Where Will 2023 Take You?
We’re one year closer to the future, and it’s time to start planning your next vacation.
“To every thing there is a Season…”. Pinpointing one country to visit is so hard when it seems like there are infinite possibilities and not enough time. Now factor in questions like; “when is rain season’ “when is the best time to go?” or my favorite ” when are there less people?” Planning a vacation should not be stressful, but can become daunting when you have 50 tabs open after doing 678 hours of research (haha). So, this is me telling you ”CLOSE ALL THOSE TABS” and check out my personal picks for you this year.
January – Panama City, Panama
Climate: January Weather in Panamá City, Panama. Daily high temperatures are around 88°F, rarely falling below 85°F or exceeding 91°F
Located on the Pacific coast of Panama and the capital of its namesake country, this city is a great spot for travelers who want an exciting vacation experience.
The vibe is Europe meets Miami. You can find everything from museums , art galleries to outdoor activities like hiking and swimming. There are also plenty of bars and restaurants where you can socialize with locals or other visitors from around the world. Beach Bums will have plenty of nearby playas to sunbathe or stargazing into the night!
Don’t ever worry about getting bored during your stay because there’s always something new happening every day!
Additional January Ideas: San Diego, Cartagena, Cancun
February- Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
Climate: Typical day ranges from a high of 83°F (29°C) to a low of 74°F (23°C)
Manuel Antonio is one of the most visited destination in the Central Pacific region, it offers a variety of small intimate hotels built into the rainforest. You can find an array of eclectic accommodations between the town and the popular Manuel Antonio National Park.
There are many things to do here such as swimming in the natural pools, hiking through rainforests or just relaxing on one of their beautiful beaches. You will see different types of wildlife such as sloths, monkeys and toucans in their natural setting.
Additional February Ideas: Turks & Caicos, New Orleans and Playa del Carmen
March – Grand Anse, Grenada
Climate: Daily high temperatures are around 85°F, rarely falling below 83°F or exceeding 87°F.
This beautiful lush island is located between the Caribbean sea and Atlantic Ocean; if you are searching for it on a map you will find it north of Venezuela and Trinidad.
If you are looking for a relaxing place to spend your holiday then the “Spice Island” is the perfect place for you! This is a wonderful oasis for snorkeling or scuba diving as there are plenty of colorful fish swimming around! You can also explore the many trails here, which will take you through rainforests filled with exotic plants and wildlife.
Go visit before the masses discover it, tell them Lynnette sent you –you wont regret it.
Additional MarchIdeas: Montego Bay, Cairo and Cape Town
April – Key West, Florida
Climate: April brings an average high temperature of 81°F (27°C) as spring continues in Key West. Low temperature averages are 72°F (22°C)
Key West is the most southern point of the continental United States and the westernmost island connected by bridge.
This island is popular for its activities, which range from: snorkeling at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, kayaking through mangroves, seeing marine life up close or even parasailing! If you prefer an evening out on the town, the famous Duval Street offers tons of great restaurants, fresh seafood and bars with live music playing : fancy or casual – there’s something for everyone!
If that isn’t enough activities for one day, don’t worry! There are events happening all year round; including arts festivals, races and tasting distilleries.
Additional April Ideas: Amsterdam, Mykonos, Osaka
May – Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Climate: Daily high temperatures are around 86°F, rarely falling below 83°F or exceeding 89°F. Daily low temperatures are around 75°F, rarely falling below 72°F or exceeding 78°F.
Dominican Republic’s easternmost tip– Punta Cana is 20 miles of sandy beaches and sunshine. Most visitors do not realize that it is more than one beach and it abuts the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. In fact Punta Cana is comprised of 8 beaches; varying from surf perfect waves, calm clear blue water and everything in between.
Aside from the beaches, the Dominican Republic has plenty to offer when it comes to exploring nature, culture and history. Common activities include: scuba diving, ziplining and walking tours of the historical capital.
Sidenote: if you are looking for the perfect month weatherwise to host your destination wedding on this beautiful island–this is it!
Additional May Ideas: Barcelona, Washington D.C and Athens
June – Madrid, Spain
Climate: The average temperature ranges from a high of 85°F (29°C) to a low of 56°F (13°C).
Right in the middle of Spain you will find it’s largest city and capital- Madrid.
Considered one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. It has been named one of the top 10 cities for its culture, cuisine, art and architecture by National Geographic magazine. If you’re a fan of museums and history then you’ll love Madrid. This blog would run too long if I listed all there is to do in this great city, but here are a few to mention: You can see a Picasso at his museum , explore Spain’s history at El Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía (Queen Sofía Art Center), try out Cajasol Planetario Plaza de Oriente which features a planetarium dome with 360-degree views or just get a fresh batch of churros at San Guines.
I would avoid going July or August– you will feel like you live on the sun, but you can stand the heat, their are great “ventas” (sales in English) and less crowds since the locals go away to cool off from the summer heat.
