June is traditionally the first big vacation month of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, but there are still loads of excellent places to go with good weather and affordable prices. Actually, June can be an ideal choice for those with time off because so many Europeans spread all over the world during their more popular holiday months of July and August. While the beach areas in Europe and North America tend to be crowded and expensive in June, there are many great options not too far away that are still cheap and have great weather.
You’ll find great choices in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia as well, all in affordable price categories. If you are more sure of where in the world you’d like to go you might instead consult our list of the best European destinations to visit in June or the best Asian destinations to visit in June.
Important June 2024 Holidays
- May 30 – Feast of Corpus Christi: A major celebration in most Catholic countries (Italy, Spain etc)
- June 1 – Pancasila Day (public holiday in Bali and throughout Indonesia)
- June 2 – Republic Day in Italy (public holiday)
- June 3 – Queen Suthida’s Birthday in Thailand (public holiday, observed June 5 in 2023)
- June 3 – Agong’s Birthday in Malaysia (public holiday)
- June 8 to 10 – Dragon Boat Festival (China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan)
My new video showing many of the places below
Over on my new Youtube channel I recently made a video showing 10 of the places on this list with great video footage and some additional reasons you might go along with cheap hotel recommendations in each place. I’d appreciate anyone who watches and subscribes.
The Americas
In North America, June is obviously the start of summer, but most of the north isn’t really cheap enough to make this list. In South America it’s winter in most places, so only the Tropical cities are worth a look for a good-weather bargain at this time of year. The hot countries in June are mostly in the north at this time of year.
The Caribbean
While June is officially the first official month of “hurricane season” in the Caribbean, the chances of one interrupting your vacation this month are almost zero. September is the peak of hurricane season and there have been almost no big storms in June that have hit any islands, for what it is worth.
Since June is an extremely popular wedding months, here are the best Caribbean islands and resorts for honeymoons.
Cancun, Mexico
- June avg high: 91°F/33°C
- June avg low: 77°F/25°C
- June avg precip: 5.4″/13.5cm
Cancun highlights
- Excellent beaches with turquoise water in many Cancun areas
- The Caribbean’s best nightlife (if you want it), but also easy to avoid
- A great range of all-inclusive resorts in every price range
- Every imaginable activity, water sport, and golf, plus famous ruins
- Cenotes, which are semi-enclosed sea caves that are unique to this area
While June is one of the wetter months in the Cancun area, the rain almost never comes down for more than an hour or so at a time, and it tends to be refreshing when it does fall. Better still, the hotel prices are very low in June so you’ll be able to get amazing deals at even the nicest hotels in the area, with inexpensive flights as well.
If you are looking for a high-rise resort on a beach then you’ll definitely want to look along the main Hotel Zone in Cancun itself. But if you would prefer to stay in an actual town with dozens of nearby choices of local restaurants and bars, then you should head to Playa del Carmen or even the island of Cozumel just across the water. They will all be bargains in June, and the sea breezes will keep you cool during the times you aren’t in your air-conditioned hotel room. Tulum, which is just south of Playa del Carmen, is a trendy new destination for creative types. In fact, there are 9 distinct areas in and near Cancun where you can stay and we have created a quick guide for choosing where to stay in Cancun based on your preferences.
- 3-star hotels from: US$37 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$83 per night for two people
- All-inclusive resorts from: US$208 per night for two people
>>Cancun travel guide and prices
>>>Check current Cancun resort and package deals
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
- June avg high: 89°F/32°C
- June avg low: 77°F/25°C
- June avg precip: 1.7″/4.0cm
Punta Cana highlights
- Fantastic all-inclusive beach resorts with the best value in the Caribbean
- A large and modern airport and highways to get you in safely
- White, sandy beaches at most every resort, and ALL of the better ones
- Fishing, sailing, water sports, golf, and other adventure excursions available
- Family-friendly resorts are available for families with kids
June is a warm month in Punta Cana, but it still gets almost no rain so you’ll be able to spend all day on those lovely white sandy beaches if you like. This is where you want to go if you are looking for an all-inclusive resort in the Caribbean with great service at shockingly reasonable prices. In June you should find room rates that are so low they will look like mistakes, yet they are real, and the resorts here are all professionally run.
This area gets crowded with European visitors during July and August, and most of the resorts here are owned by Spanish (or at least European) hotel companies. So June is the perfect month for great weather and modest prices for an all-inclusive resort. The flights to the new and efficient airport here should be well priced this month as well. Punta Cana also tops our list of the best Caribbean destinations for families with children because there are so many excellent and affordable resorts that have water parks and kids clubs.
- 3-star hotels from: US$46 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$77 per night for two people
- All-inclusive resorts from: US$173 per night for two people
Montego Bay, Jamaica
- June avg high: 90°F/32°C
- June avg low: 76°F/24°C
- June avg precip: 1.5″/3.8cm
Montego Bay highlights
- Jamaica has a famous cuisine, excellent fruits, and great frozen drinks
- Sandy beaches at most resorts, although it’s important to check at cheaper places
- Excellent sunsets in Negril and other west-facing beaches
- Music and nightlife for those brave enough to leave the resorts, and great parties inside the resorts
- The only large Caribbean island where all the locals speak English
If you don’t like the sound of Punta Cana then you might prefer to find a resort in Montego Bay, where pretty much everyone speaks English as a first language. The town itself is kind of a dud, so you are best off booking at one of the large self-contained resorts along the coast near town. The all-inclusives here are good deals, but there are other good options as well. In fact, Jamaica is home to two of our 11 best luxury all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean, and one of those is in Montego Bay itself, and both of them have overwater bungalows.
If Montego Bay itself doesn’t sound ideal then you might instead consider Negril or Ocho Rios, both of which are about 90 minutes away from Montego Bay Airport. Ocho Rios has a similar strip of large resorts along its coast, with some interesting nearby sights and attractions. Negril, on the other hand, is best for smaller beach hotels along 7-Mile Beach, where there are many small restaurants and bars to choose from nearby each property. This is where you go to find the old-school super chilled out Jamaica.
- 3-star hotels from: US$74 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$223 per night for two people
- All-inclusive resorts from: US$217 per night for two people
Los Cabos, Mexico
- June avg high: 89°F/32°C
- June avg low: 66°F/19°C
- June avg precip: 0.0″/0.0cm
Los Cabos highlights
- Fast and easy to reach for many Americans and Canadians
- Amazing marina area with outstanding shopping, restaurants, and shops
- A great mix of traditional and all-inclusive resorts
- Mild evenings in winter so you aren’t sweating day AND night
- Excellent beaches at most hotels and resorts
If you are looking for a beach holiday and you are starting in the western half of the US or Canada, then Los Cabos is your best choice in June. While other Pacific resort areas like Puerto Vallarta start their rainy season in June, Cabo doesn’t really have a rainy season and the June temperatures are still quite nice, especially with mild evenings for sitting outside for dinner and drinks.
