The Best Places to Travel by Month
Spark your wanderlust and discover where to go based on the season and your ideal travel experience: a beachy getaway, an outdoor adventure, or time on the slopes. Happy travels!
The following is excerpted from Wanderlust: A Traveler’s Guide to the Globe.
Where to Go in January
Nice weather from Central America to Tierra del Fuego (except the Amazon, Andes, and Ecuador), the Caribbean, India, Southeast Asia, and Africa (except the Indian Ocean). Avoid the Indian Ocean (heavy rains and cyclones), Indonesia, and northern Australia (rain and heat), and the countries of the Northern Hemisphere (cold).
Sun and sand:
Africa: Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Namibia, South Africa, Senegal, Togo
Middle East: Dubai, Oman
Asia: Cambodia, India, Maldives, Philippines, Sri Lanka (except east coast), Thailand, Vietnam (south)
Oceania: Australia (except northern), Tasmania, New Zealand
Americas: Caribbean, Argentina (except Patagonia), Belize, Brazil, Chile (Central and North), Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Florida, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Dominican Republic, Venezuela
The great outdoors:
Middle East: Dubai, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Oman
Africa: Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Mali, Namibia, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo
Asia: Cambodia, India, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka (except the east coast), Thailand, Vietnam (southern and central)
Oceania: South Australia, New Zealand
Americas: Argentina (south), Belize, Brazil (except Amazonia), Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Florida, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Louisiana, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Dominican Republic, Venezuela
Ski vacation:
Europe: France, Germany, Austria, Bulgaria, Spain, Italy, Poland, Czech Republic, Romania, Russia, Slovenia, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Switzerland, Turkey
Africa: Morocco
Americas: Canada, Northern United States Asia: Japan
Where to Go in February
Favorable weather in Central and Latin America (except Amazonia, Altiplano, and Ecuador), in the Caribbean, India and most other countries in Southeast Asia, and Africa. Avoid the Indian Ocean (rainfall and risk of cyclones), Indonesia and northern Australia (rains and stifling heat), and the countries of the Northern Hemisphere (cold).
Sun and sand:
Africa: Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Namibia, South Africa, Senegal, Togo
Middle East: Dubai, Oman
Asia: Cambodia, India, Maldives, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam (south)
Oceania: South Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand, French Polynesia (Marquesas)
Americas: Antilles, Argentina, Belize, Brazil, Chile (center), Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Florida, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Hawaii, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Dominican Republic, Venezuela
The great outdoors:
Middle East: Dubai, Egypt, Israel, Jordan
Africa: Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Mali, Namibia, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo
Asia: Cambodia, India, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam (southern and central)
Oceania: South Australia, New Zealand
Americas: Argentina (south), Belize, Brazil (except Amazonia), Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Florida, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Louisiana, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Dominican Republic, Venezuela
Ski vacation:
Europe: France, Germany, Austria, Bulgaria, Spain, Italy, Poland, Czech Republic, Romania, Russia, Slovenia, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Switzerland, Turkey
Africa: Morocco
Americas: Canada, United States
Where to Go in March
Favorable weather in Central and Latin America, the Caribbean, India and most of Southeast Asia, and Africa. Avoid the Indian Ocean (rain), Indonesia and northern Australia (rain and heat), and the countries of the Northern Hemisphere (cold).
Sun and sand:
Africa: South Africa, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Senegal
Middle East: Israel (Red Sea), Dubai, Oman
Asia: Brunei, Cambodia, India, Maldives, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam (south)
Oceania: Australia (west)
Americas: Caribbean, Argentina, Belize, Brazil, Chile, Colombia (Caribbean), Costa Rica, Cuba, Florida, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Dominican Republic, Venezuela
The great outdoors:
Middle East: Egypt, Dubai, Israel, Oman
Africa: South Africa, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Guinea, Kenya, Senegal
Asia: Cambodia, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Vietnam (south and center)
Oceania: South Australia, New Zealand
Americas: Caribbean, Argentina, Belize, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba, Florida, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Louisiana, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Dominican Republic, Venezuela
Ski vacation:
Europe: Germany, Austria, Bulgaria, Spain, Finland, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland
Americas: Canada
Where to Go in April
Favorable weather in Central and Latin America (with some exceptions), the Caribbean, Africa (except East), the Maghreb, and the Asian countries still spared by the heat wave, as well as southern Europe and Oceania. Avoid East Africa (rains) and the Amazon. It’s getting hot in India, Thailand, and southern Vietnam.
