Whether you’re in the Northern or Southern Hemisphere in July, the summer and winter seasons hold reasons to follow your heart and your style of travel.
From street festivals and cultural celebrations to wellness escapes and outdoor sports havens, this list of destinations to visit in July is sure to inspire. Scroll down and see the travel recommendations based on different types of travel interests.
As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.
The Wellness Buff
Bali, Indonesia
July falls in the dry season in Bali, a haven for relaxation and wellness among emerald rice fields, seemingly endless beaches, and sacred temples.
Book a stay at Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve to take the time to slow down and experience the rich culture of the area. Embark on a journey toward optimal well-being and serenity with the hotel’s holistic wellness and lifestyle programs, ranging from yoga to acupuncture to sessions with traditional Balinese healers.
Don’t mind driving? Heading off on a mini road trip around Bali can offer you a level of spontaneity you might not find on organized tours.
Costa Rica
In Costa Rica, July falls during the country’s rainy season, but the occasional wet weather brings lush greenery and fewer crowds — two optimal conditions for a wellness escape.
Whether your style of rejuvenation includes hiking and trips to thermal hot springs or yoga and meditation sessions, you’ll be able to live by the local motto pura vida (the pure life).
The Food and Drinks Lover
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is all about festivals and food in July. The Fourth of July in New Orleans brings thoughts of barbecue to the forefront, and it’s the perfect time to visit hot spots The Joint and Blue Oak BBQ. French cuisine has its spotlight during Bastille Day celebrations, when the French quarter holds a festival featuring local vendors.
Grab a delicious bite at Essence Festival of Culture, an annual celebration of African American culture and music, with a festival food court filled with Cajun and Creole food. Stay for some sips at Tales of the Cocktail, the world’s largest cocktail conference, open to cocktail professionals and enthusiasts alike.
Seville, Spain
In Seville, life is lived in the streets, and July’s warm weather is the perfect excuse for touring the local eats and taking every opportunity for alfresco dining.
Since the 13th century, the Velá de Santa Ana has honored St. Anne, the patron saint of the city’s Triana neighborhood, and the weeklong riverside feria (fair) includes tents where you can try delicious local flavors, from fried fish to chilled sherry.
The Sports Fan
Dominican Republic
If you plan July trips around perfecting your golf game in the sun, head to the Dominican Republic, a top-tier Caribbean golf destination. Some of the game’s best courses are found here, with Corales in Punta Cana and La Cana and Punta Espada in the nearby community of Cap Cana — all right on the ocean.
Can’t score a tee time at those specific courses? Don’t worry — there are approximately 30 golf courses in the Dominican Republic.
Upstate New York
Baseball fans flock to Upstate New York where the summer game and its greatest legends are revered at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown.
A little farther north, the Lake Placid Olympic Museum is home to North America’s largest Winter Olympic artifact collection, and four legacy sites from two Olympic Winter Games remain in the region.
July is a great time of year for a visit to this area of New York — it may be warm, but the region is filled with lakes, and these sports attractions shouldn’t be too crowded. And there’s no risk of snow or ice that would derail plans at cooler times of year.
The Outdoor Enthusiast
Vail, Colorado
For residents, summer in the Vail Valley is a warm reward for the frigid winter snow days. Even if you’re a skier, July’s beauty in this alpine landscape may make you change your preferred season.
Outdoor enthusiasts won’t run out of things to do in and around Vail in the summer, including mountain biking, hiking, fly-fishing and paddleboarding. You can also take a llama to lunch on a day trek, relax with a curated alfresco lunch on the banks of Gore Creek, or catch an outdoor concert at the Bravo! Vail Music Festival, which runs through July.
Vancouver, Canada
Vancouver has a warm, dry July — ideal for outdoor adventures in summer’s extended daylight hours. Head out to Stanley Park, with its lush greenery and sandy beaches; kayak at Deep Cove; or hike the Grouse Grind Trail (also known as “Mother Nature’s Stairmaster”).
July is also the middle of Vancouver’s whale watching season, so keep an eye out for these stunning sea animals.
The Arts and Culture Seeker
Melbourne, Australia
Celebrate the history and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islands peoples during NAIDOC Week in Melbourne, Australia, in early July. You can expect a wealth of events, including maker workshops, musical events, and activities for children.
After dark, wander through the Royal Botanic Gardens’ Lightscape display — a wonderland of color-changing installations.
Johannesburg, South Africa
July’s cooler winter temperatures in the Southern Hemisphere make museum and gallery days ideal in Johannesburg, the center of South Africa’s arts scene.
Check out vibrant murals in Jewel City, Maboneng, and Braamfontein, and duck into Arts on Main, an urban creative hub featuring galleries, workshops, and art spaces. Art lovers should also hit the Keyes Art Mile for top-notch galleries.
For a perspective on the country’s challenging history, visit the city’s Apartheid Museum, as well as the Mandela House museum in the nearby town of Soweto.
Best Places to Travel by Month — See All 12
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