fun4all4

Summer is often the best time for us to travel...however, whenever we start thinking about going to places like Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Japan, etc... and I start reading a bit, it seems that summer is not a great time to travel to these areas. Are there exceptions? Is it really not that bad and I should just bite the bullet and not worry about "ideal" weather because it is generally pretty decent or will it be likely to be totally miserable? I don't mind some heat or rain, but obviously don't want a complete washout or unbearable temps. We love culture, great food, scenery and natural beauty, history and architecture, unique experiences, active stuff like hiking/biking/kayaking, and beaches. Thoughts?
Thanks!

Kathie

I guess it depends on what "unbearable temps" mean to you. It will be hot in all of those places.

Indonesia (particularly Bali and Java) have good weather at that time.

Here is the site I use to check on weather patterns, but be aware that climate change has impacted weather patterns everywhere.

www.weatherbase.com

fun4all4

Thanks. I've looked at the temps....I am even generally ok with 90 F but it is also super humid? Really rains all day or more like an afternoon storm for an hour? Trying to get a feel for overall experience of being there during the summer. Is it really an avoid at all costs or plenty of people travel then and it's fine. For example, here in the mid-Atlantic we can get very hot July and August temps, humidity, and afternoon thunderstorms, but it is rare to have a complete washout week or even full day...of course, the occasional 100 degree day or heat wave or hurricane, but that wouldn't stop me from planning to visit places like DC or the Outer Banks in the summer, if that makes sense? But I might avoid a week in Vegas or Houston in the summer if wanting to vacation there.

Kathie

Usually, the rains come in brief (hour or two) but intense storms. While it can rain on and off all day, that is not the usual pattern. After it rains, it is absolutely steamy.

IMO, if you can only travel in July, I'd still go wherever you want to go. July isn't the hottest month in mainland SE Asia - April is.

marmot

Generally the weather's good in Bali in July/August (though this year has been oddly and unseasonably wet). You can expect mostly dry, sunny days, with the occasional downpour. Bali's just about on the equator so of course it's hot, but you can mitigate the temperature by staying near the beach or at a higher elevation inland.

July's also the onset of the typhoon season so you have to be aware of that in some areas (not Bali, though).

fun4all4

Thanks so much! I appreciate the info and thoughts. We are just starting to toy with travel ideas for 2014. July is not our only possible travel window, but it tends to work well for us. Sounds like Bali may be a particularly good choice at that time of year, but that we could still either "go with" other options listed above or choose to wait for a different time of year.

LuisJp

Hokkaido in Japan would be perfect in summer.

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2273.html

hawaiiantraveler

Have to agree that of the places you mentioned Japan, specifically Hokkaido,would satisfy your prerequisites of culture, great food, scenery and natural beauty, history and architecture, unique experiences, active stuff like hiking/biking/kayaking just no beaches you can laze around on .....there are onsens and hot springs though. A fantastic place to visit during the summer months or into early fall. Spectacular is a word that comes to mind when I think of Hokkaido.

http://www.japan-guide.com/list/e1101.html

Aloha!