21 Cheap destinations for 2023 with great weather in July

July of 2023 should be booming like 2019 after a few years of pandemic-related closures and slowness. This is always a busy travel season but there are still some great bargains this month all around the world. The list below includes 21 of the best places to visit in July and many of them have much better weather this month than you’d probably expect. Many of the best places to visit in July will have festivals and events going on, and in many cases it’s better to avoid those unless you are sure you want to join in.

Another thing to consider is the July heat. Most of the places on the list below have relatively mild climates and air conditioning is common indoors, but it still might be necessary to adjust your schedule if you want to hike through a national park, for instance. In fact, many popular July destinations in the Mediterranean area and Asia get very quiet in the afternoon hours and things really get going again at night.

Looking to avoid the heat? Check out our 2023 best cool destinations to escape the summer heat

This article was last updated in May, 2023

Important July 2023 Holidays

  • July 1 – Canada Day(major public holiday)
  • July 4 – Independence Day in the USA (major public holiday)
  • July 6 – Jan Hus Day in Czechia (public holidays)
  • July 7 to 14 – Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain
  • July 9 – Argentine Independence Day (major public holiday)
  • July 14 – Bastille Day in France (major public holiday)
  • July 28 – King Vajiralongkorn’s Birthday Holiday in Thailand.

The Americas

The month of July can be a challenging one to find cheap places with great weather in the Americas, but there are definitely some options. The great weather part is almost everywhere in July, but finding a cheap place is not so easy because many places are in their peak hotel season this month. Still, most of the Caribbean remains pretty cheap and the weather is better than most people realize in summer.

The Caribbean

Most of the list below is interesting and affordable cities around the world, but if your main goal is to simply relax on a beach or by a pool you might consider the Caribbean. Prices at resorts and particularly at all-inclusive resorts are shockingly low in July even though the weather is still warm and dry for the most part. There are also some colonial cities such as San Juan that are worth exploring to mix things up a bit.

It’s also worth noting that while the hurricane season technically begins in June, it’s very rare to have hurricanes before August, so July is a pretty safe month. Also, the weather tracking is so much better these days that we hear about possible storms at least 4 or 5 days before they hit, so there is always plenty of time to get out of the way if you are so unlucky that one is headed in your direction in July.


Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

  • July avg high: 89°F/32°C
  • July avg low: 77°F/25°C
  • July avg precip: 1.7″/4.3cm

Punta Cana highlights

  • Excellent all-inclusive beach resorts at surprisingly affordable prices
  • A large, modern airport and new highways to get you in safely
  • White, sandy beaches at most every resort
  • Fishing, sailing, water sports, and other adventure excursions available
  • Family resorts are plentiful and cheap for families with kids

Featuring a gorgeous and fairly isolated location out on the eastern tip of the Dominican Republic, Punta Cana has become a powerhouse among Caribbean resort destinations. It has lovely sandy, white beaches to go along with over 100 resorts that draw in guests from all over North America and Europe. July is a warm month, but it’s dry and the ocean breezes keep it very comfortable day and night. This is also one of the cheapest periods of the year for resort prices, so you can find very nice all-inclusive beach hotels starting well under US$200 per night for two people. Actually, Punta Cana is one of the best Caribbean islands for all-inclusive resorts for families with kids as well.

The all inclusive resorts are looking like amazing bargains this July as well. Punta Cana is one of the places where 4-star beach resorts are VERY different from family-run 3-star hotels and the room rates reflect that. Most people should probably book a chain hotel because they offer amazing value, especially the all-inclusive places.

  • 3-star hotels from: US$45 per night for two people
  • 4-star hotels from: US$75 per night for two people

>>>Check current Punta Cana resort and package deals


Montego Bay, Jamaica

  • July avg high: 90°F/32°C
  • July avg low: 76°F/24°C
  • July avg precip: 1.5″/3.8cm

Montego Bay highlights

  • Jamaica has a famously distinct cuisine and amazing beach drinks
  • Sandy beaches at most resorts, and many of them are world-class
  • Excellent sunsets in Negril (7-Mile Beach) and other west-facing beaches
  • Legit local music and nightlife for those adventurous enough to leave the resorts
  • The only large Caribbean island where all the locals speak English

Montego Bay, located in Jamaica’s northwest corner, is one of the Caribbean’s most popular hubs for flights as well as beach resorts. The days in July are quite warm, and the nights are too, but when you are spending most of your time in the ocean breezes, it’s actually more comfortable than you’d expect. The best news is that rates at the larger resorts, including the abundant all-inclusive resorts, are near their annual lows. In fact, an all-inclusive resort here is probably one of the cheaper options on this whole list, and you can really live it up here for very little if that’s the sort of summer trip you are after. Montego Bay has an entry on our list of the best luxury all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean as well.