Useful tip: Pack your walking shoes–you’ll need it!
Additional June Ideas: Portland, Niagara Falls and Machu Pichhu
July: Ocho Rios, Jamaica
Climate: Daily high temperatures are around 88°F, rarely falling below 86°F or exceeding 90°F.
Ocho Rios is a port town on the north coast of Jamaica. What was once a fishing village is now a brimming town full of possibilities for all who visit.
Known as the “Capital of Adventure” — let me count you the ways: party at Margaretville, dive into a luminous lagoon, take a scenic drive through Fern Gully, go for a round of golf , explore the green grotto cave, swim with the dolphins, try jerk at Scotchies , take a rum tour or visit the many falls.
Thrill seekers this vacation may cause more fun than expected; side effects may include memories of a lifetime!
Additional July Ideas: New York City, Santorini and Montreal
August: Denver, Colorado
Climate: In the summer, Denver enjoys low relative humidity, making for beautiful, sun-filled days and cool, comfortable evenings. The average daily high temperature in August is a mild 86 degrees Fahrenheit.
The capital of Denver lies between the Rocky mountains and sits one mile above sea level.
This fast growing city offers a great long weekend or a good start for some western adventure. While you are there don’t forget to visit cat alley, take a walking tour in the steps of Soapy Smith, try one the many great restaurants and breweries, visit the botanical gardens and catch a ride to the Red Rocks Amphitheater.
Additional August Ideas: Edinburgh, Lake Como and Amsterdam
September: Rome, Italy
Climate: High temperatures decrease from 84°F to 76°F .
The capital of Italy sits on the central-western portion of the boot shape country.
Rome is one of the most popular cities to visit in Italy, and ideal for exploring. You can start off your trip by visiting the classics: The Vatican Museums, Galleria Borghese, Palatine Hill and the Colosseum. Afterward, head out into the streets and explore neighborhoods like Trastevere, and Trevi. Finish every day with wine, pasta, gelato and you definitely did the trip right!
Additional September Ideas: Honolulu, Prague and Antigua
October – Porto, Portugal
Climate: Average daily high temperatures decrease from 71°F to 65°F and the fraction of time spent overcast or mostly cloudy.
The town that gave the country its name is located northwest and best know for its 6 bridges and port wine.
October is Portugal’s month for celebrating Wine Season. During this time, the city comes alive with festivals and wine tastings. It is also the time when many people visit this beautiful city to have dinner at famous restaurants or to attend opera performances.
Fun Fact: this city attracts travelers from all over the world because of its unique architecture and charming streetscapes that are peppered with red tiled buildings dating back hundreds of years ago when they were first constructed by local fishermen who would return home after their long days working on boats out at sea harvesting oyster beds in this river valley between two hills overlooking both sides where Vinho Verde grapes grow abundantly today which produces some excellent wines sold locally so travelers can taste them here too!
Additional Ideas: Kyoto, Santorini & Vienna
November – Cancun, Mexico
Climate: Average daily high temperatures from 85°F to 83°F
This tourist town is located on the Yucatan Peninsula bordering the Caribbean Sea.
You can enjoy the beach, pools and restaurants without having to fight for a chair or a table. The water is warm enough to swim but not so hot that you’ll burn your feet on the sand.
The beaches are a great place to relax and enjoy the sun while sipping on some fresh coconut water. You’ll also have plenty of opportunities to get active by visiting one of the many water parks in Cancun such as Xcaret or Xel-Ha where you can swim with dolphins, snorkel and kayak among many other things.
Cancun also offers many attractions including Mayan ruins, museums and local markets. There are also many nearby archaeological sites including Tulum which was built by the Mayans in about 1350 AD.
Additional November Ideas: Tulum, Curacao & Paris
December -Strasbourg, France
Climate: Average high temperature is around 50°F.
Sits on the German border on the north east side of France.
Bundle up for some outdoor activities in magical Alsace. Strasbourg’s Christmas Market is the second-largest in France, after Nantes. The market takes place on Place de la Cathédrale and Place Broglie between: mid November to the end of December.
You can find traditional French treats such as choucroute garnie, foie gras and Spaetzle (a savory German pasta dish with cheese). These markets are full of delicious treats: gingerbread cookies, chocolate truffles, sausages, grilled meats and more.
The topping on the cake are all the great street performances showing off their talents (don’t forget to tip).
Additional December Ideas: Austria, Brazil, St. Augustine
About the Writer
Hi/ Hola/ Ola
I’m an independent travel planner with CS Elements Travel. I specialize in group travel and custom itineraries. My favorite destinations are: Portugal, Panama, Punta Cana, Jamaica, Cancun and Spain. My identifiers are: Travel Advisor, Latina, Wife, Pizza Snob and World Traveler. Follow my adventures and if you would like help planning your next trip, here is where to find me: lynnette@travelcselements.com
Love the article and thank you for providing the climate and best times to go!