Where to go in July — The Curious Travel Company

Dec 17

Dec 17 Where to go in July?

Wondering where to go in July? July is a peak holiday season so destinations are busier and often more expensive. However, with the right planning, you can find the perfect summer trip that won't leave you stuck in tourist queues and your wallet weeping. Here are our top places to travel to this July.

Costa Rica - Mongolia - Mexico - Galapagos Islands - Malawi - Russia - Greece - Alaska

Costa Rica

July is a fortunate dry window in the middle of Costa Rica's low season making it an increasingly popular time to visit. Although much less crowded than peak season you can still enjoy sunny days to explore the country's treasure trove of natural attractions. With lush tropical rainforest, active volcanoes, incredible biodiversity and paradise beaches, Costa Rica is a travel gem you shouldn't miss.

Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy rainforest hikes, scaling volcanoes, white water rafting, world-class surfing and zip-lining. Explore the rainforest on an aerial gondola at Braulio Carrillo National Park or sail down the Sarapiquí River to spot crocodiles, alligators, iguanas and snakes.

Visit Tortuguero (region of turtles) Ostional Beach is one of the few places in the world where you can witness the arribada - where thousands of turtles return from the sea to lay eggs on the beaches.

For trip design to visit Costa Rica or other areas in Central America please drop us a line.

Mongolia

Remote, wild, romantic Mongolia, with its vast skies, epic history and nomadic culture has all the ingredients for a summer adventure. The climate is warm and dry in July and Mongolia holds its most important cultural festival, Naadam. Over three days the national sports of archery, wrestling, and horse riding are celebrated with potent fermented milk drink, airag, traditional mutton dumpling, raucous dancing and local music.

Sleep in a traditional ger tent, ride a camel through the oasis of Elsen Tasarkhai Sand Dunes, take a horseback tour through the forests and mountains of Arhangay, learn about Mongolia's most famous son Genghis Kan at the National Museum of Mongolia in capital Ulaanbaatar.

Visit Khovsgol Lake in Khovsgol Nuur National Park. At this time of the year the water has melted, the surrounding wildflower meadows have come into bloom and yaks, horses and reindeers graze.

For trip design to visit Mongolia or other areas in Central Asia please drop us a line.

The Wulanbutong grassland of summer - Image by Dashu Xinganling

Mexico (Yucatan Peninsula)

July is whale shark season in Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula and one of the best places in the world to get up close to the world's biggest fish. The arrival of whale sharks to the warm waters off the Yucatan Peninsula is celebrated with a whale shark Festival in Isla Mujeres. For a less touristy encounter with the sharks head to the tiny island of Isla Holbox and take one of the many tours to Afuera, home to the largest congregation of whale sharks

Explore incredible archaeological ruins at the famous Mayan cities of Chichen Itza and Uxmal Take a tour of the underground river Rio Secreto with its crystal cave of stalagmites and stalactites. Visit the Celestun Nature reserve, where thousands of pink flamingos are the star attraction.

State capital Merida boasts pretty colonial architecture, many museums and galleries where you can learn more about Mayan culture, and impressive culinary scene. For an impromptu food tour visit a botanas where a selection of local foods is served with each drink.

For world-class beaches head to laid-back Tulum or party up a storm in Cancun.

For ideas on where to go in July, check out our Mexico Guide, our Top 10 for Mexico and our Yucatan Adventure Itinerary for a bit more information.

Interested in Mexico? Why not get in touch for more information?

Chichen-Itza in the Yucatan - Image by IR Stone

Galapago Islands

This iconic volcanic archipelago is a travel treat at any time of year but July is prime mating and nesting season and you'll be treated to some of the best nature displays the islands have to offer. Watch blue-footed boobies perform their delightful synchronised mating dances on Espanola island. On Ferdinand Island, the flightless cormorants crank up the romance with amorous mating rituals. Albatrosses and frigate birds are nesting, sea lions are breeding.

The waters are rich with macronutrients so marine life is active and plentiful making it ideal for snorkelling and scuba diving. This is also the best time of year to spot whales and dolphins off the coast of Isabella island. Hike up the Sierra Negra Volcano to see the worlds second largest volcanic crater. Visit the lava tunnels of the Santa Cruz highlands and kayak, paddleboard or snorkel in the crystal clear Itavaca Canal. Visit the islands famous giant tortoise at the Charles Darwin Research Centre or Santa Cruz island or the La Galapageuera de Cerra Colorado tortoise reserve on San Cristobal.

