We’re halfway through the year and summer is in full swing, with tourists from all over the world heading to different destinations, but with so many amazing places to visit, how do you decide which one to go to?
As with many things in life, maybe it’s all about timing, which is why we decided to take a look at the best bucket list destinations around the world to visit this August.
Ecotourism destinations
August marks the middle of Costa Rica’s rainiest season, when the jungle is at its greenest, covered in lush foliage and vibrant vegetation. Short rain showers in the afternoon and evenings create a stunning blanket of greenery across the country, nurturing the more than 500,000 species of animals, birds and insects that call this otherworldly paradise home. For wildlife lovers, this is the best time to spot the local fauna, as they congregate around rivers and waterholes.
August is also the best month to explore this Central American gem, with more rain and cooler temperatures. The Pacific and Caribbean coasts experience the warmest temperatures due to their lower elevations and higher humidity, while the microclimates of higher elevation areas such as Monteverde are cooler and foggier. Besides the famous Monteverde Cloud Forest, other popular tourist attractions include the majestic Arenal Volcano and its gateway, La Fortuna, and Manuel Antonio National Park, a protected area along the Pacific coast that includes rugged rainforests, white-sand beaches, and coral reefs. Other destinations with breathtaking beaches and lush vegetation include Tortuguero National Park, one of the best places to see sea turtles (their best nesting season is in August), and Guanacaste, known as Costa Rica’s “Cold Coast” (where the climate is drier than the rest of the country).
Another reason to travel in August is that it’s not peak tourist season, which means popular destinations and attractions are less crowded, making for an overall more relaxing experience and the perfect opportunity to enjoy the country’s natural beauty. Less tourist demand also means that prices for accommodation, flights and tours are cheaper in August compared to high season.
Hikers view the Arenal Volcano in La Fortuna (Photo by Goway/Amy/ Adobe Stock)
Where to travel in the Southern Hemisphere
Visiting Australia in August has several advantages. Most importantly, you’ll be outside of peak tourist season (December to February), meaning popular destinations, attractions and beaches will be less crowded, and flights, accommodation and tours will be cheaper. As Australia is in the Southern Hemisphere, August is one of the winter months, meaning the weather is much milder, providing a pleasant escape from the heat of Northern Hemisphere summers. That said, the climate varies greatly across the continent, with northern regions being warmer and drier, with average temperatures rising to 86°F, making it ideal for outdoor activities like exploring the Great Barrier Reef. Meanwhile, southern regions will experience cooler weather with an average temperature of 52°F, according to Tourism Australia.
In the famous southern metropolis of Sydney, head out to the harbour for a whale watching tour or take part in the annual City2Surf event, a 14-kilometer (8.7-mile) fun run that attracts more than 80,000 participants. For snow-seekers, August is the peak of ski season in Australia’s alpine regions, including the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales and the Victorian Alps. Further south in Tasmania, head to Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park to hike snowy trails, spot wildlife and even see the Southern Lights along the way.
Sydney Harbour panorama. (Photo credit: Goway Travel/lhboucault/Adobe Stock)
Outdoor Adventure Destinations
Colombia is an equatorial country, so you can technically travel there year-round, but the best time to visit weather-wise is August, when the average temperature is 75°F and the country sees the least rainfall of the year. Much of South America, including big cities like Bogota and Medellin, the Andes, the Amazon and coffee regions, falls in the dry season, which is an ideal time to enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, biking, horseback riding, wildlife watching, water sports and beach activities.
Colombia’s Pacific coast is one of the wettest places on earth, lush and teeming with life. If you’re looking to go whale watching, August is the ideal time to visit. Starting in May, thousands of humpback whales arrive here. The best places to spot these marine mammoths as they swim along Colombia’s 800-mile Pacific coast are Isla Gorgona, Bahia Solano and Nuqui.
August is also a month packed with popular festivals. For example, during the first two weeks of the month, Medellin, known as the City of Eternal Spring, hosts the world-famous Feria de Flores (Flower Festival). The festival is packed with colorful floral displays, parades, exhibitions, live music, and other celebrations. In total, the festival features 140 cultural, traditional, and contemporary events, making it an unmissable attraction for visitors during its 10-day run. One of the most iconic events is the Sileteros Parade, where flower farmers carry elaborate floral arrangements on their backs.
Panoramic view of Guatape, a town near Medellín, Colombia. (Photo by Adobe Stock/RM Nunes)
A travel destination where you can fully enjoy Nikko
August is one of the warmest months in the Nordic countries, so it’s no surprise that it’s a great time to visit Iceland. The weather is generally mild, with average temperatures between 50°F and 59°F, making outdoor activities more enjoyable and doable than in the colder months. See spectacular waterfalls and geysers, take a glacier tour, trek highland trails, go wildlife watching, horseback riding, diving and snorkeling, bathing in geothermal pools, and much more.