Sun and sand:
Africa: South Africa, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Senegal, Seychelles
Middle East: Dubai, Israel (Red Sea)
Asia: Brunei, India, Malaysia (east coast), Maldives, Philippines, Sri Lanka (east coast)
Oceania: New Caledonia, French Polynesia
Americas: Antilles, Argentina (north), Belize, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Florida, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Dominican Republic, Venezuela
The great outdoors:
Europe: Cyprus, Spain (Castile, Andalusia), Greece, Italy (south and Sicily), Malta, Portugal, Turkey
Middle East: Dubai, Israel, Jordan
Africa: Algeria, South Africa, Madagascar, Namibia, Senegal, Tunisia
Asia: China (central and north), South Korea, India (Calcutta), Japan, Uzbekistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Vietnam
Oceania: New Caledonia, New Zealand (south)
Americas: Antilles, Argentina (north), Belize, Bolivia, Brazil (except Amazonia), Chile (central and north), Costa Rica, Cuba, United States (Texas, Arizona, Florida, Louisiana), Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Martinique, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Dominican Republic
Ski vacation:
Europe: Germany, Austria, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Switzerland
Americas: Canada
Where to Go in May
Good weather for visits to Europe and the Americas, except in the extreme south (Patagonia), as well as in China and Japan. A nice time to go swim- ming and on walks in the Maghreb countries and South Africa. High heat in India, Southeast Asia, and Central Africa. Rainy season in Kenya and Tanzania.
Sun and sand:
Europe: Cyprus, Crete, Malta, Turkey (south)
Africa: South Africa (Durban region), Algeria, Cape Verde, Gambia, Morocco, Madagascar (west), Mauritius, Réunion, Senegal, Seychelles, Tunisia
Middle East: Egypt, Israel, Lebanon
Asia: Bali, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia (east), Sri Lanka (north and east)
Oceania: Australia (north), New Caledonia, French Polynesia Americas: Brazil (Rio region), Florida, Hawaii, St. Martin
Ski vacation:
Europe: Albania, Germany, Armenia, Austria, Belgium, Canary Islands, Cyprus, Croatia, Denmark, Spain, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Madeira, Malta, Montenegro, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Czech Republic, Romania, Kingdom United Kingdom, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine
Middle East: Dubai, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon
Africa: South Africa, Algeria, Gambia, Madagascar, Morocco, Namibia, Réunion, Senegal, Tunisia
Asia: Bali, China (except South), South Korea, Japan, Uzbekistan, Tibet
Oceania: Australia, French Polynesia
Americas: Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Hawaii, Mexico, Paraguay, Quebec, Venezuela
Where to Go in June
The best season for the Mediterranean basin. Pleasant climate in Europe, North America, northern China, and Japan. Sunny weather in southern Africa, the Indian Ocean Islands, northern Australia, and Indonesia. Monsoon season in India and Southeast Asia, and high temperatures in Central Africa and the Middle East. Rains in Kenya. Cool weather and rain (or snow) in Chile, Argentina, and the Andes.
Sun and sand:
Europe: Bulgaria, Canary Islands, Cyprus, Crete, Croatia, Spain, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Madeira, Malta, Montenegro, Portugal, Romania, Russia (Black Sea), Turkey, Ukraine Africa: Algeria, Cape Verde, Morocco, Madagascar, Mauritius, Réunion, Seychelles, Tanzania, Tunisia
Middle East: Egypt, Israel, Lebanon
Asia: Bali, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka (north and east) Oceania: North Australia, French Polynesia
Americas: Brazil (Rio region), Florida, Hawaii
Ski vacation:
Europe: Albania, Germany, Armenia, Austria, Belgium, Canary Islands, Cyprus, Croatia, Denmark, Scotland, Spain, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Lithuania, Montenegro, Norway, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Czech Republic, Romania, United Kingdom, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland, Ukraine
Middle East: Israel, Lebanon
Africa: South Africa, Algeria, Cape Verde, Namibia, Réunion, Tanzania
Asia: Bali, North China, South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Tibet Oceania: Australia (north), French Polynesia
Americas: Bolivia (except the Andes), Brazil, Canada, Ecuador, United States, Hawaii, Peru (Altiplano), Quebec
Where to Go in July
Good weather throughout Europe, though it can be scorching hot around the Mediterranean basin. Favorable conditions in America, except for southern states, as well as in Mongolia and Indonesia. Monsoon season in India and Southeast Asia. Muggy and rainy in the Antilles and the Caribbean. Cold weather in Argentina, Chile, and New Zealand. Overwhelming heat in the Maghreb and the Middle East.
