A chart of the best shoulder season destinations

Like the cream in the middle of an Oreo, shoulder season is so sweet. Sandwiched between the painful prices and crushing crowds of high season, and the often unbearable weather of low season, shoulder season is the perfect time to travel. Typically, hotel rooms are cheap, crowds are thin, and the weather is mild.
But shoulder season for Paris doesn’t fall on the same dates as shoulder season for Tokyo.
So here’s a chart of the best shoulder season destinations for easy reference:

(We’ll call February and August “planning months, ” since neither has any significant shoulder seasons.)

• January – North Africa. The Christmas travel crowds are gone and the weather is warm.

• March – Brazil (post-Carnival), Hawaii, or India, between local holidays.

• April – Western Europe. Rome, Barcelona, Paris, and London will still be cool and you’ll have your chance of rain, for sure, but the crowds are thin and prices go way down. Also, Australia. April is early autumn in Australia and temperatures are dropping. You’ll also get there before the crowds rise.

• May – Japan. Hit Japan after the Cherry Blossom festivals are over for a break in prices.

• June – Baja. Prices and temperatures are mild, between the Spring Break rush and the summer heat.

• July – Northern Caribbean. (But avoid hurricane areas.)

• September – South Africa. It’s early spring in South Africa, and prices are low on game drives. You’ll also find animals easier to spot since many trees still don’t have their leaves.

• October – Southern Europe. The weather has turned chilly up north, but around the Mediterranean, you’ll usually still find warm temperatures… and good travel deals.

• November – Caribbean and South Pacific. Christmas is high season in these warm destinations. Try to get your beach time in before the rush.

• December – Costa Rica. The Rainy Season is subsiding, but the tourists haven’t flocked in, yet.

If you’re not sure when shoulder season falls for your destination of choice, try booking your trip for just before or just after high season.
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