Most people choose an island cruise but this is peak time and boats fill up fast. If you have young kids, less agile members of the group (getting in and out of the boats can get tiring) or just want for a more economical option, do consider a land-based Galapagos tour which offers an equally fabulous trip.

For ideas on where to go in July, check out our Galapagos Family Adventure itinerary for a bit more information.

Interested in the Galapagos and Ecuador? Why not get in touch for more information?

Giant Tortoise in the wild on Santa Cruz Island – Image by Don Mammoser

Malawi

The dry winter months are great for game viewing as vegetation thins out and animals congregate around waterholes and rivers. Take a safari in Liwonde National Park near the Mazamibque border to see elephants, rare black rhinos and warthogs. A river cruise down the parks Shire River will get you up close with crocodiles, hippos and bathing elephants. Less visited but equally impressive is Nyiku National Park in the northern Nyiku Plateua. Famous for it's increadible views, hiking trails and game viewing it's worth going that little bit further. Walk through tea plantations, past thundering waterfalls on the sides of central Africa's highest peak, Mount Mulanje.

Relax on the shores of pristine Lake Malawi with its sandy beaches, clear waters and aquarium like marine environment. Perfect for scuba diving, snorkelling, kayaking or swimming.

For ideas on where to go in July check out our Malawi Adventure, Safari and Trekking itinerary for some more inspiration.

Interested in Malawi or anywhere in Africa? Why not get in touch for more information?

Elephants in Liwonde National Park – Image by Yury Birukov

Russia

July is Russia's hottest month and has the longest daily sunshine hours. The countryside is brimming with wildflowers and gold-leafed church domes glow in the sunlight. The white night phenomena, where the skies never go truly dark, is still in effect making it a magical time to explore this vast historic country. This is particularly striking in St Petersburgh. Take a midnight boat trip down the Neva river to see the city's ornate bridges opening. Admire the views from the colonnade at St Isaccs Cathedral.

Take a road trip around the Golden Ring to visit Vladamir, the capital of medieval Russian, the museums and cathedrals of ancient Suzdal and the beautiful Kremlin of Rostov-Veliky.

For a truly unforgettable trip, ride the famous Trans-Siberian express from Moscow to Ulambattar in Mongolia to combine two of our July recommendations.

Interested in Russia? Why not get in touch for more information?

Savior on Spilled Blood, Saint Petersburg - Image by Anton Watman

Greece

July is peak season in Greece and the popular islands of Santorini, Crete and Corfu are victims of their own success. Overcrowded and overpriced. However, you can still enjoy an idyllic Greek summer holiday by exploring some of the less visited areas on the mainland.

The long coastline of the Epirus region in northwestern Greece is dotted with pretty villages, perfect beaches, rolling hills, traditional tavernas and archaeological sites but attracts far fewer visitors than the islands. The laid back port of Preveza is sandwiched between the Ionian Sea and the Ambracian Gulf, giving it an island feel. It's beachside tavernas and meze bars serve sumptuous seafood dishes including the famous roe of the grey mullet. The historic archaeological site of Nikopolis is nearby and you can charter a yacht from the port to explore the idyllic inlets of Sivota, the wonderful beaches of Kryoneri and Panagia or the Venetian castle with its views of the Ionian sea at Parga.

Interested in Greece? Why not get in touch for more information?

Parga City Greece - Image by Aleksandar Todorovic

Alaska

July brings warmer temperatures, long hours of daylight clear blue skies and blankets of wildflowers to the USA's most remote state. Perfect for trekking, kayaking and hiking in the incredible scenery of Alaska's national parks. At Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park, grizzly bears gather at the top of waterfalls to catch the salmon making gravity-defying leaps upstream in the world's largest salmon run.

Visit Denali National Park to see moose, caribou, grizzlies, dall sheep and wolves in the shadow of North America's highest peak Mount Denali (previously known as McKinley).

Take a drive along the Richardson Highway, one of the most beautiful drives in the US, stopping at the Worthington glacier before visiting Valdez where you can kayak amongst glaciers and spot sea otters, puffins and humpbacks and orcas.

Interested in Alaska? Why not get in touch for more information?

Bears at Katmai National Park - Image by Manamana

Looking for more inspiration? Why not have a read of our tips on Where to go in August?

Sam Roberts is a creative content writer, web designer and travel enthusiast currently based in Malaysia.