  • 3-star hotels from: US$60 per night for two people
  • 4-star hotels from: US$262 per night for two people

>>>Check current Montego Bay resort and package deals


Cancun, Mexico

  • July avg high: 92°F/33°C
  • July avg low: 77°F/25°C
  • July avg precip: 3.0″/7.5cm

Cancun highlights

  • Gorgeous beaches with turquoise water in some (but not all) Cancun areas
  • The Caribbean’s best nightlife around Punta Cancun
  • A huge range of all-inclusive resorts in all price ranges
  • Every imaginable activity, fishing, diving, water sport, and golf, plus famous ruins
  • Cenotes, which are semi-enclosed sea caves and unique to this area

You’ll definitely get warm temperatures in Cancun during the month of July, but you’ll also get pleasant sea breezes pretty much wherever you’ll be spending time, so it’s nicer than you’d probably think. Even better news is that July is one of the slower and cheaper months for hotels in this area, so really good bargains are available even at some of the nicer beach-front resorts in the middle of the Hotel Zone.

Better still, there are quite a few all-inclusive resorts in the greater Cancun area (which also includes Playa del Carmen and the island of Cozumel just to the south), and those are often at bargain prices as well. Most people forget about places like Cancun during the warmest summer months, which is exactly why you get great value along with pleasant warm weather. And by the way, while July is technically part of the wet season, it’s actually pretty dry so you’d be unlucky to even get some afternoon showers, much less a real thunderstorm in July. Consider Tulum, which is a bit south of Playa del Carmen, if you’d prefer a smaller and more creative resort town. In fact, because the Cancun area is so large and popular, I wrote an article on choosing where to stay in the Cancun area so you can find the place that suits your style the best.

  • 3-star hotels from: US$50 per night for two people
  • 4-star hotels from: US$79 per night for two people

>>>Check current Cancun resort and package deals


Mexico City, Mexico

  • July avg high: 73°F/23°C
  • July avg low: 53°F/12°C
  • July avg precip: 6.9″/17.3cm

Mexico City highlights

  • Historic colonial city center that is safe and very photogenic
  • Modern entertainment and retail districts that are surprisingly fancy
  • Excellent local food at very appealing prices
  • Pyramids and other nearby Aztec ruins that are easy to reach on day trips
  • Very affordable hotels at good standards

Mexico City does get a bit of rain in July, but it’s usually not too bad and this is somewhat of an indoor city anyway, with great restaurants and a long list of cultural attractions. Also, the high altitude means that temperatures will be moderate, so it’s a nice place to get out of the scorching heat everywhere else.

Mexico City might be the most underrated travel destination in the Americas. The huge downtown area is far more luxurious than most people expect, and there are museums and public artworks in almost every direction. It helps if you know at least a bit of Spanish, but these days with translation apps being so good, you can still have an amazing visit with English only.

  • 3-star hotels from: US$35 per night for two people
  • 4-star hotels from: US$75 per night for two people

>>>Mexico City travel guide and prices
>>>Check current Mexico City hotel deals


Cartagena, Colombia

  • July avg high: 87°F/31°C
  • July avg low: 79°F/26°C
  • July avg precip: 4.2″/8.5cm

Cartagena highlights

  • Historic walled city that rivals Old San Juan in scope
  • Pleasant beaches a short ride from the historic center
  • Great food and drinks at surprisingly affordable prices
  • A unique atmosphere and feeling that is unlike the large Caribbean islands
  • Nearby islands, fishing, boating, and abundant water sports

Cartagena makes the list again because the rain doesn’t tend to accumulate much during July, so it’s an ideal cheapo beach vacation if you’ve got a week or two off. The flight from wherever you are starting is bound to cost more than to get to a closer beach destination, but in just a few days here you’ll have saved all that money by having such minimal expenses.

It rarely gets too scorching here in July, and there are plenty of indoor activities in the gorgeous walled Old Town to indulge in during the middle of the day if you do need a break. Food and drinks here are amazing bargains, and the attractions and taxi prices are low as well. Budget-minded travelers wanting to know where to go in July should strongly consider this one.

