Japan in August: Is it really a bad time? (page 2 of 2)

If the piggy bank is full enough, Easter Island, the Galapagos.

Oh yeah, veeeery full 🤪 How many kids does Michaël have? Last time I checked flights, it was around 3000 €... per person, of course.

The Galapagos, it's the Himalayas for divers—I’ll leave that to the bravest (and wealthiest!) 😛

Easter Island with nothing around it is quite a trip. (Duration, price...)

I would’ve loved to go during my two trips to Chile, but it would’ve taken up too many days, and the price was definitely not cheap.

You didn’t say you didn’t like Mexico, but personally, when I say I won’t go back somewhere, it’s because it didn’t really click for me.

So the budget has its limits! ;)

Legendary in South America: Cusco and Machu Picchu, Iguazu Falls, the Uyuni Salt Flats, the Amazon, the Pantanal, the Andes mountain range, colonial cities...

Yeah, but all that’s a whole continent 😉. I’m not gonna do Peru, Bolivia, and Brazil in one trip I should focus on one or two countries. I’ve been looking at Peru since this morning. Okay, there’s Machu Picchu, but otherwise...😕

We’ve never set foot in South America, and I have no idea how to even plan a trip there (probably because of our Asian bias...). Given that we’re not hikers at all—more like leisurely strollers who love beautiful landscapes, historic sites, and stunning monuments (though all that still involves a fair bit of walking 😛)—if there are gorgeous beaches and diving opportunities, that’s a plus (though Japan doesn’t fit that bill 😉). I don’t feel like we’re the right audience for that continent, but I’m probably wrong 😐.

I totally relate to everything you said.

My few trips to this side of the world (Brazil, Mexico, Martinique, Santo Domingo) weren’t memorable enough to make me want to return. But Asia...! And then there’s Morocco, always. Attila mentioned it. The Atlantic coast, of course, and—let’s go wild—heading all the way down to Dakhla, the very end of the road. The wow factor is guaranteed! It’s an easy trip to organize, and I can tell you the kids love it! At 3, 12, and 16, it’s always been a hit.

Okay, worth looking into—I hadn’t thought of that at all. Noting all these ideas 🙂

Cuzco, Arequipa, Lake Titicaca, the Amazon, the Colca Canyon...

Around Cuzco and Machu Picchu alone, there’s enough to keep you busy for nearly a week.

Iguazu can be combined with northeastern Argentina. They’re the most beautiful waterfalls in the world (I’ve also been to Niagara and Victoria Falls).

Iguazu can definitely be combined with northeastern Argentina. They’re the most beautiful waterfalls in the world (I’ve also been to Niagara and Victoria Falls)

Absolutely, when I mention Iguazu Falls and Rio to teens, the wow factor is guaranteed. We’ve got a winner here 😉

Hi Michael,

Since you're a lover of Asia and haven’t yet taken the plunge like I did for South America, here are a few ideas to explore:

The northern part of Japan, Hokkaido (which I don’t know), with a car (make sure your driver’s license translation is approved). Why not South Korea by car as well (an international driver’s permit is mandatory)? I know it well, even though it’s hot in August (beaches for your crew 😄). Then there’s Malaysian Borneo, Mongolia (not so much for beaches, sorry 😄), and the many islands of Indonesia.

For something different, there’s northern Australia, which is climatically pleasant. Car rental is an option there too, and I’m sure there are some great beaches.

Just make sure to tell them it's winter and we'll be looking at more like 20-25°C in the air and a bit over 20°C in the water.

Vendée in good weather isn’t the tropics!

You could also add the Pantanal, why not Brasília.

The colonial towns around Ouro Preto will be pleasant to visit too, with a mild but dry climate. Car rental is possible.

