South America

Tailor your trips to the best time of year to visit places

Guide to choosing the best time to visit amazing places

Did you ever happen to have travelled to some amazing destination and it rained for your whole stay? Or it has been so hot, that protruding your nose out the door resulted in a sizzling sound of your skin? I have experienced it all and although I still enjoyed those places, I cannot help but plan another visit. Why? I just simply had no chance to get the best out of those places according to their full potential.

You will agree with me, right? It is much more pleasant to walk around and explore when the weather is pleasant and your shoes are not filled with water and the wind doesn’t make you fly away. Whenever it is possible we can arrange our travel plans during seasons of nice weather: not too hot, not too cold and not too wet. Well…unless you really like it. Here I have prepared for you a little guide of the best times of the year to plan your trip to some amazing destinations.

As a bonus, I also include some special events that you can witness during your stay.

I have included a few countries, regions and wonders.


Favourite travel resources:

  • Booking.com for searching best prices on accommodation.
  • Discover Cars is a great website as they search both local and international car hire services, so you can choose the best deal for yourself. Make sure though, that the company has a good reputation and reviews.
  • Get Your Guide is my place to go for searching and booking tours and excursions, especially when I travel solo.
  • World Nomads travel insurance. I like them because they have quite extensive coverage of different activities.
  • Jack’s Flight Club is a service that can save you hundreds of dollars on flights, it works especially well in Europe.
  • Trivago where you can search and save on hotels.
  • Go City is a perfect site for booking bucket list experiences and attractions all in one to avoid paying for multiple tickets. Easy and saves money.
  • Trip Advisor– amazing for good quality recommendations.
  • Skyscanner is a perfect website for searching flight routes and comparing prices.

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when is the best time to travel

When is the best time to visit these unique places


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Machu Picchu

The high season for Machu Picchu is between June and September. I would say that the best time is May when the weather is starting to get nice and the crowds are not filling the lost city of the Incas. I went there in April and had some rain early in the morning and evening, but the days were mostly sunny and warm.

Middle East

Countries such as UAE, Qatar, Kuwait or Oman get extremely hot and humid for many months during the year. It gets so hot, that it is virtually impossible to be outside for longer than a few minutes, even at night. The best months to travel to the Middle Eastern countries are between October and May. Please bear in mind Ramadan month as well, which changes every year. During Ramadan, many places are closed during the day, including restaurants. This might complicate your travel planning a bit.

when is the best time to go

Argentina

From December to May you can enjoy the summery weather in Argentina. Buenos Aires is beautiful in every season, so you don’t need to postpone your trip. For those crazy about snow and snow sports, June, July and August will satisfy anyone. Argentina, however, is huge, which results in differences in climates. For the south of Argentina, summer would be of course a bit warmer, but if you don’t mind cold, any time is perfect.

Perito Moreno

Patagonia

Choosing the best time to visit Patagonia will depend on what you want to do and see. Patagonia is not small and spreads over two countries and the landscape consists of grassy plains, high mountains and magnificent glaciers.
If the weather is important for you the best time is to go there between December and February. Although those are the warmest months of the year, strong winds might not be too pleasant.
In winter months some of the hiking and cycling trails are inaccessible, some people say that those are actually the months when Patagonia is most charming.  The weather in Torres del Paine (Chile) is very unpredictable and can change any time, so if you go there you need to be prepared for any weather conditions.
For adrenaline junkies, the best months to get the best experience are between November and March.
chilean patagonia

Caribbean Islands

The high season in most of the islands is from mid-December till the mid-April. This is the dry season, but it also means that the islands are more crowded and expensive than the rest of the year. In winter months you will be able to get more peace, but heavy rains and strong winds may disturb your trip at times. I find those places very beautiful when it rains, even though I cannot enjoy the beach.

Spain

The best time to visit Spain is April-May and September-November for the beach. In the summer months, it can get extremely hot in the south. North is nicer in summer since it gets pretty rainy and windy between October and April. Canary islands are amazing any time of the year.

Special treat: In March you can enjoy the Fallas festival in Valencia.

For a week from July 7th there is San Fermines fiesta in Pamplona.

In April in Barcelona there is a San Jorge fiesta.

During Semana Santa and Easter Spain is full of celebrations and fiestas.

Italy

While Italy can be enjoyed at any time throughout the year, I would avoid popular cities in the summer. Places like Venice, Florence, Cinque Terre or Amalfi coast not only get extremely crowded and hot, but also the prices are so high that it’s not worth paying for the quality you get. Therefore, I’d suggest visiting Italy in April-May and September-October and for the mountains- any time of the year.

Cinque Terre, Italy

Iguazu Falls

Many guides say that the best time to visit the falls is between December and April, however, locals told me that the weather can be capricious any time of the year. At times it rains a lot and the access to the falls is closed. I went there in March and the weather was perfect. Shortly before my trip, heavy rains passed through and the access was not possible.

Iguazu Falls

Brasil

November to April.