  • 3-star hotels from: US$43 per night for two people
  • 4-star hotels from: US$70 per night for two people

>>>Cartagena travel guide and prices
>>>Check current Cartagena hotel and package deals


Quito, Ecuador

  • July avg high: 67°F/19°C
  • July avg low: 49°F/9°C
  • July avg precip: 0.8″/2.0cm

Quito highlights

  • Hike the El Panecillo “The Bread Roll” hill
  • Gorgeous and well preserved historic town center
  • Hotels and food at very affordable prices
  • Visit the Cotopaxi Volcano
  • Straddle the equator (both a real and fake one)

It might be hard to describe Quito’s weather as “great” during July, but this is actually the warmest and driest month, so at least it won’t get any better than this. The bad news, perhaps, is that the temperatures in Quito are almost the exact same every day of the year, and it’s never all that warm.

The positive thing here is that Quito is very cheap, and certainly not too spoiled by over visiting or commercialization. Anyone considering a trip to the northern part of South America could do a lot worse than Ecuador’s capital in July.

  • 3-star hotels from: US$28 per night for two people
  • 4-star hotels from: US$76 per night for two people

>>>Quito travel guide and prices
>>>Check current Quito hotel and package deals


Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

  • July avg high: 81°F/27°C
  • July avg low: 63°F/17°C
  • July avg precip: 1.6″/4.0cm

Rio de Janeiro highlights

  • Copacabana and Ipanema beach areas are amazing and world-class
  • Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf cable car are very cool in person
  • Famous beach culture where locals far outnumber tourists, even in high season
  • Great Brazilian and beach food and drink culture that is affordable
  • Cheap independently-run hotels in the nicer beach areas

The July weather in Rio de Janeiro is just about perfect, with days that are plenty warm enough for the beach, and nights that are cool enough to need a sweater when going out. The rain is very minimal in July as well, so this tropical city has its best stretch of weather for the year during this period.

Brazil had become somewhat expensive in recent years, but the currency has dropped against most others once again and it’s quite a bargain in 2023. Brazil was hit pretty hard by COVID in 2020 and 2021, but at this point it is more under control and 2023 should be back to normal again.

  • 3-star hotels from: US$36 per night for two people
  • 4-star hotels from: US$51 per night for two people

>>>Rio de Janeiro travel guide and prices
>>>Check current Rio de Janeiro hotel and package deals

Europe

This list is all about “cheap destinations” and most of Europe, especially in the north, is anything but cheap. The other complication is that most Europeans themselves take month-long holidays in July or August, so most of the better destinations in their south will have peak-season hotel rates. Still, there are a few worth looking into.

If you are pretty sure that you want to go to Europe this year you’ll be interested in our list of the best Europe destinations in July. That list includes some cities that aren’t quite as cheap, but are pretty amazing and worthwhile.

Most of Europe’s beach areas are packed and expensive in July, but some are still affordable. Check our list of the cheapest beach destinations in Europe for some good possibilities.


Barcelona, Spain

  • July avg high: 82°F/28°C
  • July avg low: 65°F/18°C
  • July avg precip: 0.8″/2.0cm

Barcelona highlights

  • Sagrada Familia cathedral and other Gaudi architectural highlights really stand out
  • La Rambla pedestrian zone is fun day or night
  • Sandy beaches located within the city
  • Port complex with great dining, shopping, and activities
  • Nightlife that rivals Madrid and is among Europe’s finest

Barcelona is another that makes this list only because it’s marginally better than most of the others in its neighborhood. Madrid, which is mostly concrete and landlocked, can get crazy hot during July, but Barcelona and its coastal location is actually quite nice for most of the month. This Mediterranean city also has nice beaches within the city limits, although you can expect them to be pretty packed during July.

Obviously this is a very popular destination for Europeans and even the Spanish themselves during summer, so booking early is the key once again. If you just turn up and try to go door to door you’ll probably end up paying a shocking amount for a place that isn’t all that great. It’s worth noting that summer crowds in Barcelona have become almost overwhelming in recent years, so it might be better to consider Valencia or somewhere else a bit less popular. Valencia also has beaches within the city limit and it’s WAY less crowded than Barcelona. Spain also has countless other beach towns, most notably the Costa del Sol near Malaga, and Malaga itself.

