Where Best To Travel in August 2024

by Laurie Baratti
Last updated: 7:00 PM ET, Sat July 13, 2024

We’re halfway through the year and summer is in full swing. Vacationers from around the globe are headed for destinations far and wide, but how do you choose which one to settle on when they all seem so incredible?

As with so many things in life, it may all boil down to timing. Which is why we decided to examine which of those bucket list-worthy worldwide destinations specifically lend themselves to a visit this August.

Where To Travel for Ecotourism

August falls in the middle of Costa Rica’s wettest season, meaning the jungles will be at the peak of verdancy, with lush foliage and vibrant flora. Rains still occur briefly in the afternoon or evening, keeping the country incredibly green and nourishing the more than 500,000 species of animals, birds and insects that call this otherworldly paradise home. Wildlife enthusiasts will find that this is a prime time for viewing the local fauna, as they are attracted to rivers and watering holes.

August is also an excellent month to explore this Central American gem because temperatures are cooled by the frequent rains. You’ll find the highest temperatures at lower elevations and higher humidity along the Pacific or Caribbean coasts, while higher-elevation microclimates, such as Monteverde, are cooler and mistier. Besides the famous Monteverde Cloud Forest, popular places to visit include the majestic Arenal Volcano and its gateway town, La Fortuna, as well as Manuel Antonio National Park, a Pacific coastal preserve that encompasses rugged rainforest, white-sand beaches and coral reefs. Other destinations where you can find breathtaking beaches alongside verdant flora include Tortuguero National Park, one of the best places to view sea turtles (whose prime nesting season falls in August) and Guanacaste, known as Costa Rica’s “Cold Coast”, which has a drier climate compared to other areas of the country.

Another reason to opt for going in August that that it’s outside of peak tourist season, meaning that popular destinations and attractions are less crowded, making for a more relaxed overall experience and optimal opportunities to enjoy the nation’s natural beauty. Less tourism demand also means that pricing for accommodations, flights and tours are often lower in August compared to the high season.

Hiker looking out at the Arenal volcano in La Fortuna

Where To Travel in the Southern Hemisphere

Visiting Australia in August comes with several advantages, not the least of which is the fact that it falls outside of peak tourist season (December to February), meaning fewer crowds at popular destinations, attractions and beaches, as well as cheaper flights, accommodations and tours. Since the Land Down Under is in the Southern Hemisphere, August is one of its winter months, which offers a much milder climate and a pleasant reprieve from the heat of the Northern Hemisphere’s summer. That said, climates vary widely across the continent, with northern regions being warmer and drier, with average temperatures of up to 86°F, making it great for outdoor activities like exploring the Great Barrier Reef. Meanwhile, southern regions will be experiencing cooler weather, with an average temperature of 52°F, according to Tourism Australia.

Over in the well-known southern metropolis of Sydney, you can head out to the harbor for a whale-watching tour or perhaps catch the annual City2Surf event, a 14-kilometer (8.7-mile) fun run that attracts over 80,000 participants. Snow seekers will find that August is prime ski season in Australia's alpine regions, such as the Snowy Mountains in New South Wales and the Victorian Alps. Even further south on the island of Tasmania, visitors can head to Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park to hike through snow-dusted trails, look for wildlife and possibly see the southern lights along the way.

Where To Travel for Outdoor Adventures

As an equatorial country, Colombia is technically a year-round destination, but August is a perfect time weather-wise to visit, boasting an average temperature of 75°F and some of the lowest rainfall of the year. This is the dry season in many parts of the South American country, including the major cities of Bogotá and Medellín, and the Andes, Amazon and coffee region, making it an ideal time to enjoy some outdoor activities, like hiking, cycling, horseback riding, wildlife watching, and water sports and beach activities.

Over on Colombia’s Pacific Coast—one of the wettest places on Earth, making it lush and filled with life—August is an ideal month to visit if you want to go whale watching. Starting in May, thousands of humpback whales begin to arrive Some of the best spots to encounter these marine mammoths as they swim along Colombia’s 800-mile stretch of Pacific coastline are Gorgona Island, Bahia Solano and Nuqui.

August is also a month rife with popular festivals, such as the world-famous Feria de Flores (Festival of the Flowers) held in Medellin—known as the City of Eternal Spring—during the first two weeks of the month, which features an array of colorful floral displays, parades, exhibitions, live music and other celebrations. Overall, there are 140 different cultural, traditional and modern events that occur as part of the festival, making it a can’t-miss attraction for anyone visiting during its 10-day run. One of the most iconic is the Silleteros parade, where flower farmers carry elaborate flower arrangements on their backs.

Panoramic view of Guatape, a town near Medellin, Colombia.

