The best trips and tours do not always have to be in the summer. The ideal time to visit a particular destination depends on numerous factors, including weather, activities, and what each guest wants from their holiday. Every month, every season, there are innumerable options for exciting getaways all over the world. If you know your travel dates but are unsure where you want to go, review our month-wise recommendations. For each month and season, we provide an inspirational list of places you may want to think about. This list is not exhaustive, so feel free to ask about other destinations you may have in mind.
January
Hawaii: Head to Maui in January to witness the migration of pods of humpback whales. This is when they come to breed from the North Pacific Ocean to the warm waters around Maui.
India: The southern regions of India have warm tropical weather in January. This is one of the best times to visit Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Spend time in the warm waters of the Arabian Sea, walk around the hills amidst tea and coffee plantations, and explore UNESCO World Heritage-listed temples and rock-cut monuments.
Alaska & Canada: If you enjoy the snow, then Alaska and Canada have plenty of fun activities to offer: dog sledging, snowmobiling, and ice skating are just a few. Or witness the fantastic night skies lit up by the Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights.
Sri Lanka: January is a fine time to discover the country’s southwest coast, with warm temperatures and minimal rainfall. Combine a beach stay with a tour of the cooler hill country to visit famous tea plantations.
February
Northern India: This is a very good month to travel to northern India. Additionally, Darjeeling in the eastern foothills of the Himalayas or Agra to see the iconic Indian landmark, the Taj Mahal, are excellent options.
Seychelles: Tropical beach haven aside, if your timing is right, you could witness turtle hatching season in the Seychelles. Hotels such as Banyan Tree Seychelles on Intendance Bay boast a nesting beach that lets you get closer to nature.
New Orleans, USA: Go to New Orleans in February to participate in the famous Mardi Gras celebrations with their parades, floats, masks, and exquisite costumes. Make the most of the carnival season festivities and Creole cuisine, but don’t miss out on the city’s historic sites.
March
Vietnam: Vietnam is pleasantly warm and sunny in March. Dalat, with its countryside charm, and Phong Nha, one of the world’s largest caves, are wonderful to visit in between spending time at beaches and bays and savouring enticing local food.
Mexico: Sunny, cool days in March make it one of the most popular times to visit Mexico. It’s also spring break time, and beach towns like Cancun and Cozumel could be overrun, so opt for the Yucatan peninsula and Guadalajara instead.
Cambodia: The dry weather of March makes it ideal for exploring the iconic Angkor Wat temple complex. Sample the regional variations of Cambodian cuisine and take a boat trip to the pristine beaches and jungles of Koh Rong Island.
April
India: Although this is a hot time of year in India, it’s the dry season and perhaps the best time to spot tigers in Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan.
USA: April is the right time for a ranch holiday. Spend days horse riding and hiking, coming back to evening campfire cookouts, stargazing, and a spot of storytelling with s’mores.
Japan: March-April sees the arrival of the beautiful cherry blossoms that Japan is renowned for. Catch a glimpse of the wonderful colours at Ueno-Koen Park in Tokyo or Maruyama Park in Kyoto.
May
Canada: Spot orcas on the Pacific coast at Vancouver Island. Or sight humpback and beluga whales on the east coast in Quebec.
USA: US national parks are slightly quieter in May, letting you enjoy all the wonderful scenery and animals at your own pace.
China: May is an excellent time to visit China’s iconic sites, whether the Great Wall, the extraordinary Terracotta Warriors or the Forbidden City.
June
Costa Rica: It’s the start of the rainy (green) season. There are afternoon showers but sunshine in the morning means you can still explore and zipline over the forest. Tour the capital San Jose and try local delicacies.
Argentina: June marks the beginning of the winter in the southern hemisphere, making it the perfect time to explore Argentina’s north, in particular, majestic Iguazu Falls, to witness its thundering waters in cooler climes.
Peru: This is the best time to visit Machu Picchu, “Lost City of the Incas”, especially if you plan to trek the Inca Trail, as it’s the middle of the dry season.
Zambia: For an extraordinary view of Victoria Falls at its fullest, visit in June. You’ll see the width of the magnificent Zambezi River in all its glory.