  • 3-star hotels from: US$92 per night for two people
  • 4-star hotels from: US$122 per night for two people

>>>Barcelona travel guide and prices
>>>Check current Barcelona hotel and package deals


Lisbon, Portugal

  • July avg high: 82°F/28°C
  • July avg low: 64°F/18°C
  • July avg precip: 0.2″/0.5cm

Lisbon highlights

  • Castles, towers, and cathedrals, all close together in the historic center
  • Tram 28, which connects many of Lisbon’s tourist sights conveniently for €3
  • Elevador de Santa Justa – the famous and photogenic outdoor elevator
  • Great food at surprisingly good prices
  • Fado local shows to go along with great meals each evening

Unlike nearby Madrid, Lisbon actually maintains reasonable temperatures all summer, due partly to the nice sea breezes that wind through the city center. Lisbon remains something of a mystery in Europe because it’s one of the cheapest major capitals in spite of the fact that it has arguably the nicest climates and it’s a really interesting place. It’s just a bit out of the way, so no one winds up here by accident.

One of the other features of Lisbon is a group is hostels that try to outdo each other and are very popular as a result. Even if you aren’t normally a hostel person this might be a place to give one a try. The private rooms are cheaper than budget hotel rooms, and you still get all the other benefits like shared kitchens and planned activities.

  • 3-star hotels from: US$79 per night for two people
  • 4-star hotels from: US$116 per night for two people

>>>Lisbon travel guide and prices
>>>Check current Lisbon hotel and package deals


Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain

  • July avg high: 83°F/28°C
  • July avg low: 69°F/21°C
  • July avg precip: 0.0″/0.5cm

Tenerife highlights

  • Sandy beaches and hotel pools everywhere you look
  • A pleasant atmosphere with very affordable international food and drinks
  • Interesting and calm nightlife with no huge nightclubs
  • Teide volcano and national park is a fun day trip
  • Good for English speakers who don’t speak much Spanish

Tenerife is the largest of the Canary Islands and also the one where most English-speaking tourists go, but there are other islands that are also worth a look in July. This is part of the high season because so many Europeans have the month off, but Tenerife is still quite affordable with great deals on food and drinks. If you don’t speak much Spanish then you’ll be most comfortable in the southern towns of Los Cristianos and Playa de la Americas, where you’ll be surrounded by other English speakers and some Germans. It’s worth noting that Tenerife is mostly pretty quiet at night, so it’s not a great place for anyone looking for an Ibiza alternative.

You should also consider the other Canary islands, which have similar prices and nearly identical climates. Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, and La Palma tend to be listed individually on European travel agency sites, and all bundled together as Canary Islands if you are farther away.

  • 3-star hotels from: US$49 per night for two people
  • 4-star hotels from: US$82 per night for two people

>>>Tenerife travel guide and prices
>>>Check current Tenerife hotel deals


Budapest, Hungary

  • July avg high: 80°F/27°C
  • July avg low: 60°F/16°C
  • July avg precip: 1.9″/4.8cm

Budapest highlights

  • The gorgeous Parliament building along the Danube
  • Some of Europe’s best and grandest architecture fitting of a capital
  • Very affordable food and drinks (outside of the main tourist zone)
  • Natural hot spring complexes in town that are easy and cheap to visit
  • “Ruin pubs” set in courtyards of old apartment buildings (an unforgettable treat)

Budapest is a very similar situation with Krakow (below) in that it’s famously one of the cheaper cities and it tends to attract its biggest crowds during July and August. Still, it’s quite a good bargain compared to London or Paris since those places also have peak-season prices going too. This is a large and very grand city on a major river, with amazing architecture and history. Budapest is also famous for having quite a number of spas with hot springs right in the city, with many being shockingly affordable and accessible.

Again, it’s best to find a hotel or hostel here as early as possible and then lock it in. During summer prices tend to go higher and higher, and your chances of actually stumbling upon a bargain by going door to door are very low.

  • 3-star hotels from: US$72 per night for two people
  • 4-star hotels from: US$85 per night for two people

>>>Budapest travel guide and prices
>>>Check current Budapest hotel and package deals


Prague, Czechia

  • July avg high: 76°F/24°C
  • July avg low: 58°F/14°C
  • July avg precip: 2.6″/6.5cm

Prague highlights

  • Prague Castle complex, which is one of Europe’s largest and easiest to visit
  • Charles Bridge and Old Town Square for amazing photos
  • Eastern Europe’s most interesting architecture because it survived WWII intact
  • Hearty food at great prices (if you avoid tourist zones)
  • Arguably the world’s best beer that is also rather cheap (if you avoid the tourist area)

We all love to complain about Prague and its awesome crowds and rising prices, but still this city remains a bargain compared to Berlin or Munich, so it’s still worth considering during summer. Hotel prices have gone up more than food or drinks or attractions, so if you can find a cheap hostel or an acceptable budget hotel then you can do very well here, even during summer.

