When is the best time to go? We’ve compiled the destinations you can count on by season for comfortable weather, prime wildlife viewing and unhampered logistics.
This doesn’t always mean travelling at peak times: in many destinations, we recommend going in the off-season for a fresh perspective, fewer crowds, and a more intimate connection with local culture. Not to mention the good it does locally by spreading incomes across the year. If you’re open to the occasional tropical shower, you may find landscapes at their most lush, and wildlife more active.
This period brings mild temperatures and low humidity, making it an ideal time to explore Vietnam’s dynamic cities, pristine beaches, and emerald rice paddies. Float on clear waters between towering limestone formations or cycle lantern-lit city side streets before the hotter weather sets in.
January to March in Thailand precedes the peak temperatures and monsoon rains, offering vibrant city life, alluring beaches, and world-class cuisine.
India’s dry season from December to March is ideal for exploring Rajasthan’s desert forts, Kerala’s tranquil backwaters, and Tamil Nadu’s temple towns. The Himalayas and Ladakh, however, are best left for warmer months later in the year.
Visit Cambodia’s ancient temples under clear skies and pleasant temperatures. Exploring Angkor Wat before March avoids the sweltering 35-degree heat and monsoonal rains that render some roads impassable.
After the heavy rains of July to October, Laos is lush and manageable. The cool, dry season is perfect for exploring its spiritual cities and riverine culture, island-hopping along the Mekong, and trekking in the misty mountains.
Rain showers lessen towards June, and the Galapagos Islands enjoy calm, warmer waters. Hike Andean volcanoes and explore colonial towns on the mainland, then hop over to the Galapagos to enter a secluded ecosystem of endemic creatures. Giant tortoises, curious sealions and basking marine iguanas will regard you as the curiosity.
This quieter season sees Colombia at its most enchanting. Wander Cartagena’s colourful streets, sip freshly roasted coffee in the cloud-forested hills, and snorkel off the Caribbean coast.
May is ideal for trekking the Andean peaks, discovering lesser-known Incan ruins, and hiking alternative routes to the Rainbow Mountain before the high-season crowds arrive. Detour further from the tourist trail to discover the source of the Amazon.
With summer’s heat waning, it’s a great time to explore Brazil’s diverse landscapes. Trek the rugged tabletop mountains and waterfalls of Chapada Diamantina, spot scarlet ibises in the dunes and lagoons of Lencois Maranhenses, and kayak through the flooded Amazonian jungle to the Meeting of the Waters.
With multiple weather patterns at play, April to June offers balanced conditions across the country. Visiting before July avoids tourist season in the better-known beach destinations. Experience rainforest treks, vast cave systems, and vibrant street food scenes, then hop over to Malaysian Borneo’s orangutan sanctuaries.
The Western parts of this vast archipelago work well July to September. Snorkel some of the world’s best reefs, hike to smouldering volcano craters and discover impressive temples. Cross over to the Indonesian half of Borneo to trek jungles paths by day, spotting gravity-defying orangutans, and dine aboard your private klotok boat by night to a display of fireflies. Areas further East, such as Papua and the diving mecca of Raja Ampat, invite you earlier in the year.
While the south and west experience monsoons, the east coast basks in sunshine. Hike the newly opened Pekoe Trail through tea country, witness Kandy’s atmospheric Perahera festival, and go on a private safari far from the crowds.
Despite occasional afternoon showers, this is an excellent time to explore Costa Rica, Guatemala, Panama, Nicaragua and Mexico. Take the kids on a road trip through Central America over their summer holidays. Trek cloud forests, raft wild rivers, and discover hidden jungle waterfalls, all with fewer tourists around.
The seasonal water sources begin to dry up and the game starts congregating close to the remaining water sources: optimal conditions for game viewing. This is the best time to visit Ruaha and little-visited Katavi, where huge herds of buffalo come head to head with lions, and hippo and crocodile populations are at their densest. Follow the Great Migration up the Northern Serengeti and Masai Mara, with daily dramatic river crossings. End your trip with some R&R on Zanzibar’s Spice Islands.
Autumn sees Japan ablaze with crimson and gold. Avoid the springtime crowds and go off the tourist route, exploring Kyushu’s plunging gorges, following the ancient pilgrimage trails of Dewa Sanzan, and admiring Kakunodate’s samurai mansions. For early skiing, head north to Hokkaido in December.
October and November bring crisp, dry days with clear blue skies. Beyond the Forbidden City, the Great Wall and the Terracotta Army, make time for the lesser known gems: cycle the ancient city of Ping Yao, ascend the natural spires of Zhangjiajie (think Avatar), and float down the Yulong River on a bamboo raft.
With temperatures ranging from 19 to 25°C at this time, Morocco is ideal for both city and mountain adventures, particularly in October before the snow starts to fall. Hike the russet slopes of the Atlas Mountains, navigate the blue-washed medina of Chefchaouen, and get lost in Marrakech’s vibrant souks.
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