It’s worth noting that the Los Cabos area is made up of two cities and a stretch of beach between them. Cabo san Lucas is the western town built around the large and gorgeous marina, and San Jose del Cabo is the eastern town closer to the airport where things are more spread out. There are loads of great beach resorts in the area, including many luxurious ones in between the towns. If you prefer nightlife and shopping you’ll want to stay in the Cabo san Lucas area, and families are probably better off almost anywhere else.
- 3-star hotels from: US$70 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$216 per night for two people
- All-inclusive resorts from: US$238 per night for two people
>>>Check current Cabo resort and package deals
Mexico City, Mexico
- June avg high: 76°F/24°C
- June avg low: 54°F/12°C
- June avg precip: 5.3″/13.3cm
Mexico City highlights
- World-class historic colonial city center
- Modern culture and shopping districts that are surprisingly posh
- Excellent food (not just Tex-Mex) at appealing prices
- Pyramids and other nearby Aztec ruins that are easy to reach
- Great value hotels and hostels for a big, modern city
Here’s another one that does get a bit of rain during June, but its altitude keeps temperatures in Mexico City much lower than most people would guess for this time of year. People who might not be able to afford a trip to Europe should consider this as an interesting alternative.
Flights from the US and Canada tend to be cheap, the city center area is very nice in many places, and prices are very low compared to almost anywhere else. This is a very underrated destination that is far safer than many cities in the US, and the mild June weather is a perfect reason to visit. In other words, Mexico City is not one of the hottest places in June, but it’s pleasantly mild and much nicer than you might expect.
- 3-star hotels from: US$25 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$55 per night for two people
>>Mexico City travel guide and prices
>>>Check current Mexico City hotel deals
Cartagena, Colombia
- June avg high: 87°F/31°C
- June avg low: 79°F/26°C
- June avg precip: 4.2″/10.5cm
Cartagena highlights
- Gorgeous and historic colonial wall town center
- Good beaches and other nearby sights
- Great food and drinks that are surprisingly cheap
- A unique atmosphere that is very different from the large Caribbean islands
- Nearby islands, water sports, and other activities
It’s true that it can be a bit rainy in Cartagena in June, but it’s the tropical type of rain that comes and goes quickly, so it’s unlikely to become a problem for most people. Hotels in this beach town are still in their off-season prices as well, as the summer demand doesn’t really pick up until July.
The winter is probably the best time to visit, but it’s really quite nice all year round, and still very cheap as well. If you like culture, history, and gorgeous Colonial architecture you’ll want to stay in the walled city area. But if you mainly want to relax on the beach you’ll want to stay in the Bocagrande area just to the west of the walled city. There are quite a few all-inclusive resorts in Cartagena as well and the prices are very appealing, but food and drinks in the city and at beach restaurants are pretty cheap as well so you may not want to commit to staying in one place for your entire trip.
- 3-star hotels from: US$38 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$86 per night for two people
- All-inclusive resorts from: US$132 per night for two people
>>Cartagena travel guide and prices
>>>Check hotel deals for Cartagena
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- June avg high: 81°F/27°C
- June avg low: 64°F/18°C
- June avg precip: 2.0″/5.0cm
Rio de Janeiro highlights
- Copacabana and Ipanema beach areas are world-class beaches and very entertaining
- Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf cable car are amazing in person, if a bit expensive
- Famous beach scene where locals far outnumber tourists all year round
- Great food and drink culture at reasonable prices
- Excellent-value smaller hotels in the nicer beach areas
Rio de Janeiro is just barely inside the Tropics, so it’s pretty much the South American equivalent of Miami. This means that its summer (December through February) can be steamy and a bit wet, but it’s nearly perfect during the rest of the year.
Rio and the rest of Brazil had becomes somewhat expensive a few years back, but the currency here has come back down and now it’s definitely a bargain again. The chain hotels on Copacabana and Ipanema beaches are still pretty expensive although for security reasons they might be worth the splurge. Still, if you look for smaller family-run hotels and restaurants, Rio can be as affordable as it is beautiful, and it’s really beautiful.
- 3-star hotels from: US$47 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 resort deals
Europe
When June rolls in it’s still quite cold in the north of Europe, and incredibly expensive as well. The best vacations in June are therefore toward the south in Europe. June is actually a perfect month to get some sun because peak season doesn’t start until July and yet the weather is perfect already. Check our list of Europe’s least expensive beach destinations for some options.
>>>Best Europe destinations in June
- 56 Europe cities from cheapest to most expensive for backpackers
- 56 Europe cities from cheapest to most expensive for 3-Star travelers
- 23 Europe all-inclusive destinations from cheapest to most expensive
Lisbon, Portugal
- June avg high: 77°F/25°C
- June avg low: 61°F/16°C
- June avg precip: 0.7″/1.8cm
Lisbon highlights
- Historic castles, towers, and cathedrals, all in the compact town center
- Tram 28, which connects many of Lisbon’s tourist sights for €3 or less
- Elevador de Santa Justa – the famous outdoor elevator
- Great food that is surprisingly cheap for a large European capital
- Fado (local folk music) shows to go along with great meals
A gorgeous city that is underappreciated by most visitors until they actually visit, Lisbon is also one of Europe’s best-value destinations.
The temperatures in Lisbon during June are pretty much perfect for climbing up and down its seven hills without making a mess of yourself. It’s hard to make a case for flying a long way to visit Portugal alone, although there’s actually plenty to see and do, plus the wonderful Algarve region in the south, so this is usually an add-on to some trips of Spain. If you are on the fence, definitely take the leap and you won’t regret it.
- 3-star hotels from: US$83 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$101 per night for two people
>>Lisbon travel guide and prices
>>>Check current Lisbon hotel deals
Madrid, Spain
- June avg high: 80°F/27°C
- June avg low: 59°F/15°C
- June avg precip: 1.0″/2.5cm
Madrid highlights
- Best place to experience the wide range of Spanish cultural highlights in one place
- Royal Palace complex
- Prado Museum, which is one of the world’s best art museums and a gorgeous building
- Tapas bars, where you get free snacks with each drink ordered
- Excellent nightlife that draws people from all over the world
Especially as the Euro is so low compared to the US dollar, Madrid is an excellent bargain as well as being an amazing city. Spain’s capital is a grand and gorgeous place with palaces, museums, and large public squares. The food here is a highlight, especially if you are a tapas fan because you can often eat for next to nothing as part of a pub crawl while paying for beer or wine.
