Seasonal travel planner
Where to travel in summer
The summer is seen as peak season in much of the world, as the months of May to August bring warmer weather, gloriously long days and golden evenings. There is so much diversity to experience on a summer vacation, from wandering the verdant coffee regions of Colombia to spotting the nesting sea turtles of Costa Rica.
Uganda
The Western summer months of May to August are part of the dry season in Uganda, making it the prime time for immersing yourself in glorious rainforests, savannahs, and lakes. Alongside the Rwenzori Mountains, Murchison Falls and Lake Bunyonyi, Uganda is revered for its wild mountain gorillas.
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is excellent during summer, as the rivers are lower, the hiking trails are drier and easier to stomp along, and lots of animals gather within view – not just gorillas, but chimpanzees, colobus monkeys, elephants, hippos and more. If walking with gorillas is on your bucket list, summer is the time – and nothing quite compares with feeling in such close proximity with our mighty ancestors.
Colombia
If you’ve been considering the sun-splashed Caribbean coast of Colombia, throughout May to August it’s sunny and warm with wonderful beach days in store – as well as cultural experiences by the bucketload. One of the country’s most memorable cities, Cartagena, glows at this time of year – so you can wander its colorful, colonial streets and energetic plazas within its historic city walls with the warmth of the sun on your face.
If you want to escape the heat, the Andean highlands are much cooler with the odd shower, but tours of the coffee regions and hiking are still very worthwhile. Colombia is celebrated for its rich cup of beans, and the hills and valleys of the coffee regions, notably the Cocora Valley, are a vibrant green in the summer. For more fresh-aired stomping, the trails around Los Nevados National Park are breathtaking, too, if you’re after more of a challenge.
Costa Rica
There’s a ‘green season’ in Costa Rica, and it falls in June and July. This means occasional rain showers, but as the name says, everything shimmers in a verdant lushness that you won’t be able to stop taking photos of.
Costa Rica’s wildlife is some of the most diverse in the world – the sloths, the toucans, the hummingbirds, the butterflies – and this time of year is perfect for seeing as much of it as possible. Head to Tortuguero National Park on the Caribbean coast to see nesting sea turtles, especially green turtles, which are active in early summer; whereas in national parks like Corcovado on the Osa Peninsula, you can spot monkeys, tapirs, jaguars, and hundreds of bird species in lush rainforest.
Don’t forget the adventure activities like zip-lining, white-water rafting and volcano hikes that Costa Rica is known for. If this is where your heart lies, conditions are still great for it, despite the odd shower – and surfing conditions are generally good.
Iceland
Iceland is well-known for its wintry scenes and skies – but exploring it in the middle of a warm summer is also worthwhile, in ways that are less familiar yet no-less exciting. The months of May to August bring mild temperatures and long daylight hours, as well as fascinating remote areas that are easier to access than when the snow is heavy and ice thick.
Explore the famous Golden Circle Route for impressive waterfalls and glaciers of the ancient Thingvellir National Park, Gulfoss Falls and Geysir area – it’s the time of year to see these at their best. Wildlife is also thriving as puffins nest along the cliffs at Dyrhólaey and the Westman Islands, while whale watching is excellent from towns like Húsavík or Reykjavík and the Snæfellsnes Peninsula.
What’s more, summer festivals in Reykjavík are full of music, the arts and authentic local city life, so you can get a taste of contemporary Iceland, as well as experience some of the world’s most ancient and elemental landscapes.
Finland
The wintry scenes of Finland are often associated with Christmas time and the colder parts of the year, but the summer brings its own magic.
From May to August, temperatures are milder, meaning pleasurable wandering around the cities of Helsinki and Turku, and hiking, kayaking or wild swimming in places such as Nuuksio National Park and the Lakeland region. Notably, the midnight sun hovers in the north, especially in Lapland. This means daylight lasts for multiple days, giving an otherworldly sense of endlessness that can rarely be experienced anywhere else.
Remember, it’s also sauna season! Saunas are popular with locals and seen as a Scandi way of life, so get involved in a lakeside sauna among locals. A summer trip to Finland is one you won’t forget, a breath of fresh air next to your usual beach vacation.
Ecuador and the Galapagos
If you’ve ever dreamed of visiting Charles Darwin’s favorite wildlife paradise, June to August is a wonderful time to hit the Galapagos Islands. This cooler, drier season makes it easier to explore both land and sea and absorb this wonderland of unique flora and fauna.