Sun and sand:
Europe: Albania, Bulgaria, Canary Islands, Cyprus, Crete, Croatia, Spain, Greece, Italy, Malta, Montenegro, Portugal, Romania, Russia (Black Sea), Turkey, Ukraine (Black Sea) Africa: Algeria, Cape Verde, Madagascar (west), Mauritius, Réunion, Seychelles, Tanzania, Tunisia
Middle East: Egypt, Israel, Lebanon
Asia: Bali, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka (north and east) Oceania: North Australia, French Polynesia (Tahiti, Leeward Islands)
Americas: Brazil (Rio region), United States (California, Hawaii)
The great outdoors:
Europe: Albania, Germany, Armenia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Canary Islands, Cyprus, Croatia, Denmark, Scotland, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Madeira, Malta, Montenegro, Norway, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Czech Republic, Romania, United Kingdom, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine
Africa: South Africa, Cape Verde, Namibia, Réunion, Tanzania
Asia: Bali, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Tibet
Oceania: North Australia, French Polynesia
Americas: Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Ecuador, United States (Alaska, California, avoid the South), Peru (Altiplano), Quebec
Ski vacation:
Americas: Argentina, Chile Oceania: New Zealand
Where to Go in August
Good weather in Europe, North America, Mongolia, Indonesia, and Polynesia. The best time to visit the Amazon. Monsoon season in India and Southeast Asia. Risk of tropical storms and hurricanes in the Caribbean and Mexico. Cold weather in New Zealand. Overwhelming heat in the Maghreb and the Middle East.
Sun and sand:
Europe: Albania, Bulgaria, Canary Islands, Cyprus, Crete, Croatia, Spain, Greece, Italy, Malta, Montenegro, Portugal, Romania, Russia (Black Sea), Turkey, Ukraine (Black Sea) Africa: Algeria, Cape Verde, Madagascar (west), Morocco, Mauritius, Réunion, Seychelles, Tanzania, Tunisia
Middle East: Egypt, Israel, Lebanon
Asia: Bali, Indonesia, Malaysia (east), Sri Lanka (north and east)
Oceania: North Australia, French Polynesia
Americas: Brazil (northeast), United States (California, Hawaii), Guyana
The great outdoors:
Europe: Albania, Germany, Armenia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Canary Islands, Cyprus, Croatia, Denmark, Scotland, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Madeira, Malta, Montenegro, Norway, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Czech Republic, Romania, United Kingdom, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine
Africa: South Africa, Cape Verde, Namibia, Réunion, Tanzania
Asia: Bali, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Tibet
Oceania: Australia (desert and north), French Polynesia Americas: Bolivia, Brazil (Amazon), Canada (Quebec), Ecuador, United States (Alaska, California, avoid the South), Guyana, Paraguay, Peru
Ski vacation:
Americas: Argentina, Chile
Oceania: New Zealand
Where to Go in September
Beautiful weather lingers in the Northern Hemisphere and the Mediterranean basin. Favorable climate in Indonesia, China, and North Australia. Best time to visit the Amazon. Monsoons in India and Southeast Asia. Tropical storm and hurricane risks in the Antilles, the Caribbean, and Mexico.