The nightlife in Madrid is also famous, and in June things are really going strong. You’ve probably heard that people eat dinner late here and then young people head to the clubs after midnight. Even if you aren’t one to stay up that late, you’ll find plenty to see and do here well into the evening. The siesta thing is still observed in Madrid, so be prepared to relax indoors or find other things to do while most businesses are closed from 2 PM until 4 PM or so.
- 3-star hotels from: US$97 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$122 per night for two people
>>Madrid travel guide and prices
>>>Check current Madrid hotel deals
Barcelona, Spain
- June avg high: 76°F/24°C
- June avg low: 60°F/16°C
- June avg precip: 1.7″/4.3cm
Barcelona highlights
- Sagrada Familia cathedral and other Gaudi architectural highlights
- La Rambla pedestrian zone
- Sandy beaches located within the city
- Marina complex with great food, shopping, and activities
- Nightlife that rivals Madrid and is world-class
The daytime temperatures in June for Barcelona are still very reasonable, and the ocean breezes can actually make it feel cool in the mornings and evenings. As a beach city this place does stay very busy all summer long, so June is a nice compromise before things get too crazy.
It’s another that may not be super cheap, but it’s very reasonable compared to the rest of Western Europe, and definitely worth a visit at least once in your life for the unusual architecture alone. It’s worth noting that Barcelona has become so crowded in peak months in recent years that the city government is trying to curtail some tourism. June is a busy month, so be prepared for crowds.
- 3-star hotels from: US$101 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$143 per night for two people
>>Barcelona travel guide and prices
>>>Check current Barcelona hotel deals
Prague, Czechia
- June avg high: 72°F/22°C
- June avg low: 54°F/12°C
- June avg precip: 2.9″/7.3cm
Prague highlights
- Prague Castle complex, which is one of Europe’s easiest to tour
- Charles Bridge and Old Town Square
- Eastern Europe’s most interesting architecture that survived WWII
- Hearty food at great prices (if you avoid tourist zones)
- Arguably the world’s best beer that is also very cheap (if you avoid the tourist zones)
Arguably the most beautiful city in central Europe, Prague has been extremely popular among those touring Europe for decades, and with good reason. One of the historic cities that was mostly spared from being flattened in WWII, Prague is a showcase for interesting and historic architecture.
Hotels here can be expensive, especially if you stay in or near the historic center, but the public transportation here is cheap and efficient so saving money by staying a little away from the river is often the best choice. Beer here is famously good and cheap, although it’s only cheap at places where locals outnumber the tourists, and those can be hard to find in the Old City, which is another good reason to stay a bit on the outskirts.
- 3-star hotels from: US$87 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$111 per night for two people
>>Prague travel guide and prices
>>>Check current Prague hotel deals
Krakow, Poland
- June avg high: 72°F/22°C
- June avg low: 57°F/14°C
- June avg precip: 3.3″/8.3cm
Krakow highlights
- Gorgeous old town zone surrounded by a lovely park
- Wawel Castle complex
- Great food and hotels that can be shockingly cheap for Europe
- Lively nightlife and culture
- An easy day trip to Auschwitz is unforgettable
It’s hard to emphasize enough what a bargain Krakow is compared to most of the rest of Europe. June has very nice weather, though you’ll still need a jacket or sweater for the evenings. The draw here is the lovely town center with its historic cathedrals and castles, plus a huge array of hostels and budget hotels that make shopping around very easy.
This is the new hot destination for British stag and hen parties, and one look at the beer prices makes it easy to see why. In fact, Krakow is so pleasant and affordable that it can be a good place for a longer stay if you are touring Europe. You can see the main sights in 3 days or so, and that allows you to slow down and relax if you want to catch your breath before exploring more expensive cities like Paris or London.
- 3-star hotels from: US$62 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$114 per night for two people
>>Krakow travel guide and prices
>>>Check current Krakow hotel deals
Budapest, Hungary
- June avg high: 76°F/24°C
- June avg low: 57°F/14°C
- June avg precip: 2.7″/6.8cm
Budapest highlights
- Parliament building overlooking the Danube
- Some of Europe’s best architecture fitting of a capital
- Very cheap food and drinks (outside of the main tourist zone)
- Natural hot spring complexes right in the city that are easy and cheap to visit
- “Ruin pubs” set in courtyards of old apartment buildings (a surprising treat)
Many parts of Europe become stifling in July and August, and some of them have little air conditioning to help deal with it. This makes a place like Budapest ideal during June, when daytime temperatures are still warm but not steamy.
Budapest is always near the top of our list of cheapest cities in Europe, which is somewhat surprising when you visit and see how nice the place is. Hotels near and overlooking the Danube can be pricey, and yet if you go a few blocks inland you can get a really nice place for a fraction of the cost.
- 3-star hotels from: US$71 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$79 per night for two people
>>Budapest travel guide and prices
>>>Check current Budapest hotel deals
Athens, Greece
- June avg high: 88°F/31°C
- June avg low: 65°F/18°C
- June avg precip: 0.4″/1cm
Athens highlights
- The Acropolis hill topped by the Parthenon ruins
- Acropolis Museum (new and world-class)
- Great food and drinks at reasonable prices, largely outdoor and fun
- Syntagma Square and its quirky ceremonies
- Easy access to the port where you can take ferries to countless Greek islands
The end of June can begin to get sweltering, and you probably don’t even want to think about coming during July or August, so this would be a good one about now, especially as a 3-day stop on the way to a Greek Island for the balance of a trip.
Athens continues to be a bargain by most European standards, and it’s especially cheap when the Euro is as low as it is. The main sights here are also reasonably priced, especially considering how amazing they are. You can’t really say the same thing about London or Paris, where the attractions can really take a toll on the budget.
- 3-star hotels from: US$68 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$112 per night for two people
>>Athens travel guide and prices
>>>Check current Athens hotel deals
Split, Croatia
- June avg high: 80°F/26°C
- June avg low: 66°F/21°C
- June avg precip: 2.0″/5.2cm
Split highlights
- Stunning white-marble historic center dating back over 1,000 years
- Gorgeous port area with ferries going to nearby islands
- Diocletian’s Palace and other easily accessible sights
- Pleasant seaside summer weather with sea breezes
- Much cheaper than nearby Italy or even Dubrovnik
While Dubrovnik is the more famous destination on Croatia’s coast, it’s also too expensive to make this list now. Split, on the other hand, is still quite a bargain and it’s actually more interesting, and a nicer place to visit.
Dubrovnik is completely packed with tourists and cruise passengers, especially in summer, but Split is a similar-looking real city filled mostly with locals. It’s also easier to reach, as well as the transit hub to the nearby islands off Croatia. The area does get crowded in summer, but not quite so bad until July and August when all the Germans and northern Europeans move in for a month at a time.
