SURFING THE WILD EAST[EL SALVADOR]
Though the civil war ended 11 years ago, it's been difficult to access El Salvador's remote eastern point breaks on your own. Now you can hook up for eight days with Punta Mango's local guides to surf Los Flores, La Ventana, and other perfecto Pacific peelers. OUTFITTER: Punta Mango Surf Trips, 011-503-270-8915, www.puntamango.com.sv. WHEN TO GO: year-round. PRICE: $394-$818. DIFFICULTY: moderate.
EXPLORING ISLANDS AND VOLCANOES[NICARAGUA]
Once a war-torn dictatorship, Nicaragua is now drawing scads of expatriates to its safer shores. Hike and mountain-bike around belching 5,000-foot volcanoes on the Pacific side, and kayak, fish, and loll in natural hot springs on islands in Lake Nicaragua. OUTFITTER: Nicaragua Adventures, 011-505-883-7161, www.nica-adventures.com. WHEN TO GO: November-September. PRICE: weeklong trips start at $600. DIFFICULTY: moderate.
RAFTING THE SOCA RIVER[SLOVENIA]
Spilling from the Julian Alps, the roiling Soca has long been a backyard destination for Europe's whitewater intelligentsia. With improved infrastructure and an exchange rate favorable to Americans, now's the time to hit this Class II-IV river. OUTFITTER: Exodus Travel, 800-692-5495, www.exodus.co.uk. WHEN TO GO: June-September. PRICE: eight-day trips, $715. DIFFICULTY: moderate.
BIKING AND BOATING THE DALMATIAN COAST[CROATIA]
Sail from island to island in the Adriatic Sea, stopping to cycle the nature reserves and medieval villages, safe again after a decade of political strife. OUTFITTER: Eurocycle, 011-43-1-405-3873-0, www.eurocycle.at. WHEN TO GO: April-October. PRICE: eight-day cruise, $690-$740. DIFFICULTY: moderate.
MOUNTAIN-BIKING IN THE JUNGLE[SRI LANKA] While the northeast is still volatile, don't discount a southerly traverse of the island by mountain bike, through lush jungles and over cool mountain passes. OUTFITTER: Adventures Lanka Sports, 011-94-179-1584, www.adventureslanka.com. WHEN TO GO: year-round. PRICE: 15-day trip, $985. DIFFICULTY: moderate.
TRACKING GORILLAS[GABON]
Onetime host to warring guerrillas but permanent home to the peaceful lowland gorillas, Lopé-Okanda Wildlife Reserve is the jewel of Gabon, nearly 80 percent of which is unspoiled forest woodlands. OUTFITTER: Mountain Travel Sobek, 800-282-8747, www.mtsobek.com. WHEN TO GO: February-March, August. PRICE: $6,490 (19 nights). DIFFICULTY: easy.
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