

Want spectacular scenery? You’ll experience spectacular scenery in Fiordland, a glacier-carved region in the southwest. Here, countless waterfalls tumble over sheer green cliffs that dramatically shoot out of the serene, reflective waters. It’s a landscape that seems too good to be real, especially when the local bottlenose dolphins make an appearance.

Explore Fiordland on foot along one of New Zealand’s most famous multi-day hikes: the Milford Track (often listed as one of the best hikes in the world), the Kepler Track or the Routeburn Track. Another way to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of this region is to take a cruise in Milford Sound, which Rudyard Kipling called the eighth wonder of the world, or Doubtful Sound, which is the deepest of the country’s fjords.

Admire the mountains and lakes near Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park

With the Southern Alps stretching the length of the South Island, there are plenty of destinations for mountain lovers to explore, but one not to be missed is Aoraki/Mount Cook, the highest of New Zealand, culminating at over 12,000 feet. Only experienced climbers should attempt to summit it, but don’t worry because there are plenty of other trails in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park for, you know, the rest of us. The Hooker Valley Track is one of the most traveled, balancing a relatively easy trail that crosses swing bridges with incredible views of a glacial lake surrounded by mountains.

Near Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, you’ll find two other must-see lakes: Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki. At the first you can enjoy the shocking turquoise color of the water during the day, and at night you can be dazzled by the sea of ​​stars above you from the Mount John Observatory (the area is part of of an International Dark Sky Reserve). Pro tip for enjoying Lake Pukaki: Pick up some fresh salmon sashimi at Mount Cook Alpine Salmon, sit on a picnic table outside, and soak up that incredible view of another view at Breathtaking.

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