Where To Go On Vacation by Month.....

Where to go on Vacation Header

You might find this list helpful if you aren’t a homeless-vagrant or billionaire-type. Since most others work around a job or set schedule of some sort, I thought it best to note where to go on vacation during specific times of the year. With that flowery nonsense out of the way, this is a GENERAL guide. It is not intended to be your be-all, end-all highly-detailed specifically-perfect guide. If it doesn’t get you closer to figuring out where to go on vacation, I suggest you save your outrage for the Local News at 11.

This is how I use my lists: I tell myself I can travel somewhere in April, let’s say. I scan through this list and pick Turkey as a possibility. Then I will do more specific research on Turkey because Turkey is a big country and the weather in Istanbul is probably not the weather in Antalya. I discover that Istanbul will be beautiful in April — so that would work. I find out that Antalya just so happens to also be beautiful in April — unless I want to swim, in which case April is right on the borderline of being good for swimming. So in this case, either would work.

Here is the living list of where to go on vacation by month. It will change as I continue my visits and research. Hope it helps give you fresh ideas.

If you are looking for beach ideas, look instead at my crafty beach guide

Travel in December, January, February

Africa

Africa (Safari)

You want a little secret – February is a great time to make a dash to Uganda for gorillas and Tanzania for the calving of a plethora of wildebeests. Once the newborns come, then the predators come to eat them. As a further bonus, landscapes are green at this time of year. And, if you don’t want to see calves get devoured by carnivores, you could go to Zanzibar island for sun in February.

The Americas

Canada, Northeast USA & Western USA

You like snow. You ski. You snowboard.

Caribbean

Generally a great time to visit the Caribbean especially for those far north of the equator experiencing toxic winter winds slashing your face with shards of ice. Hurricane season is well over. The blast of Christmas break artists has wound down and the surge for Carnival and such has not yet materialized. Suggestions: Barbados, Aruba, Antigua, Bonaire

Mexico

In Mexico City the days are warm but the nights are cold. However, if you are prepared for that, this is a good time with dry skies. It is also a lower season.

Peak season on both beach coasts (e.g. Cancun & Puerto Vallarta) with great weather. Whale watching in Puerto Vallarta.

South America

As long as you stay away from the holidays of Christmas, Easter and (depending on your interest and location) Carnival, you should experience good pricing, weather and freedom. Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, etc. It is Colombia’s high season but also dry. Argentina is at peak season at this time although Buenos Aires clears out some. Northern Argentina & Buenos = HOT. Southern Argentina = Great. Peak season in Rio and other beaches in Brazil.

Antarctica

General Antarctica

This is generally the best and somewhat only time to go to Antarctica as the ice floes have broken allowing passage to some parts you will want to visit and it is not deathly cold. It also helps to have the sun working in your favour rather than it being dark all day as it would be in July.

Asia

Japan

You like snow. You ski. You snowboard. Head to Hokkaido, perhaps Rusutsu or Niseko.

Southeast Asia

At this time of year, you are in the dry season and the temperatures are warm but not inferno-esque. It provides a perfect escape from colder winter climes. Suggestions: Southern Vietnam, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Philippines.

Europe

Northern Europe & Higher Elevations

You like snow. You ski. You snowboard. Possibilities of Switzerland, Austria, Andorra, Northern Italy

Oceania

New Zealand & Australia

Avoid these countries in December and January due to school holidays in both countries (which makes bookings more difficult and airfare more expensive) and potentially spicy temperatures in Australia (and, if you are planning on being in northern Australia in the tropics, it’ll be wet this whole time). However, when February rolls around, you are looking at nicer temperatures and, in New Zealand’s case, more predictable weather if there is such a thing there.

Travel in March, April, May

Africa

Africa (Safari)

While the back-half of March and April see heavy rain, May is a great month in many spots to go on Safari, including Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. May can also be a great time to visit Botswana and Angola.

Some suggest going to Kenya and Tanzania during the rainy April and May season for the spectacular imagery it all brings combined with the discounts you’ll find.

This is the best time to spot wildlife in Benin but the temperatures will be hellish.