Where To Travel for Extra Daylight

Surely, it will come as no surprise that August is an excellent time of year to visit Iceland, as it’s one of the warmest months for the Nordic nation. The weather is mostly mild with average temperatures of 50°F to 59°F, making outdoor activities both more enjoyable and feasible than in the colder months. You can go take in spectacular waterfalls and geysers, go on a glacier tour, trek highland trails, go wildlife watching, horseback ride, dive or snorkel, soak in geothermal pools and much more.

August is prime season for whale watching and bird watching, and you still have the opportunity to spot some puffins as their season comes to a close. The scenery, which is always breathtaking in some capacity, is particularly stunning in the summer months, as landscapes are filled with vibrant greenery and blooming wildflowers. Plus, you’ll get plenty of time in which to sightsee or go on outdoor adventures, given that there are 16-18 hours of daylight during this period. Since the days are still long in the Land of the Midnight Sun, it’s not the best time of year to catch the Northern Lights. However, toward the end of the month, the nighttime hours do start getting dark enough to see this sought-after natural phenomenon, so your chances of seeing it start to increase. August also brings cultural vibrancy with festivals like Reykjavik Culture Night, which is the capital city’s birthday celebration and one of its biggest events of the year, featuring art, music, performances and fireworks.

Blooming lupine flowers on the Stokksnes headland, Iceland.

Where To Travel for Wildlife Spotting

If a full-fledged African safari is on your bucket list, August is the time to go and Tanzania is the destination to aim for. August falls within the dry season, which runs from June to October. This means less rainfall, fewer mosquitoes and easier wildlife spotting as animals converge around water sources. That being said, the weather is still pleasant with days that are warm without being uncomfortably hot—generally 68°F to 86°F.

On the Serengeti, the calendar’s eighth month sees the Great Migration in full swing. The mass movement of millions of wildebeest, zebras, gazelles, antelope and other herd species (and the predators that feed on them) offers an optimal opportunity for wildlife spotting. To experience a unique microcosm of East African flora and fauna, as well as breathtaking landscapes, head for the Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire or Serengeti National Park. There, wildlife sightings are abundant, including the so-called Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhinoceros).

Meanwhile, the coastal regions, such as Zanzibar, Pemba and Mafia Island enjoy warm and sunny weather in August, making it an ideal time for beach activities, snorkeling, diving and other watersports. For those with an affinity for higher altitudes, August is one of the best months to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, since the weather is stable, with minimal rain and clear skies, providing better views and a higher chance of reaching the summit.

Animals at a watering hole in the Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania.

Where To Travel for Island Escapes

August falls in the middle of Bora Bora’s high season for tourism, which coincides with the dry season when humidity is low and there is little rain. On average, year-round temperatures range from 75°F to 84°F, but during the wet season, it’s rainier, hotter and more humid. Although August is a popular time to visit, the South Pacific island’s exclusivity and limited accommodation options mean it never feels overly crowded. After all, if you’ve got a secluded overwater bungalow to yourself, it’s pretty easy to enjoy the island tranquility.

The prime weather during this period lends itself to outdoor activities and water sports, from snorkeling and diving to boating, sailing and jet-skiing. An abundance of vibrant marine life that calls Bora Bora’s coral reefs can be viewed readily thanks to excellent underwater visibility. August also marks the start of the whale watching season, as humpback whales migrate north from Antarctica to the warm French Polynesian waters to breed and calf. The dry season is also the ideal time to tackle land-based activities, like trail hiking, ATV tours and various excursions. Those trekking on foot often opt for the Valley of the Kings or, for the more ambitious, Mount Otemanu, immersing themselves in the scenic beauty of this exotic paradise filled with lush foliage and dotted with tropical lagoons.

Where To Travel for Cultural Events

With so many famously remote and often frigid regions, Scotland is an ideal spot to experience in August, which is one of the country’s warmest months with average temperatures ranging from 50°F to 66°F. These pleasantly mild temperatures also make August prime wildlife-watching season, as a variety of animals emerge to soak up the warmth and enjoy summer’s bounty. On land, look for red and roe deer, hares, squirrels and birds ranging from golden and white-tailed eagles to capercaillie. By the sea, you might spot some puffins, seals, otters and marine life, like dolphins and whales.

By the same token, the Scottish countryside is at its most vibrant in August, with lush green hills, blooming heather and clear lochs. This makes it an excellent time for outdoor activities like hiking, cycling and exploring national parks, like the Cairngorms, and Loch Lomond and The Trossachs. Horticultural sites, such as the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and Inverewe Garden, as well as Scotland’s many estates are also in full bloom and at the height of their beauty during this period.

August is festival season in Edinburgh, featuring world-renowned events such as the Edinburgh International Festival, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. These festivals offer a rich array of performances, from theater and comedy to music and dance, attracting artists and visitors from around the world. It’s also a prime month for attending traditional Highland Games, which are held in various towns and villages across Scotland. These events showcase traditional Scottish sports, music, and dance, offering a uniquely rich and vivid cultural experience.

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