Hey Michael,

Since you're an Asia lover and haven't taken the plunge for South America like I did, there are a few options to consider;

The northern part of Japan, Hokkaido (which I don’t know), with a car (make sure your driver’s license is translated and approved). Why not South Korea by car too (an international driver’s permit is mandatory)? I know it well, even though it’s hot in August (beaches for your crew 😄). Borneo in Malaysia, Mongolia (no beaches there, sorry 😄), and the many islands of Indonesia.

For something different, there’s northern Australia, which is great climate-wise. Car rental is easy, and I’m sure there are some nice beaches there.

Thanks for the suggestions! I don’t know Korea at all. If we were to do Japan, it’d be for Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, etc. Hokkaido would be for a second trip (if we ever take the first one :/). Australia is a bit far for a short summer getaway.

Indonesia is still a great option. I think it’ll come down to that or Brazil ;)

You just need to let them know it's winter and that it'll be more like 20-25°C in the air and a bit over 20°C in the water.

Vendée in good weather isn’t the tropics!

You could also add the Pantanal, maybe Brasília.

The colonial cities around Ouro Preto will be pleasant to visit too, with a warm but dry climate. Car rental is possible.

From what I’m reading, it still sounds like a tropical climate. Heat isn’t an issue as long as it’s bearable. I’m in Cyprus right now—it must be a solid 35-40°C, but it’s manageable with the sea and the pool 😛

I’m looking into all this and will come back with questions... in the right forum (since we’re drifting away from Japan 😏)

From what I read, it still has a tropical climate.

In the (Brazilian) Pantanal, we had an average of 20°C to 24°C in July 2009, and no one went swimming (at the fazenda near Campo Grande). On the Bolivian side of the Pantanal and in Santa Cruz, it even dropped to 10°C one day! So around Iguaçu, even though it’s tropical, it shouldn’t be *that* hot in August. Around Ouro Preto, it should stay between 18°C and 25°C max, with cool nights (12°C). It was around 10°C at Lake Titicaca (Bolivia/Peru) in August, but that’s at altitude.

For info on southern Brazil (Rio Grande do Sul): https://fr.aroundus.com/p/4255633-minuano

From what I read, it still has a tropical climate.

In the (Brazilian) Pantanal, in July 2009, we had an average of 20°C to 24°C, no more, and nobody went swimming (at the fazenda near Campo Grande). On the Bolivian side of the Pantanal and in Santa Cruz, it even dropped to 10°C one day! So around Iguaçu, even though it’s tropical, it shouldn’t be that hot in August. Around Ouro Preto, it should be between 18°C and 25°C max, with cool nights (12°C). It was around 10°C at Lake Titicaca (Bolivia/Peru) in August, but that’s at altitude.

For info on southern Brazil (Rio Grande do Sul): https://fr.aroundus.com/p/4255633-minuano

Hey!

The idea of Brazil has really taken shape since last summer, and we’re leaning toward a go for next year. I’m thinking of an "ideal" 2.5-week itinerary, optimizing transfers. Simple question: can you only access the Pantanal via a round trip from São Paulo? (I don’t see any flights to/from Rio on Skyscanner or similar to Campo Grande or Cuiabá)

On Google Flights, there are flights from Rio with Gol Airlines?

I preferred the Corumbá–Bonito combo over the Pantanal near Cuiabá. Easier to organize with a rental car.

There’s also the option to return via São Paulo and leave Brazil from there.

It might be cheaper than Rio.

I was convinced I was on the Japan forum and ended up in the middle of a discussion about Brazil. Weird...

Anyway, someone mentioned Hokkaido Island as a possible destination for August, and no one really reacted, so I’m bringing it back up (fitting the theme, since anything’s possible). What’s the climate like in Hokkaido in August?

There’s also the option to fly back via São Paulo and leave Brazil from there.

It can be cheaper than Rio.

Yep, great tip—it’s definitely cheaper than Rio. Thanks! :)

P.S.: I’ll stop hijacking the Japan forum with Brazil talk. Meet-up on the South America forum instead ;)