The peak of shoulder season is a great time to reach for the sun. Set your sights on warm places to visit in October with flight and hotel prices back to affordable after the highs of summer.
Schools are back, so destinations are quieter. And if you’re happy to take a long-haul flight, some extraordinary places are at their very best.
Fall may have transformed much of the Northern Hemisphere into a panoply of pastel colors, but in many places, the sun still shines. The islands of Southern Europe, Central America and Southeast Asia in particular are spectacular. You’ll find them rubbing shoulders with Africa and America in my pick for the ten best warm places to visit in October.
The best warm places to visit in October
| Country | Destination | Avg. temp October | Avg. hours of sun |
|---|---|---|---|
| Egypt | Dahab | 81°F | 12 |
| Botswana | Botswana | 79°F | 13 |
| Panama | San Blas Islands | 80°F | 12 |
| Philippines | Siargao | 82°F | 12 |
| Thailand | Chiang Rai | 77°F | 12 |
| Nepal | Pokhara | 67°F | 12 |
| USA | Palm Beach | 78°F | 12 |
| USA | Las Vegas | 70°F | 12 |
| Sicily | Catania | 67°F | 12 |
| Spain | Canary Islands | 74°F | 12 |
Learn more about where it’s hot in October
- Dahab, Egypt
- Botswana
- San Blas Islands, Panama
- Siargao, Philippines
- Chiang Rai, Thailand
- Pokhara, Nepal
- Palm Beach, USA
- Las Vegas, USA
- Catania, Sicily
- Canary Islands, Spain
1. Dahab, Egypt
- Average September temperature: 81°F
- Average hours of daily sun: 12 hours
- Suitable for: Solo Travel, Group Travel, Backpacking
On the southeast coast of the Sinai Peninsula, Dahab is a magnet for divers. Just 50 miles north of tourist hub Sharm el-Sheikh, this laid-back town feels like a different world, and October is a magic time to visit.
A lovely mix of Bedouin culture and hippy charm, the town is unpretentious and spectacular all in one. To the west in the Sinai Desert lies Mount Sinai, of Biblical fame, and St Catherine’s monastery, among the oldest in the world. Join one of the spectacular sunrise tours for a truly heavenly experience.
It’s the crystal blue waters and aquatic wildlife in the Gulf of Aqaba to Dahab’s east that draw the crowds. In particular the famed and feared Dahab Blue Hole – a natural sinkhole only a few feet offshore that drops 390 feet into the inky black depths.
Like catnip to snorkelers, scuba and free divers, it’s lined with gorgeous coral reefs. Beware though, the memorial plaques at the cliff’s point of entry speak to its dangers and the lives it’s claimed.
2. Botswana
- Average September temperature: 79°F
- Average hours of daily sun: 13 hours
- Suitable for: Couples Travel, Family Travel, Luxury Travel
Well into its dry season, Botswana is always hot in October. For visitors heading out on safari into one of its national parks, it’s the tail end of peak season for wildlife watching.
That’s because the hot weather brings with it a lack of rain that focuses the wildlife on smaller areas around watering holes. The high and reliable waters of the Okavango Delta and Chobe River offer unparalleled sightings of lions and elephants, more abundant here than anywhere else in Africa.
On the practical side, dry season means easy-to-navigate safari routes and best of all, no mosquitoes. And while it’s peak season, prices slowly drop throughout the month so if you’re willing to leave it later, family safaris become much more affordable. For the best launch point, skip the capital Gaborone and fly into Maun.
3. San Blas Islands, Panama
- Average September temperature: 80°F
- Average hours of daily sun: 12 hours
- Suitable for: Off the Grid, Backpacking
On the edge of the Caribbean Sea under warm blue skies, you’ll find the best beaches in October on Panama’s San Blas archipelago. Mercifully under the tourist radar, this cluster of 378 mostly uninhabited islands is ruled and safeguarded by the indigenous Kuna (or Guna) people.
The Kuna’s stringent protection of their culture and lands means they remain utterly pristine, untarnished by mass tourism. Island hopping, beach lazing and reef swimming make up the daily routine. At night, bioluminescence makes the sea glow.
Fly into El Porvenir from Panama City and you’ll find lots of tours operating trips to islands like Franklin, Nadi, Kikirdub and Asuelo. There are luxury hotels in the main hubs, but nature is the draw here so instead try a campsite or one of the lovely Kuna-made eco-friendly lodges.
4. Siargao, Philippines
- Average September temperature: 82°F
- Average hours of daily sun: 12 hours
- Suitable for: Solo Travel, Backpacking, Off the Grid
Speaking of gorgeous islands, Siargao is another hot and cheap October destination. The surfing capital of the Philippines enjoys month-round high temperatures and has the island setting to make the most of it.
World-class surf breaks like Cloud 9 are just part of its aquatic appeal. Try caving in the Tayangban Cave pools where you can float by torchlight while bats flit around you. The bath-warm, mountain-rimmed waters of Sugba Lagoon are a snorkeler’s dream. Take a boat tour to Sohoton Cove National Park to swim with the unique stingless jellyfish in the sanctuary at Buca’s Grand Lagoon.
You’ll need to take a domestic flight from Manila or Cebu to the touristy area of General Luna as a starting point. Packed with bars, restaurants and hotels, don’t stay long. Instead, go to Pacifico Beach or Del Carmen, all but empty apart from simple eco accommodation and the promise of an unblemished haven.
5. Chiang Rai, Thailand
- Average September temperature: 77°F
- Average hours of daily sun: 12 hours
- Suitable for: Solo Travel, Couples Travel, Backpacking, Off the Grid
Thailand’s quieter, greener north dodges much of the fall rain that soaks the south, making it one of the best warm places to visit in October. Lovely Chiang Mai with its heady mix of modern and ancient is most people’s stopping point.