The crowds, however, will be ridiculous during July and August. Prague is almost like Venice in that all the main thoroughfares are so jammed with fellow tourists that it can nearly take the fun out of things. With this in mind, it’s wise to start early for the main attractions and then go to some of the weird places in the afternoons.

  • 3-star hotels from: US$62 per night for two people
  • 4-star hotels from: US$71 per night for two people

>>>Prague travel guide and prices
>>>Check current Prague hotel and package deals


Krakow, Poland

  • July avg high: 76°F/24°C
  • July avg low: 59°F/15°C
  • July avg precip: 3.5″/8.8cm

Krakow highlights

  • Lovely old town zone surrounded by a large, green park
  • Wawel Castle complex right in the city center
  • Great hearty food and hotels that can be surprisingly cheap for Europe
  • Lively nightlife and culture with a diverse crowd on weekends
  • The easy day trip to Auschwitz is unforgettable

Krakow actually gets more rain in July than any other month of the year, but still it doesn’t add up to much and it’s accompanied by the year’s warmest temperatures, of course. This is definitely the most crowded time for Krakow, so hotel and hostel prices are at their peak, but are still great bargains compared to almost everywhere else in Europe.

The strategy here would be to make a reservation for a hotel or hostel as early as possible to lock something in. Especially during July and August, it could cost you if you just turn up and start going door to door. When all the popular places are full the less popular ones will jack their prices up. Being within walking distance of the historical walled city is ideal because you’ll be spending much of your time there anyway.

  • 3-star hotels from: US$56 per night for two people
  • 4-star hotels from: US$78 per night for two people

>>>Krakow travel guide and prices
>>>Check current Krakow hotel and package deals


Split, Croatia

  • July avg high: 86°F/30°C
  • July avg low: 71°F/22°C
  • July avg precip: 1.0″/2.5cm

Split highlights

  • White-marble historic center dating back over 1,000 years (older than Dubrovnik)
  • Lovely port area with ferries going to nearby islands
  • Diocletian’s Palace is in the middle of the tourist zone
  • Pleasant seaside summer weather with sea breezes
  • Much cheaper than nearby Italy or even Dubrovnik

We used to include Dubrovnik on this list, but it’s now too expensive to qualify. Fortunately, Split is much cheaper, at least as interesting, and way less touristy because it’s not always jammed with cruise passengers like Dubrovnik. There are also nearby islands and beaches to consider, so this is an excellent hub for visits to other places in Croatia. July is part of the high season so it will be crowded, but still good value compared to Italy or France. Apartments (called sobas) are far more abundant than traditional hotels, so they are usually the cheapest and best option.

All of coastal Croatia is jammed during July and August, and in 2023 it should be popular again with so many cash-strapped Europeans preferring to stay close to home.

  • 3-star hotels from: US$92 per night for two people
  • 4-star hotels from: US$132 per night for two people

>>>Split travel guide and prices
>>>Check current Split hotel deals


Istanbul, Turkey

  • July avg high: 83°F/28°C
  • July avg low: 65°F/18°C
  • July avg precip: 0.9″/2.3cm

Istanbul highlights

  • Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque are both amazing and next to each other
  • Grand Bazaar and overall excellent shopping
  • Topkapi Palace
  • Great food at very affordable prices, especially the hotel breakfasts
  • Good and cheap hotels in central locations

Istanbul can definitely get quite warm during July, but it rarely gets sizzling, and there tends to be very little rainfall. The coastal destinations in southern Turkey are normally better bargains, but they after often scorching and very crowded during July and August, so not really ideal.

This city had been getting a bit expensive until a few years ago when economic troubles started pushing the currency down and discouraging some visitors, and now Istanbul is an amazing bargain again. The well located hotels and hostels are actually relatively expensive during summer, although still cheap by most standards. If your budget is tight you’ll want to book early for the best deals in the best locations. Many potential tourists have decided to avoid Turkey while there seems to be a bit of political instability, but the tourist areas all seem to be safe so I would check the headlines and then visit anyway.