Special treat:  Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (February Carnival) February is the time for vibrant festivities in Rio de Janeiro. Dive into the electric atmosphere of Carnival, where samba rhythms, extravagant parades, and colorful costumes flood the streets in an explosion of joy.

Scotland

The best time to visit Scotland is between May and September, over summer. You can expect rain any time though, but at least you have bigger chances to enjoy beautiful weather. Don’t be surprised if the Scottish weather treats you with four seasons in one day, you cannot win with that. Be prepared!

Special treat: Visit in August to be able to participate in one of the biggest festivals in the world- FRINGE in Edinburgh. It lasts the whole month and it is something that will not forget. Streets are full of performers of any kind from anywhere in the world. Pubs and any venue available in town has scheduled performances every day, the whole day. What you can think of regarding art, drama, music, magic…is there.

In July International Edinburgh Festival has plenty to offer too: classical music concerts, theatre, and arts.

In June, the great Film Festival has a place and if you are lucky, Sir Sean Connery will do the opening.

Eilean Donan Castle, Scotland

Easter Island

March, April, October and November are the warmest months in Easter Island, although the breeze coming to the island from the Antarctic Ocean lowers the temperatures. Please don’t be surprised if get some rain during your trip, it can happen at any time of the year. The wettest periods though are May, June, July and October.

Easter Island

Costa Rica

Costa Rica has many beautiful beaches and high mountains, therefore the weather conditions vary, but there is a two-season rule you can follow. The dry season is between mid-November and mid-April and the rainy season is roughly from May till the middle of November. The heaviest rains are in September and the strongest winds occur usually in January and February. I personally think that Costa Rica is most beautiful in the rain while it is still warm. And what’s best about that? No crowds!

Special treat: For turtle watching go to Costa Rica between July and October.

Costa Rica

Northern Europe (Sweden, Norway, Finland)

I would say that any time of the year is great. For summery wheather you should go there between May and September, but if you are hungry for snow adventures of course winter there is perfect for that. October and November though, from experience, I find cold and wet- not too pleasant at times.

Central and Eastern Europe

It is ok to visit this part of Europe at any time of the year, but between April and September, you will have more sunny and dry days, although at times weather can be unpredictable. Sure it is nice in winter with tons of crispy snow and blue sky, but it can also treat you with gloomy days, dark and wet. Nothing else to do but hide under a blanket with a cup of hot chocolate and a book.

Please note that in most of the European countries July and August is school holiday time and this is when many people plan their vacation.

See also: Pierogi, kings and dragons. See the beauty of Kraków.

Prague, Czech Republic

Iceland

Iceland is great all year round, but in the months of October and November, when the days are getting shorter and the weather cooler, with a little bit of luck you can witness one of the most amazing spectacles: Northern Lights.

Australia

Australia is really big, so there’s no way to pick just one best season. Therefore I arranged it by regions:

Queensland and West Australia – April to September (winter);

NSW, Victoria, southern West Australia, Tasmania, South Australia – October to March (over summer).

Sydney Opera House, Australia

France

France is great to visit any time of the year depending on what you want to do and see. For summer weather and beach time, go there between May and November. In winter months the Alps are perfect for snow sports and picturesque views.

Special treat: May- Cannes Film Festival.

Serengeti, Tanzania

Witness the spectacle of the Great Migration in July. As millions of wildebeests and zebras traverse the Serengeti in search of greener pastures, it’s an unparalleled wildlife spectacle.


See also: 

From Tuscany to Cannes in two weeks. Plan a perfect road trip.

8 days in Armenia: a perfect road trip itinerary

A quick guide to Potosi, Bolivia: all you need to know

How to spend 4 days in Cape Town, itinerary.

Travelling solo to Thailand. Practical tips.


Chiang Rai White Temple

The best time to travel is all the time

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plan your trip according to the weather


Disclosure: Please note that this post included affiliate links, when you decide to purchase anything through these links I get a small commission at NO extra cost to you, it helps me to keep running this blog! I only promote products and services I use or would use myself. All images are the property of Postcards from the World and cannot be used without permission.

  1. This is such a great resource! Traveling can be expensive, so this is a great way to make sure you get the most out of a trip! I am sharing this on pinterest so others can take advantage of it!

  2. Great advice for travelers, Anna! I have been to Costs Rica and absolutely loved it! River rafting was beautiful and very fun, as well as the very scenic ride to get to the drop off spot. I also loved that they are the same time zone as us, so we had no jet lag.
    Keep up the great posts!
    Cindy

  3. For Minnesota, it depends on what you want to do. The height of summer is great for a visit to Duluth (kept cool by Lake Superior) or a lake vacation. Early fall is best for the rest of rural Minnesota; the heat goes down but not to the winter chill, the mosquitoes sleep, and most of the tourist attractions are still open.

    The Twin Cities are viable almost any time of year thanks to the extensive skyway systems making it easy to get in out of the weather. If you’re a shopper who wants to hit the Mall of America, skip November and December as the crowding gets messy.

    Winter is strictly for the hardy–the relatively flat terrain makes many winter sports less fun and allows the howling winds to sweep all before them.

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