A few hours to the north, however, Chiang Rai offers a more relaxed, slower-paced slice of traditional Thai life. Rich in Lanna culture, there are many temples to explore, none more exotic and strange than Wat Rong Khun, the White Temple.
Chiang Rai is also a launch point to the Golden Triangle, the viewpoint over the Mekong where the borders of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar (Burma) meet. Don’t miss Mae Sai market where you can pick up a border pass and cross into Tachileik in Myanmar for some shopping.
6. Pokhara, Nepal
- Average September temperature: 67°F
- Average hours of daily sun: 12 hours
- Suitable for: Solo Travel, Group Travel, Off the Grid
Nepal probably doesn’t leap to mind as a destination that’s hot in October. It’s all relative though. With temperatures regularly climbing into the mid-70s, long sunny days, little rain and clear skies, it’s the ideal time to take on the Annapurna Circuit.
Accessible via domestic flight from Kathmandu, Pokhara is the gateway to the Circuit, one of the world’s great treks. Majestically set on Phewa Lake with Himalayan peaks clawing the distant horizon, it’s a city rich in climbing tradition. Head south for inspiration to the International Mountain Museum, which chronicles the history of mountaineering, documenting its most extraordinary exploits.
The World Peace Pagoda and mystical Davis Falls make for spectacular warm-up hikes. For the big trek, you should book with a dedicated, local guide operator who can help set your itinerary. Depending on fitness, anything from eight to 21 days will take you into some of the wildest, most extraordinary landscapes on the planet.
7. Palm Beach, USA
- Average September temperature: 78°F
- Average hours of daily sun: 12 hours
- Suitable for: Couples Travel, Luxury
Palm Beach may be the billionaire’s playground, but you don’t need nine zeros in your bank account to enjoy its glitz and glamor. In fact, peeling back its impossibly rich and seemingly impenetrable facade is half the fun of visiting.
With October temperatures regularly into the 80s and sun-kissed blue skies, Golden Beach is your first port of call. Walk the A1A to see some of the most opulent houses in America and chance your arm with a stroll on the private beach. Hit up Worth Avenue for some (most likely window) shopping.
Best of all, book yourself a spot in one of Palm Beach’s glitziest resorts. You don’t need to be a guest at The Breakers to snag a seat at its oceanfront Seafood Bar. Or at celeb favorite The Colony to book a poolside table at Swifty’s. Just remember: dress to impress!
8. Las Vegas, USA
- Average September temperature: 70°F
- Average hours of daily sun: 12 hours
- Suitable for: Couples Travel, Luxury Travel
There’s more to Las Vegas than the Strip (though it’s always worth spending a night indulging in its attractions.) The Mojave Desert is hot in October, so skip the glow of the Strip’s neon lights and head west.
Along the way stop off in Chinatown. Here you can feast on Asian cuisine and rub shoulders with the big resort chefs on downtime. Then visit European-styled Tivoli Village where you can shop til you drop in Boca Park or golf at the TPC.
Further west, escape the city at the Red Rock National Conservation Area with 30 miles of hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails. Book into the Red Rock Resort & Spa and ask for a room with a Red Rock view, a perfect tonic to Sin City behind you.
9. Catania, Sicily
- Average September temperature: 67°F
- Average hours of daily sun: 12 hours
- Suitable for: Family Travel, Couples Travel, Luxury
The port city of Catania sits on Sicily’s east coast in the foothills of the still-active volcano, Mount Etna. With the hot heat of summer over, October is warm and sunny enough to make the most of this ancient city’s many marvels.
Start with the classics. In the central Piazza del Duomo you’ll find the opulent Basilica Cattedrale di Sant’Agata and the entirely odd Fontana dell’Elefante, a smiling lava-stone elephant topped by an Egyptian obelisk.
Don’t miss nearby La Pescheria, the raucous daily fish market surrounded by fantastic restaurants that’s a staple of Catania life and an apt introduction to its grittier side. Spend an entire day strolling Via Etnea, the two-mile central shopping street that reaches all the way to the foothills of Mount Etna. Lined with bars, and boutiques, it throbs with shoppers and partygoers on weekends and delivers jaw-dropping views of the volcano it was named for.
10. Canary Islands, Spain
- Average September temperature: 74°F
- Average hours of daily sun: 12 hours
- Suitable for: Family Travel, Couples Travel, Solo Travel
The Canary Islands have long been a staple getaway for somewhere hot in October in Europe. Just off the coast of the Western Sahara, they’re far enough south to feel like Africa and deliver sunny weather.
Tenerife is the big draw with the beautiful beaches and buzzing bars of Adeje. Not far is Gran Canaria, famous for its black sand beaches and infamous for its hordes of cruise ship tourists. Better to get a real taste of Gran Canaria on La Gomera, the smallest Canary Island accessible only by a 20-minute ferry from Tenerife.
Here you’ll find no cruise ships, no flashy resorts, and far fewer people. Instead, winding hiking paths head deep into jungles and wind high up precipitous cliffs before tumbling to deserted beaches. Book a night or two in the capital San Sebastian and let the magic and pace of the island wash over you.
Where else is hot in 2023?
October offers plenty of variety when it comes to searching out some fall sun and warm weather. Still in shoulder season, September is also a great month to seek some post-summer sun. And if you’re still craving it into winter, KAYAK has you covered with guides to where’s hot in November and December.
If it’s not just about the weather, check the 10 best places to visit in October for fall foliage and Halloween scares. You’ll find even more inspiration on where to travel with KAYAK Explore and the KAYAK travel guides. Whatever you choose, book cheap flights, trains, and car rental and don’t forget somewhere to stay.