  • 3-star hotels from: US$50 per night for two people
  • 4-star hotels from: US$72 per night for two people

>>>Istanbul travel guide and prices
>>>Check current Istanbul hotel and package deals

Africa

Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt

  • July average high: 100°F/37°C
  • July average low: 80°F/27°C
  • July avg precip: 0.0″/0.0cm

Sharm el-Sheikh highlights

  • One of the world’s top scuba diving destinations
  • Great Red Sea beaches
  • Ras Mohammed National Park
  • Sharm Old Market
  • Very affordable prices on high quality beach hotels

July will be hot in this Red Sea resort town, but it is on the coast so you will usually get pleasant breezes to help out. Speaking of the hottest places in July, Egypt will be on your list, even though it’s more comfortable than you probably fear. Egypt has had its problems in recent years and for a while almost no one was willing to visit, but that has changed once again. Sharm el Sheikh hosted the huge COP27 climate conference in November, 2022, and that has helped lift its status again.

  • 3-star hotels from: US$45 per night for two people
  • 4-star hotels from: US$72 per night for two people

>>>Sharm el-Sheikh travel guide and prices
>>>Check current Sharm el-Sheikh hotel and package deals

Middle East

Much of the Middle East is crazy hot during July, and even those places can get crowded this month, but there are still a few good choices to consider.

Beirut, Lebanon

  • July avg high: 84°F/29°C
  • July avg low: 73°F/23°C
  • July avg precip: 0.0″/0.0cm

Beirut has warm evenings during summer, but the daytime temperatures rarely get out of control. More good news comes in the fact that there is rarely any measurable rainfall during July, so you can leave the umbrella and jacket at home.

This is one of the more expensive months for hotels in Beirut, so you should definitely try to book as far in advance as possible. There are some bargains out there, but they are likely to be full well in advance. Beirut actually has a couple of fairly cheap hostels, so that’s something to consider if the hotels in your price range are looking sold out.

NOTE: As of 2023, Lebanon is a country that you don’t want to visit for kicks due to political turmoil, shortages, and general instability. We will keep it on the list for the moment and hope that it’s better in 2024.

  • 3-star hotels from: US$60 per night for two people
  • 4-star hotels from: US$70 per night for two people

>>>Beirut travel guide and prices
>>>Check Lebanon hotels and resorts


Tel Aviv, Israel

  • July avg high: 85°F/29°C
  • July avg low: 73°F/23°C
  • July avg precip: 0.0″/0.0cm

Tel Aviv highlights

  • Great beaches and a fun, modern city
  • Day trips to Jerusalem and Bethlehem are easy, among others
  • Old Port Tel Aviv area
  • Nachalat Binyamin Pedestrian Mall and Bauhaus buildings
  • Great food and interesting nightlife

Similar to Beirut only quite a bit more expensive, Tel Aviv is a popular summer destination where daytime temperatures are usually very nice. The challenge here is that only the lowest tier of hotels could be considered cheap, and even those get pretty expensive during summer.

The strategy is the same, with booking as early as possible advised, and looking into the hostel scene if the hotels appear to be out of your price range. At least the food prices stay quite reasonable during summer, so once you find a bed things shouldn’t get too out of hand.

  • 3-star hotels from: US$119 per night for two people
  • 4-star hotels from: US$165 per night for two people

>>>Tel Aviv travel guide and prices
>>>Check current Tel Aviv hotel and package deals

Asia

Asia is usually the king of cheap destinations with great weather for most of the year, but July is still in the middle of the rainy season for most of the tropical cities, as well as for Beijing and Hong Kong. Those who like to take their chances could actually have a great and cheap trip by going almost anywhere in Southeast Asia. It’s a bit cooler than in April and May, and most of the rainfall comes suddenly, plus it’s usually easy to get out of the way.

>>>9 Best Asia destinations in July rather than just the cheap ones.

Kuta, Bali, Indonesia

  • July avg high: 83°F/28°C
  • July avg low: 76°F/24°C
  • July avg precip: 2.0″/5.0cm

Bali highlights

  • Great sandy beaches and good surfing in many areas all around the island
  • Fascinating temples and monuments, even near the hotel areas
  • Shockingly cheap hotels, with really good and cheap food and reasonable drinks
  • Fascinating Hindu culture and music
  • Excellent resorts in Nusa Dua, which is also uncrowded and more private

Bali is slightly below the equator so it might not be surprising that July is actually its coolest month, by a bit. It’s also the second-driest month, so it’s the perfect time for a visit if you can afford the flight itself. Hotel prices start to rise in July, at least at the places that are favored by European package tourists. The good news is that most of the hotels that aren’t listed online tend to be cheaper and don’t raise their prices much.