- 3-star hotels from: US$67 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$139 per night for two people
>>Split travel guide and prices
>>>Check current Split hotel deals
Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
- June avg high: 78°F/26°C
- June avg low: 66°F/19°C
- June avg precip: 0.0″/0.5cm
Tenerife highlights
- Sandy beaches and lovely hotel pools at almost every larger place
- A laid-back vibe with surprisingly affordable food and drinks
- Interesting and mellow nightlife with no mega clubs
- Teide volcano and national park
- Easy yet exotic place for English speakers with little stress
Officially part of Spain, Tenerife is one of the Canary Islands and located just off the northern coast of Africa. It has a stable climate that has pleasant temperatures pretty much all year long, and June is the first month that you should be able to get as much beach time as you like in.
The island fills up more in July and August when more Europeans have their month-long holidays, so if you can come in June you’ll be dodging some of the crowds and you should also be able to get a better rate on a hotel and a flight. There aren’t many cultural sights here, but it’s a great place to relax without breaking the bank. If you don’t speak much Spanish, then you’ll want to head to the southern towns of Los Cristianos and Playa de la Americas, which are always packed with Brits and Swedes. It’s also worth noting that Tenerife is only one of the Canary Islands and you can often find even better deals and sometimes smaller crowds on some of the others including Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, and La Palma.
- 3-star hotels from: US$59 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$74 per night for two people
>>Tenerife travel guide and prices
>>>Check current Tenerife hotel deals
Istanbul, Turkey
- June avg high: 79°F/26°C
- June avg low: 61°F/16°C
- June avg precip: 1.0″/2.5cm
Istanbul highlights
- Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque are both stunning and worthwhile
- Grand Bazaar is huge and great shopping all over
- Topkapi Palace
- Great food at very reasonable prices, especially filling breakfasts
- Shockingly cheap hotels even with great locations
Tourism to Turkey has been off in recent years, but June of 2023 could be a great time to go unless something dramatic happens. This is a huge and fascinating city that is normally very easy to visit and filled with outstanding sights. But the country has been dealing with inflation and a plummeting currency, which has actually made things more expensive for residents and much cheaper for visitors.
Istanbul is the best place to visit on a trip to Turkey, but especially while it’s so cheap you might also want to visit the breathtaking region of Cappadocia with its fairy chimneys (google them) as well as the Mediterranean city of Antalya (see below), which is also historic and noticeably cheaper than Istanbul.
- 3-star hotels from: US$51 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$58 per night for two people
>>Istanbul travel guide and prices
>>>Check current Istanbul hotel deals
Antalya, Turkey
- June avg high: 89°F/32°C
- June avg low: 66°F/19°C
- June avg precip: 0.4″/1.0cm
Antalya highlights
- Fascinating historic town center overlooked the Mediterranean
- Even cheaper than Istanbul
- Great beaches east and west of the city center
- All-inclusive hotels ranging from shockingly cheap to affordable
- Easy place to experience Turkish culture without Istanbul crowds
Due to a limited number of actual hostels in Antalya, it’s not a classic backpacker destination. In reality, you can get a private room at a nice 2-star hotel in the historic center for sometimes less than a dorm bed. This city is a fantastic bargain, and the weather in June is wonderful, at least until the end when the July heat starts kicking in a bit early. The entire Mediterranean coast of Turkey is the place to be this time of year, just before it fills up during its two hottest months. It’s not technically in Europe, but it very much feels like it is.
- 3-star hotels from: US$39 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$48 per night for two people
>>Antalya travel guide and prices
>>>Check current Antalya hotel deals
Africa
June is obviously winter in South Africa, and it’s blazing hot in most of the middle of the continent and over in Egypt, so you don’t have many great choices this month here.
Fez, Morocco
- June avg high: 82°F/28°C
- June avg low: 59°F/15°C
- June avg precip: 1.0″/2.5cm
Fez highlights
- The Medina (Old City)
- Visit a tannery (unforgettable)
- Ancient buildings and mosques, some are partly open to the public
- Spice and food markets (amazing photos)
- Very affordable hotels and food
Much like nearby Marrakech, Fez sounds to many people like a place that would be in the heart of a forbidding desert, but Morocco is just south of Spain, and the Atlas Mountains keep most of the heat on the other side, so this country is fairly pleasant even in June. Most visits tend to come as part of a trip to Spain, and those who make it past the hard-to-recommend border city of Tangier will find a fascinating culture and very appealing prices.
- 3-star hotels from: US$42 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$51 per night for two people
>>Fez travel guide and prices
>>>Check current Fez hotel deals
Middle East
A bit surprisingly, much of the Middle East still has very reasonable temperatures in June.
Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt
- June average high: 99°F/37°C
- June average low: 80°F/27°C
- June avg precip: 0.0″/0.0cm
This Red Sea resort in Egypt has been one of the most affordable sunshine destinations in the world in recent years, and an incident a few years ago will probably keep it on the very-cheap list for some time to come. Needless to say, this area has been safe for years and it will be considered safe again, so anyone who doesn’t get intimidated easily should consider a visit.
Prices here had become insanely cheap while Egypt was struggling with some issues a few years ago, but Sharm was the host of the COP 27 climate summit in late 2022 and it’s back on the map as a popular beach resort area, and it’s still quite cheap by international standards.
Sharm el-Sheikh highlights
- One of the world’s top scuba diving destinations
- Great Red Sea beaches
- Ras Mohammed National Park
- Sharm Old Market
- Amazing prices on beach hotels
- 3-star hotels from: US$51 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$68 per night for two people
>>>Sharm el-Sheikh travel guide and prices
>>>Check current Sharm el-Sheikh hotel and package deals
Amman, Jordan
- June avg high: 87°F/31°C
- June avg low: 64°F/18°C
- June avg precip: 0.0″/0.0cm
Amman highlights
- Gateway to Petra, the Dead Sea and Wadi Rum
- Roman Theatre
- The Citadel
- Cafes, bars, modern malls and art galleries
- Great value hotels
Also quite cheap by international standards, Amman is usually used mostly as a launching point for trips to Wadi Rum and Petra nearby, but the city itself does impress many visitors. The weather in June is still quite nice, at least in the first half of the month, and the threat of rain is literally zero. It might not be worth flying a long distance just to visit Jordan, but this region is quite worth a visit so connecting a few nearby countries is worth a look.