On Santa Cruz, the island’s iconic giant tortoises begin their migration from the highlands to lowlands, and you can watch them grazing and ambling in green fields. Española is alive with blue-footed boobies, and Punta Suárez is full of the drama of cliffside blowholes and nesting waved albatross. For those who want to get in amongst it all, the Humboldt Current brings cooler, nutrient-rich waters, which means snorkeling off Isabela or Floreana is fruitful with green sea turtles, sea lions, and reef sharks in crystalline visibility.
The mainland of Ecuador also shines in these months, so you can indulge in a dream trip combining both destinations, if you have the time. Quito’s high-altitude sunshine makes wandering the Old Town’s colonial plazas a delight, or you could trek the Avenue of the Volcanoes in Cotopaxi or Chimborazo.
Mongolia
If Mongolia is on your list of ‘have-to-go’ adventure destinations, the summer months of June to August are really the only practical time to plan a trip. The weather is mild and dry, making the vast steppes, deserts and mountain trails fully accessible. This is an incredible place to feel truly off-grid, as you can stay with locals in a traditional yurt, ride horses and watch the stars under vast, clear skies.
July is also when Mongolia’s biggest and most exciting celebration, the Naadam Festival, takes place. Events occur across the country, but the main event is in capital Ulaanbaatar. It’s often described as the ‘Three Manly Games’ because it centers around traditional wrestling, horse racing, and archery – the sports that are centuries-old cornerstones of Mongolian culture. However, women also compete in archery and children in horse racing; and it’s a thrilling display of ancient skill in such an underrated part of the world.
Estonia
Estonia is so overlooked as a European vacation destination, but it makes for a thoroughly enjoyable getaway. The summer period of May to August is a time to experience its medieval streets, traditional architecture, and wonderful beaches at their warmest and most colorful.
The capital, Tallinn, is growing in popularity as a rewarding place for a city break, with a striking Old Town awash with spired churches as well as lovely cafes, food markets, and street performers. Rooftop bars are great in the summer, as the sun lingers long into the evenings, and it’s also the season of frequent traditional folk festivals.
To escape to the coast, Estonia is home to stunning forests and wetlands (including Lahemaa National Park) as well as nearly 1,500 islands – such as windmill-strewn Saaremaa or forested Hiiumaa. The air of festivities stretches all the way here: Midsummer’s Eve, or Jaanipäev, takes place on June 24th and is the country’s biggest holiday; bonfires blaze on beaches and fields, and people dance, sing and stay up till dawn to celebrate the longest day.
Kenya
For those who dream of witnessing the Great Wildebeest Migration across Kenya’s iconic Masai Mara, June to August is the best time to experience it. As it’s the dry season in Kenya and the grass is shorter, it’s prime time to witness all manner of African animals congregating at watering holes, grazing in the grasslands, and traveling in herds across the vast and breathtaking scenery.
As the weather is more predictable in the dry season, game drives through parks such as Amboseli are straightforward and fruitful. Catch sight of elephants, lions, hyena, rhino and more through your binoculars, with the snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro as your backdrop. Another option is Samburu Park, known for its unique species like the gerenuk and Grévy’s zebra.
If you’re keen to explore on foot, hiking Mount Kenya or exploring the Great Rift Valley is spectacular in this warm, dry weather, and cultural experiences with locals are more accessible.
Borneo
Borneo is all about exploring the wilderness both in rainforests and underwater, and the dry summer months provide some of the best conditions to get out there and experience the immense biodiversity.
In Malaysian Borneo, you might trek deep into Sabah’s Danum Valley or drift in a boat along the Kinabatangan River, where pygmy elephants and proboscis monkeys roam between trees. Sightings of orangutans are possible, though can be rare – but you can watch adorable orangutan babies being fed at the nearby Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre, with its own section of rainforest where they roam free. In the south, don a snorkel or gas tank to experience some of the world’s most spectacular diving in Sipadan. Be aware – you’ll need to book well in advance as diving permits are controlled, but nearby Mabul is another option.
On the Indonesia side, Kalimantan, the wilderness feels even more remote. If you’re up for the adventure, long river boat journeys carry you into the heart of the jungle, where rehabilitated orangutans roam free in places like Tanjung Puting National Park. Don’t forget the coast – snorkeling and diving opportunities are huge in the summer, with clear tropical waters to spot manta rays, sea turtles, and whale sharks off the Derawan Archipelago.
- Discover Malaysian or Indonesian Borneo
- View all trip ideas for Borneo in Malaysia or Indonesia
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