One challenge that Bali does have these days is traffic problems, so it’s probably best to minimize overall touring of the island, or at least the triangle between Kuta, Sanur, and Ubud. There are plenty of lesser-known beach areas around the perimeter, so those just wanting to soak up the sun have lots of great options. Some of the best beaches in July can be found on Bali, however it’s still probably better to choose one place and spend most of your time there to avoid the traffic.

Bali had been almost completely closed during the first two years of the pandemic, and its tourism industry almost collapsed. Now that they are welcoming visitors again the prices are lower and the crowds are smaller as well.

  • 3-star hotels from: US$20 per night for two people
  • 4-star hotels from: US$29 per night for two people

>>>Kuta, Bali travel guide and prices
>>>Check current Bali hotel and resort deals


Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

  • July avg high: 90°F/32°C
  • July avg low: 74°F/23°C
  • July avg precip: 5.0″/12.5cm

Kuala Lumpur highlights

  • Intoxicating mix of Malay, Chinese, and Indian cultures
  • Modern business district that is still very lively with great shopping
  • Very cheap 4-star hotels for a large Asian city, especially in July
  • Excellent food at surprisingly good prices, including international places
  • Nearby temples and important sights that are cheap and easy to reach

Kuala Lumpur is another city that makes this list for perhaps unusual reasons. Being just north of the equator, it’s sizzling hot pretty much every day of the year, but at least July is one of its drier months. For a big and modern cosmopolitan city, Kuala Lumpur is very cheap any time of the year. Unfortunately, July is one of the more expensive months for hotels.

Nevertheless, those who book hotels in advance can often get great deals even during the high season. This city curiously has some of the cheapest 5-star hotels in the world, so those who really want to indulge themselves on more of a 3-star budget should look into the high-range options here. It’s also worth noting that KL is built for its climate and you can travel long distances in the city center in elevated tunnels and within malls, so you can easily avoid the heat or rain if you need to.

  • 3-star hotels from: US$28 per night for two people
  • 4-star hotels from: US$42 per night for two people

>>>Kuala Lumpur travel guide and prices
>>>Check prices on hotels and resorts


Nha Trang, Vietnam

  • July avg high: 89°F/32°C
  • July avg low: 79°F/26°C
  • July avg precip: 1.7″/4.3cm

Nha Trang highlights

  • A very long, sandy beach
  • Beach massages at amazing prices
  • Long Son Pagoda and Long Tho Pagoda
  • Po Nagar Cham Towers
  • Cheap hotels and excellent Vietnamese and international food

Nha Trang, down on Vietnam’s southeastern coast, has its own unique weather pattern, with very little rain during summer. This makes it quite a nice place to go if you are in, say, Australia or New Zealand and you are looking to warm up a bit. The problem is that Vietnam is mostly for touring and rain can be a problem in most of the rest of the country during July.

Still, if you are looking for a cheap place to spend a few weeks on a nice beach during July, it would be hard to do better than Nha Trang. Hotels for around US$20 are easy to find, although they’ll be at least a block or two from the beach. The drinks are cheap and the nightlife is good here, so it’s worth considering for the right type of cheapskate traveler.

  • 3-star hotels from: US$19 per night for two people
  • 4-star hotels from: US$26 per night for two people

>>>Nha Trang travel guide and prices
>>>Check prices on Vietnam tours

Are your travel dates flexible?

If you can go earlier you’ll find even more great choices of cheap destinations with great weather in June.

Or if you can’t quite make it in July you’ll be interested in our list of cheap destinations with great weather in August. It’s a similar list to the July one, but there are some great deals in the Caribbean in particular.

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All Comments

  1. Kumar says:

    Comment*

    Please suggest countries to visit from Qatar during Eid holidays in July to avoid hot summer
    including budgeted hotels and air travel.

    1. Roger Wade says:

      Kumar,

      That is really a tough one. In order to get cooler temperatures you have to get far away from the equator or go way up in altitude. Unfortunately, both of those options tend to be expensive from Qatar in July. I think going to Poland would be one of the better and more affordable options. It can still be a bit warm there in July, but WAY cooler than Qatar or anything else closer. Krakow is the best place to focus on and it’s quite cheap as well as lovely.