- 3-star hotels from: US$61 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$74 per night for two people
>>>Amman prices
>>>Check current Amman hotel deals
Beirut, Lebanon
- June avg high: 80°F/27°C
- June avg low: 69°F/21°C
- June avg precip: 0.1″/0.3cm
Beirut highlights
- National Museum of Beirut
- Beirut Corniche (seaside pedestrian area)
- Souks (market areas)
- Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque
- Lebanese food is famously excellent
Similar to Amman, Beirut is actually quite pleasant during June with no rainfall at all. Prices here aren’t as low as they are in Jordan, but this city has plenty to see that might make it worthwhile on a visit to the region. There has been a long history of turmoil here and that has certainly hampered tourism. Nearly everyone who actually makes the trip seems to find it fulfilling, so it’s a good choice for the bold among us.
Beirut and all of Lebanon are still going through struggles after a huge explosion and some political turmoil. We are leaving it on the list with the hopes that things are better again soon, but it might not be the best year to visit again.
- 3-star hotels from: US$41 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$57 per night for two people
>>>Beirut travel guide and prices
>>>Check current Beirut hotel deals
Tel Aviv, Israel
- June avg high: 82°F/28°C
- June avg low: 69°F/21°C
- June avg precip: 0.0″/0.0cm
Tel Aviv highlights
- Great beaches and modern city
- Day trips to Jerusalem and Bethlehem
- Old Port Tel Aviv area
- Nachalat Binyamin Pedestrian Mall and Bauhaus buildings
- Great food and interesting nightlife
Carrying on with the theme of places that aren’t as hot in June as you might expect them to be, Tel Aviv has its nice beaches to keep things even nicer than the inland cities as well. This is not a particularly cheap city compared to most on this list, but June is one of the best weather months here, again with no rain at all, so if you are thinking about an Israel trip you might as well do it this time of year.
Obviously the Israeli-Hamas war still going on in early 2024 is going to keep most people from visiting the region, but Tel Aviv is still open for business as of March 2024.
- 3-star hotels from: US$136 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$168 per night for two people
>>Tel Aviv travel guide and prices
>>>Check current Tel Aviv hotel deals
Asia
The cheap destinations in Southeast Asia will be celebrating the start of the drenching rainy season in June, so it’s not really an ideal time to visit if you have a choice. Still, there are some good options to consider.
>>>12 Best Asia destinations in June
Nha Trang, Vietnam
- June avg high: 89°F/32°C
- June avg low: 80°F/27°C
- June avg precip: 1.7″/4.3cm
Nha Trang highlights
- Great beaches for a city in Vietnam
- Long Son Pagoda
- Monkey Island (a bit controversial)
- Amazingly cheap hotels and food
- Great mix of traditional Vietnamese food and international favorites
The exception to the Southeast Asia rainy season pattern, this beach town on Vietnam’s southern coast avoids nearly all the wet during summer, so it’s especially appealing for Australians and such who are escaping their own winter down under. Nha Trang is not Vietnam’s best cultural experience, but the beaches are very nice, the nightlife is surprisingly good, and it’s extremely cheap once you get there.
- 3-star hotels from: US$39 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$47 per night for two people
>>>Nha Trang travel guide and prices
>>>Check current Nha Trang hotel deals
Kuta, Bali, Indonesia
- June avg high: 85°F/29°C
- June avg low: 77°F/25°C
- June avg precip: 2.8″/7.0cm
Bali highlights
- Great beaches and surfing in many areas all around the island
- Stunning temples and monuments in many different areas
- Amazingly cheap hotels, with fairly cheap food and drinks
- Fascinating Hindu culture and gamelan music
- Even cheap buildings and hotels have gorgeous wood and stone work
Bali is near the equator so temperatures are similar all year long, but fortunately June is not part of the rainy season so this is one of the best times of the year to go. Rain never seems to be too far away, but of course the island is well adapted to the quick downfalls, so things get right back to normal again. June is a booming month for tourism in Bali, with most of the visitors coming from Australia, but it’s still reasonably priced and hotels are everywhere.
Those who only research on big travel sites might think Bali is very expensive for hotels, but there are still many cheap & cheerful guesthouses in all the main tourist areas, so just showing up might save you quite a bit compared to reserving online in advance. Those looking for the best beaches in June will find many good candidates here in Bali as well.
- 3-star hotels from: US$29 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$48 per night for two people
>>>Kuta, Bali travel guide and prices
>>>Check current Bali hotel and resort deals
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- June avg high: 91°F/33°C
- June avg low: 75°F/24°C
- June avg precip: 4.9″/12.3cm
Kuala Lumpur highlights
- Fascinating mix of Malay, Chinese, and Indian cultures
- Modern business district but very lively and great shopping
- Very cheap 4-star hotels for a large Asian city
- Excellent food at surprisingly good prices
- Nearby temples and important sights that are easy to reach
Another city very close to the equator, Kuala Lumpur is hot every day of the year. And while there will be some noticeable rain during June, this is actually the driest month on average. An impressive and modern city, KL is built to drain off the wet stuff very fast, so it rarely impacts a visit. It’s not as cheap as the rest of Southeast Asia, but when you get to Kuala Lumpur you realize why, as things are much nicer than they are in most of the region, and more cosmopolitan as well.
- 3-star hotels from: US$41 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$58 per night for two people
>>Kuala Lumpur prices
>>>Check current Kuala Lumpur hotel deals
Beijing, China
- June avg high: 86°F/30°C
- June avg low: 66°F/19°C
- June avg precip: 3.0″/7.5cm
Beijing highlights
- Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square
- Nearby sections of the Great Wall are easy to reach on bus tours
- Palace Museum
- Excellent and varied food and drinks
- Hutongs (ancient alleyways)
Beijing can get really sweltering, steamy, and smoggy during summer, but June is a decent compromise before things start getting too bad. Of course this is one of the world’s most important cities, past and present, and it’s loaded with interesting things to see and do. Hotels and food are very good bargains here, and things are even cheaper in pretty much all of China, so this is a good time for a tour of multiple cities if you can pull it off. Here is why booking a tour to China is probably better than going independently. Most tours also include Shanghai, and Xi’an, but Guilin is an even better stop for most people.
Foreign tourism into China has almost ground to a halt as of 2024 as international tensions have been mounting with many of its neighbors and the West in general. This might not be a great time to visit China although that is up to you as long as you are following the news.
- 3-star hotels from: US$57 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$81 per night for two people
>>>Beijing travel guide and prices
>>>Check current Beijing hotel deals
Are your dates flexible? If so you'll have some other great options
June is one of the best months to plan a trip because it’s before the big crowds in Europe and there are almost never big Caribbean storms to worry about either. But if you end up having to go later you’ll be interested in our list of cheap places to go with great July weather for some other interesting options.
On the other hand, if you can go a bit earlier you’ll have even more great options. Our list of cheap destinations with great May weather is filled with really nice places that are going to be cheaper and less crowded than June, and still with ideal weather.
