Seeing the constellations becomes more and more difficult with each passing year. The current state of light pollution has made the shimmering night sky full of stars gradually become difficult to see. Only a few places are preserved, where you can enjoy stargazing.
Below are the best places to sleep under the stars:
La Fortuna, Alajuela Province, Costa Rica
Costa Rica is known as a paradise on earth. This place attracts visitors by the charming, surreal beauty of nature with romantic beaches, green tropical forests, and rich ecosystems.
More specifically, this is one of the most beautiful stargazing spots in Central America.
Owning a location adjacent to the equator, the village of La Fortuna is famous for its starry night sky and woven clouds of stars.
In particular, the magical combination between the splendid starry “curtain” and the roar of the majestic Arenal volcano has turned this place into an attractive astronomical viewing spot.
La Fortuna is also a rare place in the north of the equator where the Magellanic Clouds can be seen - the first two galaxies discovered by astronomer Ferdinand Magellan.
The best time to see the celestial wonder in the sky of La Fortuna is from December to April every year.
Kiruna Town, Lapland Province, Sweden
Located in the North of the Arctic Circle, nearly 81 miles from Norway and 106 miles from Finland, between two majestic mountain ranges, the town of Kiruna in Lapland province, Sweden has many fascinating things that only a few places have.
During the severe cold of Eastern Europe, the beautiful little snowy land of Kiruna attracts many tourists who love sports and beautiful landscapes in the polar region.
People come to Kiruna not only for the purity and vastness of white snow or unique winter experiences but also for the opportunity to see the magical light of the Northern Lights.
The purple-blue light silks shimmering in the Swedish sky from mid-September to late March are enough to provoke the footsteps of any adventurous soul.
Pic Du Midi, La Mongie, France
If you have the passion to explore the vast sky, stars and planets in the universe, visit Pic du Midi in the beautiful Pyrenees mountains, France.
This used to be the place where NASA scientists carried out research on the moon in preparation for the historic Apollo trip.
Hiding and appearing between the clouds floating on the spectacular mountain top, Pic du Midi is a great stargazing spot at night and at dusk.
When the sunset falls, the majestic mountain landscape gradually sinks into the illusory black screen and the bright stars cover the sky, which looks like a shimmering carpet.
There is also a chain of hotels in Pic du Midi with all-inclusive services for visitors to experience the feeling of sleeping under the sparkling starry sky.
Kruger National Park, Limpopo Province, Republic of South Africa
Possessing an area of nearly 20,000 square kilometers, Kruger National Park is considered the largest biosphere reserve in Africa.
One of the things that makes this place attractive is the diversity of wildlife with more than 100 species of reptiles and more than 500 different species of birds.
You will be surprised by the spectacular natural picture and watching countless species of animals leisurely walking among the vast windy steppe.
In particular, thanks to its remote geographical location, the park is free from light pollution, providing the perfect opportunity for you to see the clear sky amidst the wild nature.
What could be more wonderful than lying leisurely on the grass, admiring the twinkling stars at night, and dropping your soul into the magical galaxy? This will be an unforgettable experience that many people have dreamed of since childhood.
Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan
Completely isolated on the Yaeyama Islands in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park is endowed with beautiful beaches, colorful coral reefs, and rich mangrove forests.
It was recognized as the first starry sky reserve in Japan in 2018, making this place extremely attractive.
Depending on the season and weather conditions, you will have the opportunity to admire 84 of the 88 constellations recognized by the International Astronomical Union.
Natural Bridges National Monument, Utah, USA
Located in Utah, western United States, Natural Bridges National Monument is recognized by the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) as the world's first beautiful night sky site.
The Owachomo Bridge is 177 feet long and 105 feet high, majestically under the starry sky at the Natural Bridges Reserve, leading visitors to a dreamlike paradise.
The magic of the night sky, the constellations of meteors glittering, and the galaxy far away in the vast universe make Owachomo truly the perfect stop for visitors to mingle with nature.
Besides, the romantic overnight camping experience under the starry sky will bring new and exciting feelings in your travel itinerary.
Atacama Desert, Northern Chile
The Atacama Desert is located in northern Chile and a small part in southern Peru, spanning a vast area of 70,000 square miles.
With an average rainfall of only about 1 mm per year, it is one of the driest and most desolate regions on Earth.
Thanks to its dry terrain, limited cloud cover, and an altitude of 10,500 feet above sea level, Atacama is free from light pollution and becomes the top astronomical viewing spot in the world.
In particular, it also owns the largest astronomical observatory in the world.
Conclusion
All of the places we have mentioned above are open for visitors to camp or provide accommodation.
Seeing the constellations becomes more and more difficult with each passing year. So, if your dream of sleeping under the stars hasn't come true yet, start planning now.
Hope that our list of the 7 best places to sleep under the stars was helpful to you. Thanks for reading!
Bryan Listor
