With the exception of a road trip where it’s a necessity, having access to a car on a vacation can often be more trouble than it’s worth.
There’s traffic congestion and parking woes, not to mention sky-high rental and nightly fees to park a vehicle. All of this cuts into well-deserved relaxation time that could be better spent taking a scenic stroll or lounging by the pool.
An alternate approach can be to choose a destination that is conveniently free of all cars.
In these idyllic locales, forms of transportation tend to adopt a slow-living vibe, and might include bicycles, horse-drawn carriages, golf carts, bicycles and, of course, your own two feet.
And it’s not just islands that are car-free. Some inland or even coastal communities around the world have decided ‘enough is enough’ and banned cars altogether.
In this article
Horse-Drawn Carriages are a Mainstay of this Charming Michigan Island
Mackinac Island (psst: it’s pronounced “Mackinaw”) is a charming 3.8-square-mile island in Michigan that’s entirely free of honking cars.
There are many late-19th century white buildings that resemble a movie set, and the main way to get around is by hailing a horse-drawn carriage, after arriving by ferry from either St. Ignace or Mackinaw City.
Choose a historic hotel such as Hotel Iroquois, Grand Hotel, or The Inn at Stonecliffe, which all date back to the early 1900s and flaunt brightly-hued decor. On a recent trip, I rented a bicycle downtown for more independence, and so I could venture beyond the crowds.
Glide Along Ancient Canals in Italy
My first time in Venice came with a major faux pas. I made an off-hand comment that I was going to catch a cab and someone looked at me like I was crazy, because there are no cabs.
In Venice, Italy, the only way to explore the ancient car-free city is on foot, or by gondola, public water taxi, or bicycle.
And the gondolas are more than just a romantic activity; they help locals navigate the city’s many canals and lagoons and are a quicker alternative to walking across the bridges that connect neighborhoods.
To further celebrate Venice’s tie to gondolas, book a gondola sight-seeing tour so you can check off the major sites, including Bridge of Sighs, Grand Canal, Rialto Bridge and St. Mark’s Square, which are a must for any traveler to Venice, a city founded in 421 AD.
Explore ‘Pura Vida’ in Las Catalinas, Costa Rica
While not in the official Blue Zone (nearby Nicoya Peninsula is one of five health-minded destinations around the world said to see increased longevity), Las Catalinas is a car-free, walkable beach town along the Pacific coast in northwest Costa Rica that embodies many of the same philosophies.
It was founded in 2006, and is home to many inviting shops and boutiques, health-minded dining, and destination-worthy hotels such as Casa Chameleon’s 21 luxury villas. They’re all within a short stroll of one another for a vacation that’s free of stressful driving.
Cruise a Mexican Island in a Golf Cart
Let's call this one an honorary mention. While driving a car isn't outright illegal on Isla Mujeres, it is highly discouraged and simply a bad idea. You can bring a vehicle via car ferry but the streets are much too narrow to accommodate modern-day vehicles, making it a very hazardous and stressful choice.
Going car-free on Isla Mujeres, however, is a welcome escape from Cancun’s crowded resorts and beaches. Named by Spanish explorers in 1517, the relaxed 5-mile-wide island is located 13 miles off the coast, and requires only a 20-minute ferry ride from Cancun International Airport.
Most visitors get around on a golf cart and you’ll need that if you want to hit up a lot of beaches, snorkel above underwater art sculptures at the MUSA (Underwater Museum of Art), or check out the nightlife on Calle Miguel Hidalgo.
Most hotels are small and charming, including Hotel Secreto found on Playa Norte with a rooftop bar.
The Shortcut
Mackinac Island's 3.8 square miles are covered entirely by horse-drawn carriage, bike, or foot, with cars banned since the 1898.
A 20-minute ferry from Cancun gets you to Isla Mujeres, where a golf cart is the best way to reach the underwater art museum and the island's beaches.
Venice runs on gondolas and water taxis instead of cabs. Better yet, get lost on foot. It's the best way to experience the city.
Las Catalinas doesn't have the Blue Zone label but borrows its slower pace with walkable streets, health-minded dining, and villas all within a short stroll of each other.
Even when driving is an option, it doesn't make it the best one. Here are 6 more times when you shouldn't rent a car abroad.
