These are the best places in the world to disconnect and digital detox

Technology is an almost unavoidable part of life in the 21st century.

Between the draw of Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and endless work emails, many of us spend the majority of our waking hours staring at a screen. Studies have shown nearly 60 per cent of smartphone users check a social media platform five minutes before they go to bed and within 30 minutes of waking up.

It’s no surprise then that many of us are now looking to break the internet habit by disconnecting when we travel. So much so that the search term “digital detox” is ten times more popular than it was 15 years ago.

But where should you go to make the most of life away from your phone screen?

A study by Uswitch took a look at the top destinations for a digital detox using factors including internet speed and connectivity, things to do, places to stay and the travel time to the nearest city.

With little to tempt you back online, these locations are the best places in the world to switch off.

The Pitons, St Lucia

These twin volcanic peaks rise up more than 700m above St Lucia in the Caribbean. They are surrounded by hot springs, mineral-rich mud baths and lush forest. There are a number of ways to see these famous landmarks including hiking through the flora and fauna or sailing through the turquoise waters that surround the island.

Coral reefs cover almost 60 per cent of the region’s marine area offering watersports enthusiasts the chance to see more than 200 species of sea creatures.

With the slowest internet speed on this list, you’ll have no choice but to go off-grid and enjoy the scenery. Plan your visit here.

Machu Picchu, Peru

Machu Picchu is almost four hours from the nearest city of Cusco – the longest journey on this list.

This 15th century Inca citadel can be found 2,430 m above sea level in the middle of a tropical mountain forest. On the eastern slopes of the Andes in the upper Amazon Basin, it is surrounded by a rich diversity of plants and wildlife.

With plenty of natural and historic attractions, there’s more than enough to keep you occupied while you switch off. Find out more here.

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