Hi Roger,
My boyfriend and I are looking to travel somewhere around mid-June for about two weeks. We are based in Phoenix so could probably make it to LAX fairly easily. We’d like to go somewhere international, and would love a mix of adventure/culture and relaxation. We went to Costa Rica last year and loved it, and would love to explore another part of the world. Budget is around $3,000 per person. Any suggestions or ideas would be greatly welcomed!!
Thanks,
Becky
Becky,
Since you’ve got two weeks and you want to explore another part of the world, I think it’s the perfect time to visit Asia. April is actually the hottest month in Thailand and elsewhere in southeast Asia, so by June it’s cooling down a bit, partly because of a cloud cover and occasional quick rain storms.
So my top recommendation would be to fly to Bangkok and spend a few days there, and then head to Siem Reap to visit the amazing Angkor Wat temples and just hang out in the very cool town. Then you could head to one of the islands of Thailand for the last 4 or 5 days. It’s quite easy, and also cheap once you get there.
The other recommendation would be to fly to Bali, which has its best weather in June. You could spend at least a few days in Ubud and also at least a few days in Lovina along the northern coast. As long as you don’t spend too much time in the Kuta/Legian/Seminyak area (the popular beach area that is overcrowded), you’ll love Bali and it’s also quite cheap. Even including airfare, your budget would allow you to have a great time.
Of course the other option to consider would be Europe. Your budget would be enough for cities like London, Paris, and Rome as long as you plan well, or you could splurge in cities like Prague, Budapest, or Krakow. Let me know if any of these appeal to you and I’ll give you more details if you like. -Roger
Taking a trip May 29 for 2-3 weeks. Want good weather and combo culture, maybe a few days of beach. Thinking of Bali. Where do you recommend we go? This will be our first time there. We are Mexican, pretty spiritual and very open. Curious and love variety, fun and maybe some water activity. We do love beauty and nature (and to snorkel or just enjoying what is easy to get to. Should be stay in Bali or go into another country?
Forgot to say, we are 50, young hearts, and live in bay Area, California. Not rich. Have access to Sheraton hotel discounts (husband works for Starwood company of hotel). Had considered Japan and Bali but it looks like we should save japan for a Sept./Oct trip.???
Leticia,
Bali could be a good choice for this trip, especially as you say you are spiritual. As you probably know, the spiritual side of Bali is fascinating and perhaps its most unique feature. No other popular Asian destination shares its spirituality nearly as much, although Thailand and Laos are others to consider.
As of a few years ago I would tell people that Bali was my favorite holiday destination in the world, and then I spent a full month there earlier this year. It’s still very nice in many places, but it’s also crowded and overbuilt in the most popular areas so choosing where you stay and where you go is critical. I’d avoid spending more than a day or two in the Kuta-Legion-Seminyak beach area, which is by far the most popular. It’s worth seeing, but just don’t linger there. You could spend a week or more in the Ubud area a bit up in the hills. It’s also fairly crowded, but not nearly as much as those beach areas.
The next time I go to Bali I will base myself in the Lovina area, which is a beach that is still pleasant, beautiful, and uncrowded like Bali used to be all over as of 20 years ago. It takes a couple hours to get there from the airport, which is exactly what it’s not overrun yet. There are also some other nice beaches to consider, as long as you aren’t too close to that main Kuta area I mentioned. With that advice I think you could find something really nice, and for a decent price.
And really, Thailand is better organized and it also has a lot going for it. You could spend a few days in Bangkok and then move on to one of the islands for the remainder of the stay. Let me know if this helps and if you have any other questions, and I’ll be happy to try to answer them.
Japan does get really hot in summer so an autumn trip might be better. And of course Japan is MUCH more expensive than Bali, so it’s a whole other type of experience. -Roger
Hello Roger,
I’m planning a trip somewhere in Jun-Jul 2017 with a max. budget of $2500 (incl. airfare and lodging). The dilemma is I am confused whether to go the USA (CALIFORNIA to be more precise) where a friend stays, so would be saving on the lodging expenses or to go 2-3 European countries (which countries is undecided yet.
I plan to have an approximately 2 weeks stay wherever i go.
Kindly advise on the same.
Saquib,
It’s hard for me to give you much advice on this without knowing your starting point. Airfare in summer could be at least half of your US$2,500 budget, depending on where you are.
All of that aside, if you’ve not yet been to California and you have a free place to stay there, I think it would be a great idea, and easily within your budget as long as the flight wasn’t more than US$1,200 or so. I grew up in California and I find it a frustrating place to live, but there is no doubt that there is a huge list of interesting attractions and sights, many of which are free or very cheap.
If you let me know your starting point and also which European countries interest you most, I might be able to offer more insight. -Roger
Hi Roger, am impressed the way you have a solution / recommendation in most of cases.
I am planning to go on a 7 night tour along with my wife and 7 year old kid. Would like to keep it leisurely and relaxing and avoid hectic planning. However, some fun and entertainment required for the kid. Preference is sea beaches, good city architecture, and interesting monuments. Was exploring Europe.
Time of visit – last week of June .. for 7 nights
Budget – around 1500 USD per head
You may provide options like – city pairs in Europe, or even places in Caribbean, Singapore, etc … higher the options along with pros and cons, better it is
Praps,
I’ll try my best on this. For a 7-day trip I won’t recommend anywhere in Asia because it pretty much takes a full day each way in transit, not to mention the jet-lag you’d struggle with.
I’ll assume you are in the US or Canada, and if so the best place that hits your whole checklist is San Juan, Puerto Rico. You can rent an apartment for a week in one of the more modern neighborhoods such as El Condado, and you’d be walking distance to some of the best beaches in all of the Caribbean, and a short bus or taxi ride from Old San Juan. The historic part of San Juan is simply gorgeous and loaded with great restaurants and attractions. There are also the two colonial forts and quite a few other things to see nearby. Then you could rent a car (cheap and easy because it’s part of the US) for a few days and do some trips to elsewhere on the island, including the nearby rain forest.
The whole thing would be fairly stress free and surprisingly inexpensive, partly because June isn’t one of the busier months there. And unlike many other Spanish-language destinations, Puerto Rico (at least in and around San Juan) is quite easy to get by on English only if you have to.
If you wanted something a bit more exotic you could try Cartagena, Colombia, which is cheaper and also very interesting. But its walled Old City isn’t as nice as San Juan, and the beaches aren’t quite as nice either.
If you wanted to go to Europe the first option that comes to mind is Portugal. You could spend 3 or 4 days in the wonderful and beautiful city of Lisbon, and the remaining days down along the southern beach in the area known as the Algarve (near Faro). You could travel by train and then get around by taxi or bus once you got down to the coast.