Africa (Beach)

Visit the beaches of Angola in May

The Americas

Mexico

Great weather, dry, etc. in Mexico City. Also a good time for Puerto Vallarta with diminished crowds and nice weather. Cancun is nice in March but still in high season, beware of springbreakers in April and humid in May.

Belize

A perfect time to go to Belize as the skies are typically clear, the weather nice, rainy season is a distant memory and the whale sharks might be around to swim with.

Bermuda

Great time to visit Bermuda with May being the best as it is warm enough for swimming and the weather is excellent.

Caribbean

Generally a great time to visit the Caribbean – off peak, weather is fine (but check your island first). Bonaire is good at this time of year.

South America

The best time to visit Argentina in my opinion unless you wanted to focus on Tierra del Fuego. Bolivia is great to visit at this time of year.

Asia

Afghanistan

Flowers are blooming and the landscape is lush, but that also means this is a rainy period. If you don’t mind the rain, the temperatures are reasonable and the scenery can be quite photogenic. The rain can make transportation difficult due to flooding, etc. Aim for mid-April and May.

Southeast Asia

It is hot in Vietnam, but still okay in March & April. The Philippines can be a good idea in this timeframe.

Bhutan

Flowers and trees are in bloom and the temperature is nice for trekking throughout Bhutan.

Israel, Palestine, Jordan

If you are going to visit Israel, the West Bank and so forth, Spring is the best time. The temperatures are right in the sweet spot, the water is getting warmer and the rain is much less of a threat than it is in the winter.

Japan

Spring in Japan means cherry blossom (sakura) time and with that, the tourist buses. Temperatures are warming and you are in before the hot, humid summer kicks in. Read more in the blog such as

Europe

General Europe

Before the tourist hoards, after the winter pain and before the hefty airfares cripple your soul

Note: Beach destinations mostly will be just awaking in this timeframe, and come more alive towards later May. These are best experienced in September in my opinion.

South Caucasus (Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan)

Comfortable in this timeframe to explore the areas.

Turkey

April and May are shoulder season but the weather is nice and the flowers are blooming.

Oceania

New Zealand & Australia

Outside of tourist season, inside the fall foliage time (if in the right place), weather is nice, kids are in school and prices are lower as it isn’t peak time. Let’s shoot for March or April before you get kidnapped by a potential nasty New Zealand storm towing Winter behind it in late May. Australia you can punch the May ticket and fare better.

Pacific Islands

Seasons switching from wet to dry in the spring, so later spring should be dryer even though the rain isn’t typically a big issue with bursts followed by sun. Trade winds start to blow cooling things down and putting a pinch on the humidity of the expiring wet season. Check New Zealand and Australia school schedules as longer school holidays contribute to surges in Pacific Island numbers.

Travel in June, July, August

Africa

Africa (Safari)

For most of the safari countries, this is the heart of the high season, with dry weather and concentrated animal action. The main downside is that the nights & mornings can be cool as this is their winter. Prime time in places like Zambia, Zimbabwe, Tanzania (including non-safari, beachy Zanzibar), Kenya, South Africa [this is actually low season and the best time to visit], Namibia and Botswana.

August is a good month for Benin typically.

The Americas

Mexico

The best time for swimming with whale sharks off the coast from Cancun. Check out Isla Mujeres and Isla Contoy.

South America

Skiing in Argentina & Chilean mountains. High season in Bolivia although cold nights.

Asia

Thinking…

Europe

Scandanavia

The days are superlong, the residents are happy to finally see the sun and the weather is comfortable. Plus, it won’t be as inundated with summer tourists as other parts of Europe can be. Suggestions: Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland

Albania

June is a nice month throughout but by July and August you’d want to be in the higher elevations which could make a nice trip. If you want to do the beach in the heat of summer, you at least won’t be amidst swarms of tourists as in many other European spots.

Andorra

Reasonable temperatures, good landscapes.

South Caucasus (Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan)

While the summers at lower elevations can be spicy, some beach areas (Black Sea, Caspian Sea) are in full force at this point. Higher elevations great for hiking.

Belarus

If you are going to visit Belarus, the summer is a great time given the lack of other tourists and the lack of the bitter winter temperatures.