August is a great time for whale and bird watching. Even though the season is drawing to a close, there is still a chance to spot puffins. The scenery is breathtaking at any time of the year, but especially in summer, when it is filled with vibrant greenery and blooming wildflowers. This time of year also offers plenty of time for sightseeing and outdoor adventures, as the days are still long in the Land of the Midnight Sun. However, as the nights start to get darker and this popular natural phenomenon becomes visible, your chances of seeing it increase. August also brings a cultural buzz with festivals such as Reykjavik Culture Night, which celebrates the capital city’s birthday. This event is one of the biggest of the year, featuring art, music, performances, and fireworks.
Lupine flowers blooming at Stokksnes headland in Iceland. (Photo by Adobe Stock/Andrew Mayovskyy)
Best destinations for wildlife watching
If a full-scale African safari is a once-in-a-lifetime dream, August is the time to go. Tanzania is the destination to aspire to. August falls in the dry season, which runs from June to October. This means less rain, fewer mosquitoes, and easier wildlife spotting as animals congregate around water sources. That said, the weather is pleasant, with temperatures ranging from 68°F to 86°F, meaning warm days rather than uncomfortably hot.
The Serengeti’s Great Migration reaches its climax in the eighth calendar month, creating a fantastic opportunity for wildlife watching as millions of wildebeest, zebras, gazelles, antelopes and other herd animals (and the predators that feed on them) migrate in their vast numbers. To experience a unique microcosm of East African flora and fauna and breathtaking landscapes, head to Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire or Serengeti National Parks, where you’ll find an abundance of wildlife, including the so-called Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino).
Meanwhile, coastal areas like Zanzibar, Pemba and Mafia Island will enjoy warm and sunny weather in August, making it the perfect time for beach activities, snorkelling, diving and other water sports. For those who prefer higher altitudes, August is the best month for climbing Kilimanjaro, with stable weather, little rain and clear skies ensuring good views and a higher chance of reaching the summit.
Animals at a watering hole in Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania.
The perfect place for an island getaway
August is the height of Bora Bora’s tourist season, coinciding with the dry season when humidity levels are low and rain levels are low. The average annual temperature ranges from 75°F to 84°F, but the wet season brings more rain, heat, and humidity. Although August is a popular tourist month, this South Pacific island is unique and accommodations are limited, so it never gets too crowded. After all, it’s easy to enjoy the island’s tranquility when you’ve got a secluded overwater bungalow all to yourself.
The perfect weather during this time of year makes it ideal for outdoor activities and water sports, from snorkeling and diving to boating, sailing and jet skiing. The abundance of vibrant marine life that inhabits Bora Bora’s coral reefs is easily observed thanks to excellent underwater visibility. August also marks the start of whale watching season, as humpback whales migrate north from Antarctica to the warmer French Polynesian waters to breed and raise their young. The dry season is also the best time to tackle land-based activities, including trail hikes, ATV tours and a variety of excursions. Foot treks often opt for the Valley of the Kings, while the more ambitious choose Mount Otemanu to soak up the beautiful scenery of this exotic paradise, covered in lush trees and dotted with tropical lagoons.
Bora Bora, French Polynesia. (Photo by Adobe Stock/bomboman)
A destination for cultural events
Scotland is renowned for its many remote and frigid regions, making it an ideal place to experience in August. August is one of the warmest months in the country, with average temperatures ranging from 50°F to 66°F. These pleasantly mild temperatures also make August a prime time for wildlife watching, as a variety of animals emerge to seek out warmth and enjoy the bounty of summer. On land, you can spot red and roe deer, hares, squirrels, and a variety of birds, from golden and white-tailed eagles to capercaillie. On the coast, you may spot puffins, seals, otters, and marine life such as dolphins and whales.
Similarly, Scotland’s countryside is at its most vibrant in August, with lush green hills, flowering heather and crystal clear lakes, making it the perfect time for outdoor activities like hiking, cycling and exploring national parks such as the Cairngorms, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs. Horticultural sites such as the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh and Inverewe Gardens, as well as many of Scotland’s country homes, are also in full bloom and at the height of their beauty at this time of year.
August is Edinburgh’s festival season, with world-renowned events such as the Edinburgh International Festival, Edinburgh Festival Fringe and the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. These festivals showcase a wide range of performances from theatre and comedy to music and dance, attracting artists and visitors from all over the world. It’s also the best month to take part in the traditional Highland Games, which are held in various towns and villages across Scotland. These events showcase traditional Scottish sports, music and dance, making for a unique, enriching and vibrant cultural experience.
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