Aside from that, it’s hard to recommend Europe for what you have in mind. Spain has some very nice beaches, but almost all of them are in areas where northern Europeans come to reach places that feel more like home than like Spain. The one exception is the city of Malaga, which is quite nice and does have good beaches. But I don’t think it’s worth crossing the Atlantic just to go to Malaga. Believe it or not, most of Europe’s beaches are terrible and/or overcrowded, at least compared to US and Caribbean beaches.
These recommendations are mainly keyed on the fact that you started your list with “leisurely and relaxing” and that you’ll have a 7-year-old in tow. Seriously think about San Juan, and I’ll be happy to give you more info if you like. If none of these sound interesting, give me more preferences and I’ll try again. -Roger
Hi Roger, you are a good man for answering all these questions! I’ve been wanting to tour Switzerland and/or Bavaria for a long time, and this summer I’m going to make it happen. I love outdoor hiking, scenery, photography, etc. and I think the Alps are so incredible! I probably only have about 10 days, and I’m a grad student without a lot of money, so I can’t afford lots of expensive hotel stays (but I hear Switzerland can be pricey). Do you have any recommendations as to which cities to visit in late June? Right now I’m hoping to see Zurich, Bern, Geneva, Montreaux, and maybe Fussen and/or Konstanz Germany. Possible? Other recommendations? Thank you!
Scope,
First off, please have a look at my article on where to go in Switzerland. It will answer many of your questions, and it’s easy to scan to find what you are looking for.
Also, I give you some worthwhile choices in my article on where to go in Germany, which includes Fussen.
Those aside, Switzerland can be shockingly expensive, but you should go anyway because there is no other place in the world like it and its views of the Alps are among the world’s greatest sights. Focus more on Interlaken and Lucerne, and of the cities Bern is the only one that really has a payoff that is worth the costs. Zurich is nice, and spending a day and night there wouldn’t be a terrible idea, but it’s ridiculously expensive and hard for backpacker budgets.
Montreaux is a nice-looking lake town in the French-speaking part of Switzerland, but again I’d focus more on the outdoor sights and less on the cities to keep your budget in line. There are nearby cities in France that are at least as interesting, at half the price.
Book at least a couple nights at the Mountain Hostel in Gimmelwald for the most amazing scenery in a tiny mountain town that you won’t believe still exists (and is easy to reach).
So again, Switzerland is expensive, but I don’t hear many people regretting the splurge because its in a class of its own, at least as far as scenery is concerned. I’m happy to give you more specific recommendations after you’ve gone through those articles if you still have questions. You’ll also find a lot of extra info in the comments of that Switzerland article as well, because I get these questions a lot. -Roger
Roger, you are amazing! Thank you so much, your recommendations are exactly what I’ve been looking for!!
Hi Roger, great recomendations. I am flexible and have off now until June 19th and am looking for a last minute international trip leaving from SFO. My budget is about 2k and I am looking for outdoor adventure nature and culture. Do you have any places you would recommend for an active guy in his 30’s?
Jason,
For nature and outdoor adventure near SFO, I’d think about Whistler, British Colombia first, especially as the Canadian dollar is relatively weak to the US dollar these days.
If you are thinking more about the Tropics than the mountains, you should look into Costa Rica. It’s the tail end of the “dry” season now, so crowds are down a bit, but the weather will still be fine, even if you have to dodge a quick rain shower or two each week in the afternoons. Costa Rica practically invented the whole zip-lining and canopy tour thing, and that’s just one of about 20 different adventure-oriented activities you can do there. Costa Rica is also reasonably cheap, although it has higher standards of safety and organization compared to its neighbors. In other words, Belize and Nicaragua offer those things a bit cheaper, but they have been known to cut some corners.
Actually, Belize could be another interesting choice depending on what you want to do, and it’s easier for someone who doesn’t speak Spanish because English is (more or less) one of its official languages. There should be plenty of other people in their 30s, and more than a few other singles, at all of these places in June.
Hopefully one or more of those sound interesting. If you need more details, let me know. Or if I was totally off, let me know with some more details and I’ll try again. -Roger
Thanks Roger! Thanks for the recos. I ruled out Canada because with this much time off I want to take advantage of that and travel a bit further. As for Costa Rica you nailed it however I was there already and it was exactly what I was looking for. There is too much out there to explore in the world to do the same place at this point. What are your thoughts on Bali? I see in you article you recommend it, it seems cheap once you get there and they do speak English I believe. Have you been and do you think it provides a decent amount of adventure like hiking, motorbiking, snorkeling and etc… ? Thanks again for your input. It is very helpful and can’t believe you are responding to everyone so quick.
Oh I forgot to mention Belize looks amazing and a great suggestion. Do you think it is too close to the rain season there though? I think it starts in June. Thoughts?
Jason,
My first trip to Bali was in 1998 and for many years I told people it was my favorite destination on earth. I recently visited for the third time, spending a full month there, and I like it much less now. Pretty much all of the popular areas are over developed in a sloppy way, so traffic is horrible and it’s just not all that nice anymore. It’s still a great surfing destination, and the Kuta Beach area is really fun if you want to party with boisterous Australian people, but it’s not really much of an adventure destination really. Actually, there are some still-wonderful areas in the north of the island (around Lovina), and on the Gili islands and nearby Lombok, but I’m not sure it’s worth the trouble.
For what you have in mind I’d instead recommend Thailand. It’s the most popular destination in that area for a reason, as it’s fairly well organized and very tourist-friendly. Unless you’ve been there before, I’d recommend spending at least a few days in Bangkok (the Khosan Road area is incredibly fun, and cheap, in spite of all the complaints), and then fly down to one of the islands. Ko Samui is probably your best choice, but you could also look at Ko Pha Ngan and/or Ko Phi Phi. They are all beautiful and should have good crowds in your age group. I wouldn’t recommend Phuket, as it’s far better suited to families, shopping addicts, and stag parties.
As for Belize, the rain starts coming more heavily in the second half of June, although with this year’s El Nino, weather has been weird almost everywhere so it’s hard to say. At this point you are probably near enough to just look at the month-view forecast to see what it looks like. If you go I’d recommend spending at least some of your time (if not all of it) on the main islands of Caye Ambergris or Caye Caulker. Let me know if you have any more questions. I enjoy trying to help people plan trips like this, so it’s nice to actually get something worthwhile out of decades on the road. -Roger
Hi James,
I am unable to decide to choose between Bali and Thailand. My wife choice is shopping n adventure with natural flora little bit. Singapore I been so nothing much to do.We are planning for June end or july so please elaborate where to go for Thailand 5 nights or Bali or any suggstive place.
Budget is max Rs 70000 it’s a short tour.
Read ur suggestions found really helpful.
Please advice thanks.