July
Kenya: Travel to Kenya in July to witness millions of wildebeest migrating into the Masai Mara from Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. There are very good reasons this is called the greatest wildlife show on earth.
Thailand: July is the right time for island hopping around Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao, as you’ll get warm temperatures with very little rainfall.
Bali: Make the most of the low rainfall this time of year to explore the countryside, trendy restaurants, and breathtaking sunsets in Seminyak, and the blend of culture and nature in Ubud.
August
Botswana: Enjoy warm daytime temperatures and cool evenings. The dry season offers the chance to see plenty of animals around watering holes.
Canada: Visit thundering Niagara Falls or make your way to the wonderful big cities of Montreal, Quebec, Vancouver, or Toronto for some urban fun before the weather starts to get cold.
Alaska: Enjoy long hours of sunlight, short nights, and pleasant temperatures as you seek out Alaska’s incredible wildlife, including bears and beluga whales.
Iceland: The end of summer is a wonderful time to drive around Iceland to experience the glorious waterfalls and vibrant national parks. In the capital Reykjavík, look out for the fun summer festivals.
September
Hawaii: Experience the warmest temperatures Hawaii offers. Relax on stunning beaches and engage in water activities, or get lost in nature and the fantastic scenery of its forests and national parks.
California, USA: Drive down the California section of the Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1), starting in San Francisco and making your way along the coastal road to Big Sur, Carmel-by-the-sea, and ending in glitzy Los Angeles.
Borneo: See flame-haired orangutans in their natural habitat, alongside other wildlife in the jungles of Borneo in Malaysia and Indonesia.
Florida Coast, USA: Best known for its stunning beaches, pristine national parks and tropical gardens, the Florida Keys, a string of islands off Florida’s southern tip, are gorgeous in September
October
Seychelles: Besides glorious beach weather, October is when you should travel to Seychelles to spot gigantic whale sharks. Plus, it’s the beginning of the nesting season for hawksbill turtles, who start laying their eggs on beaches across the islands.
Mauritius: October is one of the driest months to visit Mauritius, particularly its east coast, as the trade winds have calmed down, providing the optimal climate to enjoy a bit of sun, rest, and water sports.
Mozambique: As the dry season ends, this is the ideal time for some incredible game drives and animal spotting. After your safari, head to the coast for a tranquil beach stay.
Zimbabwe: Though it is hot in October, your chance of spotting wildlife is at its peak as the waterholes run dry and huge herds come to the lakes and rivers to quench their thirst.
November
Chile: Historic cities like Santiago and the natural beauty of Chilean Patagonia are contrasting but exciting destinations in Chile. November marks the beginning of the summer when the rain is lighter, and the weather is perfect for exploring the Andes.
Cambodia: With warm and dry weather, November is a super time to discover the capital Phnom Penh and the stunning temples of Cambodia. Combine this with a stay at a lovely beach like Koh Rong.
Japan: November is still autumn in Japan and a wonderful time to appreciate the trees turning red, orange, and yellow on Honshu and Kyushu islands.
December
Sri Lanka: December is National Bird Watching month in Sri Lanka, and at this time, you can spot over 400 species of resident and migratory birds. It’s also the start of the whale-watching season, which runs until April.
Maldives: Although the Maldives has warm weather all year round, December marks the beginning of the dry season. Enjoy undisturbed relaxation in this tropical island paradise.
Middle East: With the coolest temperatures in the Middle East in December, spend time exploring Dubai and Oman. You get a little bit of everything here, from beaches and sand dunes to wadis, vibrant souks, and modern architecture.
South Africa: It’s summertime in South Africa and a lovely month to see wildlife in national parks like Kruger. Explore the wineries of Stellenbosch, and set a few days aside for Cape Town, the “Mother City”.
Let's Chat
We have answers to all your questions.
Start planning your dream trip by talking to our Destination Specialists
Sign up for our newsletter
Receive the latest travel inspiration and destination news.
Three Easy Steps to a Tailor-made Holiday
The Hayes & Jarvis Way
Since 1952, our travel experts have been traversing the world to connect you with the very best our 60+ destinations have to offer. Tell us what your dream trip entails and we will craft it for you with precision and passion.
