Not Too Hot, Not Too Crowded: 6 Spots for a Late Summer Trip

26.07.2024 - 10:30 / nytimes.com / Katy Perry / Mariah Carey

This summer has been tough for vacationing travelers, with overcrowding, heat, hurricanes, fires, you name it. But if you’re still looking to get away, there are places where the weather right now is great, the crowds palatable and the destination itself is at its best. Here, six off-the-beaten-track spots around the world for an end-of-summer vacation.

Right now — the Southern Hemisphere’s winter — is a fantastic time to visit Rio de Janeiro. From December to February, the city is packed and in party mode with New Year’s and Carnival celebrations. But now is when a savvy traveler can see the city at its best: not too hot, not too busy, and an accurate depiction of its nickname, a Cidade Maravilhosa, the Marvelous City. On a bright August day in Rio, the sky is often clearer and the ocean bluer than almost any other time of year.

For Americans, a weak Brazilian real means the dollar is about as strong as it’s been in five years. Seize the moment by booking reservations at some of the best fine dining restaurants in South America, like the 10-person chef’s table at Michelin-starred Lasai or the more casual Oteque in the Botafogo neighborhood.

Beach lovers will enjoy the breathing room on Copacabana’s crowded beaches. Surfers can take advantage of the winter surf season, which runs roughly through September, and catch a wave at the Arpoador break between Copacabana and Ipanema.

Don’t worry if you fear you’ll miss out on the city’s festive spirit: You can always find a party in Rio, whether it’s bar hopping through the Lapa neighborhood or enjoying a samba jam session at a bohemian corner bar. The organized samba schools that compete during Carnival are already practicing for next year’s celebration; many of the rehearsals are open to the public (check out Mangueira or Salgueiro, two of the biggest schools with Saturday night rehearsals). Or see big names, like Mariah Carey, Imagine Dragons and Katy Perry, perform alongside Brazil’s best musicians at the Rock in Rio music festival, which kicks off Sept. 13.