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August is when you need to take one last summer “hurrah” vacation! In many places, tourist numbers and prices are starting to go down, the weather is still dry and warm, and it’s a prime bird and wildlife-watching month in some regions. So I’ve rounded up the best destinations to visit in August.
Top Summer Destinations in The U.S.
Where are you going to end your summer?!
These are the top destinations to visit in August!
Aruba
Because Aruba is outside the hurricane belt, it’s the perfect (and one of the only) Caribbean destinations to visit this month!
Temperatures will be in the 90s (32ºC). But the dry, desert climate and frequent winds will keep the humidity low. This is the island’s offseason, so tourist numbers and prices are at some of their lowest.
There’s a low chance of rain, and you’ll likely have sunshine every day. August also has some of the best windsurfing conditions in the world here!
Scotland
August is one of the few times of year you’re almost guaranteed to experience sunshine in Scotland. But you’ll still want to bring your best rain gear, especially if you’re heading to the Highlands.
Edinburgh and St. Andrews are must-visit cities. And I recommend visiting some of the islands, such as Skye, Mull, and Lunga for puffin viewing. The seas are calmer and the coasts are clearer during this month.
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe – the largest arts festival in the world – happens in August every year, so make sure you plan your trip around this must-do-once-in-your-lifetime event!
Seattle, WA & Portland, OR in the U.S.
Both of these Pacific Northwest cities have incredible food scenes, a welcoming and casual “vibe,” and amazing outdoor activities. In Seattle, you’re just a short drive or ferry ride from Olympic National Park, Mt. Rainier, and North Cascades National Park. In Portland, you’re close to Mt. Hood and the Columbia River Highway.
August is one of the warmest, sunniest, and driest months for both cities, and the later in the month you visit, the lower the prices and crowds will be.
Bali
August is the sunniest month of the year in Bali! This is the middle of the dry season, so the humidity and chance of rain will be low. Daytime temperatures will average in the mid-80s, and nighttime temperatures will drop into the high-70s.
I highly recommend splitting your time between one of the southern coastal towns, such as Jimbaran, Sanur, or Seminyak, and the inland jungle town of Ubud.
Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park is one of the most-visited U.S. National Parks. People gladly make the long trip to Glacier for its stunning mountains, lakes, and valleys.
Tips for Visiting Popular National Parks
August is a peak travel month for Glacier, but this is one of the only times of the year when nighttime temperatures are above freezing, and the entire park is open. So book your accommodation and tours in advance.
My top activity recommendations are to drive the Going-To-The-Sun Road (only vehicles less than 21 feet long and 10 feet high are permitted on this road), visit Bowman Lake, do a guided scenic float down the Flathead River with Glacier Guides Montana Raft, and hike the Covey Meadow Loop.
Ecuador
August is a peak tourism month for Ecuador, but Ecuador is never really packed with people, most of whom are just stopping over on their way to the Galapagos Islands.
This is one of the driest months of the year, so you can enjoy everything Ecuador has to offer. You’ve got volcanos to climb, the Amazon to trek, coasts to surf and sunbathe on, and beautiful cities to explore.
Make sure you visit Quito! The entire city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it’s made my list of top Budget Destinations Around The World.
Alaska
There’s a reason Alaska is called the Last Frontier. With its incredible national parks, fantastic coastlines and glaciers, and beautiful cities, your Alaska adventure can be as far or as close to civilization as you want.
Day temperatures will be in the mid-60s, and night temperatures shouldn’t drop below 50. You’ll have about 17 hours of daylight this time of year, giving you long days to explore this beautiful state.
This is the last month for glacier hikes before tours stop for the season. August is also blueberry month in Alaska, especially at the Alyeska Resort Blueberry Festival and Blueberry Arts Festival.
East and Southern Africa
These are the peak months for safaris throughout Eastern and Southern Africa. As far as game viewing goes, you can’t go wrong with Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, South Africa, Mozambique, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, or Uganda.
The Ultimate Safari Travel Guide
This is a great month to see the river crossings in the Serengeti and Masai Mara areas. In addition to watching wildebeest avoid crocodiles, big cats are always crouched nearby as The Great Migration moves through their territories.
Every safari destination will have peak prices and crowds during these months, so book in advance and plan accordingly. I recommend opting for smaller accommodations to avoid overcrowding on game drives.
Read More
The Best Safari Lodges in Africa
How To Choose a Safari Destination
Eastern Canada
While most people visit Canada’s Western provinces and large cities this month, you should head to the stunning and more off-the-beaten-path Eastern Canada.
