Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands — The Marianas has been named the #1 Most Engaging Mountain Destination in the Western Pacific in Tripscout's inaugural Most Engaging Mountain Destination Awards, highlighting the destination's extraordinary landscapes beyond its world-class beaches.
Tripscout, described as the world's largest social travel guide, selected 40 mountain destinations worldwide for 48 award slots based on its proprietary Social IQ data analysis. Unlike traditional travel awards, the recognition is not based on an editorial panel or judging process. Winners were determined by algorithmic analysis of social media performance, growth, and engagement during 2026 to date.
The Marianas ranked #1 in the Western Pacific, with Guam ranked #2. Globally, Switzerland took the #1 position, followed by New Zealand.
“The Marianas has long been known for its beautiful beaches, but our mountains tell another ‘Far From Ordinary’ story—one of dramatic landscapes, ancient geology, culture, and history,” said Marianas Visitors Authority (MVA) Acting Managing Director Judy C. Torres. “From the sweeping views at Mount Tapochao on Saipan to Mount Sabana on Rota, Mount Lasso on Tinian, and the volcanic peaks of our Northern Islands, our islands, the Marianas offer diverse mountain experiences.”
On the capital island of Saipan, Mount Tapochao rises to approximately 1,555 feet at the center of the island and offers a 360-degree expansive view of Saipan’s perimeter. Beyond, an unbroken ocean horizon starts with the Philippine Sea to the west and wraps around to the Pacific Ocean to the east of the archipelago. Neighboring islands can also be seen, and the mystery-filled Marianas Trench lies just beyond the eastern horizon. Mt. Tapochao’s elevated landscape also connects visitors to Saipan's history, providing a bird’s eye view of pivotal World War II battle sites that took place across the 13-mile island.
On Rota, Mount Sabana rises to approximately 1,600 feet and encompasses a broad limestone plateau surrounded by forest and rugged terrain that is home to numerous endemic and endangered species such as the Marianas Fruit Bat and the Marianas crow. The island's highest point offers sweeping views of Rota's distinctive landscape and carries cultural and historical significance, including its traditional use as a lookout and signal point.
On Tinian, Mount Lasso, the island's highest point at approximately 561 feet, offers panoramic views from a scenic lookout point frequently visited by tourists. The location was an important communications and visual reconnaissance center during World War II. Both Japanese and American radar systems were located on top of Mount Lasso during the war, and concrete mountings for the facilities remain. The approach to the lookout also passes the foundation of a WWII U.S. Army hospital and a Shinto shrine from the Japanese administrative era.
Farthest north in the archipelago, the remote and rugged frontier of the Northern Islands is home to Micronesia’s active volcanic landscapes. Mount Agrigan, rising approximately 3,166 feet, is the highest point in the Marianas and one of the most prominent volcanic peaks in the island chain. Its summit rises above a massive volcanic caldera, while neighboring islands such as Pagan, Alamagan, Asuncion and Anatahan feature rugged volcanic terrain shaped by the ongoing geological forces of the Pacific Ring of Fire.
A destination built for discovery
The mountain recognition also reinforces the growing opportunity to promote the Marianas as a destination for travelers seeking nature, adventure, history, and exploration.
“This award is especially meaningful because it reflects what people are choosing to engage with and share,” said MVA Marketing Manager Andy Qin. “Social media gives travelers a window into places they may never have considered before. When someone sees the landscape of Mount Tapochao, the forests and cliffs of Rota, or the extraordinary volcanic terrain of our Northern Islands, we want that curiosity to lead them here.”
Tripscout says its network reaches more than 90 million followers across 150 Instagram channels, generating more than 4 billion monthly views. Its channels cover geographic regions and travel interests ranging from outdoor adventure and road trips to islands and nature.
The Marianas' mountain landscapes are also gaining attention through long-form digital storytelling. Yes Theory's YouTube coverage of the Marianas this year - produced with support from the MVA - has attracted approximately 8 million views to date, offering another example of how the destination's unusual geography and remote-island character are capturing audiences online.
For visitors, the mountains provide another way to experience the Marianas beyond the shoreline—from sunrise and panoramic viewpoints to hiking, forests, cultural sites and historic landscapes.
The Marianas was also recently named #1 Most Engaging Beach Destination in the Western Pacific by TripScout, also based on social media engagement.
Mt. Tapochao on the island of Saipan in the Marianas offers a 360-degree view of the island’s perimeter and the Pacific Ocean to the east and Philippine Sea to the west of the archipelago. The Marianas was named #1 Most Engaging Mountain Destination in the Western Pacific by TripScout in September 2026, based on social media performance. (photo credit: Junji Takasago)
The Marianas archipelago has been named #1 Most Engaging Mountain Destination in the Western Pacific by social travel guide TripScout. The ranking was determined by algorithmic analysis of social media performance, growth, and engagement during 2026 to date.
The cloud-enshrouded caldera of Agrigan, which at 3,166 feet is the highest of the volcanic islands of the Marianas archipelago. The Marianas has been named #1 Most Engaging Mountain Destination in the Western Pacific by social travel guide TripScout based on social media performance. (photo credit: Vlad Melnik)
The island of Pagan is one of several active volcanoes in the Marianas archipelago. The Marianas has been named #1 Most Engaging Mountain Destination in the Western Pacific by social travel guide TripScout based on social media performance. (photo credit: Vlad Melnik)