Sushant,
I’ll try to help. Bali isn’t a very good shopping destination really, mostly because the stores are almost all quite small and spread out. There are hundreds or thousands of little “designer clothes” shops from major brands spread along the tourist streets, but they are so spread out that it’s very inefficient for a real shopper. And worse, walking along those busy streets in Bali is quite unpleasant, as you have to frequently walk into the street around motorbikes and such.
Bangkok, on the other hand, has about 20 modern (and air-conditioned) shopping malls all bunched together in a fairly posh part of town around Siam Square. It’s FAR more pleasant and I’d imagine that prices are at least as good. There are also large malls in Phuket (in Patong Beach) and in Chiang Mai as well, but Bangkok is the king. By the way, Kuala Lumpur also has many nice malls in one area, and it’s an easier city to visit because almost everyone speaks English.
As for adventure and flora, Bali is quite good for that, but I’d still recommend Thailand. It’s just much easier to move around quickly, and far more modern. So I’d recommend Thailand (or Malaysia). You could start in Bangkok and spend 2 or 3 nights there, and then take a cheap flight to Phuket or Kho Samui (or one of the other islands) for some nature and relaxation for the other 2 or 3 nights.
Or you could just go to Phuket for the whole 5 nights, which would obviously be a bit easier, although Bangkok really is an amazing city so missing it would be a shame. The one tricky thing about Phuket is that 90% of the shopping and nightlife and other tourist-oriented things are in the town of Patong Beach, but mostly because of that, it’s not very relaxing. A big part of the center of Patong Beach is dedicated to “adult” nightlife, and there are massage places all over town with fairly aggressive employees out front trying to get business. The massage people are family-friendly and harmless, but still a bit annoying after a while.
So if you stay in Phuket you might be better off staying in a nearby town such as Kata Beach or Karon Beach, and then take a taxi into Patong on days you want to shop and whatnot.
Let me know if you have other questions. -Roger
Hi Roger
I am planning Europe trip for 21 days starting July 1st travelling with my wife, 2 kids (13 and 9) and two small suitcases.
Entry port will be Frankfurt and exit from Brussels.
We are planning to keep it budget trip.
This will be our repeat trip to europe. Already visited Munich, Paris, Venice, Madrid, luzern and other adjoining swiss cities and brief visit to Amsterdam city.
Our rough itinerary plan is Frankfurt > Berlin > Amsterdam/ Rotterdam, Paris > Brussels
Could you please suggest a family friendly cheap itinerary.
How many days I should keep for each destination with the suggestion of nearest attractions.
We are planning to travel mostly by train with a provision of renting a car in case of requirement.
Birin,
I see that you posted this question on another article as well, and I answered it there because it’s the more appropriate one. So click over to the Europe itinerary questions and answers article for your reply. -Roger
My girlfriend and I are looking to travel to Costa Rica mid to late June. It will be ten days and we plan on doing Puerto Viejo, Arenal, and Manuel Antonio. Our concern is the weather. Based on your knowledge, is the rain completely miserable? Or is it scattered showers? We would like to enjoy a little bit of sun while we’re there. Thanks!
Dan P,
It’s true that June is one of the wetter months in Costa Rica, but like most of the Tropics, the rain tends to come all at once, and usually in the afternoon. So on the beaches it will typically be sunny in the morning, start to get a bit cloudy in the early afternoon, and then the skies will be gray at 3pm. Then it dumps down a bunch of rain for 20 or 30 minutes, and the clouds start moving out again. That might happen 20 days in June, and also some rain overnight. Along the coasts it’s very rare for a whole day to be rainy, and it’s almost never drizzly.
How, Arenal has its own climate, and it can be rainy for days at a time, and foggy as well. In that case you might just check the forecast and then head there when it looks like it’s going to be clear. Personally, I enjoy traveling in that sort of season because crowds are thinner, hotels are cheaper, and the rain is surprisingly easy to avoid. Have a great trip. -Roger
Hi Roger,
Thank you for a really quick response. Just for research sake, would the weather in the Cancun and Belize area be comparable? Or less rainy?
Hi… We lookin for a holiday by June 15 th.. Can u suggest us a good place considering our 1.5 yr son… We are actually thinking of Sweden Denmark n Finland.. Is it the right place …??
Swetha,
Nearly all of Europe is well suited to traveling with young children, as nearly everything is accessible for strollers and such. So it all depends on where you want to go. Sweden and Denmark are both lovely, and Stockholm and Copenhagen are two of Europe’s prettiest cities. They are both quite expensive, however.
I can’t really recommend Finland unless there is something specific you want to see there. Helsinki is quite dull compared to the others, and there isn’t much else to see in the country. It’s also quite expensive.
If you give me more hints as to what sort of thing you are looking for, I might have more suggestions. -Roger
Hi Roger,
We are Indians residing in Dubai. Looking at a week trip during last week of June for a family of 2 adults & 2 kids – 11 & 16 yrs. We want to narrow down on 1-2 places that we can cover in 5-7 days. Want to avoid the hot & rainy places. Flights are OK as wife works with Airlines. Budget around 1000 uSD per person. Have already been to Rome-Florence-Venice, Jakarta, Kenya, Malaysia, Singapore, Bangkok, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Istanbul etc. Definitely want to do a different set of cities this time. had in mind – Austria-Germany-netherlands/ hungary OR spain for the bull run & tomatino etc. I also liked your suggestion of Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia as my son is a big Real Madrid fan. Also thought of South Africa / China / Orlando as options. Looking forward to your thoughts & recommendations. – Pramod
Pramod,
It sounds like you are already very well traveled, so this is a bit challenging. In 5 to 7 days I’d recommend exactly two cities, assuming you want some culture rather than just relaxing.
Spain is notoriously hot all summer, though not as hot as Dubai, so if that is a factor then I’d probably head north of there. If you do want to visit Spain I’d highly recommend dividing your time between Barcelona and Madrid, and taking the high-speed train between them. They are both very large and interesting cities that are quite different from one another. Valencia is quite nice, but you can save it for a future trip. I don’t know much about those festivals, aside from seeing them on TV, so I can’t be of much help.
Since there are so many great places in Europe that you’ve yet to visit, and it’s closer than most of the others on your list, I’d choose from European city pairs. Here are some pairs in the areas you mentioned that would complement each other well on a 2-city trip:
Vienna and Salzburg, both great and very different from each other.
Berlin and Munich
Munich and Salzburg
Amsterdam and Paris
Berlin and Prague
Vienna and Budapest (although they are somewhat similar)
I’d say that you’d do very well with any of those pairs, and all should be within your budget. Amsterdam and Paris are the most expensive option, but both are also in my personal Top 5 great European cities, so they could be worth it.
Let me know if you have any questions about any of these, and have a great trip with whatever you decide. -Roger