Oceania

New Zealand

You like snow. You ski. You snowboard.

Pacific Islands

Less precipitation in the mid-April through mid-October timeframe. This season is slightly more comfortable temperature-wise, with less humidity, a nice breeze and dry skies (versus the wet season in the November to mid-April timeframe). However, by July, it turns to peak season with vacationing Europeans and Americans on summer holidays and New Zealanders and Australians looking for warmth from their winter.

Travel in September, October, November

Africa

Africa (Safari)

While October and November can be steamy hot and bring rain, September is a beautiful month in South Africa and Zambia as weather and rates are better than the heart of high season. Tanzania (including Zanzibar) can also make for a good September or October, but avoid in November.

Meanwhile, September and October are prime months to spots wildlife in Botswana although it is very hot and parched. Not a good time for birding due to the lack of water.

Africa (Non-Safari)

Late-October, and especially November, would be the time period where you want to check out Benin unless you are only interested in seeing wildlife.

The Americas

North America

Generally September and October makes for a great time to visit the USA and Canada. In many northern parts, the foliage will be changing from green to yellows, reds and oranges. Temperatures will have moderated from the summertime heat. The crowds are also toned down from the summer in the western National Parks like Yellowstone (where snow starts to appear), the Grand Tetons (great foliage) and the parks of Southern Utah.

Water temperatures are also still warm in September and into October. Most of the eastern seaboard will have this benefit as will California.

Caribbean

People steer away from the Caribbean during hurricane season but you can slice this one of two ways. First, you can hang out in the southern Caribbean, places such as Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Grenada and Trinidad & Tobago. Barbados is technically inside the belt but usually gets skipped by hurricanes. Secondly, the probability is you’ll be fine. And, in any case, for the most part, you should probably shoot for late October and November when hurricanes are winding down anyways because that is when it is getting colder up north.

South America

A great time to visit Argentina and Bolivia.

Asia

Japan

Autumn in Japan means the maple tree foliage is going wild and the temperatures are comfortable. Think November if you are going to Kyoto or Tokyo. The fall foliage and colder temperatures obviously start in the north and higher elevations and work their way lower as the season goes on – so plan accordingly.

Afghanistan

Generally September and October are good months for Kabul and other parts of the country. Fruits and other produce are being harvested and the weather is much more comfortable.

Bhutan

The high season for Bhutan, with October being the absolute peak. Clear skies, good trekking weather and festivals.

Europe

General Europe

I tend to avoid Europe in the summer. Prices are high, the locals are often out of town and the bad-mannered tourist mobs are roaming like hungry rats in a corn silo. But flash to this time of year, and the temperatures are pleasant, the tourist lines atrophied and the prices & availability much improved. As the season progresses, work your way to warmer climes like Spain (southern coast) and Italy (Amalfi Coast, Capri, Sicily, et. al). The Balkans are also great here. For splashing in the Mediterranean and Adriatic*, September and early-October should be great, with warm water temperatures present. An alternative if you aren’t looking for heat, check out England (Lake District, Cotswolds, New Forest, etc.) in September or early October.

*Note that much of the coastal Balkan nightlife evaporates once September comes around

Turkey

The last of the summer tourist boom is rolling off when September rolls around. Nice temperatures through mid-November in Istanbul.

South Caucasus (Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan)

Wine harvests and other harvest happening in September, etc. Temperatures have lost the summer edge. This is a great time to explore this area, with a preference towards September as it increasingly gets colder as winter approaches.

Oceania

New Zealand & Australia

November in New Zealand brings flower blooms and unpredictable but improving weather. In Australia, warming weather, reasonable tourist levels and thus, reasonable prices. You want to visit somewhere “down there” in September and October? Punch a ticket to Australia. You want to visit the outback & the northern tropics in Australia? Get it down in these months and preferably by October which is around the end of dry season.

Pacific Islands

September and October are nice weather months. November is okay but can see tropical storms and heavy bursts of rain as it is the beginning of the wet season.

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Tak

New York, NY
Internationally-published photographer with a passion for creative food, fine products, unique cultures and underground music. Twitter / Instagram / takw at triphash dot com