      Of course it’s even cooler in Sweden and Norway and Iceland, but also VERY expensive, especially that time of year. Sorry there isn’t a better answer for you and good luck. -Roger

  2. David says:

    Great post. Racking my brains, I have time to fly out in two days from SFO (San Fransisco Bay Area) for about a month. Would love to find a mid size city where I can rent an apartment easily, gain internet access and enjoy weather 60-85 degrees f. Reasonable to lower priced would be ideal. I like cities like Chiang Mai, Medelllin. I speak conversational Spanish so that makes certain countries easy. Quite tempted to check easter Europe but might save until May of next year to avoid the crowds, unless I can find a quiet/cheaper part of the area.
    Thanks for any additional insight if you have any! Need to decide!

    1. Roger Wade says:

      David,

      If you want constant spring-like temperatures I can’t think of anywhere better than Medellin, as you’ve mentioned. I’ve yet to make it there myself but I know some expats who live there and people rave about it, especially value for money and weather. Chiang Mai would be a great choice in spring or autumn, but it’s very hot there now. You might also consider Mexico since you speak some Spanish. Mexico City itself has mild summer temperatures and the central neighborhoods are really nice and affordable. It’s anything but a “mid size” city though.

      As for eastern Europe, as long as you avoid the major ones like Prague and Budapest, it won’t be too crowded. You could even consider Krakow, which is a fantastic and very affordable place. Or you could choose a random city in, say, Czechia such as Pilsen, and look for an Airbnb there. I actually lived in a city called Nis in Serbia for almost 5 months and I enjoyed it very much. It can get a bit hot there, but not bad and it won’t be crowded because it’s a big university city so many students will be gone. Sarajevo is much more interesting and also very pleasant. I hope this helps. I’ve been studying this exact thing for many years and I’m happy to help more if you need it. -Roger

  3. Ken says:

    Mexico City is always fun as well as Guadalajara in the centro. I always felt safe there but for now days i would not advise walking outside certain areas at night, days are fine.

  4. Muneem says:

    Admin, I think you forget to mention about Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. It is the prime beach and tourist town in Bangladesh, situated alongside the Sea beach of Blue Sea known as Bay-of-Bengal, beside Indian ocean. And everybody know that travailing in Bangladesh is very cheap!

    So, I hope you must include Cox’s Bazar in you site with this post or another post.

    1. Roger Wade says:

      Muneem,

      Thank you for the comment. It’s not that I forgot about Cox’s Bazar, it’s that I’ve never heard of anyone going there on a leisure trip. I’m sure many people from Bangladesh and from some nearby countries go there, but it seems to get tiny numbers compared to, say, Goa. Also, as I look now, July is the rainiest month and it gets more rainfall on average than most cities get in a whole year. So even if I did list it, it wouldn’t be in July. I will look into it more though, and I might add it to the winter months, when it looks like the weather is far better. -Roger

  5. Daniel Nargunam says:

    Which would be the best place to travel from Dubai.Any suggestion?

    1. Roger Wade says:

      Daniel,

      From Dubai you can cheaply fly into Europe, so any of the European cities listed above could be good value with great weather. And you can also cheaply fly into Thailand, Malaysia, or even to Indonesia from Dubai. You’ll be in perhaps the world’s best airline hub, so you can fly nonstop to almost anywhere. -Roger

  6. Lauren@GreenGlobalTrvl says:

    The temperatures in Ecuador seems perfect for summer in comparison to America. Thanks for the post, and safe travels.

  7. Matthew says:

    Another good city is Bogota, Colombia which has similar weather like Quito, Ecuador. A bigger city with more places to see and more things to do. Thank you.

  8. Kent says:

    Thank you I’ll go to Turkey 😉

  9. admin says:

    Yes, Cristina, those are good points. I was surprised to hear my brother in Germany considering going to Bulgaria with his family this summer.

    And it sounds like you got unlucky with the heat in Budapest since the averages are much lower than that. Also, Budapest is still cheaper than Paris or Rome, so it still makes this list.

    Romania does sound nice for the low budget types who like to camp. I’ll have to do more research on those sorts of things soon. Thanks. -Roger

  10. Cristina says:

    Bulgaria is , indeed, a very cheap destination during summer. And they have a lot of packages available which make your jaw drop. However, I wouldn’t go there for the sunbathing. I want to see the Balcik Castle though.
    I’ve been to Budapest in August (2007) and it was soooooo hot. Think of 35-40C hot. Not to mention that the city isn’t that cheap anymore. Right now the prices are going up which puts Budapest on the list of “we’ll see if autumn will be cheaper”.
    Romania is also a good choice in July IF you avoid the Black Sea and the very well known mountain resorts. Just head to a secluded area and you can get away with 10 euro/night/2 persons in a camping hut.