Venture beyond Toronto, Niagra Falls, and Montreal further east to Québec City for an urban getaway, Newfoundland for whale and puffin sightings, or Nova Scotia for beautiful coastal towns, incredible hiking, and water activities.
Montenegro
Montenegro is blissfully off-the-beaten-tourist-path. So while most of Europe is crowded and overpriced in August, this Balkan country is an oasis of lower prices and tourist numbers.
This country has it all – mountains, medieval villages, beaches, churches, fortified towns, wineries, and national parks. The weather will be hot and dry during the, so pack light, breathable clothes to stay cool. Evening temperatures can get into the low-70s, so you’ll also want clothes you can layer.
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What are your favorite destinations to visit in August? Tell us in the comments below!
More Destinations By Month
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Destinations To Visit in August
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the best place to visit in August?
The Best Destinations To Visit in August:
1. Aruba
2. Scotland
3. Seattle, Washington, and Portland, Oregon in the U.S.
4. Bali
5. Glacier National Park
6. Ecuador
7. Alaska
8. Eastern and Southern Africa
9. Eastern Canada
10. Montenegro
Where is the best place to visit August?
The Best Destinations To Visit in August:
1. Aruba
2. Scotland
3. Seattle, Washington, and Portland, Oregon in the U.S.
4. Bali
5. Glacier National Park
6. Ecuador
7. Alaska
8. Eastern and Southern Africa
9. Eastern Canada
10. Montenegro
Where to go in August that's not too hot?
The Best Destinations To Visit in August:
1. Aruba
2. Scotland
3. Seattle, Washington, and Portland, Oregon in the U.S.
4. Bali
5. Glacier National Park
6. Ecuador
7. Alaska
8. Eastern and Southern Africa
9. Eastern Canada
10. Montenegro
Where is the cheapest holiday destination in August?
The Best Destinations To Visit in August:
1. Aruba
2. Scotland
3. Seattle, Washington, and Portland, Oregon in the U.S.
4. Bali
5. Glacier National Park
6. Ecuador
7. Alaska
8. Eastern and Southern Africa
9. Eastern Canada
10. Montenegro
Where is the best beach vacation in August?
Aruba. Because Aruba is outside the hurricane belt, it’s the perfect (and one of the only) Caribbean destinations to visit this month!
Temperatures will be in the 90s (32ºC). But the dry, desert climate and frequent winds will keep the humidity low. This is the island’s offseason, so tourist numbers and prices are at some of their lowest.
There’s a low chance of rain, and you’ll likely have sunshine every day. August also has some of the best windsurfing conditions in the world here!
Bali. August is the sunniest month of the year in Bali! This is the middle of the dry season, so the humidity and chance of rain will be low. Daytime temperatures will average in the mid-80s, and nighttime temperatures will drop into the high-70s.
I highly recommend splitting your time between one of the southern coastal towns, such as Jimbaran, Sanur, or Seminyak, and the inland jungle town of Ubud.
Where is nice and hot in August?
The Best Destinations To Visit in August:
1. Aruba
2. Scotland
3. Seattle, Washington, and Portland, Oregon in the U.S.
4. Bali
5. Glacier National Park
6. Ecuador
7. Alaska
8. Eastern and Southern Africa
9. Eastern Canada
10. Montenegro
Where in the Caribbean is nice in August?
Aruba. Because Aruba is outside the hurricane belt, it’s the perfect (and one of the only) Caribbean destinations to visit this month!
Temperatures will be in the 90s (32ºC). But the dry, desert climate and frequent winds will keep the humidity low. This is the island’s offseason, so tourist numbers and prices are at some of their lowest.
There’s a low chance of rain, and you’ll likely have sunshine every day. August also has some of the best windsurfing conditions in the world here!
Should I go to Maldives in August?
August is one of the rainiest months in the Maldives. You should expect rain every day for at least a couple of hours. The days are warm and humid, with average highs in the 90s, and the nights have temperatures in the 70s.
The winds will be strong in August, making some water activities more difficult, and water visibility will be relatively cloudy compared to the rest of the year. The northern islands will have less rain than the southern ones, and this is an excellent month to visit The Maldives if you’re on a budget.
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This article about the best destinations to visit in August is not a sponsored post, and the thoughts and opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own. Some of the links in this post about the best destinations to visit in August are affiliate links, and, at no cost to you, I may earn a small commission.
Hazel Apuhin
I love this!
Lucy On Locale
Thank you so much!