Sun and sand:
Europe: Albania, Bulgaria, Canary Islands, Cyprus, Crete, Croatia, Spain, Greece, Italy, Malta, Montenegro, Portugal, Romania, Turkey
Africa: Algeria, Kenya, Madagascar (west), Morocco, Mauritius, Réunion, Seychelles, Tanzania, Tunisia
Middle East: Egypt, Israel, Lebanon
Asia: Bali, Indonesia, Sri Lanka (north and east)
Oceania: North Australia, French Polynesia
Americas: Brazil (Nordeste), United States (California, Hawaii), Guyana
The great outdoors:
Europe: Albania, Germany, Armenia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Canary Islands, Cyprus, Croatia, Denmark, Scotland, Spain, Hungary, Italy, Madeira, Malta, Montenegro, Poland, Portugal, Czech Republic, Romania, United Kingdom, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine
Africa: Algeria, Kenya, Madagascar, Namibia, South Africa, Réunion, Tanzania
Middle East: Israel, Jordan, Lebanon
Asia: Bali, China, Indonesia, Uzbekistan, Tibet
Oceania: Australia (desert and north), New Caledonia, French Polynesia
Americas: Bolivia, Brazil (Amazonia), California, Canada, Ecuador, United States (except the South), Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Quebec
Where to Go in October
More beautiful days in the Mediterranean basin, Turkey, and the Maghreb. Favorable climate in the Middle East, Senegal, Indonesia, China, and northern Australia. Best time to visit Madagascar, southern Africa, and northeastern Brazil. Late monsoon season in southern India and Southeast Asia. Tropical storm and hurricane risks and abundant rainfall over the Antilles and the Caribbean.
Sun and sand:
Europe: Cyprus, Crete
Africa: Kenya, Madagascar, Morocco, Mauritius, Réunion, Senegal, Seychelles, Tanzania, Tunisia
Middle East: Egypt, Israel, Lebanon
Asia: Bali
Oceania: Australia (north), New Caledonia, French Polynesia Americas: Brazil (Nordeste), California, Guyana, Uruguay
The great outdoors:
Europe: Albania, Armenia, Cyprus, Spain, Italy (south), Madeira, Malta, Portugal, Turkey
Africa: South Africa, Algeria, Cape Verde, Kenya, Madagascar, Morocco, Namibia, Réunion, Tanzania, Tunisia
Middle East: Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon
Asia: Bali, South Korea, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Macao, Nepal, Tibet, Vietnam (north)
Oceania: Australia, New Caledonia, French Polynesia. Americas: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil (Nordeste and Amazonia), Chile (central and north), Ecuador, United States (California), Guyana, Mexico, Peru
Where to Go in November
A good season to discover Africa and South America, and also the Middle East. The weather is becoming more temperate in Australia and Southeast Asia, except for a few places where rains are still abundant (monsoon tides). Cold weather and rains over northern and eastern Europe, as well as Canada. Unfavorable climate in northern China and Mongolia.
Sun and sand:
Africa: South Africa, Benin, Cape Verde, Cameroon, Gambia, Ghana, Madagascar (east coast), Mauritius, Réunion, Senegal, Seychelles, Togo
Middle East: Dubai, Israel
Asia: India (except southeast), Thailand, Vietnam (north) Oceania: Australia, New Caledonia
Americas: Brazil, Florida, Guyana, Mexico, Uruguay
The great outdoors:
Europe: Andalusia, Cyprus, Crete, Italy (south)
Africa: South Africa, Algeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Gambia, Ghana, Namibia, Réunion, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia
Middle East: Dubai, Egypt, Israel, Lebanon
Asia: China (except north), Hong Kong, India (except southeast), Laos, Macao, Singapore, Nepal, Taiwan, Vietnam
Oceania: Australia (except desert), New Caledonia, New Zealand
Americas: Argentina, Brazil, California, Chile, Costa Rica, Florida, Guyana, Louisiana, Mexico, Peru
Where to Go in December
A good time to discover Southeast Asia, the Caribbean, Africa, and South America. Cold weather and rains over Europe and North America. Unfavorable climate in northern China and Mongolia. Rain in the Seychelles.
Sun and sand:
Africa: South Africa, Benin, Cape Verde, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Mauritius, Réunion, Senegal, Togo
Middle East: Dubai
Asia: Cambodia, Hong Kong, India (except southeast and far south), Maldives, Thailand, Vietnam
Oceania: Australia, New Caledonia, New Zealand
Americas: Caribbean, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Florida, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Martinique, Mexico, Peru, Dominican Republic, Uruguay, Venezuela
The great outdoors:
Africa: South Africa, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Mali, Namibia, Niger, Réunion, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo
Middle East: Dubai, Egypt, Oman
Asia: Cambodia, China (south), Hong Kong, India, Laos, Macau, Myanmar, Singapore, Nepal, Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam
Oceania: Australia (except desert), New Caledonia, New Zealand
Americas: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Florida, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Martinique, Mexico, Peru, Dominican Republic, Venezuela
Ski vacation:
Europe: France, Germany, Austria, Italy (Alps), Norway, Sweden, Switzerland
Americas: Canada, northern United States
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